Compliance error compensation in robotic-based milling

The paper deals with the problem of compliance errors compensation in robotic-based milling. Contrary to previous works that assume that the forces/torques generated by the manufacturing process are constant, the interaction between the milling tool and the workpiece is modeled in details. It takes into account the tool geometry, the number of teeth, the feed rate, the spindle rotation speed and the properties of the material to be processed. Due to high level of the disturbing forces/torques, the developed compensation technique is based on the non-linear stiffness model that allows us to modify the target trajectory taking into account nonlinearities and to avoid the chattering effect. Illustrative example is presented that deals with robotic-based milling of aluminum alloy

Deep imaging survey of young, nearby austral stars: VLT/NACO near-infrared Lyot-coronographic observations

Context. High contrast and high angular resolution imaging is the optimal search technique for substellar companions to nearby stars at physical separations larger than typically 10 AU. Two distinct populations of substellar companions, brown dwarfs and planets, can be probed and characterized. As a result, fossile traces of processes of formation and evolution can be revealed by physical and orbital properties, both for individual systems and as an ensemble. Aims. Since November 2002, we have conducted a large, deep imaging, survey of young, nearby associations of the southern hemisphere. Our goal is detection and characterization of substellar companions with projected separations in the range 10–500 AU. We have observed a sample of 88 stars, primarily G to M dwarfs, younger than 100 Myr, and within 100 pc of Earth. Methods. The VLT/NACO adaptive optics instrument of the ESO Paranal Observatory was used to explore the faint circumstellar environment between typically 0.1 and 10". Diffraction-limited observations in H and K_s-band combined with Lyot-coronagraphy enabled us to reach primary star-companion brightness ratios as small as 10^(-6). The existence of planetary mass companions could therefore be probed. We used a standardized observing sequence to precisely measure the position and flux of all detected sources relative to their visual primary star. Repeated observations at several epochs enabled us to discriminate comoving companions from background objects. Results. We report the discovery of 17 new close (0.1–5.0") multiple systems. HIP 108195 AB and C (F1 III-M6), HIP 84642 AB (a~14 AU, K0-M5) and TWA22 AB (a~1.8 AU; M6-M6) are confirmed comoving systems. TWA22 AB is likely to be a rare astrometric calibrator that can be used to test evolutionary model predictions. Among our complete sample, a total of 65 targets were observed with deep coronagraphic imaging. About 240 faint companion candidates were detected around 36 stars. Follow-up observations with VLT or HST for 83% of these stars enabled us to identify a large fraction of background contaminants. Our latest results that pertain to the substellar companions to GSC 08047-00232, AB Pic and 2M1207 (confirmed during this survey and published earlier), are reviewed. Finally, a statistical analysis of our complete set of coronagraphic detection limits enables us to place constraints on the physical and orbital properties of giant planets between typically 20 and 150 AU

Experimental study of super-rotation in a magnetostrophic spherical Couette flow

We report measurements of electric potentials at the surface of a spherical container of liquid sodium in which a magnetized inner core is differentially rotating. The azimuthal angular velocities inferred from these potentials reveal a strong super-rotation of the liquid sodium in the equatorial region, for small differential rotation. Super-rotation was observed in numerical simulations by Dormy et al. [1]. We find that the latitudinal variation of the electric potentials in our experiments differs markedly from the predictions of a similar numerical model, suggesting that some of the assumptions used in the model - steadiness, equatorial symmetry, and linear treatment for the evolution of both the magnetic and velocity fields - are violated in the experiments. In addition, radial velocity measurements, using ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry, provide evidence of oscillatory motion near the outer sphere at low latitude: it is viewed as the signature of an instability of the super-rotating region

Silver antimony Ohmic contacts to moderately doped n-type germanium

A self doping contact consisting of a silver/antimony alloy that produces an Ohmic contact to moderately doped n-type germanium (doped to a factor of four above the metal-insulator transition) has been investigated. An evaporation of a mixed alloy of Ag/Sb (99%/1%) onto n-Ge ( ND=1×1018 cm−3) annealed at 400 °C produces an Ohmic contact with a measured specific contact resistivity of (1.1±0.2)×10−5 Ω-cm2. It is proposed that the Ohmic behaviour arises from an increased doping concentration at the Ge surface due to the preferential evaporation of Sb confirmed by transmission electron microscope analysis. It is suggested that the doping concentration has increased to a level where field emission will be the dominate conduction mechanism. This was deduced from the low temperature electrical characterisation of the contact, which exhibits Ohmic behaviour down to a temperature of 6.5 K

Electrochromic and electrofluorochromic properties of a new boron dipyrromethene–ferrocene conjugate

A new boron dipyrromethene–ferrocene (BODIPY–Fc) conjugate with pentafluorophenyl as the meso substituent and two Fc termini was synthesized and its spectroscopic and electrochemical features were analyzed. An intramolecular charge transfer from the donor Fc to the acceptor BODIPY has been predicted by theory and confirmed experimentally, leading to efficient fluorescence quenching when the dyad is in the neutral state. Fluorescence can be triggered by oxidizing both ferrocenyl units either chemically or electrochemically. Eventually, a fully reversible fluorescence switch is evidenced by coupling TIRF microscopy with electrolysis in an electrochemical cell

Self-reported training variables are poor predictors of laboratory measures in cyclists.

Purpose: Cycling is an activity that depends on a range of physiological attributes, as well as genetic, dietary, lifestyle and training factors. The aim of this study was to determine what self-reported training-related factors (e.g. intensity, frequency, supervision, etc) might predict laboratory-measured physiological and performance characteristics of a heterogeneous group of male and female self-classified cyclists. Methods: Forty-eight male and fourteen female cyclists completed all aspects of the study including a training questionnaire, incremental cycling test to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), 30-s Wingate test and a 4-km cycling time-trial. Principle component analysis and LASSO regression modelling were used to analyse laboratory-measures and training variables and the predictive capacity of the latter. Results: Total distance covered across all intensities was the only training variable included in most bootstrap models (63.8%), although the actual contribution was very low with a median f2 effect size equal to 0.01. Self-reported classification of cycling level was weakly correlated to guideline classification of relative VO2max in men (r=0.396, p=0.004), but not women (r=0.024, p=0.925). Conclusions: Self-reported training variables were poor predictors of laboratory-based physiological and performance variables in this heterogeneous group of cyclists. Total distance covered was the only training variable included in most regression models, but the predictive capability of outcomes was low. This suggests that most of these self-report variables are not useful pre-screening tools for categorising non-elite cyclists or raises the potential that non-elite cyclists cannot accurately quantify their own training intensities. Researchers and coaches should be wary that self-reported classification may not directly reflect the level of the cyclist

Quantum-well states in ultrathin Ag(111) films deposited onto H-passivated Si(111)-(1x1) surfaces

Ag(111) films were deposited at room temperature onto H-passivated Si(111)-(1x1) substrates, and subsequently annealed at 300 C. An abrupt non-reactive Ag/Si interface is formed, and very uniform non-strained Ag(111) films of 6-12 monolayers have been grown. Angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy has been used to study the valence band electronic properties of these films. Well-defined Ag sp quantum-well states (QWS) have been observed at discrete energies between 0.5-2eV below the Fermi level, and their dispersions have been measured along the GammaK, GammaMM'and GammaL symmetry directions. QWS show a parabolic bidimensional dispersion, with in-plane effective mass of 0.38-0.50mo, along the GammaK and GammaMM' directions, whereas no dispersion has been found along the GammaL direction, indicating the low-dimensional electronic character of these states. The binding energy dependence of the QWS as a function of Ag film thickness has been analyzed in the framework of the phase accumulation model. According to this model, a reflectivity of 70% has been estimated for the Ag-sp states at the Ag/H/Si(111)-(1x1) interface.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.