Compressive multi-spectral imaging using self-correlations of images based on hierarchical joint sparsity models

We propose a novel multi-spectral imaging method based on compressive sensing (CS). In CS theory, the enhancement of signal sparsity is important for accurate signal reconstruction. The main novelty of the proposed method is the employment of a self-correlation of an image, that is a local intensity similarity and multi-spectral correlation, to enhance the sparsity of the multi-spectral image to be recovered. Local intensity similarity, which is based on the concept that spatial changes in intensity are likely to be similar within local regions, contributes to sparsity enhancement. Furthermore, we exploit multi-spectral correlation to improve the sparsity of the multi-spectral components to be recovered. In order to simultaneously exploit different types of characteristics (i.e., local intensity similarity and multi-spectral correlation) for representing a signal as sufficiently sparse, we introduce a hierarchical joint sparsity model in the CS image recovery process. Our experiments show that the use of a self-correlation significantly improves the performance of multi-spectral image reconstruction.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of diffusion of submonolayer polar liquid lubricant films on solid surfaces

A fundamental understanding of the diffusion phenomena of submonolayer polar liquid films is important for achieving reliable lubrication between moving mechanical parts separated by a nanometer-sized gap. To acquire this understanding, we conducted molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of diffusion phenomena of submonolayer polar perfluoropolyether (PFPE) Zdol films on solid surfaces. To improve the accuracy of these simulations, we developed an all-atom model that includes hydrogen-bond potential and refined atomic charges for Zdol molecules and tested it through MD simulations of spreading of step-shaped submonolayer PFPE films. Our MD simulations reproduced the experimentally observed effects of polar end groups on the diffusion speed and molecular conformation of Zdol. We then conducted MD simulations of self-diffusion of submonolayer Zdol films; these simulations demonstrated that as the thickness of the submonolayer Zdol films decreases, molecular conformation becomes flatter and the self-diffusion coefficient decreases. These changes in molecular conformation partially explain our experimental finding that the spreading of step-shaped submonolayer polar PFPE films slows down with decreasing initial thickness.     

Limitations on post-processing assisted quantum programming

A quantum multimeter is a programmable device that can implement measurements of different observables depending on the programming quantum state inserted into it. The advantage of this arrangement over a single-purpose device is in its versatility: one can realize various measurements simply by changing the programming state. The classical manipulation of measurement output data is known as post-processing. In this work we study the post-processing assisted quantum programming, which is a protocol where quantum programming and classical post-processing are combined. We provide examples showing that these two processes combined can be more efficient than either of them used separately. Furthermore, we derive an inequality relating the programming resources to their corresponding programmed observables, thereby enabling us to study the limitations on post-processing assisted quantum programming.     

Straight-through microchannel devices for generating monodisperse emulsion droplets several microns in size

The authors recently proposed a promising technique for producing monodisperse emulsions using a straight-through microchannel (MC) device composed of an array of microfabricated oblong holes. This research developed new straight-through MC devices with tens of thousands of oblong channels of several microns in size on a silicon-on-insulator plate, and investigated the emulsification characteristics using the microfabricated straight-through MC devices. Monodisperse oil-in-water (O/W) and W/O emulsions with average droplet diameters of 4.4–9.8 μm and coefficients of variation of less than 6% were stably produced using surface-treated straight-through MC devices that included uniformly sized oblong channels with equivalent diameters of 1.7–5.4 μm. The droplet size of the resultant emulsions depended greatly on the size of the preceding oblong channels. The emulsification process using the straight-through MC devices developed in this research had very high apparent energy efficiencies of 47–60%, defined as (actual energy input applied to droplet generation/theoretical minimum energy input necessary for making droplets) × 100. Straight-through MC devices with numerous oblong microfluidic channels also have great potential for increasing the productivity of monodisperse fine emulsions.     

Case learning for CBR-based collision avoidance systems

With the rapid development of case-based reasoning (CBR) techniques, CBR has been widely applied to real-world applications such as collision avoidance systems. A successful CBR-based system relies on a high-quality case base, and a case creation technique for generating such a case base is highly required. In this paper, we propose an automated case learning method for CBR-based collision avoidance systems. Building on techniques from CBR and natural language processing, we developed a methodology for learning cases from maritime affair records. After giving an overview on the developed systems, we present the methodology and the experiments conducted in case creation and case evaluation. The experimental results demonstrated the usefulness and applicability of the case learning approach for generating cases from the historic maritime affair records.     

Morphological and crystallographic features of γ-γ′ Ni-Al and Ni-Al-Ti two-phase bicrystals

Several- Ni-Al and Ni-Al-Ti two-phase bicrystals were made by the solid-state diffusion couple method. Each couple consisted of a-phase single crystal and a pure-Ni polycrystal, and was annealed at 1473 K in an Ar gas atmosphere. Single crystal layers of-phase with uniform thickness always grow into the parent-phase single crystals. The resultant/ interface has no voids or facets regardless of the orientation of interface and the chemical composition of the-phase. Porosity formation due to the Kirkendall effect is observed in the diffused region. Concentration profiles exhibit nearly constant gradients in-phase. The orientation relationship between both phases is found to be 001//001, that is, the-phase grows epitaxially along the crystal orientation of-phase.     

Flat erosion magnetron sputtering with a moving unbalanced magnet

A flat erosion-sputtering system has been developed using a rotating unbalanced and asymmetrical magnet. Target utilization and uniformity of erosion on the 5-in. target were greatly improved over the usual magnetron sputtering system by using a novel magnetron cathode to generate a wider, rotating magnetic flux. The novel magnetron cathode used the yoke magnet in which the stronger magnet set shifted towards the center and the weaker towards the periphery. This yoke magnet was attached to slant toward the center of rotation and rotated during sputtering. The estimated target utilization went up to 80% when the target was finally used up, and the uniformity of sputtered film was within 5% over an area 80 mm in diameter.     

Simplified analysis of steady-state crack growth of piezoelectric ceramics based on the continuum damage mechanics

Summary A simplified analysis of crack growth of piezoelectric ceramics was performed by using the double cantilever beam (DCB) model. The analysis was intended for the crack growth in a steady state by using some assumptions to simplify the analysis. In the present paper, damage within piezoelectric ceramics was represented by a damage variable based on the continuum damage mechanics, and the effect of the damage on material properties was taken into account in a constitutive equation of the piezoelectric ceramics. The constitutive equation and an evolution equation of the damage variable were applied to the DCB model. Then, the crack growth in the DCB model was dealt with within the framework of the continuum damage mechanics. As a result of the analysis, a constant crack growth rate and distribution of stress, strain and damage variable in front of the crack tip were elucidated, and the effects of the applied electric field on the crack growth were discussed in particular.     

LaBGeO5 single crystals in glass and second-harmonic generation

Flower-shaped crystals with diameters of 100–200 μm consisting of LaBGeO₅ (LBGO) single crystals similar to petals were observed in the interior of transparent LBGO surface-crystallized glasses. Each flower-shaped crystal was radially grown from the surface of the included bubbles. A more intense second-harmonic generation was observed from the LBGO crystallized glasses with the flower-shaped LBGO single crystals compared to the samples without such crystals based on the Maker fringe technique and second-harmonic (SH) generation microscopy. The SH intensity for the flower-shaped LBGO single crystals monotonically decreased with increasing temperature up to 350 °C, less than the Curie temperature reported so far (530 °C). It is considered that the internal compressive stress induced by the difference in the thermal expansion between the LBGO single crystal and the corresponding glass affect the ferroelectric property of the flower-shaped LBGO single crystals in glass.     

Plan for first phase of safety demonstration tests of the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR)

Safety demonstration tests using the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) will be conducted for the purpose of demonstrating inherent safety features of High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs) as well as providing the core and plant transient data for validation of HTGR safety analysis codes. The first phase safety demonstration test items include the reactivity insertion test and the coolant flow reduction test. In the reactivity insertion test, which is the control rod withdrawal test, one pair out of 16 pairs of control rods is withdrawn, simulating a reactivity insertion event. The coolant flow reduction test consists of the partial loss of coolant flow test and the gas circulators trip test. In the partial loss of coolant flow test, primary coolant flow rate is slightly reduced by control system. In the gas circulators trip test one and two out of three gas circulators are run down, simulating coolant flow reduction events. The gas circulators trip tests, in which position of control rods are kept unchanged, are simulation tests of anticipated transients without scram (ATWS).