Achievement of 0.005 % combined transfer uncertainties in the NIST detector calibration facility

Improvements in a lamp-monochromator-based facility at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Visible near-infrared Spectral Comparator Facility (VisSCF) which is used to calibrate optical detectors for spectral radiant power responsivity from 300 nm to 1100 nm, are described. These changes include extending the VisSCF operational range down to 300 nm from 350 nm, thereby fully covering the ultraviolet-A (UVA) spectral region and partially covering the UVB range. These improvements have lowered the magnitudes of most of the components in the uncertainty budget and have led to combined 0.005 % transfer (k=1) uncertainties in the spectral power responsivity calibrations over most of the spectral range. Redevelopment of the uncertainty budget results in total expanded uncertainties of spectral responsivities of less than 0.1 % (k=2) over the spectral range from 380 nm to 980 nm, with the greatest uncertainty term coming from the calibrations of the transfer standards.

Sustainable Durio zibethinus-Derived Biosorbents for Congo Red Removal from Aqueous Solution: Statistical Optimization, Isotherms and Mechanism Studies

This investigation reports on the biosorption mechanism of Congo Red dyes (CR) in aqueous solution using acid-treated durian peels, prepared for this study. The biosorbent nature was characterized using the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Brunaure-Emmet-Teller (BET). The effect of process parameters within operational range of pH (2–9), contact time (10–200 min), initial concentration (25–400 mg g−1) and temperature (25–65 °C) for the optimum removal of CR dyes was investigated using central composite design (CCD) under response surface methodology (RSM), and revealed that the optimum condition of biosorption was achieved around a pH of 5.5, contact time of 105 min at initial concentration of 212.5 mg L−1 within 45 °C temperature, which corresponds to 95.2% percent removal of CR. The experimental data fitted better to the second order polynomial model, with a correlation coefficient R2 value of 0.9917 and the Langmuir isotherm model with biosorption capacity of 107.52 mg g−1. Gibbs free energy indicated that the adsorption of CR dyes was spontaneous. The mechanism of the adsorption of CR dyes revealed that the biosorption of CR dyes investigated under different operational conditions show that under acidic pH, the adsorption efficiency of the acid treated durian peels is enhanced for the adsorption of CR dye molecules.

Multiple Application of Multi-Energy Gamma Ray Venture Type Multiphase Flowmeter in Giant Karachaganak Gas Condensate Field

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate multiple application of multi-energy gamma ray venture type multiphase flowmeter (MPFM) trial campaign in Karachaganak gas condensate giant carbonate field, operated by KPO B.V. The results of MPFM that was included into surface well test spread, to verify its performance, was compared against portable test separator and plant production testing facilities (control separator, flowmeters) and manual sampling results. MPFM from other vendors historically failed to deliver accurate production measurement mainly due to complexity of reservoir fluid in Karachaganak field. To ensure the MPFM considers this complexity, PVT samples were taken to provide laboratory data for PVT model of the MPFM to ensure sufficient quality of PVT data and compare against PVT model inside MPFM. First application of MPFM was during clean-up of the well prior handover well to production. Using MPFM helped to improve the quality during data acquisition. This information was critical for the well to be accepted by processing facility it is hooked-up to and to define optimal operating regime. Validation of BS&W, GOR and rates in unstable (foaming, carry over) and transient phase of production using MPFM has shown practical advantages. Another application was for water sampling loops to measure water cut and production rates. KPO has had challenges with inaccurate water cut measurement due to the limitations of existing test separators. A recent approach of performing fluid sampling (sampling loop) at the well head proved to be reliable source of measurements. In addition, the MPFM in combination with the test separator has been used to further improve the quality of the measurements of each phase. The third MPFM application had been with high gas-volume-fraction (HGVF) pumps, that helped to produce from low reservoir pressure, low GOR and high water cut wells. The operational range of HGVF pump was limited to maximum 75-80% of gas-volume-fraction (GVF). MPFM measures GVF in real-time to ensure HGVF pump operates in optimum operational range by managing the surface flow conditions. With current limitations of test separators in Karachaganak field and due to complexity of the gas-condensate fluid, the use of MPFM brings additional quality in the measurements (rates, water cut and GOR) which is crucial for field production optimization, reservoir management and short and long term forecasting.

Magnetic field compensation coil design for magnetoencephalography

While optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) can be attached to the head of a person and allow for highly sensitive recordings of the human magnetoencephalogram (MEG), they are mostly limited to an operational range of approximately 5 nT. Consequently, even inside a magnetically shielded room (MSR), movements in the remnant magnetic field disable the OPMs. Active suppression of the remnant field utilizing compensation coils is therefore essential. We propose 8 compensation coils on 5 sides of a cube with a side length of approximately 2 m which were optimized for operation inside an MSR. Compared to previously built bi-planar compensation coils, the coils proposed in this report are more complex in geometry and achieved smaller errors for simulated compensation fields. The proposed coils will allow for larger head movements or smaller movement artifacts in future MEG experiments compared to existing coils.

Insect-Inspired Robots: Bridging Biological and Artificial Systems

This review article aims to address common research questions in hexapod robotics. How can we build intelligent autonomous hexapod robots that can exploit their biomechanics, morphology, and computational systems, to achieve autonomy, adaptability, and energy efficiency comparable to small living creatures, such as insects? Are insects good models for building such intelligent hexapod robots because they are the only animals with six legs? This review article is divided into three main sections to address these questions, as well as to assist roboticists in identifying relevant and future directions in the field of hexapod robotics over the next decade. After an introduction in section (1), the sections will respectively cover the following three key areas: (2) biomechanics focused on the design of smart legs; (3) locomotion control; and (4) high-level cognition control. These interconnected and interdependent areas are all crucial to improving the level of performance of hexapod robotics in terms of energy efficiency, terrain adaptability, autonomy, and operational range. We will also discuss how the next generation of bioroboticists will be able to transfer knowledge from biology to robotics and vice versa.

Multiplexed Cell-Based Diagnostic Devices for Detection of Renal Biomarkers Using Genetic Circuits

The number of synthetic biology based solutions employed in the medical industry is growing every year. The whole cell biosensors being one of them, have been proven valuable tools for developing low-cost, portable, personalized medicine alternatives to conventional techniques. Based on this concept, we targeted one of the major health problems in the world, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). To do so, we developed two novel biosensors for the detection of two important renal biomarkers; urea and uric acid. Using advanced gene expression control strategies we improved the operational range and the response profiles of each biosensor to meet clinical specifications. We further engineered these systems to enable multiplexed detection as well as an AND-logic gate operating system. Finally, we tested the applicability of these systems and optimized their working dynamics inside complex medium human blood serum. This study could help the efforts to transition from labor-intensive and expensive laboratory techniques to widely available, portable, low cost diagnostic options.

Structured large-pore foams improve thermal performance of LiMIT-style liquid lithium PFC

As magnetically confined fusion devices improve, the conditions at the walls become increasingly intense. Plasma facing components (PFCs) must withstand these extreme heat and particle loads without damage or degradation. Liquid lithium PFCs are known to be quite resilient, and the presence of lithium also serves to improve plasma properties. The Liquid Metal Infused Trench (LiMIT) concept is an open surface liquid lithium PFC design that has been tested extensively at the University of Illinois and in fusion devices around the world. LiMIT utilizes thermoelectric magnetohydrodynamics (TEMHD) to passively drive liquid lithium flow. This work demonstrates an extension of the LiMIT trench geometry to 3 dimensions. Additively manufactured large pore metallic foams maintain TEMHD drive while drastically improving heat flux handling and resistance to lithium dryout, a phenomenon where locally high TEMHD forces depresses the lithium level and exposes underlying solid structure. COMSOL Multiphysics modeling of the system yields insight into the forces at play in dryout development, and shows the 3-D structures can eliminate dryout. Low heat proof-of-concept experimental testing of the system matches computational results, and high heat flux electron beam tests more than double the proven operational range of a LiMIT-style PFC, to 6.8 MW/m2, with no indications of dryout or impending damage.

Australia will benefit most from AUKUS alliance

Significance AUKUS promises to change security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region and in NATO. All three countries stand to benefit significantly but particularly Australia, as Canberra will work closely with London on nuclear technologies while improving its strategic position vis-à-vis China. Impacts AUKUS will offer Australia significantly greater security in its difficult relationship with China. Close cooperation between the Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy will extend the operational range of UK submarines. Canberra will benefit from significant technological enhancement of its defence capability.