Key Engineering Materials Vol. 495

Abstract: In the conceptual framework of Quantum ElectroDynamics (QED) it has been proventhat liquid water is made up of two phases : 1) a coherent phase where the electron cloud of watermolecules oscillates in phase with a trapped electromagnetic field within extended regions, calledCoherence Domains (CD); 2) a non coherent phase formed by a gas-like ensemble of molecules fillingthe interstices among the CD's. The constituentmolecules of the coherent phase oscillate between theirindividual ground state and an excited state where one electron is so loosely bound to be consideredquasi-free. Therefore the coherent phase contains a plasma of quasi-free electrons. In the bulk water,as in the case of superfluid liquid Helium, each molecule crosses over continuously between the twophases. On the contrary, close to the surface of a metallic cathode in a chemical cell , the attractionbetween molecules and wall stabilizes the coherent phases so that the layer of interfacial water ismainly coherent and capable of holding a negative electronic charge. When the chemical cell voltageexceeds a threshold, an i! nterfacial water- cathode metal surface plasma mode is developed. Fromthe collective energies continuously pumped into the plasma, the weak interaction e + p+ → n + νemay be induced which produces neutrons and neutrinos from Hydrogen atoms. The neutrons may thenultimately induce other nuclear transmutations on the cathode metal surface.

Abstract: In the present work a Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system based on the use of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) method is presented that is suitable for aeronautical applications. The proposed methodology can be applied for the case of stiffened panels that are typical in aeronautical structures. The effect of sensor network layout, as well as noise applied during the training and prediction phase of the ANN application, is examined.

Abstract: Amethod for extracting accuratemicrostructural information fromheterogeneousmaterialsusing micro Computed Tomography ( CT) is presented. A highly porous fibrous structure is used asa case study. The proposed method includes a filtering step to increase the resolution of the gray-scaleslices, a local segmentation step to accurately separate the fibres from the background and a thinningprocedure to simplify the structure and extract quantitative statistics such as the number of fibre jointsper fibre, fibre orientation and segment length (sections between joints) distributions.

Abstract: The present research work describes deposition of titania onto Fe powder using a homemade fluidized bed CVD reactor and titanium tetrachloride as the precursor. The as-deposited particles were examined in terms of microstructure and magnetic behavior by means of SEM, XRD, FTIR and VSM. It was realized that high quality TiO₂ deposition onto iron particles was possible. The produced thin films were microcrystalline and homogenous, with the optimum conditions being in the range of 800-900 ^OC and a TiCl₄:air ratio equal to 1:15-1:25.

Abstract: In order to study the thermal behavior of the distribution line porcelain insulators when the line’s conductor current is high, a laboratory condition in a simulation program (ANSYS) was created considering the structure and geometry of porcelain insulator based on finite element analysis and working out distribution maps of temperature changes. The numerical results obtained using analytical models are in accordance with data resulting from laboratory tests carried out for this purpose. Remarkable temperature rise was not observed at insulators in spite of the high conductor temperature.

Abstract: In cases that the temperature of large surfaces needs to be measured, because measuring by conventional temperature equipment is time consuming, thermography is a fast and simple alternative solution. The most important feature that affects the amount of energy radiating from a surface, under stationary thermal conditions (fixed temperature), is its emissivity. In the present study emissivity of certain commercial wall paints was determined experimentally by adjusting its value in an infrared thermal imager, until its readings coincided with a known temperature measured by PT-100 sensors. It was shown that the emissivity is dependent on the color, current temperature and type/texture of the material.

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to develop a communication management plan concerning the implementation of a project with external expert as the team leader collaborating with the top management in laboratory research (hi-technological, financial, societal, political). The challenge of the paper is to combine through the communication process aspect the external project manager’s challenges with the interests and the expectations of the top organizational management of a hi-technological laboratory.

Abstract: This study aims to examine the application of the outsourcing concept [1], in the field of information systems in maritime companies. With the contribution of personal experience and knowledge of the authors, but also the extensive qualitative research that was carried out, one of the areas of activity of a maritime company outsourced to external collaborators is that of information systems. The lightning-fast pace at which technology and information systems are advancing, has forced maritime companies to outsource the information technology sector to external collaborators, who have the knowledge and the resources.

Abstract: The aim of our paper is to focus on the way a project manager chooses the appropriate members of his team in order to develop hi - technological project for a laboratory research in different sectors (business, hi-technological, financial, societal, political). Our aim is to focus on the differences and the challenges that hi - technological project team members have in laboratory research.

Abstract: The object of this research paper is to examine the concepts of outsourcing and insourcing and their application in the high technology systems sector in a maritime company. When a company chooses to outsource the high technologies sector to an external collaborator, it needs to have the ability to specify to the service provider the required services, in order to obtain the best possible result. On the other hand, when the maritime company decides to provide the required services, it needs to have the ability to adapt its services according to the fast pace of high technology.