Mobile Ad Hoc Network-Enabled Collaboration Framework Supporting Civil Engineering Emergency Response Operations

This paper presents an information-technology-based collaboration framework that facilitates disaster response operations. The collaboration framework incorporates a web collaboration service, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, a building blackbox system (BBS), a geo-database, and a geographic information system (GIS). Through the integration of these technologies, the framework provides a collaboration medium for first responders, including civil engineers, to cohesively respond to disasters. Access to critical building information, such as construction documents, through the BBS supports assessments of building integrity during disaster response. Building assessment information is stored on RFID tags, which are accessible to first responders through digital devices via a wireless ad hoc network. With on-site assessment information shown on a digital map, decision makers locate, collect, and distribute critical resources through the GIS to first responders. In addition, the decision makers at distributed locations evaluate the incident through discussion sessions, hosted by the web collaboration environment, for integrated decision making. Test-bed simulations for the framework have been carried out with encouraging results at the training ground of the Illinois Fire Service Institute.     

A collaborative model for capacity expansion of the IC foundry industry

Collaborative project management is becoming a key means of survival for managing the integrated circuit (IC) foundry business. Starting a new IC foundry fabrication project involves complex organizational collaboration and systems integration. In the past, the lack of adequate theoretical approaches to combine parallel systems has led to poor integration of information and poor communication. This paper presents an object-oriented reference model for helping the project managers and the participants to better manage the collaborative relationship and systems integration during the expansion of new IC fabrication foundries. The tool set of the architecture of integrated information systems (ARIS) is applied to describe the interaction between the organization, events, functions, and the systems flow. An object-oriented analysis approach is used to represent the architecture of the collaborative model. A prototype Web-based platform is constructed to demonstrate the model for the capacity expansion of the IC foundry industry and show the improved communication channel.     

Automation of environmental ELISAs

ELISAs for pesticides and herbicides in environmental and agricultural samples are becoming very important in screening applications [1-3]. Traditional chromatographic methods are expensive and results need long turnaround times, making them incompatible with rapid on-site decision making. ELISA methods have been shown to meet or exceed the performance of gas chromatography—they offer rapid low-cost analysis, thereby increasing the frequency of sampling and enhancing data quality. Automated ELISA workstations allow the full benefit of these kits to be realized. Sample preparation, reagent pipetting, incubation, and photometric evaluation can be performed without user intervention. Reliability is increased through the elimination of operator error, better accuracy and precision, and often higher speed. Much larger batch sizes are possible and these systems can provide sample tracking with report generation for documentation requirements. In this paper the manual procedures and ELISA methods are compared and some critical aspects of automating these ELISA kits are discussed.     

Membrane rejection of nonspherical particles: Modeling and experiment

The rejection coefficient of nonspherical particles from ultrafiltration and microfiltration membranes has been examined from both theoretical and experimental perspectives. Modeling efforts focused on incorporating the convective hindrance factor for a capsule shaped particle in a cylindrical pore into predictions of the rejection coefficient. First, the convective hindrance factor was approximated using previously reported results for the hydrodynamic resistances experienced by a sphere in a pore. Second, computational fluid dynamics calculations predicted the convective hindrance factor for a capsule in a cylindrical pore. Results from both approaches indicate that including hydrodynamic interactions in predictions of the rejection coefficient has a greater effect for smaller particles and particles with smaller aspect ratio (i.e., close to spherical shape). Rejections of several rod‐shaped Gram negative bacteria with aspect ratio from 2 to 5 by clean track‐etched membranes were in general agreement with theoretical predictions. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 3863–3873, 2013     

Design,analysis and characterization of four port multiple-input-multiple-output UWB-X band antenna with band rejection ability for wireless network applications

Wireless Networks - In this proposed research article, four-port dual notched bands multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna configuration is proposed and is experimentally investigated by...     

Extraction of water particles from atmospheric air through a Scheffler reflector using different solid desiccants

ABSTRACT

In this article, an attempt has been made to extract water particles from atmospheric air by using silica gel, molecular sieve13× and activated alumina. The cycle consists of two phases, first is a nocturnal phase (night) and other is a diurnal phase (day time). In the nocturnal phase, adsorption process takes place, regeneration and condensation processes take place in the diurnal phase. The water production rate depends upon the regeneration rate of the material. A newly designed fixed focus Scheffler reflector of surface area 1.54?m² is used to regenerate the desiccant materials. The water produced from this method is clean and can be used for potable purposes. The production rate of water is 43, 38 and 155?ml/day from 1?kg each of the molecular sieve, activated alumina and silica gel, respectively; furthermore, the adsorption rate, regeneration rate and cost analysis are also carried out.     

Long‐Cycle Electrochemical Behavior of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized on Stainless Steel in Li Ion Batteries

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are considered to be excellent candidates for high performance electrode materials in Li ion batteries. The nanometer‐sized pore structures of CNTs can provide the hosting sites for storing large numbers of Li ions. A short diffusion distance for the Li ions may bring about a high discharge rate. The long‐cycle performance of aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) directly synthesized on stainless‐steel foil as an anode material in lithium battery is demonstrated. An increase in the specific capacity with an increase in the cycle number is observed. Starting at a value of 132 mA hg^?1 in the first cycle at a current rate of 1 C, the specific capacity increased about 250% to a value of 460 mA hg^?1 after 1 200 cycles. This is an unusual but a welcoming behavior for battery applications. It is found that the morphology of the MWNTs with structural and surface defects and the stainless‐steel substrate play an important role in enhancing the capacity during the cycling process.     

Low hydrogen containing amorphous carbon films—Growth and electrochemical properties as lithium battery anodes

Amorphous carbon films were deposited successfully on Cu foils by DC magnetron sputtering technique. Electrochemical performance of the film as lithium battery anode was evaluated across Li metal at 0.2 C rate in a non-aqueous electrolyte. The discharge curves showed unusually low irreversible capacity in the first cycle with a reversible capacity of ∼810 mAh g⁻¹, which is at least 2 times higher than that of graphitic carbon. For the first time we report here an amorphous carbon showing such a high reversibility in the first cycle, which is very much limited to the graphitic carbon. The deposited films were extensively characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and step profilometer for the structural and surface properties. The hydrogen content of the synthesized films was studied using residual gas analysis (RGA). The low hydrogen content and the low specific surface area of the synthesized amorphous carbon film are considered responsible for such a high first cycle columbic efficiency. The growth mechanism and the reasons for enhanced electrochemical performance of the carbon films are discussed.