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This paper presents the design and implementation of Scribe, a comprehensive voice processing and handwriting interface for voice assistants. Distinct from prior works, Scribe is a precise tracking interface that can co-exist with the voice interface on low sampling rate voice assistants. Scribe can be used for 3D free-form drawing, writing, and motion tracking for gaming. Taking handwriting as a specific application, it can also capture natural strokes and the individualized style of writing while occupying only a single frequency. The core technique includes an accurate acoustic ranging method called Cross Frequency Continuous Wave (CFCW) sonar, enabling voice assistants to use ultrasound as a ranging signal while using the regular microphone system of voice assistants as a receiver. We also design a new optimization algorithm that only requires a single frequency for time difference of arrival. Scribe prototype achieves 73 μm of median error for 1D ranging and 1.4 mm of median error in 3D tracking of an acoustic beacon using the microphone array used in voice assistants. Our implementation of an in-air handwriting interface achieves 94.1% accuracy with automatic handwriting-to-text software, similar to writing on paper (96.6%). At the same time, the error rate of voice-based user authentication only increases from 6.26% to 8.28%.

 

It is well-known in optics that the spectroscopic resolution of a diffraction grating is much better compared to an interference device having just two slits, as in Young’s famous double-slit experiment. On the other hand, it is well known that a classical superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) is analogous to the optical double-slit experiment. Here we report experiments and present a model describing a superconducting analogue to the diffraction grating, namely an array of superconducting islands positioned on a topological insulator film Bi_0.8Sb_1.2Te₃. In the limit of an extremely weak field, of the order of one vortex per the entire array, such devices exhibit a critical current peak that is much sharper than the analogous peak of an ordinary SQUID. Therefore, such arrays can be used as sensitive absolute magnetic field sensors. A key finding is that the device acts as a superconducting diode, controlled by magnetic field.

 

A bstract For a class of macroscopic dark matter models, inelastic scattering of dark matter off a nucleus can generate electromagnetic signatures with GeV-scale energy. The IceCube detector, with its kilometer-scale size, is ideal for directly detecting such inelastic scattering. Based on the slow particle trigger for the DeepCore detector, we perform a detailed signal and background simulation to estimate the discovery potential. For order 1 GeV deposited energy in each interaction, we find that IceCube can probe the dark matter masses up to one gram. 

"Developing methods for chemical sensing is of importance in broad ap­ plications, including food safety, healthcare, and ecology. The work herein describes an approach to chemical sensing by interfacial voltage. A test electrode is coated with a dielectric and a receptor. When the test electrode contacts an electrolyte, the receptor adsorbs an analyte from the electrolyte. The adsorption generates an interfacial voltage, a measurement of which reports the concentration of the an­ alyte. This design de-integrates two aspects of sensing: adsorption and detection. Consequently, the test electrode can be made of any elec­ tronic conductor. This flexibility enables sensors to be fabricated without microelectronic facilities. Several species of ions and organic molecules are detected, and a wearable chemical sensor worn on a fingertip is demonstrated. Needle-shaped electrodes are developed to test soft biological tissues. Chemical sensing by interfacial voltage holds promise for the development of ubiquitous sensing technology."