ELAN—A computer model for building energy design

A simplified thermal network model (ELAN) is developed for the assessment of thermal comfort and energy consumption for heating and cooling of a building.

Each zone is modelled by a second order network with two temperature nodes which, for a multizone building, are linked by internal transmission and ventilation.

The model can be solved on an hourly basis. ELAN has the flexibility of large models concerning geometry, number of zones, occupancy pattern, ventilation, plant operation and weather data.     

Dynamically enhanced supercurrents in granular superconducting Y-Ba-Cu-O thin films

Thin superconducting films of Y-Ba-Cu-O withT _c089 K have been prepared by the aerosol deposition method. The voltage current characteristic of microbridges (typically 10×10µm²) made from the finely granular films, which behave like a network of boundary Josephson junctions, is highly nonlinear and shows besides thermal effects evidence for dynamic enhancement of the supercurrent. Our experimental data are in qualitative agreement with a theory developed for conventional superconductors by Aslamazov and Larkin and also by Tinkham. A value for the electron phonon scattering time has been derived: _E 15 ps.     

Tracking polymer diffusion in a wet latex film with fluorescence resonance energy transfer

We describe an instrument to measure the polymer interdiffusion between donor-labeled and acceptor-labeled latex polymers in a partially wet latex film with fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). It is possible to temporarily arrest the drying process of a wet latex film by sealing the film in an airtight chamber. In our approach, we measure donor fluorescence decays from 0.5 mm diameter spots at various positions across an arrested latex film with time-correlated single photon counting. We interpret the resulting decays with a Monte Carlo simulation of the FRET process and extract information about the extent of polymer diffusion as a function of position on the film. These results enable us to determine the extent of polymer interdiffusion as a function of distance from the wet-dry edge in the latex film. To highlight this device's ability to capture the rapid early stages of latex interdiffusion, we report results from an acrylate copolymer latex.     

Analyzing the Multiple-target-multiple-agent Scenario Using Optimal Assignment Algorithms

This work considers the problem of maximum utilization of a set of mobile robots with limited sensor-range capabilities and limited travel distances. The robots are initially in random positions. A set of robots properly guards or covers a region if every point within the region is within the effective sensor range of at least one vehicle. We wish to move the vehicles into surveillance positions so as to guard or cover a region, while minimizing the maximum distance traveled by any vehicle. This problem can be formulated as an assignment problem, in which we must optimally decide which robot to assign to which slot of a desired matrix of grid points. The cost function is the maximum distance traveled by any robot. Assignment problems can be solved very efficiently. Solution times for one hundred robots took only seconds on a Silicon Graphics Crimson workstation. The initial positions of all the robots can be sampled by a central base station and their newly assigned positions communicated back to the robots. Alternatively, the robots can establish their own coordinate system with the origin fixed at one of the robots and orientation determined by the compass bearing of another robot relative to this robot. This paper presents example solutions to the multiple-target-multiple-agent scenario using a matching algorithm. Two separate cases with one hundred agents in each were analyzed using this method. We have found these mobile robot problems to be a very interesting application of optimal assignment algorithms, and we expect this to be a fruitful area for future research.     

(Pre)kernel catchers for cooperative games

The paper provides a new (pre)kernel catcher in that the relevant set always contains the (pre)kernel. This new (pre)kernel catcher gives rise to a better lower bound _*** such that the kernel is included in strong -cores for all real numbers not smaller than the relevant bound _***.The research for this paper was done under the sponsorship of both the Dutch Organization for the Advancement of Scientific Research (NWO) and the National Science Council (NSC) of Taiwan during a stay of Dr. Chih Chang at the University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.     

Advanced SERS Sensor Based on Capillarity‐Assisted Preconcentration through Gold Nanoparticle‐Decorated Porous Nanorods

A preconcentrating surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor for the analysis of liquid‐soaked tissue, tiny liquid droplets and thin liquid films without the necessity to collect the analyte is reported. The SERS sensor is based on a block‐copolymer membrane containing a spongy‐continuous pore system. The sensor's upper side is an array of porous nanorods having tips functionalized with Au nanoparticles. Capillarity in combination with directional evaporation drives the analyte solution in contact with the flat yet nanoporous underside of the SERS sensor through the continuous nanopore system toward the nanorod tips where non‐volatile components of the analyte solution precipitate at the Au nanoparticles. The nanorod architecture increases the sensor surface in the detection volume and facilitates analyte preconcentration driven by directional solvent evaporation. The model analyte 5,5′‐dithiobis(2‐nitrobenzoic acid) can be detected in a 1 × 10^?3m solution ≈300 ms after the sensor is brought into contact with the solution. Moreover, a sensitivity of 0.1 ppm for the detection of the dissolved model analyte is achieved.     

Phototunable Dielectric Huygens' Metasurfaces

Conventional dielectric metasurfaces achieve their properties through geometrical tuning and consequently are static. Although some unique properties are demonstrated, the usefulness for realistic applications is thus inherently limited. Here, control of the resonant eigenmodes supported by Huygens' metasurface (HMS) absorbers through optical excitation is proposed and demonstrated. An intensity transmission modulation depth of 99.93% is demonstrated at 1.03 THz, with an associated phase change of greater than π/2 rad. Coupled mode theory and S‐parameter simulations are used to elucidate the mechanism underlying the dynamics of the metasurface and it is found that the tuning is primarily governed by modification of the magnetic dipole‐like odd eigenmode, which both lifts the degeneracy, and eliminates critical coupling. The dynamic HMS demonstrates wide tunability and versatility which is not limited to the spectral range demonstrated, offering a new path for reconfigurable metasurface applications.     

An ecological perspective on a river’s rights: a recipe for more effective water quality governance?

ABSTRACT

In several countries, the transfer of legal rights to rivers is being discussed as an approach for more effective water resources management. But what could this transfer mean in terms of a healthy river? We address this question by identifying the ecological requirements for naturally functioning rivers and then explore the demands which these requirements impose on society, the current policy responses to these requirements and whether the transfer of rights to the river could facilitate the preservation of healthy freshwater ecosystems.     

Detection and classification of latent defects and diseases on raw French fries with multispectral imaging

This paper describes an application of both multispectral imaging and red/green/blue (RGB) colour imaging for the discrimination between different defect and diseases on raw French fries. Four different potato cultivars generally used for French fries production are selected from which fries are cut. Both multispectral images and RGB colour images are classified with parametric and non‐parametric classifiers. The effect of applying different preprocessing techniques on the spectra was also investigated. The best classification results in terms of accuracy, yield and purity are obtained with a modified version of standard normal variate (snv_mod) preprocessing for different classifiers and potato cultivars. The classification results of the multispectral images are compared with RGB images. The results show that the support vector classifier gives the best classification performance for the snv_mod preprocessed multispectral images and k‐nearest neighbours classifier gives the best classification performance for raw RGB images. The detection of the latent greening defect in French fries with the exploration of multispectral images shows the additional value of multispectral imaging for French fries. A comparison between the multispectral images and the RGB colour images confirms this since this type of defect is not visible in the colour images. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Editorial

Mobile Networks and Applications -