Quality control, electronic materials

During many years in Scientific Research Institutes of Nuclear Physics and Introscopy at Tomsk Polytechnical University (TPU) researches into induction electron accelerators and their uses for non-destructive radiation quality control of materials and articles have been conducted. Control sensitivity and efficiency detection experimental researches have been conducted with the high-current stereo-betatron modifications [1], and KBC-25 M and BC-50 high-current betatrons [2,3] in range of 11 MeV and 25-50 MeV radiation energy. 

Plasma emission spectrometers have shown a rapid growth. This holds also for NMR spectrometer sales because of new applications in biomedical research and more sophisticated experimental methods using increased computing power. Similarly, Raman spectroscopy, traditionally used in academic research, is gaining acceptance in industrial R D and quality control applications. Materials research and surface analysis in a variety of industries keeps the sales of electron microscopic, electron spectroscopic, ion spectroscopic, and X-ray instruments growing. Details of the various techniques on surface and interface characterization which are also important in R D of chemical sensors themselves, can be found in Chapter 3, Section 3.4.2. 

To ensure quality control material suppliers and developers routinely measure such complex properties as molecular weight and its distribution, crystallinity and crystalline lattice geometry, and detailed fracture characteristics (Chapter 6). They use complex, specialized tests such as gel permeation chromatography (2, 3), wide- and narrow-angle X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and high-temperature pressurized solvent reaction tests to develop new polymers and plastics applications. 

The extensive quality control tests of raw materials, intermediate and final products represent a flood of data which have to be evaluated and documented according to the different aims of the quality control system. Considering the fact, that quality control often has to work under deadline pressure this work can only be done by using powerful electronic labour information and management systems (TIMS). 

Hansen, T., Agerlin-Petersen, M., Byrne, D.V. (2005) Sensory based quality control utilising an electronic nose and GC-MS analyses to predict end-product quality from raw materials. MeatSci. 69 621-634. 

Examples of GxP processes (functions) include supplier management, procurement, goods receipt, materials management, production control, quality control, batch release, distribution, recall, customer complaints, batch tracking, and compliance management (e.g., SOP management, electronic data archiving). 

To illustrate this principle, the interim results from a laboratory where electronic signatures have been designed into the process will be presented and discussed. The CDS is installed in a pharmaceutical quality control laboratory where the system is used for both raw material and finished product analysis there are approximately 50 part-time users of the system. The current CDS version was not fully comphant with the technical requirements of 21 CFR Part 11 and was to be upgraded to a new compliant version of the software from the same vendor. Before the implementation of the new version, the current process was mapped and analyzed to see if there were any opportunities for improvement and to make effective use of electronic signatures. 

Supercapacitors containing electronically conducting polymer electrodes are of great interest, in particular for hybrid and electric vehicles due to their potential in the storage of large amounts of energy in a small volume. The largest hurdles towards marketable products are material development, production scale up and quality control. 

An example system is PVC and polyethylene wire and cabling irradiated to improve stresscracking resistance, abrasion resistance, high-temperature properties and flame retardance, via controlled electron-beam crosslinking (Loan, 1977). Additionally electron-beam crosslinking is utilized to impart memory into a polymer system, such as crosslinked PE materials for heat-shrinkable films and pipe applications (Baird, 1977). The control of electron-beam processing has advanced the quality of cell size and shape of PE foams via control of crosslink distribution (Paterson, 1984). 

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