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Simulated hail impacts on flexible photovoltaic laminates: testing and modelling
No full textThe problem of simulated low-velocity hail impacts on flexible photovoltaic (PV) modules resting on a substrate with variable stiffness is investigated. For this type of PV module it is shown that the prescriptions of the IEC 61215 International Standard for quality control used for rigid (glass-covered) PV modules should be augmented by taking into account the real mounting condition and the stiffness of the substrate in the simulated hail impact tests. Moreover, electroluminescence inspection of the crack pattern should be made in addition to electric power output measurements. An implicit finite element simulation of the contact problem in dynamics is also proposed, with two different degrees of accuracy, to interpret the experimentally observed extension of cracking. Results pinpoint the important role of stress wave propagation and reflection in the case of soft substrates
In situ reduction of antibacterial silver ions to metallic silver nanoparticles on bioactive glasses functionalized with polyphenols
No full textGuidance and control algorithms for mini UAV autopilots
No full textPurpose - The aim of this paper is the implementation and validation of control and guidance algorithms for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) autopilots. Design/methodology/approach - The path-following control of the UAV can be separated into different layers: inner loop for pitch and roll attitude control, outer loop on heading, altitude and airspeed control for the waypoints tracking and waypoint navigation. Two control laws are defined: one based on proportional integrative derivative (PID) controllers both for inner and outer loops and one based on the combination of PIDs and an adaptive controller. Findings - Good results can be obtained in terms of trajectory tracking (based on waypoints) and of parameter variations. The adaptive control law guarantees smoothing responses and less oscillations and glitches on the control deflections. Practical implications - The proposed controllers are easily implementable on-board and are computationally efficient. Originality/value - The algorithm validation via hardware in the loop simulations can be used to reduce the platform set-up time and the risk of losing the prototype during the flight test
Mining textural knowledge in biological images: applications, methods and trends
No full textTexture analysis is a major task in many areas of computer vision and pattern recognition, including biological imaging. Indeed, visual textures can be exploited to distinguish specific tissues or cells in a biological sample, to highlight chemical reactions between molecules, as well as to detect subcellular patterns that can be evidence of certain pathologies. This makes automated texture analysis fundamental in many applications of biomedicine, such as the accurate detection and grading of multiple types of cancer, the differential diagnosis of autoimmune diseases, or the study of physiological processes. Due to their specific characteristics and challenges, the design of texture analysis systems for biological images has attracted ever-growing attention in the last few years. In this paper, we perform a critical review of this important topic. First, we provide a general definition of texture analysis and discuss its role in the context of bioimaging, with examples of applications from the recent literature. Then, we review the main approaches to automated texture analysis, with special attention to the methods of feature extraction and encoding that can be successfully applied to microscopy images of cells or tissues. Our aim is to provide an overview of the state of the art, as well as a glimpse into the latest and future trends of research in this area
Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Cement Kiln Dust Stabilization of Construction and Demolition Waste
No full textHigh volumes of construction and demolition waste (CDW) are continuously produced worldwide. The European Commission aims to increase the recycling of nonhazardous CDW to a minimum of 70% in weight terms by 2020. Hence, there is increasing pressure on researchers to focus on the valorization of these alternative materials for use in the world of construction alongside traditional materials. CDW contains materials from excavation and/or demolition and are typically heterogeneous in terms of composition, grain size, and toughness; furthermore, some particles are more sensitive to degradation processes than others. One solution for an increase in durability while maintaining sufficient strength levels is chemical stabilization with cementitious binders. The paper illustrates the results of a laboratory investigation into the properties of CDW when subject to stabilization with cement kiln dust (CKD). Mixtures of CDW stabilized with ordinary portland cement (OPC) were prepared for comparison purposes. The results obtained with CKD are encouraging because it increases the strength and stiffness of CDW, thus leading to a material completely made up of recycled wastes and by-products usable in the formation of pavement subbases and subgrades. As regards the curing time, all mixtures saw a significant increase in their mechanical parameters when passing from 7-28 days to 365 days of curing
Design of MRAM Based Magnetic Logic Circuits
No full textEmerging technologies are gaining an increasing at- tention due to the slowdown of CMOS development. NanoMagnet Logic, among emerging technologies, increases the potentials for developing fully magnetic circuits. Using a magnet as building block for logic circuits has the advantage to merge logic and mem- ory in the same device. Moreover circuits have low dynamic and no stand-by power consumption. Even though demonstrations exist for small circuits, the experimental feasibility of complex NML circuits still represents a critical point for this technology. In this work we outline the possibility to design NML circuits based on the technological structure of Magnetic RAMs. NML circuits based on MRAMs rely on a well developed technology that provides a natural interface with CMOS world. To study this new NML implementation a novel tool, NANOcom, was developed to easily design complex circuits. Simulations were then performed using an high level behavioral model described using VHDL language. Two types of circuit layouts, based on different technological constraints, are investigated. To evaluate the performance of this new NML implementation a 4-bit Galois multiplier is used as testbench. The Galois multiplier is the basic block of cryptographic circuits, an ideal target for this technology. Results obtained are encouraging and can unlock interesting options for the future development of NML technology
A formal approach for network security policy validation
No full textNetwork security is a crucial aspect for administrators due to increasing network size and number of functions and controls (\eg firewall, DPI, parental control). Errors in configuring security controls may result in serious security breaches and vulnerabilities (\eg blocking legitimate traffic or permitting unwanted traffic) that must be absolutely detected and addressed. This work proposes a novel approach for validating network policy enforcement, by checking the network status and configuration, and detection of the possible causes in case of misconfiguration or software attacks. Our contribution exploits formal methods to model and validate the packet processing and forwarding behaviour of security controls, and to validate the trustworthiness of the controls by using remote attestation. A prototype implementation of this approach is proposed to validate different scenarios
The ‘Regular Fortress' by Guarini and the Citadel of Turin
No full textIn his Trattato di Fortificatione, Guarino Guarini described and drew a pentagonal bastioned scheme as an ideal ‘regular fortress'. The closely connected geometry, architecture, and ballistics in the drawing form a true fortified system. Guarini draws his experience from knowledge of military architecture in Italy, Flanders, and France. He was in Turin when he wrote the treatise, so it could be hypothesized that the Citadel of Turin was one of his references. Using the tools of graphical analysis and history of representation, the aim of this paper is to identify Guarini's models for the regular fortress and the points of divergence between his theorization and the Citadel of Turin as they appear in several archival drawings