Edge‐adaptive color interpolation for complementary color filter array

Complementary color filter array (CCFA) is widely used in consumer‐level digital video cameras, since it not only has high sensitivity and good signal‐to‐noise ratio in low‐light condition but also is compatible with the interlaced scanning used in broadcast systems. However, the full‐color images obtained from CCFA suffer from the color artifacts such as false color and zipper effects. These artifacts can be removed with edge‐adaptive color interpolation (ECI) approaches which are generally used in primary color filter array (PCFA). Unfortunately, the unique array pattern of CCFA makes it difficult that CCFA adopts ECI approaches. Therefore, to apply ECI approaches suitable for CCFA to color interpolation is one of the major issues to reconstruct the full‐color images. In this paper, we propose a new ECI algorithm for CCFA. To estimate an edge direction precisely and enhance the quality of the reconstructed image, a function of spatial variances is used as a weight, and new color conversion matrices are presented for considering various edge directions. Experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the conventional method with respect to both objective and subjective criteria. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 16, 92–102, 2006     

A simple receding horizon control for state delayed systems and its stability criterion

In this paper, a simple receding horizon (or model predictive) control for state delayed systems is presented and its solution is given in a closed form by a reduction method. While the control for a time-delay system is usually complex, the proposed controller is simple to construct and therefore can be simply implemented in real applications. To check the closed-loop stability of the proposed controller, a sufficient condition is provided by linear matrix inequalities. In addition, a numerical algorithm is presented for computing the eigenvalues of systems with distributed time delays, which can be used as a necessary and sufficient condition to check closed-loop stability. It is shown by simulation that this simple control can be a stabilizing control for time-delay systems.     

Hybrid accident simulation methodology using artificial neural networks for nuclear power plants

A hybrid accident simulation methodology for nuclear power plants is proposed to enhance the capabilities of compact simulator by introducing artificial neural networks. Two neural networks are trained with the target values obtained from the analyses of detailed computer codes and trained results are combined with the compact simulator to perform the following roles: (i) compensation for inaccuracies of a compact simulator occurring from simplified governing equation and reduced number of physical control volumes, and (ii) prediction of the critical parameter usually calculated from the sophisticated computer code: the autoassociative neural network improves the computational results of the compact simulator up to the accuracy level of detailed best estimate computer code, while the backpropagation neural network predicts the minimum departure from nucleate boiling ratio (DNBR). Simulations are carried out to verify the applicability of the proposed methodology for the loss of flow accidents and the results show that the neural networks can be used as a complementary tool to improve the results of a compact simulator.     

Estimation of break location and size for loss of coolant accidents using neural networks

In this work, a probabilistic neural network (PNN) that has been applied well to the classification problems is used in order to identify the break locations of loss of coolant accidents (LOCA) such as hot-leg, cold-leg and steam generator tubes. Also, a fuzzy neural network (FNN) is designed to estimate the break size. The inputs to PNN and FNN are time-integrated values obtained by integrating measurement signals during a short time interval after reactor scram. An automatic structure constructor for the fuzzy neural network automatically selects the input variables from the time-integrated values of many measured signals, and optimizes the number of rules and its related parameters. It is verified that the proposed algorithm identifies very well the break locations of LOCAs and also, estimate their break size accurately.     

A novel smooth impact drive mechanism actuation method with dual-slider for a compact zoom lens system

In this paper, a novel actuation method for a smooth impact drive mechanism that positions dual-slider by a single piezo-element is introduced and applied to a compact zoom lens system. A mode chart that determines the state of the slider at the expansion or shrinkage periods of the piezo-element is presented, and the design guide of a driving input profile is proposed. The motion of dual-slider holding lenses is analyzed at each mode, and proper modes for zoom functions are selected for the purpose of positioning two lenses. Because the proposed actuation method allows independent movement of two lenses by a single piezo-element, the zoom lens system can be designed to be compact. For a feasibility test, a lens system composed of an afocal zoom system and a focusing lens was developed, and the passive auto-focus method was implemented.     

Slip control strategy for an automatic transmission vehicle

Modern automatic transmissions equip torque converters with lock-up clutches to reduce the energy loss of hydraulic systems. Instead of simply engaging the clutch disks, the new technology of clutch slip has been developed to improve the overall efficiency of power transmission. There are two major problems with the clutch slip system. The first is how to keep the slip between the two disks within a small range and the second is when to start or stop the slip. In this paper, the second problem is discussed in view of the vehicle economy. With a simple vehicle dynamic model, the fuel economy is calculated to determine the lock-up strategy. Then the lock-up strategy is developed for a slip schedule.     

Ultra-precision lapping of machinable ceramic Si3N4-BN by in-process electrolytic dressing

The machinable ceramic Si₃N₄-BN is a material which is increasingly being employed for automobile bearings and machinable ceramics. This material is very hard and has high resistance against volatile temperature and wear. It's efficient quality and accurate surfaces have always been of high demand for many applications in the industrial field. Besides, this material is varied by the percentage of BN contained in it, and the characteristics of lapping also varies according to this percentage of BN. Hence, in-process electrolytic dressing for ultra-precision lapping was introduced and used to experiment with the differing BN percentages in machinable ceramic Si₃ N₄. Metal-bonded super-abrasive diamond lapping wheels have superior qualities such as high bond strength, high stability and high machinability. The major problems encountered are wheel loading and glazing, which impedes the effectiveness of the cast-iron bonded diamond lapping wheel and, therefore, dressing should be considered. In this respect, in-process electrolytic dressing (IED) is proposed as an effective method regarding continuous protruding abrasives on the surface of wheels, whereby loading and glazing phenomena can apparently disappear. In this paper, the machining characteristics of machinable ceramic Si₃N₄-BN have been studied by adapting the IED lapping process in terms of the percentage of h-BN material.     

Computational study on the decomposition of tetraneopentyl zirconium for the chemical vapor deposition of zirconium carbide

The overall gas phase decomposition mechanism of tetraenopentyl zirconium precursor (Zr[CH₂C(CH₃)₃]₄) for the chemical vapor deposition of zirconium carbide thin films was investigated by using computational thermochemistry. Density functional theory (DFT) and harmonic vibrational frequency calculation were used to generate thermodynamic properties at each reaction step, based on which thermodynamic or kinetic preference of a reaction pathway was evaluated. While the preference of γ-hydrogen abstraction of neopentane over α-hydrogen abstraction was confirmed in the initial stage of ZrNp₄ decomposition, they turned out to be competing instead of the dominant preference of γ-hydrogen abstraction. Methane formation at three subsequent reaction steps was explained by β-methyl migration, and the following _α-hydrogen abstraction of methane based on the suggestion that α- and γ-hydrogen abstractions of neopentane are competing kinetically in previous reaction steps. Computational thermochemistry showed a possibility as a general tool to anticipate the gas phase decomposition mechanism of a precursor in chemical vapor deposition.     

Comparison for thermal decomposition and product distribution of chloroform under each argon and hydrogen reaction atmosphere

Thermal reaction studies of diluted mixture (1%) of chloroform (CHCl₃) under each argon (Ar) and hydrogen (H₂) reaction atmosphere have been investigated to examine the effect of reaction atmosphere on decomposition of CHCl₃ and product distributions. The experimental results were obtained over the temperature range 525?C900 °C with reaction times of 0.3?C2.0 sec. at 1 atm by utilizing an isothermal tubular flow reactor. Complete destruction (>99%) of the parent reagent, CHCl₃ was observed near 675 °C under H₂ reaction atmosphere (CHCl₃/H₂ reaction system) and 700 °C under Ar reaction atmosphere (CHCl₃/Ar reaction system) with 1 sec reaction time. The CHCl₃ pyrolysis yielded more conversion in H₂ atmosphere than in Ar atmosphere. Major products in CHCl₃/Ar reaction system were C₂Cl₄, CCl₄, C₂HCl₃ and HCl over a wide temperature range. Hydrocarbon was not found in CHCl₃/Ar reaction system. Major products of CHCl₃/H₂ reaction system observed were CH₂Cl₂, CH₃Cl, CH₄, C₂Cl₄, C₂HCl₃, C₂H₂Cl₂, C₂H₃Cl and HCl at 600 °C with 1 sec. reaction time. Non-chlorinated hydrocarbons such as CH₄, C₂H₄ and C₂H₆ were the major products at above 850 °C. Product distributions were distinctly different in Ar and H₂ reaction atmospheres. The H₂ gas plays a key role in acceleration of reagent decay and formation of non-chlorinated light hydrocarbons through hydrodechlorination process. The important reaction pathways, based on thermochemical and kinetic principles, to describe the features of reagent decay and intermediate formation under each Ar and H₂ reducing reaction atmosphere were investigated.