1,079 research outputs found
Design, development and mechanization of a precision deployable truss with optimized structural efficiency for spaceborne applications
A deployable mast concept which meets the weight, size and stability requirements for a feed support structure for offset antennas up to 100 meters in diameter is discussed. A triangulated truss configuration, the use of tapered tubes which exhibit a high strength-to-weight ratio, and low CTE graphite-epoxy material are seen to provide an efficient, lightweight and stable truss suitable for an antenna feed support. A low stowage ratio of 30:1 is achieved through a unique preloaded hinge located at the center of each longeron and an autonomous deployment cage with a drive mechanism. Initial analysis and proof of concept hardware validated the basic mechanism and design assumptions and provided a basis for further investigation. The concept can readily accept variations in member size and thus lends itself to optimization for other potential uses where a stiff, lightweight deployable truss is needed
Joint for deployable structures
A joint is described for connecting a pair of beams to pivot them between positions in alignment or beside one another, which is of light weight and which operates in a controlled manner. The joint includes a pair of fittings and at least one center link having opposite ends pivotally connected to opposite fittings and having axes that pass through centerplates of the fittings. A control link having opposite ends pivotally connected to the different fittings controls their relative orientations, and a toggle assemly holds the fittings in the deployed configuration wherein they are aligned. The fittings have stops that lie on one side of the centerplane opposite the toggle assembly
The Effects of MIMO Antenna System Parameters and Carrier Frequency on Active Control Suppression of EM Fields
In this paper we propose a new approach employing adaptive active control algorithms combined with a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) antenna system to suppress the electromagnetic field at a certain volume in space (e.g., at the human head). We will investigate the effects of the size and number of MIMO antenna elements on the system performance and test the algorithms at different carrier frequencies (e.g., GSM bands and UMTS)
Pulse shape discrimination performance of Inverted Coaxial Ge detectors
We report on the characterization of two inverted coaxial Ge detectors in the
context of being employed in future Ge neutrinoless double beta
() decay experiments. It is an advantage that such detectors
can be produced with bigger Ge mass as compared to the planar Broad Energy Ge
detectors (BEGe) that are currently used in the GERDA decay
experiment. This will result in lower background for the search of
decay due to a reduction of cables, electronics and holders.
The measured resolution near the Ge Q-value at 2039 keV is 2.5 keV and
their pulse-shape characteristics are similar to BEGe-detectors. It is
concluded that this type of Ge-detector is suitable for usage in Ge
decay experiments
Phase-matched second-harmonic generation in a ferroelectric liquid crystal waveguide
True phase-matched second-harmonic generation in a waveguide of crosslinkable
ferroelectric liquid crystals is demonstrated. These materials allow the
formation of macroscopically polar structures whose order can be frozen by
photopolymerization. Homeotropic alignment was chosen which offers decisive
advantages compared to other geometries. All parameters contributing to the
conversion efficiency are maximized by deliberately controlling the
supramolecular arrangement. The system has the potential to achieve practical
level of performances as a frequency doubler for low power laser diodes.Comment: 4 pages, LaTeX2e article, 3 figures, 4 EPS files, submitted to
Physical Review Letter
Nonlinear optical properties of a channel waveguide produced with crosslinkable ferroelectric liquid crystals
A binary mixture of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) was used for the
design of a channel waveguide. The FLCs possess two important functionalities:
a chromophore with a high hyperpolarizability and photoreactive groups.
The smectic liquid crystal is aligned in layers parallel to the glass plates in
a sandwich geometry. This alignment offers several advantages, such as that
moderate electric fields are sufficient to achieve a high degree of polar
order. The arrangement was then permanently fixed by photopolymerization which
yielded a polar network possessing a high thermal and mechanical stability
which did not show any sign of degradation within the monitored period of
several months. The linear and nonlinear optical properties have been measured
and all four independent components of the nonlinear susceptibility tensor
have been determined. The off-resonant -coefficients are remarkably
high and comparable to those of the best known inorganic materials. The
alignment led to an inherent channel waveguide for p-polarized light without
additional preparation steps. The photopolymerization did not induce scattering
sites in the waveguide and the normalized losses were less than 2 dB/cm. The
material offers a great potential for the design of nonlinear optical devices
such as frequency doublers of low power laser diodes.Comment: LaTeX2e article, 15 pages, 10 figures, 11 EPS files, submitted to
Physical Review
Flow cytometric evaluation of red blood cells transformed with variable amounts of synthetic A and B glycolipids
Background: According to national guidelines or directives, monoclonal
ABO reagents may be required to detect Ax and B weak subgroup red blood
cells (RBCs). Many routine laboratories do not have access to naturallyoccurring
ABO subgroups that can be used as weak controls for these
reagents. Group O RBCs modified with synthetic analogs of blood group A
and/or B glycolipids (KODE technology) to mimic weak ABO subgroups
could be used for quality control purposes.
Aim: Extensive serological testing of KODE RBCs has previously been
performed. An extended evaluation of KODE RBCs using flow cytometry
was performed to explore the correlation between the concentrations of
synthetic glycolipids and A/B site density of the resulting RBCs. The aim of
this study was to examine if KODE RBCs mimic the distinct flow cytometric
patterns of naturally-occurring ABO subgroups.
Material and Methods: KODE RBCs were prepared according to a previously
decribed procedure [Frame et al., Transfusion 2007; 47: 876â82].
RBCs were modified with 15 different concentrations of synthetic glycolipids,
ranging from 1 mg/mL to 60 ng/mL for KODE-A and 5 mg/mL to
0.3 lg/mL for KODE-B. The concentration was decreased by doubling
dilution steps. Sensitive and specific flow cytometry [Hult & Olsson.
Transfusion 2006; 9S: 32A] was used to characterize and semiquantify the
synthetic A and B antigen levels on RBCs. Relevant control RBCs (A1, A2,
Ax, B, Bweak and O) were included in each run. For both KODE-A and KODE-B RBCs, repeat samples were produced for four selected concentrations
and all KODE batches were tested in triplicate.
Results: Flow cytometric testing of KODE RBCs modified with high
concentrations of synthetic glycolipids revealed a uniform and even
distribution of antigens in the cell population as shown by a single
narrow peak in the FACS histograms. When lower concentrations were
used, peaks tended to broaden to a pattern found in Ax and most B
subgroups indicating a more variable antigen site density on the cells in
the population. The concentrations of synthetic glycolipids that produced
KODE cells that resembled the naturally-occurring subgroup control RBCs
used in this study are ~2â4 lg/mL for KODE-A and ~10 lg/mL for KODEB.
Repeat testing demonstrated good correlation between flow cytometric
runs.
Discussion and Conclusion: Using very low amounts of synthetic
glycolipids, KODE-A and KODE-B RBCs can be made to mimic Ax and
Bweak subgroup control RBCs, respectively, according to this flow
cytometry method. With higher concentrations of synthetic glycolipids, the
KODE RBCs demonstrated a more uniform and even distribution of antigens
among the cells. This is in contrast to naturally-occurring subgroups
in which some cells express almost no A or B antigen whilst others have
close to normal levels. The reason for this is unknown. KODE RBCs obviously
lack A carrying glycoproteins but it is not fully understood to what
extent glycolipid versus glycoprotein epitopes contribute to the phenotype
of weak subgroups.
This study indicates that KODE RBCs with weak expression of A and/or B
antigen have characteristics compatible with use as quality controls for
monoclonal ABO reagents and could be a valuable addition in the
serological laboratory
Investigation of Isolation Approaches and the Stoichiometry of SiNx Passivation Layers in âBuffer-Freeâ AlGaN/GaN MetalâInsulatorâSemiconductor High-Electron-Mobility Transistors
Critical process modules for the fabrication of metalâinsulatorâsemiconductor high-electron-mobility transistors (MISHEMTs) based on a novel âbuffer-freeâ AlGaN/GaN heterostructure grown with metalâorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) are presented. The methods of isolation and passivation for this type of heterostructure are investigated. Utilizing nitrogen implantation, it is possible to achieve off-state destructive breakdown voltages (BVs) of 2496 V for gateâdrain distances up to 25 Îźm, whereas mesa isolation techniques limit the BV below 1284 V. The stoichiometry of the SiNx passivation layer displays a small impact on the static and dynamic on-resistance. However, MISHEMTs with Si-rich passivation show off-state gate currents in the range of 1â100 ÎźA mmâ1 at voltages above 1000 V, which is reduced below 10 nA mmâ1 using a stoichiometric SiNx passivation layer. Destructive BVs of 1532 and 1742 V can be achieved using gate-integrated and source-connected field plates for MIHEMTs with stoichiometric and Siârich passivation layers, respectively. By decreasing the field plate lengths, it is possible to achieve BVs of 2200 V. This demonstrates the implementation of MISHEMTs with high-voltage operation and low leakage currents on a novel âbuffer-freeâ heterostructure by optimizing the SiNx stoichiometry
Extremal t processes: Elliptical domain of attraction and a spectral representation
The extremal t process was proposed in the literature for modeling spatial
extremes within a copula framework based on the extreme value limit of
elliptical t distributions (Davison, Padoan and Ribatet (2012)). A major
drawback of this max-stable model was the lack of a spectral representation
such that for instance direct simulation was infeasible. The main contribution
of this note is to propose such a spectral construction for the extremal t
process. Interestingly, the extremal Gaussian process introduced by Schlather
(2002) appears as a special case. We further highlight the role of the extremal
t process as the maximum attractor for processes with finite-dimensional
elliptical distributions. All results naturally also hold within the
multivariate domain
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