A Review of Thermal Spectral Imaging Methods for Monitoring High-Temperature Molten Material Streams.

Real-time closed-loop control of metallurgical processes is still in its infancy, mostly based on simple models and limited sensor data and challenged by extreme temperature and harsh process conditions. Contact-free thermal imaging-based measurement approaches thus appear to be particularly suitable for process monitoring. With the potential to generate vast amounts of accurate data in real time and combined with artificial intelligence methods to enable real-time analysis and integration of expert knowledge, thermal spectral imaging is identified as a promising method offering more robust and accurate identification of key parameters, such as surface temperature, morphology, composition, and flow rate.

Impact of the bioresorbable vascular scaffold surface area on on-treatment platelet reactivity.

While promising data with the novel bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) are accumulating, signals of scaffold thrombosis (ST) were noted in recent reports. We aimed to assess the relationship between the total surface area (TSA) of implanted everolimus-eluting BVSs and the on-treatment adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet reactivity in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). 202 consecutive patients undergoing BVS implantation and platelet function testing were included. For investigating the impact of the scaffold surface on platelet reactivity, patients were stratified into two groups regarding the median BVS TSA. The on-treatment ADP-induced platelet reactivity was determined with the Multiplate analyzer and 30-day follow-up was available in 98% of patients. ADP-induced platelet aggregation values (median, [IQR]) did not differ between the two study groups (12.0 [9.0-19.0] U for patients with TSA > 1.39 cm(2) and 13.0 [9.0-19.5] U for patients with TSA ≤ 1.39 cm(2); p = 0.69). No correlation was observed between the BVS TSA and levels of platelet reactivity (Spearman rank correlation = -0.10, p = 0.16). At 30 days after PCI, two early STs (1%) were documented. Thus, in patients on a dual antiplatelet treatment regimen following BVS implantation, the extent of blood-to-BVS contact surface does not negatively affect levels of on-treatment platelet reactivity.

Dielectric microsphere manipulation and chain assembly by counter-propagating waves in a channel waveguide.

We study the formation and the propulsion properties of chains of dielectric microspheres in the evanescent field of a channel waveguide made by Cs(+) ion-exchange. Particle chains are shown to move faster than single particles. We exploit counter-propagating waves for axial positioning of single and chains of microspheres. The particles can be propelled back and forth at will, and trapped at a given point for several minutes. We demonstrate that this technique can also be used to assemble a long, one-particle wide, chain.

Velocity distribution of Gold nanoparticles trapped on an optical waveguide.

The velocity distributions of 250nm diameter gold nanospheres trapped in the evanescent fields of optical waveguides are studied. The automated analysis of a large number of particles and temporal frames is described. It is used to show that the envelope of the particles' speed follows the mode intensity profile of the evanescent field along a length of the waveguide and across its width. Modal beating in a dual-moded waveguide is mapped by analysis of nanoparticle distributions above the waveguide. A modal power of _150mW at l=1066nm in a Cs+ ion-exchanged monomode waveguide results in speeds of up to 500microm/s.