An optical noncontact measurement technique based on the tracking of successive positions of computerized markers has been developed which enables one to characterize the electric field induced strain response of the plane gold-metalized surfaces in thin organic insulating films. The test results demonstrate that the newly developed method is capable of detecting displacement of selected markers when the sample is subjected to the application of a dc high voltage. The field-induced mechanical strain measurements have been performed as a function of time and then analyzed with respect to the applied electric field. The observed strain levels varied from ~10^-3 to 10^-2. The differences consisted mainly in the duration of dc electric field, the loading protocols, the thickness and the morphology of tested samples. The analysis of the strain characteristics indicates that this novel measurement technique can indeed be used reliably for giving a clear concept of breakdown mechanisms and aging phenomena in a polymeric material.

The EU project "RINGrid" is a research project dealing with Remote Instrumentation in Next-generation Grids, i.e. instruments are seen as grid components and operated from remote sites. While this remote operation possibly entails trendemous benefits, several key components, such as scalable data storage or collaboration tools, are still missing for its realization. This paper outlines the process of remote instrumentation and highlights during this description those components, which are not yet fully understood or available.

The technical specification defined from instrumentation owners of suitable for remote access expencive equipment in Material Science domain are presented. The database containing all mentioned above structured information is created and used as analytical tool in this investigation. The user community requirements in several different domains for application of remote access are evaluated and analyzed. This work is one of the main parts of RINGrid project (Remote Instrumentation in Next generation Grids) under the FP-6 program of the EC that provide close collaboration of EU member states and third countries to ensure Europe's strong participation in the research initiatives conducted at the international level.

The paper presents a system which is capable to perform a measuring method for small and very small displacements (microns). The measurements were made using a laser vibration meter, are very precise and can be controlled with a PC. Through the static and dynamic analyze of the system, we noticed if the polarity of the current is changed, using the same current settings in the computer, the displacements of a loudspeaker’s membrane are different. The displacement of the membrane is smaller for the advancement than for the receding. A copper line could be attached to the system, line which could suffer tensions or distortions, but could be displaced horizontally very precise.

Focused on broadband dielectric analysis of recycled PET with different synthetic polymer blends via broadband dielectric spectroscopy, the article tries to emphasize different aspects of polarization and the charge transport in the material, by an alternative representation of dielectric properties.