Temperature Effects on the Efficiency of Dickson Charge Pumps for Radio Frequency Energy Harvesting

An experimental study is carried out to assess the effect of temperature on the conversion efficiency of ultrahigh-frequency energy harvesters based on diode-capacitor Dickson charge pumps, frequently used in self-energizing circuits, such as in radio frequency identification tags or in wireless sensor nodes. Using off-the-shelf Schottky diodes often adopted for this application, it is shown that the harvester conversion efficiency at 868 MHz is temperature dependent due to the changing rectification ratio, namely the ratio between the forward and the reverse current flowing through the low barrier height Schottky diodes, which both show a positive derivative with T. The experimental study, supported by SPICE simulations, has shown that a temperature variation might be particularly harmful at the lowest incident power regimes, when even a minimal drop in the conversion efficiency might determine the out-of-servicing of a wirelessly energized circuit

Improving natural risk management by means of virtual surveys through hazardous volcanic contexts by using Augmented and Virtual Reality

To ensure an efficient natural risk management, we need an in-depth understanding and assessment of risk as well as the adoption of effective prevention measures. Modern techniques such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) offer the opportunity to explore our environment for professional as well as educational purposes, conveying useful information not only to scientists, but also to at-risk populations. “Virtual navigation on volcanoes by Augmented Reality and 3D-headset” was a geoevent we organized in the framework of the 6th edition of the Italian “Settimana del Pianeta Terra” (Week of Planet Earth) in October 2018. The geoevent featured AR and Virtual Reality exhibits, highlighting the benefits of these tools in applications for Earth monitoring, also with positive contributions in mitigation actions to reduce the impact of natural hazards. We proposed virtual 3D models of volcanic regions in Iceland and Italy (at Etna volcano), which guided the visitors in a virtual survey through hazardous contexts like landslide prone areas and fault zones. The event was supported as part of the 3DTeLC project funded through the Erasmus+ Key Action 2 Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education scheme (Project Reference: 2017-1-UK01-KA203-036719).3DTeLC project funded through the Erasmus+ Key Action 2 Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education scheme (Project Reference: 2017-1-UK01-KA203-036719)PublishedVienna, Austria1TM. Formazion

temperature sensing characteristics and long term stability of power leds used for voltage vs junction temperature measurements and related procedure

n/

Advanced Sensors and Systems Technologies for Indoor Positioning

There is an increasing interest about indoor positioning, which is an emerging technology with a wide range of applications [...

Can Building Seismic Resiliency Benefit from Emergent Technologies? Case Studies from the Projects KnowRISK and 3DTeLC

Building resiliency to natural hazards like earthquakes requires worldwide engagement, starting from education and dissemination of good practice among the youths. Education of new professionals in the field of seismic risk takes nowadays advantage from the implementation of emergent technologies, such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), which can benefit from the huge amount of digital information available. We present a few case studies from two European projects promoting education and communication also throughout the application of AR and VR. Targeted audiences of the two projects were schools and universities. KnowRISK (Know your city, Reduce seISmic risK through non-structural elements; Grant agreement ECHO/SUB/2015/718655/PREV28) ended in 2018; it had a special focus on non-structural damage caused by earthquakes, exploring the causes of disruption and proposing preventive measures to reduce it. 3DTeLC is funded through the Erasmus+ Key Action 2 Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education scheme (Project Reference: 2017-1-UK01-KA203-036719) and will be completed in 2020. The project trains students to navigate 3D models of volcanic regions in Iceland, Greece, and Italy (at Mt. Etna volcano), allowing them to carry out virtual surveys also in hazardous contexts. Accordingly, the project aims at strengthening students’ skills in Earth observation and data analysis.PublishedSan Francisco, CA, USA2TM. Divulgazione Scientific

Augmented Reality applications as dissemination tools for the mitigation of non-structural damage from earthquakes

Mt. Etna covers a region prone to earthquakes with low to moderate magnitude in southern Italy. Nevertheless, its seismicity can yield serious non-structural damage due to the superficial seismic foci. For this reason, it is necessary an effective prevention activity of education and preparedness to seismic hazard for the local populations. One of the fundamental tasks of the European KnowRISK project (Know your city, Reduce seISmic risK through non-structural elements) is the dissemination of information to reduce non-structural damage from earthquakes in three pilot areas (Portugal, Iceland, and Italy). Focusing on tools that can convey such a useful information among laypersons and students, we choose Augmented Reality (AR) for its interactivity, simplicity and efficacy. AR enhances the user's perception of and interaction with the real world. It has inspired the “Intelligence Amplification” concept (Brooks, 1996) in which computers are tools to make easier human being life. Elements that “increase” reality are visible using a mobile device, such as a smartphone, through a video camera on board on a tablet, or any new wearable devices. We tested our first AR application during ScienzAperta in May 2016, an open-door event organized at INGV in Catania, and addressed to pupils and students who live in the Etna region. For that application, we referred to Wikitude trade mark framework provided by Wikitude GmbH (www.wikitude.com), under Android OS version 4+. Throughout ScienzAperta, all visitors were astonished by the AR experience, as the majority of them never heard before about AR applications. What’s happened after the Pokémon Go! revolution? Actually, the worldwide success of the game makes easy to understand the potential impact of AR, which is not only useful for games. This new video game experience represents indeed a milestone for the future of AR: “the success of AR games such as Pokémon Go!, which was downloaded more than 100 million times in its first month, reportedly earning $10m per day at the height of its popularity, has attracted widespread attention and investment” (The Gardian, 2016). As mobile devices (like glasses, smartwatches, etc.) will be even wearable in the next future, many important groups among the biggest technology communities are working hard to create some amazing smart devices (Fig. 1). This will increase the great success of AR technology among the “digital native” generation, raising our motivation to use this new way of communication to disseminate a better culture of safety.Co-financed by European Commissions's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, Grant agreement ECHO/SUB/2015/718655/PREV28PublishedCatania, Italy3T. Pericolosità sismica e contributo alla definizione del rischioope

Awareness on Seismic Risk: How can Augmented Reality help?

To communicate the importance of knowing the risk of non-structural damage caused by earthquakes, we developed applications based on Augmented Reality (AR) features. These applications run on mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones, by using their video camera and other on-board sensors, such as GPS, accelerometer, and gyrocompass, from which AR users do take advantage. Combined with a specifically designed exhibit, our AR applications can contribute to increase the common awareness on seismic risk, providing useful information on how to have safer homes in case of an earthquake. Building codes do not take into account non-structural elements, leaving communities at risk of injuries, blocking escapes and even causing deaths. In this framework, the personal preparedness is of paramount importance. The development of our AR applications is supported by the European project KnowRISK (Know your city, Reduce seISmic risK through non-structural elements).PublishedReykjavik, Iceland2TM. Divulgazione Scientific

Awareness on Seismic Risk: How can Augmented Reality help?

To communicate the importance of knowing the risk of non-structural damage caused by earthquakes, we developed applications based on Augmented Reality (AR) features. These applications run on mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones, by using their video camera and other on-board sensors, such as GPS, accelerometer, and gyrocompass, from which AR users do take advantage. Combined with a specifically designed exhibit, our AR applications can contribute to increase the common awareness on seismic risk, providing useful information on how to have safer homes in case of an earthquake. Building codes do not take into account non-structural elements, leaving communities at risk of injuries, blocking escapes and even causing deaths. In this framework, the personal preparedness is of paramount importance. The development of our AR applications is supported by the European project KnowRISK (Know your city, Reduce seISmic risK through non-structural elements).Published485-4922TM. Divulgazione Scientific

Mobile Synchronization Recovery for Ultrasonic Indoor Positioning

The growing interest for indoor position-based applications and services, as well as ubiquitous computing and location aware information, have led to increasing efforts toward the development of positioning techniques. Many applications require accurate positioning or tracking of people and assets inside buildings, and some market sectors are waiting for such technologies for starting a fast growth. Ultrasonic systems have already been shown to possess the desired positioning accuracy and refresh rate. However, they still require accurate synchronization between ultrasound emitters and receivers to work properly. Usually, synchronization is carried out through radio frequency (RF) signals, adding system complexity and raising the cost. In this work, this limit is overcome by introducing a novel self-synchronizing indoor positioning technique. Ultrasonic signals travel from emitters placed at fixed reference positions to any number of mobile devices (MD). The travelled distance is computed from the time of flight (TOF), which requires in turn synchronism between emitter and receiver. It is shown that this synchronism can be indirectly estimated from the time difference of arrival (TDOA) of the ultrasonic signals. The obtained positioning information is private, in the sense that the positioning infrastructure is not aware of the number or identity of the MDs that use it. Computer simulations and experimental results obtained in a typical office room are provided