Advancements in NRC’s Primary Spectral Irradiance Scale Realization

The National Research Council (NRC) of Canada has been working to establish new facilities and to improve measurement capabilities traceable to the International System of Units (SI units) in optical radiometry. The NRC primary spectral irradiance scale has transitioned from a detector-based approach in the range of 700 nm to 1600 nm to a detector and source-based realization from 250 nm to 2500 nm. A high temperature blackbody (HTBB) acts as the primary light source for the calibration of 1000 W FEL spectral irradiance standard lamps. The thermodynamic temperature of the HTBB is determined using an NRC-designed wide-band filter radiometer, with spectral responsivity SI-traceable to the NRC optical power scale. This new facility has significantly improved measurement uncertainties compared to the previous NRC spectral irradiance scale.

Compact Radar Cross-Section Measurement Setup and Performance Evaluation

Radar cross-section measurements require the background reflections to be much lower than the reflections of the device under test. Although, anechoic chambers with special target holders meet this requirement, they are expensive and still have imperfections. To further reduce background reflections or to measure in environments where an anechoic chamber is not suitable, digital signal processing can be used to reduce background reflections. In this paper, a complete signal processing chain realized in Matlab is proposed, involving time gating of the measured target response and a background subtraction technique. Furthermore, the proposed signal processing includes a calibration procedure with either a single known calibration target or multiple known targets to improve measurement uncertainties. A compact measurement setup, consisting of a vector network analyzer and two horn antennas, is used to evaluate the overall performance and the advantages of a multiple known target calibration in a practical manner. The calibrated setup is able to measure the radar cross-section in a frequency range from 2 to 12 GHz with a mean error of less than 0.2 dB for both, VV and HH polarization combinations. It could also be shown, that a multi target calibration can result in an improvement of the measurement uncertainty by about 2.5 %.

Review—Concentration Measurements In Molten Chloride Salts Using Electrochemical Methods

The electrochemical measurement of concentration in molten chloride salts is a valuable tool for the control of existing and potential industrial processes, recycling of precious materials and energy production. The electrochemical techniques commonly used to measure concentration and each techniques’ associated theory are discussed. Practices which improve measurement accuracy and precision are set forth. Exceptionally accurate and precise measurements published in the literature are evaluated based on their performance in specified concentration ranges. The strengths and weaknesses of the most accurate measurements are briefly explored. Chronopotentiometry (CP) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) are accurate and precise with low concentration measurements. SWV was accurate at low concentrations, even in multi-analyte mixtures. CP was accurate for only single analyte mixtures. Open-circuit potentiometry (OCP) is accurate and precise in single-analyte mixtures but yields large errors in multianalyte mixtures. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA) and normal pulse voltammetry (NPV) are accurate and precise across all concentration ranges. NPV is exceptionally well suited for measurements in melts with multiple electroactive species.

Flourishing Production Optimization thru the Development of an Enhanced Testing Validity Methodology

Rate testing has evolved over the years. From a simple composite separator system, the scope of rate testing has morphed into a broad spectrum of sophisticated downhole and surface technologies. Knowing well behavior, performance, and associated rate are the key factors of operating an entire field with the most reliable operating strategy, assuring maximum well-life time. In regard to well modeling and optimization, valid rate test data are crucial to predict well performance efficiently. An in-house rate testing mechanism was developed to ensure proper delivery, accuracy, and validity of rate tests. The mechanism comprises a rate testing procedure and decision-making tree. The rate testing procedure includes regular checks of rate testing data reports. Also, the immediate resolution of rate testing equipment or communication issues is implemented through the utilization of an MPFM Advanced Monitoring System with automated logics. A decision-making tree constitutes pre- and post-testing process phases. The pre-testing process phase involves an assessment for rate testing readiness in terms of testing equipment and communication. The post-testing process phase includes an assessment for testing operation and rate test validity where rate test data are checked and validated based on production operational status. The enhanced testing mechanism is a user-friendly guideline for testing requirements to ensure the completion of tests captured from testing equipment. The proper implementation of this rate testing mechanism enabled a high quality and accuracy of rate test data, resulting in an increase in rate testing validity by 30%. Also, the rate testing mechanism inspired a culture of continuous effective communication for all involved parties during the testing operation. The decision-making tree transforms the validation process from subjective thinking to a systematic workflow while integrating data from nearby wells with similar behavior. A high ownership level is exhibited by taking the immediate resolution of issues results in achieving high rate testing validity percentage. Running the process through standardized operating procedures is critical in generating consistent and predictable results of well performance. Additionally, accurate optimization and prediction of well performance have been realized by feeding the well model's data before and after attaining valid rate test data, which attests to the quality of the proposed rate testing mechanism. Considering the importance of having a strategic rate testing mechanism, it is highly advised to have more frequent measurements to raise the accuracy of the measurements presented. An ideal strategic rate testing mechanism has to be economical enough to be placed in many production wells, allow the tests to be performed in an organized manner, improve measurement accuracy, and, more importantly, achieve automated and supervised well tests processes.

Technology Innovations in Dementia Care: Improvements in Functional Assessments Through Background Sensing

Technological innovations are becoming commonplace in research among persons living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers. However, few studies attempt to validate technology’s ability to appropriately monitor functional assessment in dementia care research. Bringing together industry, academia, and health care, we demonstrate the feasibility of using a novel in-situ sensor system to continuously and accurately assess daily functions for PWLDs in home or assisted care settings. Phase1 revealed a high accuracy (~85%) of detecting and classifying ADLs between sensors and human loggers across 26 defined activities. Phase 2, which will target 140 PLWDs, has already demonstrated the value of such sensors in detecting safety concerns (e.g., no heat). Technology-driven research for PLWD and their caregivers have practical applications for assessing diverse forms of functional assessment and environmental conditions which can improve measurement precision over time and space and the ability to better tailor care plans for PLWDs and their caregivers.

Theoretical study on the sensitivity of dynamic acoustic force measurement through monomodal and bimodal excitations of rectangular micro-cantilever

We present a detailed analysis on measurement sensitivity of dynamic acoustic forces via numerical simulation of the micro-cantilever responses. The rectangular micro-cantilever is regarded as a point mass in the dynamic model of forced and damped harmonic oscillator. We use single- and bimodal-frequency excitation schemes for actuation of the micro-cantilever in the presence of dynamic acoustic forces. In bimodal-frequency excitation scheme, the micro-cantilever is excited at its first two eigenmode frequencies simultaneously as opposed to single-frequency excitation. First, we numerically obtain micro-cantilever deflections by solving the Equations of Motions (EOMs) constructed for the first two eigenmodes. Then, we determine oscillation amplitude and phase shift as a function of acoustic force strength within different frequency regions. Moreover, we relate amplitude and phase shift to virial and energy dissipation in order to explore the interaction between flexural modes in multifrequency excitation. The simulation results point out that bimodal-frequency excitation improves the measurement sensitivity of dynamic acoustic forces at particular frequencies. Herein, simultaneous application of driving forces enables higher sensitivities of observables and energy quantities as acoustic force frequencies become around the eigenmode frequencies. For our case, we obtain the highest phase shift (approximately 178 degrees) for the acoustic force strength of 100 pN at the frequency of around 307.2 kHz. Therefore, this method can be easily adapted to improve measurement sensitivity of dynamic acoustic forces in a wider frequency window.

Revenge via social media and relationship contexts: Prevalence and measurement

Social media platforms’ unique characteristics may make them particularly good outlets for getting even with relational partners. Establishing the prevalence of social media revenge and identifying the forms such revenge may take in different relationship contexts is an important first step in broadening our understanding of these behaviors. In a mixed-methods study, undergraduates ( N = 732) and community members ( N = 124) were randomly assigned to one of four relational contexts (coworkers, family, friends, and romantic partners) and asked to describe an act of social media revenge experienced or observed in their assigned context. They then rated how often they were the avenger, target, and observer of five control and monitoring and 11 direct aggression behaviors adapted from the Cyber Dating Abuse Questionnaire. The prevalence of social media revenge across all relationship contexts, roles, and revenge types was low and participants reported observing social media revenge more frequently than being the target or avenger. Social media revenge was also more prevalent in some relationships than others and the type of relationship between avenger and target may have implications for how revenge is executed. Analysis of participants’ accounts identified novel revenge behaviors and suggested ways to improve measurement of social media revenge.