Can cash hold its own? International comparisons: Theory and evidence

A number of papers predict the imminent demise of currency use in transactions while some make a case for its continued use due to its distinctive feature of anonymity. Notwithstanding the latter, this paper shows on both theoretical and empirical grounds, that cash use is sustainable for the foreseeable future because of the cost competitiveness of ATM networked cash to the consumer relative to electronic POS card substitutes. Indeed, since the mid-1990s, Finland, Canada and France which are countries in the vanguard of EFTPOS development, have experienced a resurgence of ATM cash use as measured by its expenditure share.

The coastal environmental profile of Brunei Darussalam: resource assessment and management issues

Coastal zone management, Resource development, Coastal zone, Environmental profile, Brunei Darussalam, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Can cash hold its own? International comparisons: Theory and evidence

A number of papers predict the imminent demise of currency use in transactions while some make a case for its continued use due to its distinctive feature of anonymity. Notwithstanding the latter, this paper shows on both theoretical and empirical grounds, that cash use is sustainable for the foreseeable future because of the cost competitiveness of ATM networked cash to the consumer relative to electronic POS card substitutes. Indeed, since the mid-1990s, Finland, Canada and France which are countries in the vanguard of EFTPOS development, have experienced a resurgence of ATM cash use as measured by its expenditure share

Towards efficient modelling of optical micromanipulation of complex structures

Computational methods for electromagnetic and light scattering can be used for the calculation of optical forces and torques. Since typical particles that are optically trapped or manipulated are on the order of the wavelength in size, approximate methods such as geometric optics or Rayleigh scattering are inapplicable, and solution or either the Maxwell equations or the vector Helmholtz equation must be resorted to. Traditionally, such solutions were only feasible for the simplest geometries; modern computational power enable the rapid solution of more general--but still simple--geometries such as axisymmetric, homogeneous, and isotropic scatterers. However, optically-driven micromachines necessarily require more complex geometries, and their computational modelling thus remains in the realm of challenging computational problems. We review our progress towards efficient computational modelling of optical tweezers and micromanipulation, including the trapping and manipulation of complex structures such as optical micromachines. In particular, we consider the exploitation of symmetry in the modelling of such devices.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Modelling optical micro-machines

A strongly focused laser beam can be used to trap, manipulate and exert torque on a microparticle. The torque is the result of transfer of angular momentum by scattering of the laser beam. The laser could be used to drive a rotor, impeller, cog wheel or some other microdevice of a few microns in size, perhaps fabricated from a birefringent material. We review our methods of computationally simulating the torque and force imparted by a laser beam. We introduce a method of hybridizing the T-matrix with the Finite Difference Frequency Domain (FDFD) method to allow the modelling of materials that are anisotropic and inhomogeneous, and structures that have complex shapes. The high degree of symmetry of a microrotor, such as discrete or continuous rotational symmetry, can be exploited to reduce computational time and memory requirements by orders of magnitude. This is achieved by performing calculations for only a given segment or plane that is repeated across the whole structure. This can be demonstrated by modelling the optical trapping and rotation of a cube.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure