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Laser ablation of metallic targets (Au, Cu, Al) in salts melts (NaNO3, NaNO2, LiNO3) at temperature 300–350 °C is experimentally realized. Laser ablation is accompanied by plasma formation on the target surface. Solid nanocomposites of salts with metallic nanoparticles are characterized with the help of optical spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Extinction spectra of nanocomposites reveal the presence of elongated Au nanoparticles. XRD analysis confirms the presence of metallic Au in nanocomposites.

The sputtering target re-deposit grown by cumulative sputtering has been investigated in this work by studying both fresh and rigorously sputtered zirconium oxide target by Fourier Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (FDOCT), a depth resolved optical imaging modality. The Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) depth profiles have further been analysed to extract optical attenuation coefficient of sputtered target surface as well as fresh target surface. Re-deposited sputtered target surface shows larger optical attenuation coefficient in the range of 1.5–4.4 mm−1 as opposed to that of 1.1 mm−1 for fresh ZrO2 target. The same sputtered target surfaces have also been looked into by using grazing incident X-ray diffraction technique with an optimised grazing angle of incidence. A strong correlation between structural changes of re-deposited surface and the extent of light depth penetration obtained by analysing OCT depth profiles at different locations of the sputtered target was observed. The results indicate, that FDOCT can be considered to be an effective tool to probe sputtering target re-deposits, with the advantage of being faster and non-contact method.

Noncontact acoustic inspection method using acoustic irradiation induced vibration and laser Doppler vibrometer is an excellent method capable of detecting defects at the same level as hammering test from a long distance, but as the irradiation angle of sound waves increases, detection ability is lowered. This is because it is not possible to apply a uniform surface excitation, so that flexural vibration hardly occurs. However, when the sound source itself is mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UA V)which is becoming widespread in recent years, it is possible to make the sound source position directly face the measurement target surface, and it is expected that the problem of angle dependence will be solved. Therefore, in this research, we tried to produce sound source mounted type UA V and examined using outer wall specimen by noncontact acoustic inspection method.

The adhesion robot has better adhesion performance in a vacuum than others, such as magnetic absorption robot and vacuum adsorption robot. It has broad application prospect and far-reaching practical significance in the field of space On-Orbit Servicing Robots. The stability motion of the adhesion robot on a flat surface has been studied in depth, but the problem of the impact force between the adhesion robot and the flat surface when landing on the surface, which is an inevitable problem that the adhesion robot lands on the flat surface and achieve stable, has been researched little. Therefore, this article has researched about the impact process between adhesion robots and flat surfaces. An impact experiment about the bionic foot was performed on a self-built experimental platform. It reveals the state of motion and the changes of the force between the bionic foot and the flat surface at the moment of impact. The conclusions have been verified on the gecko-inspired robot, and are of great significance for the future adhesion robot to achieve a stable landing on a target surface.

In this paper, we aimed to establish a novel method for surface condition measurement for the indoor floor. To measure the surface condition, we proposed wiping motion that to stroke the target surface with changing the stroking speed. We developed the wiping device with a 6-axis force sensor, a passive pivot, and a contact plate to realize the wiping motion. In the experiment, the surface condition was measured using four kinds of floor materials and two kinds of liquids. From the experimental results, it was confirmed that the resistance force depends on the wiping velocity. From the experimental results, we confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed method and examined the quantitative index used for surface state description.

To perform rapid sensing of pathogens on the surface of food or food preparing plates, ME wireless biosensing system was combined with surface swab sampling techniques in this research. The ME biosensors which consist of ME resonators E2 phage was generally used for Salmonella typhimurium direct detections on the surfaces. E2 phage used in this research was designed for Salmonella typhimurium specific binding. Instead of measuring one spot at a time, the desired area or the whole area of a target surface can be swabbed for the inexpensive, rapid and easy-to-use pathogen collections. In this study, we first investigated the efficiency of capture and release of a model pathogen, Salmonella Typhimurium, by swab sampling on wet or dry surfaces. Plate counting was used to identify the recovery rates. The efficiency of capture and release was calculated and compared between various kinds of swabs which were composed of different tip materials, including cotton, rayon, and nylon-flocked ones.

The present study investigates the effects of Coriolis force and centrifugal buoyancy force on heat transfer due to jet impingement on dimpled target surface (DT). Detailed heat transfer measurements were carried out using transient liquid crystal (LC) thermography, where the target surface was modeled as one-dimensional (1D) semi-infinite solid. Three different configurations of DT surfaces have been studied. The flow and rotation conditions have been kept the same for all the configurations, where the average Reynolds number (based on jet hole hydraulic diameter: Rej) was 2500 and the rotational speed was 400 rpm (corresponding to Roj of 0.00274). Under nonrotating conditions, DT surface showed positive heat transfer enhancements compared to smooth target surfaces. Under rotating conditions, it was observed that rotation was helpful in enhancing heat transfer on leading and trailing sides for smooth target surface. However, for the DT surfaces, rotation proved to be detrimental to heat transfer enhancement.

The nitride layer formed in the target race track during the deposition of stoichiometric TiN thin films is a factor 2.5 thicker for high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS), compared to conventional dc processing (DCMS). The phenomenon is explained using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of the as-operated Ti target surface chemistry supported by sputter depth profiles, dynamic Monte Carlo simulations employing the TRIDYN code, and plasma chemical investigations by ion mass spectrometry. The target chemistry and the thickness of the nitride layer are found to be determined by the implantation of nitrogen ions, predominantly N+ and N-2(+) for HIPIMS and DCMS, respectively. Knowledge of this method-inherent difference enables robust processing of high quality functional coatings. Funding Agencies|German Research Foundation (DFG) [SFB-TR 87]; Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation Scholar [KAW2016.0358]; VINN Excellence Center Functional Nanoscale Materials (FunMat-2) [2016-05156]; Aforsk Foundation [16-359]; Carl Tryggers Stiftelse [CTS 15:219, CTS 14:431]

Driving the cathode spots over the target surface by strong external or intrinsic magnetic fields allows to reduce, but not to suppress the emission of target splinters.

This research is focused on developing a robotic painting system for artistic and graphic applications by means of an anthropomorphic robot equipped with an airbrush. Firstly, we introduce a mathematical colour spray model, based on a radially symmetric Gaussian distribution of colour intensity within the spray cone. Then, we present an experimental characterization of colour intensity in a spot, by varying the distance between airbrush and target surface and the spraying time. The experimental results of this pilot study validate the paint intensity model and provide the basis for further investigations.

Annular plasma synthetic jet actuators demonstrated their ability to produce a tubular flow normal to the surface where the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is ignited. These fluid-dynamic actuators enhance the delivery of reactive species towards the target to be treated. In these actuators, long life charged particles are generated within the plasma region and then carried on by the induced flow. In this work, the potential distribution induced by charges deposited over an insulating target has been measured. Surface DBD actuators, made with different dielectric materials, have been supplied by different sinusoidal voltages at a constant average power supplying the discharge. Actuators with the exposed electrode connected to both the high voltage potential and grounded have been tested. The charge distribution accumulated on a target surface perpendicular to the flow has been measured at different time intervals with the plasma on. Charges advected by the flow are always positive. The potential distribution on the target surface generated by the charges has been measured. For both configurations, firstly an M-shaped distribution develops and, later on, it becomes bell-shaped. A charge build-up mechanism has been found to be faster when the exposed electrode is connected to the high voltage terminal. The target has been placed at a variable distance from 1 to 5 cm from the actuator surface. At a distance of 5 cm, induced potentials are two times smaller than those with the target at 1 cm. Measurements allow us to estimate a charge flux toward the target on the order of 1011 particles (cm2 s)−1. The results presented in this work show that the presence of charged particles in the jet flow outside the plasma could be an important factor to be accounted for when these plasma actuators are used for treatment purposes (indirect plasma treatment).

Reconstruction of shooting scenes is often necessary to determine several factors critical to the investigation. Determining the manner of death—homicide, suicide, or accidental—may be difficult without a reconstruction. A reconstruction can also provide information as to the relative location(s) of the shooter(s) and victim throughout the incident and can help determine the muzzle-to-target distance, which can be a pivotal factor in distinguishing between a homicide and a suicide. Additionally trajectories can be determined so that reconstructions can be performed to provide valuable information about shooter/victim locations, which can in many cases prove or disprove suspect, victim, or witness accounts of shooting scenarios.

Multivalent particles have the ability to form multiple bonds to a substrate. Hence, a multivalent interaction can be strong, even if the individual bonds are weak. However, much more interestingly, multivalency greatly increases the sensitivity of the particle-substrate interaction to external conditions, resulting in an ultra-sensitive and highly non-linear dependence of the binding strength on parameters such as temperature, pH or receptor concentration. In this chapter we focus on super-selectivity: the high sensitivity of the strength of multivalent binding to the number of accessible binding sites on the target surface. For example, the docking of a multivalent particle on a cell-surface can be very sensitive (super-selective) to the concentration of the receptors to which the multiple ligands can bind. We present a theoretical analysis of systems of multivalent particles and describe the mechanism by which multivalency leads to super-selectivity. We introduce a simple analytical model that allows us to predict the overall strength of interactions based on physiochemical characteristics of multivalent binders. Finally, we formulate a set of simple design rules for multivalent interactions that yield optimal selectivity.

Background Pen-based devices have emerged as useful tools for measuring pH and glucose, and for fabricating microchannels and microarrays. Pen-based devices take advantage of flexible patterning, inexpensive costs, and small volumes, thereby saving time and increasing efficiency. We have developed a gradient nib marker pen device that generated simultaneously different antibiotic concentrations in bacteria antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST). Methods The device can deposit on the target surface with the antibiotic gradient. The designed polyester fiber nibs are a highly uniform porosity with unidirectional orientation and produce a visible gradient pattern. Results We have demonstrated and quantitatively analyzed bacterial growth after antibiotic marking. The antibiotic marking produces an inhibition zone of bacterial growth. The inhibition zones of bacterial growth are captured and converted to 8-bit grayscale images, and then quantified by gray values using the Image J program. A profile of the inhibition zone showed different gray values in response to bacterial viability. Conclusion The gradient nib marker pen device can be used to determine the quantitative antibiotic concentration based on the relationship between gray values and bacterial density conveniently without requiring a series of dilution tubes, including nutrient medium, and diversely diluted antibiotics., Graphical Abstract

We propose an approach for estimating non-rigid correspondences between two shapes that can handle articulation and deformation of the surfaces to be matched. It operates on open or closed surfaces represented by point clouds and, therefore, it can be applied on other representations that can be converted into point clouds. Our method is capable of automatically discovering the articulated parts of the surface without requiring knowledge of the topology or the number of rigid parts. Processing begins by estimating potential sparse correspondences between the source and the target surface. These are used to align the largest corresponding parts of the two surfaces. Fragments of the surface that are not consistent with this alignment generate part hypotheses on which the algorithm is applied recursively. We present qualitative and quantitative results on four datasets comprising open and closed surfaces.

Understanding the fundamental forces involved in the adhesion of microbial cells is important not only in microbiology, to elucidate cellular functions (such as ligand-binding or biofilm formation), but also in medicine (biofilm infections) and biotechnology (cell aggregation). Rapid progress in atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques has made it possible to measure the forces driving cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions on a single cell basis. A living cell is attached to the AFM probe, thereby enabling researchers to measure the interaction forces between the cell and a target surface. Recent advances in our understanding of the forces driving cell adhesion and biofilm formation are discussed, with a focus on pathogens. These studies provide compelling evidence that, upon contact with a surface, cell adhesion components display a variety of mechanical responses that are important for cell adhesion.

T-cell lymphomas are a biologically and clinically diverse collection of diseases that collectively account for 10% to 15% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Unlike B-cell lymphomas, the response of T-cell lymphomas to standard anthracycline-containing chemotherapy regimens is suboptimal and the prognosis of patients is accordingly poor. To address these shortcomings, there has been a proliferation in biologic agents with novel mechanisms of action that target surface antigens, signaling pathways, or cellular processes. Given the large number of candidate molecules showing preclinical promise and the rarity of these diseases, drug development for peripheral T-cell lymphoma is challenging. We provide an overview of agents that have recently been approved for relapsed/refractory T-cell lymphoma and highlight efforts to introduce these agents into front-line treatment protocols in combination with chemotherapy. We discuss biologic doublets currently being evaluated as “chemotherapy-free” salvage regimens and highlight some of the most promising investigational agents in early clinical development.

An experimental investigation has been conducted on the heat transfer characteristics of compressed natural gas (CNG)/air dual flame (with co-swirling inner and outer flames) impinging on a flat surface. Effects of various parameters such as outer vane swirler angle (θo = 30°, 40° and 50°), inner vane swirler angle (θi = 0°, 15°, 22.5° and 30°), outer swirling flame Reynolds number (Reo = 5000–9000), and dimensionless separation distance (H/Dh = 1–4) on heat transfer characteristics have been evaluated. The inner flame Reynolds number (Rei) was kept constant to 1300. A significant difference in the heat transfer characteristics has been observed in the stagnation region for different values of the θo and θi at different H/Dh. High local and average heat fluxes have been observed at smaller separation distances. It has also been observed that the distribution of heat flux on the impingement surface was more uniform for θo of 40° at H/Dh of 2 and 3. Inducing swirl also to the inner flame has made the heat flux distribution further more uniform in the stagnation region and the effect was most favorable at low swirls (θi = 15°). Comparisons were also made for average heat fluxes at different radial extent of integration areas for different operating conditions. It has been found that radial extent of integration area correspond to r/Dh of 5 covers most of the effective heating area of the dual impinging flame. Finally, it has been inferred from the present study that a combination of θo of 40°, θi of 15°, H/Dh of 2 and Reo of 7000 produces the lowest percentage relative deviation and significantly high average heat transfer to the target surface for dual flame impinging on a flat surface.

Experimental investigation on the R134-a spray cooling characteristics is presented in a closed loop system. A full-cone nozzle was applied to spray onto a heated circular copper plate. The characteristics of the R134-a spray cooling under a series of different volumetric flow rate were obtained. The results shown that volumetric flow rate improves the critical heat flux (CHF). And larger volumetric flow rate prevent the dry-out phenomenon under high heat flux. However, volumetric flow rate bring the adverse condition that reduces the system efficiency. The maximum CHF of 117.2 W cm−2 was achieved with 319 K target surface temperature at 0.356 L min−1. The results indicate that R134-a owns a great cooling characteristics in spray cooling system.

An experimental study aiming to estimate the firing distance was conducted using a 7.65 mm × 17 mm Browning (.32ACP) pistol. Briefly, test shots were made against a target of cotton tissue (35 cm × 35 cm), and the amounts of antimony (Sb), barium (Ba), and lead (Pb) deposited in quadrangular pieces (1 cm × 1 cm) of the target cut from four radial positions at increasing distances from the bullet entrance hole ("samples") were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The data obtained were used to search for a mathematical model for estimating the firing distance. The best model was a simple linear correlation between FD (the firing distance) and ln c (where c is the content of Sb, Ba or Pb in the samples, expressed in μg/g of target tissue). Best results were obtained with samples collected at radial distances within 2.0-3.0 cm from the bullet entrance hole. Using this approach, it was possible to accurately (±6 cm) estimate the firing distance in the interval [20-90] cm from the target.

To prepare hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) thin films with a stoichiometric Ca/P ratio via pulsed laser deposition (PLD), the spot area of the laser pulse was changed independently of the laser fluence. To maintain a constant fluence when the spot area was changed, the total energy irradiated on the target surface was adjusted relative to the spot area. We found that the spot area dramatically changed the Ca/P ratio of the hydroxyapatite thin films that were prepared via PLD with a constant fluence. The best Ca/P ratio of 1.72 ± 0.13, which is close to the stoichiometric ratio (1.67), is achieved with a spot area and a fluence of 3.8 mm and 2.4 J/cm, respectively. We report on the importance of the spot area in the PLD technique for the first time.

Weapon transfer stains in a crime scene are often difficult to interpret. Given the large number of hammer hit events that take place each year, this work is largely aimed at analyzing the different factors that influence and distort regular hammer transfer stains. Different physical mechanisms under identical conditions influence the formation of distinct transfer stain patterns. This is the basic highlight of this study. By experimentation, the authors are of the view that the quantity of blood attached to the surface area of a hammer, the surface area of the hammer exposed to blood, the dimensions of the hammer, the angle of inclination at the time of fall, hardness of the target surface, friction coefficient of the hammer material, texture of the target surface influence the transfer stain formed. Again the velocity of hit, the undulations in the hammer, the depth of blood pool, hammer weight all have significant effect on the transfer stain pattern formed. The significance of the height of fall and the edge that touches the target surface first, cannot be particularly ruled out in analyzing hammer transfer stain patterns. The relevance of the article lies in the fact that analysts having clear idea of how these different factors could affect the formation of different weapon transfer stain patterns, shall be in a better position at understanding the probable mechanism that might have led to the formation of the stain. This knowledge is transferable to the study of other murder weapon transfer stain interpretation and shall aid proper sequencing of segments in a criminal event.

The casks or packaging systems used for the transportation of nuclear materials, especially spent fuel elements, have to be designed according to rigorous acceptance requirements, like the IAEA ones, in order to provide protection to human beings and environment against radiation exposure and contamination. This study deals with the free drop test of an Italian design packaging system to be used for the transportation of low and intermediate level radioactive wastes. Impact drop experiments were performed in the Lab. Scalbatraio of the DICI – University of Pisa. Dynamic analyses too have been carried out, by refined models of both the cask and target surface to predict the effects of the impact shock (vertical drop) on the package. The experimental tests and numerical analyses are thoroughly compared, presented and discussed. The numerical approach shows to be suitable to reproduce with good reliability the test situations and results.

We present a novel technique that allows us to detect, map and quantify changes on the Earth's surface in three-dimensions that occur at time scales of a few seconds. This rapid change detection capability is a byproduct of the development of a multichannel airborne lidar system that scans the target surface at three different times in a single aircraft pass. Results, capabilities, limitations and potential applications are discussed.

Removing large orbital debris in a safe, robust, and cost-effective manner is a long-standing challenge, having serious implications for LEO satellite safety and access to space. Many studies have focused on the deorbit of spent rocket bodies (R/Bs) as an achievable and high-priority first step. However, major difficulties arise from the R/Bs' residual tumble and lack of traditional docking/grasping fixtures. Previously investigated docking strategies often require complex and risky approach maneuvers or have a high chance of producing additional debris. To address this challenge, this paper investigates the use of controllable dry adhesives (cDAs), also known as gecko-inspired adhesives, as an alternative approach to R/B docking and deor-biting. CDAs are gathering interest for in-space grasping and manipulation due to their ability to controllably attach to and detach from any smooth, clean surface, including flat and curved surfaces. Such capability significantly expands the number and types of potential docking locations on a target. CDAs are also inexpensive, are space-qualified (performing well in a vacuum, in extreme temperatures, and under radiation), and can attach and detach while applying minimal force to a target surface, all important considerations for space deployment. In this paper, we investigate a notional strategy for initial capture and stabilization of a R/B having multi-axis tumble, exploiting the unique properties of CDA grippers to reduce maneuver complexity, and we propose alternatives for rigidly attaching deorbiting kits to a R/B. Simulations based on experimentally verified models of CDA grippers show that these approaches show promise as robust alternatives to previously explored methods.

The Monte Carlo statistical method was used to estimate the uncertainty of the emissivity, obtained by dual spectral infrared radiometry, of gray surfaces at ambient temperature. A large number of simulations were carried out, by selecting a wide range of values from parameters that directly affect the resulting emissivity: the emissivity of the target surface, the background temperature of the surrounding surfaces, the maximum error of the detectors, and the width and spectral location of the bands of the detectors. In summary, the level of uncertainty grows very quickly as the background temperature approximates the target surface. In terms of the spectral characteristics of the detectors, it was found that narrow bands, far apart from each other, and short wavelength bands provide the lowest uncertainty from all simulated emissivity values.

Reducing the kinematic errors is an important problem in five-axis machining. Errors of this type substantially affect the quality of the five-axis manufacturing. In this paper, we propose and analyse a new numerical algorithm to reduce the kinematic errors of a five-axis tool path using minimisation of the variation of the rotation angles. Our algorithm finds the locations of the cutter contact points (CC points) in the angular space and the orientation/location of the target surface relative to the mounting table that minimise the angle variation. We show through the numerical experiments and cutting simulations that the proposed method is efficient and accurate.

Gravity erosion is one of the most remarkable natural hazards in mountainous regions, especially on the Loess Plateau of China. Nevertheless, the measurement of failure mass is very difficult because gravity erosion usually occurs randomly and it combines with hydraulic erosion. Here, we present a novel testing technique that could quantitatively measure time-variable gravity erosion on the steep loess slopes. A structured-light 3D surface measuring apparatus, the Topography Meter, was designed and manufactured in our laboratory. Dynamic variation of the steep slope relief was monitored under rainfall simulation, and the slope deforming process was recorded by a computer video technology. With the help of laser marking, plane figures were vectorially transformed into 3D graphs, thus the shape of target surface was accurately computed. By comparing the slope geometries in the moments before and after the erosion incident on the snapshot images at a particular time, we could obtain the volume of gravity erosion and many other erosion data, including the volume of slide mass and the amount of soil loss eroded by overland flow. A series of calibration tests were conducted and the results showed that the accuracy of this technique was high and sufficient for exploring the mechanism of slope erosion. More than 120 rainfall simulation events were subsequently tested with the apparatus, further confirming its feasibility and reliability.

Illusions of lightness offer valuable clues to how lightness values are computed by the visual system. The traditional domain of lightness illusions must be expanded to include failures of constancy, as there is no distinction between these categories. Just as lightness is (relatively) constant in the face of changes in illumination level, so it is equally constant in the face of changes in background reflectance. Simultaneous lightness contrast, the most familiar lightness illusion, is fairly weak, and represents a failure of background-independent lightness constancy. It is argued that a combination of the highest-luminance rule of anchoring plus the Kardos idea of codetermination can account for most lightness illusions. Kardos suggested that the lightness value of a target surface is partly determined relative to the field of illumination (or framework) in which it is embedded, and partly relative to the neighboring field of illumination. Although Kardos did not apply his principle of codetermination to failures of background-independent constancy such as the simultaneous contrast illusion, this can be done rather easily by defining a framework as a perceptual group instead of identifying it strictly with an objective field of illumination.

To a large extent, the success of the product shape design depends on whether the geometric modeling systems can satisfy more and more complicated design demands in the engineering field. This paper proposes a shape design method based on semantic features for complex CAD surface. By the proposed method, we can easily meet the complicated design requirements, since the semantic can effectively represent the design intent. We discussed three aspects in shape design using semantic features, which are semantic design demands of the target surface, geometric constraints in accordance with semantic features, and surface shape deformation under the geometric constraints, respectively. The basic semantic features of geometric models drive the deformation of the target surface shape by changing the related constraint, and the desirable features are added to the CAD surface shape. The examples of the car shape design are presented to verify the effectives of our method.

We developed new magnetron sputtering equipment called rotation magnet sputtering (RMS), where multiple moving plasma loops are exited on the planar target surface, obtaining high target utilization. The moving plasma loops also worked efficiently to homogenize the spatial distribution of a-IGZO film qualities by time-averaged homogenization effect.

This paper describes a new method of measuring the position of everyday objects and a robot on the floor using distance and reflectance acquired by laser range finder (LRF). The information obtained by this method is important for a service robot working in a human daily life environment. Our method uses only one LRF together with a mirror installed on the wall. Moreover, since the area of sensing is limited to a LRF scanning plane parallel to the floor and just a few centimeters above the floor, the scanning covers the whole room with minimal invasion of privacy of a resident, and occlusion problem is mitigated by using mirror. We use the reflection intensity and position information obtained from the target surface. Although it is not possible to identify all objects by additionally using reflection values, it would be easier to identify unknown objects if we can eliminate easily identifiable objects by reflectance. In addition, we propose a method for measuring the robot’s pose using the tag which has the encoded reflection pattern optically identified by the LRF. Our experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Compact compound imaging system with large CCD target surface has been researched. The target surface reaches 50mmX50mm, and reduces the system processing and installation difficulty. We present the system overall plan and discuss the imaging characteristics. The imaging results for sector resolution target show that the system can image with multi channel crosstalk free. The results show that whether the single convex lens system or double convex lens system, the definition and contrast of single channel graphs are poor. However we can get the super resolution image by POCS algorithm. The reconstructed results show that image quality has been obviously improved compared with the single channel image, which proof the availability of the compact compound imaging system with large CCD target surface. Key words: Compact ompound imaging system, Microlens array, Doublet lens, POCS

The physical mechanism of undamped temperature waves and the conditions of generation thereof in media with a finite time of local thermal relaxation are examined. The wave frequency depends on the relaxation time and the parameters of the pulse action on a medium, and the lowest frequencies correspond, in particular, to air. These effects can be used to identify and investigate this action. It is demonstrated that the character of wave reflection from the interface between different media depends on the state and the finish quality of the given surface. In particular, in the ideal case of a sharp interface between air and metal, temperature waves are totally reflected at the interface. On the contrary, if there is a “blurred” interface, reflections can be almost completely suppressed and waves not absorbed in air penetrate into another medium and are rapidly attenuated in it. Other combinations of media can also lead to an analogous phenomenon, which makes it possible to develop remote heating systems by which distant environments are warmed without thermal energy losses in the intermediate medium.

Ambient conditions and sensor-plant distances may affect active sensors' performance.Effects of changes in light and temperature on three active sensors were investigated.Active sensors' performance is hardly affected by changes in light intensity.Distance between the sensor and the target surface needs to be considered.Varying device temperature should be taken into account. Spectral remote sensing is widely used for land-use management, agriculture, and crop management. Spectral sensors are most frequently adopted for site-specific fertiliser applications and, increasingly, for precision phenotyping. With the use of active sensors in the field, it is inevitable that they will be used under varying ambient conditions and with varying crop distances, but it remains unclear how these factors affect the active sensors' performance. This study was conducted to determine whether changes in light intensity, ambient temperature, and measuring distance influence the accuracy of the spectral reading from three different active sensors (NTech GreenSeeker RT100, Holland Scientific CropCircle ACS 470, YARA N-Sensor ALS). The distance between sensor and target surface was the major factor to be considered, depending on the sensor type. Optimised measuring distances to crop canopies that enable stable sensor outputs were determined from 10 to 200cm sensor-object distance (GreenSeeker: 70-140cm, CropCircle: 30-200cm and ALS N-Sensor: 50-200cm) and compared to manufacturer's recommendations for correct use of the sensors. In addition, the device temperature had variable results depending on sensor and spectral index. In contrast, varying light conditions, including nocturnal usage, hardly affected the performance of the sensors in agreement with the manufacturers' claims that sensor performance is independent of ambient light conditions. Given the preliminary nature of these investigations, further research into optimising the sensor performance with respect to the measuring distance and the device's temperature are needed to improve the application of this technology under field conditions.

This work will investigate two non-destructive methods of fault detection in laminate structures such as frescos. These two techniques are compared on a purpose-built laboratory prototype and on frescos in the Senate Reception Room of the U.S. Capitol Building. Thermography uses an infrared camera to map the surface temperature of an object. This technique can be used to quickly identify abnormally hot or cold regions on a surface. These abnormal regions can indicate structural defects such as fresco delamination, cracks, and inclusions. The other non-destructive technique for defect detection used in this work is laser Doppler vibrometry paired with acoustic excitation of the target surface. Over the same surface area, thermography provides a much quicker result. This work aims to evaluate potential synergy between the technologies by comparing the results of the two scans. A prototype with known defects is used to find commonality between the two methods and to understand the circumstances in which the results diverge. The prototype is a square of approximately half a meter on each side. A seven centimeter thick concrete backing layer is followed by a layer of mortared antique bricks and topped by mortar and plaster to mimic fresco.This work will investigate two non-destructive methods of fault detection in laminate structures such as frescos. These two techniques are compared on a purpose-built laboratory prototype and on frescos in the Senate Reception Room of the U.S. Capitol Building. Thermography uses an infrared camera to map the surface temperature of an object. This technique can be used to quickly identify abnormally hot or cold regions on a surface. These abnormal regions can indicate structural defects such as fresco delamination, cracks, and inclusions. The other non-destructive technique for defect detection used in this work is laser Doppler vibrometry paired with acoustic excitation of the target surface. Over the same surface area, thermography provides a much quicker result. This work aims to evaluate potential synergy between the technologies by comparing the results of the two scans. A prototype with known defects is used to find commonality between the two methods and to understand the circumstances in which the ...

Biological processes and technological applications cannot work without liquid control, where versatile water droplet manipulation is a significant issue. Droplet motion is conventionally manipulated by functionalizing the target surface or by utilizing additives in the droplet, still, with uncontrolled limitation on superhydrophobic surfaces since droplets are either unable to move fast or are difficult to stop while moving. A controllable high-speed "all-in-one" no-loss droplet manipulation, that is, in-plane moving and stopping/pinning in any direction on a superhydrophobic surface, with electrostatic charging is demonstrated. The experimental results reveal that the transport speed can vary from zero to several hundreds of millimeters per second. Controlled dynamic switching between the onset moving state and the offset pinning state of a water droplet can be achieved by out-of-plane electrostatic charging. This work opens the possibility of droplet control techniques in various applications, such as combinatory chemistry, biochemical, and medical detection.

With adhesives, it’s hard to have it all. They’re usually either strong or reversible. And getting both reversible and strong adhesion can be even more difficult if the target surface is rough or u...