Carbohydrate content of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers treated with Isopropyl-N (3-chlorophenyl) carbamate under different storage conditions

Post harvest application of Isopropyl-N (3-chlorophenyl) carbamate considerably reduced the degradation of starch when potato tubers were stored in an evaporative cooling chamber. The starch degraded at a faster rate when tubers were kept under refrigerated and room storage conditions.     

A new method for fast anodic bonding in microsystem technology

Other than temperature and voltage, load plays a key role in anodic bonding process. In this paper we present a new design of top electrode (cathode) for anodic bonding machine by which the bonding time has been reduced up to 30 % in case of bare silicon wafer at ?400 V and approximate 52 % in case of oxidized silicon wafer with Pyrex glass bonding at ?800 V. Experimentally it has been observed there was no bonding in oxidized silicon wafer with Pyrex glass up to ?600 V by using standard design while it has been successfully bonded at same voltage (?600 V) by using new design.     

Contextualisation of the complexity in the selection of developing country outsourcees by developed country outsourcers

Outsourcing research has recognised that selecting the right offshore supplier (outsourcee) in low-cost distant developing countries is complex, but central to outsourcing success. More specifically, the combination of outsourcee contextual internal factors (e.g. capabilities) with outsourced-to country contextual external factors (e.g. political, legal, economic, socio-cultural) as two fundamental and interconnected decisions firms make when outsourcing remains an underexplored research gap. Therefore, through a rigorous three-tier qualitative approach we, firstly, develop a contextual Environmental Separation Index (ESI) decision tool to help outsourcing firms in making more informed decisions when selecting outsourcees and outsourcing locations. Secondly, we operationalise the ESI as intuitive and easy to use decision tool, yet with a provision to deliver a truly context proof outsourcee selection decision. Thirdly, we adopt a complexity theory lens to explain that narrowing the contextual outsourcer–outsourcee gap facilitates a mind-set shift in outsourcing relationships from hierarchies to networks and from controlling to empowering developing country outsourcees. We show from a complexity theory perspective how contextual separation gaps between developed country outsourcers and developing country outsourcees can be an effective way to grasp the evolutionary path of outsourcing relationships.     

Low cost anodic bonding for MEMS packaging applications

Anodic bonding of Pyrex 7740 glass to bare silicon and oxidized silicon wafer is presented for micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) device packaging. Experimentally it has been observed that anodic bonding process parameters are varying with different 3D structures. The effects of bonding temperature and voltage are discussed by keeping the temperature constant and varying the voltage. The bonding interface has been studied by scanning electron microscope observations. Effective parameters for MEMS structure such as bonding temperature, voltage has been discussed.     

Pulsed laser deposition of alumina coating for corrosion protection against liquid uranium

Alumina coatings find wide applications as tribological coatings and as corrosion protective coatings for structural materials against chemical attack. We have investigated alumina coatings deposited on Stainless Steel (SS) substrates via pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. Characterization tests performed on these coatings including their compatibility with liquid uranium suggests alumina to be a potential candidate as a coating material for handling and containment of liquid uranium. We present here results of our detailed parametric study including dependence of average mass removal rate on laser fluence and ablation geometry and average deposition efficiency during PLD. These measurements provide vital inputs facilitating proper choice of process parameters for PLD runs. Deposited coatings have been characterized in terms of their microstructure, surface profile, adhesion to substrate, crystalline phase and corrosion resistance against liquid uranium. Our PLD based alumina coatings have shown a high degree of compaction and excellent corrosion resistance to molten uranium even upto a temperature of 1165 °C.     

TiN Coatings Modified by an Interlayer of Electroplated Chromium on Mild Steel

TiN films on mild steel were deposited by reactive d.c. magnetron sputtering: electroplated chromium was incorporated as an interlayer. Surface hardness, measured by the Knoop indentation method under a load of 25 gf, phase analysis by the X-ray diffraction method and corrosion behaviour by the potentiodynamic measurement technique of these coatings have been evaluated. Surface hardness values were found to increase from about 1000–1100 for TiN coatings on mild steel to about 1800–1900 (HK₂₅) for TiN coatings with chromium as interlayer. Potentiodynamic corrosion tests, performed in IN H₂SO₄ solutions, have shown that with a chromium interlayer the corrosion resistance increases significantly as compared to TiN only sputtered coatings on mild steel samples. No spoiling of TiN coatings was observed during full sweep voltage of -1000 mV to +1000 mV when they were tested with a chromium interlayer.     

Graphene piezoresistive flexible MEMS force sensor for bi-axial micromanipulation applications

Microsystem Technologies - The aim of this work is to design, simulate, and analyze a bi-axial piezoresistive MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) force sensor, which has the capability of...     

Effect of Process Parameters on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties in Friction Stir Welding of Aluminum Alloy

Friction stir welding process is a promising solid state joining process with the potential to join low melting point materials, particularly aluminum alloys. The most attractive reason for this is the avoidance of solidification defects formed during conventional fusion welding processes. Tool rotational speed and the welding speed play a major role in deciding the weld quality. In the present work an effort has been made to study the effect of the tool rotational speed and welding speed on mechanical and metallurgical properties of friction stir welded joints of aluminum alloy AA6082-T651. The micro hardness profiles obtained on welded zone indicate uniform distribution of grains in the stir zone. The maximum tensile strength obtained is 263 MPa which is about 85% of that of base metal. Scanning electron microscope was used to show the fractured surfaces of tensile tested specimens.     

Magnetron sputtered NbN films with electroplated Cr interlayer

NbN films were deposited on SS substrates by reactive DC magnetron sputtering at various N₂ flow rates and substrate biasing. Coatings were studied for their thickness, structure, hardness and adhesion aspects. Process parameters were optimized for deposition of NbN coatings. NbN coatings were then extended on to MS substrates with Cr interlayer in three different thicknesses of 2, 4 and 10 μm. Cr was deposited by electroplating. The duplex coatings have been studied for the improvement with respect to surface hardness by Knoop micro indentation, adhesion by scratch testing and corrosion performance by potentiodynamic polarization technique. Open circuit potentials were also measured.