1,354,122 research outputs found
A toolkit for explorations in sonic interaction design
No full textPhysics-based sound synthesis represents a promising paradigm for the design of a veridical and effective continuous feedback in augmented everyday contexts. In this paper, we introduce the Sound Design Toolkit (SDT), a software package available as a complete front-end application, providing a palette of virtual lutheries and foley pits, that can be exploited in sonic interaction design research and education. In particular, the package includes polyphonic features and connectivity to multiple external devices and sensors in order to facilitate the embedding of sonic attributes in interactive artifacts. The present release represents an initial version towards an effective and usable tool for sonic interaction designers
Molecular-weight Distribution In Emulsion Polymerization .1. the Homopolymer Case
No full textA model for evaluating the instantaneous degree of polymerization distribution of homopolymers produced in emulsion, based on the mathematics of the Markov chains, is developed. The model accounts for any number of active chains per particle, as well as for the two fundamental mechanisms of chain termination: mono- and bi-molecular, both by combination and by disproportionation. The core of the model is the so called subprocess-main process treatment, which allows us to correctly evaluate the degree of polymerization of the chains growing in the polymer particles, by distinguishing between the events experienced by the polymer chain which imply a change of its degree of polymerization (subject transitions) and those which imply only a change in the particle state (environment transitions). This is obtained by properly defining the one-step transition probability matrix of the relevant Markov process. Once this is done, the evaluation of the distribution of the degrees of polymerization reduces to a few simple operations among matrices. Explicit expressions for the instantaneous probability density functions and the relative cumulative distributions are obtained. The application of such relationships is facilitated by the numerical procedures reported in the Appendices. The results of the model developed in this work are in agreement with those of earlier models in the range of parameter values of practical interest. In the limit of very low molecular weights, only the model developed in this work provides the correct answer. Moreover, a much more significant result is its applicability to the case of emulsion copolymerization, as it is shown in Part II
A safe production process of alkylene oxide from alkylene carbonates
No full textAlkylene oxides of low molecular weight, ethylene, and propylene oxides, are widely used in industry. They are used to produce other chemicals and products such as solvents, surfactants, antifreeze, adhesives, polyurethane foams, and pharmaceuticals. They are also used as fumigants in agricultural products and as sterilants for medical equipment and supplies. Unfortunately, it is worth noting that alkylene oxides also possess several physical and health hazards that merit special attention. They are flammable and explosive and their storage and transportation warrant stringent safety rules. The obvious solution to reduce the risk is to generate them from intermediate safety materials only when and only where they are necessary. The literature suggests that correspondent carbonates are very stable precursors. The scope of our study is that of identifying the optimal conditions to generate ethylene and propylene oxide at the moment just before their reaction and uses. The patent deals with some equipment and process conditions that guarantee a fast and reliable dissociation of carbonates in their correspondent oxides. The natural output of the patent is a unit able to provide the dangerous material in situ, under controlled conditions. As a result, all the risks related to transportation and storage are eliminated
Designing Continuous Multisensory Interaction
No full textABSTRACT We claim that continuous interaction and multisensory feedback are key ingredients for successful interactive artefacts of the future. However, the complex web of sensors, actuators, and control logic that is necessary for exploiting such ingredients opens tremendous challenges to designers, who are used to visual thinking and discrete interactions. A method of research through pedagogical examples, called basic design and developed in some post-Bauhaus design schools, has been proposed as an effective mean to tackle the complexity of contemporary interaction design. Three such exercises, each prototypical for a class of interactions, are proposed here. The sonic feedback is realized through parametric control of sound synthesis algorithms
Designing Continuous Sonic Interaction
No full textContinuous interaction and multisensory feedback present tremendous challenges to designers who are mostly educated along the lines of visual thinking and discrete interactions. For this investigation, a method of research through pedagogical examples, called basic design and developed in some post-Bauhaus design schools, has been adopted to investigate various interaction primitives mediated by continuous sound feedback. Four basic design exercises, prototypical for different kinds of interaction with kitchen tools, are conducted. The exercises take on different design issues, which are tackled using a variety of strategies. These include the use of a classroom setting, shared observation, and self-reflection. The exercises emphasize auditory perception in interaction, where continuous sonic feedback is realized through parametric control of sound synthesis algorithms. In sum, the present work aims to exploit the value of basic design approach through explorations of sonic features in continuous interaction
GAMELUNCH: A PHYSICS-BASED SONIC DINING TABLE
No full textThe Gamelunch1 is a sonically augmented dining table. This work aims at exploiting the power and flexibility of physically-based sound models towards the investigation of the closed loop between interaction, sound and emotion. Energetic consistency (or better, inconsistency) throughout the loop “gesture (inter)action sound perceived sound information/emotion gesture” is examined. Continuous interaction gestures are captured by means of contact microphones and various force transducers, providing data that are coherently mapped onto physically-based sound synthesis algorithms. While performing usual dining movements, the user encounters contradicting and unexpected sound feedback, thus experiencing – a contrario – the importance of sound in everyday-life acts
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