Abstract: A method, a system and a device for monitoring the handling of an object. The method includes the steps of attaching a device to said object, sensing variations of light radiation transmitted between said device and a first external unit arranged outside the proximity of said object, sensing variations of radio waves transmitted between said device and a second external unit arranged outside the proximity of said object, determining handling events of said object on the basis of a combination of said variations of light radiation and said variations of radio waves, and signaling information from said device relating to said handling events.

Abstract: A method, a system and a device for monitoring the handling of an object. The method includes the steps of attaching a device to said object, sensing variations of light radiation transmitted between said device and a first external unit arranged outside the proximity of said object,sensing variations of radio waves transmitted between said device and a second external unit arranged outside the proximity of said object, determining handling events of said object on the basis of a combination of said variations of light radiation and said variations of radio waves,and signaling information from said device relating to said handling events.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of producing, in large volume and at low cost, titanium carbide, nitride and carbonitride whiskers, with preferably submicron diameters, to be used as reinforcing material. The whiskers are suitable for use as a reinforcement material in a wide range of materials, including metals, intermetallics, plastics, ceramics and metallic bonded hard material. Titanium oxide, hydroxide or alkali compounds thereof are mixed with a carbon source with a volatile part which volatiles at temperatures exceeding 500.degree. C. and in an amount to satisfy the stoichiometric requirements of the carbide or nitride. A halogenide salt is used as a volatilization agent for titanium as well as a catalyst able to dissolve Ti plus C and/or N, such as Ni or Co. The reactant powders are blended in some typical manner, e.g., by using a high speed blender so as to intimately mix them.

Abstract: The invention is a method of controlling the grain refinement of certain aluminium alloys. The grain sizes for different values of the grain growth index, GGI, are determined for the used casting method. The GGI is represented by the sum of m(k-1) value multiplied with the concentration for every element in the aluminium alloy. If the value for a certain alloy is compared with known relations between the m(k-1) value and the grain size the composition of the alloy melt is amended to an optimum grain size by adding a grain size affecting agent. The method can be further improved by optimising the amount of nucleating agent.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of producing, in large volumes and at low cost, Ta, Nb, Zr and Hf carbide, nitride or carbonitride whiskers, preferably submicron, having excellent reinforcing properties, suitable as reinforcement in a wide range of materials, including metals, intermetallics, plastics, ceramics and metallic bonded hard material. Oxides of Ta, Nb, Zr and Hf or alkali compounds thereof in an amount to satisfy the stoichiometric requirements of the desired carbide or nitride are mixed with the carbon source along with an alkali and/or alkali earth metal halogenide as a volatilization agent for the metal and a catalyst for the whisker growth such as Ni and/or Co. The reactant powders are blended in some typical manner using a high speed blender so as to intimately mix them. Finally, the starting material is subjected to nitriding, carbonizing or carbonitriding heat treatments in order to produce the desired whiskers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of producing whiskers in large volumes and at low cost to be used as reinforcing material. The whiskers are solid solutions between two or more transition metal carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides, (Me.sub.1-X-Y.sub.Me'.sub.X+Y)C.sub.1-Z N.sub.Z, having preferably submicron diameters, where Me' is one or more transition metals other than Me. The whiskers are suitable for use as a reinforcement material in a wide range of materials, including metals, intermetallics, plastics, ceramics and metallic bonded hard material. Transition metal oxides, hydroxides or alkali compounds thereof are mixed with carbon powder. The carbon source is added in an amount to satisfy the stoichiometric requirements of the carbide or nitride. A halogenide salt is used as a volatilization agent for the transition metals and a catalyst such as Ni or Co that is able to dissolve transition metals plus C and/or N. The reactant powders are blended so as to intimately mix them.