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For meter-wave multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar, the multipath of target echoes may cause severe errors in height measurement, especially in the case of complex terrain where terrain fluctuation, ground inclination, and multiple reflection points exist. Inspired by a sparse array with greater degrees of freedom and low mutual coupling, a height measurement method based on a sparse array is proposed. First, a practical signal model of MIMO radar based on a sparse array is established. Then, the modified multiple signal classification (MUSIC) and maximum likelihood (ML) estimation algorithms based on two classical sparse arrays (coprime array and nested array) are proposed. To reduce the complexity of the algorithm, a real-valued processing algorithm for generalized MUSIC (GMUSIC) and maximum likelihood is proposed, and a reduced dimension matrix is introduced into the real-valued processing algorithm to further reduce computation complexity. Finally, sufficient simulation results are provided to illustrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed technique. The simulation results show that the height measurement accuracy can be efficiently improved by using our proposed technique for both simple and complex terrain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the problem that the overlapping of multipath signals seriously affects the radar's performance of the elevation angle estimation for low‐altitude targets, the authors combine the unitary ESPRIT (UESPRIT) and the multi‐input and multi‐output (MIMO) radar system and propose an algorithm based on UESPRIT to estimate the direction of arrival for low‐altitude targets. Firstly, the virtual matrix after generalised matched filtering of MIMO radar multipath received signals is vectorised. Secondly, for the coherence of direct and reflected wave signals, which cannot be directly processed by the UESPRIT algorithm, the signal preprocessing is performed by spatial smoothing of the sampled data matrices. Finally, the low‐altitude target estimation is carried out by using the UESPRIT algorithm. The Cramer–Rao bound (CRB) for arbitrary unbiased estimation of angle estimation is derived. The relationship between the estimation performance of the algorithm and the signal‐to‐noise ratio, the number of snapshots and the number of elements is analysed by simulation and compared with CRB. The simulation results show that the algorithm can still effectively estimate the elevation angle of low‐altitude targets under the mutual weakening of direct and multipath reflection signals, and has better performance for low‐altitude targets than generalised MUSIC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to suppression jamming by jammers, the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) during tracking tasks is significantly reduced, thereby decreasing the target detection probability of radar systems. This may result in the interruption of the target track. To address this issue, we propose a multi-static radar power allocation algorithm that enhances the detection and tracking performance of multiple radars in relation to their targets by optimizing power resource allocation. Initially, the echo signal model and measurement model of multi-static radar are formulated, followed by the derivation of the Bayesian Cramér–Rao lower bound (BCRLB). The multi-objective optimization method is utilized to establish the objective function for joint tracking and detection, with dynamic adjustment of the weight coefficient to balance the tracking and detection performance of multiple radars. This ensures the reliability and anti-jamming capability of the multi-static radar system. Simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm can prevent the interruption of jammer tracking and maintain robust tracking performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report a two-dimensional (2D) amorphous photonic structure (APS) discovered in the central layer of the periostracum of the mussel Perna canaliculus, based on field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometer, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and fiber optic spectrometry combined with the image processing technology and pair correlation function analysis. This APS contains ~29% in volume of protein fibers embedded in a protein matrix. These fibers, with diameters of 103 ± 17 nm, are densely arranged and unevenly crimped. In addition, they are locally parallel with each other and exhibit short-range order with a nearest-neighbor distance of 189 nm. Interestingly, the APS is humidity-responsive with a vivid green structural color (~530 nm) in the wet state, which disappears in the dry state. Moreover, the APS is sandwiched by two dense layers in the periostracum, which is flexible in wet and can spontaneously or artificially deform into various shapes. We hope this APS may provide new inspirations for the design and synthesis of 2D amorphous photonic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antenna distribution plays an important role for the performance gain in multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) radar target tracking. Since to meet the requirements of the low probability of interception, especially in a hostile environment, only a finite number of antennas can be activated at each step. This naturally leads to a performance-driven resource management problem. In this paper, a dynamic antenna selection strategy is proposed for tracking targets in colocated MIMO radar. The derived posterior Cramér–Rao lower bound (PCRLB) of joint direction-of-arrival (DOA) and Doppler estimate were chosen as the optimization criteria. Furthermore, in the deviation, the target radar cross-section (RCS) as the determining variable and the random variable are both discussed. The objective function is related to the antenna allocation and non-convex, and an efficient fast discrete particle swarm optimization (FDPSO) algorithm is proposed for the solution exploration. Additionally, a closed-loop feedback system is established, where the main idea is that the tracking information from the current time epoch is utilized to predict the PCRLB and to guide the antenna adjustment for the next time epoch. The simulation results demonstrate the performance improvement compared with the three fixed-antenna configurations. Moreover, the FDPSO can provide close-to-optimal solutions while satisfying the real-time demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementing an interactive mixed reality simulation system is an economical and risk‐free method for skill training. However, research to enhance the accuracy of mixed reality simulation has always been a challenge. One of the key indicators of a simulation's accuracy is the user's depth perception. Adding depth cues to the simulation scene can effectively increase the accuracy of depth perception. Therefore, in this study, we designed five depth cues to find the one most beneficial for depth perception: (1) depth bar, (2) location ball, (3) fixed window, (4) 3D wireframe, and (5) movable silhouettes. These depth cues were tested using an experimental system with two sets of experimental settings. The first experiment compared the five depth cues at five different viewing distances and showed that the movable silhouettes benefited depth perception accuracy the most. The second experiment compared depth perception accuracies among three different horizontal tilt settings, showing that depth perception accuracy is dependent on the horizontal tilt. Furthermore, different depth perception accuracies were obtained with and without depth cues, proving that the effects from the horizontal tilts were independent of depth cues. The results of these studies provide references for designing interactive mixed reality simulation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work presented here investigates the nucleation sites and corresponding controlling mechanisms of biogenic aragonite crystals from bivalve nacre. We find that they always nucleate on the margin of the underlying tablets, which are spatially confined. To explain the reason, we proposed several new possible factors leading to nucleation on the margin of the underlying tablets: the strain, crystallinity, hydrophobicity of the ILM substrate and the Ehrlich–Schwoebel (ES) barrier. These findings advance our current knowledge of nacre biomineralization and may help to design novel biogenic composite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To the best of our knowledge, there has been no investigation of non-classical crystallization on hydrophobic substrates occurring in natural systems. The work presented here investigates the early growth process of nacreous aragonite crystals. We found that, (1) the contact angle of organic membranes >90°, proving that the aragonite crystals grow on the hydrophobic substrate. (2) The periphery of the aragonite crystals is decorated with nanoparticles, which grow epitaxially on the earlier aragonite crystals. (3) Some nanoparticles exhibit a surprising overhanging attachment pattern, that is, a particle sticks at a position higher than the height of the substrate surface at that point, such that the space below the particle is not filled. The hydrophobic substrate has an effect on the non-classical crystallization of nacreous aragonite crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nacre is one of the most attractive models for understanding the fundamental principles of biomineralization and for designing bio-inspired materials due to its simple structure but with unusual mechanical properties. It is made up of lamellae of aragonite tablets bonded together by the organic interlamellar membranes (ILMs), of which the latter occupy less than 5 wt% of nacre. For a long time, previous authors failed to directly observe the crystallographic relationship between the ILM and aragonite tablet in bivalve shells. Here, using high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), we investigate the interfacial structure of the domed tablets that coexist with the flat ones in green mussels. We directly observed that the ILMs are oriented with the underlying tablets and connected with the latter via a superlattice region. The finding advances our current knowledge of nacre biomineralization and may help to design novel nacre-like materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A humidity sensitive two-dimensional tunable amorphous photonic structure (2D TAPS) in the bivalve ligament of Meretrix linnaeus (LML) was reported in this paper. The structural color and microstructure of LML were investigated by reflection spectra and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results indicate that the LML has complex structural colors from blue to orange in the wet state from ventral to dorsal, which are derived from the aragonite fiber diameter increases continuously from ventral to dorsal of the ligament. The reflection peak wavelength of the wet LML can blue-shift from 522 nm to 480 nm with the air drying time increased from 0 to 60 min, while the reflectivity decreases gradually and only a weak reflection peak at last, relevant color changes from green to light blue. The structural color in the LML is produced by a two-dimensional amorphous photonic structure consists of aligned aragonite fibers and proteins, in which the diameters of the aragonite fiber and the inter-fiber spacing are 104 ± 11 nm and 126 ± 16 nm, respectively. Water can reversibly tune the reflection peak wavelength and reflectivity of this photonic structure, and the regulation achieved through dynamically tune the degree of order and lattice constant of the ligament in the different wet states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nacre has long served as a classic model in biomineralization and the synthesis of biomimetic materials. However, the morphology and arrangement of its basic building blocks, the aragonite platelets, are still under hot debate. In this study, using a field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM), a high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), and an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), we investigate the platelets at the edges and centers of green mussel shells. We find that 1) flat and curved platelets coexist in green mussel shells; 2) the immature platelets at the shell edge are aggregates of aragonite nanoparticles, whereas the immature ones at the shell center are single crystals; and 3) the morphology and thickness of the platelets exhibit a gradient arrangement. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that the gradient in the thickness and curvature of the platelets may probably result from the difference in growth rate between the edge and the center of the shell and from the gradient in compressive stress imposed by the closing of the shells by the adductor muscles or the withdrawal of the periostracum by the mantle. We expect that the presented results will shed new light on the formation mechanisms of natural composite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A humidity sensitive two-dimensional tunable amorphous photonic structure (2D TAPS) in the outer layer of bivalve ligament from Sunset Siliqua (OLLS) was reported in this paper. The structural color and microstructure of OLLS were investigated by reflection spectra and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results indicate that the reflection peak wavelength of the wet OLLS blue-shifts from 454 nm to 392 nm with the increasing of air drying time from 0 to 40 min, while the reflectivity decreases gradually and vanishes at last, relevant color changes from blue to black background color. The structural color in the OLLS is produced by a two-dimensional amorphous photonic structure consisting of aligned protein fibers, in which the diameter of protein fiber and the inter-fiber spacing are 101 ± 12 nm. Water can reversibly tune the reflection peak wavelength and reflectivity of this photonic structure, and the regulation achieved through dynamically tuning the interaction between inter-fiber spacing and average refractive index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of shell biomineralization, one of the major challenges is to understand the interplay between the biopolymer framework and crystal growth. The widely accepted model proposes that the framework is pre-formed and stable, which directs the subsequent crystal growth. However, it remains unanswered whether the crystal growth can inversely influence the framework's configuration. Here, we find that, in the silver-colored spherulitic layer of a bivalve shell, the framework is reconfigured during mineralization. This result may provide a new direction in the study of shell biomineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nacre has long served as a model for understanding the biomineralization mechanism and designing bio-inspired materials. However, its basic building blocks, the aragonite tablets, are still under debate in terms of their fine structure at the nanoscale and corresponding formation mechanism. Here, using a field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), and X-ray diffractometer, we comparatively investigate the immature and mature tablet from the green mussel’s nacre. We find that: (1) the early immature tablet consists of closely-packed colloidal nanoparticles, which contain nanocrystals surrounded by the amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) phase. Moreover, these nanocrystals are generally different in shape, size, and orientation; (2) the immature tablet can grow via oriented attachment besides via transformation of the ACC phase; and (3) with growth, the colloidal nanoparticles gradually increase in crystallinity and size until fully crystallized and fused together, leading to a mature tablet that is a monolithic single crystal of aragonite. Based on these findings, we propose a new model showing how the mature tablet evolves from the primary colloidal ACC nanoparticles. We expect this work will provide new insights into the formation of single crystal biominerals via the amorphous precursor route. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nacre (mother-of-pearl) has long been identified as thebest naturalarmor, with superior mechanical strength and eminent toughness. Howdoes nacre disperse 95 vol % aragonite nanoparticles in 5% biopolymermatrix without agglomeration? Can we learn from this to produce nacre-likenanocomposites with a high volume fraction of reinforcements? Herewe report, for the first time, the direct observation of the aragonitenanoparticle self-assembly process and dome-shaped platelet formationin the nacre from bivalve Perna viridis.At the earlystage of platelet formation, the aragonite nanoparticles were foundto first self-assemble into a core–shell structure and thenform a dome-shaped platelet following the predesigned pattern. Thedome-shaped platelets are stacked together to forman interlocking network against sliding of the platelets, therebycontributing significantly to nacre’s strength and toughness.The findings advance our understanding of nacre’s formationmechanism, provide new design guidelines for developing bioinspiredmaterials, and lay a constitutive foundation for modeling the deformationbehavior of nacre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomimetic synthesis of calcium carbonate has been studiedfordecades in order to understand the biomineralization process. However,to date, it is still difficult to obtain pure aragonite by transformationof amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) at room temperature. Herein,we obtained almost pure aragonite nanorod aggregates (ANA) with unusualmorphologies via transformation of ACC at ambient conditions usinga novel fibrous protein K58 from bivalve Siliqua radiataligament as the template. We found that nanorods are formed initiallyas ACC containing disordered aragonite nanocrystals, which then evolveinto oriented attached nanocrystals coated with minor ACC, and finallyinto aragonite single crystals. Further analysis reveals K58 is homologousto type II cytoskeletal 1 and type I cytoskeletal 9, with many acidicamino acid residues. It should be the carboxyl groups of these residues,which have short-range order similar to aragonite lattice, controlshort–range order ACC formation, resulting in the preferentialtransformation of ACC into aragonite. This article provides some valuableinformation for better understanding of aragonite crystal growth andbiomineralization process; it also highlights the role of biomacromoleculein the formation of aragonite fibers in bivalve ligaments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dry ligament of Pinctada maxima normally appears black; however, it can exhibit striking blue structural colors after being wetted by water. The field-mission SEM investigation shows that the ligament is made of lamellae, which, about 35 µm thick, are made of proteins and aragonite fibers of about 78 nm in diameter. In each single lamella, the fibers are highly aligned characterized by a 2D photonic crystal type structure. According to measured reflective spectra and theoretical simulations, the dry and wet ligaments possess photonic stop band at ultraviolet and blue wavelengths, respectively, which are responsible for structural colorations of ligament. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nacre has long served as a research model in the field of biomineralization and biomimetic materials. It is widely accepted that its basic components, aragonite biocrystals, namely, tablets, are formed by the nanoparticle-attachment pathway. However, the details of the nanoparticle morphology and arrangement in the tablets are still a matter of debate. Here, using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we observed the nanostructure of the growing tablets at different growth stages and found that: (1) the first detectable tablet looked like a rod; (2) tablets consisted of subhedral nanoparticles (i.e., partly bounded by crystal facets and partly by irregular non-crystal facets) that were made of aragonite single crystals with a width of 160–180 nm; and (3) these nanoparticles were ordered in orientation but disordered in position, resulting in unique subhedral and jigsaw-like patterns from the top and side views, respectively. In short, we directly observed the growth of nacre biocrystals by the self-assembly of aragonite nanoparticles with a novel subhedral morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a cross-modal mapping between auditory pitch and many visual properties, but the relationship between auditory pitch and motion speed is unexplored. In this article, the ball and baffle are used as the research objects, and an object collision experiment is used to explore the perceptual influence of auditory pitch on motion speed. Since cross-modal mapping can influence perceptual experience, this article also explores the influence of auditory pitch on action measures. In Experiment 1, 12 participants attempted to release a baffle to block a falling ball on the basis of speed judgment, and after each trial, they were asked to rate the speed of the ball. The speed score and baffle release time were recorded and used for analysis of variance. Since making explicit judgments about speed can alter the processing of visual paths, another group of participants in Experiment 2 completed the experiment without making explicit judgments about speed. Our results show that there is a cross-modal mapping between auditory pitch and motion speed, and high or low tones cause perception shift to faster or slower speeds.

Nature provides various exquisite photonic structures of antireflection. Here, we investigate the color and structure of the inner surface of the shell edge (ISSE) of blue mussel shells, using a fiber optical spectrometer, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). We demonstrate that the structurally assisted black color of the ISSE is produced by a pyramidal microstructure. Furthermore, we use the two-step biotemplate (TSBT) method to successfully replicate this microstructure. Particularly, we modify this method by using a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) film as the negative replica and an epoxy resin film as the positive replica both fabricated without vacuum treatment. We show that the natural and replicated structures show a reflectivity of ∼4% and of ∼3% in the visible wavelength. Finally, we hope our investigation can provide basic data for the study of the bioinspired antireflective structures, which have a promising application in smart windows and optical devices.

Recently there is increasing evidence that the shell biomineralization proceeds via an amorphous precursor route. Therefore, the search for and investigation of amorphous biominerals in bivalve shells are of great importance and interest. Here, using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), we investigate the microstructure and mineralogy of the periostracum in Perna viridis. We find that: (1) the periostracum has three layers, of which the inner and outer layer are of proteins, while the middle layer is mineralized with nanospheres of amorphous biominerals; (2) the nanospheres are of amorphous carbonated Ca-Mg phosphate (ACCP), where the CO3(2)(-)/PO4(3)(-) weight ratio is estimated to be ∼0.3, and the Ca/P and Ca/Mg atomic ratio is ∼1.4 and 1.6, respectively; (3) the nanospheres, with a diameter of 43-106nm, are found to assemble into spherules with a diameter of 160-500nm, which are further organized into parallel microlayers separated by the proteins; and (4) the nanospheres are assumed to function as the pH stabilizer to facilitate the shell's initial mineralization. Finally, we expect that these findings will advance our understanding of the shell's biomineralization process., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)