Internal Components Research Articles

A Virtual Reality Gearbox Experiment Platform Based on Hand Tracking and Natural Language Processing

In manufacturing engineering education, the gearbox is an essential mechanical component and a fundamental skill students must master. Recent data suggests that insufficient understanding of its load capacity and exceeding operational limits can damage internal components, potentially leading to severe consequences like fires. In order to address the challenges faced by physical laboratories and existing traditional virtual labs in the new engineering disciplines, including the lack of insufficient experimental safety, operational real-ism, insufficient personalized learning support, and the difficulty in creating immersive learning environments, we introduce a Virtual Reality Gearbox Experiment Platform Based on Hand Tracking and Natural Language Processing (VRGEPHTNLP). This platform aims to enhance the realism of detailed interactions, provide personalized learning experiences, and create immersive environments, thereby improving students' learning efficiency and practical skills. In order to enhance the teaching of gearboxes, we have developed the VRGEPHTNLP by integrating hand-tracking technology, the GPT3.5 large language model (GPT3.5 LLM), and Azure technology. This application allows for comprehensive observation and assembly-disassembly teaching functionalities of parts. We offer an interaction experience rich in detail and environmental immersion, alongside personalized feed-back and guidance in response to student inquiries. Compared to traditional computer-based virtual labs and conventional VR laboratories, our VRGEP-HTNLP exhibits significant advantages in improving user interaction realism, enhancing personalized learning support, and optimizing the immersion of the learning environment.

Enhanced Epoxy Composites Reinforced by 3D-Aligned Aluminum Borate Nanowhiskers.

Recently, the durability of high-performance and multifunctional portable electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets, has become an important issue. Electronic device housing, which protects internal components from external stimuli, such as vibration, shock, and electrical hazards, is essential for resolving durability issues. Therefore, the materials used for electronic device housing must possess good mechanical and electrical insulating properties. Herein, we propose a novel high-strength polymer nanocomposite based on 3D-aligned aluminum borate nanowhisker (ABOw) structures. ABOw was synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method, and 3D-aligned ABOw structures were fabricated using a freeze-casting process. The 3D-aligned ABOw/epoxy composites consist of repetitively layered structures, and the microstructures of these composites are controlled by the filler content. The developed 3D-aligned ABOw/epoxy composite had a compressive strength 56.72% higher than that of pure epoxy, indicating that it can provide high durability when applied as a protective material for portable electronic devices.

Compact vacuum transfer devices for highly air-sensitive materials in scanning electron microscopy

Surface analysis experiments on air-sensitive substances are challenging to avoid their contact with air, leading to inaccurate results due to oxidation or hygroscopicity. To address this issue, we designed a compact vacuum transfer device (VTD) and applied it to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) experiments. Our VTD features a split structure that can be opened and separated in the SEM specimen exchange chamber via magnetic control. This design allows the SEM manufacturer's stub to be fed directly into the SEM specimen chamber, preventing damage to the instrument's internal components and avoiding restrictions on specimen height. Additionally, the compact design maximizes the utilization of sample accommodation space. Besides, it can be flexibly customized in different sizes and types of stubs to adapt electron microscopes from various manufacturers. To confirm the reliability of our device, we applied it to several highly air-sensitive samples for morphology and chemical composition analysis by SEM and EDS. The EDS results showed that the atomic percentage of Na reaches 94.55 % after 14 minutes and 93.44 % after 30 minutes of storage when transferring metallic sodium. Furthermore, our VTD enables airtight recycling and re-transfer of samples after the SEM (-EDS) experiments. These results demonstrate that our device has excellent practicality and airtightness, making it suitable for medium- and long-distance sample transfer between laboratories on the campus.

Communicating a comeback: a startup founder’s response to anonymous employee feedback

Research methodology This case study is based on primary data collected through interviews with the company’s founder and CEO. It also includes secondary data collected through the Glassdoor job search and career community site. The names of the company and the employees have been disguised. However, the figures included accurately represent the primary data and the quotes are directly from the company representative. Case overview/synopsis When it was founded in 2009, employees were excited about the prospect of working at Wombat alongside its founder and CEO Dan Wallace. They had looked forward to making a difference in the lives of college students with the company’s higher ed-focused digital communication platform. But by 2022, Wallace could not ignore the significant change in these employees’ attitudes. Anonymous feedback pointed to employees’ commitment to Wombat having wavered, and employees’ reception of post-COVID organizational changes had become concerningly critical. Though he knew enough to be concerned, Wallace felt unsure of how to move forward based on the anonymous feedback alone. He was left wondering: how should Wombat communicate with employees to boost their attitudes and strengthen their commitment while making the hard decisions that best serve the company? Complexity academic level This case study is appropriate for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in organizational communication courses. It can constitute the employee communication module in a class that surveys strategic managerial communication, or it could be used as one of many examples in a course specifically focused on the internal communication component of the discipline. Students will need an understanding of communication theory, specifically interpretive organizational communication theory, to grasp the complexities of the case. While the focus company is in the educational technology industry, the themes presented are faced by companies of all sizes in all sectors.

Negative available potential energy dissipation as the fundamental criterion for double diffusive instabilities

The background potential energy (BPE) is the only reservoir that double diffusive instabilities can tap their energy from when developing from an unforced motionless state with no available potential energy (APE). Recently, Middleton and Taylor linked the extraction of BPE into APE to the sign of the diapycnal component of the buoyancy flux, but their criterion can predict only diffusive convection instability, not salt finger instability. Here, we show that the problem can be corrected if the sign of the APE dissipation rate is used instead, making it emerge as the most fundamental criterion for double diffusive instabilities. A theory for the APE dissipation rate for a two-component fluid relative to its single-component counterpart is developed as a function of three parameters: the diffusivity ratio, the density ratio, and a spiciness parameter. The theory correctly predicts the occurrence of both salt finger and diffusive convection instabilities in the laminar unforced regime, while more generally predicting that the APE dissipation rate for a two-component fluid can be enhanced, suppressed, or even have the opposite sign compared to that for a single-component fluid, with important implications for the study of ocean mixing. Because negative APE dissipation can also occur in stably stratified single-component and doubly stable two-component stratified fluids, we speculate that only the thermodynamic theory of exergy can explain its physics; however, this necessitates accepting that APE dissipation is a conversion between APE and the internal energy component of BPE, in contrast to prevailing assumptions.

Case Report : Brucella infection of total knee arthroplasty - The first case report in an endemic country!

Prosthetic joint loosening due to Brucella spp. is a rare event. In this report, we describe a rare case of prosthetic infection caused by brucella. A 71-year-old woman reported a six-month history of progressing pain in the right prosthetic knee, which had been implanted for arthrosis four years prior to admission, associated with fever. No night sweats were noted. On examination, the right knee appeared slightly swollen and painful on mobilization, and the surgical wound was normal. Blood tests showed increased C-Reactive Protein (CRP) (34mg/L) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (34mm/hr). A CT scan of her right knee was performed, showing loosening of the prosthesis, joint effusion, and osteolysis in contact with the internal tibial component measuring 16mm maximum with bone remodeling of the epiphysis and metaphysis regions. Rose Bengal test was positive for brucellosis, a standard brucella tube agglutination test was positive at a titer of 1/80, blood cultures for brucella were negative and a PCR for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was negative. The patient was diagnosed as having Brucella infection of his total knee arthroplasty. Favorable outcome was observed after medical and surgical treatment. We believe this is the first detailed report of Brucella prosthetic infection in the country despite the endemicity of this type of zoonosis.

A Literature Review of Fault Detection and Diagnostic Methods in Three-Phase Voltage-Source Inverters

This review paper offers a comprehensive examination of the various types of faults that occur in inverters and the methods used for their identification. The introductory segment investigates the internal component failures of voltage-source inverters (VSIs), examining their failure rates and the consequent effects on the overall system performance. Subsequently, this paper classifies and clarifies the potential malfunctions in components and sensors, placing particular emphasis on their frequency of occurrence and the severity of their impact. The examination encompasses issues associated with transistors, including open circuits, short circuits, gate firing anomalies, as well as failures in capacitors, diodes, and sensors. Following this, the paper delivers a comparative assessment of fault diagnosis techniques pertinent to each type of component, appraised against specific criteria. The concluding section encapsulates the findings for each fault category, delineates the fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) methodologies, analyzes the outcomes, and provides recommendations for future scholarly investigation.

Thermal cycle behaviour of plasma sprayed thermal barrier coatings on cast iron substrate for the application of liner of internal combustion engine

In the present scenario, research on Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBCs) is attracting significant attention in high-temperature applications due to the rising demand in industrial applications, such as gas turbine blades and internal combustion engine components. To meet these demands, it is essential to enhance the mechanical and oxidation properties of thermal barrier coatings. The atmospheric plasma spray methodology for producing these coatings has become a central focus in recent times. In this work, TBCs were prepared by blending pure alumina and Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) in equal proportions. Extensive study of TBCs carried out under high-temperature conditions through thermal cycle tests at elevated temperatures, around 850 °C. A total of 350 thermal cycles were conducted, and microstructures of the coating surface were examined at 150, 250, and 350 cycles. High-temperature stress, generated due to the sintering of the coating, also influences the life of the coatings. Specimen with a topcoat thickness of 300 μm, exhibited good thermal shock resistance compared to the specimens with topcoats of thickness of 100 μm and 200 μm. The effects of process parameters, porosity, and thermal shock resistance are presented in detail. The topcoat with a thickness of 300 μm demonstrated excellent thermal shock resistance and reduced formation of thermally grown oxide (TGO). The porosity of the coating, found to be between 2% and 3%, contributed to its dense nature, effectively reducing oxidation rates and enhancing the coating's lifespan under cyclic high-temperature conditions.

Influence of the Atlantic and Pacific Multidecadal Variability on Arctic Sea Ice in Pacemaker Simulations during 1920–2013

Abstract The Atlantic multidecadal variability (AMV) and Pacific multidecadal variability (PMV) can influence Arctic sea ice and modulate its trend, but to what extent the AMV and PMV can affect Arctic sea ice and which processes are dominant are not well understood. Here, we analyze the Community Earth System Model, version 1, idealized and time-varying pacemaker ensemble simulations to investigate these issues. These experiments show that the sea ice concentration varies mainly over the marginal Arctic Ocean, while the sea ice thickness variations occur over the entire Arctic Ocean. The internal components of AMV and PMV can enhance or weaken the decadal sea ice loss rates over the marginal Arctic Ocean by more than 50%. The AMV- or PMV-induced anomalous atmospheric energy transport and downward longwave radiation related to low clouds (thermodynamical processes) and sea ice motion (dynamical processes) contribute to the Arctic surface air temperature and sea ice concentration and thickness changes. Anomalous oceanic heat flux is mainly a response to rather than a cause of sea ice variations. The dynamic processes contribute to the winter Arctic sea ice variations as much as the thermodynamic processes, but they contribute less (more) to the summer Arctic sea ice variability than the thermodynamic processes over the marginal Arctic Ocean (parts of the central Arctic Ocean). Sea ice loss enhances air–sea heat fluxes, which cause oceanic heat convergence and warm near-surface air and the lower troposphere, which in turn melt more sea ice.

Can Internal Control Components Influence Internal Customer Satisfaction? An Applied Study in a Shared Service Centre

Can Internal Control Components Influence Internal Customer Satisfaction? An Applied Study in a Shared Service Centre

A Deep Learning Framework for Evaluating the Over-the-Air Performance of the Antenna in Mobile Terminals.

This study introduces RTEEMF (Real-Time Evaluation Electromagnetic Field)-PhoneAnts, a novel Deep Learning (DL) framework for the efficient evaluation of mobile phone antenna performance, addressing the time-consuming nature of traditional full-wave numerical simulations. The DL model, built on convolutional neural networks, uses the Near-field Electromagnetic Field (NEMF) distribution of a mobile phone antenna in free space to predict the Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP), Total Radiated Power (TRP), and Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) across various configurations. By converting antenna features and internal mobile phone components into near-field EMF distributions within a Huygens' box, the model simplifies its input. A dataset of 7000 mobile phone models was used for training and evaluation. The model's accuracy is validated using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test (WSR) for SAR and TRP, and the Feature Selection Validation Method (FSV) for EIRP. The proposed model achieves remarkable computational efficiency, approximately 2000-fold faster than full-wave simulations, and demonstrates generalization capabilities for different antenna types, various frequencies, and antenna positions. This makes it a valuable tool for practical research and development (R&D), offering a promising alternative to traditional electromagnetic field simulations. The study is publicly available on GitHub for further development and customization. Engineers can customize the model using their own datasets.

Thermal–Electrical–Mechanical Coupled Finite Element Models for Battery Electric Vehicle

The safety of lithium-ion batteries is critical to the safety of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The purpose of this work is to develop a method to predict battery thermal runaway in full electric vehicle crash simulation. The thermal–electrical–mechanical-coupled finite element analysis is used to model an individual lithium-ion battery cell, a battery module, a battery pack, and a battery electric vehicle with 24 battery modules in a live circuit connection. The lithium-ion battery is modeled using a representative approach, with each internal battery component individually modeled to represent its geometric shape and realistic thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties. A resistance heating solver and Randles circuit model built with a generalized voltage source are used to simulate the electrical behavior of the battery. The thermal simulation of the battery considers the heat capacity and thermal conductivity of different cell components, as well as heat conduction, radiation, and convection at their interfaces. The mechanical property of battery cell and battery module models is validated using spherical punch tests. The electrical property of the battery cell and battery module models is verified against CircuitLab simulation in an external short-circuit test. The simulation results for the battery module’s internal resistance are consistent with both experimental data and literature values. The multi-physics coupling phenomenon is demonstrated with a cylindrical compression simulation on the battery module. The multi-physics BEV model with 24 live battery modules is used to simulate the external short-circuit test and the side pole impact test. The simulation run time is less than 24 h. The results demonstrated the feasibility of using a representative battery model and multi-physics analysis to predict battery thermal runaway in full electric vehicle crash analysis.

Enhancement of selenium removal in coal-fired flue gas across wet flue gas desulfurization spray tower by internal components-part 1: Demister and wall ring

Wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) device is a key piece of equipment used to control selenium, but its removal efficiency is highly variable (13%–95%). Adding internal components into WFGD can alter the gas-liquid flow pattern and is regarded as a promising technology for selenium removal. In this study, the demister and wall ring were adopted as internal components to investigate their feasibility on selenium removal and inherent mechanisms. Compared with the open tower (without internal components), the outlet selenium concentration was reduced by 52.2%–61.7% by installing a demister. This was because a liquid film was formed on the baffle plates of the demister after intercepting mists, which leaded a secondary absorption process for selenium. The lower plates of the demister made a major contribution to selenium removal, and increasing the plate area of the demister was beneficial to this process. The wall ring reduced the selenium emission by up to 56.5%, because it could force the flue gas and liquid column near/on the walls to flow towards the center, and significantly improve the gas-liquid contact. The enhanced method and mechanisms reported in this study can help to develop a low-cost technology to improve the selenium purification efficiency of existing WFGDs.

The Etching Behaviour and Fluorine-Based-Plasma Resistance of YOF Coatings Deposited by Atmospheric Plasma Spraying

There is a high demand for plasma-resistant coatings that prevent the corrosion of the internal ceramic components of plasma etching equipment, thereby reducing particle contamination and process drift. Yttrium oxyfluoride (YOF) coatings were prepared using atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) with commercially available YOF/YF3 powder mixtures; namely YOF 3%, YOF 6%, and YOF 9%. The etching behaviour of YOF and yttrium oxide (Y2O3) coatings was investigated using an inductively coupled plasma consisting of NF3/He. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that the YOF 6% coating had the thickest fluorinated layer. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination revealed that the YOF 6% coating showed exceptional resistance to erosion and generated a reduced quantity of contaminated particles in comparison to Y2O3. Consequently, it is more suitable as a protective material for the inner wall of reactors. The YOF coatings exhibit excellent stability and high resistance to erosion, indicating their appropriateness for use in the semiconductor industry.

Pemetaan Potensi Ekonomi dalam Upaya Meningkatkan Penyerapan Tenaga Kerja di Kota Surabaya

The purpose of this study is to analyze the economic potential in order to increase employment in the city of Surabaya. Compilation of mapping analysis of economic potential in employment in Surabaya will use two basic research designs, namely Exploratory and Descriptive Research which is carried out in stages. From the results of the calculation of the Location Quotient index (base and non basis), the Differential Shift component (internal growth component), and the Proportional Shift component (external growth component) as well as the sectoral typology of economic sectors explains that there are three potential sectors in the Surabaya City area namely: Transportation Sector, Accommodation Provision Sector, and Information Sector. While the economic sector according to the business field, the highest economic growth was achieved by the business of the Provision of Accommodation and Food and Drink followed by the growing Information and Communication business field and finally the Construction business field

Identifying and Prioritizing the Factors Affecting Online Marketing Strategies Based on Competitive Intelligence in Iraqi Telecommunication Companies

The business climate is changing quickly and continuously these days due to the advancement of technology and the expansion of global trade. Accordingly, businesses have had to modify their marketing plans to fit this new environment in order to stay competitive, and E-marketing has become a popular alternative. In order to accomplish this, the study will look into the variables influencing internet marketing tactics in the Iraqi telecom sector and rank them according to competitive intelligence. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with 12 academic specialists and marketing managers from Iraqi telecommunications companies were also conducted as part of this study to determine the fundamental elements of competitive intelligence and important internal and external factors influencing online marketing strategies. The researchers employed the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique to rank the most important variables identified by the quantitative analysis. The strategic standing of competitors is determined to be the most important external component in internet marketing strategies, based on study findings and expert opinions. Perceived product quality is the most significant internal component of online marketing strategy, according to experts. The most significant sub-criterion in the "competitive intelligence" criterion is "technological intelligence," out of the five sub-criteria. However, the research yields significant information that telecommunication firms in Iraq may utilize to improve their decision-making procedures, allocate resources optimally, and create online marketing strategies that are competitive environment-responsive.

Usefulness of color Doppler and strain elastography adjunctive to B-mode ultrasonography in the diagnosis of non-mass abnormalities of the breast: results of the BC-07 multicenter study of 385 cases.

The concept of non-mass abnormalities of the breast has been employed in Japan for approximately 20years. Although B-mode findings are classified as non-mass abnormalities, the usefulness of adding color Doppler ultrasonography (US) and strain elastography to B-mode US is unclear. Therefore, we conducted a multicenter study (JABTS BC-07) to establish the diagnostic criteria for breast US, including color Doppler and elastography, for non-mass abnormalities of the breast and verify their diagnostic usefulness. We registered US images of non-mass abnormalities of the breast and their clinical and histopathological data from 13 institutions (202 malignant and 183 benign non-mass lesions). Furthermore, we evaluated the centralized image interpretation usefulness of the diagnostic criteria for B-mode and color Doppler US, as well as the sensitivity and specificity when color Doppler US and elastography were added to B-mode US. Echogenic foci in the mammary gland (odds ratio 3.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.92-6.19, p < 0.0001) and the configuration of internal solid components of the ducts (odds ratio 0.056, 95% CI 0.005-0.591, p < 0.0165) significantly differentiated benign and malignant non-mass abnormalities. The sensitivity of B-mode alone (83.7%) was significantly improved by adding color Doppler US (93.1%) (p = 0.0004); however, adding color Doppler US and elastography to B-mode US made no significant difference in either sensitivity or specificity. Although adding color Doppler US and elastography to B-mode US improved sensitivity, the diagnostic significance was limited. Therefore, a comprehensive diagnostic method comprising mammography and magnetic resonance imaging is warranted.

Towards clinical application of freehand optical ultrasound imaging

Freehand optical ultrasound (OpUS) imaging is an emerging ultrasound imaging paradigm that uses an array of fibre-optic, photoacoustic ultrasound sources and a single fibre-optic ultrasound detector to perform ultrasound imaging without the need for electrical components in the probe head. Previous freehand OpUS devices have demonstrated capability for real-time, video-rate imaging of clinically relevant targets, but have been hampered by poor ultrasound penetration, significant imaging artefacts and low frame rates, and their designs limited their clinical applicability. In this work we present a novel freehand OpUS imaging platform, including a fully mobile and compact acquisition console and an improved probe design. The novel freehand OpUS probe presented utilises optical waveguides to shape the generated ultrasound fields for improved ultrasound penetration depths, an extended fibre-optic bundle to improve system versatility and an overall ruggedised design with protective elements to improve probe handling and protect the internal optical components. This probe is demonstrated with phantoms and the first multi-participant in vivo imaging study conducted with freehand OpUS imaging probes, this represents several significant steps towards the clinical translation of freehand OpUS imaging.

A comparative study on mechanical-electrical-thermal characteristics and failure mechanism of LFP/NMC/LTO batteries under mechanical abuse

Understanding the failure behaviors and failure mechanisms of lithium-ion batteries under mechanical abuse is essential for numerical reconstruction of abuse scenarios for different types of cells. This study investigates the mechanical-electrical-thermal characteristics, components tensile properties and failure mechanisms of LiFePO4 (LFP), Li(Ni0.5Mn0.3Co0.2)O2 (NMC), and Li2TiO3 (LTO) cells through indentation experiments, including ball intrusion, cylindrical intrusion, and out-of-plane compression modes at quasi-static loading rates. Additional ball intrusion experiments were conducted at varying loading rates. This study compares the effects of different material systems on battery performance under standardized mechanical abuse conditions. Post-test examinations analyze surface damage and internal component fracture morphology. Two distinct fracture modes were observed: ductile fracture and brittle fracture. The findings suggest that, under the same loading mode, LTO cells exhibit distinct failure behavior compared to NMC and LFP cells, attributed to differing material properties and resulting fracture modes during intrusion. Based on the analysis of the tensile results of the battery components, the cell fracture mode may be related to the tensile strength of the separator. The loading rate significantly impacts the mechanical-electrical-thermal performance of pouch cells, resulting in increased cell stiffness and shorter internal short circuit duration at higher loading speeds. However, the effect of loading rate is consistent across cells with different material systems.

Shear Thickening, Star-Shaped Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The safety concerns associated with current lithium-ion batteries are a significant drawback. A short-circuit within the battery's internal components, such as those caused by a car accident, can lead to ignition or even explosion. To address this issue, a polymer shear thickening electrolyte, free from flammable solvents, has been developed. It comprises a star-shaped oligomer derived from a trimethylolpropane (TMP) core and polyether chains, along with the inclusion of 20 wt.% nanosilica. Notably, the star-shaped oligomer serves a dual function as both the solvent for the lithium salt and the continuous phase of the shear thickening fluid. The obtained electrolytes exhibit an ionic conductivity of the order of 10-6 S cm-1 at 20 °C and 10-4 S cm-1 at 80 °C, with a high Li+ transference number (t+ = 0.79). A nearly thirtyfold increase in viscosity to a value of 1187 Pa s at 25 °C and a critical shear rate of 2 s-1 were achieved. During impact, this electrolyte could enhance cell safety by preventing electrode short-circuiting.