Abstract
Thin films of PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (PZT) for applications in piezoelectric actuators were deposited by the pulsed laser deposition technique (PLD) over Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates. The effect of different electrode and PZT deposition and processing conditions on the ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of the devices was investigated. X-Ray diffraction results showed that the deposition temperature for the electrodes had a strong influence on the PZT orientation; the increase in the electrode deposition temperature changes the PZT orientation from random or (111) to (001) depending also on PZT deposition pressure. From scanning electron microscope (SEM) pictures one could also observe that the deposition pressure affects the porosity of the PZT films, which increases with the pressure above 1 x 10(-1) mbar for films deposited at room temperature. The measurement of the ferroelectric hysteresis curves confirmed that the structural changes induced by different processing parameters affected the ferroelectric properties of the material. The best ferroelectric properties including fatigue endurance were obtained for electrodes made at high temperature and for PZT deposited at 2 x 10(-2) mbar and heat treated at 675 degrees C for 30 minutes in an oxygen atmosphere. The piezoelectric coefficient d(33), measured using a Michelson interferometer, had values in the range between 20 and 60 pm/V, and showed a strong dependence on the thickness of the PZT films.

Abstract
This paper valuates generation assets within deregulated electricity markets. A new framework for modeling electricity markets with a Markov chain model is proposed. The Markov chain model captures the fundamental economic forces underlying the electricity markets such as demand on electricity and supplied online generation capacity. Based on this new model, a real option analysis is adopted to valuate generation assets. The Markov chain model is combined with a binomial tree to approximate the stochastic movement of prices on both electric energy and ancillary services, which are driven by the market forces. A detailed example is presented. This method is shown to provide optimal operation policies and market values of generation assets. This method also provides means to analyze the impacts of demand growth patterns, competition strategies of competitors, and other key economic forces.

Abstract
In this work we report on the deposition of PZT thick film onto optical fibers and characterization of their microstructure, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties. PZT thick films were deposited onto standard single-mode optical communication fiber of a 0.125 mm diameter by dip-coating method. The final sintering temperature of the films was 600 degrees C and the thickness was around 2 mu m. Deposition procedure was developed for both bare fibers and for those with metallic coating (Pt). Bending vibrations of the fiber driven with the external electric field at different frequencies and under different applied voltages were studied.

Abstract
In this paper we present an electric go-kart suitable for an instructional laboratory in electric drives. An overview of propulsion system design, power conversion structure and control is presented. A three-phase squirrel-cage induction motor is used as propulsion system. The motor is controlled at different operating conditions by means of a simple scalar control using a low cost controller board developed for light electric vehicles used in local areas. The prototype has been designed specifically to meet the requirement of low cost and it contains all of the active functions required to implement the control of the go-kart.

Abstract
This paper presents Geospatial L-systems, a new extension of L-systems that incorporates geospatial awareness, and shows an application of this new tool in the expeditious modelling of urban environments, integrated with a modelling system with interoperable access to data sources. L-systems have been used in Computer Graphics for the modelling of plants, and in a few experiments to model urban environments. However, the lack of geospatial awareness is a limitation and in spite of some developments like open l-systems introduced the ability to communicate with the environment, there was a need for more flexibility. A new modelling system, named XL3D, generates virtual urban environments automatically from a XL3D document with a modelling specification. This modelling system accesses data sources in a interoperable way and the modelling processes are based on L-systems. The integration of geospatial L-systems with the XL3D modelling system has increased its potential for automation and improved the potential to generate virtual urban environments with a higher level of detail and visual fidelity, with a lower level of complexity of the modelling processes. These facts are shown in a case study where a virtual urban environment taken from an area in the Porto downtown is generated by this solution. © The Eurographics Association 2006.

Abstract
STEP is an international standard for modeling information used in manufacturing activities; Part 21 is a STEP component that standardizes the exchange of this information through text files. We are working on applying logic programming techniques to processing STEP data models. The STEP standard specifies the entities, attributes, consistency rules, and functions used for describing and validating manufacturing information. Most STEP entities and data types are organized into hierarchies, making an object-oriented approach the most straightforward implementation solution. Our work uses Logtalk, an object oriented extension to Prolog, as the primary implementation tool.