Search me if you can: Multiple mix zones with location privacy protection for mapping services

The mobile vehicle is gaining popularity nowadays using map services like Google Maps and other mapping services. However, map services users have to expose sensitive information like geographic locations (GPS coordinates) or address to personal privacy concerns as users share their locations and queries to obtain desired services. Existing mix zones location privacy protection methods are most general purposed and theoretical value while not applicable when applied to provide location privacy for map service users. In this paper, we present new (multiple mix zones location privacy protection) MMLPP method specially designed for map services on mobile vehicles over the road network. This method enables mobile vehicle users to query a route between 2 endpoints on the map, without revealing any confidential location and queries information. The basic idea is to strategically endpoints to nearby ones, such that (1) the semantic meanings encoded in these endpoints (eg, their GPS coordinates) change much, ie, location privacy is protected; (2) the routes returned by map services little change, ie, services usability are maintained. Specifically, a mobile client first privately retrieves point of interest close to the original endpoints, and then selects 2 points of interest as the shifted endpoints satisfying the property of geoindistinguishability. We evaluate our MMLPP approach road network application for GTMobiSim on different scales of map services and conduct experiments with real traces. Results show that MMLPP strikes a good balance between location privacy and service usability.     

CuPc based organic--inorganic hetero-junction with Au electrodes

In present work, a hetero-junction of n-silicon (n-Si) with copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) has been fabricated. The current-voltage characteristics were investigated to explain the rectification and conduction mechanism. The effect of temperature and humidity on electrical properties of n-Si/CuPc hetero-junction has also been investigated. The characteristics of the junction have been observed to be temperature and humidity dependent so it is suggested that this junction can be used as temperature and humidity sensor.     

Enhancing the Selectivity and Transparency of the Electron Contact in Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells by Phosphorus Catalytic Doping

An intrinsic hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H(i)) film and a doped silicon film are usually combined in the heterojunction contacts of silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells. In this work, a post-doping process called catalytic doping (Cat-doping) on a-Si:H(i) is performed on the electron selective side of SHJ solar cells, which enables a device architecture that eliminates the additional deposition of the doped silicon layer. Thus, a single phosphorus Cat-doping layer combines the functions of two other layers by enabling excellent interface passivation and high carrier selectivity. The overall thinner layer on the window side results in higher spectral response at short wavelengths, leading to an improved short-circuit current density of 40.31 mA cm⁻² and an efficiency of 23.65% (certified). The cell efficiency is currently limited by sputter damage from the subsequent transparent conductive oxide fabrication and low carrier activation in the a-Si:H(i) with Cat-doping. Numerical device simulations show that the a-Si:H(i) with Cat-doping can provide sufficient field effect passivation even at lower active carrier concentrations compared to the as-deposited doped layer, due to the lower defect density.     

Structural,Thermal and Luminescence Properties of AlN:Tm Thin Films Deposited on Silicon Substrate and Optical Fiber

Semiconductors - Thin films of AlN:Tm are deposited on a Si(111) and Si(100) substrates and optical fiber by rf magnetron sputtering method. 200–400 nm thick films are deposited at various...     

Machine learning in vehicular networking: An overview

As vehicle complexity and road congestion increase, combined with the emergence of electric vehicles, the need for intelligent transportation systems to improve on-road safety and transportation efficiency using vehicular networks has become essential. The evolution of high mobility wireless networks will provide improved support for connected vehicles through highly dynamic heterogeneous networks. Particularly, 5G deployment introduces new features and technologies that enable operators to capitalize on emerging infrastructure capabilities. Machine Learning (ML), a powerful methodology for adaptive and predictive system development, has emerged in both vehicular and conventional wireless networks. Adopting data-centric methods enables ML to address highly dynamic vehicular network issues faced by conventional solutions, such as traditional control loop design and optimization techniques. This article provides a short survey of ML applications in vehicular networks from the networking aspect. Research topics covered in this article include network control containing handover management and routing decision making, resource management, and energy efficiency in vehicular networks. The findings of this paper suggest more attention should be paid to network forming/deforming decision making. ML applications in vehicular networks should focus on researching multi-agent cooperated oriented methods and overall complexity reduction while utilizing enabling technologies, such as mobile edge computing for real-world deployment. Research datasets, simulation environment standardization, and method interpretability also require more research attention.     

Large-signal analysis of CMOS analogue functional elements using Fourier-series approximations

This paper discusses the large signal performance of CMOS analogue-functional elements. Fourier-series approximations are obtained for the transfer functions of the basic building blocks such as the linear CMOS transconductance element and the CMOS full-wave rectifier. Using these Fourier-series approximations, simple closed-form analytical expressions are obtained for the amplitudes of the harmonics at the output of a basic building block excited by a sinusoidal input signal. The analysis shows that, while the performance of the basic building blocks is near ideal at relatively small input amplitudes, performance degradation increases as the input amplitudes increase. On the other hand, since these expressions ignore the distortion mechanisms resulting from body effect and channel-length modulation, they cannot reliably predict the performance at small input signal levels. It appears, therefore, that body-effect and channel-length modulation must be taken into consideration for small-signal analysis.     

Web Support System for Business Intelligence in Small and Medium Enterprises

Last decade belongs to business intelligence (BI) because it is one of the few concepts that have actually lived to the expectations. Not only the businesses have adopted it but also have reaped the fruits out of it. But the cost of BI solutions is very high and has restricted small and medium enterprises to use BI solutions. The human resource is also limited and resultantly expensive in this field. This research proposes a web support system for business intelligence which provides automated data mapping and loading from user application to BI framework and also validates it. The system also assists users in getting the outputs in terms of reports and dashboards. The implementation of the proposed framework demonstrates convenience of use and effective cost saving as it does not require any technical expertise. The beauty of this web support system is that all the steps are menu driven and any non-technical user can get hold of it easily.     

Unleashing the Potential of Sodium-Ion Batteries: Current State and Future Directions for Sustainable Energy Storage

Rechargeable sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are emerging as a viable alternative to lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology, as their raw materials are economical, geographically abundant (unlike lithium), and less toxic. The matured LIB technology contributes significantly to digital civilization, from mobile electronic devices to zero electric-vehicle emissions. However, with the increasing reliance on renewable energy sources and the anticipated integration of high-energy-density batteries into the grid, concerns have arisen regarding the sustainability of lithium due to its limited availability and consequent price escalations. In this context, SIBs have gained attention as a potential energy storage alternative, benefiting from the abundance of sodium and sharing electrochemical characteristics similar to LIBs. Furthermore, high-entropy chemistry has emerged as a new paradigm, promising to enhance energy density and accelerate advancements in battery technology to meet the growing energy demands. This review uncovers the fundamentals, current progress, and the views on the future of SIB technologies, with a discussion focused on the design of novel materials. The crucial factors, such as morphology, crystal defects, and doping, that can tune electrochemistry, which should inspire young researchers in battery technology to identify and work on challenging research problems, are also reviewed.     

Current mode biquadratic filter realizations employing operational amplifiers

New circuit configurations for realizing current mode biquadratic filter sections using operational amplifiers are presented. Each circuit uses a single operational amplifier and seven passive elements at most. The merits and demerits of the proposed realizations are discussed.