The characteristics of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics depend on the quantity and shape of fibers. The fiber-matrix separation and fiber orientation are caused by the flow during a molding process. Then, the product tends to be nonhomogeneous and anisotropic. Hence, it is very important to clarify the relations between separation-orientation and molding conditions. In this paper, we propose the measurement method which is called image intensity method for fiber orientation distribution by image processing. In order to examine the accuracy of intersection counting and image intensity methods, the fiber orientation of simulation figure is measured using image processing. The image intensity method is rather accurate compared with the intersection counting method.International Polymer Processing downloaded from www.hanser-elibrary.com by Kungliga Tekniska on August 18, 2015For personal use only.

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a), S. Kikuchi (a), Y. Hijikata (a), S. Yoshida (a), D. Aoki (b), and K. Onabe (b)

This paper proposes a new cable-less magnetic micro-actuator that operates on the inertia force of a one-degree-of-freedom model by using electromagnetic force. It has optimal design for the inclination angle of the one-degree-of-freedom model and an appropriate selection of suction force at the actuator support. The mechanical dc-ac inverter incorporates a cantilever beam and the one-degree-of-freedom model that switches under electromagnetic force. The volume of the prototype cable-less micro-actuator with three dry cells was about 1.5 cm . Our experimental results revealed that the actuator could move vertically at 18.8 mm/s when the duty ratio of the produced voltage was 46.2%. The operating time for a duty ratio of 26.5% was 36 min, providing a total operating range of 26 m for horizontal travel or 15.5 m for vertical travel. The actuator has many possible applications in small pipe inspections, repairs, and machining because it can move on magnetic substances.Key words: magnetic micro actuator, cable-less, long-distance movement, optimal design, mechanical dc-ac inverter

Presence and influence of nonradiative recombination (NRR) centers in an intermediate band (IB)‐type material, GaP1–xNx (x=0.75%), are studied by two‐wavelength excited photoluminescence (TWEPL) method and time‐resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) measurement at 77 K. With the use of below‐gap excitation (BGE) light in addition to an above‐gap excitation (AGE), the PL peak intensity is found to increase which indicates the presence of NRR centers and a secondary excitation from the IB to conduction band (CB). Depending on the effect of different BGE energies, an energy diagram on the distribution of NRR centers and NRR process is interpreted. The saturation of PL increase is attributed to the trap‐filling effect in NRR centers, which allows us to modify the rate equation. The NRR parameters are evaluated by a qualitative simulation of the modified rate equations of one‐level model together with the lifetime determined by TRPL. In continuation of evaluating NRR parameters by rate equation analysis, the addition of TRPL measurement improves accuracy and approaches the determination of NRR parameters. A successful characterization of NRR centers leads to a proper optimization of IB‐type solar cells (IBSCs).