A clinical system for three-dimensional extended-field-of-view ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: This work is concerned with the creation of three-dimensional (3D) extended-field-of-view ultrasound from a set of volumes acquired using a mechanically swept 3D probe. 3D volumes of ultrasound data can be registered by attaching a position sensor to the probe; this can be an inconvenience in a clinical setting. A position sensor can also cause some misalignment due to patient movement and respiratory motion. We propose a combination of three-degrees-of-freedom image registration and an unobtrusively integrated inertial sensor for measuring orientation. The aim of this research is to produce a reliable and portable ultrasound system that is able to register 3D volumes quickly, making it suitable for clinical use. METHOD: As part of a feasibility study we recruited 28 pregnant females attending for routine obstetric scans to undergo 3D extended-field-of-view ultrasound. A total of 49 data sets were recorded. Each registered data set was assessed for correct alignment of each volume by two independent observers. RESULTS: In 77-83% of the data sets more than four consecutive volumes registered. The successful registration relies on good overlap between volumes and is adversely affected by advancing gestational age and foetal movement. CONCLUSION: The development of reliable 3D extended-field-of-view ultrasound may help ultrasound practitioners to demonstrate the anatomical relation of pathology and provide a convenient way to store data.

Coupled neutronic thermo-hydraulic analysis of full PWR core with Monte-Carlo based BGCore system

BGCore reactor analysis system was recently developed at Ben-Gurion University for calculating in-core fuel composition and spent fuel emissions following discharge. It couples the Monte Carlo transport code MCNP with an independently developed burnup and decay module SARAF. Most of the existing MCNP based depletion codes (e.g. MOCUP, Monteburns, MCODE) tally directly the one-group fluxes and reaction rates in order to prepare one-group cross sections necessary for the fuel depletion analysis. BGCore, on the other hand, uses a multi-group (MG) approach for generation of one group cross-sections. This coupling approach significantly reduces the code execution time without compromising the accuracy of the results. Substantial reduction in the BGCore code execution time allows consideration of problems with much higher degree of complexity, such as introduction of thermal hydraulic (TH) feedback into the calculation scheme. Recently, a simplified TH feedback module, THERMO, was developed and integrated into the BGCore system. To demonstrate the capabilities of the upgraded BGCore system, a coupled neutronic TH analysis of a full PWR core was performed. The BGCore results were compared with those of the state of the art 3D deterministic nodal diffusion code DYN3D (Grundmann et al.; 2000). Very good agreement in major core operational parameters including k-eff eigenvalue, axial and radial power profiles, and temperature distributions between the BGCore and DYN3D results was observed. This agreement confirms the consistency of the implementation of the TH feedback module. Although the upgraded BGCore system is capable of performing both, depletion and TH analyses, the calculations in this study were performed for the beginning of cycle state with pre-generated fuel compositions. © 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Enhanced integrated modelling approach to reconfiguring manufacturing enterprises

Dynamism and uncertainty are real challenges for present day manufacturing enterprises (MEs). Reasons include: an increasing demand for customisation, reduced time to market, shortened product life cycles and globalisation. MEs can reduce competitive pressure by becoming reconfigurable and change-capable. However, modern manufacturing philosophies, including agile and lean, must complement the application of reconfigurable manufacturing paradigms. Choosing and applying the best philosophies and techniques is very difficult as most MEs deploy complex and unique configurations of processes and resource systems, and seek economies of scope and scale in respect of changing and distinctive product flows. It follows that systematic methods of achieving model driven reconfiguration and interoperation of component based manufacturing systems are required to design, engineer and change future MEs. This thesis, titled Enhanced Integrated Modelling Approach to Reconfiguring Manufacturing Enterprises , introduces the development and prototyping a model-driven environment for the design, engineering, optimisation and control of the reconfiguration of MEs with an embedded capability to handle various types of change. The thesis describes a novel systematic approach, namely enhanced integrated modelling approach (EIMA), in which coherent sets of integrated models are created that facilitates the engineering of MEs especially their production planning and control (PPC) systems. The developed environment supports the engineering of common types of strategic, tactical and operational processes found in many MEs. The EIMA is centred on the ISO standardised CIMOSA process modelling approach. Early study led to the development of simulation models during which various CIMOSA shortcomings were observed, especially in its support for aspects of ME dynamism. A need was raised to structure and create semantically enriched models hence forming an enhanced integrated modelling environment. The thesis also presents three industrial case examples: (1) Ford Motor Company; (2) Bradgate Furniture Manufacturing Company; and (3) ACM Bearings Company. In order to understand the system prior to realisation of any PPC strategy, multiple process segments of any target organisation need to be modelled. Coherent multi-perspective case study models are presented that have facilitated process reengineering and associated resource system configuration. Such models have a capability to enable PPC decision making processes in support of the reconfiguration of MEs. During these case studies, capabilities of a number of software tools were exploited such as Arena®, Simul8®, Plant Simulation®, MS Visio®, and MS Excel®. Case study results demonstrated effectiveness of the concepts related to the EIMA. The research has resulted in new contributions to knowledge in terms of new understandings, concepts and methods in following ways: (1) a structured model driven integrated approach to the design, optimisation and control of future reconfiguration of MEs. The EIMA is an enriched and generic process modelling approach with capability to represent both static and dynamic aspects of an ME; and (2) example application cases showing benefits in terms of reduction in lead time, cost and resource load and in terms of improved responsiveness of processes and resource systems with a special focus on PPC; (3) identification and industrial application of a new key performance indicator (KPI) known as P3C the measuring and monitoring of which can aid in enhancing reconfigurability and responsiveness of MEs; and (4) an enriched modelling concept framework (E-MUNE) to capture requirements of static and dynamic aspects of MEs where the conceptual framework has the capability to be extended and modified according to the requirements. The thesis outlines key areas outlining a need for future research into integrated modelling approaches, interoperation and updating mechanisms of partial models in support of the reconfiguration of MEs.

Soil mix technology for integrated remediation and ground improvement: From laboratory work to field trials

Relatively new in the UK, soil mix technology applied to the in-situ remediation of contaminated land involves the use of mixing tools and additives to construct permeable reactive in-ground barriers and low-permeability containment walls and for hot-spot soil treatment by stabilisation/ solidification. It is a cost effective and versatile approach with numerous environmental advantages. Further commercial advantages can be realised by combining this with ground improvement through the development of a single integrated soil mix technology system which is the core objective of Project SMiRT (Soil Mix Remediation Technology). This is a large UK-based R&D project involving academia-industry collaboration with a number of tasks including equipment development, laboratory treatability studies, field trials, stakeholder consultation and dissemination activities. This paper presents aspects of project SMiRT relating to the laboratory treatability study work leading to the design of the field trials. © 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers.

An integrated 2-D model of a lithium ion battery: The effect of material parameters and morphology on storage particle stress

An integrated 2-D model of a lithium ion battery is developed to study the mechanical stress in storage particles as a function of material properties. A previously developed coupled stress-diffusion model for storage particles is implemented in 2-D and integrated into a complete battery system. The effect of morphology on the stress and lithium concentration is studied for the case of extraction of lithium in terms of previously developed non-dimensional parameters. These non-dimensional parameters include the material properties of the storage particles in the system, among other variables. We examine particles functioning in isolation as well as in closely-packed systems. Our results show that the particle distance from the separator, in combination with the material properties of the particle, is critical in predicting the stress generated within the particle. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.

Design and modeling of an integrated device for acoustic resonance spectroscopy

This paper investigates the design and modelling of an integrated device for acoustic resonance spectroscopy (ARS). Miniaturisation of such platforms can be achieved using MEMS technology thereby enabling scaling of device dimensions to investigate smaller specimens while simultaneously operating at higher frequencies. We propose an integrated device where the transducers are mounted in close proximity with the specimen to be analysed (e.g. by integrating ultrasound transducers within a microfluidic channel). A finite element (FE) model and a simplified analytical model have been constructed to predict the acoustic response of a sample embedded in such a device configuration. A FE simulation is performed in COMSOL by embedding the piezoelectric transducers in representative fluid media. Resonant frequencies associated with the measurement can be extracted from this data. The response of various media modelled through FEA matches with analytical predictions for a range of biological media. A variety of biological media may be identified by using the measured resonant frequencies as a signature of relevant physical characteristics. The paper establishes the modelling basis of an integrated acoustic resonant spectrometer that is then applied to examine the impact of geometrical scaling on system resolution. © 2013 IEEE.

Developing ISO 14649-based conversational programming system for multi-channel complex machine tools

A multi-channel complex machine tool (MCCM) is a versatile machining system equipped with more than two spindles and turrets for both turning and milling operations. Despite the potential of such a tool, the value of the hardware is largely dependent on how the machine tools are effectively programmed for machining. In this paper we consider a shop-floor programming system based on ISO 14649 (called e-CAM), the international standard for the interface between computer-aided manufacture (CAM) and computer numerical control (CNC). To be deployed in practical industrial usage a great deal of research has to be carried out. In this paper we present: 1) Design consideration for an e-CAM system, 2) The architecture design of e-CAM, 3) Major algorithms to fulfill the modules defined in the architecture, and 4) Implementation details.

Amorphous silicon thin film transistor biosensing system

Electronic systems are a very good platform for sensing biological signals for fast point-of-care diagnostics or threat detection. One of the solutions is the lab-on-a-chip integrated circuit (IC), which is low cost and high reliability, offering the possibility for label-free detection. In recent years, similar integrated biosensors based on the conventional complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology have been reported. However, post-fabrication processes are essential for all classes of CMOS biochips, requiring biocompatible electrode deposition and circuit encapsulation. In this work, we present an amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin film transistor (TFT) array based sensing approach, which greatly simplifies the fabrication procedures and even decreases the cost of the biosensor. The device contains several identical sensor pixels with amplifiers to boost the sensitivity. Ring oscillator and logic circuits are also integrated to achieve different measurement methodologies, including electro-analytical methods such as amperometric and cyclic voltammetric modes. The system also supports different operational modes. For example, depending on the required detection arrangement, a sample droplet could be placed on the sensing pads or the device could be immersed into the sample solution for real time in-situ measurement. The entire system is designed and fabricated using a low temperature TFT process that is compatible to plastic substrates. No additional processing is required prior to biological measurement. A Cr/Au double layer is used for the biological-electronic interface. The success of the TFT-based system used in this work will open new avenues for flexible label-free or low-cost disposable biosensors. © 2013 Materials Research Society.

Integrated ZnO surface acoustic wave microfluidic components for biosensor

This paper describes the novel nanocrystalline film ZnO surface acoustic wave devices, which demonstrate their great potential for the portable disease diagnostic system with integrated functions of microfluidic transport, mixing and biosensing. The devices can be easily integrated with electronic control circuitry and fabricated with low temperature process on Si, glass or even polymer substrates. The liquid convection and internal streaming patterns was easily induced by acoustic wave at signal voltages. With further increase in applied voltage to above 20V, the liquid droplet was pushed forward. Immunoreaction-based bio-detection PSA/ACT, all based on SAW devices on thin film piezoelectric ZnO on Si substrate was demonstrated. © 2009 CBMS.