High throughput microbalance and methods of using same

The method and apparatus is particularly adapted for providing microbalance measurement of solid materials as part of a combinatorial research program. The method and apparatus contemplate monitoring the response of a resonator holding a sample and correlating the response with mass change in the samples

Technology assessment of advanced automation for space missions

Six general classes of technology requirements derived during the mission definition phase of the study were identified as having maximum importance and urgency, including autonomous world model based information systems, learning and hypothesis formation, natural language and other man-machine communication, space manufacturing, teleoperators and robot systems, and computer science and technology

Experimental L-band SST satellite communications/surveillance terminal study. Volume 4 - Aircraft antenna studies

Antenna requirements for supersonic transport satellite communications syste

Design and testing of a 96-channel neural interface module for the Networked Neuroprosthesis system

Abstract Background The loss of motor functions resulting from spinal cord injury can have devastating implications on the quality of one’s life. Functional electrical stimulation has been used to help restore mobility, however, current functional electrical stimulation (FES) systems require residual movements to control stimulation patterns, which may be unintuitive and not useful for individuals with higher level cervical injuries. Brain machine interfaces (BMI) offer a promising approach for controlling such systems; however, they currently still require transcutaneous leads connecting indwelling electrodes to external recording devices. While several wireless BMI systems have been designed, high signal bandwidth requirements limit clinical translation. Case Western Reserve University has developed an implantable, modular FES system, the Networked Neuroprosthesis (NNP), to perform combinations of myoelectric recording and neural stimulation for controlling motor functions. However, currently the existing module capabilities are not sufficient for intracortical recordings. Methods Here we designed and tested a 1 × 4 cm, 96-channel neural recording module prototype to fit within the specifications to mate with the NNP. The neural recording module extracts power between 0.3–1 kHz, instead of transmitting the raw, high bandwidth neural data to decrease power requirements. Results The module consumed 33.6 mW while sampling 96 channels at approximately 2 kSps. We also investigated the relationship between average spiking band power and neural spike rate, which produced a maximum correlation of R = 0.8656 (Monkey N) and R = 0.8023 (Monkey W). Conclusion Our experimental results show that we can record and transmit 96 channels at 2ksps within the power restrictions of the NNP system and successfully communicate over the NNP network. We believe this device can be used as an extension to the NNP to produce a clinically viable, fully implantable, intracortically-controlled FES system and advance the field of bioelectronic medicine.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147921/1/42234_2019_Article_19.pd

Space Applications of Automation, Robotics and Machine Intelligence Systems (ARAMIS), phase 2. Volume 2: Telepresence project applications

The field of telepresence is defined and overviews of those capabilities that are now available, and those that will be required to support a NASA telepresence effort are provided. Investigation of NASA' plans and goals with regard to telepresence, extensive literature search for materials relating to relevant technologies, a description of these technologies and their state of the art, and projections for advances in these technologies over the next decade are included

The Potential of RFID as an Enabler of Knowledge Management and Collaboration for the Procurement Cycle in the Construction Industry

Among the array of innovative ICTs (information and communication technologies), radio frequency identification technology (RFID) can be considered as a major innovation with the potential to offer many new opportunities for construction companies to improve communication, facilitate teamwork, improve information management skills, and encourage greater cross-fertilization between business processes. Empirical results point to the need of the four participating firms to overcome several procurement issues and bottlenecks in order to gain more substantial competitive advantages and consistently satisfy project owners throughout the entire procurement cycle. An RFID system has the potential to improve real-time document and material tracking and control. But, more importantly, findings suggest that RFID improves the management, sharing, and transfer of knowledge and fosters collaboration through integrated document management, prompt issue management, risk management and efficient decision making

Academic Freedom of the Faculty Member as Citizen

A hi-tech company often focuses on being innovative by providing product offerings as product leader, fast follower or with operational excellence. In the international calling sector the technological solutions are numerous. The providers are, for instance, normal telecom providers, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Mobile virtual network operators (MVNO). This means that a company faces not only the competitors that offer the same solution but also from outside the company’s business sector. The company thus needs to tackle many challenges, such as fast-paced product development, market expansion, competitor volatility, at the same time as the company cultivates its brand assets. This study focuses on the branding strategy within the VoIP telecom sector. It aims to set a guideline for how companies, in particular in the VoIP telecom sectors, cultivate and enhance their brand identity in order to differentiate themselves from competitors as well as achieve a successful and sustainable level of brand equity. The thesis also studies the brand strategies that have already manifested themselves within the providers of international calling services, in particular VoIP providers and a couple of MVNO providers. By conducting the brand identity and brand equity analysis, customer analysis and competitors’ analysis, a company can make a decision on brand strategy that will further associate, differentiate, energize and support its brands. The research framework consists of both the corporate and consumer perspectives. It consists of brand theory, market research, competitor analysis and the company’s brand identity, as well as brand awareness analysis. The thesis presents the Swedish VoIP consumers’ behavior and trends, the guideline and case study on how a company bridges the gap between brand identity and brand equity as well as the guideline and case study of brand portfolio strategies that have been explored within the VoIP telecom sectors, i.e. VoIP branding

Specification-driven design of custom hardware in HOP

technical reportWe present a language "Hardware viewed as Objects and Processes" (HOP) for specifying the structure, behavior, and timing of hardware systems. HOP embodies a simple process model for lock-step synchronous processes. Processes may be described both as a black-box and as a collection of interacting sub-processes. The latter can be statically simplified using an algorithm 'PARCOMP'. PARCOMP symbolically simulates a collection of interacting processes. The advantages claimed for HOP include simple semantics, intuitiveness, high expressive power, and numerous provisions to support easily verifiable designs all the way to VLSI layout. After introducing HOP, and presenting some of the results obtained from experimenting with the HOP design system, we present the design of a large hardware system (the "Utah Simulation Engine") currently being developed to speed-up distributed discrete event simulation using Time Warp. Issues in the specification driven design of this system are discussed and illustrated using HOP

Space exploration: The interstellar goal and Titan demonstration

Automated interstellar space exploration is reviewed. The Titan demonstration mission is discussed. Remote sensing and automated modeling are considered. Nuclear electric propulsion, main orbiting spacecraft, lander/rover, subsatellites, atmospheric probes, powered air vehicles, and a surface science network comprise mission component concepts. Machine, intelligence in space exploration is discussed