Fabrication and Optimization of Nafion as a Protective Membrane for TiN-Based pH Sensors.

In this study, a solid-state modified pH sensor with RF magnetron sputtering technology was developed. The sensor consists of an active electrode consisting of a titanium nitride (TiN) film with a protective membrane of Nafion and a reference glass electrode of Ag/AgCl. The sensitivity of the pH sensor was investigated. Results show a sensor with excellent characteristics: sensitivity of 58.6 mV/pH for pH values from 2 to 12, very short response time of approximately 12 s in neutral pH solutions, and stability of less than 0.9 mV in 10 min duration. Further improvement in the performance of the TiN sensor was studied by application of a Nafion protective membrane. Nafion improves the sensor sensitivity close to Nernstian by maintaining a linear response. This paves the way to implement TiN with Nafion protection to block any interference species during real time applications in biosensing and medical diagnostic pH sensors.

Nafion Modified Titanium Nitride pH Sensor for Future Biomedical Applications.

pH sensors are increasingly being utilized in the biomedical field and have been implicated in health applications that aim to improve the monitoring and treatment of patients. In this work, a previously developed Titanium Nitride (TiN) solid-state pH sensor is further enhanced, with the potential to be used for pH regulation inside the human body and for other biomedical, industrial, and environmental applications. One of the main limitations of existing solid-state pH sensors is their reduced performance in high redox mediums. The potential shift E0 value of the previously developed TiN pH electrode in the presence of oxidizing or reducing agents is 30 mV. To minimize this redox shift, a Nafion-modified TiN electrode was developed, tested, and evaluated in various mediums. The Nafion-modified electrode has been shown to shift the E0 value by only 2 mV, providing increased accuracy in highly redox samples while maintaining acceptable reaction times. Overcoming the redox interference for pH measurement enables several advantages of the Nafion-modified TiN electrode over the standard pH glass electrode, implicating its use in medical diagnosis, real-time health monitoring, and further development of miniaturized smart sensors.

LED Illumination for High-Quality High-Yield Crop Growth in Protected Cropping Environments.

Vegetables and herbs play a central role in the human diet due to their low fat and calory content and essential antioxidant, phytochemicals, and fiber. It is well known that the manipulation of light wavelengths illuminating the crops can enhance their growth rate and nutrient contents. To date, it has not been easy to generalize the effects of LED illumination because of the differences in the plant species investigated, the measured traits, the way wavelengths have been manipulated, and the plants' growing environments. In order to address this gap, we undertook a quantitative review of LED manipulation in relation to plant traits, focusing on vegetables and herbs. Here, we use standardized measurements of biomass, antioxidant, and other quantitative characteristics together with the whole range of the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). Overall, our review revealed support for the claims that the red and blue LED illumination is more reliable and efficient than full spectrum illumination and increases the plant's biomass and nutritional value by enhancing the photosynthetic activity, antioxidant properties, phenolic, and flavonoids contents. Although LED illumination provides an efficient way to improve yield and modify plant properties, this study also highlights the broad range of responses among species, varieties traits, and the age of plant material.

Sensing of Surface and Bulk Refractive Index Using Magnetophotonic Crystal with Hybrid Magneto-Optical Response.

We propose an all-dielectric magneto-photonic crystal with a hybrid magneto-optical response that allows for the simultaneous measurements of the surface and bulk refractive index of the analyzed substance. The approach is based on two different spectral features of the magneto-optical response corresponding to the resonances in p- and s-polarizations of the incident light. Angular spectra of p-polarized light have a step-like behavior near the total internal reflection angle which position is sensitive to the bulk refractive index. S-polarized light excites the TE-polarized optical Tamm surface mode localized in a submicron region near the photonic crystal surface and is sensitive to the refractive index of the near-surface analyte. We propose to measure a hybrid magneto-optical intensity modulation of p-polarized light obtained by switching the magnetic field between the transverse and polar configurations. The transversal component of the external magnetic field is responsible for the magneto-optical resonance near total internal reflection conditions, and the polar component reveals the resonance of the Tamm surface mode. Therefore, both surface- and bulk-associated features are present in the magneto-optical spectra of the p-polarized light.

Indoor optical wireless communication system with continuous and simultaneous positioning.

The optical wireless communication (OWC) technology has been widely studied to provide high-speed communications in indoor environments. The indoor OWC-based positioning function is also highly demanded and the received signal strength (RSS) method has attracted intensive interests, where multiple transmitters are used and the positioning information is provided by estimating the channel gain from each transmitter with known location. However, this process normally requires dedicated positioning time slots, RF carriers or codewords, which limit the system data rate and throughput. To solve this limitation, in this paper we propose a filter-enhanced indoor OWC positioning scheme, where spatial waveform shaping filters are applied to the transmitters, thus enabling the signals from different transmitters to be separated via matched filters at the receiver side. Hence, this approach allows the RSS information to be obtained from the wireless communication signal directly and the positioning function realized without affecting the wireless communication data rate or throughput. In addition, since positioning is realized using the communication signal, continuous positioning can be achieved for real-time tracking. The proposed filter-enhanced positioning scheme is experimentally demonstrated in a near-infrared indoor OWC system with laser transmitters. Results show that an average positioning accuracy of 5.41 cm and 2.5 Gb/s wireless communication are achieved simultaneously. The proposed filter-enhanced positioning scheme can also be applied in visible light communication (VLC) systems with LED transmitters, and the feasibility is verified via simulations. The proposed filter-enhanced scheme provides a promising positioning method in indoor OWC systems without affecting the wireless data communication.

LED Illumination Spectrum Manipulation for Increasing the Yield of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.).

Manipulation of the LED illumination spectrum can enhance plant growth rate and development in grow tents. We report on the identification of the illumination spectrum required to significantly enhance the growth rate of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) plants in grow tent environments by controlling the LED wavebands illuminating the plants. Since the optimal illumination spectrum depends on the plant type, this work focuses on identifying the illumination spectrum that achieves significant basil biomass improvement compared to improvements reported in prior studies. To be able to optimize the illumination spectrum, several steps must be achieved, namely, understanding plant biology, conducting several trial-and-error experiments, iteratively refining experimental conditions, and undertaking accurate statistical analyses. In this study, basil plants are grown in three grow tents with three LED illumination treatments, namely, only white LED illumination (denoted W*), the combination of red (R) and blue (B) LED illumination (denoted BR*) (relative red (R) and blue (B) intensities are 84% and 16%, respectively) and a combination of red (R), blue (B) and far-red (F) LED illumination (denoted BRF*) (relative red (R), blue (B) and far-red (F) intensities are 79%, 11%, and 10%, respectively). The photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was set at 155 µmol m-2 s-1 for all illumination treatments, and the photoperiod was 20 h per day. Experimental results show that a combination of blue (B), red (R), and far-red (F) LED illumination leads to a one-fold increase in the yield of a sweet basil plant in comparison with only white LED illumination (W*). On the other hand, the use of blue (B) and red (R) LED illumination results in a half-fold increase in plant yield. Understanding the effects of LED illumination spectrum on the growth of plant sweet basil plants through basic horticulture research enables farmers to significantly improve their production yield, thus food security and profitability.

Advanced fully integrated radiofrequency/optical-coherence-tomography irrigated catheter for atrial fibrillation ablation.

The inability of current catheter ablation procedures to accurately monitor lesion formation limits their safety and efficacy. An advanced fully integrated radiofrequency (RF)/optical coherence tomography (OCT) ablation catheter is developed, which enables real-time monitoring during ablation. An OCT fiber array is especially designed, developed and integrated into an off-the-shelf irrigated RF ablation catheter. In-vitro experimental studies performed on poultry and ovine hearts demonstrate the ability of the integrated RF/OCT system to provide information on the quality and orientation of catheter/wall contact. Experimental results show that adipose tissue can be accurately identified from normal myocardial tissue with 94% accuracy and lesion formation is monitored with an overall accuracy of 93%. The ability to predict pop events is also demonstrated, with an accuracy of 86%.

Titanium Nitride Thin Film Based Low-Redox-Interference Potentiometric pH Sensing Electrodes.

In this work, a solid-state potentiometric pH sensor is designed by incorporating a thin film of Radio Frequency Magnetron Sputtered (RFMS) Titanium Nitride (TiN) working electrode and a commercial Ag|AgCl|KCl double junction reference electrode. The sensor shows a linear pH slope of -59.1 mV/pH, R2 = 0.9997, a hysteresis as low as 1.2 mV, and drift below 3.9 mV/hr. In addition, the redox interference performance of TiN electrodes is compared with that of Iridium Oxide (IrO2) counterparts. Experimental results show -32mV potential shift (E0 value) in 1 mM ascorbic acid (reducing agent) for TiN electrodes, and this is significantly lower than the -114 mV potential shift of IrO2 electrodes with sub-Nernstian sensitivity. These results are most encouraging and pave the way towards the development of miniaturized, cost-effective, and robust pH sensors for difficult matrices, such as wine and fresh orange juice.

Outdoor phycocyanin production in a standalone thermally-insulated photobioreactor.

The operation of solar microalgal photobioreactors requires sufficient cooling and heating to maintain reliable high productivity year-round. These operations are energy-intensive and expensive. Growth characteristics and phycocyanin production of Arthrospira platensis were investigated during the austral winter using a thermally-insulated photobioreactor with photovoltaic panel integration for electricity generation. This was compared with a control photobioreactor under a cycle of heating (13-hour night) and thermostat-regulated cooling, and continuously heated raceway pond. Average temperature in the photovoltaic photobioreactor (21.0 ± 0.03 °C) was similar to that in the heated control. Biomass productivity of Arthrospira in the novel photobioreactor was 67% higher than in the raceway pond but significantly lower than the control. Phycocyanin productivity (16.3 ± 1.43 mgg-1d-1 and purity (1.2 ± 0.03) showed no variation between photobioreactors but was significantly lower in the raceway pond. Electrical energy output of the photovoltaic photobioreactor exceeded mixing energy needs by 75%. These results indicate that the novel photobioreactor offers a reliable, energy-efficient platform for large-scale production of high-value chemicals from microalgae.

Performances of the LBP Based Algorithm over CNN Models for Detecting Crops and Weeds with Similar Morphologies.

Weed invasions pose a threat to agricultural productivity. Weed recognition and detection play an important role in controlling weeds. The challenging problem of weed detection is how to discriminate between crops and weeds with a similar morphology under natural field conditions such as occlusion, varying lighting conditions, and different growth stages. In this paper, we evaluate a novel algorithm, filtered Local Binary Patterns with contour masks and coefficient k (k-FLBPCM), for discriminating between morphologically similar crops and weeds, which shows significant advantages, in both model size and accuracy, over state-of-the-art deep convolutional neural network (CNN) models such as VGG-16, VGG-19, ResNet-50 and InceptionV3. The experimental results on the "bccr-segset" dataset in the laboratory testbed setting show that the accuracy of CNN models with fine-tuned hyper-parameters is slightly higher than the k-FLBPCM method, while the accuracy of the k-FLBPCM algorithm is higher than the CNN models (except for VGG-16) for the more realistic "fieldtrip_can_weeds" dataset collected from real-world agricultural fields. However, the CNN models require a large amount of labelled samples for the training process. We conducted another experiment based on training with crop images at mature stages and testing at early stages. The k-FLBPCM method outperformed the state-of-the-art CNN models in recognizing small leaf shapes at early growth stages, with error rates an order of magnitude lower than CNN models for canola-radish (crop-weed) discrimination using a subset extracted from the "bccr-segset" dataset, and for the "mixed-plants" dataset. Moreover, the real-time weed-plant discrimination time attained with the k-FLBPCM algorithm is approximately 0.223 ms per image for the laboratory dataset and 0.346 ms per image for the field dataset, and this is an order of magnitude faster than that of CNN models.

A novel method for detecting morphologically similar crops and weeds based on the combination of contour masks and filtered Local Binary Pattern operators.

BACKGROUND: Weeds are a major cause of low agricultural productivity. Some weeds have morphological features similar to crops, making them difficult to discriminate. RESULTS: We propose a novel method using a combination of filtered features extracted by combined Local Binary Pattern operators and features extracted by plant-leaf contour masks to improve the discrimination rate between broadleaf plants. Opening and closing morphological operators were applied to filter noise in plant images. The images at 4 stages of growth were collected using a testbed system. Mask-based local binary pattern features were combined with filtered features and a coefficient k. The classification of crops and weeds was achieved using support vector machine with radial basis function kernel. By investigating optimal parameters, this method reached a classification accuracy of 98.63% with 4 classes in the "bccr-segset" dataset published online in comparison with an accuracy of 91.85% attained by a previously reported method. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed method enhances the identification of crops and weeds with similar appearance and demonstrates its capabilities in real-time weed detection.

Application-Specific Oxide-Based and Metal-Dielectric Thin-Film Materials Prepared by Radio Frequency Magnetron Sputtering.

We report on the development of several different thin-film functional material systems prepared by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering at Edith Cowan University nanofabrication labs. While focusing on the RF sputtering process optimizations for new or the previously underexplored material compositions and multilayer structures, we disclose several unforeseen material properties and behaviours. Among these are an unconventional magnetic hysteresis loop with an intermediate saturation state observed in garnet trilayers, and an ultrasensitive magnetic switching behaviour in garnet-oxide composites (GOC). We also report on the unusually high thermal exposure stability observed in some nanoengineered metal-dielectric multilayers. We communicate research results related to the design, prototyping, and practical fabrication of high-performance magneto-optic (MO) materials, oxide-based sensor components, and heat regulation coatings for advanced construction and solar windows.

High-speed indoor optical wireless communication system employing a silicon integrated photonic circuit.

Beam-steering-based optical wireless technologies are being widely investigated due to the capability of providing high-speed wireless connectivity in indoor applications. However, high-speed indoor optical wireless systems are traditionally realized with discrete bulky components, significantly limiting their practical applications. In this Letter, we demonstrate an infrared optical wireless communication system employing a miniaturized silicon integrated photonic circuit for beam steering for the first time. Experimental results show that up to 12.5 Gb/s optical wireless communication can be achieved with error-free performance over a free-space range of 140 cm, and limited mobility of users can be realized. The experimental results of this Letter open the way for realizing integrated high-speed optical wireless communications.

Properties of Ferrite Garnet (Bi, Lu, Y)3(Fe, Ga)5O12 Thin Film Materials Prepared by RF Magnetron Sputtering.

This work is devoted to physical vapor deposition synthesis, and characterisation of bismuth and lutetium-substituted ferrite-garnet thin-film materials for magneto-optic (MO) applications. The properties of garnet thin films sputtered using a target of nominal composition type Bi0.9Lu1.85Y0.25Fe4.0Ga1O12 are studied. By measuring the optical transmission spectra at room temperature, the optical constants and the accurate film thicknesses can be evaluated using Swanepoel's envelope method. The refractive index data are found to be matching very closely to these derived from Cauchy's dispersion formula for the entire spectral range between 300 and 2500 nm. The optical absorption coefficient and the extinction coefficient data are studied for both the as-deposited and annealed garnet thin-film samples. A new approach is applied to accurately derive the optical constants data simultaneously with the physical layer thickness, using a combination approach employing custom-built spectrum-fitting software in conjunction with Swanepoel's envelope method. MO properties, such as specific Faraday rotation, MO figure of merit and MO swing factor are also investigated for several annealed garnet-phase films.

Indoor infrared optical wireless localization system with background light power estimation capability.

The indoor user localization function is in high demand for high-speed wireless communications, navigations and smart-home applications. The optical wireless technology has been used to localize end users in indoor environments. However, its accuracy is typically very limited, due to the ambient light, which is relatively strong. In this paper, a novel high-localization-accuracy optical wireless based indoor localization system, based on the use of the mechanism that estimates background light intensity, is proposed. Both theoretical studies and demonstration experiments are carried out. Experimental results show that the accuracy of the proposed optical wireless indoor localization system is independent on the localization light strength, and that an average localization error as small as 2.5 cm is attained, which is 80% better than the accuracy of previously reported optical wireless indoor localization systems.

RuO₂ pH Sensor with Super-Glue-Inspired Reference Electrode.

A pH-sensitive RuO₂ electrode coated in a commercial cyanoacrylate adhesive typically exhibits very low pH sensitivity, and could be paired with a RuO₂ working electrode as a differential type pH sensor. However, such sensors display poor performance in real sample matrices. A pH sensor employing a RuO₂ pH-sensitive working electrode and a SiO₂-PVB junction-modified RuO₂ reference electrode is developed as an alternative high-performance solution. This sensor exhibits a performance similar to that of a commercial glass pH sensor in some common sample matrices, particularly, an excellent pH sensitivity of 55.7 mV/pH, a hysteresis as low as 2.7 mV, and a drift below 2.2 mV/h. The developed sensor structure opens the way towards the development of a simple, cost effective, and robust pH sensor for pH analysis in various sample matrices.

Photonic microstructures for energy-generating clear glass and net-zero energy buildings.

Transparent energy-harvesting windows are emerging as practical building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), capable of generating electricity while simultaneously reducing heating and cooling demands. By incorporating spectrally-selective diffraction gratings as light deflecting structures of high visible transparency into lamination interlayers and using improved spectrally-selective thin-film coatings, most of the visible solar radiation can be transmitted through the glass windows with minimum attenuation. At the same time, the ultraviolet (UV) and a part of incident solar infrared (IR) radiation energy are converted and/or deflected geometrically towards the panel edge for collection by CuInSe2 solar cells. Experimental results show power conversion efficiencies in excess of 3.04% in 10 cm × 10 cm vertically-placed clear glass panels facing direct sunlight, and up to 2.08% in 50 cm × 50 cm installation-ready framed window systems. These results confirm the emergence of a new class of solar window system ready for industrial application.

Effect of vertically aligned carbon nanotube density on the water flux and salt rejection in desalination membranes.

In this paper, vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) membranes of different densities are developed and their performances are investigated. VACNT arrays of densities 5 × 10(9), 10(10), 5 × 10(10) and 10(11) tubes cm(-2), are initially grown on 1 cm × 1 cm silicon substrates using chemical vapour deposition. A VACNT membrane is realised by attaching a 300 µm-thick 1 cm × 1 cm VACNT array on silicon to a 4″ glass substrate, applying polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) through spin coating to fill the gaps between the VACNTs, and using a microtome to slice the VACNT-PDMS composite into 25-µm-thick membranes. Experimental results show that the permeability of the developed VACNT membranes increases with the density of the VACNTs, while the salt rejection is almost independent of the VACNT density. The best measured permeance is attained with a VACNT membrane having a CNT density of 10(11) tubes cm(-2) is 1203 LMH at 1 bar.

Transverse magnetic field impact on waveguide modes of photonic crystals.

This Letter presents a theoretical and experimental study of waveguide modes of one-dimensional magneto-photonic crystals magnetized in the in-plane direction. It is shown that the propagation constants of the TM waveguide modes are sensitive to the transverse magnetization and the spectrum of the transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect has resonant features at mode excitation frequencies. Two types of structures are considered: a non-magnetic photonic crystal with an additional magnetic layer on top and a magneto-photonic crystal with a magnetic layer within each period. We found that the magneto-optical non-reciprocity effect is greater in the first case: it has a magnitude of δ∼10-4, while the second structure type demonstrates δ∼10-5 only, due to the higher asymmetry of the claddings of the magnetic layer. Experimental observations show resonant features in the optical and magneto-optical Kerr effect spectra. The measured dispersion properties are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions. An amplitude of light intensity modulation of up to 2.5% was observed for waveguide mode excitation within the magnetic top layer of the non-magnetic photonic crystal structure. The presented theoretical approach may be utilized for the design of magneto-optical sensors and modulators requiring pre-determined spectral features.

Accurate modeling and positioning of a magnetically controlled catheter tip.

PURPOSE: This paper represents the initial phase of a proposed operator-friendly semiautomatic method for positioning and directing an intravascular three-magnet tip catheter in the human heart using an electromagnetic system. METHODS: A predictive computer algorithm based on a comprehensive mathematical model is developed, which accurately calculates the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet system as well as the magnetic torques and forces exerted on a three-magnet tip catheter, and generates the necessary electromagnet currents for arbitrary displacement and deflection of the catheter tip within a workspace of 128 × 128 × 128 mm. RESULTS: We demonstrate the ability of the developed mathematical model to accurately position a three-magnet tip catheter within the 128 × 128 × 128 mm workspace of a 3D eight-electromagnet system. CONCLUSIONS: The ability of the developed mathematical model in predicting the displacement, direction, and deflection of the catheter tip as a function of the electromagnet current values has been verified through experimental results.