ABSTRACT
Undergraduate students enrolled in Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Urban Planning (CAU) must develop competencies in Geomatics and Topography (G&T) as part of their learning process. During this time, theoretical concepts are traditionally taught with field practice using specialized tools such as a theodolite, laser level, and total station. Due to the environmental restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, traditional field practice (TFP) was suspended, preventing access to equipment and study areas. The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Reality (VR), have been explored in the last decade for educational purposes. This paper studies the benefits of using these tools for developing G&T skills. This research aimed to assess students' learning outcomes using a traditional G&T teaching method and a new methodology based on Virtual Field Practice (VFP) for CAU students. The methodology provides a virtual study area for the CAU student by integrating point clouds derived from photogrammetry and terrestrial laser scanning. It also assesses their learning results and compares them against a control group using a validated instrument. Findings suggest continuing with fieldwork for a greater understanding and correct application of G&T concepts by students, and using virtual models as an efficient way to complement the acquisition of spatial information in the teaching-learning process. Until the publication of this article, we found no evidence in the literature at the undergraduate level of applying exercises like those proposed. © 2023 IEEE.
ABSTRACT
The International School on Quantum Electronics "Laser Physics and Applications” was held for the first time as far back as 1980. Since then it has taken place biennially and has become an important international event in the field of laser physics and laser applications attracting participants from many countries, especially from south-eastern Europe. Traditionally, its program includes lectures delivered by prominent scientists dealing with investigations of basic physical phenomena, processes of interaction of laser radiation with matter and latest scientific results obtained in the research areas of quantum electronics and optics, as well as the technological practical applications of new ideas, devices, instruments and laser systems. Special attention is paid to the active participation of students and young scientists who have the opportunity to present their results and meet and share experience with outstanding professionals in their particular fields of research.The topics include the following:• Laser-matter interactions• Laser spectroscopy and metrology• Laser remote sensing and ecology• Lasers in biology and medicine• Laser systems and nonlinear optics• Alternative techniques for material synthesis and processingThe 22nd edition of the ICSQE was held as a virtual forum due to the restrictions related to COVID-19 pandemic from September 19th to 23rd, 2022. The Institute of Electronics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, located in Sofia, Bulgaria, hosted the conference organization. The Big Blue Button on-line system was used as a technical platform for the meeting. The technical sessions of the International School on Quantum Electronics included 22 invited talks (30 min + 5 min Q&A), a Mini-Symposium "Extreme light infrastructure”, 11 oral contributions (30 min + 5 min Q&A) and in total 51 poster presentations divided into 5 sessions (1 hour each). The platform was available 24 hours, allowing discussions in addition to the technical program. The total number of participants was 90 from 16 countries.The XXII International Conference and School on Quantum Electronics: "Laser Physics and Applications” was held by the financial support from the Bulgarian National Science Fund under Project No. KP-06-MNF/4, 20.07.2022.List of Committees, International Advisory Committee, Program Committee, Local Organizing Committee, Lecturers, Oral Presentations, Poster Presentations are available in this pdf.
ABSTRACT
Despite the availability of GNSS on consumer devices enabled personal navigation for most of the World population in most of the outdoor conditions, the problem of precise pedestrian positioning is still quite challenging when indoors or, more in general, in GNSS-challenging working conditions. Furthermore, the covid-19 pandemic also raised of pedestrian tracking, in any environment, but in particular indoors, where GNSS typically does not ensure sufficient accuracy for checking people distance. Motivated by the mentioned needs, this paper investigates the potential of UWB and LiDAR for pedestrian positioning and tracking. The two methods are compared in an outdoor case study, nevertheless, both are usable indoors as well. The obtained results show that the positioning performance of the LiDAR-based approach overcomes the UWB one, when the pedestrians are not obstructed by other objects in the LiDAR view. Nevertheless, the presence of obstructions causes gaps in the LiDAR-based tracking: instead, the combination of LiDAR and UWB can be used in order to reduce outages in the LiDAR-based solution, whereas the latter, when available, usually improves the UWB-based results.
ABSTRACT
The average share of nuclear energy in electricity production is expected to increase under the background of the global pursuit towards carbon neutrality. Conjugating with its rapid development, the wave of decommissioning and dismantling (D&D) of nuclear facilities is coming. The surface decontamination is a prerequisite to D&D, which will make it easier and reduce the volume of radioactive wastes. However, there are no comprehensive studies on the decontamination methods, which is not helpful for the sustainable development of nuclear energy and environment protection. Therefore, in this work, the current status and future trends of global energy and nuclear energy are first analyzed. Then, various decontamination approaches are comparatively studied, including cleaning mechanisms, application subjects, and intrinsic advantages and disadvantages. Finally, the criteria and factors for selecting a decontamination process, the challenges, and future studies are directed. Among the mechanical methods, laser-based cleaning is high-speed, having automation ability, and thus is promising, although it creates a dust and airborne contaminant hazard. In further studies, factors such as selecting a proper laser facility, optimizing operating parameters, and designing a high-efficiency dust collection system could be studied. Regarding the chemical method, chemical gels are good for decontaminating complex shapes and vertical and overhead surfaces. In addition, they can enhance other decon agents’ efficiency by improving contact time. However, the formulation of colloidal gels is complex and no gel type is useful for all contaminants. Therefore, novel and versatile gels need be developed to enlarge their application field. Combining various decontamination methods will often have better results and thus a reasonable and effective combination of these decontamination methods has become the main direction.