An empirical study on improving dissimilarity-based classifications using one-shot similarity measure

This paper reports an experimental result obtained by additionally using unlabeled data together with labeled ones to improve the classification accuracy of dissimilarity-based methods, namely, dissimilarity-based classifications (DBC) [25]. In DBC, classifiers among classes are not based on the feature measurements of individual objects, but on a suitable dissimilarity measure among the objects instead. In order to measure the dissimilarity distance between pairwise objects, an approach using the one-shot similarity (OSS) [30] measuring technique instead of the Euclidean distance is investigated in this paper. In DBC using OSS, the unlabeled set can be used to extend the set of prototypes as well as to compute the OSS distance. The experimental results, obtained with artificial and real-life benchmark datasets, demonstrate that designing the classifiers in the OSS dissimilarity matrices instead of expanding the set of prototypes can further improve the classification accuracy in comparison with the traditional Euclidean approach. Moreover, the results demonstrate that the proposed setting does not work with non-Euclidean data.     

NoC routing protocols – objective-based classification

NoCs (Network on Chips) are the most popular interconnection mechanism used for systems that require flexibility, extensibility and low power consumption. However, communication performance is strongly related to the routing algorithm that is used in the NoC. The most important issues in the routing process are: deadlock, livelock, congestion and faults. In this paper, a classification of NoC routing protocols is proposed according to the problems they address. Two main families emerge: mono objective and multi objectives. A discussion of the advantages and the drawbacks of each protocols family is given. A summary of the most used practices in this field and the less used ones is provided. This survey shows that it is hard to satisfy the four objectives at the same time with classical methods, highlighting the strengths of multi-objectives approaches.     

Molecular design of deep blue fluorescent emitters with 20% external quantum efficiency and narrow emission spectrum

A thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) emitter, 2,7-bis(9,9-dimethylacridin-10(9H)-yl)-9,9-dimethyl-9H-thioxanthene 10,10-dioxide (DMTDAc), was developed as a deep blue TADF emitter using a rigid 9,9-dimethyl-9H-thioxanthene 10,10-dioxide (DMTD) acceptor and an acridine donor. The rigid DMTD acceptor narrowed emission spectrum of DMTDAc by interlocking two phenyl units of diphenylsulfone. A deep blue TADF device with an external quantum efficiency close to 20% with a deep blue color coordinate of (0.15,0.13) was provided using the DMTDAc TADF emitter.     

Thermodynamic analysis of ZnO nanoparticle formation by wire explosion process and characterization

Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized by wire explosion process through deposition of different levels of energy to the exploding conductor in oxygen ambience at different pressures. The produced nanoparticles were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) and by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) studies. Energy dependent formation reaction mechanisms were formulated based on Born-Haber cycle. The size dependent gas phase reaction energetics was analyzed by using Hess's diagram. Butler's multicomponent molten oxide model was adopted to predict the surface tension of ZnO. Thermodynamic modelling studies revealed that the amount of energy deposited has an impact on saturation ratio, activation free energy, and nucleation rate of nanoparticles. It is observed based on experimental and modelling studies that the amount of energy deposited to the current carrying conductor, ambient pressure of oxygen and the saturation ratio influence the size of nanoparticle formed.     

Development of a noble aluminum-pigmented metallic polymer: Recommendations for visible flow and weld line mitigation

We investigated the appearance of flow and weld lines when metallic pigments are used in polymer blends and how such lines can be eliminated by improving the pigment particle shape and optimizing pigment loading. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer and two types of aluminum flakes, lamellar and three-dimensional (3D), were blended in a twin-screw extruder with a screw diameter of 25 mm. The temperatures from the hopper to the nozzle were 140, 180, 220, 220, 220, 220, and 220°C. Weld and flow lines were observed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy of specially manufactured injection specimens. In the flow line region, traditional lamellar flakes were randomly oriented, while 3D flakes exhibited a distinct and stable orientation. Based on these observations, flow and weld lines in a finished metal/polymer blend can be minimized by using 3D metal particles in place of lamellar flakes. We also investigated the effects of aluminum flake loading on weld and flow line visibility. At low loading, weld lines were clearly visible due to the lack of pigmentation in the front of the polymer flow. Conversely, high loading resulted in relatively high concentrations of pigment near the weld line area, reducing weld line visibility. These findings suggest that there is an optimum metal loading level where the visibility of flow and weld lines is minimized.     

Spray pyrolysis deposition of Cu–Zn–In–S solid-solution thin films with tunable compositions and band gaps

Cu–Zn–In–S solid solution thin films with tunable compositions and band gaps were deposited on glass substrates using a chemical spray pyrolysis approach. XRD results reveal the cubic-structured Cu–Zn–In–S films without detectable impurities. The successive shift of XRD patterns toward high-angle side of ZnS with increasing ZnS molar fraction in products proves a formation of Cu–Zn–In–S solid solutions. SEM images and EDAX analyses demonstrate homogeneous surface morphologies and adjustable compositions of Cu–Zn–In–S films, which results in film band gaps broadly tunable from 1.54 eV to 3.61 eV. These sprayed Cu–Zn–In–S solid solution thin films may find potential uses in photovoltaics and photocatalysis.     

Advances and perspectives on one-dimensional nanostructure electrode materials for potassium-ion batteries

Potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) have aroused considerable interest as a promising next-generation advanced large-scale energy storage system due to the abundant potassium resources and high safety. However, the K⁺ with large ionic radius brings restricted diffusion kinetics and severe volume expansion in electrode materials, resulting in inferior actual rate characteristics and rapid capacity fading. Designing electrode materials with one-dimensional (1D) nanostructure can effectively enhance various electrochemical properties due to the well-guided electron transfer pathways, short ionic diffusion channels and high specific surface areas. In this review, we summarize the recent research progress and achievements of 1D nanostructure electrode materials in PIBs, especially focusing on the development and application of cathode and anode materials. The nanostructure, synthetic methods, electrochemical performances and structure-performance correlation are discussed in detail. The advanced characterizations on the reaction mechanisms of 1D nanostructure electrode materials in PIBs are briefly summarized. Furthermore, the main future research directions of 1D nanostructure electrode materials are also predicted, hoping to accelerate their development into the practical PIBs market.     

Modified single cantilever adhesion test for EMC/PSR interface in thin semiconductor packages

We propose and implement an adhesion test configuration called “modified single cantilever adhesion test” (M-SCAT) that can be employed to determine the adhesion strength of epoxy molding compound (EMC) and photo solder resist (PSR) interface in thin semiconductor packages. The proposed M-SCAT method is optimal for quick and quantitative in-situ testing of the interface with strong adhesion as sample preparation and testing are simple while maintaining a low mode mixity at the crack tip. Detailed sample preparation and experimental testing to determine the critical load required for delamination are presented. A numerical procedure is followed to assess the stress and strain fields around the crack tip at the point of delamination, thus allowing for the J-integral method to be employed to determine the critical energy release rate. The proposed approach is carried out for two different EMC/PSR interfaces. The results show excellent repeatability, which allows for the test method to be used effectively to select the most ideal material set for given applications.     

An edge detection framework conjoining with IMU data for assisting indoor navigation of visually impaired persons

Smartphone applications based on object detection techniques have recently been proposed to assist visually impaired persons with navigating indoor environments. In the smartphone, digital cameras are installed to detect objects which are important for navigation. Prior to detect the interested objects from images, edges on the objects have to be identified. Object edges are difficult to be detected accurately as the image is contaminated by strong image blur which is caused by camera movement. Although deblurring algorithms can be used to filter blur noise, they are computationally expensive and not suitable for real-time implementation. Also edge detection algorithms are mostly developed for stationary images without serious blur. In this paper, a modified sigmoid function (MSF) framework based on inertial measurement unit (IMU) is proposed to mitigate these problems. The IMU estimates blur levels to adapt the MSF which is computationally simple. When the camera is moving, the topological structure of the MSF is estimated continuously in order to improve effectiveness of edge detections. The performance of the MSF framework is evaluated by detecting object edges on video sequences associated with IMU data. The MSF framework is benchmarked against existing edge detection techniques and results show that it can obtain comparably lower errors. It is further shown that the computation time is significantly decreased compared to using techniques that deploy deblurring algorithms, thus making our proposed technique a strong candidate for reliable real-time navigation.