Some corrosion failure mechanisms of AMTEC cells
Simulated models of four existing types of alkali metal thermoelectric converter (AMTEC) devices were chosen for this study. Each cell model was analyzed to determine whether metal is dissolved by sodium from cell materials and is deposited in regions that can degrade performance of the cell. Results of the study show that each cell model has at least one failure mode caused by dissolution of metal from the AMTEC surfaces.
The goal of this research is to analyze the evaluation criteria used by integrated circuit (IC) designers when selecting foundry service providers. With an MCDM model considering the aspects of technology, production, customer service and support, and manufacturing location, we interviewed managers and experts of Taiwan's IC design firms, using the AHP survey with 16 attributes, to determine the areas of top concern with respect to foundry evaluation criteria. In this study process technology has been found to be the most significant evaluation criterion in view of competitiveness in the customer market.