Single‐shot High Dynamic Range Imaging Using Coded Electronic Shutter

Typical high dynamic range (HDR) imaging approaches based on multiple images have difficulties in handling moving objects and camera shakes, suffering from the ghosting effect and the loss of sharpness in the output HDR image. While there exist a variety of solutions for resolving such limitations, most of the existing algorithms are susceptible to complex motions, saturation, and occlusions. In this paper, we propose an HDR imaging approach using the coded electronic shutter which can capture a scene with row‐wise varying exposures in a single image. Our approach enables a direct extension of the dynamic range of the captured image without using multiple images, by photometrically calibrating rows with different exposures. Due to the concurrent capture of multiple exposures, misalignments of moving objects are naturally avoided with significant reduction in the ghosting effect. To handle the issues with under‐/over‐exposure, noise, and blurs, we present a coherent HDR imaging process where the problems are resolved one by one at each step. Experimental results with real photographs, captured using a coded electronic shutter, demonstrate that our method produces a high quality HDR images without the ghosting and blur artifacts.     

Rheological and electrical properties of polycarbonate/multi-walled carbon nanotube composites

Rheological and electrical properties of the polycarbonate (PC)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) were studied. The MWNT was funtoinalized by treating with the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The H₂O₂ treated MWNT was dried by thermal and freeze drying methods. From the morphological studies, the degree of entanglement of the MWNT was decreased after treating with the H₂O₂. For the H₂O₂ treated MWNT (thermal drying), the length of the MWNT was shortened compared that of the H₂O₂ treated MWNT (freeze drying). The rheological and electrical properties of the PC/MWNT (H₂O₂ treated) composites increased compared that of the PC/MWNT (untreated) composites. Also, the electrical conductivity showed higher value for the PC/MWNT (H₂O₂ treated, freeze drying) composites compared that of the PC/MWNT (H₂O₂ treated, thermal drying) composites. From the results of the morphological, rheological, and electrical properties of the PC/MWNT composites, it is suggested that the electrical and rheological properties of the PC/MWNT composites are affected by the MWNT-MWNT network structure, which is related with the MWNT morphologies such as the degree of aggregation and aspect ratio of the MWNT.     

Novel method of preparing Ag–Hg alloy on polyacrylamide films and their structure

A novel method is proposed of preparing thin Ag–Hg alloy on PAAm film surface at room temperature: The film of interest is formed by holding PAAm aqueous solution with AgNO₃ in Hg-saturated atmosphere. Two kinds of films, one of which is a conductor and the other an insulator, can be selectively formed with pH-controlled PAAm solution by ammonia. The conducting surface is assigned to the α phase of Ag–Hg alloy by means of X-ray analysis. Potentiometric titration and IR spectral studies suggest the existence of PAAm–Ag⁺ complexes. On the basis of their structure and the oxidation and reduction potential of Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺, the mechanism of film formation is also discussed.     

Nano-sized carbon hollow spheres for abatement of ethylene

In this paper, the ethylene adsorption capacities of the nano-sized carbon hollow spheres (CNB) and active carbon (AC), the Pd (PdCl₂) impregnated CNB or AC (Pd/CNB, Pd/AC) and heat treatment under various conditions, were studied at different ethylene concentrations from 64 to 1060 ppm. The results indicated that AC had a good ethylene adsorption capacity at high ethylene concentration. Pd impregnation decreased the ethylene adsorption capacity of AC. Heat treatment and H₂ activation could increase the ethylene adsorption capacity, but also lowered than AC itself. CNB had lower ethylene adsorption capacity than AC, but heat treatment and H₂ activation could increase its ethylene adsorption capacity markedly. With activating condition from heat treatment in N₂ at 300 °C to activation in H₂/N₂ at 100 °C, to activation in H₂ at 200 °C, and to activation in H₂ at 300 °C, the ethylene adsorption capacity of Pd/CNB was increased regularly. At low ethylene concentration, viz., 64 ppm, the ethylene adsorption quantities (q _a) by Pd/CNB activated in H₂ at 200 or 300 °C were higher than any other adsorbents. So, activated in H₂ atmosphere at higher than 100 °C, Pd/CNB is particularly advantaged for adsorbing low concentration of ethylene. Amongst all the adsorbents used, Pd/CNB activated in H₂ atmosphere at 300 °C for 2 h has the highest ethylene adsorption capacity at lower concentration than 125 ppm. In addition, all the CNB, Pd/CNB, AC, and Pd/AC samples can be easily regenerated in airflow for more than 3 h.     

A study on carbon coating to silicon and electrochemical characteristics of Si-C/Li cells

The aim of this paper is to study the electrochemical behavior of Si-C material synthesized by heating a mixture of silicon and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) in the ratios of 5, 20, and 50 wt%. The particle size of the synthesized material was found to be increased with increase in the PVDF ratio. The coexistence of silicon with carbon was confirmed from the XRD analysis. A field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) study performed with the material proved the improvement in coating efficiency with increase in the PVDF ratio. Coin cells of the type 2025 were made by using the synthesized material, and the electrochemical properties were studied. An electrode was prepared by using the developed Si-C material. Si-C|Li cells were made with this electrode. A charge|discharge test was performed for 20 cycles at 0.1 C hour rate. Initial charge and discharge capacities of Si-C material derived from 20 wt% of PVDF was found to be 1,830 and 526 mAh|g, respectively. Initial charge/discharge characteristics of the electrode were analyzed. The level of reversible specific capacity was about 216mAh/g at Si-C material derived from 20 wt% of PVDF, initial intercalation efficiency (IIE), intercalation efficiency at initial charge/discharge, was 68%. Surface irreversible specific capacity was 31 mAh/g, and average specific resistance was 2.6 ohm * g.     

Wetting properties of polystyrene ionomers treated with plasma source ion implantation

The wetting properties of polystyrene‐based ionomers treated with plasma source ion implantation (PSII) were investigated by the measurement of water contact angles. When sulfonated ionomers were aged for a few days, the hydrophobic recovery for the ionomers became much slower than that for the nonionic polymers. However, when the samples were aged over 20 days, the water contact angle of the ionomers converged with that of the nonionic polymer. Thus, it was concluded that the ionic interaction between the ionic groups and the presence of ionic groups together resulted in the slow hydrophobic recovery and that the aging effect was significant for the ionomers. For the methacrylate ionomer of low ion content, on the other hand, it was found that the PSII treatment produced only a small change in hydrophobic recovery behavior. Thus, it was suggested that the low ionic content coupled with the small size of the ionic unit might cause changes only of a very insignificant degree in hydrophobic recovery behavior. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 2500–2504, 2002     

Preparation of microporous chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) membrane in fabric and the characterization of their pore sizes and pore‐size distributions

Chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) (CPVC)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) membranes were prepared by using the solvent system tetrahydrofuran (THF)/n‐butyl alcohol (n‐BA) to investigate the possibility of pore size and pore‐size distribution control. The coagulation of CPVC/PVP solution was induced by the exposure to water vapor at 25 (±0.5)°C. The average pore diameter, d_p, and the size distribution of pores on the surface of the membrane were quantified through the image analyzer from the images visualized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE‐SEM). Surface pore size and distribution of the prepared CPVC/PVP membrane were strongly affected by the relative humidity (RH) in the environment and the content of PVP used as an additive. Particularly, in the case of CPVC membrane without PVP, the mean pore size was 0.15–0.2 μm, depending on the RH. The pore distribution became broad with the increase of the RH. The membranes had open pores as confirmed by the hydraulic permeation experiment. In addition, the water flux and membrane resistance (R_m) were greatly affected by the composition of polymer solution and the RH. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1195–1202, 2002     

Studies on expansion properties in mortar containing waste glass and fibers

The utilization of waste glass in concrete can cause cracking and weakening due to expansion by alkali-silica reaction (ASR). In this study, ASR expansion and properties of strength were analyzed in terms of waste glass content, glass color (brown, green), fibers (steel fiber, polypropylene fiber) and fiber content, in anticipation of reducing ASR expansion.Results showed that green waste glass was more usable than brown because its expansion was less than that of brown glass. Using the accelerated ASTM C 1260 test of waste glass, no pessimum content was found. Furthermore, when fibers and waste glass were combined, there was an effect on the reduction of expansion and strength loss due to ASR between the alkali in the cement paste and the silica in the waste glass. In particular, adding 1.5 vol.% of steel fiber to concrete containing 20% waste glass reduced the expansion ratio by 40% and increased flexural strength by up to 110%, a vast improvement when compared with using only waste glass (80 °C H₂O curing) by itself.     

Microstructural Evidence for Diffusion-Driven Tetragonal-to-Orthorhombic Phase Transformation in Y-Ba-Cu-O Superconductor

Microstructures of Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductor were observed using a polarized microscope. Orthorhombic and tetragonal phases were easily distinguished by the optical etching with cross-polarized light. In the specimen cooled rapidly in oxygen, it was possible to see the path of oxygen diffusion by observing the variation of the twin concentration. At the boundary between transformed and untransformed materials, evidence for diffusion-driven transformation could be clearly seen.     

Highly Efficient Overall Water Splitting Through Optimization of Preparation and Operation Conditions of Layered Perovskite Photocatalysts

The layered perovskite materials were found to give the high photocatalytic activity in water splitting reaction under UV irradiation, where the electronic structure of perovskite slab constructing the layered structure (the total cation valency) was the most crucial factor to the high photocatalytic activity. Both the excessive cation valency and the layered structure were required for active photocatalysts, while the slab thickness of layered perovskites had an insignificant effect on water-splitting activity. In order to identify key variables that affected photocatalytic activity and to optimize the performance of (110) layered perovskite, La₂Ti₂O₇ was modified by various methods. The optimum amount of loaded nickel had a great effect and the amount depended on the surface area of the perovskite phase. When an alkaline-earth element such as Ba, Sr, and Ca was doped on La₂Ti₂O₇, the photocatalytic activity was enhanced markedly. Introduction of an alkaline hydroxide into the reaction system as an external additive enhanced the activity further showing extremely high quantum yields close to 50%.