Optimized Hand Geometry-Based Biometric Recognition System

In an era characterized by digital interactions and security needs, biometric systems, especially hand geometry-based recognition, offer an advantageous solution. Biometric identification through hand geometry is ideal for low-security applications due to its non-invasive nature and user-friendly features. This research discusses personal identification leveraging hand geometry features, notably without the use of pegs. Such features encompass finger length and width, palm dimensions, deviations, and angles. Image capturing was conducted without pegs. The study contrasts the use of 12 versus 21 hand geometry features. Identification was achieved using the Euclidean distance measure. The outcomes were validated on both a local and a standard database

The Spine of the Cosmic Web

We present the SpineWeb framework for the topological analysis of the Cosmic Web and the identification of its walls, filaments and cluster nodes. Based on the watershed segmentation of the cosmic density field, the SpineWeb method invokes the local adjacency properties of the boundaries between the watershed basins to trace the critical points in the density field and the separatrices defined by them. The separatrices are classified into walls and the spine, the network of filaments and nodes in the matter distribution. Testing the method with a heuristic Voronoi model yields outstanding results. Following the discussion of the test results, we apply the SpineWeb method to a set of cosmological N-body simulations. The latter illustrates the potential for studying the structure and dynamics of the Cosmic Web.Comment: Accepted for publication HIGH-RES version: http://skysrv.pha.jhu.edu/~miguel/SpineWeb

Designing for Mass Customization Housing through Generative Design

This research proposal aims to investigate computational design strategies for sustainable, affordable, and more equitable housing. The study will focus on the use of generative design tools, such as parametric modeling, rule-based modeling, and optimization, to aid architects and designers in creating custom housing complexes for single families in small and medium urban lots. The goal is to develop a computational method that considers sustainability, affordability, and long-term usage parameters to create housing designs that meet the desired spatial qualities. The research question asks how generative design tools can support designers in approaching affordable housing given the increasing demand for it. The study will explore a modular grid-based design approach to ensure consistency and alignment and establish connections between individual spaces to form a complete house floor plan. The proposed research will consider site constraints and analyze existing buildings, trees, and zoning regulations to tailor the aggregation system. The stochastic aggregation component will generate numerous floor plans, and the optimization component will cherry-pick specific floor plans based on the requirements to evaluate the most suitable floor plans for any given scenario

Designing for Mass Customization Housing through Generative Design

This research proposal aims to investigate computational design strategies for sustainable, affordable, and more equitable housing. The study will focus on the use of generative design tools, such as parametric modeling, rule-based modeling, and optimization, to aid architects and designers in creating custom housing complexes for single families in small and medium urban lots. The goal is to develop a computational method that considers sustainability, affordability, and long-term usage parameters to create housing designs that meet the desired spatial qualities. The research question asks how generative design tools can support designers in approaching affordable housing given the increasing demand for it. The study will explore a modular grid-based design approach to ensure consistency and alignment and establish connections between individual spaces to form a complete house floor plan. The proposed research will consider site constraints and analyze existing buildings, trees, and zoning regulations to tailor the aggregation system. The stochastic aggregation component will generate numerous floor plans, and the optimization component will cherry-pick specific floor plans based on the requirements to evaluate the most suitable floor plans for any given scenario

Origin of Life

The evolution of life has been a big enigma despite rapid advancements in the fields of biochemistry, astrobiology, and astrophysics in recent years. The answer to this puzzle has been as mind-boggling as the riddle relating to evolution of Universe itself. Despite the fact that panspermia has gained considerable support as a viable explanation for origin of life on the Earth and elsewhere in the Universe, the issue remains far from a tangible solution. This paper examines the various prevailing hypotheses regarding origin of life like abiogenesis, RNA World, Iron-sulphur World, and panspermia; and concludes that delivery of life-bearing organic molecules by the comets in the early epoch of the Earth alone possibly was not responsible for kick-starting the process of evolution of life on our planet.Comment: 32 pages, 8 figures,invited review article, minor additio

A Study of the Synthesis of Cellulose by the Bacteria \u3cem\u3eKomagataeibacter xylinus\u3c/em\u3e (\u3cem\u3eK. xylinus\u3c/em\u3e) when Under the Action of an Electric Field in a Microfluidic Reactor

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is an established technique used as a label-free method to manipulate microorganisms by exploiting the interaction of targeted microorganisms with a non-uniform electric field. The strength and direction of the DEP force on a targeted cell, specifically Komagataeibacter xylinus (K. xylinus), is dependent on the frequency of the applied electric field as well as the dielectric properties of the bacterial cell and suspending media. K. xylinus is a microorganism that can synthesize a fibrous, web-shaped organic material called bacterial cellulose (BC), which contains desirable properties such as high mechanical strength and increased water holding capabilities. By combining DEP techniques with this BC synthesizing microorganism, this creates the potential for controlled and enhanced growth allowing BC to be tailored to specific properties at specific locations. However, literature has reported limited information regarding the use of DEP techniques to study how electric fields affect BC synthesis in a microfluidic reactor. In this study, a titanium-based semicircular microelectrode chip was used to study how electrostimulation can potentially manipulate and influence the synthesis of BC at unique regions of interest where the electric field is greatest. This study features experiments running over fourteen days with an AC induced electric field at polarization voltages of 1 Vpp, 2 Vpp, and 5 Vpp at a frequency of 750 kHz. Results suggest that BC synthesis is possible and can be manipulated over an extended period as the polarization voltage increased where the electric field is greatest

Two-dimensional (2D) Monolayer Materials: Exfoliation, Characterization, and Application

Monolayer two-dimensional (2D) materials have been regarded as a hot topic in the fields of condensed matter physics, materials science, and chemistry due to their unique physical, chemical, and electronic properties. However, the research on the preparation method and properties understanding of the 2D monolayer are inadequate. In this dissertation, taking 2D nickel-iron layered double hydroxides (NiFe LDHs) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as examples, the practicability of the direct synthesis of NiFe LDHs monolayer and the thermal enhancement catalytic performance of 2D MoS2 monolayer (MoS2 ML) are discussed. First, a one-pot synthetic strategy (bottom-up method) is presented to synthesize 2D NiFe-based LDHs monolayers, including NiFe, Co-, Ru-, doped, and Au-modified NiFe LDHs. The prerequisite and universality of this strategy are investigated and confirmed. The features of LDHs are characterized by advanced technologies. The obtained LDH bulks own a large interlayer spacing up to 8.2 Å, which can be facilely exfoliated into monolayers in water by hand-shaking within 10 s. As a result, the as-prepared NiFe-based LDH monolayers display a good electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. This facile strategy paves the way for designing easily exfoliated LDHs for highly active catalysts and energy conversion devices based on other monolayer LDHs. Second, with gold-modified tape, 2D MoS2 ML is exfoliated from the bulk crystal through a micromechanical exfoliation method (top-down strategy). The thermal effects of MoS2 ML are confirmed by Raman and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. Moreover, an on-chip MoS2 ML hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) reactor is designed and fabricated. The thermal effects generate efficient electron transfer in the MoS2 ML and at the electrolyte-catalyst (MoS2 ML) interface, leading to an enhanced HER performance. Compared to the results obtained at room temperature, the MoS2 ML shows a direct thermal enhanced HER performance at higher temperatures. In summary, the findings and understandings, the direct synthesis and direct thermal enhancement catalytic performance, of 2D monolayers offer a guideline for synthesizing and catalyst application of other 2D monolayers

The Future of the University in the Digital Age

Glion IIIhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/88272/1/2001_Glion_III_U_Future.pd