Dynamics of Semiconductor Lasers under External Optical Feedback from Both Sides of the Laser Cavity

To increase the spectral efficiency of coherent communication systems, lasers with ever-narrower linewidths are required as they enable higher-order modulation formats with lower bit-error rates. In particular, semiconductor lasers are a key component due to their compactness, low power consumption, and potential for mass production. In field-testing scenarios their output is coupled to a fiber, making them susceptible to external optical feedback (EOF). This has a detrimental effect on its stability, thus it is traditionally countered by employing, for example, optical isolators and angled output waveguides. In this work, EOF is explored in a novel way with the aim to reduce and stabilize the laser linewidth. EOF has been traditionally studied in the case where it is applied to only one side of the laser cavity. In contrast, this work gives a generalization to the case of feedback on both sides. It is implemented using photonic components available via generic foundry platforms, thus creating a path towards devices with high technology-readiness level. Numerical results shows an improvement in performance of the double-feedback case with respect to the single-feedback case. In particularly, by appropriately selecting the phase of the feedback from both sides, a broad stability regime is discovered. This work paves the way towards low-cost, integrated and stable narrow-linewidth integrated lasers.

Estimation of the Energy Consumption of an All-Terrain Mobile Manipulator for Operations in Steep Vineyards

A heterogeneous robotic system that can perform various tasks in the steep vineyards of the Mediterranean region was developed and tested as part of the HEKTOR—Heterogeneous Autonomous Robotic System in Viticulture and Mariculture—project. This article describes the design of hardware and an easy-to-use method for evaluating the energy consumption of the system, as well as, indirectly, its deployment readiness level. The heterogeneous robotic system itself consisted of a flying robot—a light autonomous aerial robot (LAAR)—and a ground robot—an all-terrain mobile manipulator (ATMM), composed of an all-terrain mobile robot (ATMR) platform and a seven-degree-of-freedom (DoF) torque-controlled robotic arm. A formal approach to describe the topology and parameters of selected vineyards is presented. It is shown how Google Earth data can be used to make an initial estimation of energy consumption for a selected vineyard. On this basis, estimates of energy consumption were made for the tasks of protective spraying and bud rubbing. The experiments were conducted in two different vineyards, one with a moderate slope and the other with a much steeper slope, to evaluate the proposed estimation method.

Pengukuran Kesiapan Industri Minuman Teh Menjangkau Revolusi Industri 4.0 dengan Metode INDI 4.0

Rapid technological developments greatly affect the demand for products and services. So the industry needs to improve to maximize production achievements in order to meet market needs. The development of industry 4.0 provides an opportunity to revitalize the Indonesian manufacturing sector. Moreover, the Ministry of Industry has compiled "Making Indonesia 4.0" as a strategy and roadmap to develop industry 4.0 in Indonesia. Indonesia focuses on five main sectors for the development of industry 4.0, including the food and beverage, chemical, electronics, textile and clothing, and automotive industries. This research was conducted to determine the level of readiness of the manufacturing industry, especially the food and beverage industry at PT. Perkebunan Nusantara VIII to face industry 4.0 based on organizational and technological aspects. The measurement method used is the Indonesia Industry 4.0 Readiness Index (INDI 4.0). With these results, it can help the industry know the current level of achievement and know what needs to be done to get to the level of industry 4.0. Based on online and offline assessments carried out at the level of readiness, the people and culture aspects as well as the technology aspect have the highest level of use but are at Level 2. The technological aspect has the lowest readiness at Level 1. Overall, the company's readiness is at Level 1 (readiness stage). early) almost reached moderate readiness (Level 2).

Capability of Multi-Material Laser-Based Powder Bed Fusion—Development and Analysis of a Prototype Large Bore Engine Component

Additive Manufacturing (AM) allows the manufacturing of functionally graded materials (FGM). This includes compositional grading, which enables the allocation of desired materials corresponding to local product requirements. An upcoming AM process for the creation of metal-based FGMs is laser-based powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M) utilized for multi-material manufacturing (MM). Three-dimensional multi-material approaches for PBF-LB/M are stated to have a manufacturing readiness level (MRL) of 4 to 5. In this paper, an advancement of multi-material technology is presented by realizing an industry-relevant complex part as a prototype made by PBF-LB/M. Hence, a multi-material injection nozzle consisting of tool steel and a copper alloy was manufactured in a continuous PBF-LB/M process. Single material regions showed qualities similar to the ones resulting from mono-material processes. A geometrically defined transition zone between the two materials was achieved that showed slightly higher porosity than mono-material regions. Nevertheless, defects such as porosity, cracks, and material cross-contamination were detected and must be overcome in further MM technology development.

Menjadikan Dewan Riset Daerah DKI Jakarta Sebagai Lembaga Intermediasi dan Alih Teknologi

Dewan Riset Daerah DKI Jakarta (DRD) dibentuk untuk memberdayakan lembaga penelitian dan pengembangan serta IPTEK pengembangan kegiatan penelitian dan pengembangan. Pelaksanaan tugas dan fungsi DRD tidak disertai peran intermediasi maupun alih teknologi, yang relatif vital, dimana didalamnya ada fungsi audit dan kliring kelayakan teknologi yang dihasilkan atau akan diadopsi melalui kegiatan penilaian tingkat kesiapterapan teknologi. Patut dipertimbangkan untuk mengubah struktur maupun kelembagaan, sehingga pemanfaatan teknologi untuk meningkatkan pelayanan maupun kesejahteraan masyarakat Provinsi DKI Jakarta dapat berjalan dengan baik. The DKI Jakarta Regional Research Council (DRD) was formed to empower research and development institutions as well as science and technology for the development of research and development activities. The implementation of DRD duties and functions is not accompanied by the role of intermediation or technology transfer, which is relatively vital, in which there is an audit function and clearing of the feasibility of the technology produced or to be adopted through technology readiness level assessment activities. It is worth considering changing the structure and institutions, so that the use of technology to improve services and the welfare of the people of DKI Jakarta Province can run well.

Scale-up of Mycorrhizal-Assisted Phytoremediation system from Technology Readiness Level 6 (Relevant Environment) to 7 (Operational Environment): Cost-benefits within a Circular Economy Context

This chapter analyzes the costs-benefits of a particular phytomining methodology named mycorrhizal-assisted phytoremediation (MAP). This MAP system is responsible for phytostabilization and/or phytoextraction of secondary and critical raw materials from contaminated soil or mining wastes. To this aim, we evaluated the application of MAP in a modified constructed wetland, the vegetable depuration module (VDM), which permits the calibration of physical-chemical-biological variables in a contaminated substrate, as well as the partition of chemical elements within the liquid phase due to leaching and solid phases (biomass and soil). This successful methodology allows to scale-up from a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 (demonstration in a relevant environment) toward TRL 7 (demonstration in an operational environment), which implies the transfer to the territory.

The Effect of Company Characteristics and Sales Growth on Sustainability Report

The sustainability of manufacturing companies is still an issue for innovative business activities in meeting the needs of future generations. The problem that becomes the urgency of this research is that return on assets, leverage, and sales growth affects the sustainability report. For this reason, quantitative research with multiple regression analysis is carried out for testing and examining the effect of company characteristics and sales growth on the sustainability report. The data used in this study is secondary data in the form of financial statements of each sample company, namely manufacturing companies that have been audited to be reported to the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) from 2015-2019. Measurements in company characteristics are measured by return on assets (ROA), Leverage, and company growth. The Technology Readiness Level (TKT) is a proof-of-concept of important analytical and experimental functions and/or characteristics. The output of this research design is an international journal. In this study, the results show that profitability and sales growth have a significant effect on the sustainability report and company size has no significant effect on the sustainability report.

Robust Image-Based Streamflow Measurements for Real-Time Continuous Monitoring

The volumetric flow rate in rivers is essential to analyze hydrological processes and at the same time it is one of the most difficult variables to measure. Image based discharge measurements possess several advantages, one of them being that the sensor (camera) is not in contact with the water, it can be placed safe of floods, its mounting position is very flexible and there is no need of expensive structures/constructions. During the last years several image-based methods for measuring the surface velocity in rivers and canals have been proposed and successfully tested under different conditions. However, these methods have been used and configured to perform well under the particular conditions of a single recording or single site. The objective of this paper is to present a system which has reached a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 9. The system is able to measure the volumetric flow under different conditions day and night and all year long, the system is able to perform in rivers or canals of different sizes and flow velocities and under different conditions of visibility. In addition, the system is capable of measuring the river stage optically without the need of a stage, but it can also integrate external level sensor. Important for a wide set of customers, the system must be able to interface with the various common signal input and output standards, such as 4–20 mAmp, modbus, SDI-12, ZRXP, and even with customer specific formats. Additionally, the developed technology can be implemented as an edge or as a cloud system. The cloud system only needs a camera with Internet connection to send videos to the cloud where they are processed, while the edge systems have a processing unit installed at the site where the processing is done. This paper presents the key aspects needed to move from prototype with TRL5-7 and lower toward the presented field proven system with a TRL 9.