Filters
total: 1509
displaying 1000 best results Help
Search results for: FLUCTUATION-ENHANCED SENSING
-
Nitrogen-Doped Diamond Film for Optical Investigation of Hemoglobin Concentration
PublicationIn this work we present the fabrication and characterization of a diamond film which can be utilized in the construction of optical sensors for the investigation of biological samples. We produced a nitrogen-doped diamond (NDD) film using a microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MWPECVD) system. The NDD film was investigated with the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman...
-
Doped Nanocrystalline Diamond Films as Reflective Layers for Fiber-Optic Sensors of Refractive Index of Liquids
PublicationThis paper reports the application of doped nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films—nitrogen-doped NCD and boron-doped NCD—as reflective surfaces in an interferometric sensor of refractive index dedicated to the measurements of liquids. The sensor is constructed as a Fabry–Pérot interferometer, working in the reflective mode. The diamond films were deposited on silicon substrates by a microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition...
-
Equivalent single-layer models in deformation analysis of laminated multilayered plates
PublicationThe performance of selected Equivalent Single-Layer (ESL) models is evaluated within several classical benchmark tests for linear static analysis of multi-layered plates. The authors elaborated their own Finite Element software based on the first-order shear deformation theory (FOSD) with some modifications incorporated including a correction of the transverse shear stiffness and an application of zig-zag type functions. Seven...
-
Optimization of Hydrogen - Evolving Photochemical Molecular Devices
PublicationA molecular photocatalyst consisting of a RuII photocenter, a tetrapyridophenazine bridging ligand, and a PtX2 (X=Cl or I) moiety as the catalytic center functions as a stable system for light-driven hydrogen production. The catalytic activity of this photochemical molecular device (PMD) is significantly enhanced by exchanging the terminal chlorides at the Pt center for iodide ligands. Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy...
-
Single-step grown boron doped nanocrystalline diamond-carbon nanograss hybrid as an efficient supercapacitor electrode
PublicationDirect synthesis of nano-structured carbon hybrid consisting of vertically aligned carbon nanograss on top of boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond is demonstrated and the carbon hybrid is further applied as an electrode material for the fabrication of supercapacitor. The hybrid film combines the dual advantages of sp2 (carbon nanograss) and sp3 (nanocrystalline diamond) bonded carbon, possessing not only the excellent electrical...
-
Isothermal Vulcanization and Non-Isothermal Degradation Kinetics of XNBR/Epoxy/XNBR-g-Halloysite Nanotubes (HNT) Nanocomposites
PublicationThe effect of several concentrations of carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber (XNBR) functionalized halloysite nanotubes (XHNTs) on the vulcanization and degradation kinetics of XNBR/epoxy compounds were evaluated using experimental and theoretical methods. The isothermal vulcanization kinetics were studied at various temperatures by rheometry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results obtained indicated that the...
-
Application of thin diamond films in low-coherence fiber-optic Fabry Pérot displacement sensor
PublicationThe novel fiber-optic low coherence sensor with thin diamond films is demonstrated. The undoped and boron-doped diamond films were elaborated by the use of the microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (μPE CVD) system. The optical signal from the Fabry–Pérot cavity made with the application of those thin films is sensitive to displacement. The sensor characterization was made in the range of 0–600 μm. The measurements...
-
Data-driven Models for Predicting Compressive Strength of 3D-printed Fiber-Reinforced Concrete using Interpretable Machine Learning Algorithms
Publication3D printing technology is growing swiftly in the construction sector due to its numerous benefits, such as intricate designs, quicker construction, waste reduction, environmental friendliness, cost savings, and enhanced safety. Nevertheless, optimizing the concrete mix for 3D printing is a challenging task due to the numerous factors involved, requiring extensive experimentation. Therefore, this study used three machine learning...
-
External electron donor and transporter of iron triggers the paths to enhancing collaboration of anammox and denitrification in granular sludge: Bacterial resilience and synergetic promotion mechanism
PublicationAutotrophic nitrogen removal via anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) technology currently faces sig nificant challenges in treating low-strength wastewater due to inefficient retention of bacteria and unstable activity under fluctuating conditions. This study demonstrates enhanced resilience and stability of anammox coupled with partial denitrification (PD) in granular sludge, assisted by ferric iron (Fe(III)) and nano zero-valent iron...
-
The Impact of Isocyanate Index and Filler Functionalities on the Performance of Flexible Foamed Polyurethane/Ground Tire Rubber Composites
PublicationThe structure and performance of polyurethane (PU) foams are strongly driven by the stoichiometry of the polyaddition reaction, quantitatively described by the isocyanate index. It determines the balance between isocyanate and hydroxyl groups in the reacting system and is affected by the introduction of additional functionalities originated, e.g., from applied fillers. Nevertheless, this issue is hardly taken into account in research...
-
Nanocrystalline diamond sheets as protective coatings for fiber-optic measurement head
PublicationFiber-optic sensors find numerous applications in science and industry, but their full potential is limited because of the risk of damaging the measurement head, in particular, due to the vulnerability of unprotected tips of the fiber to mechanical damage and aggressive chemical agents. In this paper, we report the first use of a new nanocrystalline diamond structure in a fiber-optic measurement head as a protective coating of...
-
Advanced operating methods
PublicationSelected operating methods of resistive gas sensors were presented. The methods utilize flicker noise (1/f noise), which gives additional information about ambient gas when compared with the recorded changes of DC resistance only. Methods of flicker noise measurements were outlined. Recently developed prototype gas sensors comprising golden nanoparticle functionalized with organic ligands can generate intense flicker noise induced...
-
Potentiometric Oxygen Sensor with Solid State Reference Electrode
PublicationThe concentration or the partial pressure of oxygen in an environment can be determined using different measuring principles. For high temperature measurements of oxygen, ceramic-based sensors are the most practical. They are simple in construction, exploration and maintenance. A typical oxygen potentiometric sensor consists of an oxygen ion conducting solid electrolyte and two electrodes deposited...
-
Using wavelet techniques for multibeam sonar bathymetry data compression
PublicationMultibeam sonars are widely used in applications like high resolution bathymetry measurements or underwater object imaging. One of the significant problems in multibeam sensing of the marine environment is large amount of data which must be transmitted from the sonar processing unit to an operator station using a limited bit rate channel. For instance, such a situation would be in the case when the multibeam sonar was mounted on...
-
On the compression of multibeam sonar raw bathymetry data
PublicationMultibeam sonars are widely used in applications like high resolution bathymetry measurements or underwater object imaging. One of the significant problems in multibeam sensing of the marine environment is large amount of data which must be transmitted from the sonar processing unit to an operator station using a limited bit rate channel. For instance, such a situation would be in the case when the multibeam sonar was mounted on...
-
Influence of operation temperature instability on gas sensor performance
PublicationGas sensors based on the semiconducting metal-oxides, such as SnO2, have been found to be very useful for detecting a wide range of gases. The reversible interactions of the gas with the surface of the sensing layer made of semiconducting metal-oxides are responsible for changes of sensor resistance which is usually used as a measure of sensor response. Semiconductor gas sensors are commercially available and applied in numerous...
-
Combined Long-Period Fiber Grating and Microcavity In-Line Mach–Zehnder Interferometer for Refractive Index Measurements with Limited Cross-Sensitivity
PublicationThis work discusses sensing properties of a long-period grating (LPG) and microcavity in-line Mach–Zehnder interferometer (µIMZI) when both are induced in the same single-mode optical fiber. LPGs were either etched or nanocoated with aluminum oxide (Al2O3) to increase its refractive index (RI) sensitivity up to ≈2000 and 9000 nm/RIU, respectively. The µIMZI was machined using a femtosecond laser as a cylindrical cavity (d = 60...
-
Novel luminescent calixarene-based lanthanide materials: From synthesis and characterization to the selective detection of Fe3+
PublicationCalix[n]arene-based coordination networks are an emerging class of materials with intriguing properties resulted from the presence of the cavity-like structure of the macrocycle and metallic nodes. In this work, four novel luminescent materials based on calix[4]arene-carboxylate and lanthanides (Eu3þ and Tb3þ) were prepared by two synthetic approaches, solvothermal (CDA-Eu-ST) and slow diffusion (CDA-Eu-RT, CDA-Tb-RT, CTA-Tb-complex)...
-
Automatic classification and mapping of the seabed using airborne LiDAR bathymetry
PublicationShallow coastal areas are among the most inhabited areas and are valuable for biodiversity, recreation and the economy. Due to climate change and sea level rise, sustainable management of coastal areas involves extensive exploration, monitoring, and protection. Current high-resolution remote sensing methods for monitoring these areas include bathymetric LiDAR. Therefore, this study presents a novel methodological approach to assess...
-
Generation-recombination and 1/f noise in carbon nanotube networks
PublicationThe low-frequency noise is of special interest for carbon nanotubes devices, which are building blocks for a variety of sensors, including radio frequency and terahertz detectors. We studied noise in as-fabricated and aged carbon nanotube networks (CNNs) field-effect transistors. Contrary to the majority of previous publications, as-fabricated devices demonstrated the superposition of generation-recombination (GR) and 1/f noise...
-
An NO2 sensor based on WO3 thin films for automotive applications in the microwave frequency range
PublicationA microwave system dedicated to the detection of nitrogen dioxide in the harsh environment of the Norway highways is proposed. An optimized transmission line type of sensor coated with a tungsten trioxide thin film that changes its electrical properties under NO2 gas exposure is developed. The sensors' response (S) is given in °/GHz and it is calculated based on wideband measurements. The advantage of wideband measurements in comparison...
-
Strategies for achieving energy neutrality in biological nutrient removal systems - a case study of the Slupsk WWTP (northern Poland)
PublicationThe paper presents a model-based evaluation of technological upgrades on the energy and cost balance in a large biological nutrient removal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in the city of Slupsk (northern Poland). The proposed upgrades include chemically enhanced primary sludge removal and reduction of the nitrogen load in the deammonification process employed for reject water treatment. Simulations enabled to estimate the increased...
-
Atomic Force Microscope data post-processing algorithm for higher harmonics imaging
PublicationPrevious works have proved that higher harmonics topography imaging using atomic force microscope (AFM) can significantly enhanced its measurement capabilities. Integrated tools dedicated to most of microscopes allow to visualize the investigated surface only by one selected harmonic. Because of the different characteristics of a sample, scanning tip and the environment, appropriate harmonic selection is time consuming and requires...
-
High temperature corrosion resistance of porous hastelloy alloy
PublicationTo further understand the suitability of Ni-Cr-base alloy for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), a commercial Ni-Cr-Fe-Mo alloy, Hastelloy X was selected and evaluated for oxidation behaviour under high temperature conditions. HastelloyX was chosen due to its unusual resistance to oxidizing, reducing and neutral atmospheres. For long term stability of metal supported fuel cell, the corrosion resistance plays a vital role and must be...
-
Fast Multi-Objective Optimization of Narrow-Band Antennas Using RSA Models and Design Space Reduction
PublicationComputationally efficient technique for multi-objective design optimization of narrow-band antennas is presented. In our approach, the corrected low-fidelity antenna model (obtained through coarse-discretization EM simulations) is enhanced using frequency scaling and response correction, sampled, and utilized to obtain a fast response surface approximation (RSA) antenna surrogate. The RSA model is constructed in the reduced design space....
-
Strategies for Achieving Energy Neutrality in Biological Nutrient Removal Systems – a Case Study of the Slupsk WWTP (northern Poland)
PublicationThe paper presents a model-based evaluation of technological upgrades on the energy and cost balance in a large biological nutrient removal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in the city of Slupsk (northern Poland). The proposed upgrades include chemically enhanced primary sludge removal and reduction of the nitrogen load in the deammonification process employed for reject water treatment. Simulations enabled to estimate the increased...
-
Structure and thermoelectric properties of nickel-doped copper selenide synthesised in a hydrogen atmosphere
PublicationNickel-doped copper selenide—Cu2-xNixSe (x = 0; 0.01; 0.02; 0.03)—materials with high thermoelectric properties were synthesised through reduction of reagents in hydrogen. The impact of the nickel content on both the microstructure and thermoelectric properties was examined. The nickel-doped samples’ microstructure differed significantly from pristine copper selenide. Besides Cu2Se, copper precipitations were present in the materials....
-
Microfluidic devices for photo-and spectroelectrochemical applications
PublicationThe review presents recent developments in electrochemical devices for photo- and spectroelectrochemical investigations, with the emphasis on miniaturization (i.e., nanointerdigitated complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor devices, micro- and nano-porous silicon membranes or microoptoelectromechanical systems), silica glass/microreactors (i.e., plasmonic, Raman spectroscopy or optical microcavities) or polymer-based devices (i.e.,...
-
Influence of plasmon resonance on the luminescence of titanium dioxide thin films doped with rare earth ions
PublicationIn this work the study of the optical properties of europium doped titanium dioxide thin films (TiO2:Eu) enhanced by gold plasmonic nanostructures are presented. Plasmonic platforms were manufactured by thermal annealing of thin film of Au, deposited on a Corning glass substrate. As a result of thermal treatment, gold spherical nanostructures with average dimensions of 50 nm were obtained. Luminescent TiO2:Eu film was deposited...
-
Reviewing the recent developments of using graphene-based nanosized materials in membrane separations
PublicationAccording to the potentialities of graphene-based materials and their unique physicochemical properties. Such 2D nanomaterials are likely to be the most implemented within the improvement of the selective separations of polymer membranes, together with enhanced physicochemical properties (such as hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, transport of molecules, mechanical and thermal features, among others). Hence, this review compiles and...
-
Integration of Fluorescent, NV-Rich Nanodiamond Particles with AFM Cantilevers by Focused Ion Beam for Hybrid Optical and Micromechanical Devices
PublicationIn this paper, a novel fabrication technology of atomic force microscopy (AFM) probes integrating cantilever tips with an NV-rich diamond particle is presented. Nanomanipulation techniques combined with the focused electron beam-induced deposition (FEBID) procedure were applied to position the NV-rich diamond particle on an AFM cantilever tip. Ultrasonic treatment of nanodiamond suspension was applied to reduce the size of diamond...
-
Investigation of long-range dependencies in the stochastic part of daily GPS solutions
PublicationThe long-range dependence (LRD) of the stochastic part of GPS-derived topocentric coordinates change (North, East, Up) results with relatively high autocorrelation values with a focus on self-similarity. One of the reasons for such self-similarity in the GPS time series are noises that are commonly recognised to prevail in the form of the flicker noise model. To prove the self-similarity of the stochastic part of GPS time series...
-
Impact of Propeller Emergence on Hull, Propeller, Engine, and Fuel Consumption Performance in Regular Head Waves
PublicationIn this study, the impact of propeller emergence on the performance of a ship (speed), propeller (thrust, torque, and RPM), a diesel engine (torque and RPM) and fuel consumption are analysed under severe sea conditions. The goal is to describe the variation in the system variables and fuel consumption rather than analysing the motion of the ship or the phenomenon of propeller ventilation in itself. A mathematical model of the...
-
A novel approach to enhance high optically active L-lactate production from food waste by landfill leachate
PublicationThe recycling of food waste (FW) through anaerobic fermentation into lactic acid (LA), with two isomers L-LA and D-LA, aligns with the principles of a bio-based circular economy. However, FW fermentation is often limited by competing pathways, acidification inhibition, and trace metals deficiency. This study investigates the introduction of landfill leachate, containing buffering agents (ammonia) and trace metals, into FW fermentation....
-
A study of a compact high-efficiency zero-emission power plant with oxy-fuel combustion
PublicationThis paper discusses the application of global trends in gas cycles technology using oxy-fuel combustion. This is followed by a demonstration of a design solution for a new cycle with two enhanced energy-converting devices, namely a wet combustion chamber and a spray-ejector condenser. The proposed gas and steam cycle unit is contained within a single turbine, whose benefits combine those offered by gas turbines (high inlet temperatures)...
-
Direct electrical brain stimulation of human memory: lessons learnt and future perspectives
PublicationModulation of cognitive functions supporting human declarative memory is one of the grand challenges of neuroscience, and of vast importance for a variety of neuropsychiatric, neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases. Despite a recent surge of successful attempts at improving performance in a range of memory tasks, the optimal approaches and parameters for memory enhancement have yet to be determined. On a more fundamental...
-
Multifunctional Bandpass Filter/Displacement Sensor Component
PublicationThis paper presents the design and realization of a multifunctional bandpassfilter/displacement-sensor using an edge-coupled microstrip bandpass filter loaded by a pair of split ring resonators (SRRs). It is shown that while the structure acts as a bandpass filter at its operating frequency, the phase of the reflection coefficient from a movable loading resonator at the resonance frequency of the resonator can be used for displacement...
-
Nanocrystalline CVD Diamond Coatings on Fused Silica Optical Fibres: Optical Properties Study
Publicationpre-treatment by dip coating in two detonation nanodiamond (DND) seeding media has been studied. The DND suspension in ethyl alcohol and dispersion of DND in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were chosen for the seeding purpose. The grain size distribution of nanodiamond particles in both seeding media was kept at the same level (approximately 1050 nm). After the seeding nanocrystalline diamond lms were deposited...
-
A new multi-process collaborative architecture for time series classification
PublicationTime series classification (TSC) is the problem of categorizing time series data by using machine learning techniques. Its applications vary from cybersecurity and health care to remote sensing and human activity recognition. In this paper, we propose a novel multi-process collaborative architecture for TSC. The propositioned method amalgamates multi-head convolutional neural networks and capsule mechanism. In addition to the discovery...
-
Diamond-Phase (Sp3-C) Rich Boron-Doped Carbon Nanowalls (Sp2-C): A Physico-Chemical And Electrochemical Properties
PublicationThe growth of B-CNW with different boron doping levels controlled by the [B]/[C] ratio in plasma, and the influence of boron on the obtained material’s structure, surface morphology, electrical properties and electrochemical parameters, such as -ΔE and k°, were investigated. The fabricated boron-doped carbon nanowalls exhibit activity towards ferricyanide redox couple, reaching the peak separation value of only 85 mV. The flatband...
-
Reliable low-cost surrogate modeling and design optimisation of antennas using implicit space mapping with substrate segmentation
PublicationAbstract: In this work, a reliable methodology for fast simulation-driven design optimisation of antenna structures is proposed. The authors’ approach exploits implicit space mapping (ISM) technology. To adopt it for handling antenna structures, they introduce substrate segmentation with separate dielectric permittivity value assigned for each segment as ISM preassigned parameters. At the same time, the coarse model for space mapping...
-
Effects of n-butanol presence, inlet loading, empty bed residence time and starvation periods on the performance of a biotrickling filter removing cyclohexane vapors from air
PublicationThis paper presents the results of investigations on the removal of cyclohexane vapors from air using a peat-perlite packed biotrickling filter. Effects of basic process parameters i.e. IL (inlet loading) and EBRT (empty bed residence time) as well as introduction of n-butanol to the treated air stream and starvation periods on the process performance were evaluated. The results show that the introduction of hydrophilic n-butanol...
-
Smart Virtual Product Development (SVPD) to Enhance Product Manufacturing in Industry 4.0
PublicationThis paper presents a system capable of enhancing product development process for industrial manufactured products. This system is known as Smart Virtual Product Development (SVPD), and it helps in decision making by using explicit knowledge of formal decision events. It stores and reuses the past decisional events or sets of experiences related to different activities involved in industrial product development process i.e. product...
-
Condition of Reinforced Concrete Structures and Their Degradation Mechanism at the Former Auschwitz Concentration and Extermination Camp
PublicationThis paper presents the results of investigations on reinforced concrete structures present in the former Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp. Field inspection employing the non-destructive method of reinforcement potential measurement according to the ASTM-C 876–15 standard, followed by laboratory investigations performed on genuine historic reinforced concrete samples collected from the...
-
Efficient Multi-Objective Simulation-Driven Antenna Design Using Co-Kriging
PublicationA methodology for fast multi-objective antenna optimization is presented. Our approach is based on response surface approximation (RSA) modeling and variable-fidelity electromagnetic (EM) simulations. In the design process, a computationally cheap RSA surrogate model constructed from sampled coarse-discretization EM antenna simulations is optimized using a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm. The initially determined Pareto...
-
Modification of microporous polyurethane elastomers with different types of ash—morphological, mechanical, and thermal studies
PublicationIncorporation of wood ash particles from wood gasification into microporous polyurethane elastomers has been investigated and compared to addition of commercially available microspheres resulting from coal burning. Samples were modified with 3 and 6 wt% of fillers. Structure, mechanical, and thermal properties of obtained elastomers were investigated. Incorporation of both types of ash particles decreased the density of polyurethanes...
-
Adsorption-assisted transport of water vapour in super-hydrophobic membranes filled with multilayer graphene platelets
PublicationThe effects of confinement of multilayer graphene platelets in hydrophobic microporous polymeric membranes are here examined. Intermolecular interactions between water vapour molecules and nanocomposite membranes are envisaged to originate assisted transport of water vapour in membrane distillation processes when a suitable filler-polymer ratio is reached. Mass transport coefficients are estimated under different working conditions,...
-
Three-dimensional mapping for data collected using variable stereo baseline
PublicationThe paper describes a system of 3D mapping of data collected with due regard for variable baseline. This solution constitute an extension to a VisRobot sub-system developed as a subsystem, necessary for implementing the generic idea of using mobile robots to explore an indoor static environment. This subsystem is to acquire stereo images, calculate the depth in the images and construct the sought 3D map. Stereo images are obtained...
-
Electrochemical and photoelectrochemical characterization of photoanodes based on titania nanotubes modified by a BiVO4 thin film and gold nanoparticles
PublicationTitania nanotubes (TNT) modified with thin films of bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) and gold nanoparticles (GNP) were photoelectrochemically characterized as photoanodes for water photooxidation. Presence of bismuth vanadate enhanced efficiency of photocurrent generation in comparison with pristine TNTs under visible light illumination. Besides an extended range of absorbed light, the presence of both BiVO4 and GNP reduced the charge...
-
Fusion of DNA-binding domain of Pyrococcus furiosus ligase with TaqStoffel DNA polymerase as a useful tool in PCR with difficult targets
PublicationThe DNA coding sequence of TaqStoffel polymer- ase was fused with the DNA-binding domain of Pyrococcus furiosus ligase. The resulting novel recombinant gene was cloned and expressed in E. coli. The recombinant enzyme was purified and its enzymatic features were studied. The fusion protein (PfuDBDlig-TaqS) was found to have enhanced processivity as a result of the conversion of the Taq DNA polymerase from a relatively low processive...