Optimization of gas-sensitive polymer arrays using combinations of heterogeneous and homogeneous subarrays

Results for optimizing an array of conducting polymer gas sensors for sensing one of five analytes in the presence of up to four interferents are presented. The optimized array consists of subarrays of homogeneous (like) sensors contributing to a larger heterogeneous array of up to ten points (unlike sensors) in multidimensional sensor space. The optimization techniques presented here are linear, since the polymer sensors in their useful (low concentration) operating range exhibit linear and additive response characteristics. The optimization of these arrays produces maximum separability between analytes, demonstrating the trade-off between the addition of both information and variability induced by increasing the size of the heterogeneous array. Optimization results for sensing acetone, hexane, THF, toluene, and ethanol in the presence of interferents result in array sizes that are significantly less than the maximum available number of sensors (ten in the heterogeneous partition of the array). This result adds fuel to the argument that fewer sensors are better; the argument for more sensors, however, is also made in the context of the electronic nose systems where significant chemical diversity is required. Homogeneous subarrays of up to four elements each improve the separability of analytes in these optimized heterogeneous arrays by over 10% and also effectively flag broken or unhealthy sensors in a manner that is independent of analyte and concentration.     

关于中国放射源管理的建议

1　放射性废物管理方面( 1 )应当建立一个国家级的废放射源管理战略。此战略应包括过去、现在和将来产生的所有放射性废物。此废物管理战略可以由国家指定的委员会来制订。该委员会可以包括来自主要废物的产生单位、废物管理机构和相应的审管部门的代表。此战略应当涵盖技术选择 (处理和处置 )和基础架构 (废物管理机构和基金 )。( 2 )放射性废物管理 ,包括废密封源管理。要求有专门的技术设施和特别训练的人员。为避免基础结构和人力资源重复设置 ,可以考虑单一的废物管理机构。该机构可设有区域性的分支机构 ,也可以设有专门的部门管理来…     

IBM's Linux watch, the challenge of miniaturization

Nearly four years in development, the IBM Linux watch contains a complete computer system that runs Linux, displays X11 graphics, and has wireless connectivity. The system fits in a case that could pass as a slightly unusual analog timepiece with a somewhat odd shape and an extraordinarily brilliant face. The developers have created two versions of the watch, one with an organic light-emitting diode display and the other with a liquid crystal display. Still considered a research prototype, the watch already runs some personal information management applications, and it can communicate with PCs, PDAs, and other wireless-enabled devices, viewing condensed e-mail and directly receiving pager-like messages. Eventually, users will be able to access various Internet-based services, such as up-to-the-minute information about weather, traffic conditions, the stock market, and sports     

Quantum computing with spin qubits in semiconductor structures

We survey recent work on designing and evaluating quantum computing implementations based on nuclear or bound-electron spins in semiconductor heterostructures at low temperatures and in high magnetic fields. General overview is followed by a summary of results of our theoretical calculations of decoherence time scales and spin-spin interactions. The latter were carried out for systems for which the two-dimensional electron gas provides the dominant carrier for spin dynamics via exchange of spin-excitons in the integer quantum Hall regime.     

The use of Schottky barrier diodes for the detection of surface contamination and damage in the fabrication of GaAs MESFETS

The gates of GaAs MESFETS rely on the formation of a Schottky diode between the semiconductor surface and a deposited metal and so are extremely sensitive to the nature of this interface. For this reason an investigation of surface damage and contamination by the various processing stages involved in IC fabrication has been undertaken. This paper outlines the results obtained from processes involved in activation of ion implantation through annealing with a dielectric encapsulant, wet chemical etching, and metallization. Methods for removing or minimizing the effects of processing damage or contamination are also investigated.     

Towards the automatic generation of software diagrams

The authors formulate the criteria for drawing dataflow diagrams and describe the placement and routing algorithms used in a system called MONDRIAN. A generalized approach to the question of software diagrams is proposed based on the authors' experience with MONDRIAN and a metasystem approach to the creation of CASE (computer-aided software engineering) environments. A formal approach to the definition of software objects and their graphical representation is given. The use of location constraints as a basis for generalized layout algorithms is discussed     

SPECTRAL DENSITY ESTIMATION FROM NONLINEARLY OBSERVED DATA

Abstract. The estimation of the spectral density function of a stationary Gaussian process at the input of an instantaneous nonlinearity is considered when the nonlinearity is known and a finite set of observations of the output process is given. A class of spectral estimates is considered and their quadratic-mean consistency is established; precise asymptotic expressions for their bias and covariance are derived and their asymptotic normality is obtained.     

Nitrogen-Nitride Equilibria in Molten Uranium-Thorium-Tin Alloys

Work has been done on the molten ternary system U-Th-Sn to provide a selective nitriding separation scheme. The nitride formation reaction has been studied as a function of temperature (1490° to 1700°C) and weight percent of U/Th in Sn, using a Sievert's-type apparatus. Nitride formation has been demonstrated in a U-Th-Gd system.     

Al-Cu-Fe QUASICRYSTALLINE PHASE FORMATION BY MECHANICAL ALLOYING

Al-Cu-Fe alloys were prepared from elemental powders in a high-energy planetary ball mill. A sequence of solid state reactions resulting in quasicrystal (QC) phase formation takes place during heating of the as-milled powder. These reactions were studied by both differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray diffraction methods. Mechanically alloyed powders were consolidated by cold and hot pressing, as well as by explosive compaction. After annealing at sufficiently high temperatures, the consolidated samples are single-phase QC, except the ones consolidated by explosion. The high reactivity of the as-milled alloys causes the appearance of high porosity of the consolidated samples after the annealing.     

A hybrid extended finite element/level set method for modeling phase transformations

A hybrid numerical method for modelling the evolution of sharp phase interfaces on fixed grids is presented. We focus attention on two‐dimensional solidification problems, where the temperature field evolves according to classical heat conduction in two subdomains separated by a moving freezing front. The enrichment strategies of the eXtended Finite Element Method (X‐FEM) are employed to represent the jump in the temperature gradient that governs the velocity of the phase boundary. A new approach with the X‐FEM is suggested for this class of problems whereby the partition of unity is constructed with C¹(Ω) polynomials and enriched with a C⁰(Ω) function. This approach leads to jumps in temperature gradient occurring only at the phase boundary, and is shown to significantly improve estimates for the front velocity. Temporal derivatives of the temperature field in the vicinity of the phase front are obtained with a projection that employs discontinuous enrichment. In conjunction with a finer finite difference grid, the Level Set method is used to represent the evolution of the phase interface. An iterative procedure is adopted to satisfy the constraints on the temperature field on the phase boundary. The robustness and utility of the method is demonstrated with several benchmark problems of phase transformation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.