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Current research is focused upon addressing lifetime performance degradation for ruthenium oxide based super-capacitors developed at Space Research Institute (SRI). Degradation has been attributed to decreases in inter-particle contact within the powder-based electrode due to changes in the moisture content of the electrode binder. To achieve maximum utilization of the ruthenium oxide, the binder must achieve optimum moisture levels. Data collected during a 30 day drying test shows the performance changes can be divided into four distinct regions which are characterized by an initial degradation period, a performance recovery period, stabilization and eventual slow degradation. These regions are analyzed and interpretations of the particle and binder behavior are presented.

To date, Federal Mogul Tri-Way Ltd. has relied on past experience to design machinery, a system of belts or gears providing torsion and thrust to cutting tools. If a shaft within a spindle system is not properly sized, it can deflect under the action of the tangential cutting effort resulting in a poor finish of the machined component. Of even more importance, if rotation of the tool approaches a natural frequency of the shaft, deflections of the spindle under load amplify. In fact, Tri-Way has at instances replaced shafts during trials, causing delays in delivering machinery. On the other hand, over-designing spindles cost money. A literature search by the Canadian Institute for System Technologies Information did not locate tools to help Tri-Way optimize spindles. The company has turned to Windsor Industrial Development Laboratory to develop and validate a computer model to simulate the static and dynamic behavior of spindle systems.