The dependence of color constancy and brightness constancy on saturation

Color constancy and brightness constancy are not independent, as often assumed, since increasing sample saturation decreases the demand on color constancy mechanisms and increases the demand on brightness constancy mechanisms made by changes in illuminant color temperature. Re‐analyzed published data illustrates these tendencies for low saturations, but comprehensive measurements will be needed to pin down the postulated relationships over the full range.     

Theoretical study of an electrostatically actuated torsional microsensor for biological applications

Microsystem Technologies - We develop an analytical formulation to calculate the induced resonance frequency shifts of an electrostatically actuated torsional microsensor due to an added bio-mass...     

Design theory: a foundation of a new paradigm for design science and engineering

In recent years, the works on design theory (and particularly the works of the design theory SIG of the design society) have contributed to reconstruct the science of design, comparable in its structure, foundations and impact to decision theory, optimization or game theory in their time. These works have reconstructed historical roots and the evolution of design theory, conceptualized the field at a high level of generality and uncovered theoretical foundations, in particular the logic of generativity, the “design-oriented” structures of knowledge, and the logic of design spaces. These results give the academic field of engineering design an ecology of scientific objects and models, which allows for expanding the scope of engineering education and design courses. They have contributed to a paradigm shift in the organization of R&D departments, supporting the development of new methods and processes in innovation departments, and to establishing new models for development projects. Emerging from the field of engineering design, design theory development has now a growing impact in many disciplines and academic communities. The research community may play a significant role in addressing contemporary challenges if it brings the insights and applicability of design theory to open new ways of thinking in the developing and developed world.     

Imaging and Spectroscopic Sensing with Low-Repetition-Rate Terahertz Pulses and GaN TeraFET Detectors

Aiming for non-destructive testing and security applications, we investigate transmission-mode imaging and spectroscopic sensing using terahertz (THz) pulses from a commercial optical parametric oscillator (OPO) in combination with THz detectors based on antenna-coupled field-effect transistors (TeraFETs). The Q-switched OPO generates quasi-continuous-wave THz pulses with a peak power of up to 1 W at a repetition rate between 12 and 90 Hz. The pulses are frequency-tunable between 0.7 and 2.6 THz with a typical linewidth of 50 GHz. We explore detection with fast GaN/AlGaN TeraFETs which hold the potential for multi-pixel and homodyne detection.     

IT audit resources: Challenges and solutions

The following research explores some potential causes on the rise of IT audit co sourcing and skilled labor shortages affecting internal audit departments. This research draws upon surveys, professional interviews or other publicly available statistics from the Institute of Internal Auditors, Deloitte, ISACA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Protiviti. The goal of the research aimed to identify causal factors leading to internal audit departments being unable to keep up with demanding workloads placed upon them by their organizations and to use this information to suggest potential ways for those responsible to address the issues. This specific example highlights that the IT audit labor shortage and rise of IT audit co-sourcing may relate to a lack of specific actions taken by audit management, professional audit associations and related educational institutions.     

Electron microscope investigations of activated chalcopyrite particles via the FLSmidth<Superscript>®</Superscript> ROL process

Because of its unique semiconductor properties, the world’s most abundant copper mineral, chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂), is refractory with respect to atmospheric leaching using traditional acidic ferric sulfate lixiviants. FLSmidth^® has developed a novel approach manipulating lattice properties of semi-conducting minerals with the benefit of increasing chemical reactivity and dissolution kinetics. In the FLSmidth^® Rapid Oxidative Leach (ROL) process, leach kinetics are still further enhanced by combining chemical and mechanical processes with the assistance of a Stirred Media Reactor. Due to the reduction in surface passivation problems associated with atmospheric leaching, this process is typically able to achieve copper recoveries exceeding 95% in 6 h. An important factor contributing to this extraordinary process performance is a mineral preconditioning step (the focus of this study), which uses between 0.1 and 5 mol percent of copper (II) to dope the lattice and thereby “activate” chalcopyrite. Since lattice restructuring can have such a dramatic influence on semiconductor reactivity, the associated physico-chemical phenomena are worth studying. In this regard, we investigate the relationship between chemical activation and deformation of the chalcopyrite crystal lattice through the use of electron microscopy. Although the activation process took only an hour and the extent of conversion was on the order of a few mol%, the lattice was found to be strained throughout the particle. This paper draws some insights into the impact of applying chemical activation as a pretreatment for mechanochemical processes.