A unified guide to two opposite size effects in nano elastic materials

The microstructural variation near surface of nano elastic materials is analyzed based on different potentials. The atomic/molecular mechanism underlying the variation and its effect on elastic modulus are such that the nature of long-range interactions (attractive or repulsive) in the atomic/molecular potentials essentially governs the variation near surface (looser or tighter) and results in two opposite size effects (decreasing or increasing modulus) with decreasing size.

Grouping materials and processes for the designer: an application for cluster analysis.

In this paper, an analytical tool - cluster analysis - that is commonly used in biology, archaeology, linguistics and psychology is applied to materials and design. Here we use it to cluster materials and the processes that shape them, using their attributes as indicators of relationship. The attributes that are chosen are important to design and designers. The resulting clusters, and the classifications that can be developed from them, depend on the selected attributes and - to some extent - on the method of clustering. Alternative classifications for design that is focused on the technical or aesthetic attributes of materials and the materials and shapes allowed by processes are explored.

Adhesive behavior of two-dimensional power-law graded materials

In this paper, we investigate the adhesive contact between a rigid cylinder of radius R and a graded elastic half-space with a Young's modulus varying with depth according to a power-law, E = E-0(y/c(0))(k) (0 < k < 1), while the Poisson's ratio v remains constant. The results show that, for a given value of ratio R/C-0, a critical value of k exists at which the pull-off force attains a maximum; for a fixed value of k, the larger the ratio R/c(0), the larger the pull-off force is. For Gibson materials (i.e., k = 1 and v = 0.5), closed-form analytical solutions can be obtained for the critical contact half-width at pull-off and pull-off force. We further discuss the perfect stick case with both externally normal and tangential loads.

The use of locally available materials in fish feed production

In Nigeria, the culture of fish is gaining importance, but local fish farmers face a set back because of the stoppage on importation of fish feed. Locally available raw materials such as yam, plantain, banana, cowpeas, macuna, maize, cassava, millet, sorghum, groundnut, sunnhemp seed and brewery wastes are considered as potential materials for fish feed. These have been examined on their minimum protein contributions since this is the most expensive part of the fish feed. Alternative sources to animal proteins are also examined. Plant protein from groundnut, melon, mucuna and others compare favourably with bloodmeal mixture and thus can be used to replace the more expensive animal proteins. Pellet feed can be produced on a small scale or commercial basis from the locally available raw materials and the fish farmer is advised to seek assistance from qualified fisheries personnel

[B_Muskiz_Muñatones] Documentación geométrica y modelado virtual del Castillo de Muñatones (Muskiz, Bizkaia)

[ES] Este proyecto tuvo una continuación en 2008, cuando se documentó la muralla interior del castillo. Este trabajo también está disponible en este repositorio. Asimismo, algunos artículos y proyectos fin de carrera hacen referencia a los datos capturados en este proyecto. En concreto, los registros relacionados son los siguientes:

Comportamiento físico del ferrocarril para entornos de realidad virtual

El objetivo de este proyecto es la simulación de la Flota P del fabricante CAF comprado recientemente por la compañía Metro Sao Paulo. Esta flota forma parte de un proyecto con cuatro trenes más que LANDER había desarrollado anteriormente y deja la posibilidad de añadir más trenes en el futuro, si la compañía quisiera incorporarlos al simulador. La simulación es una herramienta segura y rentable que permite entrenar situaciones catastróficas en un entorno virtual que no se pueden reproducir en la realidad y, además, evita gastos de electricidad y de desgaste de materiales, tanto del material rodante como de la infraestructura porque la que se mueve el tren. Por otra parte, para el entrenamiento de maquinistas en trenes reales se emplean las horas nocturnas ya que durante el día las vías están ocupadas por trenes que deben cumplir horarios de las líneas; por tanto, un simulador ofrece una amplia disponibilidad para el entrenamiento. Sin embargo, los simuladores no sólo se emplean con futuros maquinistas sino con maquinistas veteranos para evitar que aquellos que nunca han tenido ningún contratiempo, actúen de forma relajada, despreocupada o, incluso inconsciente. Además, el simulador les permite ejercitar situaciones que exijan reacciones rápidas, como objetos en la vía o averías, de este modo entrenan protocolos de actuación para normalizar en lo posible el servicio de la línea.