The use of Microwave-Assisted Processing for the Production of High Tc Superconductors

1996 ◽  
Vol 430 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. Rowley ◽  
F. C. R. Wroe

AbstractHigh critical temperature superconducting (HTcS) bulk ceramics with the high values of critical current densities (Jc) necessary for practical applications, are only achieved through careful control of the material microstructure. Consequently, many stages in the production of HTcSs are extremely time consuming; often taking a number of days to proceed to completion, and usually requiring precise control of sample temperature.The volumetric nature of microwave heating will clearly have an impact on the processing of large quantities of these materials, particularly when it is balanced with the simultaneous application of radiant heating. In this way, the production of thermal gradients can be avoided, even when relatively fast heating rates (for these materials) are used.Perhaps more interesting, is the possibility of non-thermal microwave effects (due to the presence of an electric field) enhancing the processing times and even the material properties of HTcSs.This work assesses the impact of microwave-assisted processing on a number of stages involved in the production of bulk pieces of Bi-2212 and Y-123 based superconductors, and demonstrates quite clearly that non-thermal as well as thermal microwave effects are relevant to these materials.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Bucamp ◽  
Christophe Coinon ◽  
Sylvie Lepilliet ◽  
David Troadec ◽  
Gilles Patriarche ◽  
...  

Abstract In-plane InGaAs/Ga(As)Sb heterojunction tunnel diodes are fabricated by selective area molecular beam epitaxy with two different architectures: either radial InGaAs core / Ga(As)Sb shell nanowires or axial InGaAs/GaSb heterojunctions. In the former case, we unveil the impact of strain relaxation and alloy composition fluctuations at the nanoscale on the tunneling properties of the diodes, whereas in the latter case we demonstrate that template assisted molecular beam epitaxy can be used to achieve a very precise control of tunnel diodes dimensions at the nanoscale with a scalable process. In both cases, negative differential resistances with large peak current densities are achieved.


Proceedings ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Jin Mark D. G. Pagulayan ◽  
Aprille Suzette V. Mendoza ◽  
Fredelyn S. Gascon ◽  
Jan Carlo C. Aningat ◽  
Abigail S. Rustia ◽  
...  

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of process parameters (time and raw material weight (RMW)) of conventional (boiling for 10–45 min) and microwave-assisted (2–8 min) aqueous extraction on the color quality (i.e., lightness (L*), chroma (C*), and hue (H°) of anthocyanin –based colorants of red and Inubi sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) leaves. Using response surface methodology, it was found that RMW and boiling time (BT) and microwave time (MT) generally had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the color quality of the extract from both extraction methods. The effects were found to vary depending on the extraction method and variety of the leaves used. Both extraction methods produced a brown to brick-red extract from the Inubi variety that turned red-violet to pink when acidified. The red sweet potato leaves produced a deep violet colored extract that also turned red-violet when acidified. It is recommended that the anthocyanin content of the extracts be measured to validate the impact of the methods on the active agent. Nevertheless, the outcomes in this study may serve as baseline data for further studies on the potential of sweet potato leaf colorants (SPLC) as a colorant with functional properties.


Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Ashutosh Sharma ◽  
Byungmin Ahn

Metallic and alloyed coatings are used widely in several decorative and technology-based applications. In this work, we selected Sn coatings plated on Cu substrates for joining applications. We employed two different plating baths for the fabrication of Sn and Ni coatings: acidic stannous sulfate for Sn and Watts bath for Ni layer. The plating current densities were varied from 100–500 mA/cm2. Further, the wear and friction behavior of the coatings were studied using a ball-on-disc apparatus under dry sliding conditions. The impact of current density was studied on the morphology, wear, and coefficient of friction (COF) of the resultant coatings. The wear experiments were done at various loads from 2–10 N. The sliding distance was fixed to 7 m. The wear loss was quantified in terms of the volume of the track geometry (width and depth of the tracks). The results indicate that current density has an important role in tailoring the composition and morphology of coatings, which affects the wear properties. At higher loads (8–10 N), Sn coatings on Ni/Cu had higher volume loss with a stable COF due to a mixed adhesive and oxidative type of wear mechanism.


Vision ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Olga Lukashova-Sanz ◽  
Siegfried Wahl ◽  
Thomas S. A. Wallis ◽  
Katharina Rifai

With rapidly developing technology, visual cues became a powerful tool for deliberate guiding of attention and affecting human performance. Using cues to manipulate attention introduces a trade-off between increased performance in cued, and decreased in not cued, locations. For higher efficacy of visual cues designed to purposely direct user’s attention, it is important to know how manipulation of cue properties affects attention. In this verification study, we addressed how varying cue complexity impacts the allocation of spatial endogenous covert attention in space and time. To gradually vary cue complexity, the discriminability of the cue was systematically modulated using a shape-based design. Performance was compared in attended and unattended locations in an orientation-discrimination task. We evaluated additional temporal costs due to processing of a more complex cue by comparing performance at two different inter-stimulus intervals. From preliminary data, attention scaled with cue discriminability, even for supra-threshold cue discriminability. Furthermore, individual cue processing times partly impacted performance for the most complex, but not simpler cues. We conclude that, first, cue complexity expressed by discriminability modulates endogenous covert attention at supra-threshold cue discriminability levels, with increasing benefits and decreasing costs; second, it is important to consider the temporal processing costs of complex visual cues.


Author(s):  
Z. Chen ◽  
B. Lei ◽  
Q. Zhao

Based on space curve meshing theory, in this paper, we present a novel geometric design of a circular arc helical gear mechanism for parallel transmission with convex-concave circular arc profiles. The parameter equations describing the contact curves for both the driving gear and the driven gear were deduced from the space curve meshing equations, and parameter equations for calculating the convex-concave circular arc profiles were established both for internal meshing and external meshing. Furthermore, a formula for the contact ratio was deduced, and the impact factors influencing the contact ratio are discussed. Using the deduced equations, several numerical examples were considered to validate the contact ratio equation. The circular arc helical gear mechanism investigated in this study showed a high gear transmission performance when considering practical applications, such as a pure rolling process, a high contact ratio, and a large comprehensive strength.


1990 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. D. Daykin ◽  
G. B. Hey

AbstractA cash flow model is proposed as a way of analysing uncertainty in the future development of a general insurance company. The company is modelled alongside the market in aggregate so that the impact of changes in premium rates relative to the market can be assessed. An extensive computer model is developed along these lines, intended for use in practical applications by actuaries advising the management of genera1 insurance companies. Simulation methods are used to explore the consequences of uncertainty, particularly in regard to inflation and investments. Some comments are made on the role of actuaries in general insurance. Alternative approaches to describing the behaviour of an insurance firm in the market are considered.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1173
Author(s):  
Ilze Beverte ◽  
Ugis Cabulis ◽  
Sergejs Gaidukovs

As a non-metallic composite material, widely applied in industry, rigid polyurethane (PUR) foams require knowledge of their dielectric properties. In experimental determination of PUR foams’ dielectric properties protection of one-side capacitive sensor’s active area from adverse effects caused by the PUR foams’ test objects has to be ensured. In the given study, the impact of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films, thickness 0.20 mm and 0.04 mm, in covering or simulated coating the active area of one-side access capacitive sensor’ electrodes on the experimentally determined true dielectric permittivity spectra of rigid PUR foams is estimated. Penetration depth of the low frequency excitation field into PTFE and PUR foams is determined experimentally. Experiments are made in order to evaluate the difference between measurements on single PUR foams’ samples and on complex samples “PUR foams + PTFE film” with two calibration modes. A modification factor and a small modification criterion are defined and values of modifications are estimated in numerical calculations. Conclusions about possible practical applications of PTFE films in dielectric permittivity measurements of rigid PUR foams with one-side access capacitive sensor are made.


Author(s):  
Rajiv Paul ◽  
Anil K. Kulkarni ◽  
Jogender Singh

Sintering is the process of making materials from powder form by heating the powder below its melting point until the particles fuse to each other. Field assisted sintering technology (FAST), also sometimes known as spark plasma sintering (SPS), uses a pulsed and/or continuous electric current along with the simultaneous application of compressive pressure which leads to extremely high heating rates and short processing durations. A high relative density and small grain size promote superior properties such as greater hardness and electrical breakdown. Hence, selection of the proper sintering parameters is of paramount importance and a predictive model would be extremely useful in narrowing the range of experimental parameters. This will drastically reduce the number of extra attempts at obtaining certain properties in a material and save experimentation time, effort and material to name a few. Four of the most important FAST parameters: target temperature, holding time, heating rate and initial particle size, have been reviewed to assess their effect on the densification, hardening and grain growth of Alumina, Copper, Silicon Carbide, Tungsten and Tungsten Carbide through extensive literature survey. The relationship between each has been incorporated in a Microsoft Excel program which acts as a predictive tool to determine an estimate of the final properties based on the initial parameters chosen. This is done by curve fitting a polynomial onto the existing data points as closely as possible and using the polynomial to obtain final properties as a function of the initial parameters. The model was verified against an existing paper which sought to obtain the optimum sintering parameters for Copper. While the actual experimentation range was 400°C to 800°C, the program would have suggested a much narrower range from 650°C to 800°C and hence saved unnecessary additional efforts.


2012 ◽  
Vol 104 ◽  
pp. 775-782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanny Monteil-Rivera ◽  
Guang Hai Huang ◽  
Louise Paquet ◽  
Stéphane Deschamps ◽  
Chantale Beaulieu ◽  
...  

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