利用浮沈子測量液體表面張力並演示"Cheerios Cheerios effect"
密閉容器置入待測液,放入浮沉子,施加壓力,當浮沉子恰要沒入液中瞬間,因表面張力的總力達極大值且向上,外加壓力(p1)為極大值,浮沉子沒入液中;液面減壓,當浮沉子在液面正下方時,外加壓力 p2,量 p1、(p1- p2),浮沉子的質量 m,外半徑 R,及玻璃管的體積 G V ,可求得液體表面張力。 液面再減壓,浮沉子恰要露出液面時,表面張力的總力達極大值且向下,外加壓力(p3)為極小值,量 p3、(p2- p3),浮沈子的質量 m,外半徑 R及 G V ,應亦可求得表面張力;但實驗時浮沉子漂移到容器邊,並吸附在器壁上,因此發現浮沉子的”Cheerios effect”。 利用浮沉子和容器的相吸及相斥現象,可解釋西式早餐的小榖片放入牛奶中為何會漂移到碗緣,並支持 Vella在 2005 年 9 月份美國物理期刊(AJP)認為 Cheerios effect的成因除了由於接觸角不同外,浮力、重力、表面張力共同作用,使小榖片間有相吸、相斥現象。 The experiment apparatus is equipped with a Cartesian diver by using a glass tube with air trapped inside that floats or submerses in a closed vessel containing liquid. The external pressure may be varied with a syringe and measured with a water manometer. The maximum pressure P1 inside the vessel is measured when the diver is just about to sink, where the surface tension that acts on the diver is upward. Then the pressure P2 of the vessel is measured when the diver is just beneath the liquid surface, where no surface tension acts on the diver. Finally, the surface tension is calculated from P1, P2 and the radius of the diver, R. When the pressure inside the vessel is decreased, the diver will rise. As the diver is about to emerge from the liquid, we get the minimum pressure P3 inside the vessel, and the surface tension that acts on the diver is downward. By measuring P3, P2, and R, the magnitude of surface tension is found to be the same as above. When the diver is just about to sink into the liquid, it floats to the center of the vessel. When the diver is about to emerge from the liquid, it sticks to the wall of the vessel. This phenomenon is named the “Cheerios effect.” Our results again strongly support that the cause of the effect is due to the different contact angles between the diver and water, as well as the balance of gravity and surface tension in the case of the sinking diver, and the balance of buoyancy and surface tension in the case of rising diver as Vella claimed in his paper (AJP 73, 817 (2005)).
磁性流體可調性折射率特性之研究與應用
磁性流體(magnetic fluids)是一種含有磁性奈米粒子的液體,當磁場外加於磁性流體時,流體中各磁性奈米粒子的磁矩會沿外加磁場方向排列,而導致粒子間相互吸引,形成較大的磁性叢集,即所謂的磁鍊。當外加磁場增強,該磁鍊數會變多,並使磁性流體的折射率產生變化。磁性流體的折射率變化會隨外加磁場之變大而增大。本研究除探討磁性流體折射率受外加磁場控制的變化情形及其物理原由外,並進一步運用此特性研發可調性光纖「光調制器」 ,以探討磁性流體可調性折射率應用在光電元件上的可行性。A magnetic fluid is one kind of colloids which contain magnetic nano-particles. Under an external magnetic field, the magnetic moment of nano-particles is aligned along the direction of the external magnetic field. This leads to the agglomeration of magnetic particles and to form magnetic clusters under an external magnetic field. With the formation of the magnetic clusters, the refractive index of magnetic fluid is varied. The refractive index of magnetic fluid was found to increase under a higher magnetic field. In this work, In addition to investigating in detail the behavior of the field-dependent refractive index of the magnetic fluid, we also explore the relevant physical origins. Furthermore, the feasibility of developing fiber-optical modulators by utilizing the tunable refractive index of magnetic fluids is discussed.
氣流式薄膜測厚儀
醫學上的植皮手術成功率受皮膚厚度影響,皮膚愈薄癒合速度愈快,其中以取皮厚度介於0.05mm 到0.1mm 為佳。在實驗量測時,需要經過一連串繁複的薄皮標本製作,再放到光學顯微鏡下測量,這種厚度測量方式不但耗時,又因嚴重損毀皮膚而不精確。由於使用螺旋測微器做接觸式測量會有形變的問題,因此我們想做間接接觸式的測量,所以採用氣體為媒介,做非破壞性檢測膜厚,這對於在皮膚上的施力遠小於螺旋測微器或是接觸式膜厚計。我們設計一套三頭連管線,使用空氣為媒介,儀器運作原理為在管線一端針頭非常靠近被測物時,所流出的氣體會受到被測物阻礙產生反壓使管線內的壓力上升,導致連通於另一管路的氣泡指示計壓出氣泡,當氣泡為最大氣泡時(半球形)視為達到平衡狀態。實驗時先用已知厚度且不變形的蓋玻片來當作被測物,此時可以算出針尖至蓋玻片的實際距離做為參考值。在量測軟性薄膜時,設計上採用兩側雙針頭靠近軟性被測薄膜兩側以達到氣流氣泡平衡,這時使用螺旋測微器讀取兩針尖距離,減去已知參考值的兩倍距離,即可測出未形變的軟物質厚度。本研究開發一套能測量軟性薄膜的厚度裝置,尤其在皮膚厚度測定上,不但不會直接接觸標本造成損毀,並且能夠快速地測量出厚度值,此為本儀器的最大特色。The thickness of skin graft has deterministic influences on the success of graft surgery. Experimental measurements of skin graft thickness involve complicated specimen preparation processes followed by optical microscopic examination, which are time-consuming and may incur inaccuracy due to possible damage. Here we propose a novel method using air as the media to avoid direct contact of the measured object. The physical operation relies on the following principles: When the tip of a needle connecting to a catheter system is placed close to the object to be measured, the air pumped forward from the catheter system becomes impeded by the object. The resulting backflow pressure opposing the air flow causes an increase in air pressure within the catheter and inflates the bubble connected at the other end. Balance at maximal surface tension is attained when the bubble reaches its maximum volume in hemispherical shape. In practice, a two-needle design was used, each approaching simultaneously from each side of the object. A micrometer was then used to read the distance between the two needle tips, from which the film thickness was derived, subtracting the thickness of the air layer pre-calibrated using cover glass with known thickness. The system implemented was capable of measuring thickness on soft thin films with an accuracy of ± 0.001mm. In addition to rapid measurements with high accuracy, since the pressure exerted on the skin graft is much less than in conventional calipers requiring direct contact, our method has the unique non-distorted and non-destructive advantages.
蟋蟀的聲音分析與聲音行為探討
蟋蟀聲音與行為的關係密不可分。取北部四種蟋蟀樣本,以數位錄音筆錄製及電腦軟體分析蟋蟀的聲音,並用PCR技術萃取蟋蟀的粒線體DNA(16S)加以分析,藉此和傳統的形態學分類相互比較。結果發現蟋蟀聲音的頻率特性中主頻率的差異在親緣遠近有關聯性,但聲音的時間特性方面則沒有特定關聯,不過聲學分析圖仍可作為單一種的鑑定指標。此外,研究發現此4種蟋蟀的聲音頻率範圍有重疊現象,但主頻率、脈衝比、唧聲率及唧聲長不同,推測雌蟋蟀應是綜合這些特性辨別同種。另一方面,以黑蟋蟀作為研究對象,進行干擾實驗,觀察並繪製出其聲音行為模式; 並將此作為對照,結果發現蟋蟀的生殖行為主要受到雄蟋蟀的聲音支配,而雄蟋蟀則以嗅覺辨別雌蟋蟀位置,決定下一步行動,與視覺較無關係。 Cricket's voice is closely related to the behavior. We select four species of crickets from the northern Taiwan to study the acoustic and mating behaviors. The digital sound recorder and acoustic software are used to analyze their acoustic characters. Furthermore, the PCR technology is used to amplify and sequence parts of mtDNA sequences and the results were compiled as the comparison to the traditional morphological character. The result shows that the resolution in acoustic characters of main frequency, pulse number, chirp rate, and the length of chirp are different among four species, though the minor frequency pattern is overlapping. Moreover, we find that frequency characteristic difference among four species is partly related to their phylogenetic relationship, yet is not seen in time characteristic. It is obvious that difference of acoustic behavior can be regarded as identified index among species. Results of acoustic analysis impel us to infer that the female crickets take the comprehensive acoustic behavior to distinguish their specific male. In addition, behavior pattern and model of Gryllus bimaculatus are established as the comparison of interfering experiment is undertaken. Which results suggest that the mating behavior in cricket is dominated by males’ acoustic behavior, and is initiated by male’s olfactory sense rather than that of sight.
均相沉澱法製備CZA 觸媒之探討
本研究以均相沉澱法合成多成分的銅鋅鋁觸媒系統,並嘗試克服傳統共沉澱法的不均勻性且提高比表面積,過程中我們利用改變尿素濃度、水添加量、反應溫度與時間等四種變因成功合成出具有高活性的銅鋅鋁觸媒。研究得知最佳的合成條件為尿素3M 並添加三倍體積的水,在95°C 下反應2 小時。與傳統觸媒相比,均相反應合成的銅鋅鋁觸媒除了有較小的粒徑外,其還原溫度也較低,顯示較佳的觸媒活性。而在250°C 甲醇重組的製氫反應條件下,均相反應合成的銅鋅鋁觸媒也有較高的甲醇轉化效率、氫氣產生率以及CO2 的選擇率,而添加鈰與鋯可更進一步使觸媒活性再提升。未來除可利用此合成方法合成均勻性佳的多成份材料,亦可應用此高效能觸媒進行甲醇重組反應以產生氫氣提供燃料電池使用。; Multi-composition Cu-Zn-Al catalyst system was synthesized by homogeneous precipitation method. This method was anticipated to improve the homogeneity of metal mixing and to increase the surface area of catalyst derived by conventional co-precipitation method. In the research, we successfully synthesized Cu-Zn-Al catalyst with high activity by adjusting four experimental parameters -- urea concentration, water amount, reaction temperature and reaction time. The better catalyst can be obtained under urea concentration of 3M diluted by 3 times water, and the kinetics conditions of 95°C and 2h. Compared with the co-precipitation method, homogeneous precipitation method derived Cu-Zn-Al catalyst performed higher methanol conversion, hydrogen production rate and CO2selectivity under methanol reforming reaction at 250°C. Modifying the support by addition of Ce and Zr might further improve the activity of the catalyst. In the future, not only can this method apply on synthesizing other multi-composition materials with high homogeneity, but also the high performance catalyst can be used to do methanol reforming reaction in order to supply hydrogen on fuel cell.
平面式雙頻天線合成陣列之研究
The feasibility of new design approach for dual-band antenna array using genetic algorithm is demonstrated in this study. In the past year, one dual-band printed-strip dipole antenna, which operates at 0.9/1.8 GHz, had been implemented in the laboratory and leads to a satisfactory performance. However, the antenna element is suitable for application at base-station rather than handset. Conventional antennas suitable for base-station application are arrays, which consist of antenna elements and at least one feed network. Feed networks for antenna arrays are usually designed to operate at single-band capability, and therefore, it requires two feed networks for a conventional dual-band antenna array. Nevertheless, a dual-band antenna array fed by signal feed network is feasible in our study. To begin with, a full-wave solver ID3D is applied to evaluate the impedance matrix of antenna array with eight elements. Then, the antenna array is modeled as a cascaded equivalent transmission line such that the genetic algorithm could network of dual-band antenna array and yields a seven-section design, which meets the specification of base-station antennas.在過去的一年裡,本人曾製作過具有雙頻效果的雙面印刷偶極天線,並得到不錯的量測結果。由於此天線單元於實際應用上適於基地台天線陣列之設計,所以本研究著眼於天線陣列的設計。傳統上天線陣列的結構包含了兩個部分,分別是天線單元以及饋入電路。目前基地台所使用的大多都是單頻天線陣列,在雙頻天線陣列部分,通常需要兩個饋入電路分別對不同頻帶作訊號的饋入;因此,我們希望能實現使用單一饋入電路製成雙頻天線陣列的想法。本研究中,我們利用之前所做出來的天線單元來合成陣列,並希望此陣列在0.9HGz和1.8GHz兩個頻段都能產生良好的共振效果。我們利用電磁模擬軟體IE3D估算具有八個天線單元的天線陣列阻抗陣列後,再將此天線陣列轉換成串接式等效傳輸線電路。借由基因演算法(genetic algorithm)對此電路做最佳化,我們可以求得饋入電路各段傳輸線的尺寸。由此研究發現,我們的方法應用於單一饋入電路之雙頻天線陣列的設計是可行的,而此電路的模擬結果亦符合基地台天線陣列的規格。
聽聽貝多芬作品的下一代:將碎形及基因演算法應用於數位音樂產生器
本研究整合了碎形圖形的迭代運算方法與基因交配觀念來達到音樂創新,並透過音樂和諧性判別機制來提高創新音樂的悅耳程度。利用基因觀念之交配的方法來解決長短的問題。這個方法是把原始音符輸入後,找出它們的中心點,以這個中心點為準,其他的音符按照一定比例向外延展,成為新的迭代點。再利用這些迭代點,迭代出新的音符。把製造好的音符染色體放置到交配池中,以隨機的方式在交配池中選取其中之一個染色體進行交配的動作,此二音符染色體會交換彼此的基因,產生下一代新的代表音符長短之染色體,隨後以「模仿母體判斷式」來判斷這新一代的音樂是否與母體音樂相似,藉此淘汰掉「不肖的」下一代,而若新一代與母體的相似程度高的話,它的悅耳性相信也會相對提高。最後把這些技術應用於數位音樂創作,以衍生新穎應用與創新的結果。Fractals can be produced by IFS (Iterated Function Systems). By iterative computation of many times, we can obtain the similar graphics. In my research, the methods to generate the iterative algorithms were presented. In addition, I would discuss the regularity and the content as well as the properties of those digital patterns. At last, the advanced application of fractals to digital music pieces was presented. The program took a note of several measure of music as the beginning point, and made the IFS calculations for each new note in each measure. But there was no difference in beats if you just make the IFS iteration. So I changed the beats with genetic crossover method. In this research, the expression of the DNA to each beat of note was adopted. The same way, it took a note as a beginning point. And the system obtained the new DNA from the old notes for new ones randomly. After producing the new pieces of music, I want to know if it is good to listen. So I used the algorithm that checks the simulation to the shape of mother music. If its shape is similar to the mother music, the probability that the new music is pleasing may even increase. That would make a piece of brand new music. What I want to do in this research is improve the multiformity of music and find what the relationship is of ‘good music’ and mathematical algorithms