A Review of the Teaching and Learning on Power Electronics Course

—In this review, we describe various kinds of problem and solution related teaching and learning on power electronics course all around the world. The method was used the study of literature on journal articles and proceedings published by reputable international organizations. Thirtynine papers were obtained using Boolean operators, according to the specified criteria. The results of the problems generally established that student learning motivation was low, teaching approaches that are still teacher-centered, the scope of the curriculum extends, and the physical limitations of laboratory equipment. The solutions offered are very diverse ranging from models, strategies, methods and learning techniques supported by information and communication technology

Properties of Silica-Polypeptide Composite Particles

Studies of grafting polymer on surfaces with chemical bonds started in the 1970’s, but few projects have focused on grafting polypeptide on spherical particles. In this research, polypeptides poly(å-carbobenzyloxy-L-lysine) (PCBL) or poly(ã-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG) were grafted on silica sphere surfaces by using the “grafting from” method. The polypeptide-grafted silica spheres are called SiPCPs. The growth of polypeptide chains as a function of monomer amount and reaction time was explored. The properties of a mixture of PBLG rod-like polymer and PBLG SiPCPs were investigated. At high concentrations of these two components, the phase behavior was studied. At low concentrations of PBLG, the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled PBLG SiPCPs were used as probes to measure the probe diffusion through the PBLG matrix in pyridine. Because of the depletion-attraction effect, the mixture becomes very viscous even at low concentrations; consequently the diffusion of probe is very slow. A holographic fluorescence photobleaching recovery (FPR) instrument, which creates the grating from the interference of two crossed beams, was developed to satisfy such a specific condition. The polypeptides were grafted on silica spheres with a cobalt core inside, and Co-SiPCPs were formed. Preliminary results demonstrate that these particles can respond to an external magnetic field and the solvent can affect the magnetic behaviors of these particles

Sensors for Vital Signs Monitoring

Sensor technology for monitoring vital signs is an important topic for various service applications, such as entertainment and personalization platforms and Internet of Things (IoT) systems, as well as traditional medical purposes, such as disease indication judgments and predictions. Vital signs for monitoring include respiration and heart rates, body temperature, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, electrocardiogram, blood glucose concentration, brain waves, etc. Gait and walking length can also be regarded as vital signs because they can indirectly indicate human activity and status. Sensing technologies include contact sensors such as electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG), photoplethysmogram (PPG), non-contact sensors such as ballistocardiography (BCG), and invasive/non-invasive sensors for diagnoses of variations in blood characteristics or body fluids. Radar, vision, and infrared sensors can also be useful technologies for detecting vital signs from the movement of humans or organs. Signal processing, extraction, and analysis techniques are important in industrial applications along with hardware implementation techniques. Battery management and wireless power transmission technologies, the design and optimization of low-power circuits, and systems for continuous monitoring and data collection/transmission should also be considered with sensor technologies. In addition, machine-learning-based diagnostic technology can be used for extracting meaningful information from continuous monitoring data

Remote Sensing

This dual conception of remote sensing brought us to the idea of preparing two different books; in addition to the first book which displays recent advances in remote sensing applications, this book is devoted to new techniques for data processing, sensors and platforms. We do not intend this book to cover all aspects of remote sensing techniques and platforms, since it would be an impossible task for a single volume. Instead, we have collected a number of high-quality, original and representative contributions in those areas

NASA Tech Briefs, May 2002

Topics include: a technology focus on engineering materials, electronic components and circuits, software, mechanics, machinery/automation, manufacturing, physical sciences, information sciences, book and reports, and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs

Mobile Robots Navigation

Mobile robots navigation includes different interrelated activities: (i) perception, as obtaining and interpreting sensory information; (ii) exploration, as the strategy that guides the robot to select the next direction to go; (iii) mapping, involving the construction of a spatial representation by using the sensory information perceived; (iv) localization, as the strategy to estimate the robot position within the spatial map; (v) path planning, as the strategy to find a path towards a goal location being optimal or not; and (vi) path execution, where motor actions are determined and adapted to environmental changes. The book addresses those activities by integrating results from the research work of several authors all over the world. Research cases are documented in 32 chapters organized within 7 categories next described

Innovative Technologies and Services for Smart Cities

A smart city is a modern technology-driven urban area which uses sensing devices, information, and communication technology connected to the internet of things (IoTs) for the optimum and efficient utilization of infrastructures and services with the goal of improving the living conditions of citizens. Increasing populations, lower budgets, limited resources, and compatibility of the upgraded technologies are some of the few problems affecting the implementation of smart cities. Hence, there is continuous advancement regarding technologies for the implementation of smart cities. The aim of this Special Issue is to report on the design and development of integrated/smart sensors, a universal interfacing platform, along with the IoT framework, extending it to next-generation communication networks for monitoring parameters of interest with the goal of achieving smart cities. The proposed universal interfacing platform with the IoT framework will solve many challenging issues and significantly boost the growth of IoT-related applications, not just in the environmental monitoring domain but in the other key areas, such as smart home, assistive technology for the elderly care, smart city with smart waste management, smart E-metering, smart water supply, intelligent traffic control, smart grid, remote healthcare applications, etc., signifying benefits for all countries