Fast Extraction of Objects of Interest from Images with Low Depth of Field

In this paper, we propose a novel unsupervised video object extraction algorithm for individual images or image sequences with low depth of field (DOF). Low DOF is a popular photographic technique which enables the representation of the photographer's intention by giving a clear focus only on an object of interest (OOI). We first describe a fast and efficient scheme for extracting OOIs from individual low‐DOF images and then extend it to deal with image sequences with low DOF in the next part. The basic algorithm unfolds into three modules. In the first module, a higher‐order statistics map, which represents the spatial distribution of the high‐frequency components, is obtained from an input low‐DOF image. The second module locates the block‐based OOI for further processing. Using the block‐based OOI, the final OOI is obtained with pixel‐level accuracy. We also present an algorithm to extend the extraction scheme to image sequences with low DOF. The proposed system does not require any user assistance to determine the initial OOI. This is possible due to the use of low‐DOF images. The experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm can serve as an effective tool for applications, such as 2D to 3D and photorealistic video scene generation.     

Generalized Scheme for High Performing Photodetectors with a p‐Type 2D Channel Layer and n‐Type Nanoparticles

A generalized scheme for the fabrication of high performance photodetectors consisting of a p‐type channel material and n‐type nanoparticles is proposed. The high performance of the proposed hybrid photodetector is achieved through enhanced photoabsorption and the photocurrent gain arising from its effective charge transfer mechanism. In this paper, the realization of this design is presented in a hybrid photodetector consisting of 2D p‐type black phosphorus (BP) and n‐type molybdenum disulfide nanoparticles (MoS₂ NPs), and it is demonstrated that it exhibits enhanced photoresponsivity and detectivity compared to pristine BP photodetectors. It is found that the performance of hybrid photodetector depends on the density of NPs on BP layer and that the response time can be reduced with increasing density of MoS₂ NPs. The rising and falling times of this photodetector are smaller than those of BP photodetectors without NPs. This proposed scheme is expected to work equally well for a photodetector with an n‐type channel material and p‐type nanoparticles.     

Effect of relative humidity and disk acceleration on tribocharge build-up at a slider–disk interface

High performance disk drives require high spindle speed. The spindle speed of typical hard disk drives has increased in recent years from 5400 to 15000 rpm and even higher speeds are anticipated in the near future. The increasing disk velocity leads to increasing disk acceleration and slider–disk interaction. As the head-to-disk spacing continues to decrease to facilitate increasing recording densities in disk drives, the slider–disk interaction has become much more severe due to the direct contact of head and disk surfaces in both start/stop and flying cases. The slider–disk interaction in contact-start-stop (CSS) mode is an important source of particle generation and tribocharge. Charge build-up in the slider–disk interface can cause electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage and lubricant decomposition. In turn, ESD can cause severe melting damage to MR or GMR heads. We measured the tribocurrent/voltage build-up generated at increasing disk acceleration. In addition, we examined the effects of relative humidity on the tribocharge build-up. We found that the tribocurrent/voltage was generated during pico-slider/disk interaction and that its level was below 250 pA and 0.5 V, respectively. Tribocurrent/voltage build-up was reduced with increasing disk acceleration. Higher humidity conditions (75–80%) yielded lower levels of tribovoltage/current. Therefore, a higher tribocharge is expected at a lower disk acceleration and lower relative humidity condition.     

Motion Control of a 6WD/6WS wheeled platform with in-wheel motors to improve its maneuverability

Multi-axle driving mobile platform that are favored in special environments require high driving performance, steering performance, and stability. Among these, six wheel drive and six wheel steering vehicles hereinafter called 6WD/6WS, gain structural safety by distributing the load and reducing the pitching motion during rapid acceleration and braking. 6WD/6WS mobile platforms are favorable for military use, particularly in off-road operations because of their high maneuverability and mobility on extreme terrains and obstacles. 6WD vehicles that use in-wheel motors can generate independent wheel torque without a need for additional hardware. Conventional vehicles, however, cannot generate an opposite driving force on wheels on both sides. In an independent steering and driving system six-wheel vehicles show better performance than conventional vehicles. This paper discusses the improvement of the cornering performance and maneuverability of 6WD/6WS mobile platform using independent wheel torque and independent steering on each wheel. 6WD/6WS vehicles fundamentally have satisfactory maneuverability under low speed, and sufficient stability at high speed. Consequently, there should be a control strategy for improving their cornering performance using the optimum tire forces that satisfy the driver’s command and minimize energy consumption. From the driver’s commands (i.e., the steering angle and accelerator/brake pedal stroke), the desired yaw moment with virtual steering, desired lateral force, and desired longitudinal force are obtained. These three values are distributed to each wheel as torque and steering angle, based on the optimum tire force distribution method. The optimum tire force distribution method finds the longitudinal/lateral tire forces of each wheel that minimize cost function, which is the sum of the normalized tire forces. This paper describes a 6WS/6WD vehicle with improved cornering performance and the results are validated through TruckSim simulations.

     

Subtle features of ice with cloudy effects and scratches from collision damage

We propose a simulation framework for expressing cloudy effects and scratches on ice caused by the collision of other objects. Cloudy effects are created and diffused in proportion to the collision on the ice surfaces calculated by a combination of a grid‐projection technique and the boundary particle method. To prevent dissipation during the diffusion process, a geodesic distance is used as a constraint. Scratches are modeled directionally by analyzing the density gradient of cloudy effects and rendered using needle‐shaped ellipsoids. Experiments provide detailed expression of cloudy effects and scratches from collision damage. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

钛酸锶铅梯度功能陶瓷的显微结构及介电性能

采用（Sr_1-xPb_x）TiO₃系列纳米粉末烧结制备了（Sr,Pb）TiO₃系均质与梯度介电功能陶瓷材料,考察了其组成分布、显微结构及介电性能.结果表明,烧结后陶瓷基本致密化,晶粒有所长大（平均粒径约为6.3μm）,其中存在少量圆形封闭气孔;均质陶瓷中Sr和Ph元素分布均匀,梯度陶瓷中则呈阶梯状梯度变化;烧结前后陶瓷相结构明显改变,由原来的立方顺电相为主转变为四方铁电相为主,并存在铁电畴亚结构;梯度化组成有效地优化了（Sr,Pb）TiO₃陶瓷的介电性能,工作温度区间及介温稳定性明显改善.     

Ultrasensitive,Biocompatible, Quantum‐Dot‐Embedded Silica Nanoparticles for Bioimaging

The successful development of highly sensitive, water‐compatible, nontoxic nanoprobes has allowed nanomaterials to be widely employed in various applications. The applicability of highly bright quantum dot (QD)‐based probes consisting of QDs on 120 nm silica nanoparticles (NPs) with silica shells is investigated. Their substantial merits, such as their brightness and biocompatibility, for effective bioimaging are demonstrated. Silica‐coated, QD‐embedded silica NPs (Si@QDs@Si NPs) containing QDs composed of CdSe@ZnS (core‐shell) are prepared to compare their structure‐based advantages over single QDs that have a similar quantum yield (QY). These Si@QDs@Si NPs exhibit approximately 200‐times stronger photoluminescence (PL) than single QDs. Cytotoxicity studies reveal that the Si@QDs@Si NPs are less toxic than equivalent numbers of silica‐free single quantum dots. The excellence of the Si@QDs@Si NPs with regard to in vivo applications is illustrated by significantly enhanced fluorescence signals from Si@QDs@Si‐NP‐tagged cells implanted in mice. Notably, a more advanced version of QD‐based silica NPs (Si@mQDs@Si NPs), containing multishell quantum dots (mQDs) composed of CdSe@CdS@ZnS, are prepared without significant loss of QY during surface modification. In addition, the Si@mQDs@Si NPs display a fivefold higher fluorescence activity than the Si@QDs@Si NPs. As few as 400 units of Si@mQDs@Si‐ NP‐internalized cells can be detected in the cell‐implanted mouse model.     

Characterization of engine oil additive packages on diesel particulate emissions

This study investigated the impact of engine oil formulation on particulate matter (PM) characteristics from a light-duty diesel engine. The test engine was a 1.6 L Euro-5 diesel engine operated from low- to high-speed and high-load conditions. Specially formulated nonadditive containing base oil and genuine oil were evaluated. For diesel PM characterization, physicochemical analytic procedures were conducted on engine oil formulation, oil flushing, PMs sampling, morphology, and particle constituent determination. Size-resolved particle number (PN) concentration at the engine-out position was evaluated by differential mobility spectrometer (DMS). Nucleation mode particles originating from engine oil consumption during the expansion stroke had a higher concentration from genuine oil than those from base oil. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to analyze the morphology patterns and atomic compositions with engine oil packages. From the SEM analysis, spherical PM of nucleation and accumulation mode particles were agglomerated on a quartz filter. In the XPS spectrum, more engine oil additive fractions of Ca, P, and Zn were found in the PM sample from genuine oil. In conclusion, the variation of physicochemical engine oil properties and additive amounts had strong contributions to engine oil derived PN emissions, morphology, and additive metal compositions in the exhaust gas stream.