Solid state electrochemical sensor for monitoring Mg in Al refining process

Novel solid-state electrochemical sensors have been designed using the Mg2+ cation conductors incorporating novel solid-state reference electrodes for in-line monitoring of Mg in molten Al during the refining process and also for in-line monitoring of Mg content in molten Al in the alloying process. In this paper we report the preparation of Mg2+ ion conductors, MgAl2O4 and MgZr4(PO4)6, by the solid state ceramic synthesis route, measurement of their electrical properties using ac-impedance spectroscopy and application of the above cation conductors for designing novel electrochemical sensors for monitoring Mg dissolved in molten Al. The activation energy for Mg2+ ion conduction in MgAl2O4 is 2.08 eV and in MgZr4(PO4)6 is 1.7 eV, respectively. The sensors have been found to respond rapidly to change in Mg content in molten aluminium around 1000 K.

Structural and electrical properties of low pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition grown Eu2O3 films on Si(100)

Structural and electrical properties of Eu2O3 films grown on Si(100) in 500–600 °C temperature range by low pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition are reported. As-grown films also possess the impurity Eu1−xO phase, which has been removed upon annealing in O2 ambient. Film’s morphology comprises uniform spherical mounds (40–60 nm). Electrical properties of the films, as examined by capacitance-voltage measurements, exhibit fixed oxide charges in the range of −1.5×1011 to −6.0×1010 cm−2 and dielectric constant in the range of 8–23. Annealing has resulted in drastic improvement of their electrical properties. Effect of oxygen nonstoichiometry on the film’s property is briefly discussed.

Optimal energy management policies for energy harvesting sensor nodes

We study a sensor node with an energy harvesting source. The generated energy can be stored in a buffer. The sensor node periodically senses a random field and generates a packet. These packets are stored in a queue and transmitted using the energy available at that time. We obtain energy management policies that are throughput optimal, i.e., the data queue stays stable for the largest possible data rate. Next we obtain energy management policies which minimize the mean delay in the queue. We also compare performance of several easily implementable sub-optimal energy management policies. A greedy policy is identified which, in low SNR regime, is throughput optimal and also minimizes mean delay.

Temperature-pressure-induced solid-solid < 100 > to < 110 > reorientation in FCC metallic nanowire: a molecular dynamic study

Atomistic simulation of initial < 100 > oriented FCC Cu nanowires shows a novel coupled temperature-pressure dependent reorientation from < 100 > to < 110 > phase. A temperature-pressure-induced solid-solid < 100 > to < 110 > reorientation diagram is generated for Cu nanowire with varying cross-sectional sizes. A critical pressure is reported for Cu nanowires with varying cross-sectional sizes, above which an initial < 100 > oriented nanowire shows temperature independent reorientation into the < 110 > phase. The effect of surface stresses on the < 100 > to < 110 > reorientation is also studied. The results indicate that above a critical cross-sectional size for a given temperature-pressure, < 100 > to < 110 > reorientation is not possible. It is also reported here that for a given applied pressure, an increase in temperature is required for the < 100 > to < 110 > reorientation with increasing cross-sectional size of the nanowire. The temperature-pressure-induced solid-solid < 100 > to < 110 > reorientation diagram reported in the present paper could further be used as guidelines for controlling the reorientations/shape memory in nano-scale applications of FCC metallic nanowires.

Materials, Processing, and Testing of Flexible Image Sensor Arrays

Editors' note:Flexible, large-area display and sensor arrays are finding growing applications in multimedia and future smart homes. This article first analyzes and compares current flexible devices, then discusses the implementation, requirements, and testing of flexible sensor arrays.—Jiun-Lang Huang (National Taiwan University) and Kwang-Ting (Tim) Cheng (University of California, Santa Barbara)

Comparison of 10 Multi-Sensor Image Fusion Paradigms for IKONOS Images

Fusion of multi-sensor imaging data enables a synergetic interpretation of complementary information obtained by sensors of different spectral ranges. Multi-sensor data of diverse spectral, spatial and temporal resolutions require advanced numerical techniques for analysis and interpretation. This paper reviews ten advanced pixel based image fusion techniques – Component substitution (COS), Local mean and variance matching, Modified IHS (Intensity Hue Saturation), Fast Fourier Transformed-enhanced IHS, Laplacian Pyramid, Local regression, Smoothing filter (SF), Sparkle, SVHC and Synthetic Variable Ratio. The above techniques were tested on IKONOS data (Panchromatic band at 1 m spatial resolution and Multispectral 4 bands at 4 m spatial resolution). Evaluation of the fused results through various accuracy measures, revealed that SF and COS methods produce images closest to corresponding multi-sensor would observe at the highest resolution level (1 m).

Wireless sensor networks forhuman intruder detection

In this paper we report on the outcomes of a research and demonstration project on human intrusion detection in a large secure space using an ad hoc wireless sensor network. This project has been a unique experience in collaborative research, involving ten investigators (with expertise in areas such as sensors, circuits, computer systems,communication and networking, signal processing and security) to execute a large funded project that spanned three to four years. In this paper we report on the specific engineering solution that was developed: the various architectural choices and the associated specific designs. In addition to developing a demonstrable system, the various problems that arose have given rise to a large amount of basic research in areas such as geographical packet routing, distributed statistical detection, sensors and associated circuits, a low power adaptive micro-radio, and power optimising embedded systems software. We provide an overview of the research results obtained.

Surface pressure and heat transfer measurements in the unsteady separated hypersonic flow field over double cones

Reliable bench mark experimental database in the separated hypersonic flow regime is necessary to validate high resolution CFD codes. In this paper we report the surface pressure and heat transfer measurements carried out on double cones (first cone semi-apex angle = 15, 25 deg.; second cone semi-apex angle= 35, 68 deg.) at hypersonic speeds that will be useful for CFD code validation studies. The surface pressure measurements are carried out at nominal Mach number of 8.35 in the IISc hypersonic wind tunnel. On the other hand the surface heat transfer measurements are carried out at a nominal Mach number of 5.75 in the IISc hypersonic shock tunnel. The flow separation point on the first cone, flow reattachment on the second cone and the wild fluctuation of the transmitted shock on the second cone surface (25/68 deg. double cone) in the presence of severe adverse pressure gradient are some of the flow features captured in the measurements. The results from the CFD studies indicate good agreement with experiments in the attached flow regime while considerable differences are noticeable in the separated flow regime.

A comparative study of erbium oxide and gadolinium oxide high-k dielectric thin films grown by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) using beta-Diketonates as precursors

In this paper, a comparative study of thin films of Er2O3 and Gd2O3 grown on n-type Si(100) by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) under the identical conditions has been presented. beta-Diketonate complex of rate earth metals was used as precursor. Description on the evolution of the morphology, structure, optical, and electrical characteristics of films with respect to growth parameters and post-deposition annealing process has been presented. As-gown Gd2O3 films grow with <111> texture, whereas the texture of Er2O3 films strongly depends on the growth temperature (either <100> or <111>). Compositional analysis reveals that the Gd2O3 films grown at or above 500degreesC are carbon free whereas Er2O3 films at upto 525degreesC show the presence of heteroatoms and Er2O3 films grown above 525degreesC are carbon five. The effective dielectric constant is in the range of 7-24, while the fixed charge density is in the range - 10(11) to 10(10) CM-2 as extracted from the C-V characteristics. DC I-V study was carried out to examine the leakage behaviour of films. It reveals that the as-grown Gd2O3 film was very leakey in nature. Annealing of the films in oxidizing ambient for a period of 20 min results in a drastic improvement in the leakage behaviour. The presence of heteroatoms (such as carbon) and their effect on the properties of films are discussed.

India's biodiversity hotspot under anthropogenic pressure: A case study of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

This paper presents data on the impact of biotic pressure in terms of grazing by livestock and wood cutting by humans on the plant community in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve of India. Grass, and herbaceous plant biomass, number of cattle dung piles, number of woody stems available and damaged by human activities and weed biomass were assessed at different proximity along transects radiating from village-forest boundary to forest interior to measure the ecological impact of livestock grazing and fire wood collection. The grass biomass was positively correlated to overgrazing indicating the adverse effect on natural vegetation by cattle. Woodcutting was intense along the forest boundary and significantly declined as distance increased. Similarly, weed biomass and number of thorny species declined positively with proximity from village-forest boundary and the weed biomass was significantly higher in the pastoral sites compared to residential sites. The results suggest that human impact adversely affects natural vegetation and promotes weed proliferation in forest areas adjoining human settlements in the ecologically important Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Continued anthropogenic pressure could cause reduction in fodder availability to large herbivores like elephants, which in turn leads to an increase in human-elephant conflict. (C) 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Pressure induced phase transition in metallic LaB6: A Raman study

We report high pressure Raman studies on single crystals of metallic LaB6 upto a pressure of 16.$ GPa. Raman spectra shows three lines at 680 cm(-1) (T-2g), 1120 cm(-1) (E-g) and 1258 cm(-1) (A(1g)), associated with the internal modes of B-6 molecule. The T-2g mode shows an asymmetric Fano line shape, arising from the interference between the phonon line and the electronic continuum. The line is fitted with I(omega) = I-0(q + epsilon(2))/(I + epsilon(2)) where epsilon = (omega - omega(0))/Gamma, omega(0) is the phonon frequency renormalised due to electron-phonon self energy corrections, Tis the width parameter proportional to the square of the matrix element of the electron-phonon interaction potential. The parameter a signifies the strength of interference. Most interestingly our pressure data for the T-2g mode shows a significant change in the slope of the mode frequency with pressure d omega(0)/dP and Gamma at 9.5 GPa. This clearly indicates that LaB6 undergoes a subtle phase transition at 9.5 GPa within the metallic phase.

External-cavity semiconductor laser sensor

The spectral characteristics of a diode laser are significantly affected due to interference caused between the laser diode output and the optical feedback in the external-cavity. This optical feedback effect is of practical use for linewidth reduction, tuning or for sensing applications. A sensor based on this effect is attractive due to its simplicity, low cost and compactness. This optical sensor has been used so far, in different configuration such as for sensing displacement induced by different parameters. In this paper we report a compact optical sensor consisting of a semiconductor laser coupled to an external cavity. Theoretical analysis of the self- mixing interference for optical sensing applications is given for moderate optical feedback case. A comparison is made with our experimental observations. Experimental results are in good agreement with the simulated power modulation based on self-mixing interference theory. Displacements as small as 10-4 nm have been measured using this sensor. The developed sensor showed a fringe sensitivity of one fringe per 400nm displacement for reflector distance of around 10cms. The sensor has also been tested for magnetic field and temperature induced displacement measurements.

A novel interrogation system for fiber Bragg grating sensor array

Interrogation techniques for fiber Bragg grating sensor arrays need particular attention in the case of structural health monitoring applications involving dynamic strain measurement. Typically the performance of the sensing system is dependent on both the sensor type and the interrogation method employed. A novel interrogation system is proposed here that consists of different interrogation units for each sensor in the array, each unit comprising of a circulator, chirped grating and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. We present an analysis that consists of tracking the spectral changes as the light passes through various elements in the interrogation system. This is expected to help in the optimization of sensor and interrogation elements leading to improved performance of the health monitoring system.

Raman signatures of pressure induced electronic topological and structural transitions in Bi2Te3

We report Raman signatures of electronic topological transition (ETT) at 3.6 GPa and rhombohedral (alpha-Bi2Te3) to monoclinic (beta-Bi2Te3) structural transition at similar to 8 GPa. At the onset of ETT, a new Raman mode appears near 107 cm(-1) which is dispersionless with pressure. The structural transition at similar to 8 GPa is marked by a change in pressure derivative of A(1g) and E-g mode frequencies as well as by appearance of new modes near 115 cm(-1) and 135 cm(-1). The mode Grilneisen parameters are determined in both the alpha and beta-phases. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.