Global Energy Production Computation of a Solar-Powered Smart Home Automation System Using Reliability-Oriented Metrics

This paper presents a modified global energy production computation formula that replaces the traditional Performance Ratio (PR) with a novel Solar Reliability Factor (SRF) for mobile solar tracking systems. The SRF parameter describes the reliability and availability of a dual-axis solar tracker, which powers a smart home automation system entirely by using clean energy. By applying the SRF in the global energy production formula of solar tracking systems, we can predict the energy generation in real time, allowing proper energy management of the entire smart home automation system. Regarding static deployed Photovoltaic (PV) systems, the PR factor is preserved to compute the power generation of these devices accurately. Experimental results show that the energy production computation constantly fluctuates over several days due to the SRF parameter variation, showing a 26.11% reduction when the dual-axis solar tracker’s availability is affected by system errors and maximum power generation when the solar tracking device is operating in optimal conditions

Fault Coverage-Aware Metrics for Evaluating the Reliability Factor of Solar Tracking Systems

This paper presents a mathematical approach for determining the reliability of solar tracking systems based on three fault coverage-aware metrics which use system error data from hardware, software as well as in-circuit testing (ICT) techniques, to calculate a solar test factor (STF). Using Euler’s named constant, the solar reliability factor (SRF) is computed to define the robustness and availability of modern, high-performance solar tracking systems. The experimental cases which were run in the Mathcad software suite and the Python programming environment show that the fault coverage-aware metrics greatly change the test and reliability factor curve of solar tracking systems, achieving significantly reduced calculation steps and computation time

Remote Control Android-based Applications for A Home Automation Implemented with Arduino Mega 2560 and ESP 32

As technology becomes cheaper and more reliable, people are taking advantage of it to improve their standard of living. This paper describes how we can integrate some of the available technology into our daily lives to create a safe and comfortable living environment. The provision of high-speed Internet makes it easy to access and monitor various types of devices in real-time from a desktop, a tablet or any device that has the capability to do so. With the help of this framework, all smart home sensors and devices can be tailored to the user's personal needs, and some of the parameters can even be observed and controlled using a mobile phone. There are a range of home automation systems on the market, but they are either generic or, if customizable, costly. The goal of this project was to develop secure and affordable home applications and to examine how some of the applications can be operated from very large distances using Wi-Fi and smartphone technology. &nbsp

Can Dental Office Lighting Intensity Conditions Influence the Accuracy of Intraoral Scanning?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different settings of ambient light intensity inside the dental office on the accuracy (trueness and precision) of an intraoral scanner (IOS). A full crown preparation was conducted on a resin molar which was scanned using a high resolution extraoral scanner to obtain a reference model. Six light settings were chosen based on the most clinically relevant light conditions inside the workspace, and the preparation was scanned using an intraoral scanner (PlanScan, Planmeca). The obtained data was analyzed using a professional 3D quality control software (Geomagic Control X). There was no statistically relevant difference between the groups when regarding trueness, although a slight influence of the light intensity could be observed on the trueness values. Regarding precision, the best results were obtained in the 3800 lux group, with the other groups presenting close values, excepting the extreme values (400 lux and 11 000 lux) groups that proved to be the most deficient

INTAGLIO SURFACE TRUENESS OF MILLED VS 3D PRINTED PROVISIONAL OCCLUSAL VENEERS – AN IN VITRO STUDY

Aim of the study: The latest CAD/CAM technologies allow provisional restorations to be produced by milling or 3D printing methods. The two methods differ in terms of cost, speed and working protocol. An important factor of a successful provisional restoration is the fidelity of the intaglio surface and its adaptation to the preparation surface. How faithful is the adaptation of these temporary restorations to the preparation surface and are there differences between the manufacturing methods in terms of intaglio surface trueness? Materials and Methods: A preparation for occlusal veneer was performed on an upper molar of a typodont. The preparation was scanned with an intraoral scanner (Medit i700) and the table-top restauration was designed using a CAD software. Based on the CAD design, 45 restorations were produced using the two technologies: 15 milled restorations from Telio CAD (Ivoclar), 15 milled restorations from Brilliant Crios (Coltene), and 15 3D printed restorations (GC Temp Print resin). The intaglio surfaces of the milled and printed restorations were scanned using the same intraoral scanner. In order to assess the intaglio surface trueness, each scan was superimposed and compared to the original CAD design file of the restauration with the help of a metrology grade, quality control software. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the analysed groups of values. The printed restoration group showed slightly higher deviation values than the milled ones, the Telio CAD group with an average of 37 microns and the Brilliant Crios group with an average of 36 microns. Conclusions: The milled occlusal veneers showed slightly better results of the intaglio surface trueness while both milled and printed restorations showed trueness values within the accepted limit, indicating a clinically acceptable fi

Fault Coverage-Aware Metrics for Evaluating the Reliability Factor of Solar Tracking Systems

This paper presents a mathematical approach for determining the reliability of solar tracking systems based on three fault coverage-aware metrics which use system error data from hardware, software as well as in-circuit testing (ICT) techniques, to calculate a solar test factor (STF). Using Euler’s named constant, the solar reliability factor (SRF) is computed to define the robustness and availability of modern, high-performance solar tracking systems. The experimental cases which were run in the Mathcad software suite and the Python programming environment show that the fault coverage-aware metrics greatly change the test and reliability factor curve of solar tracking systems, achieving significantly reduced calculation steps and computation time

Is There a Significant Difference in Accuracy of Four Intraoral Scanners for Short-Span Fixed Dental Prosthesis? A Comparative In Vitro Study

Is the accuracy of the older generation of IOSs an impediment for obtaining a quality intraoral digital impression? The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in accuracy between four intraoral scanners (two of the latest IOSs and two older IOSs) in the scenario of a short span fixed partial denture, and to determine if these differences have a major impact on the quality of the final digital impression. Four intraoral scanners: Cerec PrimeScan, Medit i700, Cerec Omnicam and Planmeca PlanScan and one laboratory scanner were used in this study. The scanned data were processed with the help of Geomagic Control X, a metrology software. For the statistical data analysis, the level of significance was set as 0.05 (α = 0.05). The Medit i700 group displayed the best level of trueness with the median value of 23.25 µm, PrimeScan group with a median of 25.55 µm, Omnicam group with a median of 32.3 µm and the PlanScan group which displayed the lowest level of trueness with a median value of 75.8 µm. From the precision data analysis, it was concluded that the PrimeScan group showed the best results, followed by Medit i700, Omnicam and the PlanScan group which showed the lowest precision. Even if there are some significant differences in accuracy between old and new IOSs, in the in vitro scenario of short span dental prostheses, the accuracy values were within the clinically acceptable range and may present important clinical implications

Scanning Distance Influence on the Intraoral Scanning Accuracy—An In Vitro Study

Intraoral scanners (IOS) have reached a point where their impact in the dental office cannot be denied. The distance between the tip of the IOS and the preparation may have implications on the accuracy of the digital model. The objective of this study was to evaluate the differences in accuracy between digital impressions in the scenario of different scanning distances. Twenty consecutive scans were performed at five predetermined distances: 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm and 23 mm by a single operator. The scanning distance of 10 mm displayed the best accuracy with an overall trueness value of 23.05 μm and precision value of 4.2 μm. The drawn conclusion was that increased scanning distances can decrease the accuracy of a digital impression