Abstract: The presentation is a low-cost, two-way communication system and method for aid in locating an object, such as a container or a package and reporting the contents of the object to a site remote from the location of the object. In one embodiment, the system includes two modules. A remote module includes a directional antenna array mounted on the top of the module (i.e., in a remote site), a processor including a direction-finding software, and a display for pointing the direction of the container's location relative to the remote site.

Abstract: A method for nodulizing silicon crystals in casting Aluminum-(8-12%)Silicon alloys is described. An initial alloy melt is refined by addition of a master alloy containing elements of titanium, phosphorous, boron, zirconium and rare earths to the initial molten alloy, and then through conventional heat treatment and aging. Testing the alloys shows that the nodulized silicon crystals are blunted in shape and well distributed, resulting in a high resistance to wear and high ultimate tensile strength at room temperature and at 300 deg. C. Machinability of the Al-Si alloys is also greatly improved by the process.