This paper proposes a compact and frequency-adjustable/reconfigurable dielectric (DR)-loaded eighth-mode substrate integrated waveguide (EMSIW) antenna for duplex wireless communications. The miniaturization of the resonators is realized using a rectangular slot and high isolation is achieved by keeping a reasonable space between them. The proposed design is simulated using a three-dimensional (3D) full-wave simulator, then analysed with a circuit model and finally validated experimentally. Frequency-reconfigurability in the suggested antenna is achieved by placing DRs with different permittivities in the designated holes that are realized in the open-ended portion of each resonator. Consequently, the lower- and high-resonant bands can be reconfigured from 4.70 to 5.23 GHz and from 5.55 to 6.34 GHz, respectively. It is worth mentioning that both resonant band can be independently reconfigured. Moreover, the inter-resonator coupling is always lower than −23.5 dB in the bands of interest. Furthermore, the peak realized gains are always greater than 4.7 dBi in the lower frequency band and 5.5 dBi in the higher one. The suggested antenna has stable radiation properties in both bands in all frequency ranges. Hence, this design is suitable for compact reconfigurable devices due to its compactness, large frequency ranges, stable radiation patterns, and high isolation. © 2023 Elsevier GmbH

In electrical engineering, hardware experts often need to analyze electromagnetic radiation data to detect any external interference or anomaly. The field that studies this sort of assessment is called electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). As a way to support EMC analysis, we propose the use of Augmented Situated Visualization (ASV) to supply professionals with visual and interactive information that helps them to comprehend that data, however situating it where it is most relevant in its spatial context. Users are able to interact with the visualization by changing the attributes being displayed, comparing the overlaps of multiple fields, and extracting data, as a way to refine their search. The solutions being proposed in this work were tested against each other in comparable 2D and 3D interactive visualizations of the same data in a series of data-extraction assessments with users, as a means to validate the approaches. Results exposed a correctness-time trade-off between the interaction methods. The hand-based techniques (Hand Slider and Touch Lens) were the least error-prone, being near to half as error-inducing as the gaze-based method. Touch Lens also performed as the least time-consuming method, taking in average less than half of the average time required by the others. For the visualization methods tested, the 2D ray casts presented a higher usability score and lesser workload index than the 3D topology view, however exposing over two times the error ratio. Ultimately, this work exposes how AR can help users to have better performances in a decision-making context, particularly in EMC related tasks, while also furthering the research in the ASV field. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Copyright © 2020 for this paper by its authors.In EMC testing, 3D electromagnetic field data often needs to be visually analysed by an expert in order to detect product defects or unwanted interference between multiple devices. In this sense, the present work proposes the use of data visualization techniques allied to an Augmented Reality user interface to provide information that helps professionals to analyse the same data, however spatially situated where it was first measured. Apart from visualizing it, users may also interact with the data to narrow down their search by switching the attributes being displayed, combining them together, applying filters or changing the formatting in which data is presented. The approaches being proposed in this work will ultimately be tested against each other in comparable 2D and 3D interactive visualizations of the same data in a series of usability assessments with users to validate the solutions. The goal is to ultimately expose whether AR can help users to make more accurate decisions, particularly in EMC related tasks.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine if 3D printed lenses with wavelength specific anti-reflective (AR) surface structures would improve beam intensity and thus radar efficiency for a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)-based 60 GHz radar. This would have potential for improved low-cost radar lenses for the consumer product market. Methods: A hyperbolic lens was designed in 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and was then modified with a wavelength specified AR structure. Electromagnetic computer simulation was performed on both the ‘smooth’ and ‘AR structure’ lenses and compared to actual 60 GHz radar measurements of 3D printed polylactic acid (PLA) lenses. Results: The simulation results showed an increase of 10% in signal intensity of the AR structure lens over the smooth lens. Actual measurement showed an 8% increase in signal of the AR structure lens over the smooth lens. Conclusions: Low cost and readily available Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D printing has been shown to be capable of printing an AR structure coated hyperbolic lens for millimeter wavelength radar applications. These 3D Printed AR structure lenses are effective in improving radar measurements over non-AR structure lenses. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

In phase-change memory devices, a material is cycled between glassy and crystalline states. The highly temperature-dependent kinetics of its crystallization process enables application in memory technology, but the transition has not been resolved on an atomic scale. Using femtosecond x-ray diffraction and ab initio computer simulations, we determined the time-dependent pair-correlation function of phase-change materials throughout the melt-quenching and crystallization process. We found a liquid–liquid phase transition in the phase-change materials Ag₄In₃Sb₆₇Te₂₆ and Ge₁₅Sb₈₅ at 660 and 610 kelvin, respectively. The transition is predominantly caused by the onset of Peierls distortions, the amplitude of which correlates with an increase of the apparent activation energy of diffusivity. This reveals a relationship between atomic structure and kinetics, enabling a systematic optimization of the memory-switching kinetics. © 2019 American Association for the Advancement of Science.

This paper describes an iterative approach to determine quasi-optical properties of standard 3D printer filament material to, in an inexpensive and fast way, construct focusing lenses for millimetre wave systems. Results from three lenses with different focal lengths are shown and discussed. The real part of the permittivity at 60GHz for polylactic acid (PLA) is in this paper determined to be ε_r=2.74. © 2018 Institution of Engineering and Technology. All rights reserved.

Developing Cyber-Physical Systems requires methods and tools to support simulation and verification of hybrid (both continuous and discrete) models. The Acumen modeling and simulation language is an open source testbed for exploring the design space of what rigorous-but-practical next-generation tools can deliver to developers of Cyber-Physical Systems. Like verification tools, a design goal for Acumen is to provide rigorous results. Like simulation tools, it aims to be intuitive, practical, and scalable. However, it is far from evident whether these two goals can be achieved simultaneously.

This paper explains the primary design goals for Acumen, the core challenges that must be addressed in order to achieve these goals, the "agile research method" taken by the project, the steps taken to realize these goals, the key lessons learned, and the emerging language design. © ICST Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering 2016.

The spectrum of laser-generated acoustic phonons in indium antimonide coated with a thin nickel film has been studied using time-resolved x-ray diffraction. Strain pulses that can be considered to be built up from coherent phonons were generated in the nickel film by absorption of short laser pulses. Acoustic reflections at the Ni-InSb interface leads to interference that strongly modifies the resulting phonon spectrum. The study was performed with high momentum transfer resolution together with high time resolution. This was achieved by using a third-generation synchrotron radiation source that provided a high-brightness beam and an ultrafast x-ray streak camera to obtain a temporal resolution of 10 ps. We also carried out simulations, using commercial finite element software packages and on-line dynamic diffraction tools. Using these tools, it is possible to calculate the time-resolved x-ray reflectivity from these complicated strain shapes. The acoustic pulses have a peak strain amplitude close to 1%, and we investigated the possibility to use this device as an x-ray switch. At a bright source optimized for hard x-ray generation, the low reflectivity may be an acceptable trade-off to obtain a pulse duration that is more than an order of magnitude shorter. © 2015 Author(s).

The modified phonon dispersion is of importance for understanding the origin of the reduced heat conductivity in nanowires. We have measured the phonon dispersion for 50 nm diameter InSb (111) nanowires using time-resolved X-ray diffraction. By comparing the sound speed of the bulk (3880 m/s) and that of a classical thin rod (3600 m/s) to our measurement (2880 m/s), we conclude that the origin of the reduced sound speed and thereby to the reduced heat conductivity is that the C44 elastic constant is reduced by 35% compared to the bulk material. © 2014 American Chemical Society.

Copper oxides (Cu_xO) thin films were deposited using radio frequency (RF) sputtering on glass substrates. By tuning the argon (Ar) partial pressure during deposition, cuprous oxide (Cu₂O), cupric oxide (CuO), or their mixed phase could be achieved. Drastic variations in the Hall mobility, hole density, and resistivity of the samples were observed due to the presence of different phases in the films. Kelvin probe studies indicate that the photo-generated carriers have lower recombination rate in pure Cu ₂O phase. This was further validated by transient absorption measurements, where the estimated carrier lifetime for Cu₂O was much larger that other phases. © 2013 American Institute of Physics.