Robot design for a vacuum environment

The cleanliness requirements for many processing and manufacturing tasks are becoming ever stricter, resulting in a greater interest in the vacuum environment. Researchers discuss the importance of this special environment, and the development of robots which are physically and functionally suited to vacuum processing tasks. Work is in progress at the Center for robotic Systems in Microelectronics (CRSM) to provide a robot for the manufacture of a revolutionary new gyroscope in high vacuum. The need for vacuum in this and other processes is discussed as well as the requirements for a vacuum-compatible robot. Finally, researchers present details on work done at the CRSM to modify an existing clean-room compatible robot for use at high vacuum

Use of Flexible Work Arrangements by Race and Ethnicity: Examining the Mediating Role of Organizational Diversity Climate Perceptions

This study investigated whether women of color faced additional challenges in using flexible work arrangements (FWAs) when workplaces lacked an affirming diversity climate. Researchers found that use of FWAs was associated with organizational climate, race was correlated with diversity climate perception, and diversity climate perceptions were associated with organizational outcomes such as job satisfaction and retention. Limited empirical evidence existed that demonstrated that race/ethnicity predicted use of FWAs or that diversity climate mediated this relationship. This quasi-experimental study examined the hypotheses that (a) race/ethnicity predicted diversity climate perceptions, (b) race/ethnicity predicted use of FWAs, and (c) diversity climate mediated the relationship between race/ethnicity and use of FWAs. This approach addressed the problem of limited empirical evidence to support claims that lack of affirming diversity climate contributed to fewer racial/ethnic minorities using FWAs. A sample of women in professional labor industries was recruited using LinkedIn.com and an online university\u27s research participant pool (N=114); these participants completed an anonymous, online survey. Regression results indicated that race/ethnicity predicted diversity climate perceptions of inclusive climate and equal access; race/ethnicity did not predict diversity climate perceptions of identity freedom. Hierarchical multiple regression results indicated that race/ethnicity did not predict use of FWAs, nor did diversity climate mediate this relationship. When used to create wellness programming, including FWAs, these findings could spur positive social change by creating sustainable work environments where employees feel their racial/ethnic identity is affirmed

Generating Information-Diverse Microwave Speckle Patterns Inside a Room at a Single Frequency With a Dynamic Metasurface Aperture

We demonstrate that dynamic metasurface apertures (DMAs) are capable of generating a multitude of highly uncorrelated speckle patterns in a typical residential environment at a single frequency. We use a DMA implemented as an electrically-large cavity excited by a single port and loaded with many individually-addressable tunable metamaterial radiators. We placed such a DMA in one corner of a plywood-walled L-shape room transmitting microwave signals at 19 GHz as we changed the tuning states of the metamaterial radiators. In another corner, in the non-line-of-sight of the DMA, we conducted a scan of the field generated by the DMA. For comparison, we also performed a similar test where the DMA was replaced by a simple dipole antenna with fixed pattern but generating a signal that spanned 19-24 GHz. Using singular value decomposition of the scanned data, we demonstrate that the DMA can generate a multitude of highly uncorrelated speckle patterns at a single frequency. In contrast, a dipole antenna with a fixed pattern can only generate such a highly uncorrelated set of patterns when operating over a large bandwidth. The experimental results of this paper suggest that DMAs can be used to capture a diversity of information at a single frequency which can be used for single frequency computational imaging systems, NLOS motion detection, gesture recognition systems, and more

Mediating effect of intrinsic motivation on the relationship between Islamic work ethic, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment in banking sector

Purpose – This research seeks to determine the impact of the IWE on job satisfaction and organizational commitment among the employees of Maskan Bank by examining the mediating role of intrinsic motivation. Design/methodology/approach – A model of the intrinsic motivation antecedent and consequences of IWE was examined in a survey conducted among employees working in Maskan Bank in Iran. Structural equation modelling (SEM) via Amos software was employed to gain insight into the various influences and relationships. Findings – The findings revealed a direct effect of IWE on job satisfaction, but there was no direct significant relationship between this variable and organizational commitment. Also, intrinsic motivation plays a partial and completely mediatory role in the relationship between IWE and job satisfaction, and IWE and organizational commitment. Research limitations/implications – The impact of participation in strategic planning on managers’ creation of budgetary slack: The mediating role of autonomous motivation and affective organizational commitment. Originality/value – Since the nature of bank employees’ work is such that it confronts them with numerous ethical choices, the adherence to ethical standards, particularly IWE, can greatly affect their enthusiasm and, as a result, their satisfaction and organizational commitment

Improving employees' performance through internal marketing and organizational learning: mediating role of organizational innovation in an emerging market

This study identifies a specific relationship between internal marketing and organizational learning as the key drivers of organizational innovation, which build employees performance in the context of the petroleum industry. A model of the antecedents of organizational innovation was examined in a survey conducted among managers and employed specialists working in the oil industry in Iran. Structural equation modelling via Smart PLS was employed to gain insight into the various influences and relationships. We empirically scrutinized relationships between these constructs by validating a conceptual model employing SEM. The results indicate that internal marketing and organizational learning are key drivers of organizational innovation, which they are build employees performance. As well as, the results clarify that it is possible to improve the level of employee performance even through the complementary partial mediating role of organizational innovation. Additionally, this study makes a managerial contribution to the understanding of internal marketing, organizational learning and innovation on employee performance

Effects of Joint Spacing on Static Bearing Capacity of Rock Foundations in the case of Punching Failure

In this paper, using distinct element method, static bearing capacity of rock foundations containing one, two or three joint sets is investigated in the case of punching failure. The effect of joint spacing is incorporated in the analyses using a dimensionless factor, named spacing ratio (SR). Different values for SR are selected and variation of bearing capacity versus SR is monitored. Then, the magnitude of SR in which the bearing capacity is not changed significantly, is determined. The findings show that for SR30, joint spacing does not affect bearing capacity, significantly. Hence, SR=30 can be used as a criterion for analysis of rock foundations either as an equivalent continuum or a discontinuous medium. Using this criterion, it will tend to greatly reduce the time required for bearing capacity analysis of rock foundations