Kilohertz Range Research Articles

Visual tracking using neuromorphic asynchronous event-based cameras.

This letter presents a novel computationally efficient and robust pattern tracking method based on a time-encoded, frame-free visual data. Recent interdisciplinary developments, combining inputs from engineering and biology, have yielded a novel type of camera that encodes visual information into a continuous stream of asynchronous, temporal events. These events encode temporal contrast and intensity locally in space and time. We show that the sparse yet accurately timed information is well suited as a computational input for object tracking. In this letter, visual data processing is performed for each incoming event at the time it arrives. The method provides a continuous and iterative estimation of the geometric transformation between the model and the events representing the tracked object. It can handle isometry, similarities, and affine distortions and allows for unprecedented real-time performance at equivalent frame rates in the kilohertz range on a standard PC. Furthermore, by using the dimension of time that is currently underexploited by most artificial vision systems, the method we present is able to solve ambiguous cases of object occlusions that classical frame-based techniques handle poorly.

Capillary plasma jet: A low volume plasma source for life science applications

In this letter, we present results from multispectroscopic analysis of protein films, after exposure to a peculiar plasma source, i.e., the capillary plasma jet. This plasma source is able to generate very small pulsed plasma volumes, in kilohertz range, with characteristic dimensions smaller than 1 mm. This leads to specific microscale generation and transport of all plasma species. Plasma diagnosis was realized using general electrical and optical methods. Depending on power level and exposure duration, this miniature plasma jet can induce controllable modifications to soft matter targets. Detailed discussions on protein film oxidation and chemical etching are supported by results from absorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and microscopy techniques. Further exploitation of principles presented here may consolidate research interests involving plasmas in biotechnologies and plasma medicine, especially in patterning technologies, modified biomolecule arrays, and local chemical functionalization.

Impact of water saturation on seismoelectric transfer functions: a laboratory study of coseismic phenomenon

Seismic waves propagating in a porous medium, under favourable conditions, generate measurable electromagnetic fields due to electrokinetic effects. It has been proposed, following experimental and numerical studies, that these so-called ‘seismoelectromagnetic’ couplings depend on pore fluid properties. The theoretical frame describing these phenomena are based on the original Biot's theory, assuming that pores are fluid-filled. We study here the impact of a partially saturated medium on amplitudes of those seismoelectric couplings by comparing experimental data to an effective fluid model. We have built a 1-m-length-scale experiment designed for imbibition and drainage of an homogeneous silica sand; the experimental set-up includes a seismic source, accelerometers, electric dipoles and capacitance probes in order to monitor seismic and seismoelectric fields during water saturation. Apparent velocities and frequency spectra (in the kiloHertz range) are derived from seismic and electrical measurements during experiments in varying saturation conditions. Amplitudes of seismic and seismoelectric waves and their ratios (i.e. transfer functions) are discussed using a spectral analysis performed by continuous wavelet transform. The experiments reveal that amplitude ratios of seismic to coseismic electric signals remain rather constant as a function of the water saturation in the Sw = [0.2–0.9] range, consistently with theoretically predicted transfer functions.

Viscoelasticity and Dielectric Measurement of Small Sample Volume for Diagnostic Platform of Synovial Fluid

The synovial fluid is found in joints of vertebrates and contains a high molecular weight polysaccharide (hyaluronan) acting as a modifier to ensure proper lubrication. Both, its concentration and molecular weight are subject to pathological alterations in certain diseases. Laboratory analysis of physical properties is difficult because of the limited amount of sample volume (usually below 100 μl). We present a sensor platform which requires volumes below 10μl to measure the viscoelastic properties in the kilohertz range and the electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS) from 102 to 106 Hz. Two electrodynamic acoustic shear wave transducers are used to measure both the single-sided viscoelastic shear impedance and the transmission of shear waves. The same elements are used as electrodes for measuring the EIS with a precision impedance analyser. The device is supposed to be used for clinical diagnosis and therapy tracking.

MONITORING OF ELECTROMAGNETIC ENVIRONMENT ALONG HIGH-SPEED RAILWAY LINES BASED ON COMPRESSIVE SENSING

This paper deals with an efficient methodology aimed at monitoring the radiated electromagnetic emissions along a high-speed railway system in the hundreds of kilohertz range. In particular, the proposed approach allows a compressed representation of the spatial distribution of the frequency spectrum of the radiated magnetic field generated by the currents placed on the railway conductors by electrical apparatus on board of running railway vehicles. The main idea underlying this work is that the standing wave nature of current distribution along the railway line results in a spatial distribution of radiated magnetic field which can be effectively represented by resorting to the emerging compressive sensing theory. To this aim, wireless magnetic-field sensors are assumed to be deployed along the railway line and used to provide spatial samples of the magnetic field spectrum. The main advantages of the proposed approach include a smaller number of sensors when compared with the number foreseen by the straightforward use of the conventional Nyquist-Shannon sampling approach, and a simple treatment of nonuniform spatial distribution of sensors. Suitability of the proposed approach is supported by measurement data and electromagnetic models already available in the related literature, whereas effectiveness of field spatial reconstruction is proved through numerical simulations. Although the application presented in this work is specific to the magnetic field distribution in a limited frequency range, the proposed approach has a general validity and could be effectively exploited for distributed monitoring of other physical quantities, in other frequency ranges, related to electromagnetic compatibility and safety/security issues in high-speed railway systems.

High-frequency spontaneous electromagnetic noise of lithosphere and tomographic systems

The questions on the problem of restoration of three-dimensional images of physical properties and structural features of geo-medium applying the methods of transmission, diffraction and emission tomography that use seismic and electromagnetic waves, their informative abilities, resolvability and precision of objects localization have been examined in the paper. The approaches are accentuated, which are based on the ideas and principles of non-linear dynamics to solve tomographic problems, abilities to adapt and transfer the ideas of seismic tomography to electromagnetic systems, in particular, tomography of spontaneous electromagnetic emission of kilohertz range, which is generated in lithosphere of the Earth. Specific examination is conducted on the base of extended ideas on geo-medium as well as new versions of mechanisms of its generation and distribution based on auto-wave character of processes in geo-medium. Basic properties of wave and auto-wave processes are being compared. Controversial problems of theory are noticed, absence of universal character of classical concepts, in particular, in the case when appliance used weighs upon adequacy of consideration. Possibilities and some results of validation of experimental method are discussed.

Rotational Magnetic Losses in Nonoriented Fe–Si and Fe–Co Laminations up to the kilohertz Range

Literature data on the energy loss behavior of steel sheets under rotating induction are restricted to quite low frequencies, i.e., up to a few hundreds of hertz. This is not sufficient to predict the loss in high-speed electrical machines, where frequencies in the kilohertz range are commonly encountered. We have overcome this difficulty by making loss measurements under alternating and circular induction in 0.2 mm thick Fe-(3 wt%)Si and Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">49</sub> Co <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">49</sub> V <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> sheets using a specially designed experimental setup. Peak polarization levels and frequencies up to 1.6 T at 2 kHz have been reached in the Fe-Si laminations, whereas the Fe-Co alloy, endowed with much higher permeability, has been characterized up to 2.1 T at 5 kHz. In the first part of this paper, the measured loss behavior versus peak polarization and magnetizing frequency is presented. In the second part, a loss model for circular induction is proposed, considering the skin effect. To this end, we have derived a simple magnetic constitutive law for the material, assumed to be isotropic, and we have introduced it into the electromagnetic diffusion equation. The solution of this equation by an iterative algorithm provides the induction profile across the sample thickness and eventually the classical loss component, which represents the major contribution to the total loss at high frequencies. Good agreement with the experiments is obtained.

Real-time motion correction using gradient tones and head-mounted NMR field probes.

Sinusoidal gradient oscillations in the kilohertz range are proposed for position tracking of NMR probes and prospective motion correction for arbitrary imaging sequences without any alteration of sequence timing. The method is combined with concurrent field monitoring to robustly perform image reconstruction in the presence of potential dynamic field deviations. Benchmarking experiments were done to assess the accuracy and precision of the method and to compare it with theoretical predictions based on the field probe's time-dependent signal-to-noise ratio. An array of four field probes was used to perform real-time prospective motion correction in vivo. Images were reconstructed based on both predetermined and concurrently measured k-space trajectories. For observation windows of 4.8 ms, the precision of probe position determination was found to be 35 to 62 µm, and the maximal measurement error was 595 µm root-mean-square on a single axis. Sequence update per repetition time on this basis yielded images free of conspicuous artifacts despite substantial head motion. Predetermined and concurrently observed k-space trajectories yielded equivalent image quality. NMR field probes in conjunction with gradient tones permit the tracking and prospective correction of rigid-body motion. Relying on gradient oscillations in the kilohertz range, the method allows for concurrent motion detection and image encoding.

Superconducting-Ferromagnetic Transistor

We report experimental results on the dc and ac characterization of multiterminal SFIFSIS devices (where S, I, and F denote a superconductor (Nb), an insulator (AlO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">x</sub> ), and a ferromagnetic material (Ni), respectively), which display transistor-like properties. We investigated two types of such superconducting-ferromagnetic transistors (SFTs): ordinary devices with a single acceptor (SIS) junction, and devices with a double acceptor. The devices with the single SIS acceptor were investigated and demonstrated a modulation of the maximum Josephson current as a function of the SFIFS current injection level. For devices of the second type, by applying an ac signal (in the kilohertz range) with a constant dc bias current to the injector (SFIFS) junction, we observed a voltage gain of about 25 on the double acceptor with the operating point chosen in the subgap region of the acceptor current-voltage characteristic. We also observed an excellent input-output isolation in our SFIFSIS devices. The experiments indicate that, after optimization of the device parameters, they can be used as input/output isolators and amplifiers for memory, digital, and RF applications.

Travelling wave dipolophoresis of ideally polarizable nano-particles with overlapping electric double layers in cylindrical pores

We provide a general integral formulation for the dipolophoretic transport of a polarizable colloid in a likewise polarizable nanochannel which takes into account electric double layer (EDL) overlap between the channel walls and resultant background flow as well as the overlap between the wall EDL and that of the particle. The analysis is based on extension of the Lorentz reciprocal theorem for Stokes flows and necessitates the solving of two auxiliary problems; the background induced-charge electroosmotic flow in the channel and the Stokesian motion of a nanoparticle under confinement. To demonstrate our general methodology, we provide a closed form analytical solution for the specific case of a polarizable spherical colloid, located at the axis of a cylindrical nanopore whose walls are subject to a travelling-wave alternating-current electric signal. We quantify the level of EDL overlap via the introduction of a new parameter, ξ which represents the undefined ionic density at the centerline under Boltzmann distribution and depends on the EDL thickness, λ0. Both the background electroosmotic flow and the phoretic velocity of the particle are found to be a function of the frequency of the applied field, while displaying distinct dispersion characteristics. In the thin EDL limit, maximum velocity and mass transport are obtained in the kilo-Hertz range.

Transcranial brain stimulation: potential and limitations

The brain adapts to new requirements in response to activity, learning or reactions to environmental stimuli by continuous reorganization. These reorganization processes can be facilitated and augmented, or also inhibited and prevented, by transcranial neurostimulation. The most common methods are electrical or magnetic stimulation. However, few studies have dealt with the newer methods using near infrared or ultrasound stimulation.Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) allows the pain-free transfer of very short bursts of high intensity electrical energy through the skull and can induce action potentials. By varying the number and intensity of the stimuli, and the stimulus sequence, repetitive TMS (rTMS) can induce either inhibitory or facilitatory effects in the brain. A differentiation is made between short-lived interference with ongoing brain activity, and plastic changes that persist for a longer period beyond the end of the stimulation.Weaker electric fields in the 1 mA range can be applied painlessly through the skull. These probably exert their effects by modulating neuronal membranes and influencing the spontaneous firing rate of cortical neurons. They encompass the range from transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to high frequency alternating current stimulation (tACS) in the kilohertz range. In view of the multitude of physically possible stimulation algorithms, hypothesis-driven protocols based on cellular or neuronal network characteristics are particularly popular, in the effort to narrow the choices in a meaningful manner. Examples are theta burst stimulation or tACS in the so-called “ripple” frequency range. It is, of course, not possible to selectively stimulate individual neurons using transcranial stimulation techniques; however selective after-effects can be achieved when used in combination with neuropharmacologically active drugs. The use of these methods for neuroenhancement is now a topic of intense discussion.

Transcranial brain stimulation: potential and limitations

Abstract The brain adapts to new requirements in response to activity, learning or reactions to environmental stimuli by continuous reorgani­zation. These reorganization processes can be facilitated and augmented, or also inhibit­ed and prevented, by transcranial neurostim­ulation. The most common methods are electrical or magnetic stimulation. However, few studies have dealt with the newer methods using near infrared or ultrasound stimulation. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) allows the pain-free transfer of very short bursts of high intensity electrical energy through the skull and can induce action po­tentials. By varying the number and intensity of the stimuli, and the stimulus sequence, repetitive TMS (rTMS) can induce either inhib­itory or facilitatory effects in the brain. A differentiation is made between short-lived interference with ongoing brain activity, and plastic changes that persist for a longer period beyond the end of the stimulation. Weaker electric fields in the 1 mA range can be applied painlessly through the skull. These probably exert their effects by modulating neuronal membranes and influencing the spontaneous firing rate of cortical neu­rons. They encompass the range from tran­scranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to high frequency alternating current stimulation (tACS) in the kilohertz range. In view of the multitude of physically possible stimulation algorithms, hypothesis-driven protocols based on cellular or neuronal network characteristics are particularly popular, in the effort to narrow the choices in a meaningful manner. Examples are theta burst stimulation or tACS in the so-called “ripple” frequen­cy range. It is, of course, not possible to selectively stimulate individual neurons using transcranial stimulation techniques; however selective after-effects can be achieved when used in combination with neuropharmacologically active drugs. The use of these methods for neuroenhancement is now a topic of intense discussion.

A U-shaped wire for viscosity and mass density sensing

A resonant sensor for a fluid's viscosity and mass density, employing an out-of-plane vibrating U-shaped tungsten wire is presented. The motivation for such a design is based on four major aspects, which are: operation in the low kilohertz range, circular cross-section of the resonator, electrodynamic actuation and read-out by means of Lorentz forces and low cross-sensitivity of the device's resonance frequency to temperature. The setup is described in detail, an analytical model is presented and results from experiments using acetone–isopropanol and DI-water–glycerol solutions are discussed to show the sensor's performance.

Array projection of aperiodic sinusoidal fringes for high-speed three-dimensional shape measurement

Three-dimensional (3-D) measurement systems based on coded-light techniques are conventionally limited by the projection speed, which is typically in the range of a few 100 Hz, resulting in 3-D frame rates of 1 to 60 Hz. We propose to use an array projector for 3-D shape measurements, which enables much higher projection frame rates of up to the 100-kHz range. In contrast to previous setups, it does not project well-known phase-shifted sinusoidal fringes and Gray code patterns, but aperiodic sinusoidal fringes. This new technique, based on sine-shaped fringes with spatially and temporally varying offset, amplitude, period length, and phase shift, allows accurate 3-D measurement of objects, even with sharp edges, high slope, or varying surface properties, at high speed up to the kilohertz range. This paper explains the 3-D measurement principle and the basic design of an array projector that projects aperiodic sinusoidal fringes. It verifies the consistency between specified and projected patterns and points out the results of the setup’s characterization, e.g., of its high-speed capability. Furthermore, first 3-D shape measurements at a projection frame rate of 3 kHz resulting in a 3-D frame rate of >330 Hz are presented and evaluated.

HIRF Transfer Functions of a Fuselage Model: Measurements and Simulations

An entire set of high-intensity radiated field transfer functions including the main types of contemporary test methods is presented. Consequently, the applied frequency range for this task expands over many decades, from the kilohertz range up to 40 GHz. A major aim is to demonstrate the application of numerical computer modeling for such a task. Results of measurements and various solvers are compared to each other. As the activity serves also for the validation of such applications, the scenario is investigated by the use of a fuselage model with limited complexity.

Mechanical Characterization of Tissue-Engineered Cartilage Using Microscopic Magnetic Resonance Elastography

Knowledge of mechanical properties of tissue-engineered cartilage is essential for the optimization of cartilage tissue engineering strategies. Microscopic magnetic resonance elastography (μMRE) is a recently developed MR-based technique that can nondestructively visualize shear wave motion. From the observed wave pattern in MR phase images the tissue mechanical properties (e.g., shear modulus or stiffness) can be extracted. For quantification of the dynamic shear properties of small and stiff tissue-engineered cartilage, μMRE needs to be performed at frequencies in the kilohertz range. However, at frequencies greater than 1 kHz shear waves are rapidly attenuated in soft tissues. In this study μMRE, with geometric focusing, was used to overcome the rapid wave attenuation at high frequencies, enabling the measurement of the shear modulus of tissue-engineered cartilage. This methodology was first tested at a frequency of 5 kHz using a model system composed of alginate beads embedded in agarose, and then applied to evaluate extracellular matrix development in a chondrocyte pellet over a 3-week culture period. The shear stiffness in the pellet was found to increase over time (from 6.4 to 16.4 kPa), and the increase was correlated with both the proteoglycan content and the collagen content of the chondrocyte pellets (R(2)=0.776 and 0.724, respectively). Our study demonstrates that μMRE when performed with geometric focusing can be used to calculate and map the shear properties within tissue-engineered cartilage during its development.

Microbubble generator excited by fluidic oscillator's third harmonic frequency

Efficient generation of sub-millimetre microbubbles was recently made possible by pulsating the flow of gas supplied into a parallel-exits aerator, using a fluidic oscillator for the purpose. Without moving parts, it can generate oscillation at high frequency, an important factor due to bubble natural frequency rapidly increasing with the desirable decrease of their size. This paper discusses development of an unusual oscillator – a part of an integral oscillator/aerator unit – capable of generating a particularly high driving frequency, in the kilohertz range, in a layout that promotes a strong third harmonic frequency of the basic oscillation.

Ultrafast Streaming Camera Platform for Scientific Applications

X-ray computer tomography is a powerful method for nondestructive investigations in many fields. Three-dimensional images of internal structure are reconstructed from a sequence of two-dimensional projections. The polychromatic high density photon flux of modern synchrotron light sources offer hard X-ray imaging with spatio-temporal resolution up to the micrometer and micrometers range. Existing indirect X-ray image detection systems can be adapted for fast image acquisition by high-speed visible-light cameras. In this paper, we present a platform for custom high-speed CMOS cameras with embedded field-programmable gate array (FPGA) processing. This modular system is characterized by a high-throughput PCI Express (PCIe) interface and efficient communication blocks. It has been used to develop a novel architecture for a self-event trigger that increases the effective image frame rate and reduces the amount of received data. Thanks to a low-noise design, high frame rates in the kilohertz range, and high-throughput data transfer, this camera is well suited for ultrafast synchrotron-based X-ray radiography and tomography. The camera setup is accomplished by high-throughput Linux drivers and a seamless integration in our GPU computing framework.

ZnO Nanowire Embedded Strain Sensing Cantilever: A New Ultra-Sensitive Technology Platform

A novel ultra sensitive micro-cantilever-based technology platform was developed in this letter for strain sensing applications. Sensing mechanism is based on electrical conduction through the ZnO nanowires embedded inside a SU-8 polymer cantilever beam. The lower Young's modulus of the polymer and the higher strain sensitivity of ZnO nanowires are used to improve the performance of these micro-cantilever devices. Deflection sensitivity of this technology is measured to be 128 ppm/nm. Besides the electromechanical characterization, mechanical characterization has also been performed to measure the resonant frequency of these microcantilever devices, which is shown to be in a few tens of kilohertz range, suitable for nanomechanical sensing applications.

Comparison and experimental validation of two potential resonant viscosity sensors in the kilohertz range

Oscillating microstructures are well established and find application in many fields. These include force sensors, e.g. AFM micro-cantilevers or accelerometers based on resonant suspended plates. This contribution presents two vibrating mechanical structures acting as force sensors in liquid media in order to measure hydrodynamic interactions. Rectangular cross section microcantilevers as well as circular cross section wires are investigated. Each structure features specific benefits, which are discussed in detail. Furthermore, their mechanical parameters and their deflection in liquids are characterized. Finally, an inverse analytical model is applied to calculate the complex viscosity near the resonant frequency for both types of structures. With this approach it is possible to determine rheological parameters in the kilohertz range in situ within a few seconds. The monitoring of the complex viscosity of yogurt during the fermentation process is used as a proof of concept to qualify at least one of the two sensors in opaque mixtures.