Spark Plasma Sintering of fine alpha-silicon nitride ceramics with LAS for spatial applications

Many space systems such as satellite mirrors and their supporting structures require to be made from very low-thermal expansion materials combining both high hydrostability and relatively high mechanical properties. In this study, we have applied the “composite concept” in order to explore the possibility of fabricating near zero thermal expansion silicon nitride based ceramics. Consequently, a negative thermal expansion material belonged to the lithium aluminosilicate family (LAS powder crystallized under de β-eucryptite structure) was introduced in an alpha-silicon nitride fine powder (5 and 20 vol% of LAS) and the resulting composite system was sintered by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) at 1400 and 1500 °C. In the case of 20 vol% LAS compositions, relatively well-densified ceramics (94.4% of the theoretical density) were produced without adding any further sintering additive. The addition of yttria and alumina oxides allowed enhancing the densification level up to 98.2% (20 vol% LAS compositions) or from 62.3% up to 96.7% of the theoretical density in 5 vol% LAS materials. Nevertheless, it was impossible to full consolidate silicon nitride/LAS composite ceramics at temperatures lower than the temperature at which β-eucryptite melts, even by using SPS technology. Moreover, because of the relatively low temperatures involved in SPS, the α to β-Si₃N₄ transformation was avoided, resulting in microstructures composed of fine equiaxed α-Si₃N₄ grains (<200 nm) and of a glassy phase. Even if the effect of having a very large negative thermal expansion material was lost during the sintering step (because of the β-eucryptite melting), ceramics containing only 20 vol% of LAS-based phase exhibited very interesting values as regards of mechanical properties (strength, hardness, toughness, and Young's modulus), thermal conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient. We discuss in this work why we are so interested in developing dense silicon nitride/LAS ceramics sintered without any further additive addition, even though β-eucryptite is melted during the process and the transformation to the β phase is avoided.     

Impact of high pressure treatment on the structure of montmorillonite

The modification of sodium montmorillonite after a high pressure pasteurization treatment was followed by X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Regardless of the treatment intensity (300 and 800 MPa), the structure of montmorillonite was clearly modified. Such changes should be taken into consideration when binging montmorillonite–polymer nanocomposites into contact with food.     

Flow modelling of quasi-Newtonian fluids in two-scale fibrous fabrics

Permeability is the fundamental macroscopic material property needed to quantify the flow in a fibrous medium viewed as a porous medium. Composite processing models require the permeability as input data to predict flow patterns and pressure fields. In a previous work, the expressions of macroscopic permeability were derived in a double-scale porosity medium for both Newtonian and generalized Newtonian (shear-thinning) resins. In the linear case, only a microscopic calculation on a representative volume is required, implying as many microscopic calculations as there are representative microscopic volumes in the whole fibrous structure. In the non-linear case, and even when the porous microstructure can be described by a unique representative volume, a large number of microscopic calculations must be carried out as the microscale resin viscosity depends on the macroscopic velocity, which in turn depends on the permeability that results from a microscopic calculation. An original and efficient offline-online procedure was proposed for the solution of non-linear flow problems related to generalized Newtonian fluids in porous media. In this paper, this procedure is generalized to quasi-Newtonian fluids in order to evaluate the effect of extensional viscosity on the resulting upscaled permeability. This work constitutes a natural step forward in the definition of equivalent saturated permeabilities for linear and non-linear fluids.     

Moral Hazard and the Role of Users in Learning from Accidents1

Most technological accidents studied in the literature consist of a single event occurring in a single location (Challenger, Chernobyl, Ariane 5, Bhopal, etc.). However, a significant number of accidents comprise a series of incidents taking place in multiple and unconnected locations. This may happen whenever a given technology is used by multiple decentralized users – as is the case for medical devices or diving equipment, for instance. In this paper, we argue that such a structural characteristic raises specific problems and issues in terms of learning from accidents. We focus on a specific issue and problem: information asymmetries between the users and the manufacturer in favor of the manufacturer and the risk of “moral hazard” that they can induce. Using second hand information on a well known case (Therac‐25), we show how the manufacturer behaved opportunistically when it came to learn from a series of decentralized incidents and we argue that this opportunism was made possible by information asymmetries. Following predictions from the principal‐agent theory, we then argue that for users to monitor manufacturers' behavior in a sense favorable to the taking place of learning from accident, it is necessary to ensure communication among users of risky technologies. Besides reducing information asymmetries conducive to moral hazard this would moreover improve risk prevention. Yet, as communication among decentralized users is unlikely to arise spontaneously in most cases, we argue that this makes the case for public intervention in the form of publicly sponsored user groups.     

Standardized MR protocol for the evaluation of MRA sequences and/or contrast agents effects in high-degree arterial stenosis analysis

Purpose To investigate the relative role of high resolution (spatial or temporal) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) sequence and of contrast agent properties in the evaluation of high-degree arterial stenosis. Methods We qualitatively and quantitatively studied both 50 and 95% (300 μm diameter) stenosis of a 6 mm arterial phantom with two contrast agents (CA), Gd-DOTA (r₁ =2.9 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹) versus P760 (r₁ =25 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹) at several CA concentrations, including arterial peak concentration after injection of either a single or double dose of CA, using either a high temporal (booster) or high spatial (HR) resolution 3D MRA sequences. Experimental data were then compared to theoretical data. Results With the 3D HR sequence, both visual and quantitative analysis were significantly better compared to the 3D booster sequence, at each phantom diameter. Quantitative analysis was significantly improved by injection of a double versus a single dose of each CA (Gd-DOTA or P760), primarily in high degree stenosis. Conclusion Combined MRA spatial resolution and high CA efficiency are mandatory to correctly evaluate high degree stenosis.     

Superparamagnetic relaxation evidences large surface contribution for the magnetic anisotropy of MnFe<Subscript>2</Subscript>0<Subscript>4</Subscript> nanoparticles of ferrofluids

Manganese ferrite nanoparticles, in the size range 3.3–9.0 nm, are prepared by a hydrothermal coprecipitation process and peptized in aqueous solution. The magnetization curves recorded at room temperature on diluted colloidal sols allow characterizing the distribution of magnetic moment by using a simple Langevin formalism. Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements performed on powder samples at 77 K exhibit a quadrupolar doublet which intensity grows at the expense of the hyperfine sextet pattern as the nanoparticles mean size decreases. The magnetic dynamics behavior is then investigated by measurements of magnetic hysteretic properties at 5 K and temperature dependence of the zero field cooling (ZFC) susceptibility. The values found for the effective anisotropy constant and the dependence of the irreversibility field, inversely proportional to the reference size, clearly indicate that the magnetic anisotropy of our nanoparticles finds its origin on the disordered surface layer.     

High pass filter with above IC integrated SrTiO3 high K MIM capacitors

This paper describes realization and characterization of SrTiO₃ (STO) high K MIM capacitors above BiCMOS integrated circuit (IC). These capacitances are connected to IC and are used as coupling capacitors in order to realize a high pass filter. Surface capacitance achieved is 10 nF/mm² with capacitance value of 1.2 nF. The process for STO MIM fabrication does not exceed 400 °C, which is compatible with interconnections. Typical K and dielectric losses values obtained are, respectively 110% and 2%. Yield obtained reaches 83% for capacitors. A functional high pass filter using these STO capacitors was realized in this study. It exhibits a cut-off frequency at 6.5 kHz and a constant gain at higher frequencies of −1.3 dB.     

Semi-classical signal analysis

This study introduces a new signal analysis method, based on a semi-classical approach. The main idea in this method is to interpret a pulse-shaped signal as a potential of a Schrödinger operator and then to use the discrete spectrum of this operator for the analysis of the signal. We present some numerical examples and the first results obtained with this method on the analysis of arterial blood pressure waveforms.     

Influence of very long aging on the relaxation behavior of flame‐retardant printed circuit board epoxy composites under mechatronic conditions

Very long aging times, up to 15,100 h (629 days) at 110°C, were achieved on flame‐retardant printed circuit board laminates commonly used in automotive design. This composite was fabricated from glass fibers embedded in an epoxy resin. Aging was performed in an oven under an air atmosphere at a temperature lower than the glass‐transition temperature. Temperature‐modulated differential scanning calorimetric analysis was used to investigate the influence of such aging on the glass‐transition phenomena. A new amorphous phase appeared during aging. By extending the analysis to samples collected at different thicknesses, we demonstrated the existence of a time‐dependent gradient of the properties. A skin–core structure was evidenced, and this slowed down oxidation and allowed physical aging to occur in the bulk sample. An exponential law described the variations of the glass‐transition of the new external compound. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 786‐792, 2013