Search Results (3,092)

This work sheds light on the effectiveness of digital kiosks in targeting specific audiences in contrast to centrally managed mobile phone applications. To this end, we have conducted a case study where a digital kiosk was developed to support the academic activities of the computer science department. Our results show that the students continue to use the mobile phone application. However, the digital kiosk added the following main benefits to the service: Firstly, being in a physical location and thanks to their larger screens, digital kiosks are ‘eye-catching’ devices, which makes them ideal for advertising products/services or communicating relevant information. Secondly, they are brilliant points of attraction. By seeing other people standing in front of any of them, members of the target audience are encouraged to imitate them, even if they did not have the intention to do so. Thirdly, even if the services are available from a mobile phone application, some people do not wish to create an account, download and install the application on their devices, and/or give permission to it, which can potentially invade their privacy and security. Lastly, and equally important, digital kiosks are human-centered technologies that can be more appealing to people who seek social interactions. With this, we conclude that digital kiosks cannot replace mobile phone applications. Rather, they are further technologies that enhance self-service overall. Full article

During COVID-19, the traditional educational landscape witnessed the rapid and unprecedented adoption of modern communication methods to facilitate remote learning and academic interactions. Various online education platforms have enriched content deliveries, paved the way for learners across the globe, and enriched the learning environment for learners and facilitators who design, deliver, and try their best to make it exciting and engaging. Apart from this, even the traditional mode of education encourages the use of blended and hybrid learning so that deliverables are improved. Advancement in the usage of hybrid, innovative smart classes is encouraged by higher educational institutions. This study delves into the paradigm shift in higher education brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, explicitly focusing on the transformation of communication methods. It also focuses on the various effective communication methods (online and physical classes) that higher education institutions adopt. This study considers secondary data and argues on online learning skills, classroom learning/flipped classroom method, problem-based learning, cooperative learning, assessment evaluation techniques, the four-quadrant approach, and outcome-based teaching–learning pedagogy for all higher education programs. Furthermore, the research considers the long-term impact of these modern communication methods on the future of higher education. It explores whether adopting these technologies will persist or evolve as institutions transition back to in-person learning and whether a blended approach to education will emerge. In conclusion, this research provides a timely assessment of the transformation of communication methods in higher education post-COVID-19, shedding light on the opportunities, challenges, and potential pathways for the sustainable integration of modern communication methods in the academic realm. Full article

The use of resin-based dental composites is multiplying through the years due to the increased demand for tooth-colored restorations. The choice of monomers strongly determines the viscosity, reactivity, mechanical property, water sorption and polymerization shrinkage of the composite material. It is desirable for all monomers to be converted into polymers (Degree of Conversion), but this does not occur clinically, resulting in a poor prognosis for restorations as well as an increase in systemic health risks. The release of monomers occurs due to erosion and degradation, as well as the release of leachable species from the restoration. The potential toxicity of free monomers to dental pulp cells is concerning. Free monomers are not only allergens but also have reported cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. Various methods and practices have thus been employed to counter the ill effects of free monomer release from dental composite restorations for better safety and healthy oral cavities. Full article

Embroidery, once a symbol of craftsmanship, has transformed into a cutting-edge technology blending tradition and innovation. This article delves into the multifaceted applications of embroidery technology in smart and e-textiles, showcasing its precision in integrating electronic components and PCBs and embroidering complete electrical circuits. Addressing challenges in reliability and mass production, the article provides research-backed solutions, offering guidelines for reliable embroidered interconnections and conductive traces. Positioned in mass production, embroidery’s automation and scalability seamlessly extend industrial practices to e-textiles, establishing this technique as a dynamic force shaping the future of smart-textile technology. Full article

In today’s world of growing user-generated content on social media, this study addresses the challenge of producing high-quality content, be it for social engagement or educational purposes. Conventionally, using a cameraman has been an effective yet expensive way to enhance video quality. In this context, our research introduces an innovative AI-driven camera robot that autonomously tracks the content creator, thereby improving video production quality. The robot uses an object detection model composed of YOLOv3 and Kalman filter algorithms to identify the content creators and create a bounding box around them within the frame. Using motion detection control, the robot adjusts its position to keep the bounding box centered in the frame, ensuring a continuous focus on the content creator. As a result, the system consistently captures excellent images through precise pan-tilt movements, promising improved visual storytelling. The initial results confirm the system’s effectiveness in content detection, camera control, and content tracking. This advancement has the potential to impact user-generated content across various domains, providing an accessible way to enhance content quality without the high costs associated with traditional cameraman services. Full article

Three-component strain sensors based on helical auxetic yarn (HAY) structure were designed. HAYs comprise elastic core yarn, wrapped by the composition of multifilament Nylon 66 and conductive spun yarns with three different electrical resistance. The electromechanical behavior of samples was investigated. The cross-section of samples was studied to investigate the aerial density of conductive fibers at different strain ranges. The results indicated that gauge factors of HAY strain sensors significantly depend on the electrical resistance of the conductive component. Therefore, a new generation of efficient wearable textile-based strain sensors is introduced, based on the adjustable and flexible nature of the auxetic yarns. Full article

A wearable ECG monitoring system was developed by integrating embroidered electrodes, and the collected ECG waveforms were comparable to those obtained using gelled Ag/AgCl electrodes. The R-peak amplitude was 2.09 mV with a 42.9 dB SNR for signals acquired using embroidered electrodes. The ECG signal quality was observed to improve with an increase in electrode size and holding pressure. ECG signals were recorded while the subject was in a walking condition, resulting in detectable waveforms with no missing R-peak and a 30.13 dB SNR which were comparable to signals acquired using standard gelled electrodes under the same conditions. Overall, these results are promising for developing an applicable wearable ECG monitoring system. Full article

The integration of sensors into garments has paved the way for human activity recognition (AR), enabling users to engage in extended human motion recordings. The inherent fluidity of loose clothing allows it to mirror the wearer’s movements. From a statistical standpoint, clothing captures additional valuable insights beyond rigid body motions, improving AR. This work demonstrates how fabric’s orientation, layering and width contribute to the enhanced performance of AR with clothing in periodic motion. Experiments are reported in which a scotch yoke and a KUKA robot manipulator are used to induce the periodic motion of fabric cloth at different frequencies. These reveal that clothing-attached sensors exhibit higher frequency classification accuracy among sensors with an improvement of 27% for perpendicular-oriented fabric, 18% for triple-layered fabric, and 9% for large-width fabric, exceeding that seen with rigid attached sensors. Full article

One of the most widely used imaging techniques in medicine is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is a tool that doctors use to comprehend human anatomy and carry out more accurate analyses. In the study of brain anatomy, image processing super resolution technology has become important to overcome physical restrictions due to image deterioration caused by hardware constraints, lengthier scanning periods, and artefacts. Super resolution is an approach to raise an image’s resolution while improving the image’s quality from a low-resolution (LR) image to a higher-resolution (HR) image. The study provides an overview of deep learning techniques for creating super-resolution (SR) MRI brain images. A widely used deep learning (DL) technique, accessible brain MRI dataset, and quantity evaluation matrices have been presented, mostly used for image super resolution. Factors affecting hardware constraints and artifacts, including magnetic field homogeneity, gradient nonlinearity, radiofrequency (RF) coil sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and gradient coil performance, have been taken into account. This research focuses mostly on brain MRI images as a contribution to the medical industry for super resolution. Full article

The world’s economy heavily depends on the energy resources used by various countries. India is one of the promising developing nations with very low crude reserves actively looking for new renewable energy resources to power its economy. Higher energy consumption and environmental pollution are two big global challenges for our sustainable development. The world is currently facing a dual problem of an energy crisis as well as environmental degradation. So, there is a strong need to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. This can be achieved to a great extent by universally adopting clean fuels for all daily life uses, like ethanol or liquified natural gas (LNG), as these burn very clean and do not emit many pollutants. Nowadays, green hydrogen has emerged as a new clean energy source, which is abundantly available and does not pollute much. This article explores the various benefits of green hydrogen with respect to fossil fuels, various techniques of producing it, and its possible use in different sectors such as industry, transport, and aviation, as well as in day-to-day life. Finally, it explores the use of green hydrogen as fuel in automobile engines, its blending with CNG gas, and its benefits in reducing emissions compared to fossil fuels. On combustion, green hydrogen produces only water vapours and is thus a highly clean fuel. Thus, it can potentially help humanity preserve the environment due to its ultra-low emissions and can be a consistent and reliable source of energy for generations to come, thereby ending the clean energy security debate forever. Full article

The combination of the lightweight nature and mechanical properties of AZ91 makes it a suitable material for defense, aerospace, and automotive components. The study of the friction and wear properties of AZ91 contributes to the understanding of interactions of surfaces in relative motion. Hybrid ceramic reinforced composites can be tailored to offer enhanced mechanical and tribological properties. The present study highlights the development of AZ91-based hybrid composites reinforced with nano hBN and micron-sized TiB₂ ceramic particles. The hBN is used as a hybridizing agent in the perspective of improving the friction and wear behavior of the composites. The Taguchi L16 orthogonal array was used to prepare the experimental plan. The normal load, sliding speed, and sliding distance were considered as influencing factors in the experiments against the responses, wear rate, and coefficient of friction. Multi-Criteria Decision-Making methods such as Additive Ratio Assessment System (ARAS) and Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) were employed to optimize the experiments. The presence of hBN decreased the wear rate and coefficient of friction of the hybrid composites. The adhesive mode of wear mechanism was found to be operative in the composites. Full article

Automotive safety encompasses various measures, including seat belts, airbags, and advanced driver assistance systems, to minimise the risk of accidents and protect vehicle occupants. Seat belts play a crucial role in restraining occupants during collisions, reducing the likelihood of serious injuries. A part of a vehicle’s seat belt system is commonly referred to as a “retractor spindle”. The seat belt webbing’s movement and tension are managed by the seat belt retractor spindle. The selection of spindle material is crucial for seat belt retraction and extraction, with aluminium alloy being favoured due to its light weight and high strength, ensuring efficient and reliable performance in automotive safety systems. In this regard, an attempt was made to create a simulation material model for ${\mathrm{A}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}}_9{\mathrm{C}\mathrm{u}}_3$, which in turn led to a spindle break load simulation. For a specimen and a spindle made of the same material, experimental and finite element analyses were conducted. Specimen-level tests were carried out, and behaviour was studied using the MAT_ADD_EROSION damage model and the MAT_PLASTICITY_COMPRESSION_TENSION material model in LS-Dyna. The obtained ultimate strain value was used create the material card. Spindle analysis was carried out with the same control cards and material cards. From the experimental tests and finite element analysis, we conclude that the proposed simulation material model for ${\mathrm{A}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}}_9{\mathrm{C}\mathrm{u}}_3$ predicts the spindle breaking load and failure modes to acceptable levels. Full article

The growing demands of next-generation electric and hybrid electric vehicles and high-power electronic devices necessitate higher power density, longer cycle life, and enhanced safety at a reduced cost. To address these challenges, supercapacitors have emerged as a potential technology offering several advantages such as higher power density, excellent cycle stability, environmental friendliness, and wide temperature-range performance. Recently, research has focused on developing nanomaterials that would improve the capacitive performance of supercapacitors. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN or g-C₃N₄) exhibits distinct chemical and physical characteristics that are advantageous for diverse applications including energy conversion and storage. g-CN integrates the benefits of nitrogen doping, such as increased surface polarity and better surface wettability, with the advantages of carbon compounds, such as ease of availability, abundance in nature, and cost efficiency. The considerable advance in research on g-CN has inspired the development of various g-CN nanocomposites to achieve high efficiency by eliminating certain limitations. To overcome the issues related to conductivity and specific surface area, g-CN can be composited with conducting polymers (CP) as one of the modification strategies. Recently researchers have experimented with various g-CN-conducting polymer nanocomposites as electrode materials for supercapacitors. Based on the studies conducted, g-CN-conducting polymer nanocomposites have achieved good stability, adequate conductivity, and better specific capacitance. This review provides an overview of g-CN/conducting polymer nanocomposites as supercapacitor electrode materials. It covers synthetic strategies, discusses factors affecting their electrochemical performance, and outlines future research directions for high-performance supercapacitors. Full article

The “Embroidery Triboelectric Nanogenerator” (E-TENG) is a wearable device that extracts energy from human motion by making use of the triboelectric phenomena, in addition to conductive fabric along with embroidery threads. One of the greatest ways to transform ambient vibrational energy from the human body is to use a wearable triboelectric energy harvester. In this study, different E-TENGs were developed using conductive fabric as an electrode and two different triboelectric yarns, 100% Polyester (electron donor) and Nylon 6,6 (electron receiver). To investigate the electrical outputs and energy-collecting potential of the ETENG, different stitch length and line spacing of embroidery TENG were investigated by testing samples in a specially manufactured tapping and sliding devices. The optimized wearable embroidery energy harvester effectively captured 72 μJ (12 V) of human motion energy in a 1 μF capacitor in 120 s and 307.5 μJ (24.8 V) of energy in a 1 μF capacitor by 1.5 Hz sliding motion in 300 s from an ETFS3.1 sample. A maximum of 4.5 μJ (3 V) was collected in a 1 μF capacitor from ETFS2.3 using a tapping machine for 520 s at a 2 Hz tapping motion and a 50 mm separation distance. The effects of the stitch length and line spacing in the embroidered structure on the electrical output performance of the embroidery energy-harvesting TENG were investigated. Full article