Sparsity-inspired image reconstruction for electrical capacitance tomography

We present a new image reconstruction method for Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT). ECT image reconstruction is generally ill-posed because the number of measurements is small whereas the image dimensions are large. Here, we present a sparsity-inspired approach to achieve better ECT image reconstruction from the small number of measurements. Our approach for ECT image reconstruction is based on Total Variation (TV) regularization. We apply an efficient Split-Bregman Iteration (SBI) approach to solve the problem. We also propose three metrics to evaluate image reconstruction performance, i.e., a joint metric of positive reconstruction rate (PRR) and false reconstruction rate (FRR), correlation coefficient, and a shape and location metric. The results on both synthetic and real data show that the proposed TV-SBI method can better preserve the edges of images and better resolve different objects within reconstructed images, as compared to a representative state-of-the-art ECT image reconstruction algorithm, Projected Landweber Iteration with Linear Back Projection initialization (LBP-PLI).     

Observation of the ultrastructure of anterior cruciate ligament graft by atomic force microscopy

This study presented the fibril ultrastructure of retrieved grafts from the reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The tapping mode images of the AFM were taken from different areas of the longitudinally cut grafts. Regular arrangement of collagen fibrils was found in certain areas of the graft. In many areas, however, the fibrils were not well arranged in a single direction, with some smaller fibrils oriented vertically to larger parallel fibrils. The crossing and tangling of fibrils in ACL grafts was well represented in the three‐dimensional AFM image. This abnormality of graft ultrastructure might indicate the possible alteration of the mechanical environment after ACL reconstruction. This study demonstrated the suitability and importance of ultrastructure observation of ACL grafts by AFM. SCANNING 31: 19–23, 2009. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Quantitative electron holographic tomography for the 3D characterisation of semiconductor device structures

Electron tomography and electron holography experiments have been combined to investigate the 3D electrostatic potential distribution in semiconductor devices. The experimental procedure for the acquisition and data reconstruction of holographic tilt series of silicon p-n junction specimens is described. A quantitative analysis of the experimental results from specimens of two different thicknesses is presented, revealing the 3D electrostatic potential variations arising from the presence of surfaces and damage generated by focused ion beam (FIB) sample preparation. Close to bulk-like properties are measured in the centre of the tomographic reconstruction of the specimen, revealing higher electrically active dopant concentrations compared to the measurements obtained at the specimen surfaces. A comparison of the experimental results from the different thickness specimens has revealed a 'critical' thickness for this specimen preparation method of 350nm that is required for this device structure to retain 'bulk'-like properties in the centre of the membrane.     

The influence of lubricant on the morphology of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene wear debris generated in laboratory tests.

Since the implication of polyethylene wear debris as a major cause of osteolysis in total joint replacements, there has been much interest in polyethylene wear studies and in cell culture studies using ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear debris. Studies have shown that particles in the 0.1-10 microns size range are particularly important in causing adverse cellular reactions resulting in osteolysis. The morphology, the mass and size distributions, and the number of wear particles produced at the joint surfaces are influenced by the tribological conditions at the joint. Laboratory wear tests are used to investigate the wear properties of prosthetic joint materials and different research groups have used different lubricants in these tests. This paper shows that the volumetric wear and morphology of UHMWPE particles generated in vitro are influenced by the type of lubricant used. This study compared, quantitatively, UHMWPE wear debris generated in deionized water to debris that was generated in a system lubricated by bovine serum which was diluted to 25 per cent. The wear factors of UHMWPE in water and serum lubricants were significantly different (p < 0.05). UHMWPE wore 14 times more in water than in serum. Quantitative analysis of the wear particles showed that the debris that was generated in serum was morphologically different from debris that was produced in a water-lubricated system. Furthermore, the particles produced in serum showed a closer similarity to those found in retrieved acetabular tissues.     

Analysis of fretting corrosion in machine elements

Heavy duty machines, which are applied in coal mines, operate at extremely heavy environmental conditions. Their technological process of operation is characterised by variable loads during mining or transport which makes it necessary for these machines to have very high durability. In some cases, the operation of machine elements can be interrupted by failure. The reasons for such failures may be various. The machine's vibration generates relative micro displacements. After a comparatively short period of operation, the wear occurs on the surfaces of connected machine elements. This type of wear results from the occurrence of a complex phenomenon called fretting. There are different types of fretting, such as fretting‐fatigue, fretting‐wear, fretting‐adhesion and fretting‐corrosion. The last one is a special kind of machine element damage occurring on the surfaces of contacting elements loaded by pressure and simultaneously subjected to relative and small oscillation movements. Fretting is generated on condition that there exists a displacement between two contacting surfaces, the amplitude of which ranges from a few to tens of micrometres. Furthermore, some number of slip cycles and the normal load are indispensable. It is possible to find the expression for the dependence determining the amplitude of oscillation movements in the joint between two machine elements. The paper describes the mechanism and analysis of fretting corrosion, gives some examples of surface destruction and presents the amplitude of oscillation movements as well as the results of investigations into fretting in the cylindrical joints, e.g. pin joints applied in heavy duty conditions in coal mines such as in the case of suspension of hoisting devices. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Three-dimensional metacarpophalangeal joint kinematics using two markers on the phalanx

A protocol for analysing three-dimensional metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint motion in vivo using two markers on the proximal phalanx is described. The analysis uses an assumption that the rotation of the phalanx about its own long axis is zero. In an experimental study 24 volunteers had surface markers applied to the dorsal surfaces of their hands and index and long finger proximal phalanges, with three-dimensional marker positions recorded in two hand and finger postures in an incomplete box design using a test-retest protocol. Kinematic parameters from the optoelectronic system were compared with those obtained from three-dimensional reconstruction of bone landmarks and of the marker positions identified on stereoradiographs. Pronation/supination angles obtained from bone landmarks showed high test-retest variability, reflecting the difficulty in obtaining reliable pronation/supination data in small bones without the use of implanted markers. Changes in MCP joint extension and deviation angles determined using two surface markers agree with those obtained from bone landmarks. The results indicate a reproducible protocol for tracking MCP joint motion using only two phalangeal markers, suggesting that the 'no-rotation assumption' can be applied without affecting measures of extension and deviation motion in the normal joint.     

Analysis of frictional energy dissipation on an annular surface with harmonic loading

Metallic mating surfaces in structural joints offer a good source of frictional energy dissipation resulting in a damped dynamic structural response. This paper reports the results of experiments where the energy dissipation per cycle occurring at a preloaded flat metallic annular interface subjected to cyclic tangential forces is measured. The effects of certain pertinent joint variables on this frictional energy dissipation are investigated by the application of Response Surface Methodology. A central composite rotatable design was utilized for developing empirical expressions for energy loss. The methodology presented suggests a useful technique for tribological research.     

Fast freeform hybrid reconstruction with manual mesh segmentation

In this paper, we presented a method for fitting large B-spline topological surfaces on freeform polygon mesh generated from cloud data of objects. The mesh has been manually segmented and large surfaces are fitted on segments in a hybrid approach, i.e., combination of geometric subdivision and non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) interpolation which is an emerging research space. An interpolation method has been proposed to parameterize dense cloud data of any complexity level with capability of handling occluded regions. All junctions are treated with trimming of NURBS surfaces with C ⁰ and C ¹ continuities between adjacent patches. This scheme amalgamated process knowledge of reconstruction on segmented and subdivided point cloud data, various NURBS geometry options and junction treatment resulting in faster high-quality reconstruction. Apart from manual segmentation, almost the entire process is automatic which generated superior quality surface models. Pawn, Stanford Bunny, and human head clouds with occluded surface zones are used for tryout and resulting shapes are recorded in initial graphics exchange specification (IGES) files.     

Conformal manufacturing of soft deformable sensors on the curved surface

Health monitoring of structures and people requires the integration of sensors and devices on various 3D curvilinear, hierarchically structured, and even dynamically changing surfaces. Therefore, it is highly desirable to explore conformal manufacturing techniques to fabricate and integrate soft deformable devices on complex 3D curvilinear surfaces. Although planar fabrication methods are not directly suitable to manufacture conformal devices on 3D curvilinear surfaces, they can be combined with stretchable structures and the use of transfer printing or assembly methods to enable the device integration on 3D surfaces. Combined with functional nanomaterials, various direct printing and writing methods have also been developed to fabricate conformal electronics on curved surfaces with intimate contact even over a large area. After a brief summary of the recent advancement of the recent conformal manufacturing techniques, we also discuss the challenges and potential opportunities for future development in this burgeoning field of conformal electronics on complex 3D surfaces.     

Nanowear Mapping: A Novel Atomic Force Microscopy Based Approach for Studying Nanoscale Wear at High Sliding Velocities

Most micro/nanoelectromechanical system (MEMS/NEMS) devices and components such as microgears and micromotors operate at very high sliding velocities (of the order of tens of mm/s to few m/s). Nanoscale tribology and mechanics of these devices is crucial for evaluating reliability and failure issues, including those stemming from high wear. We have developed a novel AFM based approach for studying nanoscale wear at sliding velocities up to 10 mm/s. The technique is demonstrated by mapping wear of silicon resulting from two- and three-body abrasions, and that of diamondlike carbon (DLC) resulting from phase transformation of DLC to a graphite-like phase. The novel AFM based approach for nanowear mapping provides a reliable as well as a fast means for investigating wear on the nanoscale as a function of normal load and sliding velocity.     

结合流形正则和变量分离近似稀疏重构的荧光分子断层成像

为改善荧光分子断层成像的重建结果,本文采用联合稀疏-流形正则模型进行光源重建,该联合稀疏-流形正则模型能同时利用重建光源聚集性和稀疏性的先验信息。为有效求解该联合稀疏-流形正则模型,本文通过重新推导变量分离近似稀疏重构算法对其进行求解。为加快变量分离近似稀疏重构算法求解联合稀疏-流形正则模型的速度,本文在光源重建过程中采用了热启动策略。实验结果表明,相比变量分离近似稀疏重构算法求解范数模型,变量分离近似稀疏重构算法求解联合稀疏-流形正则模型将重建结果的对比噪声比从6.45提升至9.18。另外,相比没有采用热启动策略,采用热启动策略的变量分离近似稀疏重构算法求解联合稀疏-流形正则模型的时间从101.84 s减至50.10 s。本文方法显著提高了光源目标重建的精度和速度,取得了更优的重建结果。     

A new technique for measuring contact areas in human joints--the '3S technique'.

The need for estimating average stresses acting in human joints has prompted the measurement of contact areas. Various existing methods predict contact areas much larger than the actual ones occurring in vivo. This discrepancy is due to the inevitable flow of the interstitial water of articular cartilage in the form of creep deformation. Some of the tests are also too complicated and time consuming for them to be suitable for tests where a large body of data are to be collected. In this report, the authors present a new technique of indicating contact areas occurring in human synovial joints. The new technique employs silicone oil-carbon black powder suspension which is applied to one of the contact surfaces. The suspension is squeezed out of the contact area on applying the load leaving the contact area clearly indicated and possible to record photographically. This Silicone oil-carbon black powder Suspension Squeeze technique (the '3S technique' in short) has been validated and compared with another technique which is equally accurate but cannot be used in human joints. The technique the authors developed is simple, quick and allows accurate measurements of contact areas under physiological conditions with ease. Also, it leaves no permanent staining on cartilage surfaces and so allows one to repeat the test on the same joint under different loads and flexion angles of the joint. As an example, the change of contact areas in a tibio-talar joint during a normal level walking cycle is shown, which can be used to show the variation of the contact stress level at various instances within a walking cycle.     

Evaluation of methods for reducing fretting fatigue damage in 2024-t3 aluminum lap joints

Fatigue strength of aluminum lap joints subjected to fretting can vary widely depending on the type of treatments applied to the faying surfaces. Many materials normally selected for their lubricity or good wear properties cannot be used in a bolted joint because of their interference with the load transfer requirements of the joint. Thus the best methods found in this evaluation in order of their effectiveness were bonded and shotpeened, bonded alone, shotpeened alone, and bonded steel wear pads. These techniques increased the fatigue strength at 10⁷ cycles of an untreated joint from 12 k.s.i. to a maximum of 23 k.s.i.     

间隙配合变轨距轮对与轨道间瞬态滚滑接触模拟研究

变轨距技术是实现不同轨距铁路联运的重要手段,我国相关研究仍在起步阶段。基于显式有限元法,建立包含渐开线花键副的三维变轨距轮对-轨道耦合瞬态分析模型,于时域内模拟速度高至400km/h下的瞬态轮轨滚滑和花键间动态接触行为及其相互影响。模型充分考虑轮轨和花键副三维几何、系统高频结构振动等,引入时变牵引/制动转矩,采用集成库仑摩擦定律的"面-面"接触算法求解轮轨接触和花键接触。假设圆柱直齿渐开线花键,齿数取32,齿侧间隙恒0.1mm,无激励下模拟结果表明,花键副的存在使得轮轨力波动范围大于传统轮对,例如,400km/h下法向轮轨力波动幅值增加静载的3.7%。时速400km/h和牵引系数0.05下,内外花键的径向和角向偏置使得花键左、右两侧各存在1个位置相对固定的承载区,各涉及5～6个键齿,承载面分别为II和I键齿工作面。瞬态法、切向接触应力极值发生在靠近一系悬挂侧的齿根或齿顶部,典型值分别为102MPa和4.6MPa,任一键齿的应力极值因不断有键齿进出承载区而波动上升和下降。牵引系数0.3时,左侧承载区消失,右侧承载区扩至18个键齿,相同时刻下的法、切向接触应力极值因承载齿数和总接触面积增加...     

基于多通道联合稀疏重建的全极化SAR成像

全极化合成孔径雷达(SAR)可对不同极化通道分别独立进行压缩感知(CS)稀疏重建来增强成像性能,但分别独立处理没有利用极化信息的冗余性与互补性,有可能破坏极化信息的完整性。依据雷达目标在全极化下的散射特性构建联合稀疏度量函数,将全极化SAR高分辨成像转化为多通道联合稀疏约束的最优化重建问题,并用改进的正交匹配追踪算法进行求解。由于有效利用全极化信息,多通道联合CS成像相比于单通道CS成像能够获得更好的成像质量,还能全面准确反映目标全极化散射特性。通过对Backhoe挖掘机电磁仿真数据的处理,验证了算法的有效性,并且在微波暗室搭建了全极化SAR半实物仿真系统,利用其获取的全极化实测数据进一步验证了该方法的工程可行性。     

Nanofinishing of freeform surfaces (knee joint implant) by rotational-magnetorheological abrasive flow finishing (R-MRAFF) process

Freeform complex surfaces have become an inevitable part of many devices to perform specific functions. Some of these components require nanolevel surface roughness value to meet the desired requirements in their applications. Finishing of freeform surfaces to nanometer surface roughness value is always difficult for any process. Rotational-magnetorheological abrasive flow finishing (R-MRAFF) process has been applied so far for finishing internal surfaces of relatively simple geometry. In this work, an attempt has been made to improve external topography of freeform surfaces using this process. Large hydrodynamic pressure coupled with magnetic fluid is the principal idea behind these experiments. A smooth mirror like finished surface is achieved with improved finishing rate (nanometer/min) by controlling two motions (axial and rotational) simultaneously on stainless steel workpiece similar to knee joint implant. Magnetorheological polishing fluid with different mesh sizes of abrasive particles and at different extrusion pressures is used to reduce final surface roughness value, to increase uniformity of surface finish on the freeform surface and to enhance finishing rate. Surface roughness ranging from 35 to 78 nm is achieved at various locations as compared to larger variation in Ra value obtained in the earlier research work.     

A hybrid approach to smooth surface reconstruction from 2-D cross sections

This article presents a hybrid approach to smooth surface reconstruction from serial cross sections, where the number of contours varies from section to section. In a triangular surface-based approach taken in most reconstruction methods, a triangular surface is constructed by stitching triangular patches over a triangular net generated from the compiled contours. In the proposed approach, the resulting surface is a G¹ composite surface consisting of three kinds of surfaces: skinned, branched, and capped surfaces. Each skinned surface is first represented by a B-spline surface approximating the serial contours of the skinned region and then is transformed into a mesh of rectangular Bezier patches. On branched and capped regions, triangular G¹ surfaces are constructed such that the connections between the triangular surfaces and their neighbouring surfaces are G¹ continuous. Because each skinned region is represented by an approximated rectangular C² surface instead of an interpolated triangular G¹ surface, the proposed approach can provide more visually pleasing surfaces and realize more efficient data reduction than the triangular surface-based approach. Some experimental results demonstrate its usefulness and quality.     

利用BP网络预测结合面基础特性参数

分析了影响结合面基础特性参数的众多因素，首次提出利用ＢＰ网络建立结合面基础特性参数与其诸多影响因素之间的非线性关系，并对其进行正确预测的有效方法，从理论上证明了结合面基础特性参数与其诸连续变化影响因素之间的映射关系可由一个三层神经网模型来精确实现。给出了实例分析，证明了该方法的有效性     

联合光度立体视觉和图像校正的磨粒三维形貌重建

分析铁谱技术在机械装备磨损状态检测中发挥了重要作用,但其仅能提供磨粒二维图像,导致磨粒形貌信息不足。为实现磨粒三维形貌的精确重建,联合光度立体视觉和图像校正,为精确重建磨粒的三维形貌,联合光度立体视觉和图像。该方法首先采用大津阈值法由全光源图像识别磨粒与背景区域;然后为消除LED发光强度差异对磨粒形貌重建的影响,结合平面形状和朗伯反射模型确定背景区域的理想成像亮度,并校正各光度图像序列的亮度;最后根据光度立体视觉方法,由校正后光度图像序列重建磨粒的三维形貌。以不同类型的磨粒为测试样本,将所提出的方法的重建结果与激光共聚焦显微镜的测量结果进行对比。结果表明：重建磨粒的形貌参数误差小于15%,表明提出的方法能够精确重建磨粒的三维形貌。     

Reconstruction of a Composite Surface by Reverse Engineering Techniques

In the reverse engineering area, while the reconstruction of surfaces from scanned or digitised data has been developed, a geometric model of an existing object is often unavailable. This paper presents a new approach to the reconstruction of a surface. The proposed methodology finds the basic parts of the surface and blends surfaces between them. Each basic geometric part is divided into triangular patches which are compared using normal vectors for face grouping. Each group is categorised into analytical surfaces such as a part of a cylinder, a sphere or a cone, and plane shapes to represent the basic geometric surface. Each basic geometric surface is then implemented to the infinitive surface (unbounded plane, cylinder, cone, or sphere: cylinder, cone, and sphere are full shapes of analytical surfaces). The infinitive surface’s intersections are trimmed by boundary representation model reconstruction. The proposed methodology has several advantages such as computational efficiency and automatic functional modelling in reverse engineering. Reverse engineering should be the 3D equipment of the photocopying process.