Telecommunications, Télécommunications, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Telecommunications et theorie de l'information, Telecommunications and information theory, Télécommunications, Telecommunications, Radiocommunications, Antennes, Antennas, Alimentation antenne, Antenna feeds, Antenne lentille, Lens antenna, Antena lentiforme, Application spatiale, Space application, Aplicación espacial, Bande X, X band, Banda X, Constante diélectrique, Permittivity, Constante dieléctrica, Gradient indice, Gradient index, Gradiente indicativo, Guide onde, Waveguide, Guía onda, Implémentation, Implementation, Implementación, Lobe latéral, Lateral lobe, Lóbulo lateral, Matière plastique, Plastics, Material plástico, Méthode élément fini, Finite element method, Método elemento finito, Onde centimétrique, Centimetric wave, Onda centimétrica, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Simulation, Simulación, Luneburg lens, lens antenna, and rapid prototyping

In this work, we designed, built, and tested a low-gain 20 dBi Luneburg Lens antenna using a rapid prototyping machine as a proof of concept demonstrator. The required continuously varying relative permittivity profile was implemented by changing the size of plastic blocks centered on the junctions of a plastic rod space frame. A 12-cm (4λ0 at 10 GHz) diameter lens is designed to work at X-band. The effective permittivity of the unit cell is calculated by effective medium theory and simulated by full-wave finite-element simulations. The fabrication is implemented by a polymer jetting rapid prototyping method. In the measurement, the lens antenna is fed by an X-band waveguide. The measured gain of the antenna at X-band is from 17.3 to 20.3 dB. The measured half-power beam width is from 19° to 12.7° while the side lobes are about 25 dB below the main peak. Good agreement between simulation and experimental results is obtained.

Telecommunications, Télécommunications, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Telecommunications et theorie de l'information, Telecommunications and information theory, Télécommunications, Telecommunications, Radiocommunications, Antennes, Antennas, Antenne fil, Wire antenna, Antena hilo, Antenne hélicoïdale, Helical antenna, Antena helicoidal, Antenne sphérique, Spherical antenna, Antena esférica, Impression, Printing, Impresión, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Stratification, Estratificación, 3D printing, electrically small antennas, nanocrystalline copper, rapid prototyping, selective laser sintering, and spherical antennas

It is shown how modern rapid prototyping technologies can be applied for quick and inexpensive, but still accurate, fabrication of electrically small wire antennas. A well known folded spherical helix antenna and a novel spherical zigzag antenna have been fabricated and tested, exhibiting the impedance and radiation characteristics in close agreement with those predicted numerically.

Computer science, Informatique, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Informatique; automatique theorique; systemes, Computer science; control theory; systems, Logiciel, Software, Systèmes informatiques et systèmes répartis. Interface utilisateur, Computer systems and distributed systems. User interface, Génie logiciel, Software engineering, Arbre graphe, Tree(graph), Arbol grafo, Calculateur embarqué, Boarded computer, Calculador embarque, Composant logiciel, Software component, Componente logicial, Entrée sortie, Input output, Entrada salida, Flux donnée, Data flow, Flujo datos, Internet, Langage JAVA, JAVA language, Lenguaje JAVA, Logiciel patrimonial, Legacy software, Logicial herencia, Programmation automatique, Automatic programming, Programación automática, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Réseau web, World wide web, Red WWW, Traitement flux donnée, Data flow processing, Téléenseignement, Remote teaching, Teleensenanza, Réutilisation logiciel, Software reusability, Reutilización de logicial, CASE, automatic programming, input-output tree, rapid prototyping, and software reuse

A prototyping tool which facilitates the design of Java applets based on existing Java classes in the repository is developed and embedded into an eLearning platform. An input-output tree is proposed to graphically show the data flow from the input to output of a specific application. In the future, the possible direction of using such similar application as the proposed tool will assist the programmer to assemble the reusable software components from the repository, in which the source codes are generated automatically by means of automatic programming.

Biomedical engineering, Génie biomédical, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences medicales, Medical sciences, Tumeurs, Tumors, Tumeurs multiples. Tumeurs solides. Tumeurs chez l'enfant (généralités), Multiple tumors. Solid tumors. Tumors in childhood (general aspects), Chirurgie (generalites). Transplantations, greffes d'organes et de tissus. Pathologie des greffons, Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases, Technologie. Biomatériaux. Equipements, Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments, Cancer, Cáncer, Agrégat, Aggregate, Agregado, Criblage, Screening, Cernido, Dépistage, Medical screening, Descubrimiento, Médicament, Drug, Medicamento, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Tumeur maligne, Malignant tumor, and Tumor maligno

Microwell technology has revolutionized many aspects of in vitro cellular studies from 2D traditional cultures to 3D in vivo-like functional assays. However, existing lithography-based approaches are often costly and time-consuming. This study presents a rapid, low-cost prototyping method of CO2 laser ablation of a conventional untreated culture dish to create concave microwells used for generating multicellular aggregates, which can be readily available for general laboratories. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and polystyrene (PS) microwells are investigated, and each produces distinctive microwell features. Among these three materials, PS cell culture dishes produce the optimal surface smoothness and roundness. A549 lung cancer cells are grown to form cancer aggregates of controllable size from ≈40 to ≈80 μm in PS microwells. Functional assays of spheroids are performed to study migration on 2D substrates and in 3D hydrogel conditions as a step towards recapitulating the dissemination of cancer cells. Preclinical anti-cancer drug screening is investigated and reveals considerable differences between 2D and 3D conditions, indicating the importance of assay type as well as the utility of the present approach.

Electronics, Electronique, Mechanical engineering, Génie mécanique, Metrology and instrumentation, Métrologie et instrumentation, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Physique, Physics, Generalites, General, Instruments, appareillage, composants et techniques communs à plusieurs branches de la physique et de l'astronomie, Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy, Techniques et équipements généraux, General equipment and techniques, Transducteurs, Transducers, Actionneur électromagnétique, Electromagnetic actuators, Actionneur, Actuators, Angle contact, Contact angle, Cobalt, Effet champ magnétique, Magnetic field effects, Effet magnétomécanique, Magnetomechanical effects, Hystérésis, Hysteresis, Matériau composite, Composite materials, Matériau ferromagnétique, Ferromagnetic materials, Module élasticité, Elastic modulus, Mouillage, Wetting, Nanocomposite, Nanocomposites, Nanoparticule, Nanoparticles, Propriété surface, Surface properties, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Siloxane(diméthyl) polymère, Dimethylsiloxane polymer, Siloxano(dimetil) polímero, Soupape, Valves, Traitement par plasma, Plasma assisted processing, Analyse mécanique dynamique, and Dynamic mechanical analysis

In this study, a new type of active membrane based on magnetic elastomer composite is manufactured, characterized and integrated into a simple valve. The simple and low-cost fabrication process combined with large displacement capability of the membrane is favorable for use in disposable fluidic devices. Passivated ferromagnetic cobalt nanoparticles (~37 nm) synthesized by the chemical route were embedded in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to fabricate nano-composite flexible membranes. Magneto-mechanical and mechanical properties of the PDMS composite elastomeric membrane loaded with various concentrations of cobalt (Co) nanoparticles (between 15 and 75 % by weight) were studied. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) measurements of the nanocomposite membranes were conducted as a function of the applied frequency (between 0.1 and 56 Hz). With higher concentration (50-wt%) of Co nanoparticles in PDMS, the elastic modulus was increased by 3-4 times as compared with that of membranes with lower concentrations of nanoparticles. Shore hardness was maximum for the nano-composite membrane loaded with 50-wt% of Co nanoparticles. A fluidic actuator with 400 μm thick PDMS membrane of 18 mm free diameter loaded with 50-wt% Co nanoparticles was manufactured and tested under external magnetic field. In the region where the magnetic field gradient is highest, high deflection of the membrane could be obtained (0.68 mm for 1 Tesla). However some hysteresis of the membrane deflection could be observed, even at very low frequency. Loading of PDMS with Co nanoparticles allowed a wider range of control of the wetting properties of PDMS surfaces under oxygen plasma treatment, from hydrophobic to hydrophilic to super-hydrophilic. Tunability in hydrophilicity could be achieved by varying the process parameters as verified by contact angles and Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectra before and after plasma treatment. Under certain conditions, 50 % Cobalt-PDMS membrane surfaces exhibited a super-hydrophilic behavior (contact angle ~5°).

Mechanical engineering, Génie mécanique, Metallurgy, welding, Métallurgie, soudage, Condensed state physics, Physique de l'état condensé, Polymers, paint and wood industries, Polymères, industries des peintures et bois, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Industrie des polymeres, peintures, bois, Polymer industry, paints, wood, Technologie des polymères, Technology of polymers, Appareillage et mise en oeuvre, Machinery and processing, Matières plastiques, Plastics, Moulage, Moulding, Mécanique fluide, Fluid mechanics, Mecánica flúido, Conception assistée, Computer aided design, Concepción asistida, Impression, Printing, Impresión, Microfluidique, Microfluidics, Microfluidic, Modèle 3 dimensions, Three dimensional model, Modelo 3 dimensiones, Moulage, Molding, Moldeo, Profilométrie, Profilometry, Perfilometría, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Siloxane(diméthyl) polymère, Dimethylsiloxane polymer, Siloxano(dimetil) polímero, Imprimante 3 D, 3 D pronter, 3D printing, PDMS, and RPT

In this work we characterize a novel possibility for PDMS (PolyDiMethylSiloxane) casting/ micromolding methods with the utilization of molding forms fabricated by a commercially available novel acrylic photopolymer based 3D printing method. The quality and absolute spatial accuracy of 1) different 3D printing modes ('matt' vs. 'glossy'); 2) the molded PDMS structures and 3) the subsequently produced complementary structures made of epoxy resin were investigated. The outcome of these two form transfer technologies were evaluated by the cross sectional analysis of open microfluidic channels (trenches) with various design. Our results reveal the spatial accuracy in terms of real vs. CAD (Computer Aided Design) values for the 3D printed acrylic structures and the limits of their form transfer to PDMS, then to epoxy structures. Additionally the significant differences between the various spatial directions (X, Y, Z) have been characterized, and the conclusion was drawn that the 'glossy' printing mode is not appropriate for 3D printing of microfluidic molds.

Electrical engineering, Electrotechnique, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Electrotechnique. Electroenergetique, Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering, Machines électriques, Electrical machines, Régulation et commande, Regulation and control, Appareillage de connexion et de protection, Connection and protection apparatus, Electroénergétique, Electrical power engineering, Réseaux et lignes électriques, Power networks and lines, Postes et sous-stations, Substations, Exploitation. Commande de charge. Fiabilité, Operation. Load control. Reliability, Automatisation, Automation, Automatización, Basse tension, Low voltage, Baja tensión, Communication donnée, Data communication, Description système, System description, Descripción sistema, Dispositif protection, Protective device, Dispositivo protección, Délestage, Load shedding, Dejamiento programado de carga, Flexibilité, Flexibility, Flexibilidad, Génération code, Code generation, Generación código, Implémentation, Implementation, Implementación, Modélisation, Modeling, Modelización, Norme CEI, IEC standard, Norma IEC, Organisation système, System configuration, Organización sistema, Orienté objet, Object oriented, Orientado objeto, Poste électrique, Substation, Puesto eléctrico, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Prototype, Prototipo, Prévention dommage, Damage prevention, Prevención daño, Recherche et développement, Research and development, Investigación desarrollo, Réseau distribution, Distribution network, Red distribución, Réseau électrique, Electrical network, Red eléctrica, Système commande, Control system, Sistema control, Système réparti, Distributed system, Sistema repartido, Transmission message, Message transmission, Transmisión mensaje, Automation and control, IEC 61850, code generation, communications, microgrids, power system protection, and rapid prototyping

Communications is becoming increasingly important to the operation of protection and control schemes. Although offering many benefits, using standards-based communications, particularly IEC 61850, in the course of the research and development of novel schemes can be complex. This paper describes an open-source platform which enables the rapid prototyping of communications-enhanced schemes. The platform automatically generates the data model and communications code required for an intelligent electronic device to implement a publisher-subscriber generic object-oriented substation event and sampled-value messaging. The generated code is tailored to a particular system configuration description (SCD) file, and is therefore extremely efficient at runtime. It is shown here how a model-centric tool, such as the open-source Eclipse Modeling Framework, can be used to manage the complexity of the IEC 61850 standard, by providing a framework for validating SCD files and by automating parts of the code generation process. The flexibility and convenience of the platform are demonstrated through a prototype of a real-time, fast-acting load-shedding scheme for a low-voltage microgrid network. The platform is the first open-source implementation of IEC 61850 which is suitable for real-time applications, such as protection, and is therefore readily available for research and education.

Control theory, operational research, Automatique, recherche opérationnelle, Mechanical engineering, Génie mécanique, Computer science, Informatique, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Informatique; automatique theorique; systemes, Computer science; control theory; systems, Logiciel, Software, Systèmes informatiques et systèmes répartis. Interface utilisateur, Computer systems and distributed systems. User interface, Aveugle, Blind, Ciego, Fidélité, Fidelity, Fidelidad, Habileté, Skill, Habilidad, Interface graphique, Graphical interface, Interfaz grafica, Interface utilisateur, User interface, Interfase usuario, Outil logiciel, Software tool, Herramienta software, Pays en développement, Developing countries, Países en desarrollo, Programmation visuelle, Visual programming, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Sensibilité tactile, Tactile sensitivity, Sensibilidad tactil, Utilisabilité, Usability, Usabilidad, Visualisation donnée, Data visualization, Visualización de datos, Haptic data visualization, Haptic interaction techniques, Haptics, and Haptification

Haptic devices are becoming more widely used as hardware becomes available and the cost of both low and high fidelity haptic devices decreases. One of the application areas of haptics is haptic data visualization (HDV). HDV provides functionality by which users can feel and touch data. Blind and partially sighted users can benefit from HDV, as it helps them manipulate and understand information. However, developing any 3D haptic world is difficult, time-consuming and requires skilled programmers. Therefore, systems that enable haptic worlds to be rapidly developed in a simple environment could enable non-computer skilled users to create haptic 3D interactions. In this article we present HITPROTO: a system that enables users, such as mentors or support workers, to quickly create haptic interactions (with an emphasis on HDVs) through a visual programming interface. We describe HITPROTO and include details of the design and implementation. We present the results of a detailed study using postgraduate students as potential mentors, which provides evidence of the usability of HITPROTO. We also present a pilot study of HITPROTO with a blind user. It can be difficult to create prototyping tools and support 3D interactions, therefore we present a detailed list of 'lessons learnt' that provides a set of guidelines for developers of other 3D haptic prototyping tools.

Electronics, Electronique, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Physique, Physics, Generalites, General, Instruments, appareillage, composants et techniques communs à plusieurs branches de la physique et de l'astronomie, Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy, Techniques et équipements généraux, General equipment and techniques, Capteurs (chimiques, optiques, électriques, de mouvement, de gaz, etc.); télédétection, Sensors (chemical, optical, electrical, movement, gas, etc.); remote sensing, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Electronique, Electronics, Electronique des semiconducteurs. Microélectronique. Optoélectronique. Dispositifs à l'état solide, Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices, Circuits intégrés, Integrated circuits, Conception. Technologies. Analyse fonctionnement. Essais, Design. Technologies. Operation analysis. Testing, Dispositifs à images, Imaging devices, Circuits électriques, optiques et optoélectroniques, Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits, Propriétés des circuits, Circuit properties, Circuits électroniques, Electronic circuits, Convertisseurs de signal, Signal convertors, Assemblage circuit intégré, Integrated circuit bonding, Capteur image CMOS, CMOS image sensors, Capteur mesure, Measurement sensor, Captador medida, Circuit intégré, Integrated circuit, Circuito integrado, Contact bosse, Solder bump, Contacto con bollos, Convertisseur AN, AD converter, Convertidor AN, Cuivre, Copper, Cobre, Echantillonnage, Sampling, Muestreo, Empilement, Stacking, Apilamiento, Haute performance, High performance, Alto rendimiento, Image tridimensionnelle, Tridimensional image, Imagen tridimensional, Interconnexion, Interconnection, Interconexión, Matrice formage, Die, Matriz formadora, Multifonctionnalité, Multifunctionality, Multifuncionalidad, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Prototype, Prototipo, Silicium, Silicon, Silicio, Structure 3 dimensions, Three dimensional structure, Estructura 3 dimensiones, Surface arrière, Back surface, Superficie atrás, Système intégré, Integrated system, Sistema integrado, Trou interconnexion, Via hole, Agujero interconexión, 0707D, Backside through silicon via (TSV), die-level 3-D integration, and hetero-integrated system

We proposed a die-level 3-D integration technology for rapid prototyping of high-performance multifunctionality hetero-integrated systems. Commercially available 2-D chips with different functions and sizes could be processed and integrated in die level. To realize the die-level 3-D integration, fine-sized backside through silicon via (TSV) and novel detachable technologies are developed. In this paper, we demonstrated a prototype 3-D stacked image sensor system using the die-level 3-D integration technology. Three different functional chips of CMOS image sensor, correlated double sampling, and analog-to-digital converter, which were fabricated by different technologies, were processed to form fine-sized backside Cu TSV of 5-μm diameter and metal microbumps in die level. Each chip was sequentially stacked after evaluating the basic function to form a known-good-die 3-D stacked system. The fundamental characteristics of each functional chip were successfully evaluated in the fabricated prototype 3-D stacked image sensor system.

Biomedical engineering, Génie biomédical, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Biotechnologie, Biotechnology, Applications et implications industrielles. Aspects économiques, Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects, Santé. Industrie pharmaceutique, Health. Pharmaceutical industry, Divers, Miscellaneous, Sciences medicales, Medical sciences, Chirurgie (generalites). Transplantations, greffes d'organes et de tissus. Pathologie des greffons, Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases, Chirurgie orthopédique, Orthopedic surgery, Technologie. Biomatériaux. Equipements, Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments, Activité biologique, Biological activity, Actividad biológica, Biomatériau, Biomaterial, Calcium Phosphate, Calcium Phosphates, Calcio Fosfato, Cytotoxicité, Cytotoxicity, Citotoxicidad, Génie biomédical, Biomedical engineering, Ingeniería biomédica, Génie tissulaire, Tissue engineering, Ingeniería de tejidos, Implant, Implante, Phosphate de calcium, Calcium phosphate, Calcio fosfato, Propriété biologique, Biological properties, Propiedad biológica, Propriété mécanique, Mechanical properties, Propiedad mecánica, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Résorption, Resorption, Resorción, Silice, Silica, Sílice, Technique rapide, Rapid technique, Técnica rápida, Greffe osseuse, Bone graft, Injerto óseo, bone graft, cytotoxicity, resorption, silica-calcium phosphate, and tissue engineering

Bioceramic processing using rapid prototyping technique (RPT) results in a fragile device that requires thermal treatment to improve the mechanical properties. This investigation evaluates the effect of thermal treatment on the mechanical, porosity, and bioactivity properties as well as the cytotoxicity of a porous silica-calcium phosphate nanocomposite (SCPC) implant prepared by RPT. Porous SCPC implant was subject to 3-h treatment at 800°C, 850°C, or 900°C. The compressive strength (s) and modulus of elasticity (E) were doubled when the sintering temperature is raised from 850 to 900°C measuring (s = 15.326 ± 2.95 MPa and E = 1095 ± 164 MPa) after the later treatment. The significant increase in mechanical properties takes place with minimal changes in the surface area and the percentage of pores in the range 1-356 μm. The SCPC implant prepared at 900°C was loaded with rh-BMP-2 and grafted into a segmental defect in the rabbit ulna. Histology analyses showed highly vascularized bone formation inside the defect. Histopathological analyses of the liver, spleen, kidney, heart, and the lung of rabbits grafted with and without SCPC demonstrated healthy tissues with no signs of toxicity or morphology alterations. Results of the study suggest that it is possible to engineering the mechanical properties of the SCPC implant without compromising its bioactivity. The enhanced bone formation inside the porous SCPC facilitated cell-mediated graft resorption and prohibited any accumulation of the material in the body organs.

Mechanical engineering, Génie mécanique, Computer science, Informatique, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Informatique; automatique theorique; systemes, Computer science; control theory; systems, Logiciel, Software, Conception assistée, Computer aided design, Automatique théorique. Systèmes, Control theory. Systems, Robotique, Robotics, Genie mecanique. Construction mecanique, Mechanical engineering. Machine design, Généralités, General, Architecture reconfigurable, Reconfigurable architectures, Assurance qualité, Quality assurance, Aseguración calidad, Automobile, Motor car, Automóvil, Chaîne montage, Assembly line, Línea montaje, Conception assistée, Computer aided design, Concepción asistida, Conception ingénierie, Engineering design, Concepción ingeniería, Conception intégrée, Integrated design, Concepción integrada, Coopération, Cooperation, Cooperación, Coût, Costs, Coste, Dextérité, Dexterity, Destreza, Entreprise numérique, Digital enterprise, Empresa Numérica, Etude cas, Case study, Estudio caso, Gestion de la qualité, Quality management, Gestión de calidad, Industrie automobile, Automobile industry, Industria automóvil, Intégrabilité, Integrability, Integrabilidad, Maturité, Maturity, Madurez, Personnalisation, Customization, Personalización, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Robot, Robotique, Robotics, Robótica, Réalité virtuelle, Virtual reality, Realidad virtual, Système hybride, Hybrid system, Sistema híbrido, Système modulaire, Modular system, Sistema modular, Système production, Production system, Sistema producción, Théorie cognitive, Cognitive theory, Teoría cognitiva, Diagnosticabilité, Diagnosability, Diagnosabilidad, Automotive industry, Digital manufacturing, Hybrid reconfigurable system, and Virtual prototyping

Engineering changeability-oriented and cost-driven approaches are needed by enterprises to design and optimize manufacturing and assembly systems for the demanding production requirements of the present industrial scenario. The integrated design of Reconfigurable Systems addresses tailored flexibility through modularity, integrability of resources, product and process customization, and system convertibility and diagnosability. The cooperation of robot and humans in hybrid environments offers a good trade-off between changeability, high quality and low costs, by exploiting the human dexterity and cognitive proactivity, together with robotic accuracy and performances. Virtual prototyping methods and digital manufacturing solutions are now mature and effective enough to play a strategic role within the hybrid reconfigurable system (H-RS) design and optimization process. The present research work proposes an engineering method to design and optimize H-RSs, by using virtual prototyping and digital manufacturing as a strategic support for the analysis and synthesis of the technical solutions, especially those related to human-robot cooperation. An industrial case study on a hybrid reconfigurable assembly system of a top class car aluminum chassis is finally presented.

Electronics, Electronique, Mechanics acoustics, Mécanique et acoustique, Physics, Physique, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Industrie des polymeres, peintures, bois, Polymer industry, paints, wood, Technologie des polymères, Technology of polymers, Appareillage et mise en oeuvre, Machinery and processing, Matières plastiques, Plastics, Moulage, Moulding, Additif antigrippant, Antisticking additive, Aditivo antiagarrotante, Angle contact, Contact angle, Angulo contacto, Cuivre, Copper, Cobre, Dispositif microélectromécanique, Microelectromechanical device, Dispositivo microelectromecánico, Epoxyde résine, Epoxy resin, Epóxido resina, Etude expérimentale, Experimental study, Estudio experimental, Force adhérence, Adhesive strength, Fuerza adherencia, Formage à chaud, Hot forming, Termoconformado, Gaufrage, Embossing, Gofrado, Matériau hybride, Hybrid material, Material híbrido, Moule composite, Composite mold, Molde compuesto, Photorésist, Photoresist, Fotorresistencia, Profilométrie, Profilometry, Perfilometría, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Revêtement métallique, Metal coating, Revestimiento metálico, Lithographie douce, Soft lithography, Litografía blanda, Hot embossing, SU-8 molds, and rapid prototyping

In this paper, we have developed a rapid prototyping process using hybrid master molds for hot-embossing lithography. The hybrid master mold developed here typically consists of a structural layer of SU-8, an overlayer of copper, and a top layer of antistick compound. The structure is first formed by the negative photoresist SU-8 layer with conventional photolithography. On the structural SU-8 layer, a nanoscale copper thin film is deposited to enhance the mechanical strength of the mold and improve heat transfer during the hot-embossing process. Finally, an outermost antistick layer is formed by the reaction of trichloro-(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluoroctyl)-silane with the oxidized copper surface. These three layers cooperatively yield a hybrid mold which can be fabricated on a silicon wafer or any other suitable substrates for subsequent hot-embossing lithography. Our tests have verified that the molds fabricated with this method do not show any degradation of their structural design features and surface smoothness after 30 hot-embossing cycles. In comparison to other methods of making master molds for hot-embossing lithography such as laser machining and electroplating, the present method is simple and fast, with no reliance on any additional replication steps and fabrication procedures. Hence, the present method can remarkably reduce cost and the processing time in hot embossing, which is particularly attractive in prototyping or small volume production.

Computer science, Informatique, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Informatique; automatique theorique; systemes, Computer science; control theory; systems, Logiciel, Software, Systèmes informatiques et systèmes répartis. Interface utilisateur, Computer systems and distributed systems. User interface, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Service web, Web service, Servicio web, Informatique dans les nuages, Cloud computing, and Computación en nube

With the authors' approach, developers build and deploy complex cloud-based applications according to the application's logical functional decomposition, using loosely coupled components that exploit cloud computing's advantages without the restrictions of a particular programming style or architecture.

General chemistry, physical chemistry, Chimie générale, chimie physique, Metallurgy, welding, Métallurgie, soudage, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Physique, Physics, Domaines interdisciplinaires: science des materiaux; rheologie, Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology, Science des matériaux, Materials science, Traitements de surface, Surface treatments, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Metaux. Metallurgie, Metals. Metallurgy, Transformation de matériaux métalliques, Production techniques, Surface treatment, Dépôt de métaux et d'alliages, Metallic coatings, Alliage base fer, Iron base alloys, Aluminium alliage, Aluminium alloys, Composé intermétallique, Intermetallic compounds, Fer Aluminure, Iron Aluminides, Aluminuro, Laser, Lasers, Placage, Plating, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Revêtement métallique, Metal coating, Revestimiento metálico, Metallischer Ueberzug, Traitement surface, Surface treatments, Intermetallics, Iron aluminide, and Laser cladding

Laser cladding with powder blends of iron and aluminium was performed using a 500-W diode laser and a coaxial powder nozzle. Mild steel, pure nickel and aluminium alloy were used as substrate materials. The results were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Completely crack-free, single-phase Fe3Al coatings could be achieved on steel. The coating on nickel consisted of FeAl. Despite the high cooling rates, which normally occur during laser cladding, the grains within the coatings were rather coarse. Laser cladding on aluminium, on the other hand, led to cracking. Furthermore, it could be shown in this work that it is possible to prototype 3-D iron aluminide structures by in situ laser cladding.

Biotechnology, Biotechnologies, Analytical chemistry, Chimie analytique, Mechanics acoustics, Mécanique et acoustique, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Biotechnologie, Biotechnology, Méthodes. Procédés. Technologies, Methods. Procedures. Technologies, Méthodes et appareillages divers, Various methods and equipments, Mécanique fluide, Fluid mechanics, Mecánica flúido, Biotechnologie, Biotechnology, Biotecnología, Laser CO2, CO2 laser, Microfluidique, Microfluidics, Microfluidic, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Système sur puce, System on a chip, Sistema sobre pastilla, Defocused laser beam, Formaldehyde, and Microfluidic chip

A method is proposed for the scribing of glass substrates utilizing a commercial CO2 laser system. In the proposed approach, the substrate is placed on a hotplate and the microchannel is then ablated using two passes of a defocused laser beam. The aspect ratio and surface quality of the microchannels formed after the first and second laser passes are examined using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The observation results show that the second laser pass yields an effective reduction in the surface roughness. The practicality of the proposed approach is demonstrated by fabricating a microfluidic chip for formaldehyde concentration detection. It is shown that the detection results obtained for five Chinese herbs with formaldehyde concentrations ranging from 5 to 55 ppm deviate by no more than 5.5 % from those obtained using a commercial macroscale device. In other words, the results confirm that the proposed defocused ablation technique represents a viable solution for the rapid and low-cost fabrication of a wide variety of glass-based microfluidic chips.

Biomedical engineering, Génie biomédical, Pharmacology drugs, Pharmacologie, galénique, Polymers, paint and wood industries, Polymères, industries des peintures et bois, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Industrie des polymeres, peintures, bois, Polymer industry, paints, wood, Technologie des polymères, Technology of polymers, Formes d'application et semiproduits, Forms of application and semi-finished materials, Divers, Miscellaneous, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences medicales, Medical sciences, Chirurgie (generalites). Transplantations, greffes d'organes et de tissus. Pathologie des greffons, Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases, Technologie. Biomatériaux. Equipements, Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments, Lactone copolymère, Lactone copolymer, Lactona copolímero, Protéine, Protein, Proteína, Biomatériau, Biomaterial, Cellule endothéliale, Endothelial cell, Célula endotelial, Cellule immobilisée, Immobilized cell, Célula inmovilizada, Cellule souche, Stem cell, Célula primitiva, Charpente, Framework, Armadura, Cytodifférenciation, Cell differentiation, Diferenciación celular, Etude expérimentale, Experimental study, Estudio experimental, Fabrication, Manufacturing, Fabricación, Fibrine, Fibrin, Fibrina, Fibrinogène, Fibrinogen, Fibrinógeno, Glycolique acide copolymère, Glycolic acid copolymer, Glicolico acido copolimero, Gélification, Gelation, Gelificación, Génie tissulaire, Tissue engineering, Ingeniería de tejidos, Hydrogel, Hidrogel, Immobilisation, Immobilization, Inmovilización, Lactique acide copolymère, Lactic acid copolymer, Láctico ácido copolímero, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Support, Soporte, Thrombine, Thrombin(drug), Trombina, Tissu vasculaire, Vascular tissue engineering, adipose-derived stem cells, composite three-dimensional construct, endothelial cells, and poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid)

Currently, large, thick, and complex tissue vascularization is one of the research focuses of tissue engineering. Numerous studies have proven that microvascular systems can be developed by cultivating endothelial cells in a hydrogel/scaffold structure. As the sources of adult endothelial cells are very limited and very easily degraded, it is better to induce stem cells into endothelial cells. In this article, a grid poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) structure with defined internal channels was fabricated using a low-temperature deposition manufacturing technique under computer direction. In a fibrinogen mixture, an aqueous adipose-derived stem cell fibrinogen mixture was incorporated into the internal walls of the poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffold and stabilized with thrombin solution. After several days of in vitro culture, the adipose-derived stem cells immobilized in the fibrin hydrogel were induced into endothelial-like cells with endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. Morphological and biological properties of the composite cell/fibrin―poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) construct were characterized.

Biotechnology, Biotechnologies, Analytical chemistry, Chimie analytique, Mechanics acoustics, Mécanique et acoustique, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Electronique, Electronics, Electronique des semiconducteurs. Microélectronique. Optoélectronique. Dispositifs à l'état solide, Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices, Dispositifs micro- et nanoélectromécaniques (mems/nems), Micro- and nanoelectromechanical devices (mems/nems), Actionneur, Actuator, Accionador, Dispositif microélectromécanique, Microelectromechanical device, Dispositivo microelectromecánico, Etude expérimentale, Experimental study, Estudio experimental, Fabrication, Manufacturing, Fabricación, Gouttelette, Droplet, Gotita, Impression sans contact, Non contact printing, Impresión sin contacto, Microstructure, Microestructura, Métal liquide, Liquid metal, Metal líquido, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Drop on demand ·, Metal droplets ·, Metal printing ·, Micro droplets, and Rapid prototyping ·

This study presents a new, simple and robust, pneumatically actuated method for the generation of liquid metal micro droplets in the nano- to picoliter range. The so-called StarJet dispenser utilizes a star-shaped nozzle geometry that stabilizes liquid plugs in its center by means of capillary forces. Single droplets of the liquid metal can be pneumatically generated by the interaction of the sheathing gas flow in the outer grooves of the nozzle and the liquid metal. For experimental validation, a print head was build consisting of silicon chips with a star-shaped nozzle geometry and a heated actuator (up to 280°C). The silicon chips are fabricated by Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE). Chip designs with different star-shaped geometries were able to generate droplets with diameters in the range of the corresponding nozzle diameters. The StarJet can be operated in two modes: Either continuous droplet dispensing mode or drop on demand (DoD) mode. The continuous droplet generation mode for a nozzle with 183 μm diameter shows tear-off frequencies between 25 and 120 Hz, while droplet diameters remain constant at 210 μm for each pressure level. Metal columns were printed with a thickness of 0.5―1.0 mm and 30 mm height (aspect ratio >30), to demonstrate the directional stability of droplet ejection and its potential as a suitable tool for direct prototyping of the metal microstructures.

Metallurgy, welding, Métallurgie, soudage, Condensed state physics, Physique de l'état condensé, Sciences exactes et technologie, Exact sciences and technology, Sciences appliquees, Applied sciences, Metaux. Metallurgie, Metals. Metallurgy, Généralités, General, Propriétés mécaniques. Rhéologie. Mécanique de la rupture. Tribologie, Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology, Acier, Steel, Acero, Conception, Design, Diseño, Gestaltung, Propriété mécanique, Mechanical properties, Propiedad mecánica, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Combinatorial alloy design, Fe-Mn-Al-C steel, Steels, and Structural alloys

We introduce a new experimental approach to the compositional and thermo-mechanical design and rapid maturation of bulk structural materials. This method, termed rapid alloy prototyping (RAP), is based on semi-continuous high throughput bulk casting, rolling, heat treatment and sample preparation techniques. 45 Material conditions, i.e. 5 alloys with systematically varied compositions, each modified by 9 different ageing treatments, were produced and investigated within 35 h. This accelerated screening of the tensile, hardness and microstructural properties as a function of chemical and thermo-mechanical parameters allows the highly efficient and knowledge-based design of bulk structural alloys. The efficiency of the approach was demonstrated on a group of Fe―30Mn―1.2C―xAl steels which exhibit a wide spectrum of structural and mechanical characteristics, depending on the respective Al concentration. High amounts of Al addition (>8 wt.%) resulted in pronounced strengthening, while low concentrations (<2 wt.%) led to embrittlement of the material during ageing.

Biomedical engineering, Génie biomédical, Sciences biologiques et medicales, Biological and medical sciences, Sciences biologiques fondamentales et appliquees. Psychologie, Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology, Biotechnologie, Biotechnology, Applications et implications industrielles. Aspects économiques, Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects, Santé. Industrie pharmaceutique, Health. Pharmaceutical industry, Divers, Miscellaneous, Sciences medicales, Medical sciences, Chirurgie (generalites). Transplantations, greffes d'organes et de tissus. Pathologie des greffons, Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases, Technologie. Biomatériaux. Equipements, Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments, Système ostéoarticulaire, Osteoarticular system, Sistema osteoarticular, Caprolactone polymère, Polycaprolactone, Caprolactona polímero, Echafaudage, Scaffold, Andamiaje, Etude comparative, Comparative study, Estudio comparativo, Glycolique acide copolymère, Glycolic acid copolymer, Glicolico acido copolimero, Génie biomédical, Biomedical engineering, Ingeniería biomédica, Génie tissulaire, Tissue engineering, Ingeniería de tejidos, Lactique acide copolymère, Lactic acid copolymer, Láctico ácido copolímero, Lactone copolymère, Lactone copolymer, Lactona copolímero, Lactone polymère, Lactone polymer, Lactona polímero, Os, Bone, Hueso, Polymère aliphatique, Aliphatic polymer, Polímero alifático, Prototypage rapide, Rapid prototyping, Prototipificación rápida, Technique rapide, Rapid technique, and Técnica rápida

Three dimensional tissue engineered scaffolds for the treatment of critical defect have been usually fabricated by salt leaching or gas forming technique. However, it is not easy for cells to penetrate the scaffolds due to the poor interconnectivity of pores. To overcome these current limitations we utilized a rapid prototyping (RP) technique for fabricating tissue engineered scaffolds to treat critical defects. The RP technique resulted in the uniform distribution and systematic connection of pores, which enabled cells to penetrate the scaffold. Two kinds of materials were used. They were poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly (D, L-lactic-glycolic acid) (PLGA), where PCL is known to have longer degradation time than PLGA. In vitro tests supported the biocompatibility of the scaffolds. A 12-week animal study involving various examinations of rabbit tibias such as micro-CT and staining showed that both PCL and PLGA resulted in successful bone regeneration. As expected, PLGA degraded faster than PCL, and consequently the tissues generated in the PLGA group were less dense than those in the PCL group. We concluded that slower degradation is preferable in bone tissue engineering, especially when treating critical defects, as mechanical support is needed until full regeneration has occurred.