Particle distribution control in cast aluminium alloy-mica composites

A suspension of mica particles (40m diameter and 3.7 thick) obtained in a mechanically stirred Al-4 wt % Cu-1.5 wt % Mg melt was poured and solidified in a variety of moulds under different heat flow configurations. The resulting cast structure showed a non-uniform distribution of dispersed mica particles with mica-depleted and segregated zones due to their flotation before and during solidification. The experimentally observed profiles of mica-free regions deviate significantly from those computed on the basis of Stokes's law and freezing-time computations. In relatively thick castings, segregation of mica could be minimized by using low pouring temperatures and/or side as well as bottom chilling. It was found, however, that thin castings (12.5 mm) could easily be produced with a homogeneous distribution of mica particles.     

Implementing enterprise resource planning systems: organizational performance and the duration of the implementation

This paper examines the impact of the duration of ERP implementation on firm performance both during and after implementation. Organizations choose either an accelerated implementation approach or a traditional (longer) implementation approach. The former approach gives the organization the advantage of speed, but the disadvantage of fitting its processes to that of a packaged (thus, undifferentiated from competitors) ERP. The latter approach allows the organization to redesign strategy and processes, and thus, search for ways to be unique from its competition. The study uses a regression model to capture the changes in various performance measures during and after implementation between firms that implemented the ERP, using the performance measure of a matched group of firms that did not implement an ERP as a benchmark/control sample, on the basis of the duration of the implementation. Financial data from Compustat, and data on start date and end date of ERP implementation between 1990 and 2005 for firms in the Oil and Gas industry was collected from an ERP vendor. Results show that measures such as return on sales improved after implementation. However, measures such as inventory turnover, which reflect operational benefits, improve during implementation. We find that accelerated implementation confers both operational and strategic benefits. This study highlights the strategic consequences of the different choices of implementation.     

Green's function approach for modeling of electrostatic effects in nanoscale fully depleted double‐gate silicon‐on‐insulator metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors

Exact solution of two‐dimensional (2D) Poisson's equation for fully depleted double‐gate silicon‐on‐insulator metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistor is derived using three‐zone Green's function solution technique. Framework consists of consideration of source–drain junction curvature. 2D potential profile obtained forms the basis for estimation of threshold voltage. Temperature dependence of front surface potential distribution, back surface potential distribution and front‐gate threshold voltage are modeled using temperature sensitive parameters. Applying newly developed model, surface potential and threshold voltage sensitivities to gate oxide thickness have been comprehensively investigated. Device simulation is performed using ATLAS 2D (SILVACO, 4701 Patrick Henry Drive, Bldg. Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA) device simulator, and the results obtained are compared with the proposed 2D model. The model results are found to be in good agreement with the simulated data. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Small-Molecule Inhibitors of METTL3, the Major Human Epitranscriptomic Writer

The RNA methylase METTL3 catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from the cofactor S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) to the N⁶ atom of adenine. We have screened a library of 4000 analogues and derivatives of the adenosine moiety of SAM by high-throughput docking into METTL3. Two series of adenine derivatives were identified in silico, and the binding mode of six of the predicted inhibitors was validated by protein crystallography. Two compounds, one for each series, show good ligand efficiency. We propose a route for their further development into potent and selective inhibitors of METTL3.     

Functionalization of conducting polymer with novel Co(II) complex: Electroanalysis of ascorbic acid

We report for the first time the functionalization of a conducting polymer with a metal complex in order to develop a new type of catalytic material exhibiting better electronic communication through their delocalized π electrons. The Co(II) complex having hydroxyl group as functional moiety is chemically coupled with carboxyl group of polyanthranilic acid which itself is a self doped conducting polymer. The covalent linkage between Co(II) and –OH group is confirmed using UV–vis, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopic techniques. The Co(II) complex functionalized polymer does exhibit excellent redox behavior and stability with mixed properties of Co(II) complex and π-conjugated polymer. The material possesses potential benefits in sensors/biosensor applications and it is demonstrated for the electroanalysis of ascorbic acid at a level of nano molar concentration.     

Studies on EVA‐Based Wax Fuel for Launch Vehicle Applications

A fuel for the hybrid rocket system was developed. The attempts made to improve the mechanical properties of wax by adding EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) are illustrated. It was observed that the mechanical properties obtained by adding EVA to wax were dependent on the process of curing the fuel specimen. A proprietary method of curing the fuel specimen was established. The percentage elongation obtained with 20 % EVA and 80 % of wax was around 17 %, which was much higher than the values obtained with pure wax (4 %). It was observed from the study that the higher the percentage of EVA content in wax was, the better the mechanical properties were. Regression rate studies with EVA and wax combination were carried out. It was observed that the regression rate decreased upon addition of EVA in wax. This reduction was compensated by using a bluff body at the head end. The regression rate obtained with 20 % EVA and 80 % wax even with the use of bluff body is lower than that obtained with pure wax, but is around 3.5 times the regression rate obtained with polymeric fuels.     

Closed form stiffness matrices and error estimators for plane hierarchic triangular elements

Closed form expressions for the stiffness matrix and a simple error estimator and error indicator are derived for plane straight sided triangular finite elements in elasticity problems. The calculation of the error estimator is performed on an element by element basis, and is found to be very accurate and efficient. In general, the solutions for benchmark problems using the error indicators for selective refinement of the regions show accelerated convergence when compared to the convergence rate of solutions using uniform mesh refinement. Evaluation of the stiffness matrices and error estimators using explicit formulations is found to be several times faster than numerical integration.     

Inverse design of directional solidification processes in the presence of a strong external magnetic field

A computational method for the design of directional alloy solidification processes is addressed such that a desired growth velocity ν_f under stable growth conditions is achieved. An externally imposed magnetic field is introduced to facilitate the design process and to reduce macrosegregation by the damping of melt flow. The design problem is posed as a functional optimization problem. The unknowns of the design problem are the thermal boundary conditions. The cost functional is taken as the square of the L₂ norm of an expression representing the deviation of the freezing interface thermal conditions from the conditions corresponding to local thermodynamic equilibrium. The adjoint method for the inverse design of continuum processes is adopted in this work. A continuum adjoint system is derived to calculate the adjoint temperature, concentration, velocity and electric potential fields such that the gradient of the L₂ cost functional can be expressed analytically. The cost functional minimization process is realized by the conjugate gradient method via the FE solutions of the continuum direct, sensitivity and adjoint problems. The developed formulation is demonstrated with an example of designing the boundary thermal fluxes for the directional growth of a germanium melt with dopant impurities in the presence of an externally applied magnetic field. The design is shown to achieve a stable interface growth at a prescribed desired growth rate. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.