Application of cognitive robotics in disassembly of products

Disassembly is a critical step to increase the value of end-of-life (EOL) products and to reduce the environmental footprint. Despite worldwide efforts, disassembly is still performed manually due to the uncertainty associated with the quality and the quantity of the returned EOL products. In this paper, a cognitive robotics based system is proposed to address this problem. The system is equipped with four cognitive functions: reasoning, execution monitoring, learning and revision. The proposed system is tested using LCD screens. The results show that the system is flexible enough to deal with any product models without prior information.     

The effects of lead on the electrochemical and adhesion behavior of zinc electrodeposits

The presence of excessive lead in zinc sulfate electrolytes can lead to problems related to both processing efficiency and the properties of the metal produced. For example, poor adhesion can occur in electrogalvanized steel when it is heated in the temperature range of 215 °C to 280 °C if lead is present in the deposit. The duration of heating necessary to induce the peeling of the zinc was found to be dependent on the temperature, time, and concentration of lead in the electrolyte and the plating parameters. The presence of lead slowed the formation of the intermetallic, and the peeling occurred between the zinc and the iron-zinc intermetallic layer. In order to gain a better fundamental understanding of the role of lead, rotating disc electrodes were used to measure the diffusion coefficient of lead in the zinc sulfate electrolyte. The experimentally determined mass transport data on lead can be used as an aid to set an acceptable limit of lead allowable in the electrolyte or to evaluate the electrochemical characteristics of an electrolytic zinc system. By the addition of strontium carbonate to the plating solution followed by filtration, the lead concentration in the electrolyte could be reduced to an acceptable level, preventing the poor adhesion on heating.     

CORRELATIONS FOR ESTIMATING THE DIFFUSIVITIES OF NITROUS OXIDE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF DIETHANOLAMINE AND N-METHYLDIETHANOLAMINE AND THE SOLUTION DENSITIES AND VISCOSITIES

Experimentally measured diffusion coefficients of nitrous oxide in water, aqueous solutions of diethanolamine, aqueous solutions of N-methyldiethanolamine, and aqueous blends of diethanolamine and N-methyldiethanolamine have been used to arrive at a modified Stokes-Einstein correlation by using nonlinear least-squares filling. The average deviation of this correlation from the experimentally measured diffusion coefficients is about 13%. Comparisons are also made to the estimated diffusivities of nitrous oxide in the amine solutions which are obtained from the Wilke-Chang and Hayduk-Minhas correlations. The average deviations of the Wilke-Chang and Hayduk-Minhas correlations from the measured values are about 13% and 19%, respectively. Correlations were also presented for estimating the solution densities and viscosities. Predicted values for the solution densities and viscosities from these correlations deviate from experimentally measured values on average by 1.2% and 4.8% respectively.     

Location-Aided Handover in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

The concept of being always online, regardless of the time and place, has been one of the hot topics in the commercial and scientific forums during the last years. The term itself is not solidly defined, however it is often used to refer to user's ability to get the same services via changing variety of underlying networks. In order to really work, this kind of multiaccess in heterogeneous networks still requires research, technological achievements and even compromises. The key to successfully implement the multiaccess is vertical handover that allows the application services to be seamlessly transferred between different networks.     

Motorcycle riding under the influence of alcohol: Results from the SARTRE-4 survey

Riding a motorcycle under the influence of alcohol is a dangerous activity, especially considering the high vulnerability of motorcyclists. The present research investigates the factors that affect the declared frequency of drink-riding among motorcyclists in Europe and explores regional differences. Data were collected from the SARTRE-4 (Social Attitudes to Road Traffic Risk in Europe) survey, which was conducted in 19 countries. A total sample of 4483 motorcyclists was interviewed by using a face-to-face questionnaire. The data were analyzed by means of multilevel ordered logit models. The results revealed significant regional differences (between Northern, Eastern and Southern European countries) in drink-riding frequencies in Europe. In general, declared drinking and riding were positively associated with gender (males), increased exposure, underestimation of risk, friends’ behaviour, past accidents and alcohol ticket experience. On the other hand, it was negatively associated with underestimation of the amount of alcohol allowed before driving, and support for more severe penalties.     

Influence of sintering temperature on secondary phases formation and microwave dielectric properties of Ca2Ce2Ti5O16 ceramics

Ca₂Ce₂Ti₅O₁₆ dielectric ceramics prepared by conventional solid-state ceramic route was investigated. Phase composition and microwave dielectric properties were measured using XRD and Vector network analyzer, respectively. XRD analysis of the calcined and sintered samples revealed the formation of CeO₂ and another unidentified phase (that vanished at ? 1400 °C) as secondary phases along with the parent Ca₂Ce₂Ti₅O₁₆ phase. The amount of the parent Ca₂Ce₂Ti₅O₁₆ phase increased with increasing sintering temperature from 1350 °C to 1450 °C accompanied by a decrease in the apparent density. The density decreased but ? _r and Q _u f _o increased with sintering temperature. An ? _r ～ 81.5, Q _u f _o ～ 5915 GHz and τ _f ～ 219 GHz were achieved for the sample sintered at 1450 °C.     

Self‐Propelling and Positioning of Droplets Using Continuous Topography Gradient Surface

A radial pattern with continuous topography gradient is presented, which induces a continuous inward wettability gradient and enables self‐propelling and accurate positioning of droplets to the pattern center. The effect of droplet size and wettability gradient of the pattern on the self‐mobility of droplets is investigated. The wettability gradient is found to increase towards the pattern center, enhancing the self‐motion of droplets at the inner area of the pattern. Moreover, larger droplets give rise to a larger solid‐liquid contact diameter, which helps to satisfy the self‐motion criteria that the advancing contact angle at front edge is smaller than the receding contact angle at rear edge. Consequently, a larger droplet size favors self‐motion initiated from the outer area of the pattern. The continuous topography gradient employed here allows the flexible dispensing of droplets at any place within a certain range, and avoids potential pinning defects to droplets at geometrical discontinuities. An average self‐motion velocity up to 4.0 cm/s for microliter‐sized droplets is achieved on the resultant patterned surface.     

The empirical relationship between global radiation and global ultraviolet (0.290–0.385) μm solar radiation components

Measurements of the monthly average daily global and global ultraviolet solar radiation over a period of three years (1985, 1986, 1987) in Kuwait are reported. Over the three years the computed yearly daily means for the above solar radiation components were 5.592 kW h/m² and 0.260 kW h/m². The effect of atmospheric dust on the measured solar radiation components is investigated. Employing the least-square linear regression analysis an estimated empirical function relating global radiation to ultraviolet radiation was proposed for the past three years' measurements.     

Feasibility of using various photovoltaic systems for window-type air-conditioning units under hot-arid climates

This paper reports on the feasibility of using various Photovoltaic (PV) systems namely; Grid PV (GPV), Stand-Alone PV (SAPV), Grid PV Wind (GPVW) and PV Wind (PVW) for supplying the power requirements of a window-type air-conditioning system or other small loads. It was found that the GPVW system is the best system to meet the load requirement of a window-type air-conditioning system under the climatic conditions of Oman with values ranging from $39,500 to $56,500 for the capital cost and $9,000 to $33,000 for the total net capital cost depending on the wind speed. These values are attractive for remote off grid applications.