Wireless body area network revisited

Rapid growth of wireless body area networks (WBANs) technology allowed the fast and secured acquisition as well as exchange of vast amount of data information in diversified fields. WBANs intend to simplify and improve the speed, accuracy, and reliability of communica-tions from sensors (interior motors) placed on and/or close to the human body, reducing the healthcare cost remarkably. However, the secu-rity of sensitive data transfer using WBANs and subsequent protection from adversaries attack is a major issue. Depending on the types of applications, small and high sensitive sensors having several nodes obtained from invasive/non-invasive micro- and nano- technology can be installed on the human body to capture useful information. Lately, the use of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and integrated circuits in wireless communications (WCs) became widespread because of their low-power operation, intelligence, accuracy, and miniaturi-zation. IEEE 802.15.6 and 802.15.4j standards have already been set to specifically regulate the medical networks and WBANs. In this view, present communication provides an all-inclusive overview of the past development, recent progress, challenges and future trends of security technology related to WBANs

AN ION SELECTIVE MICROGRIPPER SENSOR DEVICE

This thesis presents the design, fabrication, characterisation and testing of a chemically modified electrothermally actuated microgripper. The chemical modification involves the integration of a potentiometric ion selective electrode (ISE) onto a bare electrode fabricated within the tip of the microgripper. This microgripper sensor device is intended for use in the application of detecting, in real time, the movement of key ions that are involved in intercellular communication from a mechanically stressed cell. An optimised fabrication route for the specifically designed microgrippers, which have tip dimensions of 10 – 60 µm, is described in detail. The fabrication route delivers a high yield (95%) of operational unmodified devices. An 1800 ± 20 µm2 bare gold electrode that is fabricated at the tip of the microgripper is modified into an all solid state ISE that uses PEDOT as the ion-to-electron solid contact. Suitable ionophores that selectively detect K+, Na+ and Ca2+ are used to fabricate potassium, sodium and calcium ion selective microgripper sensor devices. The quality control and testing characteristics that follow the guidelines defined by IUPAC are performed to ascertain the sensitivity, selectivity and stability of the microgripper sensor devices. Good selectivity is achieved, with limits of detection of 2.4 x 10-4 M, 1.8 x 10-4 M and 2.0 x 10-5 M for the K+, Na+ and Ca2+ devices respectively. Proof of concept experiments of the real life testing of the K+ ISE device used to mechanically stress mouse oocytes gave preliminary measurements that indicate that stress signalling occurs via a switch on mechanism, and that there is a small increase in K+ concentration as applied stress increases. Due to the high systematic error within the calibration process the magnitude of this concentration increase is unknown. The Na+ and Ca2+ ISE devices suffer from interference and sensitivity restrictions respectively so a signal response vs. applied cell stress relationship of these ions is currently unobtainable

Aspects on Fundaments and Applications of Conducting Polymers

Since the establishment of the conductive properties of intrinsic conductive polymers, a huge variety of basic and applied research has been carried out, involving different polymers, copolymers, blends, mixtures and composites. Thus, fundamental understanding of physical and chemical properties of these materials has been sought, while the applied aspects have advanced very rapidly, crossing the boundaries between disciplines. Today, the applications of conducting polymers in various fields such as neuroscience, nanotechnology and green chemistry, are easily found. This development is dynamic and it needs to be updated and hence the motivation for the set of results presented in this book; which provides information about the development of fundamentals, and about some applications of conductive polymers

Microelectromechanical Systems and Devices

The advances of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and devices have been instrumental in the demonstration of new devices and applications, and even in the creation of new fields of research and development: bioMEMS, actuators, microfluidic devices, RF and optical MEMS. Experience indicates a need for MEMS book covering these materials as well as the most important process steps in bulk micro-machining and modeling. We are very pleased to present this book that contains 18 chapters, written by the experts in the field of MEMS. These chapters are groups into four broad sections of BioMEMS Devices, MEMS characterization and micromachining, RF and Optical MEMS, and MEMS based Actuators. The book starts with the emerging field of bioMEMS, including MEMS coil for retinal prostheses, DNA extraction by micro/bio-fluidics devices and acoustic biosensors. MEMS characterization, micromachining, macromodels, RF and Optical MEMS switches are discussed in next sections. The book concludes with the emphasis on MEMS based actuators

Air Force Institute of Technology Research Report 2006

This report summarizes the research activities of the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management. It describes research interests and faculty expertise; lists student theses/dissertations; identifies research sponsors and contributions; and outlines the procedures for contacting the school. Included in the report are: faculty publications, conference presentations, consultations, and funded research projects. Research was conducted in the areas of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Electro-Optics, Computer Engineering and Computer Science, Systems and Engineering Management, Operational Sciences, Mathematics, Statistics and Engineering Physics

The Boston University Photonics Center annual report 2012-2013

This repository item contains an annual report that summarizes activities of the Boston University Photonics Center in the 2012-2013 academic year. The report provides quantitative and descriptive information regarding photonics programs in education, interdisciplinary research, business innovation, and technology development. The Boston University Photonics Center (BUPC) is an interdisciplinary hub for education, research, scholarship, innovation, and technology development associated with practical uses of light.This report summarizes activities of the Boston University Photonics Center during the period July 2012 through June 2013. These activities span the Center’s complementary missions in education, research, technology development, and commercialization. The Photonics Center continues to grow as an international leader in photonics research, while executing the Center’s strategic plan and serving as a university-wide resource for several affiliate Centers. For more information about the strategic plan, read the Photonics Center Strategic Plan section on page 10. In research, Photonics Center faculty published nearly 150 journal papers spanning the field of photonics. A number of awards for outstanding achievement in education and research were presented to Photonics Center faculty members, including a Peter Paul Professorship for Professor Xue Han, an NSF Career Award for Professor Ajay Joshi, and the 2012 Innovator of the Year Award from Boston University for Professor Theodore Moustakas. New external grant funding for the 2012- 2013 fiscal year totaled over $21.8M. For more information on our research activities, read the Research section on page 24. In technology development, the Photonics Center has turned a chapter, by completing the transition from a focus on Defense/ Security applications to a focus on the healthcare market sector. The commercial sector is expected to energize the technology development efforts for the foreseeable future, but the roots in defense/security are still important and the Center will continue to pursue new research grants in this area. For more information on our technology development program and on specific projects, read the Technology Development section on page 45. In education, 20 Photonics Center graduate students received Ph.D. diplomas. Photonics Center faculty taught 32 photonics courses. The Center supported a Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) site in Biophotonic Sensors and Systems for 10 middle school and high school teachers. The Photonics Center sponsored the Herbert J. Berman “Future of Light” Prize at the University’s Scholars Day. For more on our education programs, read the Education section on page 54. In commercialization, Boston University’s Business Innovation Center (BIC) currently hosts seven technology start-up companies. There is a healthy turnover in the Innovation Center space with a total of 19 companies residing at BIC over the past year. The mix of companies includes: life sciences, biotechnology, medical devices, photonics, and clean energy; and nine of the 19 companies originated from within BU. All the BIC tenants are engaged in the commercialization of new technologies of importance to society and all are active in the BU community in terms of offering internships, employment opportunities or research collaborations. For more information about Business Innovation Center activities, read the Business Innovation Center chapter in the Facilities and Equipment section on page 66

Bridges Structural Health Monitoring and Deterioration Detection Synthesis of Knowledge and Technology

INE/AUTC 10.0

The Boston University Photonics Center annual report 2012-2013

This repository item contains an annual report that summarizes activities of the Boston University Photonics Center in the 2012-2013 academic year. The report provides quantitative and descriptive information regarding photonics programs in education, interdisciplinary research, business innovation, and technology development. The Boston University Photonics Center (BUPC) is an interdisciplinary hub for education, research, scholarship, innovation, and technology development associated with practical uses of light.This report summarizes activities of the Boston University Photonics Center during the period July 2012 through June 2013. These activities span the Center’s complementary missions in education, research, technology development, and commercialization. The Photonics Center continues to grow as an international leader in photonics research, while executing the Center’s strategic plan and serving as a university-wide resource for several affiliate Centers. For more information about the strategic plan, read the Photonics Center Strategic Plan section on page 10. In research, Photonics Center faculty published nearly 150 journal papers spanning the field of photonics. A number of awards for outstanding achievement in education and research were presented to Photonics Center faculty members, including a Peter Paul Professorship for Professor Xue Han, an NSF Career Award for Professor Ajay Joshi, and the 2012 Innovator of the Year Award from Boston University for Professor Theodore Moustakas. New external grant funding for the 2012- 2013 fiscal year totaled over $21.8M. For more information on our research activities, read the Research section on page 24. In technology development, the Photonics Center has turned a chapter, by completing the transition from a focus on Defense/ Security applications to a focus on the healthcare market sector. The commercial sector is expected to energize the technology development efforts for the foreseeable future, but the roots in defense/security are still important and the Center will continue to pursue new research grants in this area. For more information on our technology development program and on specific projects, read the Technology Development section on page 45. In education, 20 Photonics Center graduate students received Ph.D. diplomas. Photonics Center faculty taught 32 photonics courses. The Center supported a Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) site in Biophotonic Sensors and Systems for 10 middle school and high school teachers. The Photonics Center sponsored the Herbert J. Berman “Future of Light” Prize at the University’s Scholars Day. For more on our education programs, read the Education section on page 54. In commercialization, Boston University’s Business Innovation Center (BIC) currently hosts seven technology start-up companies. There is a healthy turnover in the Innovation Center space with a total of 19 companies residing at BIC over the past year. The mix of companies includes: life sciences, biotechnology, medical devices, photonics, and clean energy; and nine of the 19 companies originated from within BU. All the BIC tenants are engaged in the commercialization of new technologies of importance to society and all are active in the BU community in terms of offering internships, employment opportunities or research collaborations. For more information about Business Innovation Center activities, read the Business Innovation Center chapter in the Facilities and Equipment section on page 66