This paper presents the parameter estimation of the fractal antenna array with the virtual instrument model designed in laboratory virtual instrument engineering workbench software. In this work resonant frequency, gain and voltage standing wave ratio have been used as an output parameter with the change in three input parameters such as radius of a circular patch, height of substrate, and dielectric constant of the material. Measured output parameters have been compared with neural network outputs and error has been represented in a graphical way for each output parameter of the antenna array. Along with output parameter estimation, a designing parameter such as radius of the circular patch has also been estimated with virtual instrument model and absolute error for radius has been shown in the display window of the designed model. The proposed antenna array has been fabricated and simulated results have been validated with measured results.

The scanning tunneling microscope is essential to nanoscience and nanotechnology because it can provide images of surfaces at the atomic level with sub-nanometer resolution. Now a LabVIEW-based virtual instrument is available as a free-download at our company website (www.newpathresearch.com) for simulating the full operation of a scanning tunneling microscope. This is an executable version to be run on a Windows operating system without requiring other software.

New computer-controlled, semi-automatic systems were designed and built for CO2 purification and graphitization at the A.E. Lalonde Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) Laboratory with consideration for user friendliness and high throughput. The stainless steel vacuum lines are orbitally welded to ensure clean seams with low memory. The insulated graphitization ovens with plug-in electrodes provide a hazard-free environment for operators. The closed-loop cooling system circulating low-viscosity Dynalene at –40°C provides highly efficient water trapping. The LabVIEWTM software features (1) pressure and temperature recording for QA/QC; (2) safety interlocks to preclude operator errors resulting in sample loss, cross-contamination, or damaging a vacuum pump; and (3) automation for leak checking, iron conditioning, and running samples. Results from the first year of routinely measured standards, reference, and background materials are reproducible and within acceptance values. In the first year of operation (commissioned in spring 2014), over 1000 targets (~60% unknowns) were produced. With new tube sealing and CO2 purification lines, and two more graphitization lines now operational, the Lalonde AMS Laboratory is able to provide routine radiocarbon analysis (>200 µg carbon) at a capacity of more than 7000 targets per year. Most importantly, the equipment is safe and intuitive, making it ideal for education and training students to run their own samples.