Hybrid computer Monte-Carlo techniques

Hybrid analog-digital computer systems for Monte Carlo method application

Multiplexed Photometry And Fluorimetry Using Multiple Frequency Channels

ABSTRACT MULTIPLEXED PHOTOMETRY AND FLUORIMETRY USING MULTIPLE FREQUENCY CHANNELS by KHALED M. DADESH August 2013 Advisor: Dr. Amar Basu Major: Electrical Engineering Degree: Doctor of Philosophy Multispectral photometry and fluorimetry are useful for quantifying and distinguishing samples during flow injection analysis, flow cytometry, and ratiometric absorbance measurement. However, multispectral detectors, including spectrometers, typically require arrayed or multiple light detectors, optical components, and path alignments, all of which increases the size and cost of the detection system. Several previous efforts have attempted the use of time division multiplexing or frequency division multiplexing (FDM) techniques to minimize both size and cost of multispectral photometry equipment by using only a single light detector. Although many of these designs achieved low cost, they generally operated at \u3c50 KHz, which limited the detection speed of the overall system. An alternative frequency multiplexing design operated at 3MHz; however, it required electro optical modulators [50], which are too expensive and bulky for portable applications. In contrast to both approaches, the objective of this research is to use frequency division multiplexing to perform multispectral photometry and fluorimetry while achieving both low cost and high frequency operation (up to 100 MHz). The multiplexing is performed electronically using low cost optoelectronic sources, a single light detector, and a single high-throughput interrogation window. It enables us to perform multi-parameter biological analysis at lower costs and less complexity. Multiple monochromatic light sources, each with a unique wavelength, are electronically modulated at distinct frequencies, and their combined light emission is directed to the sample detection cell. The light transmitted by the sample (absorbance mode) or emitted by the sample (fluorescence mode) is directed to a single light detector. The received light is then converted to a voltage signal and demodulated into the frequency channels using phase-sensitive electronics. Each recovered channel therefore provides either absorbance or fluorescence at its respective optical wavelength. The system is designed to operate at high speed in order to be used in high throughput detectors such as flow cytometers. As a proof of concept, we apply the FDM technique in two detection systems: 1) a three-color absorbance photometry detector and 2) a two-color laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detector. In the first system, three LEDs are operated with 150 KHz, 200 KHz, and 250 KHz modulation frequencies, and the system achieves a 1 ms measurement time constant at an overall component cost \u3c$10. We perform absorbance photometry of four different organic dyes in flow injected solutions and in discrete droplet microreactors with throughputs in the 10\u27s of samples per second. In both cases, the system is able to simultaneously discriminate between them [13]. In the LIF system, first two laser diodes operated at 1 KHz and 1.5 KHz, respectively, are used to excite fluorophores at the respective frequencies. This system is able to distinguish low speed (1 drop/sec) water-in-oil droplets containing fluorescein or rhodamine-6G generated in a microfluidic junction. Second two laser diodes operated at 25MHz and 40 MHz, respectively, are controlled using a developed high frequency FDM system to excite Fluorescein and Alexa 680 dyes at the respective frequencies. Because of the high frequency operation, this system is able to distinguish alternating high speed (300 drops/sec) droplets containing the two fluorescent dyes. In both case, the developed In previous experiments we use an inverted fluorescence microscope with a specific optical cube to excite dyes and collect fluorescence signals. These two FDM-LIF systems identify the different fluorophores based on their excitation frequency rather than their emission band, giving it a unique ability to distinguish fluorophores with overlapping emission spectra. However, overlapping excitation spectra is a problem in the FDM-LIF system, and any assay has to be prepared using fluorophores with minimal excitation overlap. Therefore, fluorophores with sharp excitation lines such as lanthanide ions are the best candidate material in use with FDM-LIF system. The system uses high frequency (100 MHz) modulation which enables multiplexed time constants on the order of 1 µs. Achieving this high bandwidth allow us to apply the system towards high throughput analysis such as cell cytometry, where it could substantially reduce cost and size of the system. Therefore, the FDM-LIF system is installed in an old BD bioscience cytometer, which is available in the cell cytometry laboratory in Karmanos Cancer Research Center (KCRC) located at Detroit Medical Center (DMC). A biological assay containing Alexa Fluor® 680 Goat Anti-Mouse IgG (H+L) and Alexa Fluor® 430 Goat Anti-Mouse IgG (H+L) with BDTM CompBead Anti-mouse Ig, κ beads is tested using the FDM-LIF system. The system is capable to count the two different antigens simultaneously, which gives the possibility of incorporating this system in cytometers. This technology promises to reduce cost and complexity of future cytometers

High Temperature Silicon Carbide Mixed-signal Circuits for Integrated Control and Data Acquisition

Wide bandgap semiconductor materials such as gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide have grown in popularity as a substrate for power devices for high temperature and high voltage applications over the last two decades. Recent research has been focused on the design of integrated circuits for protection and control in these wide bandgap materials. The ICs developed in SiC and GaN can not only complement the power devices in high voltage and high frequency applications, but can also be used for standalone high temperature control and data acquisition circuitry. This dissertation work aims to explore the possibilities in high temperature and wide bandgap circuit design by developing a host of mixed-signal circuits that can be used for control and data acquisition. These include a family of current-mode signal processing circuits, general purpose amplifiers and comparators, and 8-bit data converters. The signal processing circuits along with amplifiers and comparators are then used to develop an integrated mixed-signal controller for a DC-DC flyback converter in a microinverter application. The 8-bit SAR ADC and the 8-bit R-2R ladder DAC open up the possibility of a remote data acquisition and control system in high temperature environments. The circuits and systems presented here offer a gateway to great opportunities in high temperature and power electronics ICs in SiC

Advanced Syncom, volume 1 Summary report

Synchronous communications satellite configuration, instrumentation, handling and test equipment, and systems desig

The Investigation and Implementation of electrical Impedance Tomography Hardware System

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a medical imaging technology that provides a tomographic representation of the distribution of electrical impedance within the body. As the electrical impedance varies for different body tissues, it is possible to characterize tissues from the images and to detect physiological events. EIT systems have been developed from applying a single signal frequency to a range of frequencies. Imaging at multiple frequencies significantly improves the ability to characterize and differentiate heterogeneity within the region of interest. Applications of EIT are limited by its poor resolution as a consequence of limited number of electrodes and lack of independently published measurements. In a practical EIT system design the parallel structure is normally adopted as it provides a real time monitoring structure. However, there is a difficulty in expanding to a 2-dimensitional or 3-dimensitional high resolution imaging system, as the number of electrodes increase. In this thesis, a serial structure spectrum EIT system has been investigated and developed. Modelling of the electrical circuit has shown that the system bandwidth is degraded primarily by the signal transmission in the coaxial cable and multiplexer. To remove the capacitive effect of these components, a distribute system concept has been developed. The concept uses active electrodes in which a current source and a front end amplifier are embedded in the electrode which makes direct contact with the tissue being measured. The active electrode is based on the Howland current source. The required high output impedance of Howland current source can be realised by matching the two resistor arms. However, from the electrical equivalent circuit analysis the actual output impedance of this circuit was found to be degraded by the op-amp' s limited open loop gain, especially at higher frequencies. To solve the problem, the author describes in detail a novel method of compensating for the above effects. Subsequent circuit tests showed significant improvement after the compensation. Further, to improve the small signal noise ratio a programmable gain amplifier to adapt the frame data measurement was developed. These developments have led to the feasibility of active electrodes. The thesis describes in detail the development, of the MK2 EIT system which is presented as the output of this research

A delta–sigma-modulated speed control system for induction motors

The electronic control techniques used in static frequency changers differ considerably, depending on the type of system considered and the particular specifications and requirements. Mark-space ratio control and pulse-width modulation are among techniques already well-established for use with induction motors to provide a variable-speed a.c. drive. The project is concerned with the applicability of delta-sigma modulation as the basis of a novel method of electronic speed control. The techniques involved are well-known in communication systems, where they are extensively used in the transmission of speech signals. With a sine wave at the input, a delta–sigma modulator produces an output quantised in both voltage and frequency, which enables power control to be achieved from a fixed d.c. supply using only a single power controller. [Continues.

Laser/optics techniques Interim summary report

Laboratory prototype laser telescope package for deep space communication

Power factor-corrected transformerless three-phase PWM converter for UPS applications

This thesis describes the research of a new transformerless three phase PWM converter for uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) applications. The removal of the bulky three phase transformer in larger power UPS can provide a significant saving in weight and cost of the overall system. The converter consists of a new four-wire rectifier coupled with a four-wire inverter via a dc bus. The supply and load neutral may be connected together without any neutral current flowing into the utility regardless of the load on the inverter. This allows the load to be at the same potential as the utility. The rectifier, inverter and complete UPS and control system are described in detail and simulation results are used extensively to back up the theory. An experimental prototype of the four-wire rectifier provides further confirmation of the principles. A further proposal to digitize the system is given. This would reduce the size of the required control circuit and simplify the hardware requirements

Operation, maintenance and data, Apollo docking test device, AMF part no. 359-60001 Technical manual

Operation and maintenance manual for test device for simulation of Apollo mission docking maneuver