The irradiation of metallic glasses to induce nanocrystallization was studied in two metallic glass compositions, Cu50Zr45Ti5 and Zr55Cu30Al10Ni5. Atomic mobility was described using a model based on localized excess free volume due to displace- ment cascades created by energetic particle irradiation. Due to the di erence in cascade size among di erent masses of projectiles, a mass-dependent study was per- formed. Metallic glass ribbon samples produced by melt-spinning were bombarded with electron, He, Ar, and Cu particles. Electron irradiation and characterization was performed "in-situ" by means of transmission electron microscopy. The di erent metallic glasses showed dissimilar levels of radiation stability under electron irradi- ation by Cu50Zr45Ti5 forming crystals 1-10 nm in diameter embedded in the amor- phous matrix after about 30 minutes of irradiation, while Zr55Cu30Al10Ni5 showed no such crystallization. Increasing projectile mass caused an increase in the maximum nanocrystal diameter up to approximately 100 nm in Cu irradiated Zr55Cu30Al10Ni5. Studies of di raction patterns of irradiated specimens showed nucleation of Cu10Zr7 phases in both specimens, as well as evidence of CuZr2 in Cu50Zr45Ti5 and both CuZr2 and NiZr2 in Zr55Cu30Al10Ni5. Crystal sizes in irradiated Zr55Cu30Al10Ni5 specimens showed bimodal distribution with many large (50-100 nm) crystals and many small (1-5 nm) crystals. The small crystals in irradiated Zr55Cu30Al10Ni5 were determined to be NiZr2 phase because of the low abundance of Ni. After exposure to 2 keV Ar ions, areas of composition roughly Cu10Zr7 were found by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy but no crystallization was found. Further crystallization was achieved in decomposed specimens after electron irradiation. This shows that atomic segregation is a necessary step before nucleation in metallic glasses.

Laminated glass is comprised of multiple glass plates coupled together in a sandwich construction through the use of a polymorphous interlayer that acts as a bonding agent between the glass plates. Laminated glass offers several advantages over monolithic glass including the ability to resist post fracture collapse, improved sound insulation, lower ultraviolent light trans-mission, and improved thermal insulation. Because the stiffness of the interlayer is often many orders of magnitude less than that of the glass, plane sections prior to loading do not remain plane throughout the laminate?s thickness after load is applied. The behavior of laminated glass is controlled by the stiffness of the interlayer. This behavior rules out the use of classical theoretical formulations for thin plates. In such cases, it is necessary to use specially formulated equations or finite element analyses to evaluate the performance of laminated glass. Previous attempts have been made to develop procedures to quantify the interlayer stiffness for use in laminated glass design. However, there is no widely accepted technique that can be referenced for use. It is known that the interlayer stiffness is a function of both temperature and load duration. The primary objective of this thesis is to formalize a standard procedure to estimate the in situ interlayer shear modulus through the use of nondestructive testing. Physical experiments were carried out on simply supported laminated glass beams subject to three point loading in a temperature controlled environmental testing chamber. Strains and temperatures were recorded as a function of time. These data were used in combination with results from finite element analyses to quantify the variation of the interlayer stiffness as a function of temperature and load duration for a given laminated glass beam. This procedure was applied to three common types of interlayer materials: freshly man-factured polyvinyl butyral (PVB), over a decade old PVB, and freshly manufactured SentryGlas Plus (SGP). Results from these efforts provide specific design guidance for laminated glass that incorporates these interlayer materials. Further, the procedure was applied to various data presented in open literature by previous researchers. In addition, a standardized procedure to estimate interlayer stiffness is provided for the development of additional interlayer properties as required.

In order to create win-win solutions, outstanding multinational companies usually look for a well-performed cluster to join. On the one hand, the local cluster can upgrade their competitiveness by leveraging the resources of the MNCs, such as technologies, specialized materials, human resources, and also learning from their management know-how. On the other hand, MNCs can enjoy benefits, such as lower cost, more effective logistics, and approaching the local market. Both the development of the Export Processing Zone and the success of high-tech industry of Taiwan are good examples. The TFT-LCD industry is the newly arisen one after semi-conductor industry in Taiwan, and the government has positively pushed TFT-LCD industry to be the core competitive-advantage industry, and expect to create 1 trillion NT dollars in 2006 to become worldwide FDP research and development country. Though the local companies work hard for years, they build up the whole supply-chain as a competitive cluster. This research focuses on the MNCs effects on the development of the TFT-LCD cluster, and uses multi-case methodology to analyze the MNC suppliers Corning, Asahi and the local player PVU in the TFT glass industry. The conclusion of the research shows that the strategy evolution of the MNC TFT glass suppliers played the vital role of the upgrading of whole industry becoming an embedded cluster.

ABSTRACT EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF CURVED LAMINATED GLASS BEAM Uzhan, Tevfik M.S., Department of Engineering Sciences Supervisor: Prof. Dr. M. Z&uuml / lf&uuml / ASik May 2010, 33 Pages In this thesis, experimental studies are carried out on curved laminated glass beams to form a database for the scientists who may like to test their mathematical models. Beams which are only free to rotate and constrained in radial direction at both ends are tested to make the data available for further calculations. Test setup is prepared to minimize error that could occur due to test setup and data readings. Material testing machine and 4 channel data collecting machine are used to measure the signals at the strain gauges located over the glass beam. Within the range of force applied to the specimens, laminated curved beam shows linear behavior without any fracture. Data collected from the specimens are in conformance with each other. Results obtained from experiments are compared with the results obtained from the mathematical model developed by ASik and Dural (2006). As it is observed from the graphs presented, experimental results from the tests and numerical results from the mathematical model are in good agreement.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Oregon, 1999. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 189-195). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users. Address: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/uoregon/fullcit?p1397797.

Infrared astronomical observations have been severely limited by the radiation emitted by the aluminum coated surfaces of telescope mirrors. Hence, the reduction of emissivity with retention of coating durability for telescope optics is now an important area of study essential for the improvement of infrared astronomical observations. To avoid the considerable effort that a search for a new material superior to aluminum would demand with uncertain outcome, only existing materials were investigated and silver with a protective dielectric layer was thought to be a possible solution. Experiments at Kitt Peak National Observatory showed that the optical performance of a silver coating is better than aluminum in the infrared and visible regions, but even with a sapphire overcoating the silver proved to have such poor environmental resistence that an experimental mirror had to be recoated after just ten months in service. Thus, the improvement of the durability of a silver-based high reflectance coating becomes a key issue that has to be solved for such a coating to be selected for infrared astronomy. Furthermore, most telescopes are used also in the ultraviolet and so any successful coating would need to reflect well in this region. Silver is poor also in this respect. In this dissertation, we describe the development of a silver-based high reflectance coating that can withstand the humidity and pollution common in the open air and which has good ultraviolet, visible, and infrared performance. The successful design incorporates a silver reflective layer with a copper underlayer and a stack of dielectric overlayers. Prototypes of the candidate coating have been deposited on two-inch glass slides and tested in a controlled environmental chamber and under true operating conditions on Kitt Peak in Arizona. The improved durability, partly due to the copper underlayer, has been investigated with analytical techniques, including Rutherford backscattering. The results showed that the protection of the silver is due not only to the dielectric stack and the copper beneath the layer, but also to a small amount of copper that appears on the outer surface of the silver layer. This surface copper may result from diffusion through the silver layer after the coating deposition, or may be a consequence of a process during film growth. Whatever the reason, the candidate coatings have better optical performance and improved durability so they are recommended for use on large telescope mirrors for astronomical observations in the near ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectral regions.

The research reported in this thesis deals mainly with the use of novel nanotechnology-based testing methods in the field of cement-based composites. The existing knowledge of indentation test methods is presented and reviewed. The research presented focuses on the development and pilot usage of depth-sensing indentation (DSI) test methods. The use of DSI test methods for cement-based materials covers two distinct areas. The first area includes the testing of micromechanical properties of cement pastes/matrices. The development in DSI test methods allows direct measurements of properties, such as hardness, elastic modulus, etc., at microscale. Special attention is paid to assessment of interfacial regions in such cement-based materials. In the second area, DSI test methods are used for assessment of interfacial properties of fibre reinforced cementitious composites, with focus being directed to composites reinforced by bundles of microfilaments. A new push-out test method for individual microfilaments collated in a bundle and embedded in cementitious matrix is proposed and developed. Novel use of other nanotechnology-based techniques, such as focused ion beam (FIB) techniques, forms another part of this thesis. The focused ion beam milling technique was utilised for production of diamond probes which enabled push-out tests of individual glass microfibres to be carried out. Also, FIB cross-sectioning of indents induced by DSI test methods was performed. This novel research method showed large potential for a better interpretation of the test and an improved understanding of the microfracture processes in cement-based materials. Detailed information about FIB techniques is therefore presented in a separate chapter. The focus of this project has been to develop methods which will enable further systematic research into micromechanical properties of cementitious materials and may lead to the ultimate goal of this investigation - the development of a new generation of materials of improved macromechanical properties and durability.

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The work of this thesis is motivated by the bene t of real-time HDR image processing which helps constructing better seeing aid devices for day-to-day uses. The seeing aids with HDR can achieve dynamic range greater than human eyes to capture visuals under various light conditions. Further, it helps range sensing devices to read the light codes better. This requires realtime HDR image processing running at 24 FPS. In this thesis, we demonstrate implementation of several HDR image compositing and tone mapping methods in CUDA to achieve realtime performance. In addition, a new tone mapping method termed PPEM is introduced as a novel tone mapping method by adjusting per pixel exposure. Finally, we apply relevant HDR methods to range sensing devices for robust reading.

The work of this thesis is motivated by the bene t of real-time HDR image processing which helps constructing better seeing aid devices for day-to-day uses. The seeing aids with HDR can achieve dynamic range greater than human eyes to capture visuals under various light conditions. Further, it helps range sensing devices to read the light codes better. This requires realtime HDR image processing running at 24 FPS. In this thesis, we demonstrate implementation of several HDR image compositing and tone mapping methods in CUDA to achieve realtime performance. In addition, a new tone mapping method termed PPEM is introduced as a novel tone mapping method by adjusting per pixel exposure. Finally, we apply relevant HDR methods to range sensing devices for robust reading.