@article{2429, abstract = {We show, with an elementary proof, that the number of halving simplices in a set of n points in 4 in general position is O(n4-2/45). This improves the previous bound of O(n4-1/134). Our main new ingredient is a bound on the maximum number of halving simplices intersecting a fixed 2-plane. }, author = {Matoušek, Jiří and Sharir, Micha and Smorodinsky, Shakhar and Uli Wagner}, journal = {Discrete & Computational Geometry}, number = {2}, pages = {177 -- 191}, publisher = {Springer}, title = {{K-sets in four dimensions}}, doi = {10.1007/s00454-005-1200-4}, volume = {35}, year = {2006}, } @article{2430, abstract = {We consider an online version of the conflict-free coloring of a set of points on the line, where each newly inserted point must be assigned a color upon insertion, and at all times the coloring has to be conflict-free, in the sense that in every interval I there is a color that appears exactly once in I. We present deterministic and randomized algorithms for achieving this goal, and analyze their performance, that is, the maximum number of colors that they need to use, as a function of the number n of inserted points. We first show that a natural and simple (deterministic) approach may perform rather poorly, requiring Ω(√̃) colors in the worst case. We then derive two efficient variants of this simple algorithm. The first is deterministic and uses O(log 2 n) colors, and the second is randomized and uses O(log n) colors with high probability. We also show that the O(log 2 n) bound on the number of colors used by our deterministic algorithm is tight on the worst case. We also analyze the performance of the simplest proposed algorithm when the points are inserted in a random order and present an incomplete analysis that indicates that, with high probability, it uses only O(log n) colors. Finally, we show that in the extension of this problem to two dimensions, where the relevant ranges are disks, n colors may be required in the worst case.}, author = {Chent, Ke and Fiat, Amos and Kaplan, Haim and Levy, Meital B and Matoušek, Jiří and Mossel, Elchanan and Pach, János and Sharir, Micha and Smorodinsky, Shakhar and Uli Wagner and Welzl, Emo}, journal = {SIAM Journal on Computing}, number = {5}, pages = {1342 -- 1359}, publisher = {SIAM}, title = {{Online conflict-free coloring for intervals}}, doi = {10.1137/S0097539704446682}, volume = {36}, year = {2006}, } @inproceedings{2431, abstract = {We prove an upper bound, tight up to a factor of 2, for the number of vertices of level at most t in an arrangement of n halfspaces in R , for arbitrary n and d (in particular, the dimension d is not considered constant). This partially settles a conjecture of Eckhoff, Linhart, and Welzl. Up to the factor of 2, the result generalizes McMullen's Upper Bound Theorem for convex polytopes (the case ℓ = O) and extends a theorem of Linhart for the case d ≤ 4. Moreover, the bound sharpens asymptotic estimates obtained by Clarkson and Shor. The proof is based on the h-matrix of the arrangement (a generalization, introduced by Mulmuley, of the h-vector of a convex polytope). We show that bounding appropriate sums of entries of this matrix reduces to a lemma about quadrupels of sets with certain intersection properties, and we prove this lemma, up to a factor of 2, using tools from multilinear algebra. This extends an approach of Alon and Kalai, who used linear algebra methods for an alternative proof of the classical Upper Bound Theorem. The bounds for the entries of the h-matrix also imply bounds for the number of i-dimensional faces, i > 0, at level at most ℓ. Furthermore, we discuss a connection with crossing numbers of graphs that was one of the main motivations for investigating exact bounds that are valid for arbitrary dimensions.}, author = {Uli Wagner}, pages = {635 -- 645}, publisher = {IEEE}, title = {{On a geometric generalization of the Upper Bound Theorem}}, doi = {10.1109/FOCS.2006.53}, year = {2006}, } @inproceedings{7326, abstract = {Often the properties of a single cell are considered as representative for a complete polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack or even a fuel cell system. In some cases this comes close, however, in many real cases differences on several scales become important. Cell interaction phenomena in fuel cell stacks that arise from inequalities between adjacent cells are investigated in detail experimentally. For that, a specialized 2-cell stack with advanced localized diagnostics was developed. The results show that inequalities propagate by electrical coupling, inhomogeneous cell polarization and inducing in-plane current in the common bipolar plate. The effects of the different loss-mechanisms are analyzed and quantified. }, author = {Büchi, Felix N. and Freunberger, Stefan Alexander and Santis, Marco}, booktitle = {ECS Transactions}, location = {Cancun, Mexico}, number = {1}, pages = {963--968}, publisher = {ECS}, title = {{What is learned beyond the scale of single cells?}}, doi = {10.1149/1.2356215}, volume = {3}, year = {2006}, } @article{7327, abstract = {Propagation of performance changes to adjacent cells in polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks is studied by means of voltage monitoring and local current density measurements in peripheral cells of the stack. A technical fuel cell stack has been modified by implementing two independent reactant and coolant supplies in order to deliberately change the performance of one cell (anomalous cell) and study the coupling phenomena to adjacent cells (coupling cells), while keeping the working conditions of the later cell-group unaltered. Two anomalies are studied: (i) air starvation and (ii) thermal anomaly, in a single anomalous cell in the stack and their coupling to adjacent cells. The results have shown that anomalies inducing considerable changes in the local current density of the anomalous cell (such as air starvation) propagate to adjacent cells affecting their performance. The propagation of local current density changes takes place via the common bipolar plate due to its finite thickness and in-plane conductivity. Consequently, anomalies which do not strongly influence the local current density distribution (such as a thermal anomaly under the studied working conditions) do not propagate to adjacent cells.}, author = {Santis, Marco and Freunberger, Stefan Alexander and Papra, Matthias and Wokaun, Alexander and Büchi, Felix N.}, issn = {0378-7753}, journal = {Journal of Power Sources}, number = {2}, pages = {1076--1083}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Experimental investigation of coupling phenomena in polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks}}, doi = {10.1016/j.jpowsour.2006.06.007}, volume = {161}, year = {2006}, } @article{7328, abstract = {An experimental technique for measuring the current density distribution with a resolution smaller than the channel/rib scale of the flow field in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is presented. The electron conductors in a plane perpendicular to the channel direction are considered as two-dimensional resistors. Hence, the current density is obtained from the solution of Laplace's equation with the potentials at current collector and reaction layer as boundary conditions. Using ohmic drop for calculating the local current, detailed knowledge of all resistances involved is of prime importance. In particular, the contact resistance between the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and flow field rib, as well as GDL bulk conductivity, are strongly dependent on clamping pressure. They represent a substantial amount of the total ohmic drop and therefore require careful consideration. The detailed experimental setup as well as the concise procedure for quantitative data evaluation is described. Finally, the method is applied successfully to a cell operated on pure oxygen and air up to high current densities. The results show that electrical and ionic resistances seem to govern the current distribution at low current regimes, whereas mass transport limitations locally hamper the current production at high loads.}, author = {Freunberger, Stefan Alexander and Reum, Mathias and Evertz, Jörg and Wokaun, Alexander and Büchi, Felix N.}, issn = {0013-4651}, journal = {Journal of The Electrochemical Society}, number = {11}, publisher = {The Electrochemical Society}, title = {{Measuring the current distribution in PEFCs with sub-millimeter resolution}}, doi = {10.1149/1.2345591}, volume = {153}, year = {2006}, } @article{7329, abstract = {A novel measurement principle for measuring the current distribution in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is introduced. It allows, in contrast to all other known techniques, for the first time for a resolution smaller than the channel/rib scale of the flow field in PEFCs. The current density is obtained by considering the electron conductors in the cell as a two-dimensional resistor with the voltage drop caused by the current. The method was applied to a cell operated on oxygen up to high current densities. The results show that the ohmic resistances govern the current distribution in the low current regime, whereas mass transport limitations hamper the current production under the land at high loads.}, author = {Freunberger, Stefan Alexander and Reum, Mathias and Wokaun, Alexander and Büchi, Felix N.}, issn = {1388-2481}, journal = {Electrochemistry Communications}, number = {9}, pages = {1435--1438}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Expanding current distribution measurement in PEFCs to sub-millimeter resolution}}, doi = {10.1016/j.elecom.2006.05.032}, volume = {8}, year = {2006}, } @article{7330, abstract = {Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PE fuel cells) working with air at low stoichiometries (<2.0) and standard electrochemical components show a high degree of inhomogeneity in the current density distribution over the active area. An inhomogeneous current density distribution leads to a non-uniform utilization of the active area, which could negatively affect the time of life of the cells. Furthermore, it is also believed to lower cell performance. In this work, the homogenization of the current density, realized by means of tailored cathodes with along-the-air-channel redistributed catalyst loadings, is investigated. The air stoichiometry range for which a homogenization of the current density is achieved depends upon the gradient with which the catalyst is redistributed along the air channel. A gentle increasing catalyst loading profile homogenizes the current density at relatively higher air stoichiometries, while a steeper profile is suited better for lower air stoichiometries. The results show that a homogenization of the current density by means of redistributed catalyst loading has negative effects on cell performance. Model calculations corroborate the experimental findings on homogenization of the current density and deliver an explanation for the decrease in cell performance.}, author = {Santis, M. and Freunberger, Stefan Alexander and Reiner, A. and Büchi, F.N.}, issn = {0013-4686}, journal = {Electrochimica Acta}, number = {25}, pages = {5383--5393}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Homogenization of the current density in polymer electrolyte fuel cells by in-plane cathode catalyst gradients}}, doi = {10.1016/j.electacta.2006.02.008}, volume = {51}, year = {2006}, } @article{7331, abstract = {A previously developed mathematical model for water management and current density distribution in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFCs) is employed to investigate the effects of cooling strategies on cell performance. The model describes a two-dimensional slice through the cell along the channels and through the entire cell sandwich including the coolant channels and the bipolar plate. Arbitrary flow arrangements of fuel, oxidant, and coolant stream directions can be described. Due to the serious impact of temperature on all processes in the PEFC, both the relative direction of the coolant stream to the gas streams and its mass flow turns out to significantly affect the cell performance. Besides influencing the electrochemical reaction and all kinds of mass transfer temperature, variations predominantly alter the local membrane hydration distribution and subseqently its conductivity.}, author = {Freunberger, Stefan Alexander and Wokaun, Alexander and Büchi, Felix N.}, issn = {0013-4651}, journal = {Journal of The Electrochemical Society}, number = {5}, publisher = {The Electrochemical Society}, title = {{In-plane effects in large-scale PEFCs: II. The influence of cooling strategy on cell performance}}, doi = {10.1149/1.2185282}, volume = {153}, year = {2006}, } @article{7332, abstract = {A quasi-two-dimensional, along-the-channel mass and heat-transfer model for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEFC) is described and validated against experimental current distribution data. The model is formulated in a dimensional manner, i.e., local transport phenomena are treated one-dimensional in through-plane direction and coupled in-plane by convective transport in the gas and coolant channels. Thus, a two-dimensional slice running through the repetitive unit of a cell from the anode channel via membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) and cathode channel to the coolant channel and from inlet to outlet is modeled. The aim of the work is to elucidate the influence of operating conditions such as feed gas humidities and stoichiometric ratios on the along-the-channel current density distribution and to identify the distinct underlying voltage loss mechanisms. Furthermore, a complicated technical flow field is modeled by a combination of co- and counterflow subdomains and compared with experimental current densities.}, author = {Freunberger, Stefan Alexander and Santis, Marco and Schneider, Ingo A. and Wokaun, Alexander and Büchi, Felix N.}, issn = {0013-4651}, journal = {Journal of The Electrochemical Society}, number = {2}, publisher = {The Electrochemical Society}, title = {{In-plane effects in large-scale PEMFCs}}, doi = {10.1149/1.2150150}, volume = {153}, year = {2006}, } @inproceedings{4574, abstract = {Many software model checkers are based on predicate abstraction. If the verification goal depends on pointer structures, the approach does not work well, because it is difficult to find adequate predicate abstractions for the heap. In contrast, shape analysis, which uses graph-based heap abstractions, can provide a compact representation of recursive data structures. We integrate shape analysis into the software model checker Blast. Because shape analysis is expensive, we do not apply it globally. Instead, we ensure that, like predicates, shape graphs are computed and stored locally, only where necessary for proving the verification goal. To achieve this, we extend lazy abstraction refinement, which so far has been used only for predicate abstractions, to three-valued logical structures. This approach does not only increase the precision of model checking, but it also increases the efficiency of shape analysis. We implemented the technique by extending Blast with calls to Tvla.}, author = {Beyer, Dirk and Thomas Henzinger and Théoduloz, Grégory}, pages = {532 -- 546}, publisher = {Springer}, title = {{Lazy shape analysis}}, doi = {10.1007/11817963_48}, volume = {4144}, year = {2006}, } @unpublished{573, abstract = {Mitchison and Jozsa recently suggested that the "chained-Zeno" counterfactual computation protocol recently proposed by Hosten et al. is counterfactual for only one output of the computer. This claim was based on the existing abstract algebraic definition of counterfactual computation, and indeed according to this definition, their argument is correct. However, a more general definition (physically adequate) for counterfactual computation is implicitly assumed by Hosten et. al. Here we explain in detail why the protocol is counterfactual and how the "history tracking" method of the existing description inadequately represents the physics underlying the protocol. Consequently, we propose a modified definition of counterfactual computation. Finally, we comment on one of the most interesting aspects of the error-correcting protocol. }, author = {Hosten, Onur and Rakher, Matthew and Barreiro, Julio and Peters, Nicholas and Kwiat, Paul}, pages = {12}, publisher = {ArXiv}, title = {{Counterfactual computation revisited}}, year = {2006}, } @unpublished{574, abstract = {Vaidman, in a recent article adopts the method of 'quantum weak measurements in pre- and postselected ensembles' to ascertain whether or not the chained-Zeno counterfactual computation scheme proposed by Hosten et al. is counterfactual; which has been the topic of a debate on the definition of counterfactuality. We disagree with his conclusion, which brings up some interesting aspects of quantum weak measurements and some concerns about the way they are interpreted. }, author = {Hosten, Onur and Kwiat, Paul}, pages = {2}, publisher = {ArXiv}, title = {{Weak measurements and counterfactual computation}}, year = {2006}, } @inproceedings{577, abstract = {Visible light photon counters (VLPCs) and solid-state photomultipliers (SSPMs) are high-efficiency single-photon detectors which have multi-photon counting capability. While both the VLPCs and the SSPMs have inferred internal quantum efficiencies above 93%, the actual measured values for both the detectors were in fact limited to less than 88%, attributed to in-coupling losses. We are currently improving this overall detection efficiency via a) custom anti-reflection coating the detectors and the in-coupling fibers, b) implementing a novel cryogenic design to reduce transmission losses and, c) using low-noise electronics to obtain a better signal-to-noise ratio.}, author = {Rangarajan, Radhika and Altepeter, Joseph B and Jeffrey, Evan R and Stoutimore, Micah J and Peters, Nicholas A and Onur Hosten and Kwiat, Paul G}, publisher = {SPIE}, title = {{High-efficiency single-photon detectors}}, doi = {10.1117/12.686117}, volume = {6372}, year = {2006}, } @inproceedings{578, abstract = {A source of single photons allows secure quantum key distribution, in addition, to being a critical resource for linear optics quantum computing. We describe our progress on deterministically creating single photons from spontaneous parametric downconversion, an extension of the Pittman, Jacobs and Franson scheme [Phys. Rev A, v66, 042303 (2002)]. Their idea was to conditionally prepare single photons by measuring one member of a spontaneously emitted photon pair and storing the remaining conditionally prepared photon until a predetermined time, when it would be "deterministically" released from storage. Our approach attempts to improve upon this by recycling the pump pulse in order to decrease the possibility of multiple-pair generation, while maintaining a high probability of producing a single pair. Many of the challenges we discuss are central to other quantum information technologies, including the need for low-loss optical storage, switching and detection, and fast feed-forward control.}, author = {Peters, Nicholas A and Arnold, Keith J and VanDevender, Aaron P and Jeffrey, Evan R and Rangarajan, Radhika and Onur Hosten and Barreiro, Julio T and Altepeter, Joseph B and Kwiat, Paul G}, publisher = {SPIE}, title = {{Towards a quasi-deterministic single-photon source}}, doi = {10.1117/12.684702}, volume = {6305}, year = {2006}, } @article{579, abstract = {The logic underlying the coherent nature of quantum information processing often deviates from intuitive reasoning, leading to surprising effects. Counterfactual computation constitutes a striking example: the potential outcome of a quantum computation can be inferred, even if the computer is not run 1. Relying on similar arguments to interaction-free measurements 2 (or quantum interrogation3), counterfactual computation is accomplished by putting the computer in a superposition of 'running' and 'not running' states, and then interfering the two histories. Conditional on the as-yet-unknown outcome of the computation, it is sometimes possible to counterfactually infer information about the solution. Here we demonstrate counterfactual computation, implementing Grover's search algorithm with an all-optical approach4. It was believed that the overall probability of such counterfactual inference is intrinsically limited1,5, so that it could not perform better on average than random guesses. However, using a novel 'chained' version of the quantum Zeno effect6, we show how to boost the counterfactual inference probability to unity, thereby beating the random guessing limit. Our methods are general and apply to any physical system, as illustrated by a discussion of trapped-ion systems. Finally, we briefly show that, in certain circumstances, counterfactual computation can eliminate errors induced by decoherence. }, author = {Onur Hosten and Rakher, Matthew T and Barreiro, Julio T and Peters, Nicholas A and Kwiat, Paul G}, journal = {Nature}, number = {7079}, pages = {949 -- 952}, publisher = {Nature Publishing Group}, title = {{Counterfactual quantum computation through quantum interrogation}}, doi = {10.1038/nature04523}, volume = {439}, year = {2006}, } @inproceedings{583, abstract = {Visible light photon counters (VLPCs) and solid-state photomultipliers (SSPMs) facilitate efficient single-photon detection. We are attempting to improve their efficiency, previously limited to < 88% by coupling losses, via anti-reflection coatings, better electronics and cryogenics.}, author = {Rangarajan, Radhika and Peters, Nicholas A and Onur Hosten and Altepeter, Joseph B and Jeffrey, Evan R and Kwiat, Paul G}, publisher = {IEEE}, title = {{Improved single-photon detection}}, doi = {10.1109/CLEO.2006.4628641}, year = {2006}, } @article{6151, author = {Salecker, Iris and Häusser, Michael and de Bono, Mario}, issn = {1469-221X}, journal = {EMBO reports}, number = {6}, pages = {585--589}, publisher = {Wiley}, title = {{On the axonal road to circuit function and behaviour: Workshop on the assembly and function of neuronal circuits}}, doi = {10.1038/sj.embor.7400713}, volume = {7}, year = {2006}, } @article{6152, author = {Rogers, Candida and Persson, Annelie and Cheung, Benny and de Bono, Mario}, issn = {0960-9822}, journal = {Current Biology}, number = {7}, pages = {649--659}, publisher = {Elsevier}, title = {{Behavioral motifs and neural pathways coordinating O2 responses and aggregation in C. elegans}}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2006.03.023}, volume = {16}, year = {2006}, } @article{1461, abstract = {This note proves combinatorially that the intersection pairing on the middle-dimensional compactly supported cohomology of a toric hyperkähler variety is always definite, providing a large number of non-trivial L 2 harmonic forms for toric hyperkähler metrics on these varieties. This is motivated by a result of Hitchin about the definiteness of the pairing of L 2 harmonic forms on complete hyperkähler manifolds of linear growth.}, author = {Tamas Hausel and Swartz, Edward}, journal = {Proceedings of the American Mathematical Society}, number = {8}, pages = {2403 -- 2409}, publisher = {American Mathematical Society}, title = {{Intersection forms of toric hyperkähler varieties}}, doi = {10.1090/S0002-9939-06-08248-7}, volume = {134}, year = {2006}, }