Design and characterization of asymetrical super-lattice Si/4H-SiC pin photo diode array: a potential opto-sensor for future applications in bio-medical domain

Microsystem Technologies - Photo-sensors are integral part of different bio-medical diagnostic equipment. Each type of bio-molecules possess unique spectral fingerprint in visible wavelength region...     

Symbolic dynamic filtering and language measure for behavior identification of mobile robots

This paper presents a procedure for behavior identification of mobile robots, which requires limited or no domain knowledge of the underlying process. While the features of robot behavior are extracted by symbolic dynamic filtering of the observed time series, the behavior patterns are classified based on language measure theory. The behavior identification procedure has been experimentally validated on a networked robotic test bed by comparison with commonly used tools, namely, principal component analysis for feature extraction and Bayesian risk analysis for pattern classification.     

Coarse head pose estimation of construction equipment operators to formulate dynamic blind spots

Several hundred workers die in construction in the United States every year because equipment operators are unable to see their fellow workers during operation of their vehicle. In this paper we propose a step towards improving this situation by providing an automated method based on range imaging for estimating the coarse head orientation of a construction equipment operator. This research utilizes commercially-available low resolution range cameras to measure the continuously changing field-of-view (FOV) of an equipment operator in outdoor construction. This paper presents a methodology to measure so-called dynamic blind spot maps. The dynamic blind spot map is then projected on a known static equipment blind spot map that already exists to each construction vehicle. A robust computational coarse head pose estimation algorithm and results to three different pieces of construction equipment and multiple operators are presented. The developed method has the potential in automatically determining the spaces around vehicles that are currently not in the field-of-view of the vehicle operator thus providing eventually additional means and technology for improving safety in construction.     

BFO optimized RLS algorithm for power system harmonics estimation

In this paper a new estimation approach combining both Recursive Least Square (RLS) and Bacterial Foraging Optimization (BFO) is developed for accurate estimation of harmonics in distorted power system signals. The proposed RLS–BFO hybrid technique has been employed for estimating the fundamental as well as harmonic components present in power system voltage/current waveforms. The basic foraging strategy is made adaptive by using RLS that sequentially updates the unknown parameters of the signal. Simulation and experimental studies are included justifying the improvement in performance of this new estimation algorithm.     

A Numerical Investigation of Heat Suppression in HEMT for Power Electronics Application

Silicon - In this paper, AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) with stacked passivation (Diamond/SiN) is proposed and investigated. The implementation of stacked passivation in HEMT...     

Measurement of Adhesive Bond Properties Including Damage by Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis of a Beam Specimen

A method to obtain mechanical properties using a bonded (double) cantilever beam (or three point bend) specimen loaded in a manner to produce pure shear in the adhesive layer is reviewed. A revised mathematical solution which allows for easier interpretation of optimum beam dimensions to the one originally developed by Moussiaux, Cardon and Brinson for the static case is presented. An extension of this solution for a fixed/fixed viscoelastic beam under steady state oscillations developed by Li, Dickie and Morman is also discussed. Previous results using a vibrating beam to determine the complex viscoelastic properties of a bonded beam are reviewed. These results demonstrate conclusively that dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) measurements discriminate differences in surface treatments and various environmental conditions. New measurements are presented that indicate the DMTA procedure can be used to quantify damage simulated by imbedded flaws in beams. The procedure is also shown to assess the effects of both humidity and corrosive environments on lap specimens. It is suggested that this technique may ultimately provide a method to quantify the amount of hidden damage in an adhesive joint subjected to fatigue, moisture or corrosive environments.     

Measuring individual corrective reaction time using the intermittent illumination model

The corrective reaction time (t_cr) is an essential motor property when modelling hand control movements. Many studies designed experiments to estimate t_cr, but reported only group means with inconsistent definitions. This study proposes an alternative methodology using Drury's (1994) intermittent illumination model. A total of 24 participants performed circular tracking movements under five levels of visual information delay using a modified monitor in a darkened room. Measured movement speeds and the manipulated delays were used with the model to estimate t_cr of individuals and test effects of gender and path width. The results showed excellent model fits and demonstrated individual differences of t_cr, which was 273 ms on average and ranged from 87 to 441 ms. The wide range of t_cr values was due to significant effects of gender and path width. Male participants required shorter t_cr compared to female participants, especially for narrow path widths.     

氧化硅有序介孔材料MCM-41的微波水热合成及用于组装ZnO纳米粒子

与传统水热合成工艺相比,采用微波水热合成新工艺可以快速合成比表面积大、孔体积和孔径大、孔径分布范围更窄、孔洞呈六方排布的有序介孔材料MCM-41.微波水热合成工艺合成的MCM-41具有合成效率高、成功率高等特点,为此类介孔材料商业化提供了高效的技术手段.采用传统水热工艺合成MCM-41通常需要48～72 h,而采用微波水热合成技术仅需要30 min.采用X射线粉晶衍射(XRD),氮气吸附等技术手段对合成MCM-41材料的物相、比表面积、孔体积、孔径等进行了表征.采用微波水热合成MCM-41的工艺参数为:微波处理的温度120 ℃,时间30 min,微波辐射功率500 W,经过滤、洗涤、干燥、焙烧等处理后,得到的MCM-41具有六方排布的孔系,晶格常数a0=4.4nm,比表面积可达1113 m2/g,平均孔径为2.7 nm,与选用同样配方采用传统水热合成工艺合成的MCM-41的性能相当,却极大提高了合成效率.采用微波水热合成工艺,同样可以合成立方晶系的MCM-48和六方晶系的SBA-15等介孔氧化硅分子筛材料.此外,在微波合成的MCM-41中采用液相工艺成功组装了ZnO纳米粒子,并对组装在MCM-41中的纳米ZnO粒子进行了光催化降解苯酚的实验研究.     

Optimization of reactive SMB and Varicol systems

A comprehensive optimization study on a simulated moving bed reactor (SMBR) system is reported in this article for the direct synthesis of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) and methanol. The applicability of the Varicol process, which is based on non-synchronous shift of the inlet and outlet ports, is explored for the first time for a reactive system. Multi-objective (two and three objective functions) optimization has been performed for both existing as well as design stage for SMBR and Varicol systems and their efficiencies are compared. The optimization problem involves relatively large number of decision variables; both continuous variables, such as flow rates in various sections and length of the columns and discrete variables, such as number of columns and column configuration. Pareto optimal solutions are obtained. It is observed that a five-column Varicol performs better than an equivalent five-column SMBR and its performance is nearly equal to that of a six-column SMBR in terms of purity and yield of MTBE and minimal eluent consumption. This is an important inference as it enables the reduction of fixed and operating costs while at the same time helps to achieve high purity and yield of the desired product and conversion of the limiting reactant. A state-of-the-art optimization technique, viz., non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA), which allows handling of these complex optimization problems, is employed for this study. This is the first time that, not only the separating potential of Varicol has been extended to reaction systems, but also was optimized for multiple objectives.