This PDF file contains the front matter associated with SPIE Proceedings Volume 9258, including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, Author list, Introduction, and Conference Committee listing.

The Compressive Sensing (CS) is an emergent theory that provides an alternative to Shannon/Nyquist Sampling Theorem. By CS, a sparse signal can be perfectly recovered from a number of measurements, which is significantly lower than the number of periodic samples required by Sampling Theorem. The THz radiation is nowadays of high interest due to its capability to emphasize the molecular structure of matter. In imaging applications, one of the problems is the sensing device: the THz detectors are slow and bulky and cannot be integrated in large arrays like the CCD. The CS can provide an efficient solution for THz imaging. This solution is the single pixel camera with CS, a concept developed at Rice University that has materialized in several laboratory models and an IR camera released on the market in 2013. We reconsidered this concept in view of THz application and, at present, we have an experimental model for a THz camera. The paper has an extended section dedicated to the CS theory and single pixel camera architecture. In the end, we briefly presents the hardware and software solutions of our model, some characteristics and a first image obtained in visible domain.

The method of moments is mostly used in electromagnetism to solve linear operator equations. In this paper, we present three different, alternative applications of this numerical technique: resolution of the integral equation of convolution i.e., deconvolution, synthesis of electromagnetic radiators optimized to yield a given time-domain or frequency-domain response, and processing of data provided by an inertial navigation system, with the aim to decompose a complex displacement into elementary movements.

The paper deals with conceiving and developing a new open architecture (OAH) system for real-time control on 5 degrees of freedom of a 4 Nano-Micro-Manipulators platform, using optical processing of information and image processing based on multiprocessor systems operating in a cooperation regime in order to achieve measurements, experiments, checks and tests in the field of nano-micro-manufacturing.

The absorption and emission spectra of Ga-La-S:O doped with Pr³⁺, and Ga-Ge-As-S chalcogenide glasses doped with Pr³⁺, Dy³⁺, Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺ and Ho³⁺ were experimentally investigated at room temperature and at T=4 K. Photoluminescence spectra were measured at low temperature (T=4 K) at excitation by He-Ne (λ=632.8 nm line) and Ar ion (INNOVA 306, λ=514.5 nm line) lasers working in CW regime, in order to observe simultaneously the narrow 4f-4f emission from rare-earth ions and the broad band luminescence of the host glass. In the transmission spectra of rare-earth doped glasses differs from that of the base glass. The major feature in low-temperature of photoluminescence spectra (PL) is the presence of the broad band luminescence of the host glass and relatively sharp 4f-4f radiative transitions due to the presence of rare-earth (RE³⁺) ions, that gives the direct evidence of the energy transfer between the host glass and respective RE³⁺ dopants.

Taking into consideration the granulate glass deposition of the TiO₂ glass we propose a phenomenological model describing the nonlinear process of the growth of Ti and TiO₂ films on Si or SiO₂ substrates as function of temperature. It is proposed that the phase transition can take place in earth granule so that the fixed Tg temperature is absent in comparison with traditional phase transition from thermodynamics. The continue temperature transition from crystalline to vitreous phase in the deposited films is analyzed based upon the nonlinear theory of phase transitions and the granulate aspect of deposited material.

A new information optical technique of diagnostics of the structure of polycrystalline films of blood plasma is proposed. The model of Mueller-matrix description of mechanisms of optical anisotropy of such objects as optical activity, birefringence, as well as linear and circular dichroism is suggested. The ensemble of informationally topical azimuthally stable Mueller-matrix invariants is determined. Within the statistical analysis of such parameters distributions the objective criteria of differentiation of films of blood plasma taken from healthy and patients with liver cirrhosis were determined. From the point of view of probative medicine the operational characteristics (sensitivity, specificity and accuracy) of the information-optical method of Mueller-matrix mapping of polycrystalline films of blood plasma were found and its efficiency in diagnostics of liver cirrhosis was demonstrated. Prospects of application of the method in experimental medicine to differentiate postmortem changes of the myocardial tissue was examined.

New materials with large value for dielectric constant were obtained by using siloxane and chemically modified lignin. The modified lignin does not act as a stiffening filler material for the siloxane but acts as bulk filler, preserving the softness and low value of Young’s modulus specific for silicones. The measured values for dielectric constant compare positively with the ones for previously tested dielectric elastomers based on siloxane rubber or acrylic rubber loaded with ceramic nanoparticles. The new materials use the well-known silicone chemistry and lignin which is available worldwide in large amounts as a by-product of pulp and paper industry, making its manufacturing affordable. The prepared dielectric elastomers were tested for possible applications for wave, wind and kinetic body motion energy harvesting. Siloxane, lignin, dielectric

Corrosion in marine environment is an actual problem, being a complex dynamic process influenced mainly by physical, chemical, microbiological and mechanical parameters. Around 70% of the maintenance costs of a ship are associated with the corrosion protection. Times for maintenance related to this phenomenon are greater than 80% of the total repair. Reducing this cost would be a significant saving, and an effective treatment can reduce times related to ships repairing. Biofouling is a main cause of corrosion and for its reduction different methods could be applied, especially in the first part of its production. The atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasmas have been gaining an ever increasing interest for different biodecontamination applications and present potential utilisation in the control of biofouling and biodeterioration. They have a high efficiency of the antimicrobial treatment, including capacity to eradicate microbial biofilms. The adhesion microbial biofilm is mainly influenced by presence of bacteria from the liquid environment. That is why this work concerns the study of annihilation of maximum amount of bacteria from sea water, by using GlidArc technology that produces non-thermal plasma. Bacteria suspended in sea water are placed in contact with activated water. This water is activated by using GlidArc working in humid air. Experimental results refer to the number of different activated and inactivated marine organisms and their evolution, present in solution at certain time intervals after mixing different amounts of seawater with plasma activated water.

Corrosion in marine environment is a complex dynamic process influenced mainly by physical chemical, microbiological and mechanical parameters. Times for maintenance related to corrosion are greater than 80% of the total repair. Reducing this cost would be a significant saving, and an effective treatment can reduce times related to ships repairing. Biofouling is a main cause of corrosion and its formation contains four steps. To inhibit biofouling it is proposed a treatment based on non-thermal plasma produced by GlidArc, which can be applied before the immersion of small boats in the sea, as well as cleaning treatment of the hull after a period of time. This work presents the microbiological results of treatment of metal surfaces (naval OL36 steel) with GlidArc technology, according to the first, respectively the second phase formation of biofouling. Samples of naval steel were prepared with three specific naval paints and before the treatment have been introduced in seawater. Microbiological results have been compared for two types of treatments based on GlidArc. In the first case the painted samples are submitted to direct action of non-thermal plasma. In the second case the plasma produced by GlidArc technology is used to activate a solution (plasma activated water = PAW) and then the samples are introduced into this water.

The optoelectronics education included in electronics curricula at Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology of “Politehnica” University of Bucharest started in early '90s, and evolved constantly since then, trying to address the growing demand of engineers with a complex optoelectronics profile and to meet the increased requirements of microelectronics, optoelectronics, and lately nanotechnologies. Our goal is to provide a high level of theoretical background combined with advanced experimental tools in laboratories, and also with simulation platforms. That’s why we propose an advanced educational program in optoelectronics for both grades of our study program, bachelor and master.

A challenge that fishing industry is facing is the improvement of the refrigeration technology on board of fishing vessels. This paper deals with vapor compression refrigeration systems included on board of these ships. In these systems, significant thermodynamic losses are encountered in the expansion valve, during throttling process. Because it is possible to improve a thermodynamic process by decreasing irreversibility, in this paper it is used an ejector in order to reduce throttling irreversibility. A new technology results, the use of an ejector as a refrigerant expander leading to the ejector expansion refrigeration cycle. The theoretical study developed here will reveal a performance improvement of the new cycle. Also, because the traditional refrigerant used in marine refrigeration is R 134a, which presents a high value of its Global Warming Potential, the performance analysis is extended for the case of the use of other more environmentally friendly refrigerants: propane and isobutane.

Azobenzene derivatives constitute a group of dyes which have photochromic properties and have been investigated as promising systems for diverse applications in the unconventional optic area, their properties can be moulded with help of light.

The efficient and unbundled use of the existing telecommunications infrastructure represents a major goal for the development of the services offered by telecommunications providers. A major telecommunications operator can provide services to a subscriber using a copper wire pair or part of the frequency spectrum of a copper wire pair, together with other operators, through a process of unbundling access in the local loop. Since access to the vocal band is an already solved problem, concerns turn to the broadband access with xDSL service delivery on ungrouped subscriber loops; besides the legal and economic aspects involved this has become an engineering problem also. The local loop unbundling methods have a substantial technical impact. This impact should be taken into account right from the design stage and then in the standardization stage of broadband systems intended to operate on copper wire pairs in the local loop. These systems are known under the generic term of xDSL and began to be analyzed in the late 90s. xDSL became the dominant solution for providing Internet at a reasonable price for both residential and business subscribers. In this massive development scenario, certain problems will arise from the early stages of deployment, and another type of problems will occur later on when a large number of systems will be installed in a single beam.

Minuscule devices, called RFID tags are attached to objects and persons and emit information which positioned readers may capture wirelessly. Many methods of identification have been used, but that of most common is to use a unique serial number for identification of person or object. RFID tags can be characterized as either active or passive [1,2]. Traditional passive tags are typically in “sleep” state until awakened by the reader’s emitted field. In passive tags, the reader’s field acts to charge the capacitor that powers the badge and this can be a combination of antenna and barcodes obtained with SAW( Surface Acoustic Wave) devices ^[1,2,3] . The antenna in an RFID tag is a conductive element that permits the tag to exchange data with the reader. The paper contribution are targeted to antenna for passive RFID tags. The electromagnetic field generated by the reader is somehow oriented by the reader antenna and power is induced in the tag only if the orientation of the tag antenna is appropriate. A tag placed orthogonal to the reader yield field will not be read. This is the reason that guided manufacturers to build circular polarized antenna capable of propagating a field that is alternatively polarized on all planes passing on the diffusion axis. Passive RFID tags are operated at the UHF frequencies of 868MHz (Europe) and 915MHz (USA) and at the microwave frequencies of 2,45 GHz and 5,8 GHz . Because the tags are small dimensions, in paper, we present the possibility to use circular polarization microstrip antenna with fractal edge ^[2].

The paper presents a new high-efficiency power switching supply using the Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology. There are compared two solutions, the first using standard MOS transistors and the second using the new GaN transistor. The actual green technologies for obtaining the maximum energy and minimum losses have pushed the semiconductor industry into a continuous research regarding high power and high frequency devices, having uses in both digital communications and switching power supplies.

We present experimental results on copolymer-based nanocomposite made of styrene with butyl methacrylate (SBMA) (1:1) and inorganic semiconductor CdS. Thin film composite samples have been characterized by UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescent spectroscopy, as well as by transmission electron microscopy. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) examination confirms a relatively narrow distribution of CdS nanoclusters in the SBMA matrix, which covers the range 2-10 nm. On the other side, the average CdS particles size estimated from the position of first excitonic peak in the UV-Vis absorption spectrum was found to be 2.8 nm and 4.4 nm for two samples with different duration of thermal treatment, which is in good agreement with photoluminescence (PL) experimental data. The PL spectrum for CdS nanocrystals is dominated by near-band-edge emission. The relatively narrow line width (40-45 nm) of the main PL band suggests the nanoparticles having narrow size distribution. On the other side, relatively low PL emission from surface trap states at longer wavelengths were observed in the region 500-750 nm indicating on recombination on defects. Key words: nanocomposite, polymer matrix, photoluminescence,

In this paper we aim to perform a cross section morphological characterization of an acrylic polymer used for dental prostheses subjected to microwave disinfection. The method was largely investigated and the microbiological effectiveness is well established, but there are some issues regarding the in-depth alteration of the material. In our research, the surface roughness is insignificant and the samples were not polished or refined by any means. Two groups of 7 acrylic discs (20 mm diameter, 2 mm thickness) were prepared from a heat-cured powder. Half of the samples embedded a stainless steel reinforcement, in order to observe the changes at the interfaces between the polymer and metallic wire. After the gradual wet microwave treatment, the specimens - including the controls - were frozen in liquid nitrogen and broken into pieces. Fragments were selected for gold metallization to ensure a good contrast for SEM imaging. We examined the samples in cross section employing a high resolution SEM. We have observed the alterations occurred at the surface of the acrylic sample and at the interface with the metallic wire along with the increase of the power and exposure time. The bond configuration of acrylate samples was analysed by FTIR spectrometry.

In this paper the design of a cross-coupled planar microwave band-pass filter using open-loop square microstrip resonators, with two symmetrically placed attenuation poles, is presented. The design starts from the following specifications: central frequency 3GHz, 150MHz bandwidth, 1dB ripple in the pass-band corresponding to return loss of 6.8dB.The adjustment method using additional ports placed on each resonator of the filter is used, allowing the interconnection of the filter structure with external lumped elements. Connecting a reactive element (capacitor) from such an additional port to ground allows a fine tuning of the resonator. Connecting a reactive element between two such additional ports allows a fine change in the coupling coefficient between these resonators. After adding four extra ports and connecting the external elements (capacitors), it is possible to use fast circuit simulation software to optimize the filter's response. Then all these capacitors have to be gradually eliminated, by compensating their effects through fine changes back in the layouts. If some specific issues are properly handled, this procedure improves considerably the quality of the final design of the filter. After a thorough optimization of the layout, the filter was fabricated and measured. The results of measurements are in good agreement with the specifications of the filter, showing this way the efficiency of the applied optimization method.

The aim of the study is combining polarimetry and spectropolarimetry techniques for identifying the changes of opticalgeometrical structure in different kinds of biotissues with solid tumours. It is researched that a linear dichroism appears in biotissues (human esophagus, muscle tissue of rats, human prostate tissue, cervical smear) with cancer diseases, magnitude of which depends on the type of the tissue and on the time of cancer process development.

The optical model of birefringent networks of biological tissues is presented. The technique of Fourier polarimetry for selection of manifestations of linear and circular birefringence of protein fibrils is suggested. The results of investigations of statistical (statistical moments of the 1^st-4^th orders), correlation (dispersion and excess of autocorrelation functions) and scalar-self-similar (logarithmic dependencies of power spectra) structure of Fourier spectra of polarization azimuths distribution of laser images of skin samples are presented. The criteria of differentiation of postoperative biopsy of benign (keratoma) and malignant (adenocarcinoma) skin tumors are determined.

Amorphous arsenic trisulfide (As₂S₃) and arsenic triselenide (As₂Se₃) are among widely investigated amorphous materials due to its interesting electrical, optical and photoelectrical properties. In order to improve the physical properties and recording characteristics, and to extend the spectral range of photosensibility, a special interest represents the mixed amorphous materials, like (As₂S₃):(As₂Se3). Chalcogenide vitreous semiconductors (ChVS) of the As-S-Se system exhibit photostructural transformations with reversible and irreversible properties, and are promising materials as registration media for holography and optical information, for fabrication of diffractive elements, and other optoelectronic applications. Because many optoelectronic devices on amorphous semiconductors are based on the photoconductivity effect, special interests represent investigation of the stationary and non-stationary characteristics of photoconductivity. In this paper the experimental results of steady-state photoconductivity and holographic characteristics of amorphous (As4S₃Se₃)_1-x:Sn_x thin films are presented. It was shown that the photoconductivity spectra depend on the polarity on the top illuminated electrode and on the Sn concentration in the host glass. The photosensitivity of amorphous ((As4S₃Se₃)_1-x:Sn_x thin films is almost constant for all Sn-containing glasses. The Moss rule was used for determination of the optical forbidden gap E_g from the photoconductivity spectra. It was demonstrated that the investigated amorphous films are sensitive to the light irradiation and can be used as effective registration media for holographic information. The relaxation of photodarkening in amorphous (As4S₃Se₃)_1-x:Sn_x thin films was investigated and was shown that the relaxation curves of transmittance T/T0 = f(t) can be described the stretch exponential function T(t)/T(0) = A0+Aexp[-(t-t0)/τ] ^(1-β) . The kinetics of diffraction efficiency growth η(t) was measured by registration of the laser intensity of the 1-st interference maximum versus time exposure. With increasing of Sn concentration in amorphous (As4S₃Se₃)_1-x:Sn_x thin films up to 6.0 at. % Sn, the diffraction efficiency η increases, than for higher concentrations of tin, decreases.

Chalcogenide glasses are important materials for a wide range of technical applications, such as infrared optical elements, acousto-optic and all-optical switching devices, holographic recording media, diffractive optics, photonic crystals, etc. Optical investigation such as infrared reflectance and Raman spectroscopy are efficient tools for obtaining information on the local structure of the disordered material, especially when the composition is varied. In this paper we present the Raman spectra of bulk and amorphous thin films as-deposited and after light irradiation of (As₄S₃Se₃)1-x:Sn_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 10 at. % Sn) chalcogenide glasses. The Raman spectra of (As₄S₃Se₃)_1-x:Sn_x glasses consist of two broad bands located at around ν = 236 cm-1 and ν = 345 cm-1, which corresponds to the main vibration modes of vitreous As2Se3 and As2S3. Tin impurities didn’t change the shape of Raman spectra, but shift the both bands to low frequency region. The maximum situated at around ν = 236 cm-1 and ν = 345 cm-1 are characteristic for all investigated glass compositions and are attributed to the symmetric stretching vibration modes of AsSe_3/2 and AsS_3/2 pyramids, respectively. The light exposure of amorphous (As₄S₃Se₃)_1-x:Sn_x thin films shift the main maximums of Raman spectra toward the lower energies.

The aim was to study the possibility of using polarimetry methods of performance evaluation of blood plasma of patients with breast cancer and spectroscopy method in the diagnosis of breast cancer and determine the criteria for their use of non-invasive screening for problems.

The aim of the study was to establish objective parameters of the field of laser and incoherent radiation of different spectral ranges (UV, visible, IR) as a non-invasive optical method of interaction with different samples of biological tissues and fluids of patients to determine the dynamics of metabolic syndrome and choosing the best personal treatment. As diagnostic methods have been used ultraviolet spectrometry samples of blood plasma in the liquid state, infrared spectroscopy middle range (2,5 - 25 microns) dry residue of plasma polarization and laser diagnostic technique of thin histological sections of biological tissues.

The unbundling technique requires finding solutions to guarantee the economic and technical performances imposed by the nature of the services that can be offered. One of the possible solutions is the optic one; choosing this solution is justified for the following reasons: it optimizes the use of the access network, which is the most expensive part of a network (about 50% of the total investment in telecommunications networks) while also being the least used (telephone traffic on the lines has a low cost); it increases the distance between the master station/central and the terminal of the subscriber; the development of the services offered to the subscribers is conditioned by the subscriber network. For broadband services there is a need for support for the introduction of high-speed transport. A proper identification of the factors that must be satisfied and a comprehensive financial evaluation of all resources involved, both the resources that are in the process of being bought as well as extensions are the main conditions that would lead to a correct choice. As there is no single optimal technology for all development scenarios, which can take into account all access systems, a successful implementation is always done by individual/particularized scenarios. The method used today for the selection of an optimal solution is based on statistics and analysis of the various, already implemented, solutions, and on the experience that was already gained; the main evaluation criterion and the most unbiased one is the ratio between the cost of the investment and the quality of service, while serving an as large as possible number of customers.

The system we propose monitors body temperature, heart rate and beside this, it tracks if the person who wears it suffers a faint. It uses a digital temperature sensor, a pulse sensor and a gravitational acceleration sensor to monitor the eventual faint or small heights free falls. The system continuously tracks the GPS position when available and stores the last valid data. So, when measuring abnormal vital parameters the module will send an SMS, using the GSM cellular network , with the person's social security number, the last valid GPS position for that person, the heart rate, the body temperature and, where applicable, a valid fall alert or non-valid fall alert. Even though such systems exist, they contain only faint detection or heart rate detection. Usually there is a strong correlation between low/high heart rate and an eventual faint. Combining both features into one system results in a more reliable detection device.

Thin films of chalcogenide glasses (ChG) of different composition have been used for e-beam recording of diffraction grating structures. The dependencies of diffraction efficiency of gratings on radiation dose were studied. The influence of ChG film composition on diffraction properties of gratings was shown. It was established that the refractive index gratings formed in As₂S₃ films exhibit high stability during their dark storage. The diffraction efficiency enhancement caused by uniform light irradiation was observed for gratings recorded in As₄S₃Se₃ thin films, doped with Sn. With use of computer-controlled positioning of electron beam both the raster scan and vector patterns were recorded in As₂S₃ films. In the former case the images from BMP-files were patterned. In the latter case the mosaic of diffraction gratings, producing the multi-beam light diffraction was recorded.

The diffraction patterns (DPs) from helical phase distributions were intensively studied due to their peculiar capability of carrying orbital angular momentum. In the present study, we investigated the combination between a helical phase distribution and another distribution: axicon in our case. Such phase distributions were digitally embedded into holographic masks (HMs). The reconstruction step is performed by simulating the propagation through these HMs, using scalar diffraction theory, Fraunhofer approximation. The spatial intensity arrangement of the DPs is investigated linked with the radial and azimuthal constructive parameters values of the diffractive phase structures embedded in the HMs and transferred in these DPs. Keywords: helical phase distribution

This study is presenting the theoretical approach and the practical results of a precise activity involved in the hologram reconstruction in order to find the optimally focused image of MG63 osteoblast-like cells cultivated on polymeric flat substrates. The morphology and dynamic of the cell is investigated by digital holographic microscopy (DHM) technique. The reconstruction is digitally performed using an algorithm based on the scalar theory of diffraction in the Fresnel approximation. The quality of the 3D images of the cells is crucially depending on the focusing capability of the reconstruction chain to fit the parameters of the optical recorder, particularly the focusing value. Our proposal to find the focused image is based on the images decomposition on gray levels and their histogram analysis. More precisely the focusing criterion is based on the evaluation of the form of this distribution.

In this paper, the authors present from theoretical point of view, a universal logic gate with two inputs achieved from optical directional couplers. The universal logical gate (the same with elementary logical gate) is a circuit that achieves physically the transformation of input variables into output variable of circuit in according with given logical function. The universal logic gate presented can be used to reproducing the functions of all sixteen possible logic gates with two binary input variables. All sixteen logic functions performed simultaneously, the result of each of them is sent through one of the sixteen outputs of universal logic gate. The logic circuits, the processors achieved from universal logic gates are configurable. In other words, they can modify their internal structure in accordance with the application that has to be made. In this way, we can build more flexible and faster computers that can process massive amounts of data.

The present paper describes a software method for creating / managing one type of Transducer Electronic Datasheet (TEDS) according to IEEE 1451.4 standard in order to develop a prototype of smart multi-sensor platform (with up to ten different analog sensors simultaneously connected) with Plug and Play capabilities over ETHERNET and Wi-Fi. In the experiments were used: one analog temperature sensor, one analog light sensor, one PIC32-based microcontroller development board with analog and digital I/O ports and other computing resources, one 24LC256 I2C (Inter Integrated Circuit standard) serial Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) memory with 32KB available space and 3 bytes internal buffer for page writes (1 byte for data and 2 bytes for address). It was developed a prototype algorithm for writing and reading TEDS information to / from I2C EEPROM memories using the standard C language (up to ten different TEDS blocks coexisting in the same EEPROM device at once). The algorithm is able to write and read one type of TEDS: transducer information with standard TEDS content. A second software application, written in VB.NET platform, was developed in order to access the EEPROM sensor information from a computer through a serial interface (USB).

This paper presents an innovative approach for a monitoring system, with applicability for water environments, based on a previous state of the art regarding both communication challenges in water and underwater monitoring but also the technologies which may be used in such surroundings. The system is based on an underwater sensors network which is connected to a cloud platform by means of a reconfigurable wireless transceiver. The sensor network integrates several low cost sensors that can measure different parameters such as water level, the water flow, temperature, pressure etc. The paper analyzes the measured parameters that will be transmitted through an operational communication node, which is able to ensure a reliable communication with timing and variation delay constraints. The cloud platform collects and stores the environmental data received from the targeted locations. Finally, the paper describes the platform interface available to end users, which will provide a real time visualization of the water environment events.

In report is made the synthesis of the surface plasmon polariton propagation phenomenon. Methods such as Maxwell equations, Drude model used to describe the light confinement at the interface between two media are analyzed. Simulation techniques such as the transfer matrix formalism and the dispersion equation are examined. Finally are presented the results of our own investigations aiming plasmonic structure containing a film of amorphous chalcogenide material. It is shown the structure is very sensitive to the modifications of the refractive index that may be used for the design of the optical memory.

In this paper we describe several wearable sensors, designed for monitoring the health condition of the patients, based on an experimental model. Wearable sensors enable long-term continuous physiological monitoring, which is important for the treatment and management of many chronic illnesses, neurological disorders, and mental health issues. The system is based on a wearable sensors network, which is connected to a computer or smartphone. The wearable sensor network integrates several wearable sensors that can measure different parameters such as body temperature, heart rate and carbon monoxide quantity from the air. After the portable sensors measuring parameter values, they are transmitted by microprocessor through the Bluetooth to the application developed on computer or smartphone, to be interpreted.

A simple way to make physical encoding of data is to use some common Fourier optics tools, like lenses and some more sophisticated ones like a digital matrix detector (CCD, Charged Coupled Devices), as in Fig. 1. Except now the encoding and the compacting of the data is not made using Hadamard transform but a Fourier transform, which has less compacting power. There is however the big advantage of physically encrypting the data instead of manually or digitally doing the computation. The input data may be anything, a note, a picture, a diagram, anything at all. It may come at a moment notice and does not require any special preparation on the part of the operator. One can accomplish real-time encoding. It may require, however that the message data to be made available in a specific format, independent of the contents of the message. For instance it may have to be inscribed on a transparency and to have certain dimensions.

The management of the Independent Power Grids is the global body/structure with flexible technological support for Command-Control-Communications and Informatized Management having the responsibility for providing the conditions and information (the informational flux of decision) for the decision-maker aiming at predictable and harmonic administration of the situations (crises) and for generating the harmonic situations (results).

Direction finding and attitude determination is of utmost importance for marine, aerial, spatial and land-based navigation [1], as well as control of vehicles, in surveying and in target acquisition of tracking radars. These problems can be solved using dedicated sensors commonly named as compasses and rate gyros. Unfortunately, the classical means of attitude determination both by magnetic and gyrocompasses become unusable at extreme latitudes. Furthermore, gyrocompasses inherently yield erroneous results on high speed craft. Three-axis attitude of a vehicle can be determined using a GPS receiver with multiple antennas, by measuring carrier phases [2], signal strength [3], or integrated INS/GPS systems [4]. This paper proposes a new method of attitude determination using two low-cost GPS receivers.

Poor lateral flexor muscle strength can be an important source of lumbar/thoracic back pain in women. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pelvic stabilization (PS) and no pelvic stabilization (NoPS) lateral flexion strength exercise training on the development of isolated right and left lateral flexion strength. Isometric torque of the isolated right and left lateral flexion muscles was measured at two positions (0^° and 30^° opposed angle range of motion) on 42 healthy women before and after 8 weeks of PS and NoPS lateral flexion strength exercise training. Subjects were assigned in three groups, the first (n=14) trained 3 times/week with PS lateral flexion strength exercise, the second (n=14) trained 3 times/week with NoPS lateral flexion strength exercise and the third (control, n=14) did not train. Post training isometric strength values describing PS and NoPS lateral flexion strength improved in greater extent for the PS lateral flexion strength exercise group and in lesser extent for the NoPS lateral flexion strength exercise group, in both angles (p<0.05) relative to controls. These data indicate that the most effective way of training the spine lateral flexion muscles is PS lateral flexion strength exercises; NoPS lateral flexion strength exercises can be an effective way of training for the spine lateral flexion muscles, if there is no access to PS lateral flexion strength training machines.

The paper approaches the lighting optimization of industrial production areas, using the remote microcontroller command of lighting sources. The lighting of industrial production areas is stated by the Design and execution of building artificial lighting standard - NP 061- 02 that specifies the lighting level of working and of the neighbor area, in order to assure work comfortable condition and to avoid work accidents. As consequence, in production companies, particularly in those were the activity is in continuous flow, it is a great concern on an appropriate lighting but also on minimal energy consumption. The main achievement is the lighting optimization intending a uniform light flux over the working surface, with minimal energy consumption through the individual or group command of lighting sources, depending on the measurement of lighting level.

The work consists of investigation results of diagnostic efficiency of a new azimuthally stable Muellermatrix method of analysis of laser autofluorescence coordinate distributions of biological tissues histological sections. A new model of generalized optical anisotropy of biological tissues protein networks is proposed in order to define the processes of laser autofluorescence. The influence of complex mechanisms of both phase anisotropy (linear birefringence and optical activity) and linear (circular) dichroism is taken into account. The interconnections between the azimuthally stable Mueller-matrix elements characterizing laser autofluorescence and different mechanisms of optical anisotropy are determined. The statistic analysis of coordinate distributions of such Mueller-matrix rotation invariants is proposed. Thereupon the quantitative criteria (statistic moments of the 1st to the 4th order) of differentiation of histological sections of myometrium – group 1 (fibromyoma) and group 2 (adenocarcinoma) are estimated.

In this paper we propose a novel optical method for measuring the circular magnetic field. In practice, many situations may appear in which there are difficulties in measuring the magnetic field, as inside coils, motors etc., where the magnetic field lines are circular or elliptical. The proposed method, applied for measuring the current on high voltage lines, strongly benefits from the advantages that it offers as compared to classical solutions based on the inductive principle. Some of the advantages of optoelectronic and optic measurement methods have a real importance. These advantages consist in: avoiding the use of energy intensive materials (Cu, Fe etc.), reducing the weight of the measuring system, reducing at the minimum the fire danger due to the use of paper-oil insulation in high voltage devices etc. The novelty of our proposed method consists in using the electromagnetic radiation in ultrashort pulses, having a relatively large frequency band and a much improved resistance to external perturbations, for measuring the circular magnetic field generated from the current of high voltage lines, inside power transformers or high power motors.

Security, as an important element that defines the quality of a system, represents the capacity of a system to preserve his own functional characteristics under pressure of external disruptive agents capable to represent danger for the system, for the environment of the system, and for the life of people inside the defined risk zone. The main goal of security is system stability. With ever new ideas, technology, procedures, actions and specialized institutions, integrated security services offer protection, surveillance and optimum conditions for system to function and to be used properly. Therefore, security represents the main quality parameter of all systems and processes, without it efficiency was not possible. Keyword list: Security; Anti-Burglar Alarm

In this paper we discuss a study and application of the optical properties of liquids in the terahertz range and a possible technique for identifying liquids. The optical properties are the reflection and transmission of the radiation at various interfaces between known media and between a known medium and the unknown medium and the complex refractive index which is to be determined from measurements of the change in radiation signal after multiple optical interactions inside a silicon prism. For this purpose we use an attenuated total reflection experimental arrangement. We show that one can identify liquids placed on the top of the prism turned upside down using this method. Terahertz waves are especially useful in this context because they allow the determination of the liquid content of containers that are difficult to open or that simply cannot be opened, such as luggage in airports. Some explosives are liquids and the identification of the liquids using terahertz waves may help detecting hidden explosives.

At long ranges and under low visibility conditions, Advanced Optoelectronic Device provides the signal-to-noise ratio and image quality in the Short-wave Infra-red – SWIR (wavelengths between 1,1 ÷2,5 μm), significantly better than in the near wave infrared – NWIR and visible spectral bands [1,2]. The quality of image is nearly independent of the polarization in the incoming light, but it is influenced by the relative movement between the optical system and the observer (the operators' handshake), and the movement towards the support system (land and air vehicles). All these make it difficult to detect objectives observation in real time. This paper presents some systems enhance which the ability of observation and sighting through the optical systems without the use of the stands, tripods or other means. We have to eliminate the effect of "tremors of the hands" and the vibration in order to allow the use of optical devices by operators on the moving vehicles on land, on aircraft, or on boats, and to provide additional comfort for the user to track the moving object through the optical system, without losing the control in the process of detection and tracking. The practical applications of stabilization image process, in SWIR, are the most advanced part of the optical observation systems available worldwide [3,4,5]. This application has a didactic nature, because it ensures understanding by the students about image stabilization and their participation in research.

This paper presents a set of results obtained from measurements performed with platinum resistance thermometers (PRTs) that are used as temperature reference standards at the National Institute of Metrology of Bucharest (INM). These measurements are made for a long period of time allowing us to evaluate the evolution of values. Using these values, with specific means that will be described, the temperature drifts of these standard sensors is calculated. It is very important for the uncertainty budget used for the calibration of various temperature sensors from different industry fields. For the trend evaluation of measured temperature values deviations at the PRT calibration at fixed points three polynomial regressions types were used. The resistance of the thermometers drifted in time at all fixed points used for the calibration range.

Compressive sampling is a technique used in digital signal processing, which allows for the capture of high resolution physical signals from relatively few measurements. This technique is illustrated here for two simple cases: a signal to be that can be expressed as a sum of three sine functions and another one that can be expressed as a sum of three Bessel functions of the first kind. In order to perform a compressive sampling one must use correct measurement vectors and this is a quite complicated problem. In this paper a simple algorithm for obtaining the correct measurement vectors for illustration and pedagogical purposes is shown.

The paper present our first steps to realize a hyperspectral imaging system. Preliminary experiments in the domain have as purpose to test the capability of a monochromator with a 2D linear CCD camera, to create hyperspectral images. Using a Sciencetech 9055 model monochromator with a Hamamatsu CCD, we have analyzed an array of three LEDs of various colors, obtaining 1D hyperspectral images.

Actual requirements impose more and more to convert rapidly a daytime aiming telescope, (called also telescopic sight or riflescope) into a night vision device. Recent progress achieved in the development of various image sensors over a wide spectral range, from visible to Long-wave infrared (LWIR), made possible to develop new solutions for performant night vision adapters. These attachments can increase the visibility at night but can be designed to cover also some low visibility conditions during the day such as fog, smoke and dust, especially if we refer to the Short-wave infrared spectral band (SWIR). The paper analyzes possible constructive solutions for digital riflescope attachments, destined to work at night and/or in low visibility during the day.

A very useful requirement for a zoom aiming scope with high magnification used for long range rifle shooting is counting and display of knob’s clicks number needed for elevation corrections. The paper analyzes one method for clicks counting usable with existing mechanical knobs and describes a microcontroller based system that implements it. Practical aspects like required changes in mechanical construction, influence of perturbations, complexity of electronics or power consumption are also analyzed.

Nowadays technologies lead to remarkable properties of the light-emitting diodes (LEDs), making them attractive for more and more applications, such as: interior and exterior lighting, outdoor LED panels, traffic signals, automotive (tail and brake lights, backlighting in dashboard and switches), backlighting of display panels, LCD displays, symbols on switches, keyboards, graphic boards and measuring scales. Usually, LEDs are small light sources consisting of a chip placed into a package, which may bring additional optics to this encapsulated ensemble, resulting in a less or more complex spatial distribution of the light intensity, with particular radiation patterns. This paper presents an automated platform designed to allow a quick and accurate determination of the spatial radiation patterns of LEDs encapsulated in various packages. Keywords: LED, luminous

Organic photovoltaic cells represent a major application of Flexible Organic and Large Area Electronics (FOLAE) field. The advantages of these cells are represented by flexibility and reduced thickness, making them easy to be integrated in electronics designs, removing the necessity of having a large, flat, heavy surface for energy harvesting. Although many studies about the structure¹ and chemical reactions that occur exist, not a large amount of information is available about the characteristics that would be useful for an electronics engineer designing an electronic system. This paper presents the investigations of the electrical² and thermal behavior of OPV cells, offering as results the optimal operating conditions and their evaluation using a comparison with the standard, semiconductor-based cells. Thermal characterization is very important because the targeted light source is the sun. By exposing the panels to sunlight in a summer day will greatly increase the working temperature of the cells, implying the necessity of knowing the impact on their electrical characteristics. The response of the cells at different wavelengths of the incident light, voltage vs. current and output voltage diagrams for different light intensities and different temperatures will be determined. In addition, the behavior of the cell as a light sensor will be investigated and a system that uses organic electronics at both ends: for sensing light intensity and also displaying this information will be built, using an electrochromic display.

Although nowadays spectrometers reached a high level of performance, output signals are often weak and traditional slit spectrometers still confronts the problem of poor optical throughput, minimizing their efficiency in low light setup conditions. In order to overcome these issues, Hadamard Spectroscopy (HS) was implemented in a conventional Ebert Fastie type of spectrometer setup, by substituting the exit slit with a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) who acts like a coded aperture. The theory behind HS and the functionality of the DMD are presented. The improvements brought using HS are enlightened by means of a spectrometric experiment and higher SNR spectrum is acquired. Comparative experiments were conducted in order to emphasize the SNR differences between HS and scanning slit method. Results provide a SNR gain of 3.35 favoring HS. One can conclude the HS method effectiveness to be a great asset for low light spectrometric experiments.

The results of research into Surface Acoustic Waves (SAW) devices have been recognized for their efficiency and versatility in the electrical signals processing. Actual progress in the industrial application of piezoelectric materials such as Lithium Niobate (LiNbO₃), Langasite (LGS), Lanthanum-Gallium Silicate La₃Ga₅SiO₁₄ and Gallium Orthophosphate (GaPO₄), allows the manufacturing of devices with piezoelectric performances, which overcome the limits obtained with quartz crystals. The single crystal materials have a long term high stability - near to infinite – and moreover, some of these have an excellent behavior with temperature variation. Today, GaPO₄ with its properties is by far the best suited piezoelectric material to be used in sensor applications for machine monitoring and pressure measurements, at high temperatures. SAW micro devices based on GaPO₄ operate at temperatures of up to 800⁰C. For a particular case, of harsh-environment applications, additional challenges need to be overcome, relating to substrate integrity and operation, thin film electrode fabrication, device packaging, and sensor interrogation. This paper reviews the novel progres in the area of (SAW) sensors for harsh conditions.

The increased interest in optical wireless (OW), as a complementary solution for radio frequency (RF) wireless technology, in conjunction with the significant deployments in LED lighting technology, led to the need to achieve lighting and wireless communication simultaneously in indoor environments. Visible light communication (VLC) technology provides an opportunity and infrastructure for the high-speed low-cost wireless communication. There are still open issues in VLC such as: uplink channel, LED modulation bandwidth, and LED nonlinearity. In this paper we addressed the uplink channel implementation, being a key issue in the OW communication system in order to allow full connectivity for a terminal (duplex transmission). VLC in full duplex mode requires the usage of a hybrid technology, such as infrared optical uplink, retro-reflecting transceivers, or even RF. The solution we proposed is to create a redundant optical uplink channel, using near ultraviolet (UV) and near infrared (IR) spectra.

The resonance fluorescence of an atomic (or ion) system implanted in the materials driving two standing waves of the optical cavity is studied taking into consideration the delocalization of the atom. It is demonstrated that the resonance fluorescence depends on the position of atoms (or ions) relative the nodes or antinodes of standing waves. This situation gives us the possibility to measure the amplitude of mechanical oscillations of these radiators implanted in organic or inorganic materials. It is proposed to measure the amplitude of the mechanical oscillations relative to the equilibrium position using the time changes in the positions of the five peaks of the resonance fluorescence spectrum. In this case, the small oscillation amplitude relative to the standing wave length can drastically change the spectrum of resonance fluorescence of such atoms. The proposed method can be used in the measurements of the nanostructure temperature (or bio-molecule temperature deformation).

Theoretical and experimental approaches to diagnosing of internal spin and orbital optical flows and corresponding optical forces caused by these flows are offered. These approaches are based on the investigation of the motion of tested particles in the formed optical field. The possibility of using kinematic values defining the motion dynamics of particles of the Rayleigh light scattering mechanism for making a quantitative assessment of the degree of coherence of mutually orthogonal linearly polarized in the incidence plane waves is demonstrated.

Water suspension of light-absorbing nano-sized particles is an example of a medium in which non-linear effects are present at moderate light intensities favorable for optical treatment of organic and biological objects. We study experimentally the phenomena emerging in a thin layer of such a medium under the action of inhomogeneous light field formed due to the Pearcey diffraction pattern near a microlens focus. In this high-gradient field, the light energy absorbed by the particles induces inhomogeneous distribution of the medium refraction index, which results in observable self-diffraction of the incident light, here being strongly sensitive to the medium position with respect to the focus.

Miniature cooling systems performances are increasing, as they permit dissipation of heat fluxes on increasing surfaces. Such cooling systems frequently use micro and nano circular tubes, with rectangular or other various shaped crosssections, as they allow obtaining higher performance micro heat exchangers. The present paper illustrates the differences between temperature variations, experimentally measured inside and outside circular micro-channels by aid of thermo vision, and compared to values experimentally measured outside the micro-channels by aid of heat sensors and to theoretically evaluated temperatures inside. The experimental measurements were performed on a setup conceived for the cooling of electronic components or small bio-surfaces in the order of magnitude of a few square centimeters. The set-up allows reaching minimum negative temperatures of -22 ^°C. The experimental setup uses a rotary compressor with variable speed and working pressures implicitly, which allows obtaining different temperatures at the setup’s evaporator. The present work correlates experimentally measured temperatures with ones determined theoretically for the flow of R134a refrigerant through cylindrical micro-channels made of copper.

The present paper investigates the impact of rectangular micro-channel surface quality upon the flow of R134 refrigerating agent over a rectilinear stretch. For the present investigations, heat exchangers were built from copper plates in which rectangular micro-channels were manufactured. The surface of each region containing micro-channels was accurately mapped by aid of laser profilometry and surface quality parameters were determined, including surface roughness. As micro-channel dimensions are a few tens of micrometers and surface roughness can in some cases of refrigerant flow, reach significantly close values, it is interesting to evaluate roughness influence upon flow speed. The flow regime has an important influence upon mass flow and heat transfer. It is important to study roughness influence upon the non-continuum effect, as pressure rises in the micro-channel (reaching maximum values up to 17·10⁵ Pa).

Flat heat pipes have various technical applications, one of the most important being the cooling of electronic components^[9]. Their continuous development is due to the fact that these devices permit heat transfer without external energetic contribution. The practical exploitation of flat heat pipes however is limited by the fact that dissipated power can only reach a few hundred watts. The present paper aims to advance a new method for the intensification of convective heat transfer. A centrifugal mini impeller, driven by a turntable which incorporates four permanent magnets was designed. These magnets are put in motion by another rotor, which in its turn includes two permanent magnets and is driven by a mini electrical motor. Rotation of the centrifugal blades generates speed and pressure increase of the cooling agent brought to vapor state within the flat micro heat pipe. It’s well known that the liquid suffers biphasic transformations during heat transfer inside the heat pipe. Over the hotspot (the heat source being the electronic component) generated at one end of the heat pipe, convective heat transfer occurs, leading to sudden vaporization of the liquid. Pressures generated by newly formed vapors push them towards the opposite end of the flat heat pipe, where a finned mini heat sink is usually placed. The mini-heat exchanger is air-cooled, thus creating a cold spot, where vapors condensate. The proposed method contributes to vapor flow intensification by increasing their transport speed and thus leading to more intense cooling of the heat pipe.

The research presented in this paper aimed to determine the maximum heat transfer a heat pipe can achieve. To that purpose the structure of the capillary layer which can be deposited on the walls of the heat pipe was investigated. For the analysis of different materials that can produce capillarity, the present study takes into account the optimal thickness needed for this layer so that the accumulated fluid volume determines a maximum heat transfer. Two materials that could be used to create a capillary layer for the heat pipes, were investigated, one formed by sintered copper granules (the same material by which the heat pipe is formed) and a synthetic material (cellulose sponge) which has high absorbing proprieties. In order to experimentally measure and visualize the surface characteristics for the considered capillary layers, laser profilometry was employed.

The present paper aims to investigate the atomization process of a liquid that turns into very small drops due to high pressures. Liquid drops in motion encounter a coaxial gas flow of different speed and temperature. It is of interest to study the way the liquid jet first breaks into droplets in the vicinity of the nozzle, and then how the droplet atomization process occurs. The evolution of droplet size and velocity throughout the flow must be determined. It is necessary to make a connection between the mechanisms which start the atomization process and the corresponding environmental conditions. The influences of average droplet diameter, gas velocity and liquid surface tensions in the atomization process are analyzed. It was hypothesized that Rayleigh-Taylor instability occurs as the dominant mechanism for the formation of primary droplets. The present work seeks to eliminate the empirical correlations adopted for the atomization, and to determine droplet size by analytical calculation, based on the working environment parameters.

In this paper we will present two technological processes necessary to experimentally obtain diffractive optical elements (DOE) operating in reflection which generate optical beams presenting orbital angular momentum. This class of DOE, also known as spiral phase plates (SPP), are three-dimensional structures consisting in disks where the variation of their thickness is directly proportional with the azimuthal angle Φ. In this case a beam of light applied on the SPP surface acquires an angular orbital momentum (OAM) and a vortex – like configuration. The first technique is the 3D electron beam lithography (EBL). The materials utilized in this case are the positive electronresist PMMA 35 K which has a deposition thickness of 500 nm and the negative electronresist SU8. To obtain the three dimensional structure, the PMMA and SU-8 films were configured by different exposure doses such that after development process each exposure corresponds to a defined thickness of the electronresist. The calibration curve between exposure dose and the height of the structure was determined. The second technique investigated here is photolithography. In this case a photoresist layer was exposed through a mask presenting regions with various levels of transmittance in order to obtain different levels of heights.

Experimental results on some physical and optical properties of (As₂Se₃)_1-x:Sn_x and (As₄S₃Se₃)_1-x:Sn_x (x = 0-10 at %) glasses and amorphous films (d~2.0 μm) are presented. The bulk chalcogenide glasses are studied by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and nanoindentation methods. It is established that the addition of these amounts of tin (x = 0-10 at %) does not lead to significant changes in the physical properties of the glass, such as values of stress and Young’s modulus related to the modification of the density and compactness. It has been found that the addition of these amounts of tin in (As₄S₃Se₃)_1-x:Sn_x does not lead to significant changes in the glass physical properties, such as values of stress and Young’s modulus related to the modification of the density and compactness. The study of the photoplastic effect is performed in situ, with illumination of the bulk and thin film samples during indentation as well as their indentation after illumination with a green laser (λ = 532 nm) at a power of P = 50 mV/cm². The hardness is calculated from load-displacement curves by the Oliver-Pharr method. A sharp increase in hardness is registered if the tin concentration exceeds a value of 34% Sn. The hardness H of (As₂Se₃)_1-x:Sn_x films varies between 115 and 130 kg/mm². It is found that the hardness H of amorphous thin films is generally higher than the hardness of bulk samples with the same chemical composition. In this study, we are focused on the mechanical characteristics of high-purity As₂Se₃: Sn_x thin films. Keyword: Chalcogenide glasses, hardness,

In this communication, we present results on preparation of GaN nanoparticles by conversion of Ga₂O₃ nanocrystals in a flow of NH₃ and H₂. The monoclinic Ga₂O₃ nanoparticles have been prepared by hydrothermal method with gallium nitrate and sodium hydroxide as precursors. Ga₂O₃ nanowires are produced with increasing the duration of the hydrothermal process up to 24 hours. The production of β-phase Ga₂O₃ has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. According to XRD, Raman and FTIR spectra, wurtzite type GaN nanocrystals with an average size of 28.6 nm are obtained by nitridation of Ga2O₃ nanoparticles. Doping of Ga₂O₃ nanomaterial with Eu³⁺ ions in the hydrothermal process is demonstrated, and the emission spectra of this Eu-doped nanomaterial are compared with those of Eu-doped nanoparticles prepared previously by solid state reactions.

We describe a new nanocomposite material based on the copolymer of styrene with butyl methacrylate (1:1) (SBMA), and coordinating compound of Europium(III) Eu(TTA)₃(Ph₃PO)₂. The SBMA/Eu(TTA)₃(Ph₃PO)₂ nanocomposite was prepared by a simple technology and can be obtained in the form of optical fibers, thin films and planar waveguides on various substrates with large area. Experimental results on optical transmission and photoluminescence spectroscopy are presented. The nanocomposite exhibits a strong photoluminescence emission in the range 560-750 nm, with the main photoluminescence band at 613 nm.

We present experimental results on preparation and characterization of colloidal CdSe quantum dots (QD) in organic solvent. CdSe QDs were synthesized following a modified literature method and have been characterized by UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescent (PL) spectroscopy, as well as by 2D Diffusion Ordered Spectroscopy (DOSY) NMR. The average CdSe particles size estimated from the UV-Vis absorption spectra was found to be in the range 2.28 - 2.92 nm, which correlates very well with the results obtained from NMR measurements. The PL spectrum for CdSe nanodots can be characterized by a narrow emission band with the peak maximum shifting from 508 to 566 nm in dependence of the CdSe nanoparticle size. The PL is dominated by a near-band-edge emission, accompanied by a weak broad band in the near IR, related to the surface shallow trap emission.

A modality of controlling the unbalanced dispersion in an optical coherence tomography (OCT) set-up is presented, together with image processing techniques that improve the quality of the interferogram image by reducing its noise and dispersion. The ultimate goal of the study is to obtain dispersion free and enhanced signal to noise ratio OCT images of the human retina. The OCT set-up incorporates a spectral delay line, which is used to compensate for the dispersion in the system. The configuration is driven by a swept optical source. The interferometric signal is digitized by a fast acquisition board, then processed and rendered as images on a computer display. Preliminary results are presented showing images of a multilayer structure obtained using different filtering techniques that were tested for their effects on the noise reduction and image sharpness.

The abnormal function of cells can be detected by anatomic or physiological registrations. Most of modern approaches, as ultrasound, RMN or CT, show anatomic parametric modifications of tissues or organs. They highlight areas with a larger diameter 1 cm. In the case of skin or superficial cancers, local temperature is different, and it can be put out by thermal imager. Medical imaging is a leading role in modern diagnosis for abnormal or normal tissues or organs. Some information has to be improved for a better diagnosis by reducing or removing some unwanted information like noise affecting image texture. The traditional technologies for medical image enhancement use spatial or frequency domain methods, but whole image processing will hide both partial and specific information for human signals. A particular kind of medical images is represented by thermal imaging. Recently, these images were used for skin or superficial cancers diagnosis, but very clear outlines of certain alleged affected areas need to be shown. Histogram equalization cannot highlights the edges and control the effects of enhancement. A new filtering method was introduced by Huang by using the empirical mode decomposition, EMD. An improved filtering method for thermal images, based on EMD, is presented in this paper, and permits to analyze nonlinear and non-stationary data by the adaptive decomposition into intrinsic mode surfaces. The results, evaluated by SNR ratios, are compared with other filtering methods.

Modern radars must provide in a very short time: existence, mobility and shape of objects evolving in airspace. Evaluation of the object shapes through active research by using synthetic aperture radar is limited in time, resolution, and cost. A new way of processing non-stationary signals is presented in this article. Signals are obtained from the reflection of the electromagnetic field by objects with complex shape when they are irradiated with linear frequency modulated signals. The amplitude of reflected signal is variable on the radio-impulse duration depending on object shape, causing a certain electromagnetic signature. This phenomenon is caused by specific electromagnetic resonance. The reflected signal has maximum amplitude when the frequency of the incident wave is the same with the resonant frequency of the investigated object. The structure of an radar target can be decomposed into simple geometric shapes such as spheres, ellipsoids, prisms, and so on. Using resonant effect that ensures pattern recognition is exemplified by an object with an aerodynamic profile accepted in many component elements of the aircraft, namely - an ellipsoid. It is a geometric shape used extensively in aviation, because it has a very low aerodynamic resistance. The resonant response of ellipsoid is evaluated in a decade frequency band, but the pattern recognition of this shape is enough for an octave band. The resonant response is assessed for cross polarization of incident electromagnetic field, as well. As a result, the radio-impulse shape can be used in a data base for pattern recognition.

This paper approaches the design of a smart lighting system for efficient lighting of pedestrian crosswalks on streets, using power LEDs. Starting with existing solid-state lighting - SSL (power LEDs with individual directivity diagram, lighting efficiency and color rendering index - CRI) in the paper we propose a design technique and methodology in order to find the distribution geometry of light sources (sources number, spatial coordinates, fixing angles) that simultaneously satisfy the lighting regulation requests and energetic efficiency. The major achievements are the simulations of using of a great number of LED lighting sources and of spatial lighting configurations in order to obtain of a uniform lighting of the area of interest (fig.1) and in conformity with actual standards in a specified scenario. The direct consequence of these simulations is the using of an intelligent management system of LED lighting sources that will allow the optimization of light flux in real traffic conditions of cars and pedestrians. This means the monitoring of traffic level and surrounding conditions (temperature, humidity, natural lighting etc.) in order to efficient use the existing resources.

The paper is focused on designing a smart LED power supply, with adjustable working point in accordance with local conditions, LED photometric characteristics. We have develop a flyback driver controlled by a signal which is a combination of the sensed LED forward current, and a PWM working regime. This method is used in order to increase the LED lighting efficiency at the same thermal regime. At the end of the implementation we have tested major issues related to the correct work of the LED, energetic and luminous efficiency, and the way of sensor integration into the smart system.

Suspension systems for motor vehicles are constantly evolving in order to ensure vehicle stability and traffic safety under all driving conditions. The present work aims to highlight the influence factors in the case of a quarter car model for semi-active suspensions. The functions that must be met by such suspension systems are first presented. Mathematical models for passive systems are first illustrated and then customized for the semi-active case. A simulation diagram was conceived for Matlab Simulink. The obtained simulation results allow conducting a frequency analysis of the passive and semi-active cases of the quarter car model. Various charts for Passive Suspension Transmissibility and for the Effect of Damping on Vertical Acceleration Response were obtained for both passive and semi-active situations. Analysis of obtained results allowed evaluating of the suspension systems behavior and their frequency dependence. Significant differences were found between the behaviors of passive and semi-active suspensions. It was found that semi-active suspensions ensure damping in accordance to the chosen control method, and are much more efficient than passive ones.

The present paper aims to investigate the impact of using magneto-rheologic fluids in semi-active suspension systems. For that purpose, the suspension system behavior will be analyzed in the case of dynamic control. It is verified whether a semi-active suspension system that uses magneto-rheologic fluids offers significant advantages by report to passive suspension systems. Two approaches were considered. The first one consisted of simulating both passive and semiactive suspension systems using Matlab Simulink. The conducted simulations yielded results for motion, speed, and accelerations of sprung and un-sprung masses. The second approach consisted of building an experimental set-up that uses a damper that is constructively contains a magneto-rheologic fluid, to which an adjustable variable magnetic field can be applied by means of a coil, in its turn controlled in current by a driver. The driver receives its excitation signals from sensors put in contact to the road surface model. The experimental set-up was conceived so that the un-sprung mass follows the road bumps. Simulation results were then compared to experimental ones.

The work presented herein illustrates the differences between aerodynamic friction coefficients of liquid droplets of different shapes and dimensions that come into contact with air. Aerodynamic friction forces on a drop can be calculated if the aerodynamic coefficient of friction and cross-sectional area normal to the flow are known. The crosssectional area can be calculated on the basis of the maximum diameter of the droplet, dc, if it is assumed that the deformed droplets have the form of a flattened spheroid. According to Clift et al^[6], when a drop of liquid has weak internal tensions or high surface tension due to viscosity, external flow may differ from the surrounding liquid drop at the same Reynolds number. Internal tensions that exist in most systems of practical importance are negligible compared to surface tension. Given the fact that the ratio of the viscosity of the liquid and the gas jet spray is significant, we can assume that internal circulation is an important parameter.

The electroluminescent (EL) tapes or foils having barrier films for an additional level of protection against the toughest environments conditions, offer a large area of applications. The EL lights, due to their characteristics, began to be used not only in the entertainment industry, but also for automotive and aerospace applications. In the paper, the investigations regarding EL foils technical performances in relation to their applications as light sources in automotive ambient light were presented. The experiments were designed based on the results of EL foils electrical properties previous investigations done in laboratory conditions, taking into account the range of automotive ambient temperatures for sinusoidal alternative supply voltage. The measurements for different temperatures were done by keeping the EL foils into electronic controlled oven that ensures the dark enclosure offering conditions to use a lux-meter in order to measure and maintain under control light emission intensity. The experiments results define the EL foils characteristics as load in automotive ambient temperatures condition, assuring so the data for optimal design of a dedicated inverter.

The home automation system concept existed for many years but in the last decade, due to the rapid development of sensors and wireless technologies, a large number of various such “intelligent homes” have been developed. The purpose of the present paper is to demonstrate the flexibility, reliability and affordability of home automation projects, based on a simple and affordable implementation. A wireless sensing and control system have been developed and tested, having a number of basic functionalities such as switching on/off the light according to ambient lighting and turning on/off the central heating. The system has been built around low power microcontrollers and ZigBee modems for wireless communication, using a set of Vishay 640 thermistor sensors for temperature measurements and Vishay LDR07 photo-resistor for humidity measurements. A trigger is activated when the temperature or light measurements are above/below a given threshold and a command is transmitted to the central unit through the ZigBee radio module. All the data processing is performed by a low power microcontroller both at the sensing device and at the control unit.

In this paper a brief overview of the major PV technologies is given. The technology used in the production of the photovoltaic cells, the efficiency, and where possible the lifetime of the cells are highlighted. A list of the leading manufacturers of photovoltaic modules for the year 2012 is provided. Modeling of the PV modules is carried out using the four parameter model of the solar cell. A simulation of the model is carried out using Simulink software. The model is validated with the aid of the Kyocera KC85T high efficiency module datasheet. An array is formed from the module by connecting six of the modules in series to give a higher power output. This is one of the most common configurations in roof-mounted, pole-mounted, and ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays. The performance of the model was found to be satisfactory.

Current high-speed circuit designs with signal rates up to 100Gbps and above are implying constraints for dielectric and conductive materials and their dependence of frequency, for component elements and for production processes. The purpose of this paper is to highlight through various simulation results the frequency dependence of specific parameters like insertion and return loss, eye diagrams, group delay that are part of signal integrity analyses type. In low-power environment designs become more complex as the operation frequency increases. The need for new materials with spatial uniformity for dielectric constant is a need for higher data rates circuits. The fiber weave effect (FWE) will be analyzed through the eye diagram results for various dielectric materials in a differential signaling scheme given the fact that the FWE is a phenomenon that affects randomly the performance of the circuit on balanced/differential transmission lines which are typically characterized through the above mentioned approaches. Crosstalk between traces is also of concern due to propagated signals that have tight rise and fall times or due to high density of the boards. Criteria should be considered to achieve maximum performance of the designed system requiring critical electronic properties.

Research and design engineers usually use three sources of information: analytic models, numerical models and experimental studies. Analytic and numerical models are theoretical models which must be calibrated and verified regarding the accuracy of their results using the data acquired from experimental studies. If these models are deeply integrated from the beginning, the overview result is a hybrid model. From this standpoint, the paper presents the underlying concepts and studies employed to create a hybrid model of a weighting device. The paper presents the analytic background of the problem to be solved, the numerical model and the dimensioning of the experimental device. The study is still in progress, the following stages being the manufacturing of the device and calibration of the weighting platform.

Optical methods in experimental mechanics are important because their results are accurate and they may be used for both full field interpretation and analysis of the local rapid variation of the stresses produced by the stress concentrators. Researchers conceived several graphical, analytical and numerical methods for the experimental data reduction. The paper presents an original computer method employed to compute the analytic functions of the isostatics, using the pattern of isoclinics of a photoelastic model or coating. The resulting software instrument may be included in hybrid models consisting of analytical, numerical and experimental studies. The computer-based integration of the results of these studies offers a higher level of understanding of the phenomena. A thorough examination of the sources of inaccuracy of this computer based numerical method was done and the conclusions were tested using the original computer code which implements the algorithm.

We propose an optical correlation algorithm for reconstructing the phase skeleton of complex optical fields from the measured two-dimensional intensity distribution. The essence of the algorithm consists in location of the saddle points of the intensity distribution and connecting such points into nets by the lines of intensity gradient that are closely associated with the equi-phase lines of the field. This algorithm provides a new partial solution to the inverse problem in optics commonly referred to as the phase problem.

The microvalves with balls as seen before are used in many applications and their behaviour in terms of fluid dynamics mainly at their opening time (when as demonstrated the ball is bouncing up and down altering the flow parameters) is of a paramount importance. The present study is focused on a micro check ball valve circulating a fluid air-like (with the same constant proprieties). The CFD model is taking into account a transitory zone of functioning from zero time when the pressure inside a “tank” is reaching the opening pressure of the valve, to the final step 0.05 seconds when the ball is stabilizing after bouncing up and down. The geometry of the valve with dimensions in μm is given below (the model is comprising a “slice” of 5 μm thickness extracted from the entire valve. In this paper by using advanced numeric techniques, the behavior of the valve in its transitory opening stage was studied with credible and useful results for further optimisation studies.

In the microfluid control system, a valve-less micropump is a necessary component. It has the ability to pump a wide variety of fluids automatically and accurately on a micro scale. The dynamic characteristics of a valve-less micropump influence the performance of the microfluid control system. Consequently, it is of great importance to be able to accurately predict the dynamic characteristics of micropumps for appropriate design and usage of the microfluid control system. In this paper, we describe a corrugated diaphragm valveless micropump approached from the Computational Fluid Dynamics point of view in which the Fluid Structure Interaction is based on the Two Way principle, meaning that the diaphragm is moving and the fluid (water like fluid) is sucked from the inlet and pushed back to the outlet using the nozzle effect. The technical solution of micropumps without valves is a very clever idea to replace the custom valves with nozzles, with the same effect but virtually without any components beside the inlet and the outlet nozzles. The paperwork is demonstrating via a complex simulation involving the structural-fluid interaction the nozzle effects and the functioning of this kind of micropumps.

In this paper it is offered the simplest microscopic model for the description of the nanocomposite material, which is found under action of external electromagnetic (electric) field. At that, the trimer nanocluster embedded in the weakly structured non-dissipative matrix (for example, the polymeric, organic or amorphous types) is modeled as three- center molecular complex with one "excess" tunneling electron and all its centers are considered together with account of theirs ligand environment. The proposed model description is suitable to the trimer nanoclusters of bridge type, and to the nanotrimers such type in which the ions of 3d-metals and theirs oxides have the various oxidation degrees, and also to other three-center molecular complexes of similar types. For posed problem a description of external and internal factors and analysis of their interconnections are performed. Herewith, the given model is also characterized by fact that in addition to the explicit connections of its basic factors they, furthermore, are implicitly interconnected. Then, the mathematical model is formulated so that to contain an optimal number of model parameters for a detailed description of considered factors and its interconnections. In the result of numerical simulation can to identify the electron localization regimes in the trimer nanocluster and the values of controlling model parameters responsible for switching between the obtained regimes.

In micromechanical structures, electrothermal actuators are known to be capable of providing larger force and reasonable tip deflection compared to electrostatic ones. Many studies have been devoted to the analysis of the flexure actuators. One of the most popular electrothermal actuators is called ‘U-shaped’ actuator. The device is composed of two suspended beams with variable cross sections joined at the free end, which constrains the tip to move in an arcing motion while current is passed through the actuator. The goal of this research is to determine via FEA the best fitted geometry of the microactuator (optimization input parameters) in order to render some of the of the output parameters such as thermal strain or total deformations to their maximum values. The software to generate the CAD geometry was SolidWorks 2010 and all the FEA analysis was conducted with Ansys 13 TM. The optimized model has smaller geometric values of the input parameters that is a more compact geometry; The maximum temperature reached a smaller value for the optimized model; The calculated heat flux is with 13% bigger for the optimized model; the same for Joule Heat (26%), Total deformation (1.2%) and Thermal Strain (8%). By simple optimizing the design the dimensions and the performance of the micro actuator resulted more compact and more efficient.

Micro-fabricated diaphragms can be used to provide pumping action in microvalve and microfluidic applications. The functionality of the microdiaphragm in a wirelessly actuated micropump plays a major role in low–powered device actuation. In developing micropumps and their components, it is becoming an increasing trend to predict the performance before the prototype is fabricated. Because performance prediction allows for an accurate estimation of yield and lifetime, in addition to developing better understanding of the device while taking into account the details of the device structure and second order effects. Hence avoid potential pitfalls in the device operation in a practical environment. The goal of this research is to determine via FEA the life expectancy for a corrugated circular diaphragm made out of an aluminum alloy. The geometry of the diaphragm is given below being generated within SolidWorks 2010, all the calculations were made using Ansys 13TM . The sound design of a micropump is heavily depending on the lifetime expectancy of the working part of the device which is the diaphragm. This will be subjected on cyclic loading and the fatigue will limit the life of this part. Once the diaphragm is breaking, the micropump is no more able to fulfill its scope. Any micropump manufacturer will then be very concerned on the life expectancy from the fatigue point of view of the diaphragms. The diaphragm circular and corrugated and made of Al alloy, showed a very good behavior from the fatigue point of view, the maximum life expectancy being 1.9 years of continuous functioning with 100 cycles per second. This work showed an simple and forward application of FEA analysis methods in order to estimate the fatigue behavior of corrugated circular microdiaphragms.

In this paper we present several numerical simulations of the surface plasmon resonance for Kretschmann type configuration in a metal-chalcogenide waveguide. We assume that the chalcogenide (GaLaS) waveguide layer have finite thickness, whereas the gold film layer and the air cover layer are semi-infinite layers (from an optical point of view). We determined the thickness of the chalcogenide film for which plasmonic resonant coupling of the incident radiation to the waveguide occurs. We calculated the propagation constant for the TE- and TM- modes (both for visible and IR domain), the attenuation coefficient and the electromagnetic field distribution within the waveguide. The obtained results provide the conditions for design an optical memory device 2D based on light-light interaction in plasmonic configuration.

Considerable resources have been used since the humans got interested to discover the world around. Any discovery and science advance was taken tremendously amount of time, money, sometimes lives. All of these define the cost of a discovery, developing process. Getting back to electronics, this field faced in the last 20-30 years, a big boom in terms of technologies and opportunities. Thousands of equipment were developed and placed on the market. The big difference between various competitors is made at the moment by that we call the time to market. A mobile, for instance, has a time to market of around 6 months and the tendency is to have it smaller than that. That means between the concept and the first model sale, no more than 6 months should be passing. That is why new approaches are needed. The one extensively used now is the simulation. We call the simulation virtual prototyping. The virtual prototyping takes into account more than the components only. It takes into account some other project parameters that would affect the final product. Certified tools can handle such analysis. In our paper we present the case of HyperLynx, a concept developed by Mentor Graphics Company, assisting the hardware designer throughout the designing process, from thermal point of view. A test case board was analyzed at the pre-layout stage and the results presented.

In a shallow underwater acoustic channel the delayed replicas of a transmitted signal are mainly due to the interactions with the sea surface and the bottom layer. If a specific underwater region on the globe is considered, for which the sedimentary layer structure is constant across the transmission distance, then the variability of the amplitude-delay profile is determined by daily and seasonal changes of the sound speed profile (SSP) and by weather changes, such as variations of the wind speed. Such a parameter will influence the attenuation at the surface, the noise level and the profile of the sea surface. The temporal variation of the impulse response in a shallow underwater acoustic channel determines the variability of the optimal transmission frequency. If the ways in which the optimal frequency changes can be predicted, then an adaptive analog transceiver can be easily designed for an underwater acoustic modem or it can be found when a communication link has high throughput. In this article it will be highlighted the way in which the amplitude-delay profile is affected by the sound speed profile, wind speed and channel depth and also will be emphasized the changes of the optimal transmission frequency in a configuration, where the transmitter and receiver are placed on the seafloor and the bathymetry profile will be considered flat, having a given composition.

The objective of this study is to provide an overview of basic technical elements and security risks of RFID communication systems and to analyze the possible threats arising from the use of RFID systems. A number of measurements are performed on a communication system including RFID transponder and the tag reader, and it has been determined that the uplink signal level is 62 dB larger than the average value of the noise at the distance of 1m from the tag, therefore the shielding effectiveness has to exceed this threshold. Next, the card has been covered with several shielding materials and measurements were carried, under similar conditions to test the recovery of compromising signals. A very simple protection measure to prevent unauthorized reading of the data stored on the card has been proposed, and some electromagnetic shielding materials have been proposed and tested.

The paper focuses on modelling and simulation of energy consumption of an autonomous embedded system with a solar cell as energy source. Mathematical models for energy consumption/generation for solar cell, microcontroller and its peripherals are elaborated, tested and coupled together for complete system simulations that allow system configuration and optimization for specific cases.

In this paper we describe the route of the nanoparticles in the WWTP and demonstrate how to use the simulation flow sensitivity analysis within STOAT^TM program to evaluate the effect of variation of the constant, “k” in the equation v= kC^h settling on fixed concentration of nanoparticles in sewage water from a primary tank of physical-biological stage. Wastewater treatment facilities are designed to remove conventional pollutants from sanitary waste. Major processes of treatment includes: a) physical treatment-remove suspended large solids by settling or sedimentation and eliminate floating greases; b) biological treatment-degradation or consumption of the dissolved organic matter using the means of cultivated in activated sludge or the trickling filters; c) chemical treatment-remove other matters by the means of chemical addition or destroying pathogenic organisms through disinfection; d) advanced treatment- removing specific constituents using processes such as activated carbon, membrane separation, or ion exchange. Particular treatment processes are: a) sedimentation; b) coagulation and flocculation; c) activated sludge; d) sand filters; e) membrane separation; f) disinfection. Methods are: 1) using the STOAT^TM program with input and output data for primary tank and parameters of wastewater. 2) generating a data file for influent using a sinusoidal model and we accepted defaults STOAT^TM data. 3) After this, getting spreadsheet data for various characteristics of wastewater for 48 hours:flow, temperature, pH, volatile fatty acids, soluble BOD, COD inert soluble particulate BOD, COD inert particles, volatile solids, volatile solids, ammonia, nitrate and soluble organic nitrogen. Findings and Results:1.Graphics after 48 hour;. 2.Graphics for parameters - flow,temperature, pH/units hours; 3.Graphics of nanoparticles; 4. Graphics of others volatile and non-volatile solids; 5. Timeseries data and summary statistics. Biodegradation of nanoparticles is the breakdown of organic molecules that may cause changes in the physical structure or the surface characteristic of the material.

Carbon represents the fourth most abundant chemical element in the world, having two stable and one radioactive isotope. The ¹³ Carbon isotopes, with a natural abundance of 1.1%, plays an important role in numerous applications, such as the study of human metabolism changes, molecular structure studies, non-invasive respiratory tests, Alzheimer tests, air pollution and global warming effects on plants [2]. Distributed systems are increasingly being applied in critical real-time applications and their complexity forces programmers to use design methods which guarantee correctness and increase the maintainability of the products. Objectoriented methodologies are widely used to cope with complexity in any kind of system, but most of them lack a formal foundation to allow the analysis and verification of designs, which is one of the main requirements for dealing with concurrent and reactive systems. This research is intended to make an analogy between two tips of industrial processes, one ¹³C Isotope Separation Column and other one distributed systems. We try to highlight detection of „mission critical “situations for this two processes and show with one is more critical and needs deeply supervisyon [1], [3].

In this paper there are presented investigations regarding power IR LED efficiency in relation to operating temperature in order to define the reference values and conditions for using such devices for realizing long range proximity sensors, especially for applications in the automotive domain. The previous experiments done regarding the power LED used for infrared sources emphasize the optical power dependency to temperature. The new experiments were designed for measuring optical power and temperatures of LED heat sink and case, respectively of star and square type circuit boards (thermally conductive insulated metal substrate - IMS), at different points in the same time, for different values of LED driving current and various ambient temperatures, in order to make a correlation between LED efficiency and temperature. The results obtained and presented in this paper will be used further as references for designing an anticollision warning system with applications into automotive domain. Keywords: Power

The paper is concerned with the experimental study of the time evolution of a single laminar vortex ring generated at the interface between water and dimethyl carbinol. The experiments were performed by the submerged injection with a constant rate of dimethyl carbinol (isopropyl alcohol) in a water tank. The dynamics of the vortex formation was recorded at 1000 fps with a Photron Fastcam SA1 camera, equipped with a microscopic Edmund Optics objective. A symmetrical buoyant vortex ring with an elongated topology was observed at the interface between the two immiscible liquids. The analyses of the time dependence of the vortex rings disclosed three regions for the evolution of the interface: one dominated by inertia force, a transition region and a third region, dominated by buoyancy force.

The current paper describes an optoelectronic method for direct monitoring of the axial clamping forces both in static and in dynamic duty. As advantages of this method we can state that it can be applied both to new and refurbished transformers without performing constructive changes or affecting in any way the transformer safety in operation. For monitoring the axial clamping forces for high-voltage (HV) power transformers, we use an optical fiber that we integrate into the laser cavity of a passively mode-locked fiber laser (PMFL). To each axial clamp corresponds a solitonic optical spectrum that is changed at the periodical passing of the fundamental soliton pulse through the sensitive fiber inside the transformer. Moreover, as a specific characteristic, the laser stability is unique for each set of axial clamping forces. Other important advantages of using an optical fiber as compared to the classical approach in which electronic sensors are used consist in the good reliability and insulator properties of the optical fiber, avoiding any risk of fire or damage of the transformer.

The recently introduced photothermoelectric (PTE) effect is proposed for investigating the dynamic thermal parameters of condensed matter samples. The front detection configuration, together with the thermal-wave resonator cavity (TWRC) method as scanning procedure, was used to measure the value of thermal effusivity. The back configuration, together with the TWRC technique and/or the chopping frequency of the incident radiation as scanning parameter, leads to the direct measurement of thermal diffusivity. Recent applications to solid (materials with different values of thermal parameters) and liquid (nanofluids) samples are summarized. The ferro-paraelectric phase transition of triglycine-sulphate (TGS) was also detected. The performances of the PTE method have been compared with those of the photopyroelectric (PPE) technique.

A spectral image processing algorithm which converts colorchecker spectral image into RGB color space, using as input data the spectrums of a set of amber filters, is presented. The amber filters have gradual transmittance allowing the algorithm to generate images which have gradual amber color hue. Reflective color measurements of a specific area of the image can be carried out and analyzed, making possible to identify the type of filter which was used to color that area by using the white color as reference. The simulations are made using an algorithm which converts the spectral image into LAB color space, RGB color space and finally reconstruct the spectrums of the initial amber filters.

A software that comparatively analysis the spectral functionality of the optical part of the human eye and of the optical image acquisition system of the digital camera, is presented. Comparisons are done using demonstrative images which present the spectral color transformations of an image that is considered the test object. To perform the simulations are presented the spectral models and are computed their effects on the colors of the spectral image, during the propagation of the D48 sun light through the eye and the optics of the digital camera. The simulations are made using a spectral image processing algorithm which converts the spectral image into XYZ color space, CIE CAM02 color appearance model and then into RGB color space.

Of three-phase alternating current electric machines, it brings into question which of them is more advantageous to be used in electrical energy storage system by pumping water. The two major categories among which are given dispute are synchronous and the asynchronous machine. To consider the synchronous machine with permanent magnet configuration because it brings advantages compared with conventional synchronous machine, first by removing the necessary additional excitation winding. From the point of view of loss of the two types of machines, the optimal adjustment of the magnetic flux density is obtained to minimize the copper loss by hysteresis and eddy currents.

In this paper, we propose an approach of optimization of meander line antennas by using genetic algorithm. Such antennas are used in RFID applications. As opposed to other approaches for meander antennas, we propose the use of only two optimization objectives, i.e. gain and size. As an example, we have optimized a single meander dipole antenna, resonating at 869 MHz.

In this paper we propose the use of frequency selective surfaces based on meander line radiators, as targets for monitoring slow displacements with synthetic aperture radars. The optimization of the radiators is performed by using genetic algorithms on only two parameters i.e., gain and size. As an example, we have optimized a single meander antenna, resonating in the X-band, at 9.65 GHz.

This paper proposes a novel UWB antenna system for spark detection and localization by using the amplitude comparison direction finding (DF) method. The proposed design consists of two identical axially crossed "padlock” shaped UWB antennas, with unbalanced feeding. Simulation results show that such radiating systems can be used for assessing the direction of arrival for short pulses.

Applications of direction finding techniques include detection and localization of pulsed electromagnetic sources. This paper presents the design and analysis of a planar antenna system for direction finding. Our proposed system includes 4 hybrid couplers that generate 90⁰ shifted signals, 2 crossover couplers also known as 0dB couplers, two 450 phase shifters, two 0⁰ phase shifters and 4 patch antennas.

This paper presents the structure and analysis of a space diversity antenna system designed for indoor applications. The proposed antenna system consists of two meander monopole antennas with a 0.7 mm wide connection and a 85x35 mm ground plane, conceived and optimized to reduce the mutual coupling between the two radiating elements. We used a simplified deterministic model, based on geometric optics, consisting of two reflecting perpendicular walls, in order to assess the performance of our radiating system in a multipath environment.

This paper presents an application of antenna arrays and MUSIC algorithm for estimating the location of an electric arc source. The proposed technique can be used to localize arc faults in photovoltaic arrays and their associated transformation stations. The technique was implemented and tested in the laboratory. For this purpose, an experimental setup consisting of 4 antennas, a digital storage oscilloscope with computer connectivity and a PC (Personal Computer) for data processing was built. The results proved that the proposed method is able to estimate the direction of the electric arc source with reasonable accuracy.

In this paper we present a type of antipodal Vivaldi antenna design, which can be used for pulse radiation in UWB communication. The Vivaldi antenna is a special tapered slot antenna with planar structure which is easily to be integrated with transmitting elements and receiving elements to form a compact structure. When the permittivity is very large, the wavelength of slot mode is so short that the electromagnetic fields concentrate in the slot to form an effective and balanced transmission line. Due to its simple structure and small size the Vivaldi antennas are one of the most popular designs used in UWB applications. However, for a two-antenna radar system, there is a high mutual coupling between two such antennas due to open configuration. In this paper, we propose a new method for reducing this effect. The method was validated by simulating a system of two Vivaldi antennas in front of a standard target.

In this paper we propose a new configuration for an inertial navigation system (INS), type strap down, designed to be used onboard a ship. The system consists of an inertial navigation unit (IMU), using a 9-axis inertial sensor and pressure and temperature sensors, a GPS module, various interfaces for optimal communication and command, a microcontroller for data processing and computing and a power supply.

The idea of having flexible, very thin, light, low power and even low cost display devices implemented using new materials and technologies is very exciting. Nowadays we can talk about more than just concepts, such devices exist, and they are part of an emerging concept: FOLAE (Flexible Organic and Large Area Electronics). Among the advantages of electrochromic devices are the low power consumption (they are non-emissive, i.e. passive) and the aspect like ink on paper with good viewing angle. Some studies are still necessary for further development, before proper performances are met and the functional behavior can be predicted. This paper presents the results of the research activity conducted to develop electric characterization platform for the organic electronics display devices, especially electrochromic displays, to permit a thorough study. The hardware part of platform permits the measuring of different electric and optical parameters. Charging/discharging a display element presents high interest for optimal driving circuitry. In this sense, the corresponding waveforms are presented. The contrast of the display is also measured for different operation conditions as driving voltage levels and duration. The effect of temperature on electrical and optical parameters (contrast) of the display will be also presented.

The novelty of this work relies on the application of an open source research software toolkit (CMU Sphinx) to train, build and evaluate a speech recognition system, with speaker-independent support, for voice-controlled hardware applications. Moreover, we propose to use the trained acoustic model to successfully decode offline voice commands on embedded hardware, such as an ARMv6 low-cost SoC, Raspberry PI. This type of single-board computer, mainly used for educational and research activities, can serve as a proof-of-concept software and hardware stack for low cost voice automation systems.

Due to its better performance, high fiability and large power capability, balanced amplifier is one of the most popular designs used in narrow band applications. However, with a balanced amplifier in class A operation, the band-pass is still narrow with classical coupler [1]. In this paper, we propose a new method for widen the band-pass and linearity of the amplifier, by using two Lange couplers and by adding two drivers, so that small signal could be amplified [2], [3], [4], [5]. The proposed amplifier works in the 0.9 – 2.4 GHz band, with good performances. We also propose an A class X-band amplifier, with Wilkinson power divider used as a combiner and divider. The amplifier will operate at 9,5 GHz with Continuous Wave (C.W). The two methods were validated by simulating the balanced amplifier with Lange coupler and the balanced amplifier with Wilkinson power divider, in class A operation.