Compatible Hardware Research Articles

Fuel cell–gas turbine hybrid system design part I: Steady state performance

The hybridization of gas turbine technology with high temperature fuel cells represents an ultra-high efficiency, ultra-low emission, fuel flexible power generation platform. The performance of past prototypes has been limited by marginal compatibility of the two primary sub-systems. This paper addresses the challenge of selecting compatible hardware by presenting a simple and robust method for bespoke hybrid system design and off-the-shelf component integration. This is the first application of detailed, spatially resolved, physical models capable of resolving off-design performance to the integration analysis of FC–GT hybrids. Static maps are produced for both turbine and fuel cell sub-systems that readily evaluate the compatibility and hybrid performance. Molten carbonate and solid oxide fuel cells are considered for hybridization with recuperated micro-turbines and larger axial flow gas turbine systems. Current state-of-the-art molten carbonate technology is shown to pair well with present micro-turbine technology in an FC bottoming cycle design achieving 74.4% LHV efficiency. Solid oxide technology demonstrates remarkable potential for integration with larger scale axial turbo-machinery to achieve greater than 75% LHV efficiency. This performance map technique closely matches results from detailed integrated hybrid system analyses, and enables quick determination of performance requirements for balance of plant design and optimization.

System architecture for a magnetically guided endovascular microcatheter

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided minimally invasive interventions are an emerging technology. We developed a microcatheter that utilizes micro-electromagnets manufactured on the distal tip, in combination with the magnetic field of a MRI scanner, to perform microcatheter steering during endovascular surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate a user control system for operating, steering and monitoring this magnetically guided microcatheter. The magnetically-assisted remote control (MARC) microcatheter was magnetically steered within a phantom in the bore of a 1.5 T MRI scanner. Controls mounted in an interventional MRI suite, along with a graphical user interface at the MRI console, were developed with communication enabled via MRI compatible hardware modules. Microcatheter tip deflection measurements were performed by evaluating MRI steady-state free precession (SSFP) images and compared to models derived from magnetic moment interactions and composite beam mechanics. The magnitude and direction of microcatheter deflections were controlled with user hand, foot, and software controls. Data from two different techniques for measuring the microcatheter tip location within a 1.5 T MRI scanner showed correlation of magnetic deflections to our model (R(2): 0.88) with a region of linear response (R(2): 0.98). Image processing tools were successful in autolocating the in vivo microcatheter tip within MRI SSFP images. Our system showed good correlation to response curves and introduced low amounts of MRI noise artifact. The center of the artifact created by the energized microcatheter solenoid was a reliable marker for determining the degree of microcatheter deflection and auto-locating the in vivo microcatheter tip.

Designing a Framework for Exchanging Partial Sets of BIM Information on a Cloud-Based Service

This paper reviews the rationale for using a partial data set in Building Information Modeling (BIM) exchanges, influenced by the recognized difficulty of exchanging data at element or object level which depends on the information requiring compatible hardware and software, in order for the data to be read and transferred freely between applications. The solution was not to introduce a new schema in contrast to the industry's existing open exchange model ‘Industry Foundation Classes' which has been in existence since the 1980's, but for the authors to re-engineer an existing Simplified Markup Language ‘BIM XML' into subsets via XML Style Sheet Transition. The language of XML was chosen because Web services, which are developed from XML data representation format and Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) communication protocol, are platform neutral, widely accepted and utilized and come with a wide range of useful technologies. Furthermore, they support Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) – the internet platform that enables interoperability between different software programs. The methodology involved developing a full hybrid research model based on mixed methods, ‘quantitative and qualitative', interlaced into two main phases. The first phase comprised of a main survey questionnaire, focus groups, two Delphi questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and a case study. The final phase, ‘product design and testing', used semantic methods and tools, such as Business Process Management Notation. The final case study (a prototype test) successfully itemized the potential of combining three applications asynchronously in real-time. The interoperable capabilities of Web services APIs for exchanging partial sets of BIM data enabled assumptions with a higher amount of detail to be reviewed at the feasibility design stage. Future services will be built upon existing Web Ontology languages such as SPARQL descriptions to be used in conjunction with several web services connecting together on a Cloud platform to produce a knowledge ‘Semantic Web'.

A One-Year Introductory Robotics Curriculum for Computer Science Upperclassmen

This paper describes a one-year introductory robotics course sequence focusing on computational aspects of robotics for third- and fourth-year students. The key challenges this curriculum addresses are scalability, i.e., how to teach a robotics class with a limited amount of hardware to a large audience,student assessment, i.e., how to assess the students' success on robotic design and programming assignments, and depth versus breadth, i.e., how to down-select content from the interdisciplinary field of robotics to computer science students. This is achieved by combining simulation-based laboratory assignments, which can be conducted anywhere and anytime, with compatible hardware devices that allow a seamless transition from simulation to real hardware, and a focus on performance-based assessment with an open-ended final project/competition. Content learning and retention is assessed for a subset of students who successfully went through the proposed curriculum. All class materials as well as hardware-in particular, a low-cost, highly articulated robotic arm developed for teaching advanced robotics concepts-are open-source and available online.

The Application of RFID Technology in the University Library

This paper opens with an introduction of RFID technology and its application in libraries at home and abroad, discusses the advantages of RFID technology in the university library applications, and analyzes the problems of RFID technology in the university library applications from the aspects of technical standards, operating frequency, application costs, and management of the library automation system integrated and compatible hardware and software update service and safety aspects.

Reusable science tools for analog exploration missions: xGDS Web Tools, VERVE, and Gigapan Voyage

The Exploration Ground Data Systems (xGDS) project led by the Intelligent Robotics Group (IRG) at NASA Ames Research Center creates software tools to support multiple NASA-led planetary analog field experiments. The two primary tools that fall under the xGDS umbrella are the xGDS Web Tools (xGDS-WT) and Visual Environment for Remote Virtual Exploration (VERVE). IRG has also developed a hardware and software system that is closely integrated with our xGDS tools and is used in multiple field experiments called Gigapan Voyage. xGDS-WT, VERVE, and Gigapan Voyage are examples of IRG projects that improve the ratio of science return versus development effort by creating generic and reusable tools that leverage existing technologies in both hardware and software.xGDS Web Tools provides software for gathering and organizing mission data for science and engineering operations, including tools for planning traverses, monitoring autonomous or piloted vehicles, visualization, documentation, analysis, and search. VERVE provides high performance three dimensional (3D) user interfaces used by scientists, robot operators, and mission planners to visualize robot data in real time. Gigapan Voyage is a gigapixel image capturing and processing tool that improves situational awareness and scientific exploration in human and robotic analog missions. All of these technologies emphasize software reuse and leverage open source and/or commercial-off-the-shelf tools to greatly improve the utility and reduce the development and operational cost of future similar technologies.Over the past several years these technologies have been used in many NASA-led robotic field campaigns including the Desert Research and Technology Studies (DRATS), the Pavilion Lake Research Project (PLRP), the K10 Robotic Follow-Up tests, and most recently we have become involved in the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) field experiments. A major objective of these joint robot and crew experiments is to improve NASAs understanding of how to most effectively execute and increase science return from exploration missions. This paper focuses on an integrated suite of xGDS software and compatible hardware tools: xGDS Web Tools, VERVE, and Gigapan Voyage, how they are used, and the design decisions that were made to allow them to be easily developed, integrated, tested, and reused by multiple NASA field experiments and robotic platforms.

MrBayes 3.2: efficient Bayesian phylogenetic inference and model choice across a large model space.

Since its introduction in 2001, MrBayes has grown in popularity as a software package for Bayesian phylogenetic inference using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. With this note, we announce the release of version 3.2, a major upgrade to the latest official release presented in 2003. The new version provides convergence diagnostics and allows multiple analyses to be run in parallel with convergence progress monitored on the fly. The introduction of new proposals and automatic optimization of tuning parameters has improved convergence for many problems. The new version also sports significantly faster likelihood calculations through streaming single-instruction-multiple-data extensions (SSE) and support of the BEAGLE library, allowing likelihood calculations to be delegated to graphics processing units (GPUs) on compatible hardware. Speedup factors range from around 2 with SSE code to more than 50 with BEAGLE for codon problems. Checkpointing across all models allows long runs to be completed even when an analysis is prematurely terminated. New models include relaxed clocks, dating, model averaging across time-reversible substitution models, and support for hard, negative, and partial (backbone) tree constraints. Inference of species trees from gene trees is supported by full incorporation of the Bayesian estimation of species trees (BEST) algorithms. Marginal model likelihoods for Bayes factor tests can be estimated accurately across the entire model space using the stepping stone method. The new version provides more output options than previously, including samples of ancestral states, site rates, site dN/dS rations, branch rates, and node dates. A wide range of statistics on tree parameters can also be output for visualization in FigTree and compatible software.

Silicon photomultiplier (SPM) detection of low-level bioluminescence for the development of deployable whole-cell biosensors: Possibilities and limitations

Whole-cell bacterial bioreporters await miniaturized photon counting modules with high sensitivity and robust compatible hardware to fulfill their promise of versatile, on-site biosensor functionality. In this study, we explore the photon counting readout properties of the silicon photomultiplier (SPM) with a thermoelectric cooler and the possibilities of detecting low-level bioluminescent signals. Detection performance was evaluated through a simulated LED light source and the bioluminescence produced by the genetically engineered Pseudomonas fluorescens bacterial bioreporter 5RL. Compared with the conventional photomultiplier tube (PMT), the results revealed that the cooled SPM exhibits a wider linear response to inducible substrate concentrations (salicylate) ranging from 250 to 5000ppb. Although cooling of the SPM lowered dark count rates and improved the minimum detectable signal, and the application of a digital filter enhanced the signal-to-noise ratio, the detection of very low light signals is still limited and remains a challenge in the design of compact photon counting systems.

QR codes and library engagement

AbstractQR codes are two‐dimensional patterned graphics that, when read by mobile devices, represent text and link to Internet content. At numerous libraries, QR codes are being used in a variety of ways to promote student engagement, supporting library services that are unique or improved over past approaches. Descriptions of successful implementations abound on library‐oriented wikis. Brigham Young University's Harold B. Lee Library has adopted QR codes for use in marketing materials, for a library audio tour and to reserve group study rooms. Implementation hurdles are manageable and include producing and designing the codes, locating them effectively and having access to compatible hardware, though student ownership of smartphones is rising rapidly. Libraries adopting QR codes should focus on implementations that add value, educate intended users, customize the code to reflect the school's brand, are creative and track code usage.

Challenges of Adopting the Use of Technology in Less Developed Countries: The Case of Cambodia

Drawing on Everett Rogers’s theory of the diffusion of innovations, this article identifies the barriers, challenges, and successes in the adoption of technology training by teacher trainers in Cambodia. The analysis was based on data collected from an open-ended survey, face-to-face interviews, and document analysis. Findings reveal that the biggest challenges to adopting the use of new technologies were hardware incompatibility; complexity; language barriers; the lack of electricity, computers, Internet access, and of practice for trainees; and the inability to understand the advantages of these technologies. Suggestions for technology trainers, policy makers, and project managers are offered in the conclusion.

Dextre: Improving maintenance operations on the International Space Station

The Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM), known as “Dextre”, is currently slated to launch in February 2008 for deployment on the International Space Station (ISS) as the final component of Canada's Mobile Servicing System (MSS). Dextre's primary role on the Space Station is to perform repair and replacement (R&R) maintenance tasks on robotically compatible hardware such as Orbital Replaceable Units (ORUs), thereby eventually easing the burden on the ISS crew. This burden on the on-orbit crew translates practically into crew time being a limited resource on the ISS, and as such, finding ways to assist the crew in performing their tasks or offloading the crew completely when appropriate is a bonus to the ISS program. This is already accomplished very effectively by commanding as many non-critical robotics tasks as possible, such as powering up and free-space maneuvering of the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), known as “Canadarm2”, from the Ground. Thus, beyond its primary role, and based on an increasing clarity regarding the challenges of external maintenance on the ISS, Dextre is being considered for use in a number of ways with the objective of improving ISS operations while reducing and optimizing the use of crew time through the use of ground control for various tasks, pre-positioning hardware, acting as a temporary storage platform to break an Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) day into manageable timelines, and extending the physical reach and range of the Canadarm2. This paper discusses the planned activities and operations for Dextre an rationale for how these will help optimize the use of crew resources on the ISS.

Analysis of open CNC architecture for machine tools

The evolution of digital circuit technology, leadind to higher speeds and more reliability allowed the development of machine controllers adapted to new production systems (e.g., Flexible Manufacturing Systems - FMS). Most of the controllers are developed in agreement with the CNC technology of the correspondent machine tool manufacturer. Any alterations or adaptation of their components are not easy to be implemented. The machine designers face up hardware and software restrictions such as lack of interaction among system's elements and impossibility of adding new function. This is due to hardware incompatibility and to software not allowing alterations in the source program. The introduction of open architecture philosophy propitiated the evolution of a new generation of numeric controllers. This brought the conventional CNC technology to the standard IBM - PC microcomputer. As a consequence, the characteristics of the CNC (positioning) and the microcomputer (easy of programming, system configuration, network communication etc) are combined. Some researchers have addressed a flexible structure of software and hardware allowing changes in the hardware basic configuration and all control software levels. In this work, the development of open architecture controllers in the OSACA, OMAC, HOAM-CNC and OSEC architectures is described.

Kinematic sample mounting system for accurate positioning of transferrable samples

A design is reported for a system of transferrable sample holders and mating experimental stations, that allows samples to be transferred between preparation and analysis tools with high positional accuracy. The sample holders are designed to be manipulated/transported using standard “ESCA stub” compatible hardware. Provisions are made for heating, cooling, and temperature measurement.

Experience with implementation of a radiology speech recognition system.

Recent advances in speech recognition technology have allowed development of computer systems for real-time radiologist-driven generation of reports. The transition to a speech recognition system is a technically complex process with many potential pitfalls that can decrease efficiency and disrupt workflow. In our recent experience with installation of such a system in an academic radiology department, factors that have worked against optimal performance have included environmental logistics, hardware incompatibilities, radiology information system interface problems, lack of suitable training, and inadequate technical support. Communication of our experience is intended to allow radiologists to anticipate complications of these systems and make informed decisions regarding the feasibility of such a system in their practices. With this information, potential buyers should be able to carefully scrutinize specifications for prospective systems and, by avoiding many of the possible pitfalls, make an easier transition to a speech recognition environment.

A computer program for sequencing and presenting complex sounds for auditory neuroimaging studies

This paper describes a computer program, named ASAP (audio sequencing and presentation), that runs on IBM PC compatible hardware with a Microsoft Windows operating system and has been specially designed for facilitating auditory neuroimaging studies. The program's main characteristics are: (1) the ability to generate sequences of complex sounds; (2) an easy-to-use, graphical user interface; (3) full compatibility with Microsoft Windows 95™ or later and Windows NT™ version 4. 0 or later software; (4) precise timing of selected sound sequences; (5) the capability of triggering other devices; (6) the capability of being triggered to deliver stimuli; (7) support for both monotic and dichotic sound sequences; and (8) rudimentary support for the simultaneous presentation of pictures/text and sound.

Developing a computer-assisted instruction program: a process overview for the radiologist.

Recent advances in computer technology have led to the creation and development of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) programs, which are rapidly assuming a prominent role in both medical and nonmedical education. The development process includes defining objectives, identifying the target audience, assembling the design team, selecting compatible hardware and software, optimizing image quality, designing a palette, structuring information, and evaluating the program through user feedback. Although the individual radiologist is unlikely to possess all the skills necessary for developing a CAI program, even a basic knowledge of the computer environment is sufficient to enable him or her to become integrally involved in the process. The radiologist as "content expert" can and should participate actively throughout the process to integrate medical content with CAI program design. Indirect involvement might include participation in creative brainstorming sessions; direct involvement might help ensure image quality. A comprehensive understanding of the development process will enable the radiologist to communicate effectively as an educator in the new medium of CAI.

AHD languages-a must for time-critical designs

In this article, Brian Antao of Motorola Inc., presents an overview of the state-of-the-art in analog modeling and hardware description languages. The emphasis is on higher-level circuit and system behavioral models for modeling complete analog and mixed analog-digital systems. An essential component required for this level of modeling is a Hardware Description Language (HDL) to encode the models in a consistent manner which can be later simulated as well as used for design documentation. Hardware Description Languages are a prominent feature of the digital design process, and the newer generation of the mixed-analog-digital systems require compatible hardware description language support that provides for the analog sections. Two popular digital HDLs are VHDL and Verilog. To provide natural extensions to these existing digital standards, analog hardware description language (AHDL) standardization efforts are underway to develop analog extentions to VHDL, called VHDL-A, and to Verilog, called Verilog-A.

PAH Mutation Analysis Consortium Database: a database for disease-producing and other allelic variation at the human PAH locus.

The PAH Mutation Analysis Consortium (81 investigators, 26 countries) is engaged in mutation detection at the human PAH locus. Ascertainment of probands occurs largely through newborn screening for hyperphenylalaninemia. A relational database records allelic variation (disease-producing and polymorphic) at the locus. Information is distributed by Newsletter, diskette (WINPAHDB software stand-alone executable on IBM compatible hardware), and at a 'real' site on the Worldwide Web (http://www.mcgill.ca/pahdb). The database presently records (Sept. 27, 1995) 248 alleles in 798 different associations (with polymorphic haplotype, geographic region and population) along with additional information. The database, as a record of human genetic diversity, at a particular locus, contributes to the study of human evolution and demic expansion; it also has medical relevance.

Application of microcomputer in submicron level measurements and control of a positioning device

This article demonstrates an application of a microcomputer in the area of automated manufacturing, in particular to the measurement and control of a positioning device with the accuracy level of less than 1 μm. The positioning device is generally used for calibration or testing purposes to check the dimensional accuracy of manufactured parts. Here, however, it is utilized for calibration of artifacts like scales, grid plates, calipers, etc. The artifacts are widely used in industry as a referencing device to determine whether the manufactured product meets dimensional quality requirements whilst maintaining high reliability and speeding up quality control operations. The critical challenge here is to develop an automated two-dimensional precision grid plate testing system which measures an array of grid points premarked on a grid plate. The grid plates discussed in this paper are generally glass plates with some type of symmetric marks placed on the glass surface. The goal is to use off-the-shelf type of equipment such as laser interferometer, precision positioning stage, computer controlled machine vision system and a host microcomputer, and integrate them to build a low-cost, practical system usable for the grid plate calibration services. This requires the development of compatible hardware and software protocols. The initial assessment of the test setup indicates that the present system can measure locations of grid points with an accuracy of 0.5 μm. Further improvements to the system are also suggested.

Comedy in the Service of Science: Maintaining Motivation and Attention in Exploring Call Waiting

A hardware incompatibility in a telephone call waiting system with direct effects on the end users required a rapid solution. Designers proposed to address this incompatibility by increasing the tone components of each call waiting pattern. The Human Factors Group reviewed this proposed solution and were concerned that it might lead to unacceptable durations of call interruption, and to discrimination problems in some cases. Experiment 1 was conducted to explore these concerns. Although the study was conducted in a laboratory setting, a rather novel attempt was made to simulate realistic motivation and attention. An “Artificial Caller” was used in the form of professional comedy routines which appeared to work very satisfactorily. The results of Experiment 1 suggested that discrimination of the patterns was not a significant problem. Participants did find the longest of the lengthened patterns to be somewhat disruptive of the simulated telephone call. However, the disruption caused by the longest pattern may still be marginally acceptable to actual users. A second study explored a different approach to solving the hardware incompatibility. New patterns were generated which maintained the identification levels and suggested the possibility of less call disruption for the longest patterns. Further work is briefly discussed.