Ambient Media Research Articles

Estimation of electron density and temperature of semiconductor surfaces excited by ultra-short laser pulses

A simple technique, based on the interference principle, to obtain simultaneously the instantaneous electron density and temperature of ultra-short laser-excited semiconductor surface plasma is proposed and demonstrated. The interference of the incident laser and the surface plasmons forms nano-ripples on the surface. From the observed nano-ripple period, one can easily retrieve the density and temperature information. As a demonstration of the technique, the electron density and temperature are obtained for various band gap semiconductor materials based on the experimentally observed nano-ripples using 800 and 400 nm light in various ambient media and incident angles. The electron density estimated varied in the range of 2 $$n_{\mathrm{c} }$$ –10 $$n_{\mathrm{c}}$$ and the corresponding electron temperature in the range 10 $$^{4}$$ –10 $$^{5}$$ K, depending on the material band gap, the incident laser intensity, the ambient medium, the angle of incidence, and the laser wavelength. The information of the electron density and temperature is useful for choosing laser parameters (like fluence, wavelength, angle of incidence, ambient medium) and target materials (different band gap semiconductors) for obtaining a better size controllability of the nanostructure production. The information can also help one in obtaining essential plasma parameter inputs in the quest for understanding ultra-fast melting or understanding the pre-plasma conditions created by the pre-pulse of ultra-high intensity laser pulses.

사용자 경험 증진을 위한 과학관 전시물의 사용성 평가

Many museums have recently employed digital technologies in exhibition installations to provide visitors with interactive experiences with the installations, not just audiences. However, most of them have focused on the adoption of new prototypes or technologies, not considering user experiences of those systems carefully. This study developed an evaluation tool for usability of the tangible user interfaces and conducted a usability study on museum installations emphasizing user interaction and experience. The evaluation tool is composed of 5 features of tangible user interfaces such as tangible, interaction, convenience, representation, spatial interaction and social interaction, and 24 items. The museum we investigated is the Gwacheon National Science Museum, where 8 installations, classified 4 categories, were selected for the usability study. We recruited 6 undergraduate students, who were divided into 2 teams, each team having 3 students. Three students in a team manipulated and experience each installation together and reported their evaluation score through the questionnaire and interviews. The results showed that the score of the usability for the category 3, which requires students to move their bodies for the interaction, is the highest one because it features with spatial interaction. Students expressed much interest in the category 4, which utilizes users' other senses, however, the score of the usability is the lowest because the interaction is temporary and repetitive. Most installations are well designed in terms of control constraints, legibility, lower thresholds, participation encouragement, and open to the public, but pooly designed in terms of multiple access points, configurability, accurate movement, ambient media, and full-body interaction.

Transparency and stability of Ag-based metal–dielectric multilayers

We fabricated and tested periodic metal (Ag)-dielectric (SiO2 or TiO2) multilayers with transparency bands in the visible range. For samples with Ag-TiO2 interfaces, the optical properties exhibited relatively poor predictability, likely due to oxidation of the Ag layers. Ag/SiO2-based multilayers were found to be more predictable and stable, but the relatively low refractive index of SiO2 limits their inherent transparency and pass-band bandwidth. We show that termination of the multilayer with a single high-index layer reduces the admittance mismatch with the ambient media, and thus improves the properties of the transparency band.

Surprise, Surprise. Ambient Media as Promotion Tool for Retailers

Ambient media evoke surprise with the aim of gaining the attention of consumers who are overexposed to traditional types of advertising. No study has yet considered the effects of unanticipated ambient media. To bridge this gap, the present article reports a field experiment entailing the manipulation of three types of ambient media that create different levels of surprise. The analysis combines observation data for 2,464 passersby, survey data from 305 respondents, and sales figures for 730 days. The results show that surprising ambient media draw attention, promote positive attitudes toward the ad, and stimulate word of mouth. Most importantly, ambient media increase purchase intention and sales revenue. Robustness checks ensure that the model is stable across several conditions, such as time of day or weather conditions. Follow-up studies further reveal that surprise elicits positive effects via two processes; the amplification of accompanying evaluations and the interplay of attention and incongruence resolution. The paper provides guidance for retailers wishing to design surprising ambient media that improve consumer attitudes and profitability.

Automating unobtrusive personalized services in ambient media environments

In the age of ambient media, people are surrounded by lots of physical objects (media objects) for rendering the digital world in the natural environment. These media objects should interact with users in a way that is not disturbing for them. To address this issue, this work presents a design and automation strategy for augmenting the world around us with personalized ambient media services that behave in a considerate manner. That is, ambient services are capable of adjusting its obtrusiveness level (i.e., the extent to which each service intrudes the user's mind) by using the appropriate media objects for each user's situation.

P3.377 “Mach’s Mit - Wissen Und Kondom” (“Join in - Knowledge and Condom”) - The Communication Strategy of the BZgA’s Integrated HIV and STI Prevention Campaign

BackgroundThe Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA), acting on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG), has been implementing the central campaign GIB AIDS KEINE CHANCE (DON’T GIVE AIDS...

Levels of Radon Activity Concentration in Air of Coal Mines in Bosnia and Hercegovina

By coal mining and exploatation, radioactive radon gas, which is captured in natural geological structures, is reallocated from the deep coal layers. Hence it is concentrated in the depots and coal seams of the mines or being transported to the surface of the earth where it can significantly change the levels of radioactivity in the working premises and residences. This paper presents the results of a three-year research of radon activity concentration in the air in hole and surface coal mines of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Detected concentrations of radon in the coal gaseous structure, atmosphere and other ambient media are in correlation with the properties of geological structures, technology for obtaining coal and meteo-climatic changes. They were measured with Alpha GUARD PQ 2000 radon portable measuring system (instruments Genitron-Frankfurt) and RadoMeter 2000 (Radosys LTD. Budapest), using the SS-NTD method.

Investigation of thermo-optical characteristics of the interaction processes of laser radiation with silver nanoparticles

Metallic nanoparticles have been actively investigated in recent years by different optical and laser methods with the purpose of their applications in optoelectronics and photonics, chemistry, laser nanobiomedicine, optical diagnostics, and other fields. A major role among metallic nanoparticles is played by nanoparticles from the noble metals (silver, gold, etc). These particles have unique plasmonic properties (resonances in the range of wavelength 400–540 nm), which can be used for the absorption, scattering and transformation of laser energy. Analysis of the thermo-optical characteristics of the interaction processes of laser radiation with silver nanoparticles is carried out, taking into account absorption, scattering and extinction of laser radiation by nanoparticles, as well as the thermo-optical and other properties of nanoparticles. Estimations are made of the influence of these nanoparticle properties on the possible results of laser radiation interaction with silver nanoparticles, including heating, heat exchange, possible melting and evaporation, and processes in the ambient media. These results can be used in laser processing of silver nanoparticles and their applications in laser nanomedicine.

Learning beyond books—strategies for ambient media to improve libraries and collaboration spaces as interfaces for social learning

With the advent of digital media and online information resources, public libraries as physical destinations for information access are being increasingly challenged. As a response, many libraries follow the trend of removing bookshelves in order to provide more floorspace for social interaction and collaboration. Such spaces follow a Commons 2.0 model: they are designed to support collaborative work and social learning. The acquisition of skills and knowledge is facilitated as a result of being surrounded by and interacting with a community of likeminded others. Based on the results of a case study on a Commons 2.0 library space, this paper describes several issues of collaboration and social learning in public library settings. Acknowledging the significance of the architectural characteristics of the physical space, we discuss opportunities for ambient media to better reflect the social attributes of the library as a place; i.e. amplify the sense of other co-present library visitors and provide opportunities for shared encounters and conversations, which would remain invisible otherwise. We present the design of a user check-in system for improving the library as a physical destination for social learning, sharing, and inspiration for and by the community.

Using wizard-of-oz method to build multipurpose platform for domestic ambient media research and applications

This paper presents the design and evaluation of the multipurpose platform for domestic ambient media research and applications through an improved method called wizard-of-oz. Inspired by the incre...

Ambient media today and tomorrow

Ambient media are novel, and this new media form alters our daily-living experience in many ways. Ambient media refer to media environments that are embedded throughout the natural space where people are following their daily activities. These digital media environments become part of the living space and altering our daily-living experience in many ways. The goal of this article is to elaborate the status of ambient media today and to forecast how ambient media will develop in the next decade. It clearly identifies megatrends and develops scenarios (e. g., ambient-assisted living) for the future. These scenarios shall shed light on the potentials and give a glimpse on the potential future development of embedding digital objects into the daily living space. This paper is based on a future wheel approach and on an analysis of the results of an expert workshop. The article concludes with a discussion of the results and an evaluation of the impact of each scenario.

Responsive surface charge transfer doping effect of reductive bio-molecules (glucose, fucoidan, and heparin) contacting on semiconducting titanium oxide films

Titanium oxide films appear to have extensive potentials in various applications largely because of its unique semiconducting properties. Usually, attentions are paid to characterize or tailor their surface electronic states, depending upon specific working circumstances as well as the requirements by their functional performances. Nevertheless, very rarely concern has been taken to the responsive effect on their electronic surface states when they come into contact with surrounding environments, which actually plays an important or even decisive role in their subsequent functions. For instance, cases like biomedical application could normally render the surface sequentially contacting with varying ambient media. In this study, we implemented initial contacting titanium oxide film with three representative bio-molecules (glucose, fucoidan, and heparin), and investigated the responsive effect of charge transfer doping on its electronic properties and its bio-performance. It was shown that the contacting imposed apparently n-type surface-charge-transfer-doping effect on the titanium oxide films. Their surface resistivity increased; their photo-luminance emissions were obviously quenched; their hydrophilic properties were improved; and denaturalization of fibrinogen on the surface was suppressed. Electrons were assigned to inject into titanium oxide film to produce the n-type doping effect. Our finding suggests that the semiconductor biomaterials surface properties and performances might be largely or even decisively influenced by the initial contacting of ambient conditions.

Interactive faceted search and exploration of open social media data on a touchscreen mobile phone

A central challenge of semantic ambient media applications is designing smart user interfaces that are able to dynamically deal with an a-priori unknown number of data categories and data instances received live from different Linked Open Data sources while at the same time being intuitive and easy to use. In the mobile world, this challenge is even more difficult as the mobile devices have limited interaction possibilities and smaller display size. In this paper, we tackle this challenge and present the user-centered, iterative design of a mobile application for faceted search and exploration of a large, multi-dimensional data set of open social media on a touchscreen mobile phone. The application is called Mobile Facets and provides live retrieval and interactive search and exploration of resources like places, persons, organizations, and events originating from different, integrated social media sources like DBpedia, Eventful, Upcoming, Flickr, and GeoNames. In contrast to existing work, we do not know in advance the number and type of data categories and data instances that will be received as the data is queried live from the sources. While developing Mobile Facets, we have applied a participatory design with a small group of five users. For the final prototype we have conducted a task-based, formative evaluation with 12 additional subjects to investigate the applicability and usability of our Mobile Facets application.

Resonance spectrum for a continuously stratified layer: application to ultrasonic testing

Ultrasound wave propagation in a nonhomogeneous linearly elastic layer of constant thickness immersed between homogeneous fluid and solid media is considered. The resonances (scattering poles) for the corresponding acoustic propagator are studied. It is shown that the distribution of the resonances depends on the smoothness of the coefficients that characterize physical properties of the layer and the ambient media. Namely, if the coefficients have jump discontinuities at the boundaries, then the resonances are asymptotically distributed along a straight line parallel to the real axis on the unphysical sheet of the complex frequency plane. On the contrary, if the coefficients are continuous, then it is shown that the resonances are asymptotically distributed along a logarithmic curve. The developed mathematical model is applied to the ultrasonic testing of the articular cartilage (AC) layer attached to the subchondral bone from one side and being in contact with a solution on the other side. It is conjectured that the spacing between two successive resonances may be sensitive to AC degeneration. The application of the obtained results to the development of ultrasonic testing for quantitative evaluation of AC is discussed.

Designing Ambient Media

The philosophy of information is the area of research that studies conceptual issues arising at the intersection of computer science, information technology and philosophy. Universal design is a concept that emphasizes the importance of non-specialized features in things and environments. As ambient media is becoming more intelligent and the users are already across a larger part of the population, the path towards achieving universal design and change of attitude in the authors’ minds is clear but requires that they think globally and frame the issues a little differently. This article aims to see universal design concept; its principles, uses, design processes, from a philosophical perspective in terms of ambient media design. Principles for designing intelligent user interface are derived from the universal design principles and a framework is proposed. The framework is then verified to see how optimally these intelligent user interface design principles can work to enhance ambient media experience. The paper concludes by arguing that the concept of universal design for ambient media development is not a style but an attitude of accepting the difference and responsibility of ours by proposing what needs to be done further for upholding the universal design concept of ambient media design.

Ambient bloom: new business, content, design and models to increase the semantic ambient media experience

Semantic ambient media are the novel trend in the world of media reaching from the pioneering subareas such as ambient advertising to the new and emerging subareas such as ambient assisted living. They will likely shape the upcoming years in terms of modeling smart environments and also media consumption and interaction. This work analyzes semantic ambient media by considering business models, content and media, interaction design and consumer experience, and methods and techniques that are important to create this new form of media. Discussion is led using the state-of-the-art event of the semantic ambient media, which is the annual international workshop on Semantic Ambient Media Experience (SAME). The study also creates a vision for how ambient media will evolve and how they will look like in the future decade.

Ambient Media Culture

Ambient media is a new form of media, which deals with media objects that mediate information throughout the natural environment of people. In ambient media environments, the media becomes part of daily life activities and environments – similar to location based services, where the physical world has a virtual digital overlay providing digital services for the consumer on a specific location. As any new media environment, also ambient media environments enable a new form and way of communication and impact on human culture. This article should provide a first starting point for discussing the wide topic of ambient media, and introduce aspects that relate to the development of an ambient media culture. The article shows different notions and discussions from a media cultural perspective, that impacts on ambient media environments. It compiles the results of the discussions that took place during the 2nd meeting of the Nordic network “The Culture of Ubiquitous Information” in Helsinki on the 19th January 2011. It shall lead to an initial discussion of this aspect and provide new ways of thinking how ubiquitous computation will impact human culture and which impact theories of Martin Heidegger or Katherine Hayles have in this context.

New business, design and models to create semantic ambient media experiences

Semantic ambient media are today in a high stage ofmaturity, and found their way from research laboratories into several aspects of our daily life. They turned from an experimental setting into business, which is demonstrated by the articles collected within the scope of this special issue. Many still believe that ambient media solely relate to ambient advertising, where ads are distributed throughout our urban environment. But ambient media are a new genre of media, as television, print media, or digital media are. They create a media environment within the natural living environment, are intelligent, and react pro-actively to the consumer. Semantic media underlay 5 principles: manifestation, morphing, intelligence, collaboration, and Multimed Tools Appl (2013) 66:1–5 DOI 10.1007/s11042-012-1239-1

Fast wave source localization with sparse measurements

Source localization problems are encountered in a variety of engineering dis- ciplines. Applications include earthquake localization, damage identification, speaker localization and structural testing. In most realistic settings, measure- ment points are sparse with respect to the physical domain. Moreover, the experimenter may not have control over where to place measurement points. It is in these imperfect settings that we still need to estimate the location of a wave source. In this talk we will outline a method for source localization inspired by the topological derivative used in shape identification. We will draw parallels to phase conjugation mirror techniques and gradient optimization. We will make no assumptions about the nature of the ambient media nor the computational domain. Specifically we allow for energy loss. We will also outline implemen- tation within an existing massively parallel finite element solver. Our proposed algorithm is minimally invasive and fully exploits the underlying optimization in the existing solvers. Moreover we can extend the method to other physical contexts.

Categorization of ambient media projects on their business models, innovativeness, and characteristics—evaluation of Nokia Ubimedia MindTrek Award Projects of 2010

Ambient Media describe media environments, where the medium is embedded within the natural environment. They follow the anytime, anywhere, and anyhow principle for media access. The Nokia Ubimedia ...