| 1. Superplasticity in Nickel-base Superalloys
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| Superplasticity is a phenomenon which allows materials with high strength and low ductility, such as nickel-base superalloys, to be worked easily. Research towards the creation of new superplastic alloys, involving investigation of both microscopic structural properties and metallurgy, has lead to non-destructive testing methods which use internal friction techniques. Investigations into macroscopic phenomena and applications of superplastic alloys have lead to the development of a new forging method.
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| 2. Oil Film Thickness Tester for Pressurized Refrigerant Atmospheres
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| To prevent ozone layer depletion, conventional refrigerants are replaced with alternative refrigerants, causing various tribological problems. For long system life and reliable operation, compressors must be operated under fluid lubrication conditions, and the physical properties of refrigerant-oil mixtures are important. The oil film thickness tester achieved the first reliable measurement of the refrigerant-oil mixture film thickness needed to cope with the tribological problems encountered with the new refrigerants.
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| 3. Artificial Muscle
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| Muscle-like actuators are actively being sought by researchers in the fields of robotics and medical devices. In the study of polymer actuators a novel polymer gel-material has been developed which can generate contraction force and mechanical power density as high as frog muscle. In the photograph an artificial muscle model lifts up a ball by exchanging solvents from water to acetone.
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| 4. Prosthetic Devices Developed Through the Study of Human Bones and Joints
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| In this project, the relationships between the different components of human joints were studied. Analysis of the strength and stiffness differences between loaded and unloaded regions indicated that bone and annular cartilage respond to load by remodelling. A continuum model of human joints was developed, and applied to the development of artificial joints using advanced biocomposite materials such as alumina, zirconia, ceramic coated Ti alloys, and ceramic filled polyethylene.
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| 5. Optical Correlator Using a Liquid Crystal Spatial Light Modulator
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| Optical correlation systems have the potential to perform extremely high-speed pattern recognition, a characteristic anticipated to be of great importance in the next generation of intelligent manufacturing machines. However, conventional optical correlators have been rather difficult to actually use in a routine production environment. In order to overcome this problem, a new phase-only spatial light modulator has been developed, which has made the construction of flexible optical correlation systems possible.
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