Experimental realization of ‘universal homodyne tomography’ with a single local oscillator

We report preliminary experimental measurement of the twin-beam quantum state via optical homodyne tomography using a single local oscillator. The experiment is a realization of the recently reported ‘universal homodyne tomography’ technique. The results agree well with theoretical predictions and reveal the non-classical photon-number correlation between the signal and idler photons of the twin-beam state.     

Process optimization for efficient biomediated PHA production from animal-based waste streams

Conventional polymers are made of crude oil components through chemical polymerization. The aim of the project ANIMPOL is to produce biopolymers by converting lipids into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) in a novel process scheme to reduce dependence on crude oil and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. PHA constitutes a group of biobased and biodegradable polyesters that may substitute fossil-based polymers in a wide range of applications. Waste streams from slaughtering cattle are used as substrate material. Lipids from rendering are used in this process scheme for biodiesel production. Slaughtering waste streams may also be hydrolyzed to achieve higher lipid yield. Biodiesel then is separated into a high- and low-quality fraction. High-quality biodiesel meets requirements for sale as fuel and low quality is used for PHA production as carbon source. Selected offal material is used for acid hydrolysis and serves as a source of organic nitrogen as well as carbon source for PHA-free biomass with high production rate in fermentation process. Nitrogen is a limiting factor to control PHA production during the fermentation process. It is available for bacterial growth from hydrolyzed waste streams as well as added separately as NH₄OH solution. Selected microbial strains are used to produce PHA from this substrate. The focus of the paper is about an overview of the whole process with the main focus on hydrolysis, to look for the possibility of using offal hydrolysis as an organic nitrogen substitute. The process design is optimized by minimizing waste streams and energy losses through cleaner production. Ecological evaluation of the process design will be done through footprint calculation according to Sustainable Process Index methodology.     

Effectiveness of traffic light vs. boom barrier controls at road–rail level crossings: A simulator study

Although collisions at level crossings are relatively uncommon occurrences, the potential severity of their consequences make them a top priority among safety authorities. Twenty-five fully-licensed drivers aged between 20 and 50 years participated in a driving simulator study that compared the efficacy, and drivers’ subjective perception, of two active level crossing traffic control devices: flashing lights with boom barriers and standard traffic lights. Because of its common usage in most states in Australia, a stop sign-controlled level crossing served as the passive referent. Although crossing violations were less likely at the level crossings controlled by active devices than at those controlled by stop signs, both kinds of active control were associated with a similar number of violations. Further, the majority (72%) of drivers reported preferring flashing lights to traffic lights. Collectively, results indicate that the installation of traffic lights at real-world level crossings would not be likely to offer safety benefits over and above those provided already by flashing lights with boom barriers. Furthermore, the high rate of violations at passively controlled crossings strongly supports the continued practice of upgrading level crossings with active traffic control devices.     

Analysis of in situ monitored thermal cycling benefits for wireless packaging early reliability evaluation

With the increasing complexity of the power amplifier (PA) module architecture, the probability of a thermally induced stress related failure mechanism increases. To help evaluate the increase in module complexity, a more sophisticated in situ monitored thermal cycle reliability test is available. The module is monitored in real time using a resistance daisy chain methodology designed to provide coverage using resistance feedback throughout the entire hierarchy of the module and carrier board interface. Monitored temperature cycling allows for real time failure feedback and enhanced failure signature information. Further, the testing technique has proven to be a valuable method for capturing the early stages of a module mechanical failure at the temperature extremes. Moreover, statistical evaluation of the failure data (Weibull analysis) is improved and better accuracy of the failures in time (FIT) rate can be determined.     

Transition Metal Oxide Work Functions: The Influence of Cation Oxidation State and Oxygen Vacancies

Transition metal oxides are capable of a wide range of work functions. This quality allows them to be used in many applications that involve charge transfer with adsorbed molecules, for example as heterogeneous catalysts, as charge‐injection layers in organic electronics, and as electrodes in fuel cells. Chemical and structural factors can alter transition‐metal oxide work functions, often making their work functions difficult to control. Little is known about the effects of the cation oxidation state and point defects on the oxide work function. It is necessary to understand how such chemical and structural factors affect work functions in order to controllably tune transition metal oxides for desired applications. Here, a correlation between the oxide work function and cation oxidation state is demonstrated. This correlation is attributed to the change in cation electronegativity with oxidation state. A model is presented that relates the work function to the oxygen deficiency for d⁰ oxides in the limit of dilute oxygen vacancies. It is proposed that the rapid initial decrease in work function, observed for d⁰ oxides, is caused by an increase in the density of donor‐like defect states. It is also shown that oxides tend to have decreased work functions near a metal/metal‐oxide interface as a consequence of the relationship between defects and work function. These insights provide guidelines for tuning transition metal oxide work functions.