The effect of contact angles and capillary dimensions on the burst frequency of super hydrophilic and hydrophilic centrifugal microfluidic platforms, a CFD study.

This paper employs the volume of fluid (VOF) method to numerically investigate the effect of the width, height, and contact angles on burst frequencies of super hydrophilic and hydrophilic capillary valves in centrifugal microfluidic systems. Existing experimental results in the literature have been used to validate the implementation of the numerical method. The performance of capillary valves in the rectangular and the circular microfluidic structures on super hydrophilic centrifugal microfluidic platforms is studied. The numerical results are also compared with the existing theoretical models and the differences are discussed. Our experimental and computed results show a minimum burst frequency occurring at square capillaries and this result is useful for designing and developing more sophisticated networks of capillary valves. It also predicts that in super hydrophilic microfluidics, the fluid leaks consistently from the capillary valve at low pressures which can disrupt the biomedical procedures in centrifugal microfluidic platforms

Sindbad: From CAD Model to Synthetic Radiographs

X-ray simulation tools are of primary interest during the design stage of radiographic facilities where they can help to choose the device parameters (X-ray tube settings such as voltage and filtration, detector type and thickness, geometry of the bench, etc.) and predict performances of the future device. They can also be helpful, in the evaluation and test of radiation image processing techniques (tomography, tomosynthesis, etc.) and in radiographic non destructive evaluation processes using synthetic images as, for instance, flaw detection, evaluation of object inspectability, assistance to inspection interpretation, inspector training, etc</p

Enlarging the bandwidth of a two-dimensional photonic crystal mirror in the visible range

The spectral properties of reflective mirrors based on a classic design of two-dimensional subwavelength photonic crystal are investigated numerically in the visible wavelength range. These reflectors are meant to be made of silica and silicon nitride. A novel numerical strategy is proposed in order to determine the optimal value of the grating fill factor yielding an efficient level of reflectance through the maximal range of wavelengths

Object Pose Estimation Using a Set of Local Radiographs of a Part and Its CAD Model

The following work is part of an European collaborative project (RADICAD: BRITE/EURAM project BE 7231) whose aim is the 3D characterization of defects in mechanical parts by multi-radiography using computer aided design (CAD) models.</p

Short Interval Monitoring of Illegal Urban Land Use Changes

The following work is part of an European collaborative project (RADICAD: BRITE/EURAM project BE 7231) whose aim is the 3D characterization of defects in mechanical parts by multi-radiography using computer aided design (CAD) models

Assessment of self-induced Joule-heating effect in the I − V readout region of polycrystalline Ge2Sb2Te5 Phase-Change Memory

The physical mechanisms that regulate carrier transportin polycrystalline chalcogenides, such as Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST),are still debated. Recently, self-induced Joule-heating (SJH) effecthas been claimed to be the key factor in explaining the nonlinearityof the I–V characteristics of polycrystalline GST-basedphase-change memory (PCM). In this paper, we carefully investigatethe SJH occurring in the GST material by analyzing theI–V characteristics of PCM cells at low voltages, i.e., in thememory-cell readout region. To accomplish the study, we usead hoc fabricated PCM devices allowing an easier evaluationof SJH occurring in the chalcogenide layer. A novel procedureto test the SJH effect is also proposed. A comparison betweennumerical simulations and compact modeling is discussed as well.Our paper shows that the SJH effect is not sufficient to reproducethe experimental I–V nonlinearity, claiming for new experimentsand theoretical investigations. Therefore, this paper can be considereda step forward toward the comprehension of the transportproperties of polycrystalline GST, which is a key aspect for robustmodeling of PCM devices

Effects of body weight, water temperature and ration size on ammonia excretion by the areolated grouper (Epinephelus areolatus) and mangrove snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus)

The effects of body weight, water temperature and ration size on ammonia excretion rates of the areolated grouper Epinephelus areolatus and the mangrove snapper Lutjanus argentimaculatus were investigated. Under given experimental conditions, L. argentimaculatus had a higher weight-specific ammonia excretion rate than E. areolatus. Weight-specific ammonia excretion rates of fasted individuals of both species showed an inverse relationship with body weight (W, g wet wt.), but a positive relationship with water temperature (t, °C). The relationships for total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) were: E. areolatus: TAN (mg N kg-1 d-1) = 21.4. exp(0.11t) · W-0.43 (r2 = 0.919, n = 60); L. argentimaculatus: TAN (mg N kg-1 d-1) = 121.5 · exp(0.12t) · W-0.55 (r2=0.931, n = 60). Following feeding, the weight-specific ammonia excretion rate of E. areolatus increased, peaked at 2 to 12 h (depending on temperature), and returned to pre-feeding levels within 24 h. A similar pattern was observed for L. argentimaculatus, with a peak of TAN excretion being found 6 to 12 h after feeding. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that weight-specific TAN excretion rates of both species increased with increasing temperature and ration (R, percent body wt. d-1): E. areolatus: TAN (mg N kg-1 d-1) = 22.8 · t - 28.8 · R 378.2 (r2 = 0.832, n = 24); L. argentimaculatus: TAN (mg N kg-1 d-1) = 22.9 · t - 25.4 · R 216.4 (r2= 0.611, n = 24). The effect of body weight on weight-specific postprandial TAN excretion was not significant in either species (p > 0.05). This study provides empirical data for estimating ammonia excretion of these two species under varying conditions. This has application for culture management.link_to_subscribed_fulltex