A Parametric Approach to the Evaluation of Flexural Strength of Advanced Ceramic or Glass Like Cylindrical Rods at Ambient Temperature

This critical review presents a parametric approach to the evaluation of flexural strength of advanced ceramic or glass like cylindrical rods at ambient temperature. The parameters governing the measurement and evaluation of  flexure strengths of glasses and ceramics are detailed with references. The scope for improvement in the existing ASTM STM  C -1684  standard is described with a logical rationale and the parameters that need to be addressed are listed and explained

Real-Time Action

The behaviour of a real-time system depends on the scheduler used. The order in which tasks are executed depends on its characteristics such as ready time, deadline etc. We describe a language in which the readiness and deadlines can be specified. A scheduling policy using the task characteristics can be defined. To study the effect of schedulers on a system a notation should allow for the specification of time, processes and scheduling. In this paper we show the applicability of the Action Notation for specifying real-time behaviour

A Model for Real-Time Systems

In this paper we define an equivalence and a modal logic for real-time systems. The equivalence is based on timed processes and timing specifications they have to satisfy. While the equivalence we define is not a congruence, it does satisfy many law

Distributed CCS

In this paper we describe a technique to extend a process language such as CCS which does not model many aspects of distributed computation to one which does. The idea is to use a concept of location which represents a virtual node. Processes at different locations can evolve independently. Furthermore, communication between the processes at different locations occurs via explicit message passing. We extend CCS with locations and message passing primitives and present its operational semantics. We show that the equivalences induced by the new semantics and its properties are similar to the equivalences in CCS. We also show how the semantics of configuration and routing can be handled

Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) Based Bio-Derived Resin And Composites for Advanced Structural, Automotive, Electronic Packaging and Medical applications- A Review.

As India is a world class producer of sugarcane, sugar beet, other tubers like potato and vegetables with  starch, cashew and badam, castor oil and soybean, the quantum of bio resins and bio plastics that can be produced from these conventional, organic and genetically modified plants is immense. As on date, advanced and state of the art plastics and composites are being used in many applications as there is no incentive for farmers to produce plants and vegetables for the plastics and resins market exclusively. The use of advanced composites in varied applications escalates costs and shifts the material consumption that would deplete the natural resources, through  excessive usage at one end and lack of demand for natural resources at the other end as bio derived composites become under-utilized. This review paper attempts to project the actual possibilities of the bio resin and bio plastic market in this country and provides the knowhow for the production of  bio-phenolic cashew nut shell resin which are more than a substitute for the synthetically produced epoxies. Their true potentialities in composites product applications involving structural, thermal, electronic, pharmaceutical and petroleum engineering markets is discussed in this paper. A novel working model with an economically feasible option is also provided for those concerned about their safe disposal, recycling, reuse and conversion into useable fuel with virtually no impact to the environment. Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) is an abundant natural source for synthesizing phenolic compounds. The excellent monomer, Cardanol is isolated from CNSL for polymer production. These are polymerized with aldehydes and acids at a particular mole fraction in the presence of catalysts like alkalis to convert into rigid resins. Differential Scanning Calorimetric (DSC) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) were studied for the thermal characterization of the synthesized CNSL Resins. Characterization of the synthesized resins was also carried out with respect to the evaluated mechanical properties such as hardness, strength, elastic modulus and fracture toughness. The synthesized CNSL resins yielded many interesting compositions with varied properties increasing the possibilities of various resin formulations which could be used for composites applications in vibrational damping. The electronic packaging applications of nano-composites with high dielectric strength produced with the   CNSL matrix are also highlighted

ERP-ORE: A Framework to Measure Organizational Risk during ERP Systems Evolution in a Distribution Business

Enterprise Resource Planning systems evolution initiatives often represent the single largest investment (and therefore risk) for distribution corporations yet there exist few management frameworks in the literature to help decision makers measure risk during this organization-wide change process. We have customized our original ORE framework as a multi-criteria, relative risk, condition consequence management decision framework enabling executive decision makers in distribution businesses to calculate and compare risk evolution at fixed points of the ERP change cycle. The framework emphasizes the political and process dimensions of evolution and utilizes the Analytic Hierarchy Process to enable management to make structured and balanced risk mitigation decisions. This paper describes the development of ORE into ERP-ORE and illustrates the application of the framework through a case study description of a medical supplies distributor implementing an ERP system

Mode II Shear Behavior of a Glass Fabric/Epoxy and a Multi Scale Glass Fabric/Epoxy Thick Beam Composite Containing Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

AbstractThe mode II shear behavior of a glass fabric/epoxy composite and a multiscale hybrid glass fabric/epoxy composite containing Multi Walled Carbon Nano Tubes (MWCNT) are compared here in the interlaminar mode of loading. The thick composites were fabricated through the vacuum bagging technique and two sets of specimens were prepared with and without carbon nano tubes. One set of each of these specimens were prepared with a Teflon® film crack initiator at the end of the specimens exactly at the centroidal line of the laminate to study the fracture behavior and strain energy release rates. This study addresses the issue of testing thick laminated composites and thick multiscale laminated composites in Mode II Inter Laminar Shear (ILS). The Inter Laminar Shear Strengths (ILSS) of these composites were evaluated. The theories on the strain energy release rate are also revisited and useful conclusions drawn regarding the applicability of the same to multiscale composites loaded in the ILS test set up. Thus, a comparison is made between the mode II behavior in flexure and ILS of these composites