Diffractive optical elements for generating arbitrary line foci

The key optical component in the architecture of the linearly variable magnification telescope presented here is a conical lens. This architecture has application to Doppler radar processing and to wavelet processing. Unfortunately, the unique surface profile of a conical lens does not allow traditional grinding techniques to be used for fabrication; therefore, its fabrication is considered custom. In addition to the requirement of custom fabrication, a refractive conical lens introduces phase aberrations that are intrinsic to its conic shape. Further, due to the large prismatic component of the lens, the variable magnification telescope architecture is off-axis. To overcome the fabrication and application difficulties of a refractive lens, we consider the construction of a hybrid diffractive-refractive lens

Development of an Ergonomically – Designed Violin Chinrest Using Additive Manufacturing

A violin chinrest is used to ease the pain and prevent injuries of violinists. However, some of them experienced discomfort using normal chinrest. It causes injuries, irritations, and pains that affect the performance of violinists. In that problem, the researcher works toward a goal of not curing the problem but instead avoiding pain, injuries, and discomfort when playing it. A convenience sampling method was used in gathering anthropometric data. The study is limited to the ergonomically designed chin rest itself, which will only be installed at the standard violin size with a length of 60 cm. The designed chinrest is fitted only for the violinists of Jose De Piro Kabataan Orkestra. Three ergonomically designed violin chinrests were produced, which are: side-mounted, semi-centered, and fully centered. The researchers used a paired-samples t-test to compare the means in the results of testing between the normal chinrest and the ergonomically designed chinrest using additive manufacturing. The study concludes that the ergonomically designed violin chinrests using additive manufacturing are light-weight, less expensive, more comfortable to use, and lessen the pain of the violinists based on the overall mean compared to the normal violin chinrest in terms of side-mounted, semi-centered, and centered chinrest

3D-Printed Ergonomic Tool Handles

Although hand tools serve as an instrument for extending one’s capabilities through the use of hands, the comfort it brings is important especially since the welfare of the user is at stake. Aside from using the hand tools repetitively and with an awkward posture, the tool handle compositions and design also contribute to accumulating some work-related musculoskeletal disorders that require further attention in the long run. To provide a long-term solution, 3D-printed new designs of six commonly used hand tools that fit the average hand measurements of Filipinos have been developed. The hand tools are printed using two filaments namely; thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) which was found to be skin-friendly and polylactic acid (PLA) which is proven to be more functional, both are used on the outer and inner layer of the handle, respectively. The 3D-printed tool handles were evaluated through the use of a comfort questionnaire for hand tools distributed to 10 respondents per tool handle testing, results show that 3D-printed tool handles are found to be more comfortable and convenient rather than the commercial ones. Meanwhile, the researchers note that the adequate length of tool handles may also vary according to functions and not rely alone on the average hand measurements

Design Optimization of DR3AM Vapor Polishing Device for ABS 3D-Printed Parts

3D printing is an additive manufacturing method that turns digital design into an actual product. A 3D-printed part sometimes requires post-processing to enhance its physical and mechanical properties. Acetone vapor polishing is one of those techniques which is highly beneficial in smoothing ABS 3D-printed parts. Previously, an acetone vapor polishing device has been developed which uses a mist maker. However, for a more efficient polishing method, an optimized vapor polishing device using heat has been fabricated in this study. To assess the efficiency of this device, the researchers test the dimensional accuracy, surface roughness, tensile strength, and impact strength of polished and unpolished ABS 3D-printed specimens. The findings showed that the surface smoothness of the polished cube specimens did not significantly alter its physical geometry. The tensile test reveals that the overall elasticity of the polished tensile specimen has increased significantly while the impact test also shows that the polished specimens have the capacity to sustain a resistive impact from a swinging pendulum. Thus, all testing procedures indicated that post-processing using the optimized vapor polishing device has improved the overall physical and mechanical properties of the polished specimens

Training in crisis communication and volcanic eruption forecasting:Design and evaluation of an authentic role-play simulation

We present an interactive, immersive, authentic role-play simulation designed to teach tertiary geoscience students in New Zealand to forecast and mitigate a volcanic crisis. Half of the participating group (i.e., the Geoscience Team) focuses on interpreting real volcano monitoring data (e.g., seismographs, gas output etc.) while the other half of the group (i.e., the Emergency Management Team) forecasts and manages likely impacts, and communicates emergency response decisions and advice to local communities. These authentic learning experiences were aimed at enhancing upper-year undergraduate students’ transferable and geologic reasoning skills. An important goal of the simulation was specifically to improve students’ science communication through interdisciplinary team discussions, jointly prepared, and delivered media releases, and real-time, high-pressure, press conferences. By playing roles, students experienced the specific responsibilities of a professional within authentic organisational structures. A qualitative, design-based educational research study was carried out to assess the overall student experience and self-reported learning of skills. A pilot and four subsequent iterations were investigated. Results from this study indicate that students found these role-plays to be a highly challenging and engaging learning experience and reported improved skills. Data from classroom observations and interviews indicate that the students valued the authenticity and challenging nature of the role-play although personal experiences and team dynamics (within, and between the teams) varied depending on the students’ background, preparedness, and personality. During early iterations, observation and interviews from students and instructors indicate that some of the goals of the simulation were not fully achieved due to: A) lack of preparedness, B) insufficient time to respond appropriately, C) appropriateness of roles and team structure, and D) poor communication skills. Small modifications to the design of Iterations 3 and 4 showed an overall improvement in the students’ skills and goals being reached. A communication skills instrument (SPCC) was used to measure self-reported pre- and post- communication competence in the last two iterations. Results showed that this instrument recorded positive shifts in all categories of self-perceived abilities, the largest shifts seen in students who participated in press conferences. Future research will be aimed at adapting this curricula to new volcanic and earthquake scenarios

Antibacterial Property of Hanguana Malayana (Bakong) Crude Leaf Ethanolic Extract Against Staphylococcus Aureus

Hanguana Malayana, known as Bakong plant is an invasive macrophytic plant found in few regions of the Philippines. Due to its mode of propagation, it occupies large spaces and it invades the space that's allotted for the crops of local farmers. Hence, the researchers investigate this plant for beneficial uses. In this study, the effect of the different concentrations of H. malayana crude ethanolic leaf extract on S.aureus is evaluated on the basis of the study stating that the plant is a potential resources of bioactive phytoconstituents. The bioactive compounds shows synergistic impact that made it have an compelling antibacterial property against Staphylococcus aureus. In this think about, it was as it were demonstrated to have antibacterial property against gram-positive microbes, Staphylococcus aureus. This research concluded that the Hanguana malayana crude leaf ethanolic extract has an antibacterial property against Staphylococcus aureus