Technology Evaluation of Hydrogen Light-Duty Vehicles

This study analyzed candidate hydrogen-fueled vehicles for near and long-term use associated with their efficiency, performance, and emissions. Various types of hydrogen-fueled vehicles were assessed using Argonne National Laboratory's Powertrain System Analysis Toolkit vehicle simulation model. These include hythane- and hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines (ICEs), hydrogen-fueled hybrid electric propulsion, and direct hydrogen fuel cells. Vehicle sizes and configurations, consistent with the available component models/data, were simulated to compare efficiency and emissions with baseline conventional vehicles. The simulations provided salient information on the vehicle characteristics, performance, and efficiency, as functions of operating conditions on standard driving cycles. It was found that substantial gains in fuel economy can be achieved through hybridization both for conventional and fuel cell vehicles. When hybridized, hydrogen ICE configurations achieve similar fuel economy to gasoline counterparts. The results also confirm that ICE hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) achieve higher fuel economy than fuel cell configurations and comparable results with fuel cell HEV. Comparison of efficiency results for various driving cycles further indicates that cycles with low power demand are most suited for hybrid operations.     

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND THE INNOVATION SYSTEM IN FRANCE 1985-2000

This paper investigates the relations between corporate governance and innovation in France over the period 1985-2000, with special focus on the development of firms' capabilities. The literature on innovation has often referred to a fit between environmental niches and institutional arrangements of corporate governance. By contrast, this paper presents the French case as an illustration of the numerous possibilities for institutional arrangements in ownership and control of industry and their multiple combinations with the national innovation system. The paper discusses the changing role - and importance - over time performed by the French system of corporate governance and its impact on the development of innovative capabilities by firms. The paper demonstrates that the impact of the national system of corporate governance on the innovative system is strongly mediated by the distribution of power and the conduct of business strategy inside large domestic firms.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed [2+1] Cycloadditions Affording Vinylidenecyclopropanes as Precursors of 7‐Membered Carbocycles

Palladium(II) acetate in association with secondary phosphine oxides provides an efficient catalytic system for [2+1] cycloadditions starting from oxanorbornene derivatives and tertiary propargyl esters giving rise to vinylidenecyclopropanes. This reaction is specific to bidentate phosphinito–phosphinous acid ligands generated from secondary phosphine oxides. The [2+1] cycloaddition was found broad in scope with a high tolerance to various functional groups. Moreover, vinylidenecyclopropanes were straightforwardly converted into oxabicyclo[3.2.1]oct‐2‐ene derivatives through a palladium‐catalyzed ring‐expansion. Finally, the oxa bridge cleavage of oxatricyclic compounds yields functionalized 7‐membered carbocycles.

     

Personality disorders and the outcome of cognitive–behavioural treatment of panic disorder with agoraphobia.

In recent years, cognitive–behavioural interventions have proven to be effective in the treatment of Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia (PDA). However, there is controversy concerning treatment efficacy of PDA for patients with a comorbid diagnosis of Personality Disorder (PD). This study evaluates the impact of a PD on PDA treatment response. 81 patients suffering from PDA were recruited from a cognitive–behavioural group treatment program. Diagnoses on Axis I (N?=?81) and Axis II (N?=?36) were made at treatment onset according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-III-Revised (DSM-III-R) criteria. Validated questionnaires were used to assess agoraphobia at treatment onset, following treatment, and at the 3 mo follow-up. All patients improved markedly from pretest to posttest and at the 3 mo follow-up. Grouping of patients according to the presence or absence of a personality disorder revealed significant differences between the groups on pre- and posttreatment scores on agoraphobia. Results also reveal that patients with a personality disorder improve more slowly than patients without a personality disorder. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Continuous determination of the cross section area of the components of a niobium-titanium superconducting conductor

Multifilamentary superconducting conductors, which are usually manufactured by hot extrusion and cold drawing, consist of bundles of small diameter superconducting filaments embedded in a normal conducting matrix. It is most desirable for the magnet designer as well as for the conductor manufacturer to control the uniformity of properties along the length of conductors which will be used in large magnets. In this paper we present a continuous monitoring of the superconducting and normal matrix areas through a non-destructive sampling procedure over the whole length of a superconducting conductor.     

A domain-specific language to design false data injection tests for air traffic control systems

International Journal on Software Tools for Technology Transfer - The ADS-B—automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast—technology requires aircraft to broadcast their position and...     

Beneficial Effect of Pt and of Pre-Oxidation on the Oxidation Behaviour of an NiCoCrAlYTa Bond-Coating for Thermal Barrier Coating Systems

The oxidation behaviour of a thermal barrier coating (TBC) system is a major concern as the growth of the thermally grown oxide (TGO) layer on the bond-coating creates stresses that greatly favour the thermal barrier spallation. To delay the loss of the thermal protection provided, research has focused on the bond-coating composition and microstructure as well as on the parameters required for a suitable pre-oxidation treatment before the deposition of the ceramic top coat. Platinum is known to enhance the oxidation/corrosion resistance of MCrAlY coatings. The effect of Pt on the oxidation behaviour of a NiCoCrAlYTa coating was assessed in this study. In addition, pre-oxidation treatments were conducted to determine if the oxidation behaviour of the modified NiCoCrAlYTa coating could be further improved.     

真空渗碳后的淬火工艺

本文论述了经低压真空渗碳后的工件淬火时选择油淬或气淬的原因及影响因素.通过采用变速驱动(VSD)、选择适合的钢材、新型混合气体等新的技术手段,真空渗碳加气淬可以有效地减小工件地变形并显著地提高热处理质量及其稳定性.可以应用于绝大部分汽车齿轮工件的热处理.     

Advanced burner-rig test for oxidation-corrosion resistance evaluation of MCrAlY/superalloys systems

Protective coatings are used on gas turbine components to enable them to survive in engine-operating conditions. This study presents a recently developed cyclic burner-rig test that is used to simulate helicopter engine conditions and to assess the oxidation and hot corrosion behaviour of MCrAlY coatings on nickel-base superalloys. A diluted sea-salt solution is atomised into the burner-rig to simulate hot-corrosion. Each cycle lasts 1 h with temperatures varying in the range of 900 °C to 1000 °C followed by 15 min cooling to room temperature. Specimens are tested up to 1000 such cycles. Three different NiCoCrAlYTa coating thicknesses are used to determine the influence of the Al reservoir on the lifetime of the coated MC2 superalloy. The evolving microstructural features are identified using high resolution scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy and compared with isothermal testing in pure oxidising conditions. The NiCoCrAlYTa microstructure obtained after the burner-rig test has typical features of a Type 1 hot corrosion degradation, with internal oxidation and nitruration and a front of chromium and yttrium-rich sulphides. This type of advanced burner-rig test cycle is successful in reproducing the accelerated combined hot-corrosion/oxidation damage.