Measurement Technology Research Articles

A review of in-situ measurement and simulation technologies for ceramic sintering: towards a digital twin sintering system

A review of in-situ measurement and simulation technologies for ceramic sintering: towards a digital twin sintering system

Global protein turnover quantification in Escherichia coli reveals cytoplasmic recycling under nitrogen limitation

Protein turnover is critical for proteostasis, but turnover quantification is challenging, and even in well-studied E. coli, proteome-wide measurements remain scarce. Here, we quantify the turnover rates of ~3200 E. coli proteins under 13 conditions by combining heavy isotope labeling with complement reporter ion quantification and find that cytoplasmic proteins are recycled when nitrogen is limited. We use knockout experiments to assign substrates to the known cytoplasmic ATP-dependent proteases. Surprisingly, none of these proteases are responsible for the observed cytoplasmic protein degradation in nitrogen limitation, suggesting that a major proteolysis pathway in E. coli remains to be discovered. Lastly, we show that protein degradation rates are generally independent of cell division rates. Thus, we present broadly applicable technology for protein turnover measurements and provide a rich resource for protein half-lives and protease substrates in E. coli, complementary to genomics data, that will allow researchers to study the control of proteostasis.

Synthetic color-and-depth encoded (sCade) illumination-based high-resolution light field particle imaging velocimetry.

Light-field particle imaging velocimetry (LF-PIV) is widely used in large-scale flow field measurement scenarios due to its instant 3D imaging capability. However, conventional LF-PIV systems suffer low axial resolution and thereby have limited application in high-resolution and volumetric velocity measurements. Here, we report the use of synthetic color-and-depth-encoded (sCade) illumination to improve the axial resolution of LF-PIV. The sCade LF-PIV illuminated the imaging region with a color-and-depth encoded beam synthesized by structured beams of three lasers with distinct wavelengths and attained high-fidelity particle localization by decoding the color and depth information encoded in the acquired image. We systematically characterized the system performance by imaging particles and obtained 29 times improvement in axial resolution when compared to traditional LF-PIV. The high axial resolution of sCade LF-PIV allowed it to reconstruct vortices generated by square lid-driven cavity flow and a stirring disk with higher accuracy and smaller errors than the conventional method, highlighting the possibility and advantage of sCade LF-PIV for high-resolution and volumetric flow measurement applications. This approach can favorably advance the development of fluid measurement technology.

A GNSS/SINS fault detection and robust adaptive algorithm based on sliding average smooth bounded layer width

Abstract The Global Navigation Satellite System/Strapdown Inertial Navigation System (GNSS/SINS) integrated navigation system is an important technology for UAV measurement and vehicle movement measurement. But in the operational process of the GNSS/SINS integrated navigation system, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal is vulnerable to external interference, resulting in abnormal system measurement data, and system faults. These faults will reduce the navigation and positioning performance of the system and reduce the measurement accuracy of the system. Aiming at this problem, a GNSS/SINS fault detection and robust adaptive algorithm based on sliding average smooth bounded layer width is proposed. The algorithm evaluates the system measurement data based on the innovation residual and incorporates the sliding average filter to design the fault detection function based on the smooth bounded width layer. Accurate detection of system faults using fault detection function. The fault detection function value is used to construct the robust cofactor matrix to correct the measurement error in real-time, to improve the accuracy and robustness of the state estimation. The experimental results show that: The proposed algorithm in the paper compares with two traditional robust adaptive algorithms based on smooth bounded layer fault detection and residual chi-square fault detection. The fault detection rates for small step faults show an increase of more than 44.26% and 9.54%, respectively. Similarly, for slowly varying faults, the fault detection rates exhibit an increase of more than 29.32% and 13.56%, respectively. Throughout the fault, the filtering accuracy demonstrates an increase of more than 16.52% and 15.47%, respectively. The algorithm effectively improves the measurement accuracy of the GNSS/SINS integrated navigation system.

Tensile modulus measurement of composite materials based on distributed optical fiber strain monitoring technology

In this paper, a method was proposed to measure the elastic modulus of each layer-material in multi-layer cylindrical structures by OFDR in a large temperature range. Distributed measurement technology was used to carry out accurate measurements of strain distribution and numerical value on specimens. The accurate force-strain relationship can be obtained if the specimen is small or there is inevitable non-uniformity on the specimen. In this paper, a tensile test platform was built, and the tensile tests of optical fiber (−51.6 °C to 82.15 °C), polymer double-layer specimen (−54 °C to 63 °C), and composite three-layer specimen (−46 °C to 62 °C) were carried out. The elastic modulus of the three kinds of material and their relationships with temperature were obtained. By comparing with the standard test results, the accuracy and reliability of the test were verified.

Application of Generalized S-Transform in the Measurement of Dynamic Elastic Modulus

Resonance is commonly used for in situ measurement of the dynamic elastic modulus to evaluate the strength of concrete samples. Many researchers are also exploring the application of this convenient measurement technology for safety monitoring. Nevertheless, the presence of cracks and variations in curing conditions within samples can impact the resonance frequency range, potentially leading to potential inaccuracies in measurements. In order to improve the measurement accuracy of resonance frequency, this study introduces the Generalized S-Transform (GST) algorithm for measuring the dynamic elastic modulus, which utilizes its high time-frequency resolution to scan the power peak-point in non-stationary and transient excitation signals to determine the resonance frequency. For concrete materials with lower consistency, the experimental results verify the high accuracy of this algorithm in measuring resonance frequency compared with Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). This provides a reference for using the algorithm to measure the dynamic elastic modulus in civil engineering applications, such as buildings and bridges.

Measurement of stress characteristics in flexible multi-thin-film substrates using tomography common optical path interferometry

Flexible displays are lightweight, thin, flexible, and impact-resistant, making them a major trend in the display industry. However, their short lifespan is a significant challenge. Thus, improving process parameters and extending product life through advanced measurement technology is crucial. Therefore, this study proposes using tomography common optical path interferometry (TCOPI) to measure and analyze the tomography stress characteristics of multi-thin-film flexible substrates in the folding direction. For polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyimide (PI), three thicknesses of indium tin oxide (ITO) were coated on the PET, graphene/PET, and graphene/PI flexible film substrates, and an automatic sliding-folding test platform was used to fold each flexible film substrate. Moreover, this study used TCOPI to measure and analyze the change in residual stress and the sheet resistance of the samples before and after folding. Additionally, this study conducted inward and outward folding tests on graphene/PET/graphene and graphene/PI/graphene substrates to analyze tomographic stress and sheet resistance in the folding direction. After 11,000 folding tests, the graphene/PET/graphene sample exhibited smaller stress and sheet resistance change rates compared to the graphene/PI/graphene sample, as measured by TCOPI. Consequently, the graphene/PET/graphene sample demonstrated better resistance to folding stress in this batch manufacturing process. Specifically, for the graphene layer of the graphene/PET/graphene sample, the minimum absolute value of the stress change rate before and after folding reached 5%. At the same time, the minimum sheet resistance value change rate was 8%. Based on the tomography stress measurements, suggestions for fine-tuning process parameters are provided to improve the flexible film substrate’s folding endurance.

Challenges of radiation measurements in an institute with various large-scale research facilities

The Paul Scherrer Institute is a unique Swiss research institute that operates five large-scale research facilities in which different types of particles, such as electrons, protons, neutrons, pions and muons, are accelerated or produced. Depending on the facility and location, the operational radiation protection has to deal with challenging measurements of mixed radiation fields, which can be in addition pulsed and of high-energy. In this article, we provide insight into the associated demands and challenges using two examples with different requirements for the monitoring technology. Using the example of the high-intensity proton accelerator (HIPA), the measurement technology around high-energy accelerators is examined in more detail. On the other hand, the problems of measuring technology for pulsed radiation and its dynamic range are discussed using the example of the Swiss X-ray free electron laser SwissFEL. The aim of this paper is to highlight the different requirements and technical challenges in radiation measurements for such complex facilities and, thus, to raise awareness and provide a stimulus for further developments in measurement technology.

Temperature Evaluation Considering Gradient Distribution for MV Cable XLPE Insulation Based on Wave Velocity

Temperature is an important factor for the service life of cable insulation. To ensure safety, the operating temperature of cables must be monitored. Since optical fiber temperature measurement technology is difficult to be used widely in medium voltage (MV) cables due to cost, this paper proposes a temperature evaluation method based on wave velocity. Firstly, the dielectric constant of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) cable insulation under different temperature is obtained through experiment. Based on the result, the relationship curve between wave velocity and temperature is established. The asymmetry effect due to temperature gradient in the cable insulation is discussed via finite element simulation. The effectiveness of obtaining the average insulation temperature of the cable based on wave velocity is validated. In addition, the mechanism of the temperature influence on the cable insulation material’s dielectric constant is analyzed by molecular dynamics simulation, which further deepens understanding of the characteristics of cable insulation materials.

Turbine blade tip aerothermal characteristics considering the influences of cavity tip shaping

The presence of turbine blade tip clearance can cause tip leakage losses and enhance the thermal load on the tip region. The continuously increasing inlet temperature of the turbine poses a tremendous challenge for turbine blade tip design. Reasonable turbine blade tip configurations can effectively reduce the thermal load on the tip region and enhance aerodynamic characteristics. Here, surface Nu distributions of flat, cavity, and five modified tip configurations are obtained through transient liquid crystal measurement technology. Furthermore, a numerical study combined with experimental results is conducted to investigate the aerothermal characteristics of the tip regions for each configuration. The results indicate that the flat tip (FT) has the highest tip surface thermal load and maximum aerodynamic loss, and the cavity structure can effectively reduce the average Nu on the tip surface. Among the five modified configurations, the SS ribbed configuration (SRT) and the lateral ribs configuration (SLCT) exhibit relatively optimal aerothermal performance. Specifically, compared to FT, the SRT tip configuration shows an average Nu reduction of 27.4 % on the tip surface and a 16.3 % decrease in tip clearance leakage compared to FT; the average Nu on the SLCT tip surface and the tip clearance leakage relative to the FT are reduced by 27.2 and 17.3 %, respectively.

Outdoor noncontact respiratory measurements of unrestricted rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) using millimeter-wave radar.

Respiration is an invaluable signal that facilitates the real-time observation of physiological dynamics. In recent years, the advancement of noncontact measurement technology has gained momentum in capturing physiological activities in natural settings. This technology is anticipated to be found not only in humans but also in nonhuman primates. Currently, the predominant noncontact approach for nonhuman animals involves measuring vital signs through subtle variations in skin color. However, this approach is limited when addressing areas of the body covered with hair or when working in outdoor settings under fluctuating sunlight. To overcome this issue, we focused on noncontact respiratory measurements using millimeter-wave radar. Millimeter-wave radar systems, which employ millimeter waves that can penetrate animal fur and estimate respiration-derived periodic body motion, exhibit minimal susceptibility to sunlight interference. Thus, this method shows potential for conducting noncontact vital measurements in natural and outdoor settings. In this study, we validated a millimeter-wave radar methodology for capturing respiration in outdoor-housed rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). The radar was positioned beyond the captive enclosure and maintained at a distance >5 m from the target. Millimeter waves were transmitted to the target, and the reflected waves were used to estimate skin surface displacement associated with respiration. The results revealed periodic skin surface displacement, and the estimated respiratory rates weres within the reported range of respiratory rates for rhesus macaques. These results suggest the potential applicability of millimeter-wave radar for noncontact respiration monitoring in outdoor-living macaques without anesthesia or immobilization. The continued advancement of noncontact vital measurement technology will contribute to understanding primate mental and physical dynamics during their daily life.

Application of improved Wolf pack algorithm in planning and operation of multi-microgrid systems with electric vehicles

Abstract With the rapid growth of renewable energy sources and the widespread use of electric vehicles (EVs), the planning and operation problems of multiple microgrids (MMGs) have become more complex and diverse. This paper develop an MMG model with multiple renewable energy sources and small-scale EVs, aiming to maximize the use of renewable energy sources and realize the charging demand of EVs, and highlighting the potential role of EVs in MMGs. In addition, the paper underscores the indispensable role of measurement technology in microgrids and the impetus that microgrid development provides for advancements in measurement technology. To this end, this paper proposes an improved Wolf pack algorithm (IWPA) based on the standard Wolf Pack Algorithm (WPA) with a spiral search approach and chaotic updating of individuals to improve the global search capability of the algorithm and the complexity of solving the scheduling problem. Through simulation experiments on ten standard test functions and examples, it is verified that the IWPA algorithm improves the search accuracy by 2.8%–6.8% and 13.9%–18.3% in the worst and best cases, respectively, in comparison with other algorithms, and it also has a faster convergence speed. Meanwhile, this paper proposes a load interval pricing strategy for the shortcomings of time-of-use pricing strategy and traditional real-time pricing strategy, which is simulated under grid-connected operation, isolated grid operation, and multi-microgrid cooperative operation modes, and the simulation results of the arithmetic example show that this strategy can effectively reduce carbon emissions, and IWPA can effectively coordinate renewable energy, EVs, and other energy resources to achieve efficient energy management of MMGs and supply-demand balance.

Controllable split polarization singularities for ultra-precise displacement sensing

The topic of optical precise displacement measurement has garnered significant attention and generated widespread interest recently. The use of optical singularity offers a potential solution for this purpose, although effectively manipulating the singularity in an ideal manner remains challenging. In this work, we propose a theoretical approach to achieve controllable position modulation of the C-point in the focal plane, whose spatial position can be easily modulated by adjusting the relative offset factor β and the offset angle α of an azimuthal polarization beam (APB), while the interval and orientation of the C-points can be flexibly regulated. Notably, the chiral polarization state undergoes a distinct reversal along the link-line connecting the two C-points, thereby providing a promising approach for accurate displacement sensing. To evaluate its sensing characteristics, the varying pattern of the scattered field intensity is monitored when sweeping a gold helix and nanoparticle along the link-line. The results of simulation quality index Q verify that the equilibrium factor of the scattering field possesses an obvious linear relationship with the displacement, signifying a precise sub-nanometric sensitivity. This research introduces new methods for the flexible control of polarization singularities in tightly focused fields, thereby enhancing the utilization of circular polarization properties near C-points for displacement sensing. These findings not only enrich the field of nanometer measurement technology but also pave the way for new avenues of research in this domain.

Experimental study on wavefront flow characteristics of dam-break wave at initial stage on wet bed

The flow characteristics of dam-break wave in the initial stage of downstream wet bed are studied experimentally by digital image measurement technologies. First, the fine wavefront structure and its velocity were captured by the optical flow method, and an image measurement technology of water level based on edge detection was proposed. Then, the comparison and verification were carried out using the numerical simulation. The mean error is −7.369%, −1.243%, and 1.317% under depth ratio (σ) is 0.2, 0.25, and 0.33, and the error of most cases is within ±15% except σ = 0.2. The results show that large eddy simulation combined with volume of fluid method could accurately predict the distribution of dam-break water level, but it tends to overestimate the propagation velocity of the wavefront by about 10.3%. In addition, Stoker's quasi-steady paradigm has been proven to accurately predict the mean and steady-state flow characteristics of dam-break wave. Furthermore, the wavefront structure of the initial stage was subdivided into three sub-stages, namely, the jump stage, the transition stage, and the stable stage. Following that, the flow characteristics of each stage under the condition of the σ = 0.25 were studied in detail. The results show that the morphology of the wavefront structure is driven by the transformation of its internal energy in the initial stage. In summary, the work reveals the flow characteristics and quantitative flow results of the initial stage of dam-break wave under the wet river bed, thus improving the accuracy of dam-break accident prediction.

Method of field measurement of electromagnetic environment of high speed maglev train

Abstract In order to reduce the complexity of the magnetic field test of maglev trains and improve the accuracy of measurement data, this paper proposes a field measurement method of maglev train radiation emission based on high-speed parallel adaptive filter denoising technology. This measurement method is not limited by special measurement sites, and has the characteristics of high-speed measurement, real-time data processing, and large-capacity data storage. It breaks through the technical bottleneck of the traditional measurement system. The electromagnetic radiation emission of high-speed maglev trains is measured in real-time through multi-antenna synchronous measurement technology, and multi-channel high-speed RF signal measurement and acquisition of external signals are further carried out by blind source separation technology, environmental pre-scanning is carried out, environmental interference characteristics are obtained through feature statistics, and the radiation signal to be measured is estimated by blind source separation algorithm. It helps to achieve the purpose of accurately measuring the electromagnetic radiation emission of high-speed maglev trains. Through field testing, the denoising performance of the method reached 20 dB. Through field testing, the denoising performance of the method reached 20 dB.

ISB recommendations on the definition, estimation, and reporting of joint kinematics in human motion analysis applications using wearable inertial measurement technology

There is widespread and growing use of inertial measurement technology for human motion analysis in biomechanics and clinical research. Due to advancements in sensor miniaturization, inertial measurement units can be used to obtain a description of human body and joint kinematics both inside and outside the laboratory. While algorithms for data processing continue to improve, a lack of standard reporting guidelines compromises the interpretation and reproducibility of results, which hinders advances in research and development of measurement and intervention tools. To address this need, the International Society of Biomechanics approved our proposal to develop recommendations on the use of inertial measurement units for joint kinematics analysis. A collaborative effort that incorporated feedback from the biomechanics community has produced recommendations in five categories: sensor characteristics and calibration, experimental protocol, definition of a kinematic model and subject-specific calibration, analysis of joint kinematics, and quality assessment. We have avoided an overly prescriptive set of recommendations for algorithms and protocols, and instead offer reporting guidelines to facilitate reproducibility and comparability across studies. In addition to a conceptual framework and reporting guidelines, we provide a checklist to guide the design and review of research using inertial measurement units for joint kinematics.

Transcutaneous oxygen tension-guided hyperbaric oxygen therapy for preventing skin necrosis after hyaluronic acid filler injections.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, popular for facial cosmetic enhancements, pose risks of vascular complications like skin necrosis due to arterial blockage, necessitating effective treatments such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). This study presents a series of cases where measurements of transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) informed the application of HBOT for skin necrosis induced by HA. In cases 1 and 3, following the injection of HA, potential skin necrosis was observed. In addition to standard treatment, TcPO2 revealed values below 40mmHg, indicating tissue hypoxia. Treatment with HBOT increased TcPO2 levels to above 200mmHg, suggesting that HBOT could correct the hypoxia. Monitoring TcPO2 levels also aided in determining the optimal time to discontinue HBOT. In cases 2 and 4, patients received standard treatment, resulting in TcPO2 levels above 40mmHg, indicating adequate tissue oxygenation, and no additional HBOT was administered. All four patients mentioned above showed good clinical recovery. This study investigates the application of TcPO2 measurement technology in aiding decisions on whether to utilize HBOT in the treatment of complications arising from HA fillers, as well as in optimizing HBOT protocols.

Advanced Parallel Laser Line-Camera System for Automatic and Precise Crack Width Measurement

Accurate quantification of cracks is crucial in evaluating building conditions. However, current non-contact measurement technologies encounter challenges in measuring crack widths, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. This paper presents a novel portable parallel laser line-camera system that is specifically designed for automatic and precise measurement of crack widths from different angles and over long distances. The system is composed of a digital camera, parallel line laser diodes, and rigid positioning arms, forming a triangulation-based configuration. A newly developed image processing algorithm is at the core of this innovation, allowing for the extraction of accurate pixel scale information from laser strips, thus overcoming the challenge of pixel distortion in non-perpendicular photography. The U-Net algorithm is utilized to efficiently identify crack regions, followed by the Canny algorithm for meticulous extraction of crack features. By utilizing the pixel scale data obtained from the laser strips, the actual width of cracks can be accurately determined. The system's efficacy and precision have been validated through laboratory and field tests. This automatic, precise, and portable solution significantly advances the field of on-site crack measurement, offering substantial potential for practical applications in building condition assessments.

Artificial intelligence automatic measurement technology of lumbosacral radiographic parameters.

Currently, manual measurement of lumbosacral radiological parameters is time-consuming and laborious, and inevitably produces considerable variability. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a deep learning-based model for automatically measuring lumbosacral radiographic parameters on lateral lumbar radiographs. We retrospectively collected 1,240 lateral lumbar radiographs to train the model. The included images were randomly divided into training, validation, and test sets in a ratio of approximately 8:1:1 for model training, fine-tuning, and performance evaluation, respectively. The parameters measured in this study were lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral horizontal angle (SHA), intervertebral space angle (ISA) at L4-L5 and L5-S1 segments, and the percentage of lumbar spondylolisthesis (PLS) at L4-L5 and L5-S1 segments. The model identified key points using image segmentation results and calculated measurements. The average results of key points annotated by the three spine surgeons were used as the reference standard. The model's performance was evaluated using the percentage of correct key points (PCK), intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), Pearson correlation coefficient (r), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and box plots. The model's mean differences from the reference standard for LL, SHA, ISA (L4-L5), ISA (L5-S1), PLS (L4-L5), and PLS (L5-S1) were 1.69°, 1.36°, 1.55°, 1.90°, 1.60%, and 2.43%, respectively. When compared with the reference standard, the measurements of the model had better correlation and consistency (LL, SHA, and ISA: ICC = 0.91-0.97, r = 0.91-0.96, MAE = 1.89-2.47, RMSE = 2.32-3.12; PLS: ICC = 0.90-0.92, r = 0.90-0.91, MAE = 1.95-2.93, RMSE = 2.52-3.70), and the differences between them were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The model developed in this study could correctly identify key vertebral points on lateral lumbar radiographs and automatically calculate lumbosacral radiographic parameters. The measurement results of the model had good consistency and reliability compared to manual measurements. With additional training and optimization, this technology holds promise for future measurements in clinical practice and analysis of large datasets.

A novel reflective interference mitigation model for laser stripe extraction

In practical applications of line-structured light measurement technology, the transmitted laser may be reflected several times due to the reflective properties of the measured object’s surface, which directly affects the accuracy of three-dimensional (3-D) measurements. To obtain precise laser stripes under such reflective conditions to improve measurement accuracy, this paper proposes a semantic segmentation method called GuideNet. Firstly, a dual-branch encoder is introduced to simultaneously extract high-resolution spatial features and high-level semantic features from the input image. Secondly, a Guidance module is designed to fuse spatial features and semantic features and enhance the model’s ability to focus on relevant regions. Finally, the multi-level feature fusion decoder is performed to obtain the final results. Experiments on RIDataset and 3-D measurement experiments demonstrate that the proposed method improves the anti-reflection ability of line-structured light sensors.