This paper reports test results on electrical characteristics, evaluation of design, failure modes and reliability of thermally actuated, commercially available micromachined relays. The selected parts have been characterized over a wide range of temperatures (from – 100 °C to +180 °C) and varying load conditions (voltages from 10 V to 70 V, and currents from 5 mA to 200 mA). Mechanical integri...

Stability analyses are routinely performed in order to assess the safe and functional design of an excavated slope (e.g. open pit mining, road cuts, etc.), and/or the equilibrium conditions of a natural slope. The analysis technique chosen depends on both site conditions and the potential mode of failure, with careful consideration being given to the varying strengths, weaknesses and limitation...

 Background: Osteopoikilosis (OPK) is a rare inherited condition of the bones, transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait characterized by numerous hyperostotic areas that tend to localize in periarticular osseous regions. It is usually asymptomatic and is often diagnosed incidentally during x-rays made by other reasons. We present a case of 34-year-old man suffering from polyarthralgia an...

When testing multi-story structures on a shaking table, most testing facilities require a reduced scale model. Producing scale test units at small scale is particularly challenging for unreinforced masonry structures. Previous work by other researchers showed that scaling of units and mortar joints is mandatory in order to obtain for the reduced scale masonry failure modes, which are similar to...

Mycotoxins are abiotic hazards produced by certain fungi that can grow on a variety of crops. Consequently, their prevalence in plant raw materials may be relatively high. The concentration of mycotoxins in finished products is usually lower than in raw materials. In this review, occurrence and toxicology of the main mycotoxins are summarised. Furthermore, methodological approaches for exposure...

We propose an model-based approach to address safety and security assessment of a system architecture. We present an integrated process where system engineers design the model of the system architecture, safety and security engineers specify the propagation of failures and attacks inside each component of the architecture using their dedicated tool. They also define the failure modes that have ...

This paper aims to define the best building orientation for parts manufactured with the laminated object manufacturing technique (LOM), to enhance their flexural performance. Previous research has shown that parts manufactured with LOM have the ability to withstand higher deflections than components created through other layer manufacturing techniques, but, so far, no relation between the build...

Over the last few years, considerable effort has gone into the study of the failure mechanisms and reliability of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Although still very incomplete, our knowledge of the reliability issues relevant to MEMS is growing. This paper provides an overview of MEMS failure mechanisms that are commonly encountered. It focuses on the reliability issues of micro-scale d...

Lifetime estimation is one of today's frequently used reliability testing tool. There are standardized test methods, mathematical apparatus and failure acceleration models for predicting failure rate of electronic components, circuit modules or equipment. Do the widespread used models give a precise description for all kind of failure mechanisms? Can they define the acceleration factor of any t...