A prototype of a first-responder indoor localization system

In this paper we present an approach to build a prototype. model of a first-responder localization system intended for disaster relief operations. This system is useful to monitor and track the positions of the first-responders in an indoor environment, where GPS is not available. Each member of the first responder team is equipped with two zero-velocity-update-aided inertial navigation systems, one on each foot, a camera mounted on a helmet, and a processing platform strapped around the waist of the first responder, which fuses the data from the different sensors. The fusion algorithm runs real-time on the processing platform. The video is also processed using the DSP core of the computing machine. The processed data consisting of position, velocity, heading information along with video streams is transmitted to the command and control system via a local infrastructure WiFi network. A centralized cooperative localization algorithm, utilizing the information from Ultra Wideband based inter-agent ranging devices combined with the position estimates and uncertainties of each first responder, has also been implemented.

Seismic Microzonation: A Tool for Disaster Mitigation Planning

Seismic microzonation has generally been recognized as the most accepted tool in seismic hazard assessment and risk evaluation. In general, risk reduction can be done by reducing the hazard, the vulnerability or the value at risk. Since the earthquake hazard can not be reduced, one has to concentrate on vulnerability and value at risk. The vulnerability of an urban area / municipalities depends on the vulnerability of infrastructure and redundancies within the infrastructure. The earthquake risk is the damage to buildings along with number of people that are killed / hurt and the economic losses during the event due to an earthquake with a return period corresponding to this time period. The principal approaches one can follow to reduce these losses are to avoid, if possible, high hazard areas for the siting of buildings and infrastructure, and further ensure that the buildings and infrastructure are designed and constructed to resist expected earthquake loads. This can be done if one can assess the hazard at local scales. Seismic microzonation maps provide the basis for scientifically based decision-making to reduce earthquake risk for Govt./public agencies, private owners and the general public. Further, seismic microzonation carried out on an appropriate scale provides a valuable tool for disaster mitigation planning and emergency response planning for urban centers / municipalities. It provides the basis for the identification of the areas of the city / municipality which are most likely to experience serious damage in the event of an earthquake.

Study of stress Relief Patterns In Diamond-Like Carbon-Films

An optical microscopy study of stress relief patterns in diamondlike carbon films is presented. Interesting stress relief patterns are observed which include the well known sinusoidal type, branching pattern and string of beads pattern. The last one is shown to relieve stresses under marginal conditions. Two new stress relief patterns are noted in the present study. One of them is of a sinusoidal shape with two extra branches at every peak position. The distribution of different stress relief forms from the outer edge of the films towards the interior is markedly dependent on film thickness. Our new patterns support the approach in which the stress relief forms have been analysed earlier using the theory of plate buckling.