Piece Of Hardware Research Articles

Flow Measurements Derived from Camera Footage Using an Open-Source Ecosystem

Sensors used for wastewater flow measurements need to be robust and are, consequently, expensive pieces of hardware that must be maintained regularly to function correctly in the hazardous environment of sewers. Remote sensing can remedy these issues, as the lack of direct contact between sensor and sewage reduces the hardware demands and need for maintenance. This paper utilizes off-the-shelf cameras and machine learning algorithms to estimate the discharge in open sewer channels. We use convolutional neural networks to extract the water level and surface velocity from camera images directly, without the need for artificial markers in the sewage stream. Under optimal conditions, our method estimates the water level with an accuracy of ±2.48% and the surface velocity with an accuracy of ±2.08% in a laboratory setting—a performance comparable to other state-of-the-art solutions (e.g., in situ measurements).

Viability of Consumer Grade Hardware for Learning Computer Forensics Principles

We propose utilizing budget consumer hardware and software to teach computer forensics principles and for non-case work, research and developing new techniques. Consumer grade hardware and free / open source software is more easily accessible in most developing markets and can be used as a first purchase for education, technique development and even when developing new techniques. These techniques should allow for small forensics laboratories or classroom settings to have the tooling and framework for trying existing forensics techniques or creating new forensics techniques on consumer grade hardware. We'll be testing how viable each individual piece of hardware is as well as combinations along with seeing at which point utilizing forensics-grade hardware becomes necessary in order to proceed.

Correlation models of critical heat flux and associated temperature for spray evaporative cooling of vibrating surfaces

Prediction models have been constructed to investigate the effect of vibrating surfaces on the critical heat flux (CHF) and its associated temperature in spray evaporative cooling. Dimensional analysis has been used to construct the models to account for the influence of key dynamic parameters. Experimental measurements have been obtained from a flat, electrically-heated, copper test-piece, located inside a spray-chamber mounted on top of a shaker. A wide range of large-amplitude and high-frequency measurements have been obtained which correspond to test conditions for a piece of hardware mounted on board a light-duty automotive vehicle with vibration amplitudes ranging from 0 to 8 mm and frequencies from 0 to 200 Hz. Three nozzle types have been fed with distilled water at flow rates ranging from 55 to 100 ml/min being used to cool with subcooling degrees ΔTsub ranging from 10°C to 45°C. Measured data for both static and dynamic cases have been used to explore the influence on the CHF and the surface-to-fluid saturation temperature at which this occurs, of subcooling degrees, surface vibration amplitude and frequency, vibrational Reynolds Number and vibrational Acceleration Number. The measured data has also subsequently been used to calibrate the predictive models for use in thermal management systems. Static measurements (without vibration) show that the influence of flow rate, volumetric flux, and subcooling are largely in agreement with published literature. For dynamic cases, the influence of vibration is best explained in terms of the nondimensional parameters: Vibration Reynolds Number and Acceleration Number. The effect of vibration on CHF and associated temperature is assessed in detail for the three nozzle types at different flow rates and degrees of subcooling. Predictions of CHF and associated excess temperature, using the calibrated correlation models for the dynamic conditions, are very reasonable, and suitable for the intended purpose of ensuring safe operation of thermal management systems using spray evaporative cooling.

Hybrid Sensor Solutions

Push the boundaries of what is possible with traffic sensors by combining several technologies in one piece of hardware

Pollution Based Traffic Control System using IoT

With the rise in vehicle use, the amount of emissions at road intersections has raised, causing harm to those who are connected directly to it. It is proposed to control emissions using the Internet of Things (IoT) over stoplights, the ventilation levels of vehicles, and also the consistency of living air. The Internet of Things (IoT) carries out signals. A sensing element and a temperature probe are used in this prototype system. Carbon dioxide, greenhouse gases, and other toxic gases are identified by a sensor. In the air, carbon dioxide, dust, acid, and moisture are present. This analysis is accurate, distributed to the microcontroller on a daily basis and published to the web browser. The Wi-Fi module is a piece of hardware that allows to connect to the internet. On this basis the ON/OFF road markings modify the timing thresholds automatically. At traffic lights, this suggested technique degree of control emissions and climate.

Development of the Global Equipment Inventory and Network for Subsea Well Response

ABSTRACT 1141381 The Montara (2009) and Macondo (2010) incidents resulted in step change in safety for the oil & gas industry. Since then many improvements have been implemented to keep the highest standard of safety in drilling operations. Through industry collaboration subsea well response equipment not available at the time of these incidents is now globally accessible. Technology continues to be developed to provide comprehensive response capabilities. A recent area of focus for industry was how to cap an incident well in water depths less than 600 meters where vertical access may not be possible due to hydrocarbons at surface and a possible gas boil in the case of a gas well. An innovative concept was developed, manufactured and tested to deal with a loss of well control event in shallow water. The Offset Installation System (OIS) allows a capping stack to be deployed and installed on a blowing out well in shallow water, deployed and controlled by vessels offset from the incident well. In addition, the OIS can be used for debris clearance, removal of the lower marine riser package (LMRP), and deployment of other subsea response hardware. By virtue of their source control operational function capping stacks are relatively large and heavy pieces of hardware. Despite these physical characteristics, there is expectation by stakeholders and international regulators for capability to transport capping stack equipment across significant distances in an expeditious manner to respond to an incident. For remote areas of the globe, capping stacks air transported as a single unit could provide an effective solution. A key objective in responding to a subsea loss of well control event is the ability to effectively mobilise source control equipment and trained personnel to readily manage an emergency response scenario in a timely manner globally. A number of companies with a range of capabilities will be required to provide a comprehensive response. To further assist, initiatives focused on personnel resources have been developed including a global subsea response network, and continuing industry collaboration for mutual aid of personnel. This paper will provide information on the development of the global subsea response equipment inventory available to industry. Latest developments such as OIS and air freightable capping stacks for transportation to remote areas will be discussed in detail as well as the above-mentioned initiatives for personnel.

Algorithms for functionalities of virtual network: a survey

Nowadays, network functionalities are provided through dedicated hardware middleboxes. These hardware middleboxes are statically embedded with network topology to provide the network services. The types of middleboxes increase in the network, with an increased number of users and network services. The growth in multiple kinds of middleboxes creates an ossified network that is difficult for network management. Network Function Virtualization (NFV) deals with such problems by eliminating network functions from the piece of hardware and implement it as a software to execute in a commodity server. The network virtualization provides more flexibility and elasticity in the network to automatically manage and control the network functions. NFV internally implements the different algorithms to automate the on-demand service provisioning mechanism. In the service provisioning process, NFV allows to share the physical resources among the Virtual Network Functions (VNFs). In order to optimally allocate the physical resources to each VNF, there is a need to include some efficient resource sharing mechanisms in NFV infrastructure. These resource sharing mechanisms are the VNF placement, service chaining, VNFs scheduling, and VNF migration. Therefore, this survey discusses the solutions, implementation tools, and limitations with respect to these resource sharing mechanisms. Moreover, research challenges and current trends related to the resource sharing strategies are explored.

Detection of COVID-19 Using Deep Learning on X-Ray Images

The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is one of a large family of viruses that cause illness, the symptoms of which range from a common cold, fever, coughing, and shortness of breath to more severe symptoms. The virus rapidly and easily spreads from infected people to others through close contact in the absence of protection. Early detection of COVID-19 assists governmental authorities and healthcare specialists in reducing the chain of transmission and flattening the curve of the pandemic. The widespread form of the COVID-19 diagnostic test lacks a high true positive rate and a low false negative rate and needs a particular piece of hardware. Multifariously, computed tomography (CT) and X-ray images indicate evidence of COVID-19 disease. However, it is difficult to diagnose COVID-19 owing to the overlap of its symptoms with those of other lung infections. Thus, there is an urgent need for precise diagnostic solutions based on deep learning algorithms, such as convolutional neural networks, to quickly detect positive COVID-19 cases. Therefore, we propose a deep learning method based on an advanced convolutional neural network architecture known as EffencientNet pre-trained on ImageNet dataset to detect COVID-19 from chest X-ray images. The proposed method improves the accuracy of existing state-of-the-art techniques and can be used by medical staff to screen patients. The framework is trained and validated using 1,125 chest raw X-ray images (i.e., these images are not in regular shape and require image preprocessing) and compared with existing techniques. Three sets of experiments were carried out to detect COVID-19 early utilizing raw X-ray images. For the three-class (i.e., COVID-19, pneumonia, and no-findings) classification set of experiments, our method achieved an average accuracy of 89.60%. For the binary classification two set of experiments, our method yielded an average accuracy of 99.04% and 99.11%. The proposed method has achieved superior results compared to state-of-art methods. The method is a candidate solution for accurately detecting positive COVID-19 cases as soon as they occur using X-ray images. Additionally, the method does not require extensive preprocessing or feature extraction. The proposed technique can be utilized in remote areas where radiologists are not available and can detect other chest-related diseases, such as pneumonia.

Cascaded- and Modular-Multilevel Converter Laboratory Test System Options: A Review

The increasing importance of cascaded multilevel converters (CMCs), and the sub-category of modular multilevel converters (MMCs), is illustrated by their wide use in high voltage DC connections and in static compensators. Research is being undertaken into the use of these complex pieces of hardware and software for a variety of grid support services, on top of fundamental frequency power injection, requiring improved control for non-traditional duties. To validate these results, small-scale laboratory hardware prototypes are often required. Such systems have been built by many research teams around the globe and are also increasingly commercially available. Few publications go into detail on the construction options for prototype CMCs, and there is a lack of information on both design considerations and lessons learned from the build process, which will hinder research and the best application of these important units. This paper reviews options, gives key examples from leading research teams, and summarizes knowledge gained in the development of test rigs to clarify design considerations when constructing laboratory-scale CMCs.

Guest Editorial: Digitally Transforming Oil Fields With Connected, Intelligent Hardware

In recent years, the oil and gas industry has placed significant emphasis on digital transformation. For most early adopters, this journey began with real-time monitoring and remote operation of equipment. This has been followed by the increasing application of modern data science techniques in order to extract actionable insight from the growing volumes of data. The emergence of highly scalable data storage and compute power has provided a step change in the ability to derive actionable insights from data and perform simulations at a scale previously inaccessible. What we derive from this combination allows us to deliver new levels of performance and efficiency. But, in addition to these now well recognized elements of the digital transformation, there is a need to evolve our industry hardware through the application of enhanced edge computing and the application of intelligence at the edge. There will, of course, continue to be engineering innovation in our hardware, resulting from creative new designs that result in new functional features, cost efficiency, enhanced reliability and greater operational performance. But there are now myriad opportunities to enhance hardware in ways that maximize the value of data capture. Thus, the emergence of connected, intelligent hardware is key to realizing the vision of the digitalized oil field. Connected, Intelligent Hardware Explained Much conventional hardware has little to no digital enablement or means of monitoring its own function or state. In a first step, it is largely trivial to make it connected to cloud-based data stores, thus enabling the use of modern data analysis techniques such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Each piece of hardware in this scenario will benefit from remote intelligence to enrich its capabilities. Intelligent hardware takes the “connected” concept in another direction and refers to equipment with embedded edge computing that can host models and algorithms, creating capabilities beyond remote intelligence. These machines can now take advantage of both edge and cloud digital capabilities to learn and gain intelligence, thus continuously improving operational performance and service delivery. By populating oil fields with connected and intelligent hardware, operators gain access to optimized, secure, and sustainable operations. Connected and intelligent hardware enables advanced planning, real-time performance optimization, and higher levels of automation and health management. It is a critical part of a broader architecture that is adapted to problems where latency, communications fallibility, and system reliability are important considerations that make a central command-and-control approach inappropriate.

Electromagnetic metamaterials—from effective media to field programmable systems

Electromagnetic metamaterials are periodic or nonperiodic artificial structures comprising basic elements in subwavelength scales. They can be used to control electromagnetic waves by designing the basic elements and their spatial arrangements. Metamaterial has been a research hotspot in physical and information sciences. In this review, I present the history and main progresses achieved in metamaterial studies conducted in the State Key Laboratory of Millimeter Waves at Southeast University, which were performed in three stages. In the first stage, we improved the developments in effective-medium metamaterials. In particular, we proposed a general theory to accurately describe the effective permittivity and permeability of metamaterials. Based on the general theory, we designed and realized a three-dimensional (3D) wideband ground-plane invisibility cloak, free-space electrostatic invisibility cloak, electromagnetic black hole, electromagnetic illusions, and radially anisotropic zero-index metamaterial for omni-directional radiations and nearly perfect power combinations of source arrays. Moreover, we undertook significant efforts in engineering applications of microwave metamaterials, such as broadband and low-loss 3D transformation-optic lens for wide-angle scanning, 3D planar gradient-index lens for high-gain radiations, and random metasurfaces to reduce radar cross sections. In the second stage, we opened up a new direction of plasmonic metamaterials from the viewpoint of microwave transmission lines. We proposed an ultrathin, narrow, and flexible corrugated metallic strip to guide spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) with small bending and radiation losses, based on which we designed and realized a series of passive SPP devices (such as power divider, coupler, filter, and resonator), active SPP devices (such as amplifier and duplexer) and SPP antennas in the microwave bands. We demonstrated a significant feature of the ultrathin SPP transmission line in overcoming challenges of signal integrity existing in the traditional integrated devices and circuits. We built up a full-SPP wireless communication system with unique properties to remotely transmit two movies in two deep-subwavelength-distance channels exhibiting excellent performance. In the third stage, we established a new area of metamaterial-information metamaterial. We proposed to describe the metamaterial using digital coding from the information science viewpoint, which directly resulted in a new kind of metamaterial-digital coding metamaterial. We theoretically and experimentally illustrated that the digital coding metamaterials comprising digital units can be controlled using different coding sequences to achieve different functions. When the digital state of the coding unit was controlled using a field programmable gate array (FPGA), we realized a field programmable metamaterial that can manipulate electromagnetic waves in real time and generate numerous different functions using a single piece of hardware. The digital coding metamaterial provides a platform to establish a digital space on the physical space and enriches the methodology and theory of metamaterials. We proposed measuring the information capacity of metamaterials using Shannon entropy and presented the convolution and addition theorems on metamaterial platforms, which can be used to simultaneously control the physical properties and digital information. Based on information metamaterials, we established new-architecture microwave imaging systems, wireless communication systems, and other intelligent information systems.

Bright Ideas: HTM Team Realizes Major Time Savings by Devising the AEM 'Holy Grail'.

Bright Ideas: HTM Team Realizes Major Time Savings by Devising the AEM 'Holy Grail'.

Development of a new system for reducing the temperature increase during the positioning of spoilers using pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM)

PurposeThe usage of pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) is becoming increasingly widespread across a variety of industries because of its advantages such as its lightness and its ability to generate a huge amount of force using the fewest components. The purpose of this paper is to develop a piece of hardware to minimize and equally distribute the thermal changes on the surface of a PAM when positioning using PAMs. A classic PAM and a PAM that contains the hardware suggested for tasks, such as the positioning of spoilers decelerating control surfaces for aircrafts, were compared experimentally.Design/methodology/approachRapid thermal changes were detected in the classic PAM, especially at the tip of the PAM. These thermal changes decrease the positioning sensitivity and reliability, thus shortening life span of the PAMs. A component was developed that could create a circulation of air around the tip of the PAM, preventing the temperature increase caused by still air. It is installed inside the PAM and makes it possible to control the pressurized air volume in crucial areas. Shaped as a perforated metal pipe, the component was embedded inside the PAM and effects of this component were investigated.FindingsThe experiment results have shown that, thanks to the system that was developed, cool air that comes from outside is able to reach the tip of the PAM every time, thus keeping regional temperature increase to a minimum. The temperature increase in the pressurized air inlet was minimized by creating a circulation of air in the area.Originality/valueWith this study, the distribution of heat in different areas on PAM was homogenized at a low cost using the component that was developed.

ENGINEERING PROCEDURE FOR EVALUATING THE LOAD-BEARING CAPACITY AND LIFE OF A DEFECTIVE STRUCTURE

A piece of rocket and space hardware may consist of tens of thousands of parts. Virtually every as-built piece of hardware has some non-conformances to the design documentation. Manufacturing defects often occur or are discovered during the final stages of the vehicle assembly or pre-launch processing. In such cases, removal of the non-conformance is either impossible or is too difficult and costly. The procedure described in the paper makes it possible to evaluate the degree of impact of a typical defect on the load-bearing capacity, strength, leak integrity, and life of a structure under its operating conditions. Sections of the procedure include description of operations involving non-destructive testing, determining loads on the vehicle and other operating conditions, stress-strain analysis, experimental determination of the material properties, prediction of the crack kinetics from the standpoint of fracture mechanics. The procedure gives a structural analyst an algorithm for solving the complex problem of estimating the service life, which consists of a sequence of specific tasks: developing the finite element model, classifying the defect, constructing the loading block, analyzing stress-strain behavior, predicting the behavior of the initial defect. Introducing the procedure into engineering practice will make it possible to increase validity of the estimate of the load bearing capacity and life, and, therefore, of the reliability and safety of the vehicle operation. Key words: structure, defect, crack, loads, stress condition, material properties, fracture mechanics, strength, leak integrity, life.

The Last Byte: Are You Sure You Love That Store?

<bold xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">I’ve worked in</b> test and reliability for more than 35 years, so when I look at a piece of hardware or software my first thought is how it can break. My model of the installed base of chips involves them failing left and right, though I know from the data and my own experience that they are very reliable.

The deepfake threat to face biometrics

For better or worse, the world is going fully digital. Our indispensable personal communication devices have become all-important gateways to innumerable information sources and services, and we simply can't get enough of it. Our connected devices are even seen more like companions than pieces of hardware 1 , and are affecting our very physiology. Ready access to all types of information has literally begun to change how we think and what we do, appearing to have only just started to fundamentally impact our lives forever 2 .

‘I Can't Eat, Speak, or Kiss My Wife. It's Half a Life, but at Least I'm Still Alive.’ Navigating the Sequelae of Head and Neck Cancer (TH307)

•Describe four major sequelae of head and neck cancer treatment, including dysphagia, dysphonia, disfiguration, and pain.•Explore the palliative care needs of patients with treated head and neck cancer, including the psychological burdens of being cured of cancer, while continuing to have significant residual sequelae.•Develop and implement actionable strategies for head and neck cancer patients that integrate palliative care approaches into the oncology practice during treatment and in survivorship. Depending on age, stage and HPV status, patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer have a high chance of cure, something that can be elusive in other advanced cancers. To achieve cure, patients undergo intense treatment regimens, including a long course of radiation, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and sometimes disfiguring surgery. Treatments are often accompanied by significant physical, emotional, and spiritual pain and other forms of suffering. While the promise of cure is alluring, the physical and psychological impacts of treatment can devastate patients. Patients may be left with visible facial scars, a changed or absent voice, a tracheostomy, and a gastrostomy tube, pieces of hardware that are often initially introduced as temporary supports but often become life-long necessities. During and after completion of treatment, a multidisciplinary team including otolaryngology, oncology, radiation-oncology, speech therapy, nutrition, psychology, and palliative medicine can help support the individual needs of patients as they grapple with and navigate the process of regaining a sense of self, even if cured. Patients often describe how eating, talking, and kissing, usually regular activities and simple pleasures in a normal life, are vastly different and complicated in their post-treatment lives. While most patients express joy for cure and deep gratitude for their lives, the adjustment to the new normal may lead to dissonant emotions and possibly regrets regarding treatment choices. Patients often lament the burden of a challenging and complex recovery that persists long after cure. In this concurrent session, our interdisciplinary panel will review sequelae of head and neck cancer treatment and discuss treatment options for the major complications and persistent distressing symptoms. We will explore the physical and emotional challenges faced by head and neck cancer patients. In addition, we will discuss the integration of an interdisciplinary team approach into the usual care and current model of survivorship.

The Wrong Tool for the Right Job: Composition on 8-bit Machines

An artist’s medium can inspire them to reach new heights with its possibilities or curtail their ambitions with its limitations—but, ultimately, it is what gives shape to their artistic vision. Few artistic mediums exemplify the conflict between possibilities and limitations, and the sheer ingenuity of artists as they balance these two forces, as well as computer music does. This paper will delve into the rich tradition of demoscene and videogame music, that flourished in the early days of personal computers and gaming consoles, to examine how the hardware used by different composers affected their processes. This paper discusses the technical specs and rich library of music of three very different pieces of hardware: the Commodore 64, the ZX Spectrum, and the Nintendo Entertainment System. The C64, with its powerful and revolutionary “SID chip” sound card, demonstrates the amazing potential computer music offers to those determined enough to surmount the technical challenges. The ZX Spectrum, with its one-channel beeper speaker, shows how a resourceful artist can wring brilliance from even the most limited of mediums. And the NES, with its five channels of pure nostalgia, teaches us that a couple of square waves and some heart can inspire a generation.

Long Term Feasibility Study of In-field Floating Microbial Fuel Cells for Monitoring Anoxic Wastewater and Energy Harvesting

© Copyright © 2019 Cristiani, Gajda, Greenman, Pizza, Bonelli and Ieropoulos. In the present work different prototypes of floating MFCs have been tested in anoxic water environments of wastewater plants in Italy, over a period of 3 years. Several configurations of horizontal (flat) and vertical (tubular) MFCs were assembled, using low-cost and light-weight materials, such as plastic lunch boxes, polystyrene or wood to keep the systems afloat, and ceramics for the MFCs. Untreated carbon cloth or veil was used for both anode and cathode electrodes. Felt (flat MFCs) or clay (tubular MFCs) was used as the cation-exchange separator. Single flat MFCs generated power up to 12 mW/m2 while a 32 cylindrical MFC stack generated up to 18 mW/m2. The testing lasted for more than 2 years and there was no inoculation other than exposing the MFCs to the denitrification environment. The cathodes of the flat MFCs were spontaneously colonized by algae and plants, and this did not affect the stability of the systems. Natural light increased the power output of the flat MFCs which were smaller than 50 × 50 cm. Diurnal oscillation of temperature and periodic water flow did not significantly affect the performance of the MFCs. The largest flat MFC produced the highest absolute power, although in a disrupted way. A new, simple low-energy remote monitoring system, based on LoRa technology was used for data transmission over distances of >500 m. This is a piece of hardware that could potentially be suitable for remote monitoring as part of a network, as it can be directly powered by the deployed MFCs.

Executing Product Broadening Procedures for the Sustainability of an Innovation Organization - A Contextual Analysis of Microsoft Corporation

Started in 1975, with a view to develop and vend BASIC interpreter, today, Microsoftdevelop, produce, license, support and sell worldwide software, user-level electronics,personal computers, and allied services. The company is world-famous because of its bestsoftware products Windows operating systems, Office suits, IE and Edge. The company’snotable hardware pieces are Xbox and Microsoft Surface family touch-screen computers.The company is listed as the top software company by Forbes Global for many years. Fromits inception to date, the company is maintaining top ranking technology-wise, product-wise,service-wise, revenue-wise, and growth-wise. It is possible for the company to sustaingrowth because of the integration and implementation of product diversification strategy.Over the years the company transformed from just a developer and seller of interpreter toproducer &amp; marketer of wide variety of software-hardware products. This paper analyses thestrategies the company adopted and incorporated in diversifying product and services lineupto sustain growth and maintain market stability. It also analyses the relevance andacceptability of different Microsoft products, its customer base, and software market shareand near future strategies.