Evolution of BET internal surface area in glassy carbon powder during thermal oxidation

It is demonstrated that glassy carbon powder can be thermochemically activated. During activation, a film with open pores is created on the glassy carbon particles. This film has a large internal surface area, which is accessible to liquids and gases. A simple model for the evolution of the internal surface area in glassy carbon powder during thermochemical gas-phase oxidation is also presented and compared with experimental data. Experimental results are in qualitative agreement with the model. We found that a sharp particle size distribution is desirable with regard to potential technical applications.     

Model checker aided design of a controller for a wafer scanner

For a case-study of a wafer scanner from the semiconductor industry it is shown how model checking techniques can be used to compute (1) a simple yet optimal deadlock avoidance policy, and (2) an infinite schedule that optimizes throughput. in the absence of errors. Deadlock avoidance is studied based on a simple finite state model using Smv, and for throughput analysis a more detailed timed automaton model has been constructed and analyzed using the Uppaal tool. The Smv and Uppaal models are formally related through the notion of a stuttering bisimulation. The results were obtained within 2 weeks, which confirms once more that model checking techniques may help to improve the design process of realistic, industrial systems. Methodologically, the case study is interesting since two models were used to obtain results that could not have been obtained using only a single model. Supported by the European Community Project IST-2001-35304 (Ametist), http://ametist.cs.utwente.nl/.     

Modeling Condensation and Evaporation on Fruit Surface

Rewarming of fruits and vegetables after cooling is characterized by heat and mass transfer processes, which leads commonly to condensation of water on the produce surface at temperatures below the dew point. This effect may affect the produce quality due to microbial growth at unfavorable environmental conditions. The amount of condensed water is a function of the produce surface temperature and of the surrounding conditions as air temperature, air humidity, and air flow. Under practical conditions, both the warming and the condensation are strongly affected by the packaging system used. Depending on the flow conditions close to the produce surface, parameters of heat and mass transfer under laboratory conditions were measured. A mathematical model was developed for the determination of the amount of condensed water on fruit surfaces, its reevaporation, and its total dwell time dependent on the environment air conditions. The model describes the heat and mass transfer processes on single fruits. The process of diffusion of humidity in air and proceed of surface temperature is the basis for the model.     

Atmospheric Freeze Drying—Modeling and Simulation of a Tunnel Dryer

Drying is an important unit operation in processing of foods and other biotechnological products. Vacuum freeze drying is said to be the best drying technology regarding product quality of the end product, but the disadvantages are, among others, expensive operational costs and batch drying. Atmospheric freeze drying was introduced to lower the production costs of high-quality dried foods, and the need of simulation tools became important in estimations of the industrial drying processes.

A simplified mathematical model (AFDsim) is developed based on uniformly retreating ice front (URIF) considerations. The model is used to calculate theoretical drying curves of atmospheric freeze dried foods in a tunnel dryer. Studies of thermal and mass transfer properties during drying are essential for understanding the changes in product quality and for designing and dimensioning the drying process. The model can be used to simulate industrial atmospheric freeze drying of different foodstuff in a tunnel. The results from AFDsim modeling are in good accordance with the experimental results.     

Neutron Stress Measurement of W‐Fiber Reinforced Cu Composite

Stress measurement methods using neutron and X‐ray diffraction were examined by comparing the surface stresses with internal stresses in the continuous tungsten‐fiber reinforced copper‐matrix composite. Surface stresses were measured by X‐ray stress measurement with the sin²ψ method. Furthermore, the sin²ψ method and the most common triaxal measurement method using Hooke's equation were employed for internal stress measurement by neutron diffraction. On the other hand, microstress distributions developed by the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients between these two phases were calculated by FEM. The weighted average strains and stresses were compared with the experimental results. The FEM results agreed with the experimental results qualitatively and confirmed the importance of the triaxial stress analysis in the neutron stress measurement.     

Influence of Solution Composition on the Formation of Crystalline Scales

Scale formation is a difficulty encountered with water containing ions of sparingly soluble salts that can readily precipitate on heat transfer surfaces in evaporative concentration operations. Scale formation, hindering the heat transfer process, increases specific energy consumption and operating costs and causes frequent shut down of the evaporator for cleaning. The effects of changes in composition of the solution due to evaporation and CO₂ release on the formation of crystalline scales in seawater evaporators are studied. A model that predicts the CO₂ release is presented. The carbonate system in the salt solution on its whole flow path through the evaporator and the scaling (crystallization) tendency are described. Simulation results for different process configurations are shown and the differences are discussed, particularly with regard to the incrustation tendency.     

具有常数收获率的竞争—扩散问题解的性态

讨论牛曼边界条件下具有常数收获率的竞争—扩散问题解的性态,得到当收获率满足当条件时,种群u将在有限时刻被消灭。     

Speed–accuracy tradeoff in Fitts’ law tasks—on the equivalency of actual and nominal pointing precision

Pointing tasks in human–computer interaction obey certain speed–accuracy tradeoff rules. In general, the more accurate the task to be accomplished, the longer it takes and vice versa. Fitts’ law models the speed–accuracy tradeoff effect in pointing as imposed by the task parameters, through Fitts’ index of difficulty (I_d) based on the ratio of the nominal movement distance and the size of the target. Operating with different speed or accuracy biases, performers may utilize more or less area than the target specifies, introducing another subjective layer of speed–accuracy tradeoff relative to the task specification. A conventional approach to overcome the impact of the subjective layer of speed–accuracy tradeoff is to use the a posteriori “effective” pointing precision W_e in lieu of the nominal target width W. Such an approach has lacked a theoretical or empirical foundation. This study investigates the nature and the relationship of the two layers of speed–accuracy tradeoff by systematically controlling both I_d and the index of target utilization I_u in a set of four experiments. Their results show that the impacts of the two layers of speed–accuracy tradeoff are not fundamentally equivalent. The use of W_e could indeed compensate for the difference in target utilization, but not completely. More logical Fitts’ law parameter estimates can be obtained by the W_e adjustment, although its use also lowers the correlation between pointing time and the index of difficulty. The study also shows the complex interaction effect between I_d and I_u, suggesting that a simple and complete model accommodating both layers of speed–accuracy tradeoff may not exist.     

Tailored Microstructures: Can a Dream come True?

The mechanical properties of crystalline solids are determined by the spatial distribution of chemical elements and crystal defects, which is referred to as microstructure. Microstructure changes during processing, and its evolution can be influenced by processing conditions and external fields. Advanced microstructure codes can cover the through‐process microstructural evolution and allow first predictions of terminal materials properties.     

Microstructure evolution during metal forming processes

Recrystallization and grain growth evolutions during metal forming processes are considered. Coupling between the thermo-mechanical and microstructure processes is realized. Die forging of a rear-axle flange is simulated numerically on the base of the finite element method. Material parameters of the models are obtained experimentally. The influence of interpass and holding times on grain size distributions in the end product is shown.