A system for defining structures within an image is described. The system includes reading of an input file, preprocessing the input file while preserving metadata such as scale information and then detecting features of the input file. In one version the detection first uses an edge detector followed by identification of features using a Hough transform. The output of the process is identified elements within the image.

The present invention provides copper substrate coated with a lead-lanthanum-zirconium-titanium (PLZT) ceramic film, which is prepared by a method comprising applying a layer of a sol-gel composition onto a copper foil. The sol-gel composition comprises a precursor of a ceramic material suspended in 2-methoxyethanol. The layer of sol-gel is then dried at a temperature up to about 250° C. The dried layer is then pyrolyzed at a temperature in the range of about 300 to about 450° C. to form a ceramic film from the ceramic precursor. The ceramic film is then crystallized at a temperature in the range of about 600 to about 750° C. The drying, pyrolyzing and crystallizing are performed under a flowing stream of an inert gas.

The invention is directed to a process for making a dielectric ceramic film capacitor and the ceramic dielectric laminated capacitor formed therefrom, the dielectric ceramic film capacitors having increased dielectric breakdown strength. The invention increases breakdown strength by embedding a conductive oxide layer between electrode layers within the dielectric layer of the capacitors. The conductive oxide layer redistributes and dissipates charge, thus mitigating charge concentration and micro fractures formed within the dielectric by electric fields.

A method and apparatus for implementing dynamic compensation of magnetic forces for undulators are provided. An undulator includes a respective set of magnet arrays, each attached to a strongback, and placed on horizontal slides and positioned parallel relative to each other with a predetermined gap. Magnetic forces are compensated by a set of compensation springs placed along the strongback. The compensation springs are conical springs having exponential-force characteristics that substantially match undulator magnetic forces independently of the predetermined gap. The conical springs are positioned along the length of the magnets.

A heterojunction photovoltaic cell. The cell includes a nanoporous substrate, a transparent conducting oxide disposed on the nanoporous substrate, a nanolaminate film deposited on the nanoporous substrate surface, a sensitizer dye disposed on a wide band gap semiconducting oxide and a redox shuttle positioned within the layer structure.

A polymer-hybrid electro-optic device is fabricated by providing a semiconductor substrate, depositing a metal electrode layer on the semiconductor substrate, depositing a dielectric barrier core layer within a gap of the metal electrode layer, patterning a polymer layer to cover the dielectric barrier core layer and partially covering the metal electrode layer, infiltrating the polymer layer with an inorganic component to form a hybrid oxide-polymer layer, and removing excess inorganic component from the semiconductor substrate and metal electrode layer.

A method for retrieving phase information in a coherent diffraction imaging process includes acquiring a plurality of 3D data sets, each 3D data set corresponding to one of a plurality of time states, and reconstructing a 3D image of the object at a given time state using the 3D data set from all of the time states. Each 3D data set is acquired by: illuminating an object positioned in a first position with a coherent beam; measuring a first 2D diffraction pattern using an area detector; rotating the object around a tilt axis thereof to a second position that is different from the first position; re-illuminating the object positioned in the second position with the coherent beam; re-measuring a second 2D diffraction pattern using the area detector; and repeating the rotating, re-illuminating and re-measuring steps such that each 3D data set includes a predetermined number of diffraction patterns.

Invention

In the event of a chemical and/or biological release, it is critical to be able to rapidly detect the components that have been released, determine the concentration of the components, decontaminate the released components, and verify that the decontamination efforts have been successful. Argonne inventors have developed a ​“smart” surface that can be incorporated into fabrics, painted surfaces, or other systems for rapid detection and decontamination.

Opportunity & Solution

The Argonne solution is a coupled, semiconductor-based detection and decontamination system that detects contaminant absorption by changes in surface resistance. These changes induce a photocatalytic oxidation or reduction of the contaminant while continuously monitoring resistance and temperature during the process to determine the decontamination status.

Benefits

The Argonne invention is a rapid, integrated detection and response system for chemical decontamination in near real-time.  

Applications, Industries

The invention has potential application in decontaminating large surface areas.