A stand-alone ultrasonic ranging system for hydrological waterstage measurements

A stand-alone ultrasonic ranging system (SAURS) was designed and applied in hydrological measurements of water levels. Ranging is carried out through air by an electrostatic ultrasonic transducer which is controlled by a microprocessor-based system. The data are collected in a 64-kbyte EPROM cassette. The problems associated with temperature correction were studied theoretically and experimentally. The advantages of remote water level measurement, as compared to direct contract methods, are examined and discussed     

Computer vision for artists and designers: pedagogic tools and techniques for novice programmers

This article attempts to demystify computer vision for novice programmers through a survey of new applications in the arts, system design considerations, and contemporary tools. It introduces the concept and gives a brief history of computer vision within interactive art from Myron Kruger to the present. Basic techniques of computer vision such as detecting motion and object tracking are discussed in addition to various software applications created for exploring the topic. As an example, the results of a one-week machine vision workshop are presented to show how designers are able to apply their skills toward creating novel uses of these technologies. The article concludes with a listing of code for basic computer vision techniques.     

Preparation and investigation of VOx thin films of n- and p-types

In this work we present first results on the synthesis of vanadium oxide semi-transparent conducting thin films of p- and n-types. The films were deposited by thermal evaporation method in vacuum, on: silicon, glass, sapphire, and gold substrates. Temperature of substrate during deposition was set around 250 °C. As deposited films were of a p-type of conductivity. Thermal annealing at 420 °C of as-deposited films in air at atmospheric pressure resulted in a change in the conductivity type.Optical, electrical and thermal properties of the deposited films were studied. The topography of the films was studied using AFM microscope. P-N structures were created using VO_x films on silicon and glass substrates. Electrical measurements had shown a non-linear behaviour of the samples.     

From product documentation to a ‘method prototype’ and standard times: a new technique for complex manual assembly

This paper suggests a new technique to facilitate consistent transition between planning and production stages of small lots of complex products (in quantities that do not justify full automation). Despite the usage of modern approaches such as design for assembly and design for manufacturing the typical product planning ends up before production planning begins, instead of having a unified seamless planning process. This paper presents a new three stage technique to fill the gap between product planning and production. The paper shows how to generate a rigorous production plan by: (1) extending the Bill-of-Materials to include additional required information, (2) constructing an assembly ‘method prototype’ and (3) using the ‘method prototype’ to calculate time standards for executing the assembly. A case study illustrates the proposed technique.     

Synthesis, two-dimensional assembly, and surface pressure-induced coalescence of ultranarrow PbS nanowires

Ultranarrow (1.8 nm) PbS nanowires are synthesized in a single step, under benchtop conditions at relatively low temperature (90 degrees C). The nanowires exhibit a nearly perfect crystal lattice, high width uniformity, and tight side-by-side registry. Two-dimensional (2D) assembly over large areas (>15 microm2) is achieved using the Langmuir Blodgett method. The wire width can be readily controlled in the range 1.8-10 nm by a surface pressure-induced coalescence reaction, as monitored by transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The fluorescence of the 2D assembly shows strong polarization dependence along the long axis of the wires, making the system potentially suitable for orientation-sensitive devices.