Evaluation of different interface designs for human-machine interaction in vehicles

Multimedia Tools and Applications - In this paper we report on a user study in which we compared three different interaction designs in an in-vehicle infotainment system. Touchpad, free-hand and...     

Deconvolution in acousto-optical tunable filter spectrometry

Spectrometers and spectral imaging systems based on the acousto-optical tunable filter (AOTF) are becoming commonly used in many different fields in which high spectral resolution is crucial, e.g., laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and absorption spectroscopy of gases. As AOTFs have many advantages over other spectroscopic instruments but lack spectral resolution, a procedure for resolution enhancement, composed of point spread function characterization and spectrum preprocessing and deconvolution, is proposed. Wiener, Fourier-wavelet regularized (ForWaRD), Richardson-Lucy, and Wavelet-Lucy deconvolution methods were tested and their performances assessed with two deconvolution quality measures: resolution enhancement and noise amplification. It was shown that the proposed spectral resolution enhancement is feasible and gives good results for line spectra and highly dynamic spectra.     

Preparation and characterization of phosphorylated Zr-doped hybrid silica/PSF composite membrane

Polysulfone (PSF) membranes are broadly applied in many fields owing to good physicochemical stability, resistance to oxidation and chlorine. But when treated with wastewater containing oil, PSF membranes are easy to be contaminated for its hydrophobicity, which can result in the declining of flux and lifespan of the membrane and limit their application in large scale. To enhance the capability of PSF membrane in the above circumstances, phosphorylated Zr-doped hybrid silica particles (SZP particles) were firstly prepared. SZP particles have various point defects inside their structure and lots of hydroxide radicals on their surface. SZP particles were added to the porous matrix of PSF to prepare a novel composite membrane (SZP/PSF) through a phase inversion process. Finally, the optimum preparation conditions of SZP/PSF composite membranes were determined. The optimum conditions are: the mass ratio of PSF, PEG400 and SZP is 12:10:10; ultrasound 10 min inside each 30 min; the pre-evaporating time is 10s. Optimized SZP/PSF composite membrane was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and ultrafiltration experiment. The results indicate that SZP particles can be uniformly dispersed in SZP/PSF composite membranes with excellent hydrophilic property, antifouling capability and tensile strength. Therefore, it can be concluded that the optimized SZP/PSF composite membrane is desirable in the treatment of wastewater containing oil and wastewater.     

Equilibrium and kinetic studies in adsorption of heavy metals using biosorbent: a summary of recent studies

Distinctive adsorption equilibria and kinetic models are of extensive use in explaining the biosorption of heavy metals, denoting the need to highlight and summarize their essential issues, which is the main purpose of this paper. As a general trend, up until now, most studies on the biosorption of heavy metal ions by miscellaneous biosorbent types have been directed toward the uptake of single metal in preference to multicomponent systems. In particular, Langmuir and Freundlich models are the most common isotherms for correlating biosorption experimental data though other isotherms, which were initially established for gas phase applications, can also be extended onto biosorption system. In kinetic modeling, the pseudo-first and -second order equations are considered as the most celebrated models.     

Decontamination of hazardous substances from solid matrices and liquids using supercritical fluids extraction: a review

Supercritical fluid has been adopted as an extraction media to remove various kinds of substances from distinct types of solid matrices since three decades ago. Compared to conventional extraction mode, supercritical fluid extraction technology is preferred because of the flexibility in adjusting its dissolving power and inherent elimination of organic solvent which means reducing time and money needed for subsequent purification. Utilization of this method as an environmental remedial technology, however, has become a trend only after its accomplishment in analytical chemistry was acknowledged. This review tries to summarize in a comprehensive manner the multitude aspects involved in hazardous compounds removal from miscellaneous class of environmental matrices. The industrial adsorbent regeneration using supercritical fluid technology is also discussed. Although, this technology has been successfully realized for environmental remediation in laboratory and on pilot-plant scale, its commercialization attempts still lack significant technology improvement in order to reach the economic feasibility.     

Spectral characterization and calibration of AOTF spectrometers and hyper-spectral imaging systems

The goal of this article is to present a novel method for spectral characterization and calibration of spectrometers and hyper-spectral imaging systems based on non-collinear acousto-optical tunable filters. The method characterizes the spectral tuning curve (frequency-wavelength characteristic) of the AOTF (Acousto-Optic Tunable Filter) filter by matching the acquired and modeled spectra of the HgAr calibration lamp, which emits line spectrum that can be well modeled via AOTF transfer function. In this way, not only tuning curve characterization and corresponding spectral calibration but also spectral resolution assessment is performed simultaneously over the whole imaging plane. The obtained results indicated that the proposed method is efficient, accurate and feasible for routine calibration of AOTF spectrometers and hyper-spectral imaging systems and thereby a highly competitive alternative to the existing calibration methods.     

Geometrical optimization of packed-bed and parallel-plate active magnetic regenerators

The paper presents the numerical optimization of a packed-bed and a parallel-plate AMR with gadolinium as the magnetocaloric material. The diameter of the spheres and the length of the packed-bed AMR, and the plate thickness, the spacing between the plates (porosity) and the length of the parallel-plate AMR, were varied and optimized. The results reveal that for the considered conditions the optimum length of the packed-bed AMR should be 20 mm or less at higher operating frequency (3 Hz) and 40 mm at lower operating frequency (0.5 Hz) and the corresponding optimum sphere diameter should be between 0.07 mm (with regard to the cooling load) and 0.17 mm (with regard to the COP). The parallel-plate AMR should consist of plates that are as thin as possible, with a spacing between the plates of 0.035 mm (with regard to the cooling load) and 0.075 mm (with regard to the COP).