Fuzzy Learning of Talbot Effect Guides Optimal Mask Design for Proximity Field Nanopatterning Lithography

Processing methods used in photonics and nanotechnology possess many limitations restricting their application areas such as high cost, inability to produce fine details, problems with scalability, and long processing time. Proximity field nanopatterning is a lithography method which surpasses these limitations. By using interference patterns produced by a two-dimensional phase mask, the technique is able to generate a submicron detailed exposure on a millimeter-size slab of light sensitive photopolymer, which is then developed like a photographic plate to reveal three-dimensional interference patterns from the phase mask. While it is possible to use simulations to obtain the interference patterns produced by a phase mask, realizing the mask dimensions necessary for producing a desired interference pattern is analytically challenging due to the intricacies of light interactions involved in producing the final interference pattern. An alternative method is to iteratively optimize the phase mask until the interference patterns obtained converge to the desired pattern. However, depending on the optimization technique used, one either risks a significant probability of failure or requires a prohibitive number of iterations. We argue that an optimization technique that is to take advantage of the physics of the problem using machine learning methods (here fuzzy learning) can lead to competent mask design. This technique is described in this letter.     

A 0.9 V 92 dB Double-Sampled Switched-RC Delta-Sigma Audio ADC

A 0.9 V third-order double-sampled delta-sigma audio ADC is presented. A new method using a combination of a switched-RC technique and a floating switched-capacitor double-sampling configuration enabled low-voltage operation without clock boosting or bootstrapping. A three-level quantizer with simple dynamic element matching was used to improve linearity. The prototype IC implemented in a 0.13 CMOS process achieves 92 dB DR, 91 dB SNR and 89 dB SNDR in a 24 kHz audio signal bandwidth, while consuming 1.5 mW from a 0.9 V supply. The prototype operates from 0.65 V to 1.5 V supply with minimal performance degradation.     

From visual data exploration to visual data mining: a survey

We survey work on the different uses of graphical mapping and interaction techniques for visual data mining of large data sets represented as table data. Basic terminology related to data mining, data sets, and visualization is introduced. Previous work on information visualization is reviewed in light of different categorizations of techniques and systems. The role of interaction techniques is discussed, in addition to work addressing the question of selecting and evaluating visualization techniques. We review some representative work on the use of information visualization techniques in the context of mining data. This includes both visual data exploration and visually expressing the outcome of specific mining algorithms. We also review recent innovative approaches that attempt to integrate visualization into the DM/KDD process, using it to enhance user interaction and comprehension.     

Immobilization and activation of vanadium(III) and titanium(III) single‐site catalysts for ethylene polymerization using MgCl2‐based supports

Significant increases in the activity of vanadium(III) amidinate catalysts for ethylene polymerization have been obtained by immobilization on a MgCl₂‐based support prepared by reaction of AlEt₃ with a MgCl₂/ethanol adduct. Catalyst immobilization and activation on this type of support prevents the rapid decay in activity observed under homogeneous polymerization conditions with unsupported catalysts. Stable polymerization activity is also observed with analogous titanium(III) complexes. Polyethylene with narrow molecular weight distribution and spherical particle morphology is obtained without reactor fouling. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Rate of ammonia oxidation in a synthetic saline wastewater by a nitrifying mixed‐culture

Most of the kinetic studies on nitrification have been performed in diluted salts medium. In this work, the ammonia oxidation rate (AOR) was determined by respirometry at different ammonia (0.01 and 33.5 mg N‐NH₃ L^?1), nitrite (0–450 mg N‐NO₂^? L^?1) and nitrate (0 and 275 mg N‐NO₃^? L^?1) concentrations in a saline medium at 30 °C and pH 7.5. Sodium azide was used to uncouple the ammonia and nitrite oxidation, so as to measure independently the AOR. It was determined that ammonia causes substrate inhibition and that nitrite and nitrate exhibit product inhibition upon the AOR. The effects of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate were represented by the Andrews equation (maximal ammonia oxidation rate, r_AOMAX, = 43.2 [mg N‐NH₃ (g VSS_AO h)^?1]; half saturation constant, K_SAO, = 0.11 mg N‐NH₃ L^?1; inhibition constant K_IAO, = 7.65 mg N‐NH₃ L^?1), by the non‐competitive inhibition model (inhibition constant, K_INI, = 176 mg N‐NO₂^? L^?1) and by the partially competitive inhibition model (inhibition constant, K_INA, = 3.3 mg N‐NO₃^? L^?1; α factor = 0.24), respectively. The r_AOMAX value is smaller, and the K_SAO value larger, than the values reported in diluted salts medium; the K_IAO value is comparable to those reported. Process simulations with the kinetic model in batch nitrifying reactors showed that the inhibitory effects of nitrite and nitrate are significant for initial ammonia concentrations larger than 100 mg N‐NH₄⁺ L^?1. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Geobase: a simple geographical information system on a personal computer

Spatially distributed data are often encountered in the biological sciences. Representation and analysis of such data requires specific tools. A simple geographical information system is presented, which allows representation and elementary analysis of geographically coded information. The system handles two kinds of data: maps and facts, where map data describe the basis on which the fact data are located. Maps consist of objects described through a set of coordinates, while for facts a coordinate pair is associated with an unlimited number of data records containing five fields: a date, an element from a list, a two-character code, an integer number and a real number. The input data can be displayed interactively on screen by logically combining selection criteria for each field. The facts corresponding to the selected criteria are either displayed as such, or are clustered and displayed as polygons or pies. A short example showing a possible application of the program is presented and advantages as well as limitations are discussed.     

Integration framework for intelligent manufacturing processes

In this article, we describe a new approach to applying distributed artificial intelligence techniques to manufacturing processes. The construction of intelligent systems is one of the most important techniques among artificial intelligence research. Our goal is to develop an integrated intelligent system for real time manufacturing processes. An integrated intelligent system is a large knowledge integration environment that consists of several symbolic reasoning systems (expert systems) and numerical computation packages. These software programs are controlled by a meta-system which manages the selection, operation and communication of these programs. A meta-system can be implemented in different language environments and applied to many disciplines. This new architecture can serve as a universal configuration to develop high performance intelligent systems for many complicated industrial applications in real world domains.To whom all correspondence should be addressed.     

Study of a BGO calorimeter using electron and hadron beams from 1 to 50 GeV

A calorimeter of 25 bismuth germanate (BGO) crystals equipped with silicon photodiode readout has been tested at the CERN SPS in the energy range 1–50 GeV. The response for electrons has been shown to be linear in this energy range and the rms resolution obtained ( ) is approximately 1%, for E > 4 GeV. The electron/pion separation was found to be better than 1:500 in the energy range 1–20 GeV. Data on lateral and longitudinal shower development were compared with the results of a Monte Carlo simulation using the SLAC-EGS program and found to be in good agreement.     

A note on surface waves in anisotropic media

Summary An examination of possible forms of traction free surface wave in anisotropic elastic materials is undertaken. The results yield some interesting features of a certain arbitrariness which exists in displacement waves on a traction free surface in anisotropic media.