Connectivity Infrastructure and Components for POCT Environments - Overall Infrastructure

Connectivity infrastructure, hardware and software components for point-of-care testing (POCT) environments at medium-to-large sized hospitals with expected number of POCT instruments in the order of hundreds or thousands are described. The instruments include both network-ready and non-network-ready devices. The latter are connected to the network by means of a hardware-based Instrument Network Adapter. Instrument messages are converted to standardized form and, depending on message content, are routed and delivered to appropriate destinations by a software-based Message Routing System consisting of a Message Router and a Delivery Agent. Target information systems consist of departmental and central information systems.     

New viscoplastic model to simulate hot isostatic pressing

Abstract

Most of the numerical simulation software on the hot isostatic pressing (hipping) process is based on viscoplastic modelling of densification, such as the well known Abouaf's model. These constitutive equations are generally obtained from a viscoplastic potential depending on Green's equivalent stress. An implicit coupling between isotropic and deviator parts is therefore only defined by an equivalent stress. A new viscoplastic formulation proposed by Stutz introduces an explicit coupling between isotropic and deviator parts of the stress state, allowing then more flexibility to take into account the experimental results achieved from isotropic, die compaction, and creep tests. This paper deals with the presentation of this new formulation which has been implemented in the finite elements software PreCAD, and the subsequent changes observed in numerical simulations. These simulations achieved with PreCAD software, are compared with an experiment on a complex part manufactured by CEA Grenoble.     

Transport of radioactive sources in Africa: the Nigerian experience

Abstract

In his plenary presentation at PATRAM 2010, Professor Shamsideen Elegba of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Abuja, Nigeria, reviewed the regulatory framework for transport of radioactive materials in Africa.     

Strength of CFRP open hole laminates made from NCF,TFP and braided preforms under cyclic tensile loading

Abstract

Tensile tests and tension–tension cyclic tests were performed on carbon fibre reinforced plastics open-hole laminates. Specimens made from non-crimp fabric preforms, tailored fibre placement preforms and braided preforms in three different lay-up configurations ([+45]_{8 s}, [+45/0/?45]_{6 s}, [0/90]_{8 s}) were investigated and compared. The laminates were manufactured using a vacuum assisted processing technology and Hexcel RTM6 epoxy resin. Tensile strength and residual tensile strength values were measured and compared with unnotched specimens in order to evaluate the notch sensitivity. To evaluate deterioration during cyclic testing a two-dimensional digital image correlation system was used to capture deformation images of the specimen surface in the open-hole area. Observed similarities and differences in deformation and in load–elongation graphs of the tested specimens are discussed.     

14—EQUIVALENT TWISTS IN TYRE CORDS

This paper describes an empirical method for choosing a twist level for a new tyre cord that will ‘match’ the twist in an existing successful cord, i.e., one that will give the same twist angle. The technique is based on published cord geometry and is shown to give reliable results. No knowledge of densities or packing factors is required, and the results are independent of the number of yarns in the cord. The method offers the possibility of calculating twist angles and related properties for cords at any twist once a sufficiently reliable value of one cord constant has been determined. A table of matched twists calculated in this way is given.     

Investigation of the relationship between statistical characteristics of substrate surface roughness and the strength of adhesive joints

The relationship between statistical characteristics of butadiene styrene rubber (BSR) surface roughness and shear strength of adhesive joints has been investigated. The assumption of stationary normal distribution of coordinates of surface points was made to determine the statistical characteristics of surface roughness. The profile length above the selected level l ₁ (u) was introduced as a new surface roughness parameter to characterize adhesive penetration depth. The validity of simulated l ₁ (u) value was verified experimentally. A good correlation between experimental and calculated results was found. A relationship between adhesive penetration depth and the bonding pressure during adhesive joint preparation was also obtained. The dependences among lap shear joint strength, bonding pressure and roughness characteristic l ₁ (u) were determined.     

Effects of different metals on adhesive wear behaviour of alloy surface produced by TIG process

Abstract

Low carbon steel surfaces were alloyed with composite powders using the tungsten inert gas welding method. After the alloying process, the effects of cladding surface on the microstructural characteristics and adhesive wear of the alloyed samples were examined. The sliding wear behavior of samples was investigated in a block on ring apparatus under the loads of 20, 40, 60 and 80 N respectively. In the experimental investigation, a low carbon steel surface was alloyed with austenitic stainless steel powder and austenitic stainless steel powder mixed with 4·5% Co, Mo and Ti particles respectively. Following surface alloying, conventional characterisation techniques, such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrograph and X-ray diffraction, were used to study the microstructure of the alloyed zone. Examination of the microstructure revealed the presence of M₂₃C₆ carbides, solid melt phases and intermetallic phases, such as Ni₃Ti, depending on the alloying element in the composite. As the amount of the reinforcing material increased, the saturation rates for the samples decreased, while their hardness increased. The adhesive abrasion tests conducted revealed that temperature input plays a significant role on the microstructure characteristics, which positively affected the adhesive abrasion values of the samples. Consequently, the tungsten inert gas welding method was successfully used for the surface alloying of low carbon steels.