PbZrxTi1-xO3 (PZT) films are currently being investigated in view of their large switching polarization and piezoelectric coefficients useful for various applications. Besides, PZT films possess large photosensitivity, which, in combination with the above listed properties, can be a base for future microelectronic applications including photostrictive actuators and optical storage devices. In this work, PZT thin films of several compositions (x=0.2 and 0.45) were deposited on Pt-coated Si and ITO/glass substrates via modified sol-gel technique. Microstructures of the films were evaluated using XRD, SEM and AFM. The optical transmission measurements on PZT films deposited on ITO/glass revealed a high transparency over 80% and a band gap of about 3.4 eV. The observed photocurrent exhibited a maximum and was attributed to band-to-band optical transitions.

Aqueous suspensions of cordierite-based glass ceramics were prepared by using four types of dispersants and binders and different solids loading. The experiments were designed according to the Taguchi method, which shows great advantages in optimising more than two factors that need to be considered in an experimental design. Different parameters such as the type and concentration of the dispersants and the binders, and the solids loading were optimised to obtain homogeneous and crack-free green tapes. Dolapix CE 64 (1.0 wt.%) and Duramax B-1080 or Duramax B-1070 (10 wt.%) with 65 wt.% solids loading represent an optimal selection of the parameters to obtain low viscosity suspension, and crack-free green tapes with the highest green and sintered density. Microstructural differences between crack-free and cracked samples were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The crack-free green tapes show homogenous microstructures from top to bottom with organic additives uniformly surrounding the powders, whereas cracked samples exhibit heterogeneous microstructures and non-uniform distribution of the organics. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

In this paper we deal with the interpolation from Lebesgue spaces \(L^p\) and \(L^q\), into an Orlicz space \(L^\varphi\), where \( 1 \le p < q \le \infty \) and \(\varphi^{-1}(t)=t^{1/p}\rho(t^{1/q-1/p})\) for some concave function \(\rho\), with the special attention to the interpolation constant \(C\). For a bounded linear operator \(T\) in \(L^p\) and \(L^q\), we prove modular inequalities, which allow us to get the estimate, for both, the Orlicz norm and the Luxemburg norm,
\[
\|T\|_{L^\varphi\to L^\varphi}
\le C\max\Big\{
\|T\|_{L^p\to L^p},
\|T\|_{L^q\to L^q}
\Big\},
\]
where the interpolation constant \(C\) depends only on \(p\) and \(q\). We give estimates for \(C\), which imply \(C<4\). Moreover, if either \( 1 < p < q \le 2\) or \( 2 \le p < q < \infty\), then \(C< 2\). If \(q=\infty\), then \(C\le 2^{1-1/p}\), and, in particular, for the case \(p=1\) this gives the classical Orlicz interpolation theorem with the constant \(C=1\).

In this paper we extend necessary conditions for Fredholmness of singular integral operators with piecewise continuous coefficients in rearrangement-invariant spaces [K98] to the weighted case \(X(\Gamma,w)\). These conditions are formulated in terms of indices \(\alpha(Q_tw)\) and \(\beta(Q_tw)\) of a submultiplicative function \(Q_tw\), which is associated with local properties of the space, of the curve, and of the weight at the point \(t\Gamma\). Using these results we obtain a lower estimate for the essential norm \(S\) of the Cauchy singular integral operator \(S\) in reflexive weighted rearrangement-invariant spaces \(X(\Gamma, w)\) over arbitrary Carleson curves \(\Gamma\):
\[
|S|\ge\cot(\pi\lambda_{\Gamma,w}/2)
\]
where \(\lambda_{\Gamma,w} :=inf_{t\in\Gamma} min\{\alpha(Q_tw), 1 - \beta(Q_tw)\}\). In some cases we give formulas for computation of \(\alpha(Q_tw)\) and \(\beta(Q_tw)\).

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Results are presented which are geared towards an understanding of the influence of powder formation during film growth. Plasma chemistry is correlated with the morphology, structure (inferred through infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction) electro-optical and density of states of intrinsic films deposited under continuous and power modulated operation. Results show that for modulation frequencies where no powder formation occurs and low substrate temperatures T (150°C), silane decomposition gives rise to the growth of inhomogeneous films while in the high modulation frequency regime, at the same temperature, the anions and powder are trapped resulting in films with high deposition rates and low defect density.

There is an increasing importance of different productive architectures related to worker involvement in the decision making, where is given due attention to the intuitive capabilities and the human knowledge in the optimization and flexibilization of manufacturing processes. Thus having reference point architecture of a flexible manufacturing and assembling system existent at UNINOVA-CRI, we will present some exploratory hypothesis about applicability of the concept of hybridization and its repercussions on the definition of jobs, in those organizations and in the formation of working teams.

In this paper is analyzed the work organization and the forms of quality control in a robotic welding station in a company of office equipment and metal components manufacturing. The robotic cell is recent and works in two shifts. Quality and production rationalization implied in this firms the adoption of a strategy of organization of teamwork, and it is supported the collaborative tools to decrease the possibilities for errors and to improve means and methods of manufacturing. The analysis of quality control process needed the use of productivity indicators. In this way it was possible to understand the connections between the function quality and the new form of work organization adopted in this innovative experience in Portugal.

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P- and n-type weakly absorbing highly conductive (σ>0·1Ω-1 cm-1) SiC thin films with similar structural and optoelectronic properties have been prepared in a two-consecutive-decomposition-deposition-chamber reactor. These films are composed of Si microcrystals (δ = 50-100 Å) embedded in an amorphous Si:0:C:H matrix, with concentrations up to 25at.%O and 20at.%C. From diffraction studies there is no evidence for the presence of SiC crystallites. Electrical conduction appears to be in extended states via percolation channels through Si crystallites of sufficient volume fraction. © 1991 Taylor & Francis Ltd.