Mechanism of droplet generation in silver thin films for organic light-emitting diode displays

Thin silver film is widely used as the cathode in organic light-emitting diode displays and it is generally fabricated using the thermal evaporation method. But during the evaporation process, there is an inevitable outgassing problem and this creates high viscosity bubbles in melted silver. When the bubbles break, the high energy released scatters silver droplets which damage the silver surface. In this study, we were able to decrease the number of droplets from 6,171 to 278 with a degassing process of 400 °C for 6 h before proceeding with a thermal evaporation process.     

Prediction of dynamic recrystallization condition by deformation efficiency for Al 2024 composite reinforced with SiC particle

Hot torsion test has been carried out for Al 2024 composite reinforced with 8 m SiCp (15 vol.%) to suggest optimum hot working condition for dynamic recrystallization (DRX) at the temperature range of 320 to 520 °C and strain rate range of 0.1 to 3.0/sec. Flow curve and deformed microstructure have been analyzed to identify the hot restoration mechanism of DRX. Processing map showing the variation of the deformation efficiency expressed by [2m/(m + 1)], where m is the strain rate sensitivity, with temperature and strain rate has been described for the composite. The characteristics of domain of DRX and peak efficiency of the composite have been analyzed by observing deformed microstructure. The composite showed 40–50% efficiency at the DRX domain (370–460 °C, 0.1–0.5/sec). Also, the variation of deformation efficiency with Zener-Hollomon parameter (Z = exp(Q/RT)) were discussed to find out optimum hot working condition for DRX of the composite. It is found that the optimum temperature and strain rate condition for DRX of the composite is 430–450 °C and 0.5/sec.     

A new protection circuit for high-voltage current saturation of LEST

A new protection circuit for high-voltage current saturation of a lateral emitter switched thyristor (LEST) is proposed. We fabricated this circuit by employing a widely used insulated gate bipolar transistor compatible process. A high-voltage current saturation exceeding 200 V was measured in the EST with the proposed protection circuit, while the current saturation of the conventional LEST is limited to 17 V by the breakdown of the lateral MOSFET.     

Nitride films as protective layers for metallic bipolar plates of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stacks

The idea of using nitride films coated by sputtering Nb and Cr, using N₂ as a reaction gas, as protective layers for metallic bipolar plates (BP) of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stacks, was explored by experiments. Specimens were fabricated from austenite 304 stainless steels, which are frequently used as bipolar plate materials for fuel cells due to their good corrosion resistance and high strength at elevated temperature. The results of XRD analysis and Gaussian function analysis of the coated films suggest that NbN or NbN/NbCrN films were induced depending on the process parameters. The NbN/NbCrN multiphase films were induced at high Cr target powers and low gas ratios among the process parameters selected in this investigation. The result of ICR measurement of the films suggests that the effect of the Cr target power, i.e. the effect of the Cr amount in the film, on the ICR of the films is not significant, while the effect of the gas ratio on the ICR of the films is noticeable. For the films deposited at different gas ratios, the ICR of the film generally decreases as the gas ratio increases. In general, all the 304 SS specimens coated by the NbN single phase or NbN/NbCrN multiphase films at the given process parameters showed significantly improved corrosion resistance in comparison with the bare 304 SS. Among NbN single phase and NbN/NbCrN multiphase films, the performance of NbN/NbCrN multiphase films was more stable. Depending on the process parameters, the polarization curves of the specimens coated with NbN films showed rapid increase of the current density due to the pitting. Therefore, as corrosion resistance coating for metallic BP of PEMFC stacks, NbN/NbCrN multiphase film may be preferred to NbN single phase films.     

Rotordynamic analysis and experimental validation of a high speed induction motor made by copper die casting process

A copper die casting induction motor can obtain an energy saving effect of about 2–3% compared to previous aluminum die casing induction motors. In addition, copper die casting motors can reduce the size of motors and reduce material costs. The critical speed and unbalance response of high speed machines need to be verified by rotordynamic analysis for dynamic stability of the rotors. The critical speed analysis, harmonic analysis and transient analysis by unbalance are performed for dynamic stability. The unbalance analysis results are compared with the experiment considering allowable vibration displacement (API 611) and balancing grade (ISO 1940-1). This paper dealt with the design, analysis and experimental validation of a high speed induction motor. The dynamic stability of the prototype is verified successfully, and two experimental methods by ISO 10816-3 are suitable and reliable for the allowable vibration evaluation of rotating machine.     

The evaluation on the effect of shell thickness reduction for ITER vacuum vessel sector 1 and 6

The structural analyses of vacuum vessel have been performed to investigate the effect of shell thickness reduction on structural integrity. The finite element models of vacuum vessel considering original design and thickness reduction have been developed. The expected maximum thickness reduction possibly caused by forming and bending processes during fabrication was applied to the curved region of the analysis models. The linear elastic and nonlinear limit analyses have been performed. The structural integrity of main vessel including lower port stub extension has been verified in accordance with the requirements of RCC-MR. It is concluded that the inner and outer shells of main vessel still have enough strength margins under pressure and VDE (Vertical Displacement Event) load conditions in spite of thickness reduction. These results have been reviewed and approved by ITER Organization and ANB (Agreed Notified Body).     

A study on the reduction of cold start hydrocarbon from gasoline engines using hydrocarbon adsorbers

Experiments were carried out to investigate the characteristics of the hydrocarbon (HC) emissions and to reduce cold start hydrocarbons in gasoline engines. An HC adsorber was, used and it coated was by Pd/Rh catalyst with zeolite on a honeycomb monolith. The HCs were efficiently trapped at temperatures below 100°C by physical adsorption. After adsorption, they were reduced gradually by the catalytic oxidation of Pd/Rh catalysts as the adsorbert temperature increased above 100°C. Increasing amounts of methane, ethylene and n-butane were emitted as the fuel-air mixture became richer and the engine speed decreased. As the temperature of adsorber increased, high-number carbons into low-number carbons. Thus, the C4 concentration decreased significantly during the first 30 seconds, and the C2 concentration increased continuously.