Characterization of the structure and properties of processed alumina-graphene and alumina-zirconia composites

The onset of hybrid alumina-based composites, which combines two or more nano-particles within the alumina matrix has already shown promising improvements in the matrix material. However, variations in mechanical properties including the optimum compositions that give improved properties faced with the development of alumina-based composites require further studies to understand the underlying mechanisms and synergistic effects of the nano-particle additions on the alumina matrix. In the current study, the structure and properties of Al?O?-graphene (0.5 wt%) and Al?O?–ZrO? (4 wt% and 10 wt%) composites fabricated via hot-pressing was studied as a baseline for multiple combinations. Even though the addition of 10 wt%ZrO? resulted in a 23% reduction in the grain size of the alumina matrix, the 4 wt%ZrO? addition resulted in a 14% increase in grain size as compared to the parent alumina matrix. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that there was approximately 85% monoclinic (m-ZrO₂) vs. 15% tetragonal (t-ZrO₂) crystal structures in the A4ZrO? sample whilst the A₁₀ZrO? had approximately 93% m-ZrO₂ vs. 7% t-ZrO₂. The high-volume fraction of the monoclinic crystal structures in the A₁₀ZrO? accounts for the induced microcracks in the sample since the transition from the ductile-tetragonal to brittle-monoclinic is associated with the exertion of compressive stresses on the alumina matrix by the associated elastic volume expansion of m-ZrO₂. Also, the addition of 0.5 wt%graphene resulted in about 37% reduction in the grain size of the alumina matrix, and approximately 10% increase in hardness as a result of the distribution of graphene along the grain boundaries of the parent alumina matrix, which restricts grain coalescence and growth during processing. Furthermore, an increase up to 115% and 164% were observed in the fracture toughness (K_IC) with the inclusion of 0.5 wt%graphene and 10 wt%ZrO? respectively, which was primarily ascribed to the fine-grained microstructures and toughening mechanisms of the intergranular graphene and ZrO? particles.     

Structure–phase state of the surface layers in rails subjected to differential hardening

A layer-by-layer analysis of the structures, the phase compositions, and the defect substructures of differentially hardened rails has been carried by optical and transmission electron microscopy. It is found that the material volume of the rail head fillet is cooled faster than the volume located along the central axis.     

An automated system based on cryogenic probe station for integrated studies of semiconductor light-emitting structures and wafers in the range of 15 to 475 K

An automated system for integrated electrophysical and optical studies of semiconductor nanoheterostructures, which operates in a wide temperature range from 15 to 475 K, is designed. The setup is intended to measure the temperature and frequency admittance and electroluminescence spectra of light-emitting diode and laser chips formed on substrates of diameter up to 50.2 mm, and the distribution of parameters over the wafer. The setup includes the closed-cycle helium cryogenic station, LCR meter, and temperature controller. The characterization results of nanoheterostructures with InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells, which are used for creating highly efficient white and blue light-emitting diodes, are presented.     

Irreversible deformation and the superplasticity of a TN-1 alloy during thermal cycling through the martensitic transformations ranges under loading

The influence of the thermal cycling conditions on the thermal-cycling creep of a TN-1 alloy and the related irreversible deformations is studied. The conditions under which an anomalous increase in the irreversible deformations begins are determined. The structural mechanism of the irreversible deformations of an equiatomic alloy is shown to be analogous to the structural mechanism of metal creep at high temperatures: it predominantly has a dislocation character. It is proposed to use the effect of anomalous increase in the deformation of materials with reversible martensitic transformations for forming parts made of these materials at low temperatures.     

Basic trends in development of drilling equipment for ore mining with block caving method

The authors have determined the causes of drop in performance of induced block caving using fans of blastholes 105 mm in diameter and single blastholes 250 mm in diameter, as well as the sources of increased drilling cost and expansion of start-up time of production blocks in Abakan underground mine. Alternatives of improvement in drilling efficiency under current conditions are discussed.     

Software assurance practices for mobile applications

Mobile software applications have to cope with a particular environment that involves small size, limited resources, high autonomy requirements, competitive business models and many other challenges. To provide development guidelines that respond to these needs, several practices have been introduced; however, it is not clear how these guidelines may contribute to solve the issues present in the mobile domain. Furthermore, the rapid evolution of the mobile ecosystem challenges many of the premises upon which the proposed practices were designed. In this paper, we present a survey of the literature on software assurance practices for mobile applications, with the objective of describing them and assessing their contribution and success. We identified, organized and reviewed a body of research that spans in three levels: software development processes, software product assurance practices, and software implementation practices. By carrying out this literature survey, we reviewed the different approaches that researchers on Software Engineering have provided to address the needs that raise in the mobile software development arena. Moreover, we review the evolution of these practices, identifying how the constant changes and modernization of the mobile execution environment has impacted the methods proposed in the literature. Finally, we introduced discussion on the application of these practices in a real productive setting, opening an area for further research that may determine if practitioners have followed the proposed assurance paradigms.