1,547 research outputs found
Electret-based cantilever energy harvester: design and optimization
We report in this paper the design, the optimization and the fabrication of
an electret-based cantilever energy harvester. We develop the mechanical and
the electrostatic equations of such a device and its implementation using
Finite Elements (FEM) and Matlab in order to get an accurate model. This model
is then used in an optimization process. A macroscopic prototype (3.2cm^{2})
was built with a silicon cantilever and a Teflon\textregistered electret.
Thanks to this prototype, we manage to harvest 17\muW with ambient-type
vibrations of 0.2g on a load of 210M{\Omega}. The experimental results are
consistent with simulation results
Optimal generalization of power filters for gravitational wave bursts, from single to multiple detectors
Searches for gravitational wave signals which do not have a precise model
describing the shape of their waveforms are often performed using power
detectors based on a quadratic form of the data. A new, optimal method of
generalizing these power detectors so that they operate coherently over a
network of interferometers is presented. Such a mode of operation is useful in
obtaining better detection efficiencies, and better estimates of the position
of the source of the gravitational wave signal. Numerical simulations based on
a realistic, computationally efficient hierarchical implementation of the
method are used to characterize its efficiency, for detection and for position
estimation. The method is shown to be more efficient at detecting signals than
an incoherent approach based on coincidences between lists of events. It is
also shown to be capable of locating the position of the source.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figure
LISA Science Results in the Presence of Data Disturbances
Each spacecraft in the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna houses a proof mass
which follows a geodesic through spacetime. Disturbances which change the proof
mass position, momentum, and/or acceleration will appear in the LISA data
stream as additive quadratic functions. These data disturbances inhibit signal
extraction and must be removed. In this paper we discuss the identification and
fitting of monochromatic signals in the data set in the presence of data
disturbances. We also present a preliminary analysis of the extent of science
result limitations with respect to the frequency of data disturbances
Search for cool giant exoplanets around young and nearby stars - VLT/NaCo near-infrared phase-coronagraphic and differential imaging
[Abridged] Context. Spectral differential imaging (SDI) is part of the
observing strategy of current and future high-contrast imaging instruments. It
aims to reduce the stellar speckles that prevent the detection of cool planets
by using in/out methane-band images. It attenuates the signature of off-axis
companions to the star, such as angular differential imaging (ADI). However,
this attenuation depends on the spectral properties of the low-mass companions
we are searching for. The implications of this particularity on estimating the
detection limits have been poorly explored so far. Aims. We perform an imaging
survey to search for cool (Teff<1000-1300 K) giant planets at separations as
close as 5-10 AU. We also aim to assess the sensitivity limits in SDI data
taking the photometric bias into account. This will lead to a better view of
the SDI performance. Methods. We observed a selected sample of 16 stars (age <
200 Myr, d < 25 pc) with the phase-mask coronagraph, SDI, and ADI modes of
VLT/NaCo. Results. We do not detect any companions. As for the sensitivity
limits, we argue that the SDI residual noise cannot be converted into mass
limits because it represents a differential flux, unlike the case of
single-band images. This results in degeneracies for the mass limits, which may
be removed with the use of single-band constraints. We instead employ a method
of directly determining the mass limits. The survey is sensitive to cool giant
planets beyond 10 AU for 65% and 30 AU for 100% of the sample. Conclusions. For
close-in separations, the optimal regime for SDI corresponds to SDI flux ratios
>2. According to the BT-Settl model, this translates into Teff<800 K. The
methods described here can be applied to the data interpretation of SPHERE. We
expect better performance with the dual-band imager IRDIS, thanks to more
suitable filter characteristics and better image quality.Comment: 19 pages, 16 figures, accepted for publication in A&A, version
including language editin
Water Quality at the Inlet to the St. Lawrence River, 1977 to 1983
Daily nutrients analyses and weekly major ions and trace metals analyses have been performed since 1977 on water samples collected in the south channel of the St. Lawrence River at Wolfe Island. This report presents the results of the first seven years of this program.
Data analyses showed that pH and total phosphorus were underestimated. Calcium carbonate precipitation is suspected to occur almost every year in August or September. Most of the major ions have decreased, especially chloride and sodium. All trace metal data were below the objectives of the International Joint Commission in 90% of the cases or more.
The Wolfe Island station was found to be a good tool for following the general trend of the main water quality parameters. More attention, however, should be focused on the problems of shipping delays and containers
Chalcogenide-glass polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fiber for mid-infrared supercontinuum generation
In this paper, we report the design and fabrication of a highly birefringent
polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fiber (PM-PCF) made from chalcogenide
glass, and its application to linearly-polarized supercontinuum (SC) generation
in the mid-infrared region. The PM fiber was drawn using the casting method
from As38Se62 glass which features a transmission window from 2 to 10
and a high nonlinear index of 1.13.10mW. It has a
zero-dispersion wavelength around 4.5 and, at this wavelength, a large
birefringence of 6.10 and consequently strong polarization maintaining
properties are expected. Using this fiber, we experimentally demonstrate
supercontinuum generation spanning from 3.1-6.02 and 3.33-5.78
using femtosecond pumping at 4 and 4.53 , respectively. We
further investigate the supercontinuum bandwidth versus the input pump
polarization angle and we show very good agreement with numerical simulations
of the two-polarization model based on two coupled generalized nonlinear
Schr\"odinger equations.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figure
Primordial and primary prevention of peri-implant diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the efficacy of risk factor control to prevent the occurrence of peri-implant diseases (PIDs) in adult patients awaiting dental implant rehabilitation (primordial prevention) or in patients with dental implants surrounded by healthy peri-implant tissues (primary prevention). Materials and Methods: A literature search was performed without any time limit on different databases up to August 2022. Interventional and observational studies with at least 6 months of follow-up were considered. The occurrence of peri-implant mucositis and/or peri-implantitis was the primary outcome. Pooled data analyses were performed using random effect models according to the type of risk factor and outcome. Results: Overall, 48 studies were selected. None assessed the efficacy of primordial preventive interventions for PIDs. Indirect evidence on the primary prevention of PID indicated that diabetic patients with dental implants and good glycaemic control have a significantly lower risk of peri-implantitis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03–0.96; I2: 0%), and lower marginal bone level (MBL) changes (OR = –0.36 mm; 95% CI: −0.65 to −0.07; I2: 95%) compared to diabetic patients with poor glycaemic control. Patients attending supportive periodontal/peri-implant care (SPC) regularly have a lower risk of overall PIDs (OR = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.24–0.75; I2: 57%) and peri-implantitis compared to irregular attendees. The risk of dental implant failure (OR = 3.76; 95% CI: 1.50–9.45; I2: 0%) appears to be greater under irregular or no SPC than regular SPC. Implants sites with augmented peri-implant keratinized mucosa (PIKM) show lower peri-implant inflammation (SMD = –1.18; 95% CI: −1.85 to −0.51; I2: 69%) and lower MBL changes (MD = –0.25; 95% CI: −0.45 to −0.05; I2: 62%) compared to dental implants with PIKM deficiency. Studies on smoking cessation and oral hygiene behaviors were inconclusive. Conclusions: Within the limitations of available evidence, the present findings indicate that in patients with diabetes, glycaemic control should be promoted to avoid peri-implantitis development. The primary prevention of peri-implantitis should involve regular SPC. PIKM augmentation procedures, where a PIKM deficiency exists, may favour the control of peri-implant inflammation and the stability of MBL. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of smoking cessation and oral hygiene behaviours, as well as the implementation of standardized primordial and primary prevention protocols for PIDs
- …