Cross-sectional shape evolution of GaN nanowires during molecular beam epitaxy growth on Si(111)

We study the cross-sectional shapes of GaN nanowires (NWs) by transmission electron microscopy. The shape is examined at different heights of long NWs, as well as at the same height...

An Architecture for Collaborative Terrain Sketching with Mobile Devices

3D terrains used in digital animations and videogames are typically created by several collaborators with a single-user application, which constrains them to update the shared terrain from their PCs, using a turn-taking strategy. Moreover, collaborators have to visualize the terrain through 2D views, confusing novice users when conceiving its shape in 3D. In this article, we describe an architecture for collaborative applications, which allow co-located users to sketch a terrain using their mobile devices concurrently. Two interaction modes are supplied: the standard one and an augmented reality-based mode, which helps collaborators understand the 3D terrain shape. Using the painting with brushesparadigm, users can modify the terrain while visualizing its shape evolution through the camera of their devices. Work coordination is promoted by enriching the 3D space with each collaborator’s avatar, which provides awareness information about identity, location, and current action. We implemented a collaborative application from this architecture that was tested by groups of users, who assessed its hedonic and pragmatic qualities in both interaction modes and compared them with the qualities of a similar Web terrain editor. The results showed that the augmented reality mode of our prototype was considered more attractive and usable by the participants.

Extended study on the application of the sextic potential in the frame of X(3)-Sextic

The main aim of the present paper is to study extensively the γ-rigid Bohr Hamiltonian with anharmonic sextic oscillator potential for the variable β and γ = 0. For the corresponding spectral problem, a finite number of eigenvalues are found explicitly, by algebraic means, so-called Quasi-Exact Solvability (QES). The evolution of the spectral and electromagnetic properties by considering higher exact solvability orders is investigated, especially the approximate degeneracy of the ground and first two β bands in the critical point of the shape phase transition from a harmonic to an anharmonic prolate β-soft, also the shape evolution within an isotopic chain. Numerical results are given for 39 nuclei, namely, 98-108Ru, 100-102Mo, 116-130Xe, 180-196Pt, 172Os, 146-150Nd, 132-134Ce, 152-154Gd, 154-156Dy, 150-152Sm, 190Hg and 222Ra. Across this study, it seems that the higher quasi-exact solvability order improves our results by decreasing the rms, mostly for deformed nuclei. The nuclei 100,104Ru, 118,120,126,128Xe, 148Nd and 172Os fall exactly in the critical point.

Shape Evolution of the Interest Rate Term Structure

This paper adopts a novel approach to studying the evolution of interest rate term structure over the U.S. business cycles and to predicting recessions. Applying an effective algorithm, I classify the Treasury yield curve into distinct shapes and find the less frequent shapes intrinsically linked to the recessions in the post-WWII data. In forecasting recessions, the median-short yield spread trumps the long-short spread for horizons up to 17 months ahead and the yield curve shape is nearly impressive as the median-short spread. Overall, the yield curve shape is an informative but more succinct indicator than the spreads in studying the term structure. Key words: Business cycle, recession forecast, U.S. Treasury yield curve, yield spreads.

Digital printing of shape-morphing natural materials

We demonstrate how programmable shape evolution and deformation can be induced in plant-based natural materials through standard digital printing technologies. With nonallergenic pollen paper as the substrate material, we show how specific geometrical features and architectures can be custom designed through digital printing of patterns to modulate hygrophobicity, geometry, and complex shapes. These autonomously hygromorphing configurations can be “frozen” by postprocessing coatings to meet the needs of a wide spectrum of uses and applications. Through computational simulations involving the finite element method and accompanying experiments, we develop quantitative insights and a general framework for creating complex shapes in eco-friendly natural materials with potential sustainable applications for scalable manufacturing.