Spectrum‐Based Color Reproduction Algorithm for Makeup Simulation of 3D Facial Avatar

Various simulation applications for hair, clothing, and makeup of a 3D avatar can provide more useful information to users before they select a hairstyle, clothes, or cosmetics. To enhance their reality, the shapes, textures, and colors of the avatars should be similar to those found in the real world. For a more realistic 3D avatar color reproduction, this paper proposes a spectrum‐based color reproduction algorithm and color management process with respect to the implementation of the algorithm. First, a makeup color reproduction model is estimated by analyzing the measured spectral reflectance of the skin samples before and after applying the makeup. To implement the model for a makeup simulation system, the color management process controls all color information of the 3D facial avatar during the 3D scanning, modeling, and rendering stages. During 3D scanning with a multicamera system, spectrum‐based camera calibration and characterization are performed to estimate the spectrum data. During the virtual makeup process, the spectrum data of the 3D facial avatar is modified based on the makeup color reproduction model. Finally, during 3D rendering, the estimated spectrum is converted into RGB data through gamut mapping and display characterization.     

Analysis of a Parasitic‐Diode‐Triggered Electrostatic Discharge Protection Circuit for 12 V Applications

In this paper, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit is designed for use as a 12 V power clamp by using a parasitic‐diode‐triggered silicon controlled rectifier. The breakdown voltage and trigger voltage (V_t) of the proposed ESD protection circuit are improved by varying the length between the n‐well and the p‐well, and by adding n+/p+ floating regions. Moreover, the holding voltage (V_h) is improved by using segmented technology. The proposed circuit was fabricated using a 0.18‐μm bipolar‐CMOS‐DMOS process with a width of 100 μm. The electrical characteristics and robustness of the proposed ESD circuit were analyzed using transmission line pulse measurements and an ESD pulse generator. The electrical characteristics of the proposed circuit were also analyzed at high temperature (300 K to 500 K) to verify thermal performance. After optimization, the V_t of the proposed circuit increased from 14 V to 27.8 V, and V_h increased from 5.3 V to 13.6 V. The proposed circuit exhibited good robustness characteristics, enduring human‐body‐model surges at 7.4 kV and machine‐model surges at 450 V.     

A moving-actuator type electromechanical total artificial heart.II. Circular type and animal experiment

A new type of electromechanical total artificial heart (TAH) based on circular rolling-cylinder mechanism was developed to overcome critical problems in motor-driven artificial hearts such as large size and difficulties in fitting the heart to atrial remnants and arterial vessels. Its performance and reliability were evaluated in mock circulation and in an animal implant experiment. The total weight and volume of the pump is 650 g and 600 mL, respectively. This new pump was implanted in a calf for total heart replacement and 96 h of survival was achieved. The whole system, including pump, controller, and control algorithm performed well enough to improve the prospect of eventual clinical application of our TAH system.     

White Electrofluorescence Switching from Electrochemically Convertible Yellow Fluorescent Dyad

A fluorescent naphthalimide‐tetrazine dyad (NITZ) was examined for electrofluorochromism. The reversible electrochemistry of the tetrazine was accompanied by the fluorescence change through a quasi‐complete energy transfer in an electrochemical cell prepared by the mixture of polymer electrolyte and naphthalimide‐tetrazine dyad. Owing to the energy transfer within the dyad (naphthalimide and tetrazine), the fluorescence efficiency of NITZ was much enhanced and the effective fluorophore concentration in this system was much less than other tetrazine based electrofluorochromic device (EFD). Thus the yellow fluorescence of NITZ was switched on and off remarkably even with small quantity of NITZ (1 wt.%) in an EFD upon application of step potentials for different redox state. Furthermore, multi‐color fluorescence switching was achieved by blending a naphthalimide to the electrofluorochromic layer, to show white‐blue‐dark state of fluorescence. Since the tetrazine and naphthalimide units have their emission quenched at different potentials, the emission color could be tuned by quenching emission at selected wavelengths, reversibly, under low working potentials.     

An SSD‐Based Storage System for an Interactive Media Server Using Video Frame Grouping

For real‐time interactive multimedia operations, such as video uploading, video play, fast‐forward, and fast‐rewind, solid state disk (SSD)‐based storage systems for video streaming servers are becoming more important. Random access rates in storage systems increase significantly with the number of users; it is thus difficult to simultaneously serve many users with HDD‐based storage systems, which have low random access performance. Because there is no mechanical operation in NAND flash‐based SSDs, they outperform HDDs in terms of flexible random access operation. In addition, due to the multichannel architecture of SSDs, they perform similarly to HDDs in terms of sequential access. In this paper, we propose a new SSD‐based storage system for interactive media servers. Based on the proposed method, it is possible to maximize the channel utilization of the SSD's multichannel architecture. Accordingly, we can improve the performance of SSD‐based storage systems for interactive media operations.     

Controlled assembly of single SWNTs bundle using dielectrophoresis

We present a mass productive and reproducible assembly technique of a single bundle of single-walled carbon nanotubes (sb-SWNTs) using dielectrophoresis (DEP). Gold electrodes with 10 gaps made via microlithography were used to align the carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The magnitude and type of applied electric field were investigated to verify their effects on CNT assembly. The optimum assembling conditions in which sb-SWNTs could be positioned at a desired site were experimentally identified, and the characteristics of the assembled sb-SWNTs were evaluated from AFM, Raman spectroscopy, and I-V curve. This assembly method has potential for applications, such as gas sensors or electronic devices.     

Metal Organic Framework-MXene Nanoarchitecture for Fast Responsive and Ultra-Stable Electro-Ionic Artificial Muscles

Electro-ionic soft actuators, capable of continuous deformations replacing non-compliant rigid mechanical components, attract increasing interest in the field of next-generation metaverse interfaces and soft robotics. Here, a novel MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x) electrode anchoring manganese-based 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate metal-organic framework (MnBTC) for ultrastable electro-ionic artificial muscles is reported. By a facile supramolecular self-assembly, the Ti₃C₂T_x-MnBTC hybrid nanoarchitecture forms coordinate bond, hydrogen bond, and hydrophilic interaction with the conducting polymer of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), resulting in a mechanically flexible and electro-ionically active electrode. The superior electrical and electrochemical performances of the electrode stem from the synergistic effects between intrinsically hierarchical nanoarchitecture of MnBTC and rapid electron transport behavior of Mxene, leading to fast diffusion and accommodation of ions in the ion-exchangeable membrane. The developed artificial muscle based on Ti₃C₂T_x-MnBTC is found to exhibit high bending displacement (12.5 mm) and ultrafast response time (0.77 s) under a low driving voltage (0.5 V), along with wide frequency response (0.1–10 Hz) and exceptional stability (98% retention at 43,200 s) without any distortion of actuation performance. Furthermore, the designed electro-active artificial muscle is successfully used to demonstrate mimicry of eye motions including eyelid blinking and eyeball movement in a doll.     

Biodegradable Thin Metal Foils and Spin‐On Glass Materials for Transient Electronics

Biodegradable substrates and encapsulating materials play critical roles in the development of an emerging class of semiconductor technology, generally referred as “transient electronics”, whose key characteristic is an ability to dissolve completely, in a controlled manner, upon immersion in ground water or biofluids. The results presented here introduce the use of thin foils of Mo, Fe, W, or Zn as biodegradable substrates and silicate spin‐on‐glass (SOG) materials as insulating and encapsulating layers, with demonstrations of transient active (diode and transistor) and passive (capacitor and inductor) electronic components. Complete measurements of electrical characteristics demonstrate that the device performance can reach levels comparable to those possible with conventional, nontransient materials. Dissolution kinetics of the foils and cytotoxicity tests of the SOG yield information relevant to use in transient electronics for temporary biomedical implants, resorbable environmental monitors, and reduced waste consumer electronics.     

Highly Stretchable and Wearable Thermotherapy Pad with Micropatterned Thermochromic Display Based on Ag Nanowire–Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Composite

Due to the increasing interest in wearable devices, flexible and stretchable film heaters have been widely studied, as alternatives to heaters with conventional rigid shapes. Herein, a highly stretchable film heater (SFH) based on the silver nanowire (Ag NW)–single‐walled carbon nanotube composite with a thermochromic display on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate is successfully fabricated. The SFH shows excellent electrical conductivity, high mechanical stretchability, and outstanding reliability, with no significant degradation after 10 000 stretching cycles under tensile strain. The SFH can be heated to the target temperature (≈60 °C) within 30 s at a low applied voltage. In addition, a thermochromic display is fabricated to help prevent the risk of low‐temperature burns. Red (R), green (G), and blue (B) thermochromic microparticles (TMPs) are synthesized using drop‐based microfluidic technology. The TMPs show RGB colors at room temperature but change to a white color above a certain temperature. The TMPs are arrayed into a PDMS stencil on the basis of their particle sizes using the rubbing technique. The micropatterned thermochromic display, which functions as a visual alarm, combined with the SFH can pave the way for the development of thermotherapy pads for next‐generation wearable devices in the medical field.     

Highly Power‐Efficient Rack‐Level DC Power Architecture Combined with Node‐Level DC UPS

This letter presents a highly efficient rack‐level DC power architecture combined with a node‐level DC uninterruptible power supply (UPS). The proposed system can provide almost the equivalent power efficiency of a high‐voltage DC data center without any change in the existing power infrastructure. The node‐level DC UPS combined with a power distribution board provides high power efficiency as well as lower UPS installation costs. Implemented on a rack, the entire power system can be monitored through a network.