Table of Contents[Show]
Blockchain oracles aim to bring interoperability to blockchain networks by enabling them to interact with external data sources.
Oracles are a new technology enabling smart contracts to execute and interpret real world data, relaying this back to the blockchain.
Read on to learn everything that is needed to know about the role of oracles in the blockchain ecosystem.
A blockchain oracle acts as a bridge between blockchain systems and off-chain data sources, allowing smart contracts to interact with external data sources or connect to an off-chain system.
Oracles in blockchain interface with external APIs and data feeds, allowing them to feed real-world data into a smart contract or push data from a blockchain.
Blockchains oracles allow smart contracts to securely access real-world data from off-chain sources.
Without decentralised oracles, blockchain networks are severely limited in their capacity to interact with external sources, limiting their potential applications. This is largely due to the strong security properties of blockchain networks.
Decentralised oracles enable smart contracts to integrate off-chain systems, including external data feeds, payment rails, events, and more.
When traders consider real-world use cases of smart contracts they realise most require off-chain data to trigger execution, and integration to existing payment channels to settle a contract.
An example of a blockchain oracle network is Chainlink. Chainlink is a decentralised protocol that enables smart contracts to interact securely with off-chain data sources via the use of decentralised oracles.
Chainlink is composed of several decentralised oracle networks actively operating on the network, data providers running their nodes, and node operators. Therefore, blockchain networks can use Chainlink to aggregate multiple off-chain data points to form a single trusted data point, which can be used to trigger smart contracts on a blockchain network.
Moreover, Chainlink acts as an abstraction layer for data providers to sell their existing APIs to blockchain networks. The native cryptocurrency of the Chainlink network is LINK.
Given the varying complexities of off-chain resources, blockchain oracles come in several forms to handle numerous scenarios. We will discuss some of the oracle types in this section.
Input oracles allow smart contracts to interact with real-world data sources. These are the most widely recognised type of oracles today. An example of input oracle includes DeFi smart contracts pulling off-chain financial markets data.
Output oracles are the opposite of input oracles, in that they enable smart contracts to send instructions to off-chain systems that trigger them to execute certain actions.
Cross-chain oracles allow interoperability between different blockchains by moving data and assets, as well as bridging assets cross-chain so they can be used outside their host protocols.
Compute-enabled oracles use secure-off chain computation functions to provide decentralised services that are impractical to run on-chain due to the rigid structures of blockchain networks.
An example is Chainlink Keepers, which acts as a decentralised off-chain computation layer where key smart contract functionalities can be automated and advanced utility introduced to DApps using custom triggers.
Blockchain oracles are deployed to build several advanced decentralised applications across many industries. Here are some of the current applications of blockchain oracles.
Blockchain oracles are most widely recognised for price feeds used in DeFi transactions, in areas such as lending, derivatives, and stablecoins.
For instance, the Maker protocol depends on price feeds to determine the value of the underlying collateral backing the asset. Moreover, oracles are useful in providing data about the market price of collateralised assets in Maker Vaults, allowing the platform to trigger liquidations under the right market conditions.
Oracles can also be used to monitor fraud in real-time by functioning as “independent” auditors. Several stablecoins, including USDP, TUSD, and even wrapped coin WBTC, are using blockchain oracles to authenticate the collateralization of their tokenized assets. This way users are to some extent protected from the unpredictable nature of crypto markets.
According to numerous experts, DeFi in its current form can’t significantly scale without critical off-chain financial data provided by blockchain oracles.
Blockchain oracles can power parametric insurance contracts by pulling weather data from Accuweather or Google Cloud to trigger the settlement of crop insurance claims.
For example, Arbol, an insuretech platform, uses blockchain oracles to report when a certain level of rainfall has happened, triggering the execution of the smart contract and in turn settling the claimant’s payment. This is achieved without the need for a lengthy claims process.
Oracles are vital for prediction markets. Prediction protocols allow users to trade the outcome of various events. Oracles play the role of verifying the results.
Blockchain oracles support dynamic NFTs that can change in appearance, distribution, or value based on external events like time or weather. Moreover, compute oracles are used to generate verifiable randomness that projects can utilise to assign randomised traits to NFTs. This feature has been implemented by several NFT projects, like EtherCards, where NFTs are randomly dispersed to ensure fair community participation.
The blockchain oracle problem illustrates a key weakness of smart contracts, which is they can’t interact with external data and systems outside their native blockchain network.
Being purposely isolated from external resources or off-chain data is not without benefits as blockchains gain valuable properties like distributed consensus mechanisms and tamper-proof transactions.
Solving the oracle problem is important since many smart contract use cases require interacting with real-world data and events off-chain. Oracles are essential to act as a bridge between blockchain networks and external resources.
Blockchain oracles allow the evolution of “hybrid smart contracts” while allowing crypto networks to retain their structural properties.
Chainlink (LINK) is the leading blockchain oracle project in the market. Chainlink is a multi-chain oracle network that provides accurate and verifiable real-world data for smart contracts. Chainlink’s decentralised oracle network connects smart contracts to price feeds, asset feeds, weather data, sports feeds, shipping data, and more. Chainlink’s current total market capitalisation is $3,236,953,413 as of June 23rd 2022.
UMA (UMA) is a decentralised oracle that allows users to deploy and trade synthetic assets on Ethereum by leveraging an “optimistic oracle” to interact with off-chain data. An optimistic oracle serves data to smart contracts through a flexible feature that offers a dispute resolution mechanism for inaccurate or manipulated data. UMA’s current total market capitalisation is $167,179,772 as of June 23rd 2022.
WINkLink (WIN) is the first TRON ecosystem decentralised oracle that aims to fully integrate off-chain events with the blockchain network. WINkLink will provide external data such as price feeds, events, and access to payment rails as well as offer reliable, unpredictable, and unverifiable random numbers. WIN’s current total market capitalisation is $107,561,612 as of June 23rd 2022.
API3 (API3) is a DAO that creates an API for DApps known as dAPI. dAPIs are decentralised API services designed by combining multiple operators and running Oracle needs free of counterparties. The current total market capitalisation of API3 is $61,175,219 as of June 23rd 2022.
Band Protocol (BAND) is a cross-chain decentralised oracle that aggregates and connects off-chain data and APIs to smart contracts. Band oracles can be used across multiple blockchain networks and allow for flexible, efficient, and scalable data queries secured through cryptographic proofs. The current total market capitalisation of BAND is $50,316,645 as of June 23rd 2022.
Oracles are essential to the distributed ledger ecosystem because they expand the possibilities for smart contracts. Without decentralised oracles, smart contracts would only have access to data within their crypto networks, limiting their potential applications.
Decentralised oracles act as an abstraction layer that queries verifies, and authenticates off-chain sources before relaying that data on-chain. The data being transmitted by oracles includes price feeds, temperature readings, weather information, and digital payments, among others.
To pull data from external sources the smart contract needs to be invoked, and blockchain resources expended. Some decentralised oracles can pull and push data from and to a smart contract.
We hope that this guide will help traders on their journey to buying, owning, and trading crypto. To start trading cryptocurrency CFDs with Axi today, click here.
Ethereum's Merge is approaching and it is about to change everything in crypto. Find out what it could mean for ETH prices and how to prepare for crypto's hottest event in years.


Vaporizers – Smok Novo 2 – The Best Affordable Vape Pod System
Smok Novo 2 represents a new benchmark in vaporizer design. Smok is well-known for its top-quality air pockets that keep your electronic device cool while it sits on your desk. The Smok Novo 2 is no different, delivering powerful vapors with a tighter and more streamlined shape that allows you to take full advantage of your desktop or even an office desk.
With the introduction of two brand new power sources, typically the voltage for the Smok Novo a couple of has been improved from ten-volt in order to fifteen-volt. Power end result has additionally increased from ten-volt to 16-volt giving an individual a much broader voltage range to choose from. Also, the Smok Novo 2 right now includes a new temperature gauge regarding your convenient heat measurement. Now, your current Novo will smartly adjust the volt quality to provide an individual with a longer, much better, more efficient Vapor Smoking experience.
The innovative new notch and connect on the front side of the unit measure performance in watts instead of voltage. This specific helps to ensure that your device gives you precise power output psychic readings with easy monitoring. A large, high-grade glass ampoule assures optimal moisture in addition to cooling for a clean, constant, in addition to quality-oriented smoking experience from both entrance and bottom. Smok Novo 2 even includes a built/in battery charger, the first with this collection of vaporizers.
Smok Novo 2 utilizes the charging system that may be similar to some other novo vapor items. With the same size and design regarding the original, the particular charging system is usually in a snap to Novo 2 add to your computer or laptop. You can cost your device while you are experiencing your vaporizing program. This charging method offers a charging indicator light that will let you know whenever it’s ready in order to be used. In addition to charging, the particular Smok Novo a couple of also features the USB port that will allow it to be utilized with your Music player or with some other electronics that need direct power.
Besides the excellent portability in the Smok Novo 2, it is also extremely simple to use. The user friendly interface enables you00 to understand plus performs flawlessly. The particular note 2 furthermore includes two DIRECTED lights which will show the power level indicator (red – low, orange — medium, and glowing blue – high) as well as a backlit button for power selection. The particular LED lights have a bright, vibrant show that will illuminate every time. A higher quality battery is roofed with the novo 2 and this allows you to be able to enjoy extended sessions without concern above the life regarding the battery.
When in comparison to its competition, the Smok Novo 2 kit is superior in many techniques. One of the greatest advantages will be that it provides higher battery capacity than most of its competitors. An individual can enjoy up to two hrs of continuous use on a individual charge. This really is very much more than typically the original novo pod vaporizer that lasted for jus an hour and ten moments. The Smok Novo 2 is additionally designed to work along with the first pods which usually have been created for the authentic vaporizers. Because it uses a premium quality quartz battery this produces a steam that may be superior to be able to most other brands.
In order to take advantage of all of these kinds of amazing features, you will need to obtain a replacement Smok Novo 2 Pod. The replacement Smok Novo 2 pods that can become purchased from the particular company include Smoktech etched glass, hard rods, and Smoktech wire core for the heating holding chamber. All three regarding these options offer a vast embrace the amount associated with vapor produced whilst offering superior flavour and vapor shipping and delivery.
Vaporizers have become progressively popular with game enthusiasts looking for a fast and simple way in order to get nice tasting natural extracts. As the novo pods are now being stopped, many stores have begun offering replacement vaporizer parts from extremely good deals. Purchasing a new unit will ensure that will you always have the correct cartridge for the replacement device that is yours. Because the Smok Novo 2 provides so many features and benefits, replacing the device is undoubtedly a leading priority for virtually any vaper that has invested in one of these simple units.


By Brian Heater
Before you ask (or after you ask on Twitter without having read beyond the headline), no it’s hasn’t broken yet. It’s actually been fairly robust, all things considered. But here’s the official line from Samsung on that,
A limited number of early Galaxy Fold samples were provided to media for review. We have received a few reports regarding the main display on the samples provided. We will thoroughly inspect these units in person to determine the cause of the matter.
Separately, a few reviewers reported having removed the top layer of the display causing damage to the screen. The main display on the Galaxy Fold features a top protective layer, which is part of the display structure designed to protect the screen from unintended scratches. Removing the protective layer or adding adhesives to the main display may cause damage. We will ensure this information is clearly delivered to our customers.
I’ll repeat what I said the other day: breakages and lemons have been known to happen with preproduction units. I’ve had it happen with device in a number of occasions in my …read more
Source: Tech Crunch


RKB Splice Detectors
Model 1032 Classic® Splice Detector™ Technology
The Model 1032 Classic® Splice Detector™ Technology is our original patented solution for the detection of all types of splices in non-metallic web based processes. It can monitor one or multiple webs of material up to a total thickness of 0.175″ (4.445 mm) thick at one common installation point thus facilitating ONE unit for any inspection application. This technology is self calibration to any new process condition and is not affected by speed, colors, caliper, or printing. It can be mounted at any position along the web edge in the machine provided the material runs parallel through the inspection aperture. The unit comes with an indication marking showing the position of the web edge which should be about 0.5″ ( 12.7 mm) inches beyond to allow for web wander. It is powered by 120/220 VAC, 50/60 Hz, Single Phase. This system can be applied to any web based format where critical splice detection is required. Whether used for end product quality or controlling nip points, coating heads, printing heads, this unit will provide reliable, accurate and consistent detection of all splices to ensure your goals for quality and control are met 24/7.
Model 1032B Classic® Splice Detector™ Technology
Based on our original Model 1032 sensing technology, the Model 1032B Classic® Splice Detector™ Technology was developed for center mounting and can be applied to any non-metallic material process line where critical splice detection is required. Since this technology mounts center of web, it eliminates the need for any operational intervention and can be applied more effectively on processes where deckle (width) changes are common. Installation is easy and the two pieces (Sensor and Base Plate) should be securely fastened towards the center of the process that allows the material to pass through the aperture created in a parallel manner. This solution will monitor one to multiple webs of material at one point provided the total thickness does not exceed 0.2″ (5.08 mm). It is powered by 120/220 VAC, 50/60 Hz, Single Phase.
Like the Model 1032, the 1032B provides two types of outputs. One is a digital pulse output of 15 VDC and/or a dry contact relay that will accept anything voltage from 5 VDC through 220 VAC depending on what you are controlling. This technology is self calibrating and is not affected by material speed, color, caliper, or printing. The plug connection is identical to the Model 1032 and thus makes upgrading from an edge mount unit to a center mount very easy with limited downtime. This solution will detect any known splice fault @ any knows production speed guaranteed! With over 6000 installation worldwide, our splice detection solutions are the standard used worldwide in papermaking, winding, printing, coating, cutting, laminating, and film processes. The ROI averages to 24 hours once installed with an average operational life expectancy of 30 years before any maintenance is required.
Model 1032C Enforcer® Metalized Splice Detector™ Technology
The Model 1032C Enforcer® Metallized Splice Detector™ Technology was developed for metallic process lines where critical splice detection is required. Based on our coating lump detection technology, this system provides detection of any known splice in one total web of material (Laminates included) up to speeds of 2000 fpm (609.6 m/min). Easy to install, this technology can be mounted center of web and will monitor up to a total thickness of all known laminated grades. It is powered by 24 VDC primary and will provide an output of 5, 12, 15 or 24 VDC digital pulse for 0.01, 0.1 or 1.0 seconds giving sufficient time for any process control activation. Unaffected by material color, printing or caliper, this technology is self calibrating to new process conditions and will detect any known splice giving you the quality assurance you require 24/7. This is truly a fantastic system solution for metallized materiel processing.
Model 1088 Sentinel® Splice Detector™ Technology
The Model 1088 Sentinel® Splice Detector™ Technology was developed under our green initiatives. This technology is an edge of web mounted solution for non-metallic web based processes. Like it’s cousin, this solution will monitor one to multiple webs up to a total thickness of 0.175″ (4.445 mm) @ any known production speed. It is self calibrating and is not adversely affected by speed, material color, material type, caliper, or printing. As an all in one unit, it is very easy to install anywhere along the process machine where critical splice detection is required. Powered by 24 VDC this technology will provide you with a digital pulse output of 5, 12, 15 or 24 VDC @ a time constant of of 0.01, 0.1 or 1.0 seconds. The output can be high to low or low to high and is selectable depending on your operational requirements. This solution will provide years of operation before any maintenance requirements kick in and provides an average ROI within 24 hours. Unlike photo cells or ultrasonics type sensors, you only need one of these systems to handle your process and eliminate any operational intervention on grade changes.
Model 1088B Sentinel® Splice Detector™ Technology
The Model 1088B Sentinel® Splice Detector™ Technology is the sister solution to the Model 1088 and mounts center of web. It is designed to monitor non-metallic web based materials of all types. This solution will monitor one to multiple webs up to a total thickness of 0.200″ (5.08 mm) @ any known production speed. It is self calibrating and is not adversely affected by speed, material color, material type, caliper, or printing. It is very easy to install anywhere within the process machine where critical splice detection is required. Powered by 24 VDC this technology will provide you with a digital pulse output of 5, 12, 15 or 24 VDC @ a time constant of of 0.01, 0.1 or 1.0 seconds. The output can be high to low or low to high and is selectable depending on your operational requirements. This solution will provide years of operation before any maintenance requirements kick in and provides an average ROI within 24 hours. Unlike photo cells or ultrasonics type sensors, you only need one of these systems to handle your process and eliminate any operational intervention on grade changes.
Black Mamba® Web Press Splice Detector™ & Distribution Technology
The Model 1032BM and Model 1088BM Black Mamba® Web Press Splice Detector™ & Distribution Technology was developed for high speed digital web press solutions to ensure all known types of splices can draw through the printing press without damaging sensitive print heads and other components. Originally developed with HP, this solution is implemented just after the unwind roll prior to the first print head station. Unlike the standard solution, this technology has been modified to provide analytics to the press operations to facilitate the passage of splices through each print head station thus negating any damage to the expensive print heads. Mounted center of web, this solutions will facilitate any web press no matter the deckle width. They are self calibration sensors that are not affected by material type, material color, splice tape color, speed, caliper or printing. This technology can be provided to run off 120/220VAC, 50/60 Hz, Single Phase or 24 VDC. The output provided is set to 5 VDC digital pulse at 100 milliseconds but can be modified. Built in diagnostics will allow the end user to ensure the system is operational at all times.
Model 1090 Sentinel® (Narrow Web) Splice Detector™ Technology
Model 1090 Sentinel® Splice Detector™ Technology was developed as a lower cost alternative for narrow web processs such as machines like Mark Andy. They are based on our Model 1088 technology, but modified for narrow web applications. The unit will monitor one to two webs of non-metallic material to include laminates. Like all our technology, the Model 1090 is a self calibrating unit and will monitor materiel webs at any known process speed. This technology is not affected by printing, material color, caliper or speed and operates off 24 VDC primary. The output is selectable and can be set for 5, 12, 15 or 24 VDC digital pulse @ 0.01,0.1 or 1.0 seconds in duration. The signal can be high to low or low to high depending on your requirements for process control. This unit has been designed to mount on the edge of the web material or center mount to the process.
Model 1280 Guardian® Multicolor Edge Marking™ Technology
The Model 1280 Guardian® Multicolor Edge Marking™ Technology is a system designed to mark the edge of web material. It can be provided in one to five colors standard and comes equipped with a rodless cylinder that facilitates a 12″ stroke travel (additional travel can be provided). The spray head assembly is completely enclosed eliminating any potential over-spray from landing on the web and an over-spray collection system which is not available with other systems. The technology can be implemented with any web based inspection system from any supplier worldwide.
The system comes with automatic web tracking which is done by monitoring the edge of the material and will track forward and reverse continually to compensate for web travel. The main spray function utilizing low PSI pressure and will spray a suitable amount of colored ink, or any liquid, onto the web edge to identify the area of concern. The technology can be setup to spray relative to type of defect or application type such as a treater, coater being offline. The ink will be seen as concentric circles once the end material roll is moved to additional processing. Utilizing gravity control functions for ink supply, we ensure lower cost maintenance is achieved as compared to other solutions.
The overall design allows for a footprint of 4″ (10.16 cm) in the machine direction for installation and can be tied directly to any inspection solution or process equipment for activation. Components in the ink delivery system are made of stainless steel and are very durable in that type of acidic environment. With costs well below competitive alternatives, the Model 1280 will deliver reliable and accurate operation 24/7. This technology comes with a mounting sole plate that is adjustable enabling precise alignment to the web process for which is applied to. Custom configurations are available upon request.
Model 3600 OPTOMIZER® FCS Sheeter Inspection™ Technology
The Model 3600 OPTOMIZER® FCS Sheeter Inspection™ Technology was originally introduced as our Model 3030. It was developed specifically for sheeter applications to ensure sheeted material, especially coated papers and board, were defect free. It will monitor a signal web of material for holes, dirt, bugs, scale, coat skips, coating streaks, scratches and other anomalies. Mounted prior to the slitting and knife section, the system will output to your PLC the appropriate signal for reject gate activation thus ensuring the stacked product is defect free prior to shipment. Utilizing state of the art sensors and lighting techniques, this system will detect scratches as small as 0.002″ (0.00508 mm) in width and autonomous occurrences as small as 0.001″ (0.00254 mm) diameter. If you require ISO certification of product quality, let our Model 3600 do the job for you.


Welcome to IWoMR 2020
2020 International Workshop on Mobile Robotics (IWoMR 2020) will be held in Tokyo, Japan during October 11-13, 2020.
IWoMR aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results in the field of Mobile Robotics.
With the theme “Mobile Robotics”, IWoMR 2020 aspires to keep up with advances and changes to a consistently morphing field. Leading researchers and industry experts from around the globe will be presenting the latest studies through papers and oral presentations.
We look forward to meeting you!
IWoMR 2020 is organized by HKSRA.


Sinergise is a partner in the newly funded HERCULES project, a joint collaboration of research institutes, universities, SMEs and NGOs working on a newly funded HERCULES project.
Sinergise at GeoCAP 2013
Sinergise and CleverMaps is attending MARS conference 2013 in Vilnius, Lithuania.
During the development of GIS turn-key systems we have created some tools that can be used as independent products. They support processor intensive procedures such as image processing and topology checking. Sinergise also offers a completely web-based GIS editing client, which has evolved into a countrywide crowd-sourcing GIS system.


It’s hard to fathom why so many devices are being developed for the Internet of Things without a thought to security. When you consider the inherent security risks in connected environments, you’d expect IoT vendors to be scrambling to ensure that their devices are compliant and prevent data leaks and other such privacy breaches. As I explained in my recent presentation at LicensingLive! 2015, misplaced trust in the IoT’s complexity seems to be the main reason behind people’s laissez-faire attitude towards security.
With the rise of the IoT (Internet of Things), the era of truly BIG data is upon us. And buried in those endless data streams from billions of connected “things” is customer usage – a type of data that’s essential to recurring revenue success.Unfortunately, most companies only incorporate usage in their billing systems when it directly relates to services they can bill (ex: data charges on a smartphone). As a result, they stand to miss out big time because usage is a key driver of recurring monetization in IoT.
The WSJ recently ran an interesting article on the key challenges of moving to the cloud.
“When on-demand enterprise applications emerged about a decade ago, they were touted as a cheap and more flexible alternative to buying software outright – a move that comes with upfront infrastructure and licensing costs, on top of ongoing fees for maintenance, support, and upgrades. But in practice, these promises have been hard to fulfill”.
The age of the Internet of Things (IoT) has dawned and we are heading toward a future filled with software-driven intelligent devices. To give you an idea of the magnitude of this transformation, IDC is predicting that there will be 30 billion units installed worldwide by the year 2020. Because every device in the IoT is connected, a whole new breed of tech company is emerging, forcing many traditional companies to innovate and go to market differently.


AIM AND SCOPE
Journal of Computer Science and Software Development (JCSSD) aims at rapid publication of high quality results in the field of computer applications while maintaining rigorous peer-review process. All accepted papers will be appeared online immediately.
JCSSD encourages submission of manuscripts related to (but not limited to) Computational learning theory, Security and Privacy, Software Systems, Data Management and Data Mining, Theory and Algorithms, Computer Architecture and Systems, Algorithmic Complexity, Computer Modeling of Complex Systems.
Computer science modeling, design, development, integration, and management
Parallel & Distributed Computing
Database Theory & Practice
Wireless Security System
Mobile Agent Computing
Computer Graphics and Multimedia
Mobile Agent Computing
IDS/Firewall, Anti-Spam mail, Anti-virus issues
Data Visualization and Virtual Reality
Web- and Grid-based Computing and Simulation
Practical aspects of software engineering
Mathematics and Statistics
Publication of article types:
Original research articles: Describes original research within the scope of the journal.
Case reports: Reports of analytics theories presentations describing a theoretical research results, as well as methods, techniques, tools, implementations, and applications.
Editorial comments: Introduce current research and comment on major advances and developments in the field.
Methodology: Present a new experimental method, test or procedure. The methods described may be completely new or a better version of already existing one. The method should demonstrate all the possible tests and results.
Rapid communications: Short papers presenting highly significant and original material.
Review articles: To review the progression of a research in the field and make suggestions for future work includes authoritative, comprehensive, descriptions of any subject within the scope of Computer Science and Software Development.
Letters to the editor: Letter consisting of comments directly on publications of journal which are already published or introduces a specific issue of a general interest.
As Journal of Computer Science and Software Development follows the Creative Commons Attribution License and scholars open access publishing policies, readers can freely access the published articles through online and JCSSD will be kept up to date with latest advances in the field of Computer science. All published articles will be assigned with unique Digital Objective Identifier provided by Cross Ref.


In this modern era, the majority of gadgets runs on electricity. And since there are electrical wires connecting most components, care must be taken while using these electrical wires. In case of power failures, fixing and repairing, you will come in contact with these wires, so the following are some great tips for handling electrical wire:
The best thing is to make use of a voltmeter. You need to know the exact voltage of a gadget before you begin with the repair. The voltmeter shows the exact current so you can adjust the wiring according and do not worry; a voltmeter is quite easy to use.
Second most important thing is to wear safety goggles and rubber gloves. You never know if there might be a spark so you need to shield your eyes and goggles. Wearing rubber gloves will also protect yourself from having an electrical shock when touching electrical wires with your hands.
While making repairs, make sure that there is no water nearby as water is a good conductor of electricity and strong electric currents can pass from the wire to the water easily and this charged water is as dangerous as touching a naked wire. So make sure that the area is completely dry.
Another thing one should keep in mind when working in an area with live wires is to wear shoes that have non-conductive soles. Wear rubber boots or sneakers with thick soles. Avoid wearing open shoes in such situations.
If you are working at home to make some repairs then you need to switch off the circuit breaker as working with powered wires can be life threatening. The power can pass through even in the thickest of the gloves so do not make a mistake of touching naked wires with main power switch or circuit breaker on. After switching off the power make use of the tools that have rubber handles as many tools are made up of metal and it is a good conductor of electricity.
Lastly, and most obvious, respect electricity and DO NOT play with electric current! Hire a professional to do the job for you if you don’t know what you’re doing. When it comes to electrical wires, make sure to follow these tips for handling them. Making one small mistake is all it takes to seriously harm yourself or anyone else who is in the area, so don’t mess around!


Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Facility
The Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Facility performs various kinds of EPR experiments, provides an interpretation of the spectroscopic results in terms of chemical, geometrical and electronic...
Laboratory for Electron Spectroscopy and Surface Analysis
The Laboratory for Electron Spectroscopy and Surface Analysis (LESSA) provides surface chemical composition and valence band structure of ultrahigh vacuum compatible samples.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facility
The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) facility provides high-resolution analysis of organic compounds, peptides, oligonucleotides, small biopolymers, and small proteins to elucidate the structure and...
X-ray Diffraction Facility
The X-ray diffraction facility provides analysis of single-crystal and powder samples to determine the molecular structure in the solid-state.
Clinical and Translational Science Center
The Clinical and Translational Science Center provides a wide range of services for clinical studies, including exam and infusion rooms, PK monitoring, study coordination, study design, etc.
CyVerse provides a national cyber infrastructure for life science research as well as training scientists in using such high performance computing resources. Formerly the iPlant Collaborative,...
Arizona Radiogenic Helium Dating Laboratory (ARHDL)
The Arizona Radiogenic Helium Dating Laboratory works with a wide range of geomorphologists and tectonicists to address problems related to uplift, erosion, faulting, and other orogenic issues.
Environmental Isotope Laboratory
The Environmental Isotope Laboratory provides radiocarbon dating, measurement of natural levels of tritium in water, stable isotope analyses of water, carbonates, brines, sulfide and sulfate minerals.
Biomedical Imaging Core (Phoenix)
The Biomedical Imaging Core offers leading edge multiphoton and confocal microscopy for biomedical imaging and data collection. Conveniently located on the downtown Phoenix Biomedical Campus at the...
W.M. Keck Center for Nano-Scale Imaging
The Keck Center for Nano-Scale Imaging provides optical, scanning electron and atomic force imaging services as well as sensitive absorbance and infrared spectroscopy analysis.


Welcome to Draco
DRACO is an electronic engineering design company with a proven track record of collaboration over 70 customer
worldwide ranging from start-ups to big companies.
Draco aims to become your trusted, high quality partner in technology that can satisfy your complete product development needs or complement your in-house design engineering staff, both reducing your time-to-market and fix-cost while increasing your future incomes.
Draco has the ability to provide turnkey product design from concept definition to design and development of a fully tested and certified unit ready for volume manufacturing. Our design team has over 15 years of experience in the sector.
News and Events
May 21-28, 2015 – Semeoticons 4rth Plenary meeting at CNR in Pisa, Italy


The Science of Pixar: How Science and Technology Shape the Studio’s Innovations
Pixar Animation Studios is known worldwide for its groundbreaking animated films that have captivated audiences of all ages. From Toy Story to Finding Nemo, Pixar’s movies have pushed the boundaries of storytelling and visual effects. But what many people may not realize is that science and technology play a crucial role in shaping the studio’s innovations.
From the very beginning, Pixar founders Steve Jobs, Ed Catmull, and John Lasseter recognized the importance of combining artistry with technology. They believed that using science and technology as tools for storytelling would allow them to create more immersive and visually stunning films. This vision led to the birth of the revolutionary animation techniques used by Pixar today.
One of the key areas where science and technology meet at Pixar is in the field of computer graphics. The studio’s animators use complex algorithms and mathematical models to create lifelike, three-dimensional characters and environments. For example, the team behind Toy Story faced the challenge of animating toys that felt real and had weight. To achieve this, they developed a physics-based simulation system that accounted for the effects of gravity and surface interactions. This breakthrough innovation allowed for more realistic movement and made the characters relatable to audiences.
Another area where science plays a vital role is in the study of light and how it behaves. Pixar’s animators employ the principles of physics to accurately depict lighting conditions and create believable-looking scenes. The research and development team at Pixar even collaborated with real-world lighting experts to better understand how light interacts with different materials, such as water, glass, and skin. This attention to detail has resulted in films that have a heightened sense of realism and depth.
In addition to computer graphics and lighting, Pixar also relies heavily on scientific concepts to create believable worlds within their stories. For instance, the studio’s film Wall-E explores the consequences of environmental degradation and the potential future of Earth. Pixar worked closely with various environmental scientists to accurately depict the effects of pollution and waste on the planet. This collaboration brought scientific rigor to the storytelling process, giving the film a thought-provoking and educational aspect that resonated with audiences.
Moreover, the use of technology in the filmmaking process has greatly enhanced Pixar’s ability to tell stories. Innovations in rendering software and hardware have made it possible to create breathtaking visuals on screen. In films like Coco, the animation team leveraged cutting-edge technology to render intricate details in the vibrant Land of the Dead. Furthermore, advancements in rendering techniques have allowed for faster production times, enabling the studio to create films more efficiently without compromising quality.
Beyond the technical aspects, Pixar also values the principles of scientific inquiry and experimentation. The studio encourages a culture of curiosity and encourages its animators and filmmakers to explore new ideas and take risks. This approach has led to the creation of unique and groundbreaking films like Inside Out, which explores the complexities of human emotions, and Ratatouille, which delves into the world of gourmet cooking.
In conclusion, the science of Pixar is integral to the studio’s artistic achievements. Through the creative integration of science and technology, Pixar has been able to push the boundaries of animation and create films that resonate with audiences on a deep and emotional level. From the lifelike physics in Toy Story to the accurate depiction of lighting and the exploration of scientific themes, science and technology are the driving forces behind Pixar’s innovations. As the studio continues to push the limits of what is possible in animation, it is clear that their commitment to integrating science and technology will remain at the forefront of their creative process.


My name is Taha Bintahir and I recently graduated as an Engineer. My major was in Electrical Engineering and Business Management with an emphasis on DSP and Real Time Embeded Systems and more specifically human and computer interaction at the University of Ontairo Institute of Technology, Toronto Canada.
Currently I am working as an Engineer for Survalent Technologies and doing personal research with real time embedded systems and, multi-touch, multi-user surface computing devices.
This blog will essentially serve as a documentation of my projects as they develop. As well as a informational resource hub for others, seeking information in regards to multi-touch, embedded electronics and real-time embedded systems.
Feel free to ask questions, make comments, or post your thoughts at any time. If you are specifically interested in multi-touch technology, check out Sparkon.net and NUIGroup.com where you will find an invaluable set of resources, information and applications.
You can get in contact with me for general reference or for consulting purposes, via email at email@example.com or you can get in contact with me sending me a PM on Nuigroup or Sparkon. Also you can post a comment in the comments section below, however for that make sure you have checked off receive email notifications for replies as well as please enter your correct email address when posting a comment.


"Blessed are the cheesemakers"
~ Monty Python
From Wisconsin - America's Dairyland
Everything for the serious home & artisan cheesemaker.
This digital thermometer is highly rated for it's reliability and low cost. Set it into your milk, set the temperature and wait until the Temperature Alarm. TruTemp digital Thermometer. Range 32°F to 392°F and 0°C to 200°C. Digital LCD readout for easy viewing. Temperature Alarm. Stainless steel probe with 4' silicone cord. Built-in stand and magnetic back. 1 AAA battery included.
Shipping included within the continental USA.


Switch on pop-ups!
There are numerous scientific measuring instruments which generate smoothly varying analogue signals that represent some physical quantity. The following table lists some common examples:
|Signal Transducer||Measurement||Output generated|
|pH electrode||proton concentration||voltage|
|oxygen electrode||oxygen concentration||current|
|strain gauge||force / displacement||voltage|
|polarograph||hplc column eluates||current|
|flame ionisation detector||gas chromatograms||current|
It is normally immaterial whether the measuring transducer inherently produces a voltage or a current output, since the two types of electrical signal are readily interconverted and scaled using an operational amplifier. Analogue signals must however be converted into digital form before the information can be processed by a computer.
High quality analogue circuits are expensive to build and maintain. Ceaseless attention to detail is necessary to eliminate noise and electrical artefacts and preserve all the information contained in the original signal. Digital information in contrast is much more resilient. It can be readily transmitted, stored and analysed without losing any of the original data.
The normal strategy with scientific measurements is to include the minimum of analogue circuitry very close to the transducer to boost the signal to a convenient level, and then to convert the information into digital format as soon as possible after the original measurement. This operation is performed by an analogue to digital converter (ADC). These devices generate a digital output proportional to their analogue input. Although they can operate "free standing" they are more commonly used under computer control. Some analogue pre-amplification and filtering [also called "signal conditioning"] is usually necessary between the transducer and the ADC. The digital connections to the ADC commonly radiate some low-level high-frequency analogue noise. It is difficult to convert a very weak analogue signal into digital format without this noise causing interference.
A huge variety of specialised conversion circuits have been used for particular applications, but a popular "general purpose" arrangement is illustrated below.
The ADC accepts a smoothly varying analogue input in the range -5 volts to + 5 volts, and generates a 12-bit digital output in the range 0 - 4095. For example:
|analogue input||-5 volts||-2.5 volts||0 volts||+2.5 volts||+5 volts|
An output range restricted to 4096 steps means that signal changes of less than 0.024% cannot be recorded by the system. Such "graininess" is an inherent feature of digital storage. At first sight this precision seems more than adequate, but greater accuracy may be required in order to extract a small varying signal in the face of a much larger fixed voltage that is always present. More expensive ADCs offer greater precision [16 - 20 bits] but take longer to perform the conversion. There is a trade-off between price, accuracy and conversion speed. This may be an issue with rapidly varying signals.
In the present example a negative analogue signal is meaningless [you cannot have a negative amount of light] so that whole of the negative half scale from -5 volts to 0 volts input is unused [0 - 2047 digital output]. The smallest detectable light intensity corresponds to an analogue input signal of +2.44 millivolts and a digital output of 2048.
The digital output from the ADC is usually expressed in arbitrary units. In order to convert the raw data into a more meaningful form, it is usual to subtract off the "zero" reading [2047 in the present case] from every data point, then divide by the full scale digital span [2048 in our case] and finally multiply by the corresponding analogue full scale reading [100 nanoamps for our equipment]. The result is thereby expressed in more conventional units.
This process is analogous to temperature conversion from Farenheit to Celsius: first subtract off the freezing point of water (32°F) so that our new scale starts from zero, then multiply by 5/9 to allow for the different scale widths (180F between freezing and boiling corresponds to 100C).
Note that the optical system has no intrinsic calibration. The actual amount of light producing a particular analogue signal depends on the photomultiplier dynode voltages and the amplifier settings, and would in any case change from one phototube specimen to the next. If necessary the system could be calibrated against a light source with known intensity. Very often, however, we are only interested in relative changes and the absolute calibration does not matter.
On the other hand, it is often very important that the response should be monotonic, linear and unbiased. Phototube and ADC manufacturers put a lot of effort into this. The photomultiplier is likely to perform well if the supporting circuits are well designed [dynamic range over 1 million fold variation in light intensity] but the converter chips are far from perfect and cheap ones may introduce significant errors.
Here is another example: a medium light intensity might generate a photomultiplier output of 30nA, which after analogue signal conditioning would produce a signal of +1.5 volts. From this the ADC would generate a digital result of 2662.
Bit 11 is the most significant bit, and bit 0 is the least significant. Note how the analogue scale runs from -5 volts to +5 volts, so that an input signal of +1.5 volts is 6500mV above the arbitrary reference point of -5 volts.
analogue input: 6500mV = 5000 + 1250 + 156.2 + 78.1 + 9.8 + 4.9 (approximately)
digital output: 2662 = 2048 + 512 + 64 + 32 + 4 + 2 (exactly)
The brightest light that can be recorded with this system would produce an analogue input signal of +5 volts, and a digital output of 4095 [all 12 ADC bits set to "1"].
ADCs commonly perform their conversions on a trial and error basis, one bit at a time. These devices include a digital to analogue converter (DAC) which generates an analogue signal from a digital word. The control logic switches the most significant bit [in this case bit 11] to a binary "1" on a trial basis. If the result [5000mV in this case] is less than the input signal then the bit is left switched on, otherwise it is reset to binary "0". The ADC then tests the succeeding bits in order, finishing with the least significant, which is worth only 2.44mV in the present example. At each stage the converter achieves a better and better approximation to the input signal, so these devices are also known as "successive approximation registers".
There are many other types of ADC and these may have advantages for particular applications. The raw digital information can be stored on disc or tape, or input to a computer for further processing. Advanced data acquisition systems may incorporate analogue multiplexers to follow several inputs at the same time, and each channel may have auto-ranging and zero offset facilities to achieve a better match between the input data and the ADC dynamic range.


Importance of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Era
Have you ever imagined a world where artificial intelligence (AI) takes the front seat? The major role that AI plays in the modern era is astonishing, taking us forward to an age of progressive technology and seamless functioning.
AI is Revolutionizing Industries
From household chores to complex business operations, AI is transforming our lives. It’s not something futuristic anymore; it’s a reality we are living. AI applications like and are gradually becoming commonplace.
Let’s look at how AI is making a difference in varied sectors. Who knows? Maybe we find AI’s contribution in unexpected areas.
AI in Healthcare
AI is doing wonders in the healthcare sector. It has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, starting from early detection of diseases to seamless patient care. AI-powered robots are even assisting in surgeries. What once seemed like a science fiction fantasy is now our reality. Do you realize how is becoming indispensable for quality patient care?
How is AI influencing E-commerce?
Ever thought about how the online shopping platform recommends products without you even searching for it? That’s AI for you. helps in improving customer experience, increasing sales, and managing inventory. Can you imagine the world of e-commerce without AI?
AI and Cybersecurity
In the war against cyber threats and hackers, AI is a powerful ally. AI-driven cybersecurity is promising in predicting, identifying, and utilizing threats. How safe would we feel in a digital world with no ?
Future of AI
The future of AI holds numerous promising possibilities. Virtual factories, AI-assisted design, and global AI-driven communication – the prospects are endless. What did you think the future of AI looks like?
In the grand scheme of things, AI is steering us towards a future filled with productivity, efficiency, and ease. It’s an era where will call the shots in numerous sectors, offering solutions that were not possible before.
Mind-blowing, isn’t it?
1. How is AI revolutionizing industries?
AI is taking industries to new heights by providing innovative solutions. From healthcare to cybersecurity, AI is a game-changer.
2. How is AI influencing e-commerce?
AI plays a crucial role in e-commerce, providing personalized recommendations and efficient inventory management.
3. What is the role of AI in cybersecurity?
AI is an instrumental tool in predicting, identifying, and combating cyber threats and hackers.
4. What does the future of AI look like?
The future of AI is promising, with virtual factories, AI-assisted design, and global AI-driven communication on the horizon.
5. Is AI a crucial part of the modern era?
Yes, AI is a pivotal part of the modern era, steering industries towards a future of efficiency and innovation.


Reducing Annotation Times: Semantic Segmentation of Coral Reef Survey Images
Authors: Jordan Pierce, Yuri Rzhanov, Kim Lowell, Jennifer Dijkstra
My first publication came from the first two chapters of my Master's thesis, which looked at converting existing Coral Point Count (CPCe) annotations associated with an image into dense labels (i.e., pixel-level labels) automatically. CPCe annotations (and others like it) are sparse, meaning an image has less than 1% of all of the pixels labeled. Although this makes it convenient for the annotator, the coverage statistics calculated from the annotations could be potentially less accurate than if all of pixels were labeled.
In this article we first created Fast-Multilevel Superpixel Segmentation (Fast-MSS) as way of converting CPCe annotations into dense labels automatically. We then compared our implementation with the original (shoutout to Inigo Alonso) using the CamVid dataset, demonstrating that it performs both faster and more accurately.
Next, we demonstrated how Fast-MSS could be used by ecologists to augment their existing workflow. Using the Moorea Labeled Coral (MLC) dataset as our benchmark, the sparse labels associated with each image were converted into dense labels using Fast-MSS. These dense labels were then used as training data to learn a deep learning semantic segmentation algorithm. By having this deep learning model, an ecologist could go out and collect additional images from the same or similar habitats that the model was previously trained on, and use it to produce dense labels directly, without needing to create CPCe annotations manually.
Fast-MSS performs faster and more accurate than the original implementation;
Set the baseline scores for semantic segmentation using the MLC dataset;
Demonstrated that deep learning model trained on dense labels created by Fast-MSS classify with an acceptable accuracy to be used in other ecological applications;
Training a patch-based image classifier (e.g., convolutional neural networks) on the sparse labels first and then using it to add additional labels to each image can enhance Fast-MMS' output, and also the deep learning model's accuracy.


Modern home automation installed by experts
With over a decade of experience in home automation Intuitive Control is qualified to get your smart automation project done right the first time. We specialize in home automation, smart devices, audio and visual entertainment and much more.
Today Automation means different things to different people. To some it is a audio visual system, to other it is lighting control combined with heating control, security and cctv. We use only the best automation products to achieve your automated home. Whether its a wired KNX system or Fibaro wireless automation control we have a solution to fit your connected home needs. These days most would say it is being able to control all the elements of the home from their smart phone. At Intuitive Control we will help you to identify which elements are important to you and bring them together into a sophisticated yet intuitive to use system.


The Aegis Mini from Geek Vape UK is a small but hardy sub-ohm vape kit capable of reaching up to 80 watts of pure vapor-producing power. While compact in size, the Aegis Mini is extremely robust and comes fully-equipped with water, shock, and dust protection – perfect for adventurous vapers who expect reliable and consistent safety from their e-cigarette setup.
With a built-in 2200mAh battery and an advanced AS chipset, the Aegis Mini assures exceptional performance in power mode and temperature control mode and can even facilitate passthrough charging for your convenience. The Aegis Mini also boasts 2A fast-charging which can charge your device up to 80% after just thirty minutes charging time.
The Geek Vape Aegis Mini is equipped with a handy 510 connector to accommodate most standard styles of sub-ohm tanks and boasts a clear LED screen to display all of your settings and allow you to easily scroll through your available options with ease.
Ergonomic as well as stylish, the Aegis Mini has two beautifully-faceted function buttons to make easy work of adjusting your settings and can be turned securely on and off via a large centrally-located button positioned just above the display screen.
The Aegis Mini kit comes complete with the Cerberus sub-ohm tank which features an innovative super mesh coil system for smooth, even heating, and incredibly-rich flavor.


Innovation and R&D are for Power Engineering a key factor in Product & Services development. Years of experience of our team elements teached us that the best improvement always passes through innovation. While is not true the viceversa: not necessarily all innovation products are the best products as the experence and the maturity of the design plays a crucial role in the marketing success. The four most significant factors of innovation success identified in our analysis are:
- Understanding each technology in terms of its quantified contribution to corporate goals,
- Using external sources of business intelligence in a structured way,
- Reacting to changes in targeted segments by reviewing the product/service portfolio,
- Mobilizing the whole organization to develop new ideas.
Combining these three impacts allows companies to regularly re-align and reprioritise their technology investment portfolio to support corporate goals and reduces the potential for waste in technology development. Our Products and services are the result of the 4 key points above. Technology is used strictly to improve the customer satisfaction and reduce the time to market, that in turns is one of the company goals; external resources are always targeted to the result; changes are used as an engine to reinvent the products everytime; all memebers of our organization are focused in developing new ideas. This last point played a key role in the development of SmartCITY products and Services, that's why Power Engineering created a dedicated community on line hosting such a products (www.mysmart-city.com).
In order to download datasheets it's required to register or login using a Social Netowork (i.e. Facebook login)
Power Engineering products for SmartCITY are designed to meet the customer needs covering market segments where today product offer in term of commercial devices is not enough. With this goal in mind Power Engineering designed his products range. All products are certified aganst the laws and directives of the destination countries.
- PowerBOX mini
- PowerBOX Pro
- PowerBOX XL
- PowerBOX 20
PowerBOX general description.
IKARON general description.
PowerBOX-mini is the smallest size of this stand alone inverter. Is designed for basic home appliance with a total capacity of 30kWh/day. It requires 30 to 40 PV modules based on crystalline cells with poly or mono technology. The battery bank is made of 26 elements. This inverter is able to warranty the supply of a 1,2kW load for up to 24hrs.
PowerBOX-Pro is the medium size of this stand alone inverter. Is designed for basic home appliance having higher electrical power needs with a total capacity of 60kWh/day. It requires 50 to 90 PV modules based on crystalline cells with poly or mono technology. The battery bank is made of 50 elements. This inverter is able to warranty the supply of a 2,5kW load for up to 24hrs.
PowerBOX-XL is the big size of this stand alone inverter. Is designed for heavy home appliances as well as small companies with a total capacity of 80kWh/day. It requires 70 to 120 PV modules based on crystalline cells with poly or mono technology. The battery bank is made of 66 elements. This inverter is able to warranty the supply of a 3,3kW load for up to 24hrs.
PowerBOX-20 is the maximum size of this stand alone inverter. Is designed for heavy loads of small companies with a total capacity of 160kWh/day. It requires 150 to 240 PV modules based on crystalline cells with poly or mono technology. The battery bank is made of 2x70 elements. This inverter is able to warranty the supply of a 6,7kW load for up to 24hrs.
This is new generation gasification plant fueled by solid biomass developed by CESY – Clean Energy Systems using only national technologies and components. Plant sizes : 50 - 100 - 150 - 200 kW. Main advantages against conventional systems: High Performance, Syngas Exceptional purity, 7.500 hours/yearly of minimum guaranteed operation, Remote-Care Maintenance Service, Fast network entry, Maximum Safety, Easy Management, Compact Plant, Special training and update courses, Short Deelivery time, Credit Assistance.
Power Engineering developed this product range to satisfy the automation needs and the remote telemetrics needs of today customers. SmartMETERS are remore metering devices built to measure and report the consumption of the stndard utilities such as Electricity, Natural GAS, Water. In addition the Electricity meter platform has been customized to the additional needs of renewable energy market: SmartSUN and SmartWIND are the complete metering and monitoring solutions for Photovoltaic fields and Wind turbine installations. All meters are built around SmartPLC platform. The SmartNODE is connected with our Data Collection Centre using a TCP/IP connection that could be obtained using any existing broadband internet connection, including cable and WiFi connection. Alternatively the node can be connected using a WiFi router over GPRS service (whereas available) or dedicated Satellite connection where no connecton is available at destination site. Each device and its companion web interface is customized to fit the needs of the specific metering segment. SmartCLIMA is designed to monitor and automate Air Conditioning and Heating appliances, SmartWEATHER is designed to monitor meteorological parameters such as temperature, humidity, rain, wind, sunlight, athmospheric pressure for Greenhouses, Agriculture and in general places that are sesitive to weather condition, SmartLEVEL allow to perform hydrometry in a complete set of probes including: water level, flow rate, temperature, pH, dissolved Oxygen, this one is used to control and monitor Lakes, Rivers and any place at flooding risk. SmartSAFETY is the solution for Access control and remote safety management, useful to remotely control accesses and security sensitive places or installations. SmartCARE allow the remote reading of several biometric parameters interfacing a SmartNODE with proper device: glucose, oxymetry, weight, heartbeat, and so on. SmartM2M is the solution for Machine to Machine interfacing, ths is designed to drive directly existing hardware at both digital and analog level: examples of applications include interfacing Vending Machines, Totems, Ticket Machines, and pubblic point of sales. Finally SmartHEALTH is the solution to monitor the pollution parameters of soil, water and air: telemetry is performed on several different probes able to cover most of today needs in term of pollution monitoring.
Smart Meters are built around the same architecture that is shared among all devices. The only difference among the solutions is in the AFE (Analog-Front-End) that is designed to accomodate the physical measurement: SmartPOWER is able to read Electrical consumption of any Electrical Installation (both single-phase and 3-phases). SmartPOWER is equipped with a sepate Metering unit made with Voltage Transformers (VT) and Currrent Transformers (CT). Current Transformers could be inductive (easy to setup, no need to cut any wire as the current flow is measured inductively on the cable with a special split-core-current transformer probe) or resistive (more accurate for applications where the accuracy must stay within strict limits, an electricans is needed to install it).
In addition SmartPOWER is equipped with a pulse input that is able to read directly the light pulses of any IEC1107 compliant meter optical outlet. SmartSUN works exactly with the same scheme of SmartPOWER but is able to measure the energy produced by the PV-Plant, in addition SmartSUN is able to track the income from energy sales to the grid, the weather status, and the PV-plant efficiency. Whenever the energy produced by the PV-Plant is not aligned with expectation she system is able to send alerts using the Remote Control Centre via SMS or e-mail. Last but not least SmartSUN is able to increase the efficiency of the PV-field by switching the PV-field wiring upon climatic and light conditions. SmartWIND works exactly with the same features of SmartSUN, obviously here the biggest part of the relevant informations comes from the Wind forecasts. SmartGAS and SmartWATER are made to measure the consumption of Natural GAS and City Water by interfacing the provider meter using a dedicated optical head that is able to carry on the delicate measurement on the mechanical meter dials. All SmartMETERS comes with a very intuitive and easy to read Web interface where the visitor can find a lot of useful information from the operation to the deep technical stuff about the metering and data collection operations. For additional informations you can download datasheets of each device by selecting the links below.
SmartCLIMA is a special application of SmartPLC that enables the comfort in climatic control for residential building and medium to big company offices. The device operation is very simple: one ore several SmartNODES are connected to Remote Control Centre via TCP/IP. The Node monitors continuously the temperature and humidity along with meteo info for the taget place. Upon those data the Remote Control Centre prepare an evaluation of the energy needs to put the evironment in comfortable conditions. All the operation could be controlled via web, consumptions and performance with historical data track recording are stored in the remote database and accessible to the end user via Web interface with minimum efforts. SmartCLIMA is able to control remotely the switching of several devices including fans, de-humidifiers, heating systems and air-conditioning equiments. The operation of SmartCLIMA is able to reduce greatly the costs of climatization for offices and residential buildings. Also maintenance takes great benefits as the remote management and status equiry can be operated also by maintenance company.
SmartWEATHER is a WEB managed Meteo Datalogger with advanced I/O capabilities. SmartWEATHER is able to track and record metereologiacal parameters such as: air temperature, soil temperature, water temperature, wind speed, wind direction, rain, athmospheric pressure, air-humidity, soil-humidity, fog. All data are acquired using highly reliable probes coming from professional grade meteo-station experience. Data are stored in remote database for further user interface and downloads. This kind of stations are useful in agriculture, ancient remains preservation, touristic places, greenhouses. In fact data collected can be used to activate automatically several outputs the device is equipped with to react to a sudden change in climatic condition. For istance it's possible to open/close remotely and automatically the air exchange window in a greenhouse as answer to increased temperature detected inside the structure and presenve the agriculture. Furthermore it's possible to automate other appliances in combination with metereological parameter changes. Everything can be controlled via Web interface. The station is able to send alerts and notifications via email or SMS upon customer needs.Download SmartWEATHER Product Information (Under Development)
SmartLEVEL is a unique platform for Hydrometry. The solution is made up of the following components: one or many SmartNODES connected with probes. Probes include: flow-meters, rain meters, wind speed and direction meters, immersed temerature probes at different depth, pH probes, level probes. Level probes are crucial for this application, in fact we use sonar principle to measure the distance from the station unit to the top of the liquid surface to control. Having assumed to know the original depth of the water at the measurement point we are able to measure with great accuracy the level of the liquid below the probe. As the probe has no moving parts and is completely sealed the harware is able to stand even the worse weather conditions. Data coming from the station are cross linked with meteo data in order to foresee potential risks coming from flooding and excess of rain. In reaction of those events it's possible to open or close the water gateway to control the level of lakes, river, and water channel thus avoiding dangerous situations. All data, alert level, automation are completely controlled via web interface. This application comes already integrated with Web-GIS data for the best perfomance in geolocalization of the remote station and its surroundings.Download SmartLEVEL Product Information
SmartSAFETY is designed to operate in conjunction with (ACS) access control systems to allow remote access management to safety sensitive plants. The SmartNODE is able to interface exisitng hardware allowing to enable and disable on the fly users or groups of users without the need to stay on the target place. Obviously all the opening and closing are tracked in our database allowing historical data verification even by remote. Statistics for global site and for single user are possible at any time using the web interface. SmartSAFETY in able to interface almost any existing device operating in both analog and digital mode (using CANBUS, MODBUS, RS485, RS232, I2C, SPI protocols). In addition to the access control services it's possible to monitor doors, windows, corridors using microwave sensors, IR sensors and PIR sensors. Alerts via SMS and email are customizable to include security agency and local police department.Download SmartSAFETY Product Information (Currently Under Development)
SmartCARE enable telemedicine with few easy steps. A SmartNODE is connected to an AFE (Analog Fron End) that is able to monitor signals coming from a variety of sensors: blood pressure, heart-beat, oxymery, glucose, weight. The measuerment can be done upon request of the Remote Control Centre or upon scheduled intervals.
Data re collected on our central database and are made accessible to end user as well to his designed medical doctor for consultancy. It's possible to monitor the status of critical patients living in small town or in the need to get monitored upon regular basis.
This solution is interesting also to monitor ederly patient living at their home without the need to have a doctor on site. The user-friendly web interface enable everybody to read his own data with no efforts and receive medical assitance in real-time.
In SmartM2M a SmartNODE is connected directly to another machine having its own CPU. Interfacing is done via I/O ports or serial ports hence there's virtually no limit to the kind of machine that could be interfaced assuming the end user owns the communication protocol with them. This solution is deeply customized upon customer needs and situation as it's impossible to foresee the kind of machine the customer is going to interface. However a typical and useful case is to have the device installed on one or more remote vending machines. Those machine usually require maintenance and refilling and it's necessary to poll them almost every day going on site. Vending machines are installed usually in offices, public places, schools, libraries, hospitals, offices where internet connection is not an issue, hence connection with Remote Control Centre is done quickly, easily and with no further costs. With this device it's possible to monitor also ticket machines, kiosks, and public info totem without the need to visit the device to understand their status.Download SmartM2M Product Informations (Currently Under Development)
SmartHEALTH allow accurate monitoring of several environmental parameters. The system is designed to provide remote measurement of air-quality, pollution in water and air, detection of Inonizing radiations, presence of toxic and non-toxic elements.
The quantity and type of paramenters depends on the analytical probes supplied with the device. In general this unit is useful to monitor Air-Quality in workstations or in open air, the probes are able to detect NOx, SOx, Oxygen, Carbon monoxyde and dioxide. Furthermore it's possible to detect the presente of Methane, Alchools, Ethylene, and other Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. We have a huge sets of probes to accomodate also measurements in water and in discharge channels enabling the real-time monitoring and alert of presence of dangerous substances in industrial waste. Obviously all data are tracked and recorded fur future occurrence in our Remote Control Centre. All data are accessible using the web interface as usual.
PV-SAFE is an innovative product designed to solve the problem of fire events in Photovoltaic installations. In fact all Photovoltaic fields represent a potential danger for electric shock and fire accident as the electrical energy produced cannot be intrrupted, furthermore as the voltage is not referred to any ground, there's no possibility to protect thew user with a breaker. We must consider that even just 10 modules connected in series are able to develop well above 300V in DC! Imagine that usually the PV installations are made with 15 to 24 modules! If the user get close to the PV-Field during the day, is exposed to the risk of lethal voltages and currents. In case of fire it's impossible to use water as in a normal fire event, as the water would bring electricity to the firemans. Even in case of structure collapse (for istance in case of earthquake) the risk is very high. PV-SAFE solve this problem in a very clever way. The principle is very simple: each module is connected to a switch box that lets the module to stay connected with the others only when safe contitions are fullfilled. By default the box is open, so even connecting several modules in series will not cause any voltage rise up. The switching boxes receive the enable command through the same wires they use to bring electricity out. A central unit decide when is safe to power the field. User is able to put on safety the plant at any time by pressing a simple button. In case of fire or accidents, the lack of mains electricity will cause the plat to shutdown immediately with maximum safety. Also installation is made with maximum protection using modules equipped with PV-Safe device as during the installation no module will be electrically connected withe the others. PV-Safe is available in two configurations: the JBOX version is intended for module manufacturer who wants to produce safe module by adopting our solution (that works also as a standard JunctionBox), the Flying version is made for exisitng modules, it's connected in series using the PV pairs connectors and operate as the device wass mounted on the module itself.Download PV-SAFE Product Brochure
Integrated Solutions are complete packages intended for the SmartCITY appliances. The package include the platoform, the installation, the maintenance, the customization and the development of the web user interface. Most of those packages uses SmartPLC technology to implement the specific function. Accurate selection of the tracking technology as well as the development of the communication protocol ensure the maximum level of service over years. All products/services are trackable via web by the end user.
- Public UTILITIES
Power Engineering Integrated Solutions include Water management, Infrastructure management (Healthcare), Waste management and tracking and Building automation for home appliances.
Our Integrated Solutions for Public Utilities are divided into dedicated packages:
WAMAS is a complete system designed for Water Management. WAMAS allow real-time monitoring of facilities subject to verification. Monitoring is performed on a variety of devices including SmartPhones, Tablets, Notebook and PC. WAMAS eneble easily the tracking and monitoring with real-time alerts and scheduling. In addition it's possible to send commands to remote units thanks to the bi-directional nature of the protocol used.
GENIUS is an expert system that uses WEB-Gis technolgy to allo accurate planning and traking of waste in metropolitan areas. Compared to traditional localization and control systems of solidifying trucks GENIUS, in addition to its several and innovative functions, has a device capable of collecting and transmitting sensors ultra sound data Trash Sensor, placed inside garbage bins, whose function is the measurement of deposited waste.
DOMORES is a complete system dedicated to building automation. DOMORES realizes the integration of all technological plants, control and safety protections, alarm devices etc., present in buildings thus monitoring and controlling via user’s interface which transmit and receive information from the control system.
GESEA is an intelligent platform of integrated services developed for hospital, old people’s home, outpatients’ departments, halfway houses, places of assisted residence etc. GESEA is able to provide integrated solutions for healthcare facilities (lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, alarm and safety systems, etc.) through devices provided to the patients (bedside terminal connected in external video-communication, video-call with nurses, digital case history display, etc.).
Gas and Energy management are services built to help companies to optimize their Energy related expenses. Using telemetry thanks to SmartPLC architecture our solutions are able to monitor energy and gas consumptions and track back the lack of optimizations with great benefits for end users in term of cost saving and energy planning.
This section is currently under development...
This section is currently under development...


In section 4. Extragalactic astronomy
An ALMA survey of submillimeter galaxies in the COSMOS field: Multiwavelength counterparts and redshift distribution
This work presents ALMA observations of 129 fields in the COSMOS region at 1.25 mm, detecting 152 galaxies. The sources were selected from a sample of 129 SMGs that were initially discovered with the AzTEC camera on ASTE telescope, and are now identified with high resolution 1.25 mm ALMA imaging. Together with the multiwavelength photometric data available in COSMOS, this survey can now identify SMG counterparts and determine their photometric redshifts. The results are consistent with several previous submillimeter galaxy surveys, and show a median redshift of z=2.48. In addition, 33 AzTEC sources have been resolved into multi-component systems and our redshifts suggest that nine of them are likely to be physically associated.


Faces of the Foreseers group. Taken in 2014.
Best paper award
Yue, Qiaozhu, and Yahoo! co-authors receiving the best paper award at WSDM 2016.
Foreseers at work
The Foreseers working as a group.
Rumor processing with computers, experts, and the crowd
Our poster of Twitter rumor processing presented at the 2012 NSF SoCS PI meeting.
The next generation of EHR Search Engine
The interface of our new search engine for electronic health records (EHR). It facilitated query suggestion and sharing powered by artificial intelligence and social intelligence.
The Foreseer research group is led by Dr. Qiaozhu Mei at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. We do cutting-edge research related to data mining, machine learning, and information retrieval. We build models, algorithms, and systems to analyze very large collections of text, networks, and behaviors. Our research is widely applied to Web search, social computing, finance, and health informatics. Our research is supported by various government agencies such as NSF, NIH, and DARPA. We collaborate with various industry leaders and academic partners.
Our study on emojis has been a hit in media. Read.
Paper written by Wei Ai, Qiaozhu Mei, and co-authors appeared in PNAS!
Paper written by Jian Tang, Qiaozhu Mei, and co-authors nominated for best paper award at the WWW conference! Read.
Paper written by Yue Wang, Qiaozhu Mei, and co-authors won the best paper award at the WSDM conference! Read.


The switch to new drive concepts in the auto- motive industry as well as other new concepts such as “Industry 4.0” also require new lubricants and lubrication concepts. When it comes to power controllers, which regulate the motor power in the high-voltage range, “parasitic” stray currents can occur. The heat generated by these can lead to discharge craters, selective welds, melting marks as well as oxidation and burning of the lubricant grease.
This can ultimately destroy the bearing. A new lubrication concept based on conductive additives can help counter this. The project “Increasing production efficiency through online measurement of conductive lubricants’ electrical properties” should enable special insights to be gained for “Industry 4.0”. This will involve a sensor system deployed in the ongoing production process to measure the conductive ability of the lubricating grease used in the system, as well as their temperature, wear on the lubricant and wear on the lubricated roller bearing.
In addition, continual state monitoring and optimized state-oriented load regulation will be made available online.
In this project, BECHEM will be entrusted with the development of the specialty lubricant and its adaptation to the sensor system.


Samsung mid-range device Galaxy Ace Android smartphone has been popular lately. Now improves several key aspects of its hardware and been called as Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus.
The Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus comes with :
- More faster CPU, 1GHz
- 3GB storage (storage is expandable through the microSD card slot)
- More RAM than its predecessor - 512MB
- Larger HVGA LCD - it measures 3.65"
- Exterior it's now made of glossy rather than plastic
- 5 megapixe autofocus camera with LED flash
- Dual-band 3G with 7.2 Mbps HSDPA
- Wi-Fi/GPS/Bluetooth version is 3.0
- 3.5mm audio jack
- Standard microUSB port
Too bad, the news of the phone about the pricing and release date is unknown.


AbleTrack PS/2 & USB w/2 foot switches
AbleTrack Trackball - Foot Switch
The AbleTrack Trackball w/2 foot switches is a precision assistive technology computer trackball for people with arthritis, carpal tunnel, RSI - repetitive stress injury, paralyses of the hands and/or fingers. It is ergonomically designed for those who have difficulty using a typical off the shelf computer trackball or mouse and for those who are unable to use thier hands or arms while using their computer.
No matter if you have arthritis or are a quadriplegic you can use the AbleTrack.
The AbleTrack trackball requires NO use of the thumb or fingers! This is done by disabling the left and right hand switches that are already built into the AbleTrack when the new external foot switches are plugged in (the center switch is active when used with the included software. With the built in foot switches disabled (when the external switches are plugged in) it's easy to become accustom to not using the thumb or fingers. When the external foot switches are removed/unplugged from the AbleTrack it functions as a normal trackball with the built in switches now operational. With the AbleTrack, one foot is used to move the trackball and the other foot controls the hand switches instead of one foot trying to do both.
The large trackball and remote foot switches can be easily operated by the feet. Even doing a 'click-and-drag', where you want to highlight an area for editing, is easier.
PS/2 connector with FREE USB Adapter.
Also available w/ hand switches.


The problem is the same when you are looking for the best programmable thermostat. It is difficult to find one that just turns your heating and cooling on and off when you want it – and do just that. Fortunately, some manufacturers are realizing that and a very good example of just such a thermostat is the Lux Products TX9600TS Universal 7-Day Programmable Touch Screen Thermostat.
It doesn’t have the stylish design of the Nest Learning or the ecobee3 it can’t be controlled remotely like the Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Programmable Thermostat and the screen display doesn’t have the option of 12 color themes like the Honeywell Wi-Fi 9000 Color Touchscreen Thermostat but it does turn your heating and cooling on or off when you want it several times a day and work on a 7-day set up and tell you when your air filter needs changing or cleaning.
Firstly it is compatible with virtually all North American heating and cooling systems apart from systems with electric baseboard heat (120 or 240 volt) and systems with 2-cooling stages.
It only has 2 connection wires, so if you don’t have the ‘C’ wire that many of the feature packed thermostats need, it is not a problem.
Less than a 1/3 of the price of some of its Wi-Fi enabled competitors.
- Easy to install
- No ‘C’ wire needed
- 7-day program
- Choice of 2 or 4 heating and cooling settings per day
- Compatible with most existing North American heating and cooling systems
- Air filter monitor
- Temporary override option
- Option to PIN protect settings
- Easy to read screen with touchscreen controls
- Energy use monitor
- 3-year warranty
- Does not have a remote access connection – but if you don’t want that it’s not really a negative
- Battery operated – batteries need replacing about once a year, although if your system has the wiring available it is possible to bypass the need for a battery.
- The initial set up can be a little involved due to setting switches on the circuit board, but this is a once only process
Ease of Use 4.7/5
Once the installation and initial programming have been completed, this thermostat can be virtually forgotten about. There is a manual override option to either switch on or off if you want or do not want heating or cooling outside the programmed periods. If you want to stop unauthorized access to the controls, there is a PIN lock facility.
This is one of the easiest programmable thermostats to install. Just remove the old thermostat and wire the wires to the TX9600TS, fix to the wall and it is done. Lux produce a video to demonstrate the installation process. Some existing systems will have additional wires that will need to be attached. See the installation manual for details appropriate for your system.
Programming 4.4/5There are 8 switches attached to the circuit board that needs to be set before attaching the thermostat to the wall. Pages 17 and 18 of the installation manual tell you want position these need to be in to ensure that the device recognizes your system and how you want to operate it. Once that is done it is a matter of setting the control switches and following the onscreen prompts.
Energy Saving 4.4/5
According to Energy Star, a programmable thermostat can save you around $180 per year. The actual amount that each person will save is obviously dependent on how the home was heated and cooled before against how the home is heated and cooled after the programmable thermostat is installed.
By spending a little time at the start to make sure that your on and off times are realistic and in line with your needs, you will save more energy and have lower bills.
Some programmable thermostats can save more on energy costs, for example the Honeywell Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Thermostat learns how fast your system heats and cools the house and alters the switch on/off times to suit. But that needs to be balanced against the relative costs of one against the other.
Dependent in the area in which you live, some energy companies offer discounts or rebates of your energy bills if you have an approved programmable thermostat installed.
Bottom Line 4.6/5
The Lux Products TX9600TS Universal 7-Day Programmable Touch Screen Thermostat does not have the styling of the Nest Learning or the ecobee3, it can’t be controlled remotely like the Sensi Wi-Fi Smart Programmable Thermostat 1F86U-42WF, so what does the TX9600TS have going for it?
This does not use a weather service to check your local weather and adjust the settings automatically, but if you live in an area with micro-climates this can actually be a plus.
Well, to start with it is less than a third of the price of some of the other thermostats. Depending on the system you have, with some of the more ‘feature packed’ options you may need to install additional wiring at extra cost. It is a great deal easier to set up and run than some.
The most important consideration is more what you actually need, how much you want to spend, rather than what you actually get.
User reviews consistently rate this as one of the best programmable thermostats, rating higher than many of its more expensive counterparts. Hope you find our Lux Products TX9600TS Thermostat review useful.


Titanium carburizing electrodes were used as the electrodes in a capacitive deionization (CDI) process for desalination in this study. Two methods of high vacuum magnetron sputtering and chemical deposition were used for the preparation of nano-titanium carburizing electrodes (named Ti-C* and Ti-C**). By comparing the adsorption capacity of different kinds of electrode material, combined with physical and chemical characteristics and electrochemical analysis, the method of high vacuum magnetron sputtering to prepare Ti-C* electrodes are proved successful for CDI process. The results show that under the same conditions, the adsorption capacity of Ti-C* and Ti-C**were 9.6 mg/g and 7.12 mg/g, respectively. The Ti-C* electrodes showed a higher ion electrosorption capacity than Ti-C** and the electrodes can be easily regenerated, indicating excellent recyclability. This study provided a novel method to fabricate titanium carburizing electrode for a CDI process, it might be attributed to the improvement of the CDI desalination performance in an industrial practical application.
- capacitive deionization (CDI)
- chemical deposition (CD)
- electrodes materials
- magnetron sputtering (MS)
- nano-titanium carburizing electrodes
- salty water
- First received 30 November 2016.
- Accepted in revised form 28 March 2017.
- © IWA Publishing 2017


We develop technology solutions and intellectual products to solve human problems
Thinking about tomorrow, today
We’re a 'generativity' focused technology company - we work on challenges today that will shape the lives of future generations. We do this by hacking every day technologies in ways that will change people's lives. Our team created the world's first stress-detection and support management app, winning us two global innovation awards, and our next challenge is changing the way we learn...
Generativity & Kaizen
Generativity is about creating and accomplishing things that make the world a better place. It is a concern for the future, a need to nurture and guide younger people and contribute to the next generation.
Kaizen - a Japanese term meaning "change for the better" or "continuous improvement" - is our model of generating real-world change through a focus on creating continuous improvements in a person’s life based on small, ongoing positive changes that reap major improvements over time.
Changing the world with empathy
We believe we can change the world with empathic technology and data. We focus on the use of digital phenotyping - a multidisciplinary field of science, defined as the “moment-by-moment quantification of the individual-level human phenotype in situ using data from personal digital devices, ” in particular smartphones and smart devices.
The Innovation Process Cycle
What is the innovation process cycle? Whereas the innovation process is a structure strategy that ensures that the innovation team idealizes an innovation and runs with it until it is successful, we believe innovation is not just stages — it is a continuous cycle of product discovery, development and commercialization that enables companies to keep reinvesting in the next generation of technology.


Google for Indonesia
Google was looking for an engaging way to share data and research findings about the use of YouTube in Indonesia at their annual key event, Google for Indonesia. We brought the data to life through an "immersive zone" of augmented and virtual stories. Participants were able to learn about YouTube's reach by walking around a giant map discovering stories using a mobile phone and an AR app. They were also able to "meet" YouTube users in remote places and get a firsthand glimpse of how the platform is changing lives through 360-degree films. The zone attracted a lot of attendees who were curious about what people were doing, and those who were keen to absorb information in new ways.
WHERE IT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED
Google for Indonesia, Jakarta.
Augmented reality via a mobile app. 360-degree video.
Bahasa Indonesia with English subtitles.
OUR OCEAN LIFE


According to the SEAI, each finalist has demonstrated high levels of innovation with strong potential for replication. They have achieved significant energy reduction or clean energy deployment. The overall winners will be announced at a Gala Awards Ceremony in November 2023.
South East Energy Agency
The South East Energy Agency is dedicated to promoting sustainable energy practices and fostering a clean and efficient energy future in the south-eastern region.
SEEA collaborated with Zhyphen as part of the Interreg STEPS project to deploy an innovative Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) tailored for a dairy farm. The BESS enables time shifting of energy usage, providing cost savings through efficient energy management and acting as a single-phase emergency backup power supply during grid outages.
The estimated lifetime renewable energy generated or enabled through this project is a 35-40% electrical energy cost savings over the project’s 15-year lifetime.
This project stands out due to its flexibility in energy management, emergency backup power supply, scalability for future expansion, integration of multiple renewable energy sources, and off-grid capability, making it an exceptional battery energy storage system technology in the field.