Leveraging cost matrix structure for hardware implementation of stereo disparity computation using dynamic programming

Dynamic programming is a powerful method for solving energy minimisation problems in computer vision, for example stereo disparity computations. While it may be desirable to implement this algorithm in hardware to achieve frame-rate processing, a na?¨ve implementation may fail to meet timing requirements. In this paper, the structure of the cost matrix is examined to provide improved methods of hardware implementation. It is noted that by computing cost matrix entries along anti-diagonals instead of rows, the cost matrix entries can be computed in a pipelined architecture. Further, if only a subset of the cost matrix needs to be considered, for example by placing limits on the disparity range (include neglecting negative disparities by assuming rectified images), the resources required to compute the cost matrix in parallel can be reduced. Boundary conditions required to allow computing a subset of the cost matrix are detailed. Finally, a hardware solution of Cox’s maximum-likelihood, dynamic programming stereo disparity algorithm is implemented to demonstrate the performance achieved. The design provides high frame rate (>123 fps) estimates for a large disparity range (e.g. 128 pixels), for image sizes of 640 × 480 pixels, and can be simply extended to work well over 200 fps.     

Simple and Scalable Mechanochemical Synthesis of Noble Metal Catalysts with Single Atoms toward Highly Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

Designing a facile strategy to access active and atomically dispersed metallic catalysts are highly challenging for single atom catalysts (SACs). Herein, a simple and fast approach is demonstrated to construct Pt catalysts with single atoms in large quantity via ball milling Pt precursor and N‐doped carbon support (K₂PtCl₄@NC‐M; M denotes ball‐milling). The as‐prepared K₂PtCl₄@NC‐M only requires a low overpotential of 11 mV and exhibits 17‐fold enhanced mass activity for the electrochemical hydrogen evolution compared to commercial 20 wt% Pt/C. The superior hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalytic activity of K₂PtCl₄@NC‐M can be attributed to the generation of Pt single atoms, which improves the utilization efficiency of Pt atoms and the introduction of Pt‐N₂C₂ active sites with near‐zero hydrogen adsorption energy. This viable ball milling method is found to be universally applicable to the fabrication of other single metal atoms, for example, rhodium and ruthenium (such as Mt‐N₂C₂, where Mt denotes single metal atom). This strategy also provides a promising and practical avenue toward large‐scale energy storage and conversion application.     

Remaining idle time aware intelligent channel bonding schemes for cognitive radio sensor networks

Wireless Networks - Channel bonding (CB) is a technique used to provide larger bandwidth to users. It has been applied to various networks such as wireless local area networks, wireless sensor...     

Slotted waveguide antenna design for maritime radar system

Microsystem Technologies - Naval radar system suffers with false target detection problem. The important role in the radar system is played by the waveguide antenna for target detection. To reduce...     

Nanoemulsions: formation,stability and an account of dietary polyphenol encapsulation

To enhance nutraceutical performance, vehicle systems are required to promote the usage of food supplements, which have shown an increasingly growing demand. These food supplements such as dietary polyphenols are nutritious constituents but with varying solubility, sensitivity to oxygen, light, temperature, or adverse effects encountered during processing, making their incorporation difficult in foods. Additionally, these are bound to the food matrix so tightly, that they are not available to be taken up in the digestive system causing less absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. To counter these challenges, polyphenols are encapsulated in nanoemulsion-based delivery systems which forms an effective approach to enhance and improve their bioavailability. Because of their small droplet size, these exhibit various benefits over conventional emulsions making them suitable for usage in the food industry. This review summarises the basic characteristics of nanoemulsions and their application to enhance the stability of polyphenols.     

Anion-controlled morphologies and spectral features of cyanine-based nanoGUMBOS--an improved photosensitizer

The ability to control the morphologies and spectral properties of organic low-dimensional nanomaterials is of paramount importance. The research reported herein demonstrates a template-free approach to tailored morphological and optical properties for a novel class of pseudoisocyanine (PIC)-based fluorescent organic nanoparticles derived from a group of uniform materials based on organic salts (GUMBOS). The synthesized nanoscale PIC-based particles (termed nanoGUMBOS), [PIC][NTf(2)] and [PIC][BETI], exhibit interesting adaptability as a function of the associated anion. The diamond-shaped nanostructures of [PIC][NTf(2)] and [PIC][BETI] nanorods exhibit enhanced fluorescence quantum yields relative to the parent compound, [PIC][I]. As supported by fluorescence lifetime measurements, these enhanced spectral properties can be attributed to differences in molecular self-assembly ordering (e.g., H- vs. J-aggregation) and restricted molecular rotation leading to reduced twisted intramolecular charge transfer in the nanoGUMBOS. The electrochemical properties of the PIC-based GUMBOS suggest their potential use in dye-sensitized solar cells.