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Volume 11
Issue 23
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Appl. Sci., Volume 11, Issue 23 (December-1 2021) – 499 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): Cold atmospheric plasmas (CAPs) used in plasma medicine have shown great potential in various aspects including wound healing, dermatology, cancer therapy, etc. In this study, the ratio of the discharge energy to the number of the treated in vitro kidney cells (mJ/cell) was employed as the unit of the plasma dosage. This biology-based method has the advantages of easy operation, independence of specific CAP sources, and also independence of complex interactions between CAPs and the treated biological targets, and consequently, may provide a new direction to quantitatively define the plasma dosage in various plasma medical applications. View this paper
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19 pages, 4804 KB  
Article
Hybrid Power System for the Range Extension of Security Robots: Specification Development Phase
by Woosuk Sung
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11577; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311577 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2379
Abstract
This paper describes our best practices related to hybrid power system (HPS) development, with a focus on the specification development phase. The HPS specifications are based on the main development goals of our security robot, which place top priority on 24 h continuous [...] Read more.
This paper describes our best practices related to hybrid power system (HPS) development, with a focus on the specification development phase. The HPS specifications are based on the main development goals of our security robot, which place top priority on 24 h continuous operation on a single charge. Similar to human guards, security robots are expected to operate 24 h per day, seven days per week, but existing battery-powered robots cannot meet these goals. For long-duration missions, their operating times are too short, and their charging times are too long. As an effective alternative, hydrogen fuel cells are combined with batteries to hybridize the power systems of security robots. In this study, several HPS structures were comprehensively compared by selecting a one-stage series structure. Component specifications were determined based on the selected structure to achieve the main development goals of our security robot. To verify whether the determined specifications are valid, a HPS simulator was developed. The key operating conditions for the HPS were simulated, including overloading, terminal short-circuiting, and drive cycling. Under critical conditions, the behavior of the entire system and its components was confirmed. The developed specifications will eventually be carried over to the prototyping phase. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting-Edge Technologies of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs))
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16 pages, 545 KB  
Article
Application of Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation in Calculation of Space Elevator System
by Shihao Luo, Youhua Fan and Naigang Cui
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11576; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311576 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3382
Abstract
The space elevator system is a space tether system used to solve low-cost space transportation. Its high efficiency, large load, reusability and other characteristics have broad application prospects in the aerospace field. Most of the existing mechanical models are based on “chain-bar” and [...] Read more.
The space elevator system is a space tether system used to solve low-cost space transportation. Its high efficiency, large load, reusability and other characteristics have broad application prospects in the aerospace field. Most of the existing mechanical models are based on “chain-bar” and a lumped mass tether model, which cannot effectively reflect the flexible behaviour of the rope of space elevator system. To establish an accurate mechanical model, the gradient deficient beam elements of the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) are used to build the mechanical model of the space elevator system. The universal gravitation and centrifugal force in the model are derived. The calculation results of the ANCF model are compared with the results of the finite element method (FEM) and lumped mass (LM) models. The results show that the calculation results of the ANCF method are not very different from the results of the FEM and LM models in the case of axial loading. In the case of lateral loading, the calculation results of the ANCF method are basically the same as the results of the FEM and LM models, but can better reflect the local flexible deformation of the space elevator rope, and have a better calculation stability than FEM. Under the same calculation accuracy, the ANCF method can use fewer elements, and the speed of convergence is faster than the FEM and LM models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Aerospace Science and Engineering)
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14 pages, 2049 KB  
Article
Average Intensity of Low-Frequency Sound and Its Fluctuations in a Shallow Sea with a Range-Dependent Random Impedance of the Liquid Bottom
by Fengqin Zhu, Oleg E. Gulin and Igor O. Yaroshchuk
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11575; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311575 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2771
Abstract
In this study, the problem of the influence of a horizontally inhomogeneous liquid bottom impedance, given by random Gaussian function of the speed of sound and by density, on the propagation of low-frequency sound in a shallow-water waveguide is considered. The model parameters [...] Read more.
In this study, the problem of the influence of a horizontally inhomogeneous liquid bottom impedance, given by random Gaussian function of the speed of sound and by density, on the propagation of low-frequency sound in a shallow-water waveguide is considered. The model parameters are referenced to the conditions of sound propagation in the regions of the seas of the Russian Arctic shelf. By the example of statistical modeling of the sound field intensity, we show that sound speed fluctuations in the bottom lead to similar effects that were previously established for volumetric fluctuations of the speed of sound in the water layer. With the distance from the source, the decrease in the average intensity slows down in comparison with a deterministic medium in which there are no fluctuations. This deceleration of the decay of the intensity in a random waveguide can be significant already at short distances. Changes in the law of decay of intensity at a fixed frequency are mainly determined by the correlation radius of inhomogeneities and the average penetrability of the bottom, which leads to attenuation of sound propagating in the waveguide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Acoustics and Vibrations)
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17 pages, 6793 KB  
Article
Novel Modelling Approach for Obtaining the Parameters of Low Ionosphere under Extreme Radiation in X-Spectral Range
by Vladimir A. Srećković, Desanka M. Šulić, Veljko Vujčić, Zoran R. Mijić and Ljubinko M. Ignjatović
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11574; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311574 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2939
Abstract
Strong radiation from solar X-ray flares can produce increased ionization in the terrestrial D-region and change its structure. Moreover, extreme solar radiation in X-spectral range can create sudden ionospheric disturbances and can consequently affect devices on the terrain as well as signals from [...] Read more.
Strong radiation from solar X-ray flares can produce increased ionization in the terrestrial D-region and change its structure. Moreover, extreme solar radiation in X-spectral range can create sudden ionospheric disturbances and can consequently affect devices on the terrain as well as signals from satellites and presumably cause numerous uncontrollable catastrophic events. One of the techniques for detection and analysis of solar flares is studying the variations in time of specific spectral lines. The aim of this work is to present our study of solar X-ray flare effects on D-region using very low-frequency radio signal measurements over a long path in parallel with the analysis of X-spectral radiation, and to obtain the atmospheric parameters (sharpness, reflection height, time delay). We introduce a novel modelling approach and give D-region coefficients needed for modelling this medium, as well as a simple expression for electron density of lower ionosphere plasmas. We provide the analysis and software on GitHub. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Challenges in Exploring Solar Radiation: Influence, Consequences, Diagnostics, Prediction)
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9 pages, 4126 KB  
Article
Manufacture and Characterization of Alginate-CMC-Dextran Hybrid Double Layer Superabsorbent Scaffolds
by Jeongyeon Choi and Heekyung Jeon
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11573; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311573 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3267
Abstract
This study focused on the manufacturing of functional superabsorbent sponges using natural polymers. An alginate/CMC-embedded dextran hybrid dual-layer formulation was prepared using the freeze-drying method. The physical properties of the formulation were characterized using a field emission scanning electron microscope and a universal [...] Read more.
This study focused on the manufacturing of functional superabsorbent sponges using natural polymers. An alginate/CMC-embedded dextran hybrid dual-layer formulation was prepared using the freeze-drying method. The physical properties of the formulation were characterized using a field emission scanning electron microscope and a universal testing machine, and the swelling ratio was calculated. Cell viability assays were performed using keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). The results showed that this formulation can absorb a large amount of moisture and provide morphological stability through its tensile strength and uniform porosity, and this was verified by its biocompatibility. We believe that in the future, by combining this novel hybrid dual-layer superabsorbent sponge with antibacterial agents with excellent porosity, it would serve as a medical material for producing bandages that can absorb blood and body fluids, feminine hygiene products, and functional antibacterial masks. Full article
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11 pages, 5253 KB  
Article
Effects of Heat Treatment on the Microstructure and Hardness of A356 (AlSi7Mg0.3) Manufactured by Vertical Centrifugal Casting
by Wonho Kim, Kyungsu Jang, Changwook Ji and Eunkyung Lee
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11572; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311572 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4917
Abstract
The A356 alloy has been widely used in automotive components, such as wheels and brake disks, because it is an excellent lightweight material with high corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties. Recently, to reduce the weight of brake disks, the Fe-A356 hybrid brake [...] Read more.
The A356 alloy has been widely used in automotive components, such as wheels and brake disks, because it is an excellent lightweight material with high corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties. Recently, to reduce the weight of brake disks, the Fe-A356 hybrid brake disk has been suggested. Because brake disk quality is directly related to driving safety, the T4/T6 heat treatment of centrifugally cast A356 alloys were performed to enhance the mechanical properties and reduce micro-segregation. The solid-solution heat treatment followed by annealing caused the formation of Mg-rich intermetallic compounds on the grain boundaries of the Al matrix, decreasing the average hardness of the alloys by 13 HV. In contrast, the solid solution followed by water quenching (T4) reduced the area fractions of the intermetallic compounds and increased the average hardness by 11 HV. The T6 heat-treated A356 alloys, which were influenced by the formation of the Guinier–Preston zone exhibited a relatively higher average hardness, by 18 HV, compared to T4 heat-treated A356 alloys. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Alloys: Fusion of the Cutting Edge Research Tools with Conventional Metal Study)
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14 pages, 2989 KB  
Article
Evaluation of NOx Reduction Effect and Impact on Asphalt Pavement of Surface Treatment Technology including TiO2 and Asphalt Rejuvenator
by Jong-Won Lee and Cheolmin Baek
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11571; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311571 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4249
Abstract
Nitrogen oxide (NOx), emitted at the highest rate among automobile exhaust gases, is the main cause of air pollution, and various construction technologies are being developed to reduce NOx emissions. In this study, the NOx reduction effect of surface treatment technology for road [...] Read more.
Nitrogen oxide (NOx), emitted at the highest rate among automobile exhaust gases, is the main cause of air pollution, and various construction technologies are being developed to reduce NOx emissions. In this study, the NOx reduction effect of surface treatment technology for road pavements, and the effect of the photocatalytic reaction on asphalt pavements, were evaluated using a photocatalyst. Three types of titanium dioxide (TiO2) were used as photocatalysts, and an asphalt rejuvenator used to recover aged asphalt was applied as a surface treatment agent. To evaluate the NOx reduction effect, a test device capable of testing large-sized specimens was manufactured and compared with the ISO method, which only allowed the testing of small specimens. In addition, the effect of TiO2 and the asphalt rejuvenator on the asphalt mixture was analyzed through chemical analysis. The test results of the newly manufactured mixed-tank photo reactor showed the same trend as the ISO test results concerning the evaluation of its NOx removal performance. As a result of the performance evaluation of the surface treatment using TiO2, the NO removal rate was up to 7.83% when Anatase-type TiO2 with excellent light efficiency was applied. In addition, when the rejuvenator was used, the oxidation of asphalt, caused by the photoreaction of TiO2, was reduced. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Road Materials and Sustainable Pavement Design)
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22 pages, 2535 KB  
Article
CitiusSynapse: A Deep Learning Framework for Embedded Systems
by Seungtae Hong, Hyunwoo Cho and Jeong-Si Kim
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11570; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311570 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4384
Abstract
As embedded systems, such as smartphones with limited resources, have become increasingly popular, active research has recently been conducted on performing on-device deep learning in such systems. Therefore, in this study, we propose a deep learning framework that is specialized for embedded systems [...] Read more.
As embedded systems, such as smartphones with limited resources, have become increasingly popular, active research has recently been conducted on performing on-device deep learning in such systems. Therefore, in this study, we propose a deep learning framework that is specialized for embedded systems with limited resources, the operation processing structure of which differs from that of standard PCs. The proposed framework supports an OpenCL-based accelerator engine for accelerator deep learning operations in various embedded systems. Moreover, the parallel processing performance of OpenCL is maximized through an OpenCL kernel that is optimized for embedded GPUs, and the structural characteristics of embedded systems, such as unified memory. Furthermore, an on-device optimizer for optimizing the performance in on-device environments, and model converters for compatibility with conventional frameworks, are provided. The results of a performance evaluation show that the proposed on-device framework outperformed conventional methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Computing and Artificial Intelligence)
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10 pages, 4951 KB  
Article
All Fiber Mach–Zehnder Interferometer Based on Intracavity Micro-Waveguide for a Magnetic Field Sensor
by Maoqing Chen, Qifeng Liu and Yong Zhao
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11569; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311569 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3327
Abstract
A magnetic fluid (MF)-based magnetic field sensor with a filling-splicing fiber structure is proposed. The sensor realizes Mach–Zehnder interference by an optical fiber cascade structure consisting of single mode fiber (SMF), multimode fiber (MMF), and single-hole-dual-core fiber (SHDCF). The core in the cladding [...] Read more.
A magnetic fluid (MF)-based magnetic field sensor with a filling-splicing fiber structure is proposed. The sensor realizes Mach–Zehnder interference by an optical fiber cascade structure consisting of single mode fiber (SMF), multimode fiber (MMF), and single-hole-dual-core fiber (SHDCF). The core in the cladding and the core in the air hole of SHDCF are used as the reference and sensing light path, respectively, and the air hole of SHDCF is filled with magnetic fluid to realize magnetic field measurement based on magnetic controlled refractive index (RI) characteristics. The theoretical feasibility of the proposed sensing structure is verified by Rsoft simulation, the optimized length of SHDCF is determined by optical fiber light transmission experiment, and the SHDCFs are well fused without collapse through the special parameter setting. The results show that the sensitivity of the sensor is −116.1 pm/Gs under a magnetic field of 0~200 Gs with a good long-term operation stability. The proposed sensor has the advantages of high stability, fast response, simple structure, and low cost, which has development potential in the field of miniaturized magnetic field sensing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Laser Measurement Technologies)
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17 pages, 13601 KB  
Article
Methodology of 3D Scanning of Intangible Cultural Heritage—The Example of Lazgi Dance
by Maria Skublewska-Paszkowska, Pawel Powroznik, Jakub Smolka, Marek Milosz, Edyta Lukasik, Dilbar Mukhamedova and Elzbieta Milosz
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11568; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311568 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 5242
Abstract
Traditional dance is one of the key elements of Intangible Culture Heritage (ICH). Many scientific papers concern analysis of dance sequences, classification and recognition of movements, making ICH data public, creating and visualising 3D models or software solutions for learning folklore dances. These [...] Read more.
Traditional dance is one of the key elements of Intangible Culture Heritage (ICH). Many scientific papers concern analysis of dance sequences, classification and recognition of movements, making ICH data public, creating and visualising 3D models or software solutions for learning folklore dances. These works make it possible to preserve this disappearing art. The aim of this article is to propose a methodology for scanning folklore dances. The methodology was developed on the basis of capturing 3D data via an optical motion capture system with a full body Plug-in Gait model that allows for kinematic and kinetic analysis of motion sequences. An additional element of this research was the development of a hand model with which it is possible to precisely analyse the fingers, which play a significant role in many dances. The present methodology was verified on the basis of the Lazgi dance, included in the UNESCO ICH list. The obtained results of movement biomechanics for the dance sequence and the angles of the fingers indicate that it is universal and can be applied to dances that involve the upper and lower body parts, including hand movements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Information Technologies in Cultural Heritage Preservation and Popularisation)
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17 pages, 5514 KB  
Article
Resonance in the Cart-Pendulum System—An Asymptotic Approach
by Wael S. Amer, Tarek S. Amer, Roman Starosta and Mohamed A. Bek
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11567; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311567 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 4420
Abstract
The major objective of this research is to study the planar dynamical motion of 2DOF of an auto-parametric pendulum attached with a damped system. Using Lagrange’s equations in terms of generalized coordinates, the fundamental equations of motion (EOM) are derived. The method of [...] Read more.
The major objective of this research is to study the planar dynamical motion of 2DOF of an auto-parametric pendulum attached with a damped system. Using Lagrange’s equations in terms of generalized coordinates, the fundamental equations of motion (EOM) are derived. The method of multiple scales (MMS) is applied to obtain the approximate solutions of these equations up to the second order of approximation. Resonance cases are classified, in which the primary external and internal resonance are investigated simultaneously to establish both the solvability conditions and the modulation equations. In the context of the stability conditions of these solutions, the equilibrium points are obtained and graphically displayed to derive the probable steady-state solutions near the resonances. The temporal histories of the attained results, the amplitude, and the phases of the dynamical system are depicted in graphs to describe the motion of the system at any instance. The stability and instability zones of the system are explored, and it is discovered that the system’s performance is stable for a significant number of its variables. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Achievements in Structural Dynamics Analysis)
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17 pages, 6659 KB  
Article
Improving the Manipulability of a Redundant Arm Using Decoupled Hybrid Visual Servoing
by Alireza Rastegarpanah, Ali Aflakian and Rustam Stolkin
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11566; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311566 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3303
Abstract
This study proposes a hybrid visual servoing technique that is optimised to tackle the shortcomings of classical 2D, 3D and hybrid visual servoing approaches. These shortcomings are mostly the convergence issues, image and robot singularities, and unreachable trajectories for the robot. To address [...] Read more.
This study proposes a hybrid visual servoing technique that is optimised to tackle the shortcomings of classical 2D, 3D and hybrid visual servoing approaches. These shortcomings are mostly the convergence issues, image and robot singularities, and unreachable trajectories for the robot. To address these deficiencies, 3D estimation of the visual features was used to control the translations in Z-axis as well as all rotations. To speed up the visual servoing (VS) operation, adaptive gains were used. Damped Least Square (DLS) approach was used to reduce the robot singularities and smooth out the discontinuities. Finally, manipulability was established as a secondary task, and the redundancy of the robot was resolved using the classical projection operator. The proposed approach is compared with the classical 2D, 3D and hybrid visual servoing methods in both simulation and real-world. The approach offers more efficient trajectories for the robot, with shorter camera paths than 2D image-based and classical hybrid VS methods. In comparison with the traditional position-based approach, the proposed method is less likely to lose the object from the camera scene, and it is more robust to the camera calibrations. Moreover, the proposed approach offers greater robot controllability (higher manipulability) than other approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Robotics)
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42 pages, 5437 KB  
Review
Causative Mechanisms of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity Leading to Adult Cardiometabolic Disease: A Literature Review
by Mihai Octavian Negrea, Bogdan Neamtu, Ioana Dobrotă, Ciprian Radu Sofariu, Roxana Mihaela Crisan, Bacila Ionut Ciprian, Carmen Daniela Domnariu and Minodora Teodoru
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11565; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311565 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 7238
Abstract
The past few decades have shown a worrisome increase in the prevalence of obesity and its related illnesses. This increasing burden has a noteworthy impact on overall worldwide mortality and morbidity, with significant economic implications as well. The same trend is apparent regarding [...] Read more.
The past few decades have shown a worrisome increase in the prevalence of obesity and its related illnesses. This increasing burden has a noteworthy impact on overall worldwide mortality and morbidity, with significant economic implications as well. The same trend is apparent regarding pediatric obesity. This is a particularly concerning aspect when considering the well-established link between cardiovascular disease and obesity, and the fact that childhood obesity frequently leads to adult obesity. Moreover, most obese adults have a history of excess weight starting in childhood. In addition, given the cumulative character of both time and severity of exposure to obesity as a risk factor for associated diseases, the repercussions of obesity prevalence and related morbidity could be exponential in time. The purpose of this review is to outline key aspects regarding the current knowledge on childhood and adolescent obesity as a cardiometabolic risk factor, as well as the most common etiological pathways involved in the development of weight excess and associated cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends and Prospects in Pathophysiology of Diet-Related Diseases)
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22 pages, 58339 KB  
Article
Solar Potential in Saudi Arabia for Flat-Plate Surfaces of Varying Tilt Tracking the Sun
by Harry D. Kambezidis, Ashraf Farahat, Mansour Almazroui and Emad Ramadan
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11564; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311564 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5425
Abstract
The objective of the present work is to investigate the performance of flat-plate solar panels in Saudi Arabia that continuously follow the daily motion of the sun. To that end, the annual energy sums are estimated for such surfaces at 82 locations covering [...] Read more.
The objective of the present work is to investigate the performance of flat-plate solar panels in Saudi Arabia that continuously follow the daily motion of the sun. To that end, the annual energy sums are estimated for such surfaces at 82 locations covering all Saudi Arabia. All calculations use a surface albedo of 0.2 and another one with a near-real value. The variation of the solar energy sums on annual, seasonal, and monthly basis is given for near-real ground albedos; the analysis provides regression equations for the energy sums as function of time. A map of the annual inclined solar energy for Saudi Arabia is derived and presented. The annual energy sums are found to vary between 2159 and 4078 kWhm−2year−1. Finally, a correction factor, introduced in a recent publication, is used; it is confirmed that the linear relationship between the correction factor and the ground-albedo ratio is general enough to be graphically representable as a nomogram. A discussion regarding the differences among solar systems on horizontal, fixed-tilt, 1-axis, and 2-axis systems is presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Energy Science and Technology)
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11 pages, 1107 KB  
Article
Reliability Modeling and Analysis of Multi-Degradation of Momentum Wheel Based on Copula Function
by Yan-Feng Li, Ming Huang, Song Bai, Yuan Chen and Hong-Zhong Huang
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11563; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311563 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2568
Abstract
The momentum wheel is a key component of the satellite attitude control system and has a direct impact on the reliability and overall life of the satellite. The momentum wheel has the characteristics of a high reliability, long life, and complex failure mechanics, [...] Read more.
The momentum wheel is a key component of the satellite attitude control system and has a direct impact on the reliability and overall life of the satellite. The momentum wheel has the characteristics of a high reliability, long life, and complex failure mechanics, which leads to expensive maintenance and a low reliability of the test sample. Therefore, it is challenge to implement an accelerated life test. The traditional life data statistical method has great difficulty in solving the reliability analysis of the momentum wheel. A reliability calculation method based on copula function for multi-degradation is proposed. Firstly, the key factors affecting the reliability of the momentum wheel are analyzed, and the lubricant residual quantity and current are selected as the degradation quantity. Secondly, the wiener process is used to model the degradation of a single degradation quantity, and the edge distribution function of the momentum wheel reliability is obtained. Considering that the correlation between multiple degradation quantities has a non-negligible influence on the reliability analysis result, the copula function is introduced to describe the correlation, and the edge distributions are fused to obtain the joint distribution function of the momentum wheel reliability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reliability Theory and Applications in Complicated and Smart Systems)
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23 pages, 10086 KB  
Article
Influence of Fatigue Crack Formation and Propagation on Reliability of Steel Members
by Peter Koteš and Josef Vičan
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11562; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311562 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3367
Abstract
During the years of bridge exploitation, many degradation processes and external influences attack its structure. Therefore, bridge reliability and durability is decreasing in time. On the other hand, the traffic load remains almost the same or even higher than in the past. However, [...] Read more.
During the years of bridge exploitation, many degradation processes and external influences attack its structure. Therefore, bridge reliability and durability is decreasing in time. On the other hand, the traffic load remains almost the same or even higher than in the past. However, bridges should not to become the limiting component of communication capacity and traffic reliability. Regarding to reliability, bridges should be assessed from the viewpoint of the Ultimate Limit States (ULS) and Serviceability Limit States (SLS). Within the ULS, cross-sections and members are verified for various types of stressing and their combinations, and also for fatigue at the same time. The cross-sectional verification, e.g., for bending stresses and fatigue, is done independently according to corresponding criteria of the ULS determined for strength verification a fatigue assessment separately. The presented article deals with the steel railway plate girder bridge with bottom member deck, in which there is an effort to prove the effect of the crack in tension bottom flange due to fatigue stressing on the change of bending resistance over time. The analytical calculation was derived and at the same time, the probabilistic approach of the influence of the fatigue crack size on the change of the cross-sectional resistance and reliability over time was used. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostics and Monitoring of Steel and Concrete Structures)
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16 pages, 558 KB  
Article
An Analysis of Sound Event Detection under Acoustic Degradation Using Multi-Resolution Systems
by Diego de Benito-Gorrón, Daniel Ramos and Doroteo T. Toledano
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11561; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311561 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4467
Abstract
The Sound Event Detection task aims to determine the temporal locations of acoustic events in audio clips. In recent years, the relevance of this field is rising due to the introduction of datasets such as Google AudioSet or DESED (Domestic Environment Sound Event [...] Read more.
The Sound Event Detection task aims to determine the temporal locations of acoustic events in audio clips. In recent years, the relevance of this field is rising due to the introduction of datasets such as Google AudioSet or DESED (Domestic Environment Sound Event Detection) and competitive evaluations like the DCASE Challenge (Detection and Classification of Acoustic Scenes and Events). In this paper, we analyze the performance of Sound Event Detection systems under diverse artificial acoustic conditions such as high- or low-pass filtering and clipping or dynamic range compression, as well as under an scenario of high overlap between events. For this purpose, the audio was obtained from the Evaluation subset of the DESED dataset, whereas the systems were trained in the context of the DCASE Challenge 2020 Task 4. Our systems are based upon the challenge baseline, which consists of a Convolutional-Recurrent Neural Network trained using the Mean Teacher method, and they employ a multiresolution approach which is able to improve the Sound Event Detection performance through the use of several resolutions during the extraction of Mel-spectrogram features. We provide insights on the benefits of this multiresolution approach in different acoustic settings, and compare the performance of the single-resolution systems in the aforementioned scenarios when using different resolutions. Furthermore, we complement the analysis of the performance in the high-overlap scenario by assessing the degree of overlap of each event category in sound event detection datasets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue IberSPEECH 2020: Speech and Language Technologies for Iberian Languages)
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23 pages, 5849 KB  
Article
Simulation and Analysis of Grid Formation Method for UAV Clusters Based on the 3 × 3 Magic Square and the Chain Rules of Visual Reference
by Rui Qiao, Guili Xu, Yuehua Cheng, Zhengyu Ye and Jinlong Huang
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11560; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311560 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2936
Abstract
Large-scale unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) formations are vulnerable to disintegration under electromagnetic interference and fire attacks. To address this issue, this work proposed a distributed formation method of UAVs based on the 3 × 3 magic square and the chain rules of visual [...] Read more.
Large-scale unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) formations are vulnerable to disintegration under electromagnetic interference and fire attacks. To address this issue, this work proposed a distributed formation method of UAVs based on the 3 × 3 magic square and the chain rules of visual reference. Enlightened by the biomimetic idea of the plane formation of starling flocks, this method adopts the technical means of airborne vision and a cooperative target. The topological structure of the formation’s visual reference network showed high static stability under the measurement of the network connectivity index. In addition, the dynamic self-healing ability of this network was analyzed. Finally, a simulation of a battlefield using matlab showed that, when the loss of UAVs reaches 85% for formations with different scales, the UAVs breaking formation account for 5.1–6% of the total in the corresponding scale, and those keeping formation account for 54.4–65.7% of the total undestroyed fleets. The formation method designed in this paper can maintain the maximum number of UAVs in formation on the battlefield. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Unmanned Aerial Vehicles)
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20 pages, 23233 KB  
Article
Response of Biological Gold Nanoparticles to Different pH Values: Is It Possible to Prepare Both Negatively and Positively Charged Nanoparticles?
by Parastoo Pourali, Oldřich Benada, Miroslav Pátek, Eva Neuhöferová, Volha Dzmitruk and Veronika Benson
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11559; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311559 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4709
Abstract
The mycelium-free supernatant (MFS) of a five-day-old culture medium of Fusarium oxysporum was used to synthesize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The experimental design of the study was to answer the question: can this production process of AuNPs be controllable like classical chemical or physical [...] Read more.
The mycelium-free supernatant (MFS) of a five-day-old culture medium of Fusarium oxysporum was used to synthesize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The experimental design of the study was to answer the question: can this production process of AuNPs be controllable like classical chemical or physical approaches? The process of producing AuNPs from 1 mM tetrachloroauric (III) acid trihydrate in MFS was monitored visually by color change at different pH values and quantified spectroscopically. The produced AuNPs were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The presence of capping agents was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Two AuNP samples with acidic and alkaline pH were selected and adjusted with the pH gradient and analyzed. Finally, the size and zeta potential of all samples were determined. The results confirmed the presence of the proteins as capping agents on the surface of the AuNPs and confirmed the production of AuNPs at all pH values. All AuNP samples exhibited negative zeta potential, and this potential was higher at natural to alkaline pH values. The size distribution analysis showed that the size of AuNPs produced at alkaline pH was smaller than that at acidic pH. Since all samples had negative charge, we suspect that there were other molecules besides proteins that acted as capping agents on the surface of the AuNPs. We conclude that although the biological method of nanoparticle production is safe, green, and inexpensive, the ability to manipulate the nanoparticles to obtain both positive and negative charges is limited, curtailing their application in the medical field. Full article
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11 pages, 644 KB  
Article
An Approximation-Based Design Optimization Approach to Eigenfrequency Assignment for Flexible Multibody Systems
by Roberto Belotti, Ilaria Palomba, Erich Wehrle and Renato Vidoni
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11558; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311558 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2044
Abstract
The use of flexible multibody simulation has increased significantly over recent years due to the increasingly lightweight nature of mechanical systems. The prominence of lightweight engineering design in mechanical systems is driven by the desire to require less energy in operation and to [...] Read more.
The use of flexible multibody simulation has increased significantly over recent years due to the increasingly lightweight nature of mechanical systems. The prominence of lightweight engineering design in mechanical systems is driven by the desire to require less energy in operation and to reach higher speeds. However, flexible lightweight systems are prone to vibration, which can affect reliability and overall system performance. Whether such issues are critical depends largely on the system eigenfrequencies, which should be correctly assigned by the proper choice of the inertial and elastic properties of the system. In this paper, an eigenfrequency assignment method for flexible multibody systems is proposed. This relies on a parametric modal model which is a Taylor expansion approximation of the eigenfrequencies in the neighborhood of a configuration of choice. Eigenfrequency assignment is recast as a quadratic programming problem which can be solved with low computational effort. The method is validated by assigning the lowest eigenfrequency of a two-bar linkage by properly adding point masses. The obtained results indicate that the proposed method can effectively assign the desired eigenfrequency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization of Nonlinear Vibration in Mechanical Systems)
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11 pages, 2663 KB  
Article
Photonic Stopband Filters Based on Graphene-Pair Arrays
by Dong Zhao, Liyan Wang, Fangmei Liu, Dong Zhong and Min Wu
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11557; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311557 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2330
Abstract
We investigate the photonic bandgaps in graphene-pair arrays. Graphene sheets are installed in a bulk substrate to form periodical graphene photonic crystal. The compound system approves a photonic band structure as a light impinges on it. Multiple stopbands are induced by changing the [...] Read more.
We investigate the photonic bandgaps in graphene-pair arrays. Graphene sheets are installed in a bulk substrate to form periodical graphene photonic crystal. The compound system approves a photonic band structure as a light impinges on it. Multiple stopbands are induced by changing the incident frequency of light. The stopbands widths and their central frequencies could be modulated through the graphene chemical potential. The number of stopbands decreases with the increase in the spatial period of graphene pairs. Otherwise, two full passbands are realized in the parameter space composed of the incident angle and the light frequency. This investigation has potentials applied in tunable multi-stopbands filters. Full article
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16 pages, 3426 KB  
Article
Scaled Experiment of the Detonation Control System for the High-Speed Penetration on Concrete
by Huan Yan, Shiqiao Gao and Lei Jin
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11556; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311556 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2299
Abstract
The design scheme and fabrication technology of the detonation control system for the high-speed deep penetration need to be tested for reliability and effectiveness through shooting range tests. However, the shooting range tests of the high-speed deep penetration are so demanding and expensive [...] Read more.
The design scheme and fabrication technology of the detonation control system for the high-speed deep penetration need to be tested for reliability and effectiveness through shooting range tests. However, the shooting range tests of the high-speed deep penetration are so demanding and expensive that it is difficult for the detonation control system to be tested many times. This paper focuses on penetration characteristics of the detonation control system to put forward a laboratory-scaled experiment method with the low impact velocity. Independent parameters of projectile and target affecting the penetration characteristics are effectively analyzed and extracted. A multi-parameter programming method of the scaled experiment for high-speed deep penetration is established. By adjusting the key parameters, the loading conditions of the scaled experiment can be obtained, which can get the comparable deceleration curve with those of the high-speed deep penetration. Finally, the extreme working environment for the detonation control system in the high-speed deep penetration is simulated through the scaled experiment in the laboratory. The scaled experiment method can get the comparable deceleration peak and time history. It is highly economical, and the experimental process is also repeatable, which can provide a reliable reference for the protection design into the projectile. Full article
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17 pages, 2948 KB  
Article
Detection of Small Size Traffic Signs Using Regressive Anchor Box Selection and DBL Layer Tweaking in YOLOv3
by Yawar Rehman, Hafsa Amanullah, Dost Muhammad Saqib Bhatti, Waqas Tariq Toor, Muhammad Ahmad and Manuel Mazzara
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11555; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311555 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3361
Abstract
Traffic sign recognition is a key module of autonomous cars and driver assistance systems. Traffic sign detection accuracy and inference time are the two most important parameters. Current methods for traffic sign recognition are very accurate; however, they do not meet the requirement [...] Read more.
Traffic sign recognition is a key module of autonomous cars and driver assistance systems. Traffic sign detection accuracy and inference time are the two most important parameters. Current methods for traffic sign recognition are very accurate; however, they do not meet the requirement for real-time detection. While some are fast enough for real-time traffic sign detection, they fall short in accuracy. This paper proposes an accuracy improvement in the YOLOv3 network, which is a very fast detection framework. The proposed method contributes to the accurate detection of a small-sized traffic sign in terms of image size and helps to reduce false positives and miss rates. In addition, we propose an anchor frame selection algorithm that helps in achieving the optimal size and scale of the anchor frame. Therefore, the proposed method supports the detection of a small traffic sign with real-time detection. This ultimately helps to achieve an optimal balance between accuracy and inference time. The proposed network is evaluated on two publicly available datasets, namely the German Traffic Sign Detection Benchmark (GTSDB) and the Swedish Traffic Sign dataset (STS), and its performance showed that the proposed approach achieves a decent balance between mAP and inference time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Intelligent Imaging Technology Ⅲ)
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29 pages, 15372 KB  
Article
Exergoeconomic and Environmental Analysis and Multi-Objective Optimization of a New Regenerative Gas Turbine Combined Cycle
by Ali Baghernejad and Amjad Anvari-Moghaddam
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11554; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311554 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4950
Abstract
Combined cycle systems have an important role in power generation. In the present study, three different configurations of combined Brayton and Rankine cycle system are studied from the perspective of energy, exergy, exergoeconomic and environmental perspectives. Results indicate that it depends on the [...] Read more.
Combined cycle systems have an important role in power generation. In the present study, three different configurations of combined Brayton and Rankine cycle system are studied from the perspective of energy, exergy, exergoeconomic and environmental perspectives. Results indicate that it depends on the preferences and criteria of each decision maker to select the best configuration among the three proposed configurations as the final configuration. For the purpose of parametric analysis, the effect of changing various parameters such as compressor pressure ratio, gas turbine inlet temperature on the output work, exergy efficiency, exergy-economic and environmental parameters is studied. In addition, an attempt is made to optimize the performance of combined cycle systems considering three objective functions of exergy efficiency, total cost rate and exergy unit cost of produced electricity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Modelling and Performance Optimization of Gas Turbines and Combined Cycle Power Plants)
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18 pages, 6073 KB  
Article
A Sensitivity Analysis Approach for Assessing the Effect of Design Parameters in Reducing Seismic Demand of Base-Isolated Storage Racks
by Oscar Álvarez, Enrique Muñoz, Nelson Maureira-Carsalade and Ángel Roco-Videla
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11553; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311553 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2784
Abstract
The most used global sensitivity analysis (GSA) method is based on variance. This is performed using Monte Carlo Sampling (MCS) or Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS). It requires a large sample to obtain accurate estimates. Density-based methods, such as the GSA PAWN, have been [...] Read more.
The most used global sensitivity analysis (GSA) method is based on variance. This is performed using Monte Carlo Sampling (MCS) or Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS). It requires a large sample to obtain accurate estimates. Density-based methods, such as the GSA PAWN, have been developed to reduce the sample size without compromising the result. PAWN is simpler than other methods because it uses cumulative density functions (CDF) instead of probability density. This method has been widely used in areas such as environmental engineering with very good results, reducing computation time. However, its use in structural engineering is incipient. The PAWN method was used to classify the design variables of the isolation system in relation to their sensitivity, and in relation to the seismic response of industrial storage racks. The above was analyzed in terms of the effectiveness of each variable to reduce the seismic demand using a novel base isolation kinematic device (BIKD). Racks with different combinations of their structural parameters such as the number of storage levels, the height between them, and isolation period, among others, were studied. The dimensions of the racks were chosen to match those that would later be experimentally tested on shaking table. An earthquake whose response spectrum matched the design spectrum of current Chilean regulations, was considered as seismic forcing. The maximum base shear load, the displacement of the top level of storage and the floor drift were considered as target responses to be studied. Fixed base racks (FBR), as reference, and base-isolated racks (BIR) were analyzed. The results showed the effectiveness of using the BIKD system in reducing all three-target responses up to one order of magnitude. Additionally, it was determined that the parameters that have the greatest influence on the response correspond to the number of storage levels and the height between them, both for FBR and BIR. Full article
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22 pages, 7165 KB  
Article
Experimental Study on the Features of Infrasonic Waves of Sandstone under Shear Load
by Chen Qiao, Fenglin Xu, Pengcheng Su, Yang Liu, Yifang Zhang, Honglin Zhu, Haitao Huang, Man Huang, Jilong Chen and Dunlong Liu
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11552; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311552 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2638
Abstract
The shear failure of rock is a major cause of rock slope instability and consequent landslides. To determine the forming mechanism of infrasonic waves during the loss of stability of sandstone slopes, experiments were carried out using a shear loading device and an [...] Read more.
The shear failure of rock is a major cause of rock slope instability and consequent landslides. To determine the forming mechanism of infrasonic waves during the loss of stability of sandstone slopes, experiments were carried out using a shear loading device and an infrasonic monitoring device. In the experiments, infrasonic wave events were identified, and the characteristic parameters of infrasonic waves were extracted to analyze the features of the infrasonic wave response during the shear failure of sandstone. The study results show that: (1) the whole process of shear failure was associated with infrasound events. A normalized energy cumulative coefficient of over 0.6 and a normalized infrasound rate of over 0.89 are the key time nodes for alarming landslide; (2) with an increase in sample size, the shear resistance of the sample increases logarithmically, the total energy of infrasound events increases exponentially, and the average dominant frequency of infrasound events decreases linearly; and (3) with an increase in axial pressure, the shear of the rock increases almost linearly, the number of infrasound events increases linearly, and the average dominant frequency of infrasound events increases exponentially. The research results provide important guidance for the dynamic monitoring and evaluation of the stability of sandstone slopes and can provide a theoretical reference for landslide alarming of sandstone slopes using infrasonic waves. Full article
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13 pages, 17559 KB  
Article
A Deep Learning Architecture for 3D Mapping Urban Landscapes
by Armando Levid Rodríguez-Santiago, José Aníbal Arias-Aguilar, Hiroshi Takemura and Alberto Elías Petrilli-Barceló
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11551; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311551 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3238
Abstract
In this paper, an approach through a Deep Learning architecture for the three-dimensional reconstruction of outdoor environments in challenging terrain conditions is presented. The architecture proposed is configured as an Autoencoder. However, instead of the typical convolutional layers, some differences are proposed. The [...] Read more.
In this paper, an approach through a Deep Learning architecture for the three-dimensional reconstruction of outdoor environments in challenging terrain conditions is presented. The architecture proposed is configured as an Autoencoder. However, instead of the typical convolutional layers, some differences are proposed. The Encoder stage is set as a residual net with four residual blocks, which have been provided with the necessary knowledge to extract the feature maps from aerial images of outdoor environments. On the other hand, the Decoder stage is set as a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) and called a GAN-Decoder. The proposed network architecture uses a sequence of the 2D aerial image as input. The Encoder stage works for the extraction of the vector of features that describe the input image, while the GAN-Decoder generates a point cloud based on the information obtained in the previous stage. By supplying a sequence of frames that a percentage of overlap between them, it is possible to determine the spatial location of each generated point. The experiments show that with this proposal it is possible to perform a 3D representation of an area flown over by a drone using the point cloud generated with a deep architecture that has a sequence of aerial 2D images as input. In comparison with other works, our proposed system is capable of performing three-dimensional reconstructions in challenging urban landscapes. Compared with the results obtained using commercial software, our proposal was able to generate reconstructions in less processing time, with less overlapping percentage between 2D images and is invariant to the type of flight path. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Deep Learning III)
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14 pages, 5134 KB  
Article
Low-Phase-Noise Oscillator Using a High-QL Resonator with Split-Ring Structure and Open-Loaded T-Type Stub for a Tumor-Location-Tracking Sensor
by Ki-Cheol Yoon, Kwang-Gi Kim, Jun-Won Chung and Byeong-Soo Kim
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11550; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311550 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2706
Abstract
Sensors in the medical field to detect specific tissues, such as radars, must provide accurate signals from frequency generators. In order to supply an accurate frequency signal, the oscillator must have a low phase noise. Therefore, the resonator used in the oscillator must [...] Read more.
Sensors in the medical field to detect specific tissues, such as radars, must provide accurate signals from frequency generators. In order to supply an accurate frequency signal, the oscillator must have a low phase noise. Therefore, the resonator used in the oscillator must provide a high QL. Therefore, in this paper, we have proposed a low-phase-noise X-band oscillator that used a resonator with a high value of QL as a sensor for tissue-locating applications. The resonator had a split-ring structure and consisted of an open-loaded, T-type stub with a high-QL; such high-QL levels were enabled by controlling the length of the open-circuit in the T-type stub. This led to the generation of only low-phase noise in the proposed oscillator. Experimental results showed that, at an operating frequency of 10.08 GHz, the output power was 18.66 dBm, the second harmonic suppression was −34.40 dBc, and the phase noise was −138.13 dBc/Hz at an offset of 100 kHz. This proposed oscillator can be used as a sensor to detect the location of tissues during laparoscopic surgery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering)
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11 pages, 962 KB  
Article
Serum MicroRNAs as Biomarkers of Sepsis and Resuscitation
by Lorena Oteiza, Antonio Ferruelo, Nicolás Nín, Mario Arenillas, Marta de Paula, Rachele Pandolfi, Laura Moreno, Raquel Herrero, Paloma González-Rodríguez, Óscar Peñuelas, Francisco Pérez-Vizcaíno and José A. Lorente
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11549; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311549 - 6 Dec 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2839
Abstract
There is a lack of biomarkers of sepsis and the resuscitation status. Our objective was to prove that the serum expression of certain microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) is differentially regulated in sepsis and is sensitive to different resuscitation regimes. Anesthetized pigs (Sus scrofa [...] Read more.
There is a lack of biomarkers of sepsis and the resuscitation status. Our objective was to prove that the serum expression of certain microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) is differentially regulated in sepsis and is sensitive to different resuscitation regimes. Anesthetized pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) received no treatment (n = 15) or intravenous live E. coli (n = 24). The septic animals received 0.9% saline at 4 mL/kg/h (n = 8) (low resuscitation group (LoR)) or 10–17 mL/kg/h (high resuscitation group (HiR)) (n = 8 each group). Blood samples were obtained at the end of the experiment for measurement of seven different miRNAs (RT-qPCR, Qiagen, Hilden, Germany). The serum expression of miR-146a-5p and miR-34a-5p increased significantly in the septic group, and miR-146a-5p was significantly lower in the HiR group than in the LoR group. The toll-like receptor signaling pathway involving 22 target proteins was significantly (adjusted p = 3.87 × 10−4) regulated by these two microRNAs (KEGG). Highly significant (p value = 2.22 × 10−16) protein–protein interactions (STRING) were revealed for these 22 hits. MiR-146a-5p and miR-34a-5p were identified as biomarkers of sepsis, and miRNA146a-5p seemed to be a biomarker of the intensity of the resuscitation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolomic Analysis in Human Diseases: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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3 pages, 176 KB  
Editorial
Special Issue on Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy: Advances towards Widespread Applications
by Alberto Dalla Mora
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11548; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311548 - 6 Dec 2021
Viewed by 2163
Abstract
Light is a powerful tool for the non-invasive and non-destructive analysis of several organic and inorganic materials [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy: Advances Towards Widespread Applications)
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