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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the possibility of technology of chemical metallization for the production of electrodes and resistors based on Ni–P alloy on silicon (Si), alundum (Al2O3) and low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) substrates. The developed technology provides low cost in any form. Design/methodology/approach During the study monocrystalline Si plates and Al2O3 and LTCC substrates were used. On the surface of the substrates, the electrodes (resistors) by the electroless metallization were made. Subsequently, the electrical parameters of obtained structures were measured. Afterwards, trial soldering was made to demonstrate that the layer is fully soldered. Findings Optimal parameters of the metallization bath were specified. As a result of the research conducted, it has been stated that the most appropriate way leading to the production of soldered metal layers with good adhesion to the portion of selectively activated Si plate and Al2O3 and LTCC substrates comprises the following technology: masking, selective activation, nickel-plating of activated plate. Such obtained metal layers have a great variety of application; in particular they can be used for the preparation of electric contacts in Si solar cells, production of electrodes and resistors and production of electrodes in thermoelectric structures. Originality/value The paper presents a new, unpublished method of manufacturing electrodes (resistors) on Si plate and Al2O3 and LTCC substrates.

Insect meals are considered among the most promising feed materials in fish nutrition due to their sustainability and possibility of fish meal replacement. The present study is the first application of full-fat black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal in brown trout (Salmo trutta m. fario) diets. Two experiments were performed on 240 brown trout fingerlings (average body mass 4.85 g) distributed into four groups (12 tanks for the growth performance experiment, 10 fish/tank; and 12 metabolic tanks for the digestibility test, 10 fish/tank). The experimental group design was conducted as follows: control diet, with no BSFL and 35% fish meal, and experimental diets: BSFL5 - with 5% BSFL full-fat meal and 32.5% fish meal; BSFL10 - with 10% BSFL full-fat meal and 30% fish meal; and BSFL20 - with 20% BSFL full-fat meal and 25% fish meal. No effects were recorded in the case of growth performance and feed utilization parameters. The environmental sustainability of the usage of insect meals in fish diets was proven - due to the lower fish meal inclusion, the fish-in-fish-out ratio decreased by 31% in BSFL20. In the case of the viscerosomatic index, increases in BSFL5 and BSFL20 were reported. In all experimental groups, decreases in hepatosomatic index values were observed. Crude protein digestibility decreased in BSFL5 and BSFL20, while crude fat digestibility decreased only in the BSFL20 group. The effect of including BSFL full-fat meal in a brown trout diet on serum biochemical parameters was reported. The aspartate transaminase concentration increased in BSFL10 and BSFL20, while the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase values decreased in BSFL20. In the case of total cholesterol, higher values were observed in BSFL10 and BSFL20. The albumin content decreased in the BSFL20 group, while globulin showed the highest values in the control group. The microbiota composition was not affected by insect meal inclusion. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed the high potential of BSFL full-fat meal application of up to 20% in a brown trout diet.

In this paper, analytical results are compared for the newly developed steels, Fe-Mn-Al-C (X105) and Fe-Mn-Al-Nb-Ti-C (X98), after being hot-rolled and also after undergoing thermomechanical treatment in a Gleeble simulator. These steels have a relatively low density (~6.68 g/cm3) and a content of approx. 11% aluminum. The multistage compression of axisymmetric samples constituting a simulation of the real technological process and hot-rolling performed on a semi-industrial line were carried out using three cooling variants: in water, in air, and after isothermal heating and cooling in water. The temperature at the end of the thermomechanical treatment for all variants was 850 &deg, C. On the basis of detailed structural studies, it was found that the main mechanism for removing the effects of the strain hardening that occurred during the four-stage compression involved the dynamic recrystallization occurring in the first and second stages, the hot formability and dynamic recovery in successive stages of deformation, and the static and/or metadynamic recrystallization that occurred at intervals between individual deformations, as well as after the last deformation during isothermal heating. Analysis of the phase composition and structure allowed us to conclude that the tested steels have an austenitic-ferritic structure with carbide precipitates. Research using scanning and transmission electron microscopy identified &kappa, (Fe, Mn)3AlC and M7C3 carbides in both the analyzed steels. In addition, complex carbides based on Nb and Ti were identified in X98 steel, (Ti, Nb)C carbides occurred in the entire volume of the material. Slow cooling after thermomechanical treatment influenced the formation of larger &kappa, carbides at the border of the austenite and ferrite grains than in the case of rapid cooling. The size and morphology of the carbides found in the examined steels was varied. Back-scattered electron diffraction studies showed that wide-angle boundaries dominated in these steels.

The purpose of the paper is to investigate X73MnSiAlNbTi25-1-3 high manganese austenitic steel containing 0.73% C to determine structural mechanisms decisive for increasing a reserve of cold deformation energy of such steel. The influence of a strain rate on the structure of the investigated steels and on the structural mechanisms decisive for their properties was analysed. Specialist research instrumentation was used for this purpose such as Scanning Transmission Microscopy (including EBSD examinations), conventional and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy together with diffraction examinations and metallographic examinations. It was found that the principal cause of an increased reserve of cold deformation energy of the investigated steels in dynamic conditions is the activation of mechanical twinning in the mutually intersecting systems in austenite grains and annealing twins, which are densifying when a cold deformation rate is growing, thereby confirming the basic mechanism of TWIP (TWinning Induced Plasticity).

The purpose of this paper is to determine the influence of high strain rates on the structure and mechanical properties of high-Mn austenitic TWIP steel. Low and high strain deformation rates in the range of 0.001 s–1 to 1000 s–1 have a significant effect on the forming of the structure and mechanical properties of high-manganese austenitic steel. Also, the strain energy per unit volume of advanced high-Mn TWIP steel containing Mn, Al and SI, with Nb and Ti microadditions, increases considerably in dynamic conditions. This group of steels not only shows excellent strength, but also excellent formability due to twinning, thereby leading to a unique combination of strength, ductility and formability when compared with conventional dual phase steels or transformation induced plasticity TRIP steels. The microstructure of the investigated steel was determined in metallographic investigations using scanning and high-resolution transmission electron microscopies (HRTEM). Results obtained in static and dynamic conditions for new developed high-manganese austenitic steel indicate their possible employment for the constructional elements of vehicles, especially passenger cars, to take advantage of the significant growth of their strain energy per unit volume. This guarantees a reserve of plasticity in the zones of controlled energy absorption during possible collision resulting from the activation of twinning induced by cold working, which may lead to a significant growth of the passive safety of these vehicles' passengers.

The aim of the work was to analyse the impact of an eight-stage hot compression process carried out on the Gleeble3800 simulator, with three cooling variants after thermo-mechanical treatment of Fe-Mn-Al-C steels for their structure and mechanical properties. Performed research allowed to evaluate the impact on the structure and properties of simulation conditions for multi-stage rolling of difficult-to-treat thermomechanical steels for which this treatment is the final process of obtaining ready-to-use high-strength construction steels. Applied thermo-mechanical treatment causes that the main process of removing the effects of strain hardening is dynamic recovery, and static and metadynamic recrystallisation taking place after the last deformation but also between successive deformations, which was also confirmed on the basis of structural analysis of the tested steel after different cooling variants. As a result of the eight-stage hot compression test, the ferrite changed its distribution from fine grains occurring at the boundaries of austenite grains after forging, to elongated grains in a perpendicular direction to the compression direction. Isothermal heating at 850°C for 30s resulted in obtaining a fine-grained structure, statically or metadynamically recrystallised. The maximum tensile strength of the tested steels is about 1250 MPa, and the total elongation value is about 27%.

Purpose – This paper aims to present the results of measurements of the photovoltaic structures made by electroless selective metallization technology. The developed technology provides low-cost contacts in any form, and parameters of photovoltaic cells made in this technology provide reliable results, comparable with those usually used. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper, photovoltaic cells with contacts based on Nip and NiCuP alloy were performed. As a substrate, mono- and multicristaline silicon was used. After photovoltaic cells have been prepared, sheet resistance of the contact layers and electrical parameters were measured. Composition and structure of contact layers were also measured. Findings – Obtained results of sheet resistance and contact layers are repeatable and comparable with previously published results. Electrical parameters of the photovoltaic cells made are comparable with used substrate and technologies. The authors have also noticed that the costs of the electroless metallization which is used to make contact layers is lower than metallization made by thick film or vacuum deposition technologies. Originality/value – The paper presents new, unpublished results of electrical parameters of photovoltaic cells with contact layers made by electroless metallization. The original idea is the usage of metallization in an acidic solution (pH = 2). In this proposed technology, photovoltaic cells on mono- and multicrystalline silicon plates were performed.

The aim of this paper is to determine the high-manganese austenite propensity to twinning induced by the cold working and its effect on structure and mechanical properties, and especially the strain energy per unit volume of new-developed high-manganese Fe – Mn – (Al, Si) investigated steel, containing about 24,5 % of manganese, 1% of silicon, 3 % of aluminium and microadditions Nb and Ti with various structures after their heat- and thermo-mechanical treatments. The new-developed high-manganese Fe – Mn – (Al, Si) steel provide an extensive potential for automotive industries through exhibiting the twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) mechanisms. TWIP steel not only show excellent strength, but also have excellent formability due to twinning, thereby leading to excellent combination of strength, ductility, and formability over conventional dual phase steels or transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steels. Results obtained for high-manganese austenitic steel with the properly formed structure and properties in the thermo-mechanical processes indicate the possibility and purposefulness of their employment for constructional elements of vehicles, especially of the passenger cars to take advantage of the significant growth of their strain energy per unit volume which guarantee reserve of plasticity in the zones of controlled energy absorption during possible collision resulting from activation of twinning induced by the cold working as the fracture counteraction factor, which may result in significant growth of the passive safety of these vehicles' passengers.

Purpose – This paper aims to present the possibility of the technology of chemical metallization for the production of contact of photovoltaic cells. The developed technology allows you to perform low-cost contacts in any form. Design/methodology/approach – The study used a multi- and monocrystalline silicon plates. On the surface of the plates, the contact by the electroless metallization was made. After metallization stage, annealing process in a temperature range of 100-700°C was conducted to obtain ohmic contact in a semiconductor material. Subsequently, the electrical parameters of obtained structures were measured. Therefore, trial soldering was made, which demonstrated that the layer is fully soldered. Findings – Optimal parameters of the metallization bath was specified. The equations RS = f (metallization time), RS = f (temperature of annealing) and C-V characteristics were determined. As a result of conducted research, it has been stated that the most appropriate way leading to the production of soldered metal layers with good adhesion to the portion of selectively activated silicon plate is technology presented below in the following steps: masking, selective activation and nickel-plating of activated plate. Such obtained metal layers have great variety in application and, in particular, can be used for the preparation of electric terminals in silicon solar cell. Originality/value – The paper presents a new, unpublished method of manufacturing contacts in the structure of the photovoltaic cell.

The objective of this paper is to define the high-Mn austenitic steels susceptibility to twinning induced by the cold working and influence of it on microstructure and mechanical and plastic properties, and primarily the strain energy per unit volume of newly developed high-Mn austenitic TWIP (Twinning Induced Plasticity)-type steel which contains about 25% of Mn; 1% of Si and 3% of Al. TWIP steels not only present excellent strength, but also have outstanding formability due to twinning, through leading to an exceptional combination of strength, ductility and formability over conventional dual-phase steels. The essence of the investigation concerns the analysis of the importance of microstructure evolution during plastic deformation in ambient temperature. The microstructure of investigated high-Mn steel was determined in metallographic studies using optical microscope and also scanning and high-resolution transmission electron microscopes (HRTEM). Results achieved under static conditions for newly developed advanced high-Mn steel show the opportunity and purposefulness of their use for constructional elements of a body car, especially of the cars’ passenger to take advantage of the meaningful growth of their strain energy per unit volume. It can guarantee a reserve of plasticity in the specially constructed zones and thereby control energy absorption during a potential car accident by activation of twinning induced by cold working. It can also lead to significant growth of the passive safety of those cars’ passengers.

Taking into consideration increased quantity of accessories used in modern cars, decreasing car’s weight can be achieved solely by optimization of sections of sheets used for bearing and reinforcing elements as well as for body panelling parts of a car. Application of sheets with lower thickness requires using sheets with higher mechanical properties, however keeping adequate formability. The goal of structural elements such as frontal frame side members, bumpers and the others is to take over the energy of an impact. Therefore, steels that are used for these parts should be characterized by high value of UTS and UEl, proving the ability of energy absorption. Among the wide variety of recently developed steels, high-manganese austenitic steels with low stacking faulty energy are particularly promising, especially when mechanical twinning occurs. Beneficial combination of high strength and ductile properties of these steels depends on structural processes taking place during cold plastic deformation, which are a derivative of SFE of austenite, dependent, in turn on the chemical composition of steel and deformation temperature. High-manganese austenitic steels in effect of application of proper heat treatment or thermo-mechanical treatment can be characterized by different structure assuring the advantageous connection of strength and plasticity properties. Proper determinant of these properties can be plastic deformation energy supply determined by integral over surface of cold plastic deformation curve. Obtaining of high strength properties with retaining the high plasticity has significant influence for the development of high-manganese steel groups and their significance for the development of materials engineering.

One of the elements of any at a distance university system of studies is the tutorial action, which is conceived like an inherent activity to the work of the professor, whom it tries to favor the process of learning and the decision making of academic and vocacional order of the students. This action must be studied with respect to its importance, types, modalities, forms, characteristics, frequency, resources and planning, from the perspective of the tutor, the participants and the institution. However, in this report one describes to the importance and direction that the tutorial action in the SED-LUZ has.

This paper presents of the results on the heat treatment parameters influence on the structure of the newly developed complex hot-work tool steel 47CrMoWVTiCeZr16-26-8 in relation to standard hot-work tool steel X40CrMoV5-1. After soft annealing the examined steels indicate the alloy ferrite structure with the great number of the carbides of the type of M 6 C and MC (nearing VC, (Ti,V)C and ZrC) as well as M 2 C 3 (nearing Ce 2 C 3 ) in the 47CrMoWVTiCeZr16-26-8 steel and with the carbides of the type of M 6 C, MC, M 23 C 6 as well as M 7 C 3 in the X40CrMoV5-1 steel. The volume fraction of carbides in the 47CrMoWVTiCeZr16-26-8 steel amounts to 8.2% and is higher then in the X40CrMoV5-1 steel. After hardening from temperature of 970–1180 °C the 47CrMoWVTiCeZr16-26-8 and X40CrMoV5-1 steels obtain the lath martensitic structure, partially twinned with a small fraction of retained austenite and the carbides partially undissolved in solid solution of the type of MC (TiC and ZrC) as well as M 2 C 3 in the 47CrMoWVTiCeZr16-26-8 steel and of the type of MC (VC) in the X40CrMoV5-1 steel. The 47CrMoWVTiCeZr16-26-8 steel characterises itself by the greater fraction of carbides partially undissolved in solid solution during austenitizing as well as by the greater resistance to the growth of primary austenite grains then the X40CrMoV5-1 steel. Tempering the examined steels within the range of temperatures between 450 and 540 °C results in starting the precipitation processes in martensite and the secondary hardness effect after tempering from temperature of 540 °C in the 47CrMoWVTiCeZr16-26-8 steel and from temperature of 510 °C for the X40CrMoV5-1 steel, which is caused by the carbides M 4 C 3 and M 7 C 3 in the 47CrMoWVTiCeZr16-26-8 steel and M 7 C 3 in the X40CrMoV5-1 steel.

The electrochemical performance of polyaniline thin films on platinum electrode substrates has been investigated using cyclic voltammetry in two aprotic ionic liquid electrolyte systems, 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMI PF6−) or 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfon)imide (EMI TFSI). Enhanced redox stability of the polyaniline was observed in both electrolyte systems. Initial redox cycles in both ILs exhibited increasing current responses, over the first 10–20 cycles, which was attributed to the electrochemically induced ion exchange processes occurring within polyaniline film. Extended cycling after the redoping process was observed to result in a stable and reversible electrochemistry.

Results of investigations are presented of structure and mechanical properties, as well as of the comparative tests of thermal fatigue resistance of the heat-treated multi-component Cr–Mo–W–V steels, assigned for the hot-work tools. It was found out that the investigated 47CrMoWVTiCeZr16-26-8 steel demonstrates higher mechanical properties than the X40CrMoV5-1 steel, however, it has lower impact strength and a similar thermal fatigue resistance.

Water activity, aw, in solutions of NaCl, glycerol, d -glucose, sucrose, and urea was correlated against viscosity, η of these solutions. Relationship is non-linear, which follows the η=pa w 2 +qa w +r equation. Generally, these relationships provide control over the water activity of solutions at a required viscosity and, vice versa control over viscosity at a given water activity.

Solid complexes of apple pectin with casein were prepared from aqueous blends of the components at 12 V on stainless steel electrodes. The composition of complexes which separated on the anode was linearly dependent on the component ratio in the solution and practically independent of pH. Thermal stability of the complexes slightly depended on their composition as proved by thermal analysis.

This chapter presents results from investigations about high-manganese austenitic steels, which have gained increasing importance over the recent two decades. Intense research into this group of steels indicates the need for employing them in the global automotive sector, especially for constructional components of cars absorbing impact energy in road collisions. The examples of extensive research over this group of high-manganese austenitic steels have been pursued by the authors at the Division of Materials Processing Technology, Management and Computer Techniques in Materials Science, the Institute of Engineering Materials and Biomaterials of the Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland. The essence of the research concerns the designing of thermo-mechanical processing of selected high-manganese austenitic steels with carefully selected but diversified chemical composition in order to refine their structure and improve mechanical properties. Thermo-mechanical processing was performed using a thermo-mechanical simulator DSI (Dynamic System Inc.) Gleeble 3800. The results of the investigations performed with the DSI simulator allowed to design different variants of hot rolling consisting of several stages for the investigated high-manganese austenitic steels. Different processes controlling the curve of strain hardening could be used by applying the varied conditions of thermo-mechanical processing, and especially a diversified degree of deformation and isothermal heat treatment after finishing plastic working, such as dynamic recovery, dynamic recrystallization, and static recrystallization.

The paper presents comparison of results of investigations into phase transformation in WMoVCo type 11-0-2-5 and WMoV type 11-0-2 high-speed steels. The maximum hardness respectively 66 HRC and 64.5 HRC investigated steels have after quenching at the temperature of 1240°C and tempering at the temperature of 540°C. Secondary hardening in these steels is due mainly to precipitation of fine M4C3 carbides and also to martensitic transformation of retained austenite into α phase.

Solid complexes of apple pectin with egg albumin could be prepared from their aqueous solutions in the 12V gradient of potential on the stainless steel electrodes. The complexes were separated as a gel on anode. The composition of the complexes was dependent on the component ratio in solution and practically independent of pH of solution which varied from 4 to 11.6 within 90 min process. Elektrochemische Synthese von Polysaccharid-Protein-Komplexen. Teil 1: Vorlaufige Untersuchungen an Apfelpektin-Albumin-Komplexen. Feste Komplexe von Apfelpektin mit Eialbumin konnten aus ihren wasrigen Losungen im 12V-Potentialgradienten der Rostfrei-Stahlelektroden dargestellt werden. Die Komplexe waren als Gel an der Anode abgetrennt. Die Zusammensetzung der Komplexe war abhangig von dem Verhaltnis der Komponenten in Losung und praktisch unabhangig vom pH-Wert der Losung, der im 90min Prozes zwischen 4 und 11,6 variierte.

In this study, a method to identify the impedance of the sample composed of SnO 2 nanowires (NWs) has been presented. The studied sensor structures were based on one-dimensional (1D) SnO 2 NWs grown by thermal deposition on silicon substrate. The topography of SnO 2 NWs was investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of qualitative and quantitative analysis in selected microregion have been presented. Furthermore, the electrical properties of the NWs were measured. The base of the measurement comprised impedance spectroscopy, Pade data approximation restrained by passivity condition. This study demonstrates that it is possible to separate the characteristic parameters for various transport phenomena in the NW.

AIMS--To investigate the effect of pregnancy on serum concentrations of lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins. METHODS--Fasting serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), apolipoproteins AI, AII, and B, and lipoprotein (a) were measured in 178 women with normal glucose tolerance in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and in a control group of 58 non-pregnant women of similar age. Data were analysed using the unpaired t test and by one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS--The pregnant women had significantly higher concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and apolipoproteins AI and B (p < 0.001) and apolipoprotein AII (p = 0.003) than the control women. The ratio of apolipoprotein B:apolipoprotein AI was significantly higher in the pregnant women than in the controls (p < 0.001), but the total cholesterol:HDL cholesterol ratio was not significantly different. No significant difference was found in the concentration of lipoprotein (a). CONCLUSIONS--Hyperlipidaemia is common in the second half of pregnancy. This may be a purely physiological response to pregnancy or it may be indicative of pathology in some women. These results warrant a follow up study to investigate whether the hyperlipidaemic response to pregnancy is variable and if so, whether it can predict future hyperlipidaemia in a manner analogous to that of impaired glucose tolerance during pregnancy, predicting non-insulin dependent diabetes in later life.

The mission of the joint network enabled operations (NEO) program is to promote interagency communication and collaboration through the use of modern network enabled tools, technologies, and operational procedures for the next generation air transportation system (NextGen). The NEO environment features a modern service bus based enterprise architecture. To evaluate the utility of this architecture and the resulting network enabled tools and services, a set of limited objective command post exercises (CPX) was performed. The exercise participants included personnel from the transportation security administration (TSA) and Federal Air Marshals (FAMs) from the transportation security operations center (TSOC); U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from the Air Marine Operations Center (AMOC) at March ANG Base; DoD personnel from 1st Air Force Air Operations Center (AOC) at Tyndall AFB; FAA personnel from the Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC); and FAA Headquarters personnel from FAA Headquarters Washington, DC. Upon completion of the exercise participants discussed issues, observations, and lessons learned, which were documented and compiled into a final, after action report summarizing the exercise.

The conductivity of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)–poly(styrenesulfonic) acid (PEDOT–PSS) thin-films was increased by up to 900 times with the addition of linear-diols. Three series of linear-diols were investigated. It is proposed that three mechanisms contribute to improved conductivity; conformational changes in the polymer from coil to expanded, spatial separation of PEDOT–PSS grains and charge screening. The variation in conductivity with temperature indicates that diols affect both intra- and inter-chain charge transports. Electrochromic devices were constructed using standard and enhanced conductivity PEDOT–PSS. Switching times from bleached to darkened states were reduced while darkened to bleached states remained unaltered. Total percent transmission change (%ΔTx) remained constant indicating that enhanced conductivity PEDOT–PSS improves switching but does not lead to additional electrochromic redox sites being accessed.

We report a new technique for measuring colouration efficiency (CE) for electrochromic polymers and devices. Faradaic charge associated with redox activity leading to chromic change was extracted from the total charge flow during a device switch. Typically, Faradaic charge is extracted from the total charge by first measuring a blank device (i.e. no polymer deposited). This is used as the baseline and subtracted from subsequent measurements with the polymer deposited into the device. The method is open to inaccuracies if the surface area before and after polymer deposition is different or if the inherent capacitance of the device is altered by the addition of the polymer(s). The new technique does not suffer from this drawback as it dispenses with the need to measure blank devices. To investigate the utility of this method a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxthiophene) (PEDOT) and polyaniline (PANI) electrochromic cell was tested. CE measurements at an optical density change of 95% ( λ = 555 nm) were recorded for the following three conditions: uncorrected, CE UC = 388 cm 2 /C; background corrected, CE BC = 391 cm 2 /C and; Faradaic corrected, CE FC = 2173 cm 2 /C. The result highlights the fact that the CE value of chromic polymers or devices may be higher than what is currently being reported.

A poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiopene) (PEDOT)/polyaniline (PANI) electrochromic device (ECD) was fabricated for the purpose of examining colouration efficiency (CE) as a function of charge density ingress/egress. CE is typically measured in cm2/C with the aim being to produce as large an optical density change as possible with the least amount of charge being consumed. Results indicate that CE is not constant but is highly dependent on charge density insertion and the switching voltage. At a switching voltage of 1.9 V the maximum CEmax was 1186 cm2/C, recorded at 60% of the full optical switch where as the CE95% was 302 cm2/C at 95% of the full optical switch. Furthermore, CEmax varied depending on the switching voltage from a high of 2212 cm2/C at a switching voltage of 1.2 V, 1528 cm2/C at 1.6 V and down to 1186 cm2/C at 1.9 V. The results highlight the fact that the current practice of quoting CE as a single-valued number may not reveal enough detail about the performance of ECDs and polymers. Keywords: Colouration efficiency, Charge density, Optical density, Electrochromic, PEDOT, PANI

Servos improve machine performance and productivity, as well as improving product consistency, lowering the reject rate, and improving the part's quality. All of these individually help save on cost-but servos bring all these benefits together and add to the improvement of the bottom line. What makes a servo "different"? As reviewed in this paper, there are several design characteristics and manufacturing techniques that make a servo "different" than other motor technologies. These lead to the advantages of servos. The performance of servos, how they compare to other technologies, the advantages, the application benefits and improvements are also covered

AIMS--To investigate differences in serum lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein concentrations in pregnant women of different ethnic origin. METHODS--Serum lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein concentrations were measured in 232 women (114 Caucasians, 118 Africans/Afro-Caribbeans), who presented consecutively for screening for gestational diabetes in the third trimester of pregnancy. RESULTS--African/Afro-Caribbean pregnant women had lower serum concentrations of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B and higher high density lipoprotein cholesterol and Lp(a) lipoprotein concentrations compared with Caucasian women. Apolipoprotein A1 concentrations were similar in the two groups. The differences were not attributable to differences in weight, age, parity, or postload plasma glucose levels. CONCLUSION--Ethnic origin is an important determinant of serum lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein concentrations during pregnancy.

The Cholestech L-D-X lipid analyser (LDX) is one of the first fully automated desktop analysers to determine serum high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration, an important measurement for assessing dyslipidaemia, particularly in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. We compared results of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and HDL-C concentrations measured by the LDX and by a standard (DAX) laboratory analyser from serum obtained from 40 patients in our diabetic clinic. The mean differences between the concentrations measured were not statistically significant, there being a very close correlation between methods (TC: LDX = 0.98. DAX + 0.06, r = 0.98, p

π-Conjugated polymers that are electrochemically cycled in ionic liquids have enhanced lifetimes without failure (up to 1 million cycles) and fast cycle switching speeds (100 ms). We report results for electrochemical mechanical actuators, electrochromic windows, and numeric displays made from three types of π -conjugated polymers: polyaniline, polypyrrole, and polythiophene. Experiments were performed under ambient conditions, yet the polymers showed negligible loss in electroactivity. These performance advantages were obtained by using environmentally stable, room-temperature ionic liquids composed of 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium cations together with anions such as tetrafluoroborate or hexafluorophosphate.

OBJECTIVE To examine the correlation between angiographie coronary artery disease (CAD) and plasma lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] concentration in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study of 36 patients with NIDDM who underwent coronary angiography, CAD was assessed visually using a coronary artery score (CAS), and plasma Lp(a) was measured immunotur-bidimetrically. RESULTS Lp(a) concentration was significantly higher in patients in the middle and upper tenues of CASs (>4) compared with those in the lower tenue (≤4); geometric mean 0.30 g/l(95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22–0.40) vs. 0.12 g/l (0.08–0.17, P = 0.002). Lp(a) was significantly and positively correlated with the CAS (R2 23%, P = 0.006), independent of other cardiovascular risk factors, including lipoprotein related variables and glycated hemoglobin. CONCLUSIONS Plasma Lp(a) is a strong and independent correlate of the extent of angiographie CAD in symptomatic patients with NIDDM.