Cheng Sin-hang. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-92). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Theory of Oscillator Design --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1 --- Open-loop approach --- p.4 / Chapter 2.2 --- One-port approach --- p.6 / Chapter 2.3 --- Two-port approach --- p.9 / Chapter 2.4 --- Voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) design --- p.10 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Active device selection and biasing --- p.11 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Feedback circuit design --- p.15 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Frequency tuning circuit --- p.20 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Noise in Oscillators --- p.23 / Chapter 3.1 --- Origin of phase noise --- p.23 / Chapter 3.2 --- Impact of phase noise in communication system --- p.28 / Chapter 3.3 --- Phase noise consideration in VCO design --- p.30 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic --- p.31 / Chapter 4.1 --- LTCC process --- p.31 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- LTCC fabrication process --- p.32 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- LTCC materials --- p.34 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Advantages of LTCC technology --- p.35 / Chapter 4.2 --- Passive components realization in LTCC --- p.37 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Capacitor --- p.37 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Inductor --- p.42 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- High-Q LTCC Resonator Design --- p.47 / Chapter 5.1 --- Definition of Q-factor --- p.47 / Chapter 5.2 --- Stripline --- p.50 / Chapter 5.3 --- Power losses --- p.52 / Chapter 5.4 --- Laminated stripline resonator design --- p.53 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- λ/4 resonator structure --- p.57 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Meander-line resonator structure --- p.60 / Chapter 5.4.3 --- Bi-metal-layer resonator structure --- p.63 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- LTCC Voltage Controlled Oscillator Design --- p.67 / Chapter 6.1 --- Circuit design --- p.67 / Chapter 6.2 --- Output filter --- p.68 / Chapter 6.3 --- Embedded capacitor --- p.71 / Chapter 6.4 --- VCO layout and simulation --- p.72 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Experimental Setup and Results --- p.77 / Chapter 7.1 --- Measured Result: LTCC resonators --- p.77 / Chapter 7.1.1 --- Experimental results --- p.79 / Chapter 7.2 --- Measured results: LTCC voltage controlled oscillators --- p.83 / Chapter Chapter 8 --- Conclusion and Future Work --- p.88 / Reference List --- p.90 / Appendix A: TRL calibration method --- p.93 / Appendix B: Q measurement --- p.103 / Appendix C: Q-factor extraction program listing --- p.109 / Chapter 1. --- Function used to calculate Q from s-parameter --- p.109 / Chapter 2. --- Function used to calculate Q from z-parameter --- p.111

Submitted by JÚLIO HEBER SILVA (julioheber@yahoo.com.br) on 2018-03-29T17:08:27Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Nara Lúcia de Oliveira - 2018.pdf: 3506287 bytes, checksum: 7dcae9c4c0620421fdfd1b8117f3408c (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2018-04-02T12:15:14Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Nara Lúcia de Oliveira - 2018.pdf: 3506287 bytes, checksum: 7dcae9c4c0620421fdfd1b8117f3408c (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-02T12:15:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Nara Lúcia de Oliveira - 2018.pdf: 3506287 bytes, checksum: 7dcae9c4c0620421fdfd1b8117f3408c (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-27 / The development of ceramic materials is important for the advancement of new technologies and the emergence of new economically viable materials. Modifying the synthesis method and relating its physical and chemical characteristics to possible industrial applications is part of the improvement process and offers alternatives to current production in improving the final product. In the present work, the synthesis and structural characterization of strontium and zinc stannates by the co-precipitation method, with and without microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment, was carried out. The interest in the study with the application of the microwaves is in the sense of reducing the time and temperature of obtaining the main phase, perovskite. From the results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) it was possible to identify the formation of strontium and zinc stannates, monophasic after the addition of polyethylene glycol. The strontium stannate perovskite phase was obtained from the methodology with and without hydrothermal treatment assisted by microwave after calcination at 600 ºC for 2 hours. The zinc stannate with perovskite structure was obtained by the methodology with and without hydrothermal treatment assisted by microwaves without calcination. From the UV-VIS results optical values were obtained using Wood and Tauc theory. These values were all compatible with semiconductor materials, values between 2 and 4 eV. The images of the Electronic Transmission Electron Microscopy (ETM) characterization show the formation of nanotubes for the SrSnO3 samples and the cube morphology for the ZnSnO3 sample. The best performance was presented by the sample of ZnSnO3 calcined at 600 ºC, after hydrothermal treatment, presenting by XRD the formation of secondary phases, such as the spinel and rutile structure. / O desenvolvimento de materiais cerâmicos é importante para o avanço de novas tecnologias e o surgimento de novos materiais economicamente viáveis. Modificar o método de síntese e relacionar as suas características físicas e químicas com possíveis aplicações industriais, faz parte do processo de melhoramento e oferece alternativas à produção atual em melhorar o produto final. No presente trabalho realizou-se o estudo da síntese e a caracterização estrutural de estanatos de estrôncio e de zinco pelo método de coprecipitação, sem e com tratamento hidrotérmico assistido por micro-ondas. O interesse no estudo com a aplicação das micro-ondas é no sentido de reduzir o tempo e a temperatura de obtenção da fase principal, perovskita. Dos resultados de Difração de Raios X (DRX) foi possível identificar a formação de estanato de estrôncio e de zinco, monofásico após a adição de polietilenoglicol. O estanato de estrôncio a fase perovskita foi obtida da metodologia com e sem tratamento hidrotérmico assistido por micro-ondas após calcinação a 600 ºC por 2 horas. O estanato de zinco com estrutura perovskita foi obtido pela metodologia com e sem tratamento hidrotérmico assistido por micro-ondas sem calcinação. Dos resultados de UV-VIS foram obtidos valores de “gap” óptico utilizando teoria de Wood e Tauc. Estes valores foram todos compatíveis com materiais semicondutores, valores entre 2 e 4 eV. As imagens da caracterização por Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão (MET), mostram a formação de nano-tubos para as amostras de SrSnO3 e a morfologia de cubos para a amostra de ZnSnO3. O melhor desempenho foi apresentado pela amostra de ZnSnO3 calcinada a 600 ºC, após tratamento hidrotérmico, apresentando por DRX a formação fases secundárias, tais como a estrutura espinélio e rutilo.

Layered lithium transition-metal oxides (LMOs) are used as the positive electrode material in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Because transition metals undergo redox reactions when lithium ions intercalate in and disintercalate from the lattice, the selection and composition of transition metals largely influence the electrochemical performance of LMOs. Recently, a Ni-rich compound, LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811), has drawn much attention. It is expected to replace its state-of-the-art cousins, LiCoO2 (LCO) and LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 (NCM111), because of its higher capacity, lower cost, and reduced toxicity. However, the excess Ni, as a transition-metal element in NCM811, can cause structural and cycling instability. Starting from NCM811, I modified the composition of transition metals by two approaches: 1) introducing cobalt deficiency and 2) substituting Ni, Co, and Mn with Zr. Their influences on the phase, structure, cycling performance, rate capability, and ionic transport were investigated by a variety of characterization techniques. I found that cobalt non-stoichiometry can suppress Ni2+/Li+ cation mixing, but simultaneously promotes the formation of oxygen vacancies, leading to rapid capacity fade and inferior rate capability compared to pristine NCM811. On the other hand, Zr can reside on and expand the lattice of NCM811, and form Li-rich lithium zirconates on their surfaces. In particular, 1% Zr substitution can increase the stability of NCM811 and facilitate Li-ion transport, resulting in enhanced cycling durability and high-rate performance. My studies help improve the understanding of the effects of transition metals on the degradation of the Ni-rich layered positive electrode material and provide modification strategies to enhance its performance and durability for Li-ion battery applications.

A feasibility of rapid setting cement (RSC) as an agent of immobilization for certain elements such as fission products or radioactive materials was explored. Cerium (Ce) and cesium (Cs) have been selected as a surrogate for U and/or Pu and fission products, respectively, in this study in three phases. In Phase I, RSC was evaluated for physical properties (e.g., porosity, density, pH values, etc.) using two groups methods—the cement powder at different concentrations of Ce (2 – 10 wt%) with deionized water (DIW) and artificial seawater (ASW). The results showed that the final setting time and compressive strength of RSC in DIW and ASW solutions decreased as Ce content increased. The X-ray diffraction patterns revealed two newly identified phases, namely CeAl11O18 and Ce4.667 (SiO4)3O. The morphology of matrix samples showed that the existence of Ce distributed on the pore wall or clustered with Si, Al, Mg, K, P, Fe, and O. In Phase II, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique together with univariate and multivariate analyses of the principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) were applied to detect the surrogate elements (Ce (0.5 – 8 wt%) and Cs (0.5 – 4 wt%)) for nuclear materials captured in ceramic materials. The best calibration curves for Ce and Cs in samples were created using the peak areas of the Ce 571.8 nm line and Cs 697.1 nm line, respectively. PCA method was applied to explain 85.5 % for Ce-cement samples in DIW and 91.4 % for those in ASW. Samples with Cs indicated similar PCA trends. The PLS calibration curves for Ce and Cs samples in DIW and those in ASW were made using seven and eight latent variables (LV). In Phase III, the leaching behaviors of Ce and Cs mixture with DIW and ASW under both dynamic and static leach conditions were investigated according to the ANSI/ANS 16.1-2003 standard method. Elemental compositions were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the leaching periods of 2, 7, and 24 hours and 2, 3, 4, 5, 14, 28, 43, and 90 days. Three mathematical models—first-order reaction model (FRM), diffusion model (DM), and first-order reaction/diffusion model (FRDM)—were fitted to assess the leaching parameters of immobilized radionuclides in the RSC matrix. Results showed that leaching of 140Ce and 133Cs from RSC matrices with (DIW and ASW) under both dynamic and static leach conditions was less than 20%. It was found that the leaching phenomena of 140Ce and 133Cs was dominantly controlled by FRM with a weak effect of DM, which was best fitted by FRDM. Here, the average leachability index (L) for 140Ce and 133Cs, are greater than the recommended minimum of 6 that allowed their acceptance for disposal. These studies indicated a good feasibility of using RSC with DIW and ASW for immobilizing non-radioactive Ce and Cs and RSC had a potential for applying to actual radioactive materials.

Fundamental thermodynamic investigations have been carried out regarding the phase equilibria of La0.8Sr0.2MnO3±δ (LSM), a cathode of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), utilizing the CALculation of PHAse Diagram (CALPHAD) approach. The assessed thermodynamic databases developed for LSM perovskite in contact with YSZ fluorite and the other species have been discussed. The application of computational thermodynamics to the cathode is comprehensively explained in detail, including the defect chemistry analysis as well as the quantitative Brouwer diagrams, electronic conductivity, cathode/electrolyte interface stability, thermomechanical properties of the cathode and the impact of gas impurities, such as CO2 as well as humidity, on the phase stability of the cathode. The quantitative Brouwer diagrams for LSM at different temperatures are developed and the detailed analysis of the Mn3+ charge disproportionation behavior and the electronic conductivity in the temperature range of 1000-1200°C revealed a good agreement with the available experimental observations. The effects of temperature, CO2 partial pressure, O2 partial pressure, humidity level and the cathode composition on the formation of secondary phases have been investigated and correlated with the available experimental results found in the literature. It has been indicated that the CO2 exposure does not change the electronic/ionic carriers’ concentration in the perovskite phase. The observed electrical conductivity drop is predicted to occur due to the formation of secondary phases such as LaZr2O7, SrZrO3, SrCO3 and Mn oxides at the LSM/YSZ interface, resulting in the blocking of the electron/ion transfer paths. For the thermo-mechanical properties of LSM, a new weight loss Mechanism for (La0.8Sr0.2)0.98MnO3±δ using the La-Sr-Mn-O thermodynamic database is modeled with respect to the compound energy formalism model. This newly proposed mechanism comprehensively explains the defect formation as a result of volume/weight change during the thermal cycles. According to the proposed mechanism the impact of cation vacancies regarding the volume change of cathode was explained.

Copper zinc tin sulfide (Cu2ZnSnS4 or CZTS) kesterite compound has attracted much attention in the last years as a new abundant, low cost, and environmentally benign material with desirable optoelectronic properties for Photovoltaic (PV) thin film solar cell applications. Among various synthesis routes for CZTS thin films, sol-gel processing is one of the most attractive routes to obtain CZTS films with superior quality and low cost. In this study, sol-gel sulfurization process parameters for CZTS thin films were systematically investigated to identify the proper process window. In addition, temperature dependent Raman spectroscopy was employed to monitor the CZTS sulfurization process in real time and gain fundamental information about the phase formation and degradation mechanisms of CZTS under the relevant processing conditions. It was found that CZTS thin films with different Cu stoichiometry can be prepared using parts-per-million (ppm) level of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas as opposed to high percentage level of H2S (e.g., ≥ 5%) in all previous studies. Samples sulfurized at lower temperatures of ~350°C and 125°C revealed the formation of CZTS phase as confirmed by XRD, Raman micro-spectroscopy, and sheet resistance measurement. Local EDS analysis indicates that CZTS films prepared at those low temperatures have a near-stoichiometric composition and are sometimes accompanied by the formation of Cu2-xS phase(s). Also, stoichiometric and Cu-rich precursor solutions tend to yield CZTS samples with better crystallinity and superior optical properties compared with the Cu-deficient solution. Moreover, in situ Raman monitoring of phase formation of CZTS material was carried out from room temperature up to 350°C in a 100 ppm H2S+4%H2+N2 gas mixture. The results showed that CZTS phase formed in about 30 min via a direct reaction between the metal oxide precursor film and the H2S-H2 gas mixture at an intermediate temperature of 350°C and remained stable upon extended exposure. In comparison, at a lower temperature (170°C), the oxide precursor film had to be reduced first (e.g., in 4% H2/N2 forming gas) and then the CZTS phase emerged. However, continued sulfurization at a lower temperature (e.g., 170°C) led to the disintegration of CZTS and the formation of CuS impurity, which remains stable upon cooling the sample down to room temperature. Furthermore, results of in situ Raman monitoring of CZTS films in an oxygen-rich atmosphere at elevated temperatures up to 600°C suggested that CZTS oxidizes first at ~400°C to form tin oxide (SnO2) and binary sulfides of mainly copper sulfide (Cu2-xS) and zinc sulfide (ZnS). Then, at temperatures higher than 400°C, the remaining sulfides oxidize to form zinc oxide (ZnO). The outcomes of the current study set the directions for optimizing the CZTS film structure and stoichiometry toward developing low cost and high-performance CZTS solar cells in future.

The interaction at the surfaces of load bearing implant biomaterials with tissues and physiological fluids is an area of crucial importance to all kinds of medical technologies. To achieve the best clinical outcome and restore the function of the diseased tissue, several surface engineering strategies have been discussed by scientific community throughout the world. In the current work, we are focusing on one such technique based on laser surface engineering to achieve the appropriate surface morphology and surface chemistry. Here by using a pulsed and continuous wave laser direct melting techniques we synthesize three dimensional textured surfaces of calcium phosphate (Ca-P) based surface chemistry on Ti-6Al-4V. The influence of each processing type on the micro texture and phase evolution and thereby its associated effect on wettability, in vitro bioactivity, and in vitro biocompatibility are systematically discussed. For samples processed using the pulsed laser, it was realized that with increasing laser scan speed and laser pulse frequency there was a transition from surface textures with sharp circular grooves to surface textures with radial grooves and thereby improved hydrophilicity. For CW laser processing the results demonstrated improved hydrophilicity for the samples processed at 100 μm line spacing as compared to the samples processed at 200 μm line spacing. Owing to the importance of Si for cartilage and hard tissue repair, a preliminary effort for synthesizing Ca-P-SiO2 composite coating on Ti-6Al-4V surface were also conducted. As a future potential technique we also explored the Laser Interference Patterning (LIP) technique to achieve the textured surfaces and developed understanding on their wetting behavior. In the current work, by adjusting the laser processing parameters we were able to synthesize textured coatings with biocompatible phases. The in vitro bioactivity and in vitro vi biocompatibility of the coatings were proved by the precipitation of an apatite like phase following immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF), and increased proliferation and spreading of the MC3T3-E1 like cells. The results and understanding of the current research is encouraging in terms of looking at other bio-ceramic precursor compositions and laser process parameter window for synthesizing better textured biocompatible coatings.

Thesis (M.S.)--Rutgers University, 2007. / "Graduate Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering." Includes bibliographical references (p. 74-76).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-07-06Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:06:56Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 nakai_me_me_bauru.pdf: 1283452 bytes, checksum: 5ebf100ffa4e540491cc04b24baa3e2b (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Cada vez mais se observa a substituição de peças metálicas por peças cerâmicas devido às suas excelentes propriedades físicas, químicas e mecânicas. No entanto, muitas destas características que fazem a cerâmica tão atrativa também dificultam a sua fabricação por métodos tradicionais de usinagem. Esse estudo teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de modelos neurais baseados nos sinais de emissão acústica (EA) e potência de corte para estimar os valores de regosidades da peça bem como estimar o desgaste do rebolo durante o processo de retificação de cerâmicas avançadas. Para os ensaios foi utilizada uma máquina retificadora tangencial plana com rebolo diamantado e corpos de prova de cerâmica Alumina. Foram definidas três condições de cortes com profundidades de corte de 120um, 70 um e 20um, velocidade do rebolo de 35m/s e velocidade da mesa de 2,3m/s. Foram utilizados quatro modelos neurais, Redes Neurais Perceptron Múltiplas Camadas (MLP), Redes Neurais de Função de Base Radial (RBF), Redes Neurais de Regressão Generalizada (GRNN) e o Sistema de Interferência Adaptável Neuro-Fuzzy (ANFIS). Para melhor comparação entre os desempenhos dos modelos neurais utilizados no estudo foi desenvolvido um algoritmo para executar o treinamento de todas as combinações possíveis de entradas, assim como suas características, tais como a quantidade de neurônios, a quantidade de camadas e o espraiamento (define o tamanho do agrupamento). Os resultados mostraram um ótimo desempenho das redes neurais empregadas. Os erros obtidos foram menores que 0,5% para rugosidade média aritmética e menores que 4% para o desgaste da ferramenta. Os modelos neurais propostos satisfazem as necessidades da estimação da rugosidade bem como do desgaste da ferramenta, viabilizando a implementação futura em um hardware dedicado / Metal parts have increasingly been replaced by ceramics due to its excellent physical, chemical and mechanical, characteristics. However, many of these characteristics that make advanced ceramics so attractive also make it difficult to manufacture by traditional machining methods. Thjis study aimed to develop neural models based on signals of acoustic emission (AE) and cutting power as well as statistics derived from them to estimate the workpiece surface roughness and wear of the grinding wheel during the grinding of ceramics. A surface grinding machine with a diamond grinding wheel and alumina ceramic workpieces were used in the experimental tests. Three grinding conditions were applied with dephs of cut of 120um, 70um and 20um, grinding wheel speed of 35 m/s and table of 2.3m/s. Four neural models were used in this work by using Multilayer Perceptron Neural Networks (MLP), Radial Basics Function Neural Networks (RBF), General Regression Networks (GRNN) and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Interference System (ANFIS). An algorithm was developed to train all possible combinations of inputs and other characterisitcs such as the number of neurons, number of layer and spread in order to better compare the performances of the neural models used in this study. The results showed a good performance of the neural network models employed. The errors obtained were lower than 0.5% for the average surface roughness and lower than 4% for the tool wear. The neural models proposed meet the needs of the estimation of surface roughness and tool wear, enabling a future implementation on dedicated hardware

Orientador: Paulo Roberto de Aguiar / Banca: Rogério Andrade Flauzino / Banca: José Alfredo Covolan Ulson / Resumo: Cada vez mais se observa a substituição de peças metálicas por peças cerâmicas devido às suas excelentes propriedades físicas, químicas e mecânicas. No entanto, muitas destas características que fazem a cerâmica tão atrativa também dificultam a sua fabricação por métodos tradicionais de usinagem. Esse estudo teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de modelos neurais baseados nos sinais de emissão acústica (EA) e potência de corte para estimar os valores de regosidades da peça bem como estimar o desgaste do rebolo durante o processo de retificação de cerâmicas avançadas. Para os ensaios foi utilizada uma máquina retificadora tangencial plana com rebolo diamantado e corpos de prova de cerâmica Alumina. Foram definidas três condições de cortes com profundidades de corte de 120um, 70 um e 20um, velocidade do rebolo de 35m/s e velocidade da mesa de 2,3m/s. Foram utilizados quatro modelos neurais, Redes Neurais Perceptron Múltiplas Camadas (MLP), Redes Neurais de Função de Base Radial (RBF), Redes Neurais de Regressão Generalizada (GRNN) e o Sistema de Interferência Adaptável Neuro-Fuzzy (ANFIS). Para melhor comparação entre os desempenhos dos modelos neurais utilizados no estudo foi desenvolvido um algoritmo para executar o treinamento de todas as combinações possíveis de entradas, assim como suas características, tais como a quantidade de neurônios, a quantidade de camadas e o espraiamento (define o tamanho do agrupamento). Os resultados mostraram um ótimo desempenho das redes neurais empregadas. Os erros obtidos foram menores que 0,5% para rugosidade média aritmética e menores que 4% para o desgaste da ferramenta. Os modelos neurais propostos satisfazem as necessidades da estimação da rugosidade bem como do desgaste da ferramenta, viabilizando a implementação futura em um hardware dedicado / Abstract: Metal parts have increasingly been replaced by ceramics due to its excellent physical, chemical and mechanical, characteristics. However, many of these characteristics that make advanced ceramics so attractive also make it difficult to manufacture by traditional machining methods. Thjis study aimed to develop neural models based on signals of acoustic emission (AE) and cutting power as well as statistics derived from them to estimate the workpiece surface roughness and wear of the grinding wheel during the grinding of ceramics. A surface grinding machine with a diamond grinding wheel and alumina ceramic workpieces were used in the experimental tests. Three grinding conditions were applied with dephs of cut of 120um, 70um and 20um, grinding wheel speed of 35 m/s and table of 2.3m/s. Four neural models were used in this work by using Multilayer Perceptron Neural Networks (MLP), Radial Basics Function Neural Networks (RBF), General Regression Networks (GRNN) and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Interference System (ANFIS). An algorithm was developed to train all possible combinations of inputs and other characterisitcs such as the number of neurons, number of layer and spread in order to better compare the performances of the neural models used in this study. The results showed a good performance of the neural network models employed. The errors obtained were lower than 0.5% for the average surface roughness and lower than 4% for the tool wear. The neural models proposed meet the needs of the estimation of surface roughness and tool wear, enabling a future implementation on dedicated hardware / Mestre