Small footprint optoelectrodes using ring resonators for passive light localization

The combination of electrophysiology and optogenetics enables the exploration of how the brain operates down to a single neuron and its network activity. Neural probes are in vivo invasive devices that integrate sensors and stimulation sites to record and manipulate neuronal activity with high spatiotemporal resolution. State-of-the-art probes are limited by tradeoffs involving their lateral dimension, number of sensors, and ability to access independent stimulation sites. Here, we realize a highly scalable probe that features three-dimensional integration of small-footprint arrays of sensors and nanophotonic circuits to scale the density of sensors per cross-section by one order of magnitude with respect to state-of-the-art devices. For the first time, we overcome the spatial limit of the nanophotonic circuit by coupling only one waveguide to numerous optical ring resonators as passive nanophotonic switches. With this strategy, we achieve accurate on-demand light localization while avoiding spatially demanding bundles of waveguides and demonstrate the feasibility with a proof-of-concept device and its scalability towards high-resolution and low-damage neural optoelectrodes

EMERGENCY PLANNING IN CASE OF CBRN EVENTS: AN INNOVATIVE METHODOLOGY TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY KNOWLEDGE OF ADVISORS AND FIRST RESPONDERS BY A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TABLE TOP EXERCISE.

ABSTRACT Nowadays Chemical-Biological-Radiological-Nuclear (CRBN) risks are one of the main safety concern. The radiological disasters of Fukushima and Chernobyl, the chemical events of Seveso or the release of Sarin in the Tokio Subway,and the biological emergencies such as the H1N1 flue represent few examples of a dreadful evidence: : CBRNe risks are a real and global threat around us. A CBRNe event can be either of an intentional and un-intentional nature and it is important to have highly specialized advisors that can support decision makers and first responders to face this threat. The University of Rome Tor Vergata, in collaboration with the most important Italian and International Bodies that work in the field of CBRN safety and security and supported by NATO and OPCW, organized two International Master Courses in Protection against CBRN events. In this context, a Table Top Exercise (TTX) was organized, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defence, taking into account that, in each country, the system response to CBRNe events strongly depends also on law and procedures, that enforce the advisors and first responders to rely with different skills and roles in function of the administration of origin. The organized TTX was aimed to test the level preparation of the Master students and experts working in Italy in the field of CBRN events and to test the emergency planning preparation. In particular, a radiological release was simulated in a Harbour facility in Urban Area. The students were divided in multidisciplinary groups with heterogeneous competences. Each group was supported by CBRNì experts and was stressed by the injects from a Command and Operative Centre. Responsiveness to the injects and to the stress together with the ability to organize and manage safety and security operations, but also to interpret each role in the team according to according to national laws, were evaluated for each group. The scenario, the logistic organization, on-going adjustments during the exercise and the outcomes will be presented and analyzed by the authors in this paper. PRELIMINARY INDEX 1. Abstract 2. Introduction 3. Table Top Exercise (TTX) 3.1 What is a TTX 3.2 How the TTX is organized 3.3 Scenario and injects 3.4 Organizational and technical solutions 4. Dat

Monitoraggio della corrosione nelle barre di rinforzo per le strutture in cemento armato

In Italia l'interesse per il monitoraggio strutturale è recentemente aumentato, anche in conseguenza di alcuni drammatici crolli di importanti infrastrutture. Spesso la valutazione della salute di una struttura è il risultato della valutazione visiva da parte di esperti, almeno inizialmente. Il cemento armato è uno dei materiali da costruzione più adottati per le infrastrutture e gli edifici, nell'ultimo mezzo secolo, ma la sua durabilità è in grande discussione, anche perché legata alla condizione delle barre metalliche dell’armatura. In condizioni normali le barre sono protette dalla corrosione in quanto circondate dalla matrice di calcestruzzo. Ma quando l’alcalinità del calcestruzzo diminuisce rispetto al suo valore ottimale, per vari motivi, le barre di armatura sono a rischio corrosione. Questo documento si propone di mostrare come sia possibile monitorare le condizioni delle barre di rinforzo in acciaio utilizzando sensori elettrochimici stampati miniaturizzati ed economici combinati con strumentazione portatile. Sebbene tale attività non fornisca al momento una valutazione quantitativa del danno strutturale, sembra almeno fornire informazioni particolarmente rilevanti per monitoraggi ulteriori sulle condizioni del materiale, sollecitando le contromisure di ripristino per estendere la durata e la sicurezza della struttura

Multiparametric analysis by paper-assisted potentiometric sensors for diagnostic and monitoring of reinforced concrete structures

Reinforced concrete has been employed worldwide as a leading building material for public and private structures as well as in modern sculptural art. Although the unrivalled mechanical strength and modelling versatility of this material, several interrelated processes are responsible for its progressive degradation (e.g., carbonation, penetration of aging-promoting agents), decreasing its long-last durability and representing a risk for the public security or the cultural heritage. With the aim to tackle this issue, the present work reports a novel configuration of a screen-printed sensor, obtained by the combination of flexible and robust polyester support and wax-printed filter paper device for the direct application on the concrete surface. Our sensor consists of a polyester-printed three-electrochemical cell that allows dual measurements on reinforced concrete, namely (i) the evaluation of corrosion probability of the metallic reinforcements (which outperforms the half-cell potential standard method) and (ii) the employment of a pH-sensitive iridium oxide film for the measurement of the pH of concrete. The paper was used as a porous material capable of ensuring the electrochemical connection between the Ag/AgCl printed electrode and the concrete solid matrix, acting also as a protective envelope for the electrode. After the laboratory tests, which revealed the noteworthy performances of the sensors in distinguishing among different levels of corrosion as well as measuring the pH of concrete, the developed sensor was applied for on-site measurement at the Giacomo Manzu Museum (Ardea, Italy), demonstrating its suitability for the real application to cultural heritage conservation. Overall, this easy-to-handle and non-invasive diagnostic device provides an innovative analytical approach for the on-site and prompt multiparametric monitoring of the physico-chemical phenomena that endanger the long-lasting preservation of reinforced concrete structures

SMARTCITY: CUSTOMIZED AND DYNAMIC MULTIMEDIA CONTENT PRODUCTION FOR TOURISM APPLICATIONS

This paper presents the final results of the SMARTCITY project, co-funded by the Tuscany Region under the POR CREO 1.d program. The project proposes an innovative methodology as well as advanced technologies enabling professional services for cultural tourism applications in urban areas as well larger archaeological sites

Evaluation of the effectiveness of titanium dioxide (TiO2) Self-cleaning coating for increased protection against CBRN incidents in critical infrastructures

Self-cleaning building materials is a form of passive safety technology that is used to provide increased resistance against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents. This paper is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of a self-cleaning coating based on a dispersion in ethanol of titanium dioxide (TiO2) powder at 0.5 gr/L distributed directly on stone materials. The parameters analysed in this study were stealthiness, performance against a toxic industrial chemical (TIC) and durability. It was found that the TiO2 coating has low visibility, is able to partly remove TIC from the air and has high durability