Semi‐Stochastic Tilings for Example‐Based Texture Synthesis

We investigate semi‐stochastic tilings based on Wang or corner tiles for the real‐time synthesis of example‐based textures. In particular, we propose two new tiling approaches: (1) to replace stochastic tilings with pseudo‐random tilings based on the Halton low‐discrepancy sequence, and (2) to allow the controllable generation of tilings based on a user‐provided probability distribution. Our first method prevents local repetition of texture content as common with stochastic approaches and yields better results with smaller sets of utilized tiles. Our second method allows to directly influence the synthesis result which—in combination with an enhanced tile construction method that merges multiple source textures—extends synthesis tasks to globally‐varying textures. We show that both methods can be implemented very efficiently in connection with tile‐based texture mapping and also present a general rule that allows to significantly reduce resulting tile sets.     

Atom probe tomography and transmission electron microscopy of a Mg-doped AlGaN/GaN superlattice

The electronic characteristics of semiconductor-based devices are greatly affected by the local dopant atom distribution. In Mg-doped GaN, the clustering of dopants at structural defects has been widely reported, and can significantly affect p-type conductivity. We have studied a Mg-doped AlGaN/GaN superlattice using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT). Pyramidal inversion domains were observed in the TEM and the compositional variations of the dopant atoms associated with those defects have been studied using APT. Rarely has APT been used to assess the compositional variations present due to structural defects in semiconductors. Here, TEM and APT are used in a complementary fashion, and the strengths and weaknesses of the two techniques are compared.     

Velocity-Aligned Discrete Oriented Polytopes for dynamic collision detection

We propose an acceleration scheme for many-body dynamic collision detection at interactive rates. We use the Velocity-Aligned Discrete Oriented Politope (VADOP), a tight bounding volume representation that offers fast update rates and which is particularly suitable for applications with many fast-moving objects. The axes selection that determines the shape of our bounding volumes is based on spherical coverings. We demonstrate that we can robustly detect collisions that are missed by pseudo-dynamic collision detection schemes, with even greater performance due to substantial collision pruning by our bounding volumes.     

LuxTrace: indoor positioning using building illumination

Tracking location is challenging due to the numerous constraints of practical systems including, but not limited to global cost, device volume and weight, scalability and accuracy; these constraints are typically more severe for systems that should be wearable and used indoors. We investigate the use of wearable solar cells to track changing light conditions (a concept that we named LuxTrace) as a source of user displacement and activity data. We evaluate constraints of this approach and present results from an experimental validation of displacement and activity estimation. The results indicate that a distance estimation accuracy of 21 cm (80% quantile) can be achieved. A simple method to combine LuxTrace with complementary absolute location estimation methods is also presented. We apply carpet-like distributed RFID tags to demonstrate online learning of new lighting environments.

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Heuristic algorithms for designing self-repairing protection trees in mesh networks

Protection trees have been used in the past for restoring multicast and unicast traffic in networks in various failure scenarios. In this paper we focus on shared self-repairing trees for link protection in unicast mesh networks. Shared protection trees have been proposed as a relatively simple approach that is easy to reconfigure and could provide sub-second restoration times with sub-optimal redundancy requirement. The self-repairing nature of this class of protection trees may make them an attractive option for cases where dynamic changes in network topology or demand may occur. In this paper, we present heuristic algorithms to design a self-repairing protection tree for a given network. We study the restorability performance of shared trees and examine the limitations of such schemes in specific topologies, such as cases where long node chains exist. Using extensive simulations with thousands of randomly generated network graphs. We compare redundancy and average backup path length of shared protection trees with optimal tree designs and non-tree designs. We also apply our algorithms to the problem of designing the protection tree in a pre-designed fixed-capacity network, and study the performance of shared protection trees in this scenario under different network loads and link utilization levels.     

Bent-beam electrothermal actuators-Part II: Linear and rotarymicroengines

For Part I see L. Que, J.S. Park and Y.B. Gianchandani, ibid., vol.10, pp.247-54 (2001). This paper reports on the use of bent-beam electrothermal actuators for the purpose of generating rotary and long-throw rectilinear displacements. The rotary displacements are achieved by orthogonally arranged pairs of cascaded actuators that are used to rotate a gear. Devices were fabricated using electroplated Ni, p ⁺⁺ Si, and polysilicon as structural materials. Displacements of 20-30 μm with loading forces >150 μN at actuation voltages <12 V and power dissipation <300 mW could be achieved in the orthogonally arranged actuator pairs. A design that occupies <1 mm ² area is presented. Long-throw rectilinear displacements were achieved by inchworm mechanisms in which pairs of opposing actuators grip and shift a central shank that is cantilevered on a flexible suspension. A passive lock holds the displaced shank between pushes and when the power is off. This arrangement permits large output forces to be developed at large displacements, and requires zero standby power. Several designs were fabricated using electroplated Ni as the structural material. Forces >200 μN at displacements >100 μm were measured     

Augmented Reality with Back-Projection Systems using Transflective Surfaces

In this paper, we introduce the concept of Extended VR (extending viewing space and interaction space of back-projection VR systems), by describing the use of a hand-held semi-transparent mirror to support augmented reality tasks with back-projection systems. This setup overcomes the problem of occlusion of virtual objects by real ones linked with such display systems. The presented approach allows an intuitive and effective application of immersive or semi-immersive virtual reality tasks and interaction techniques to an augmented surrounding space. Thereby, we use the tracked mirror as an interactive image-plane that merges the reflected graphics, which are displayed on the projection plane, with the transmitted image of the real environment. In our implementation, we also address traditional augmented reality problems, such as real-object registration and virtual-object occlusion. The presentation is complemented by a hypothesis of conceivable further setups that apply transflective surfaces to support an Extended VR environment.     

Germany’s journey toward 14 Tesla human magnetic resonance

Multiple sites within Germany operate human MRI systems with magnetic fields either at 7 Tesla or 9.4 Tesla. In 2013, these sites formed a network to facilitate and harmonize the research being conducted at the different sites and make this technology available to a larger community of researchers and clinicians not only within Germany, but also worldwide. The German Ultrahigh Field Imaging (GUFI) network has defined a strategic goal to establish a 14 Tesla whole-body human MRI system as a national research resource in Germany as the next progression in magnetic field strength. This paper summarizes the history of this initiative, the current status, the motivation for pursuing MR imaging and spectroscopy at such a high magnetic field strength, and the technical and funding challenges involved. It focuses on the scientific and science policy process from the perspective in Germany, and is not intended to be a comprehensive systematic review of the benefits and technical challenges of higher field strengths.