Continuous-flow chemical processing on a microchip by combining microunit operations and a multiphase flow network

A new design and construction methodology for integration of complicated chemical processing on a microchip was proposed. This methodology, continuous-flow chemical processing (CFCP), is based on a combination of microunit operations (MUOs) and a multiphase flow network. Chemical operations in microchannels, such as mixing, reaction, and extraction, were classified into several MUOs. The complete procedure for Co(II) wet analysis, including a chelating reaction, solvent extraction, and purification was decomposed into MUOs and reconstructed as CFCP on a microchip. Chemical reaction and molecular transport were realized in and between continuous liquid flows in a multiphase flow network, such as aqueous/aqueous, aqueous/organic, and aqueous/organic/aqueous flows. When the determination of Co(II) in an admixture of Cu(II) was carried out using this methodology, the determination limit (2sigma) was obtained as 18 nM, and the absolute amount of Co chelates detected was 0.13 zmol, that is, 78 chelates. The sample analysis time was faster than that of a conventional processing system. Moreover, troublesome operations such as phase separation and acid and alkali washing, all necessary for the conventional system, were simplified. The CFCP methodology proposed here can be applied to various on-chip applications.     

0.78- and 0.98-μm ridge-waveguide lasers buried with AlGaAsconfinement layer selectively grown by chloride-assisted MOCVD

The 0.78- and 0.98-μm buried-ridge AlGaAs laser diodes (LD's) with a high Al-content AlGaAs confinement layer selectively grown by using a Cl-assisted MOCVD are demonstrated. By employing the AlGaAs confinement layer, the threshold current and the slope efficiency of the 0.78-μm LD are improved by ~40%, compared to those of the conventional loss-guided LD with the GaAs confinement layer. In addition, the stable fundamental mode up to 150 mW and the small astigmatic distance less than 1 μm are obtained. The 0.78-μm LD also shows the excellent high-power and high-temperature characteristic such as 100 mW CW operation at 100°C and the reliable 2,000-hour operation under the condition of 60°C and 55 mW. In the 0.98-μm LD, the narrow beam with the low aspect ratio of 1.86 and the stable fundamental transverse mode over 200 mW are exhibited. As a result, the 0.98-μm LD realizes the high fiber-coupled-power of 148 mW. Moreover, the high-power and high-temperature operation of 150 mW at 90°C is obtained. In the preliminary aging test, the LD's have been stably operating for over 900 hours under the condition of 50°C and 100 mW     

A silicon‐chip‐based light valve with reflective twisted‐nematic mode for high‐definition projectors

Crystalline‐silicon‐chip‐based reflective light valves are suitable for realizing high definition and bright liquid‐crystal projectors. We have developed an XGA (1025 × 769 pixels) silicon‐chip‐based light valve with a diagonal display area of 2.54 cm (1 in.). The reflective twisted‐nematic mode was examined by using the Jones matrix method as a display mode, and the normally white reflective twisted‐nematic mode was selected. This mode is suitable for a narrow cell gap, and a fast response time can be expected. In addition, the driving voltage of this mode is low and has good chromaticity with small retardation. The cell gap of the light valve is 2 μm. The cell gap support is made using spacer posts formed on the silicon chip with a photodefinable resin. The response time is 12 msec, including both rise and fall times. The contrast ratio is more than 1000 at 5 Vrms.     

High-temperature corrosion performance of plasma-sprayed CrNiMoSiB coatings

This study examined the effects of application parameters for plasma spraying and CCh- laser glazing of two types of chromium-base coatings. Coatings were deposited by low-pressure and atmospheric plasma spraying. The high-temperature corrosion resistance of Cr-Ni-2.5Mo-lSi-0.5B (55 and 58% Cr) coatings was evaluated with respect to structural and compositional changes both in the as- sprayed condition and after CCb- laser glazing. Coatings that were deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying and subsequently laser glazed showed excellent resistance to oxidation and sulfate- vanadate attack at 900 °C due to the formation of a protective chromia film and a high silica concentration on the top layers of the oxide.     

Joint strength of aluminum ultrasonic soldered under liquidus temperature of Sn–Zn hypereutectic solder

In order to obtain high-strength aluminum joints, ultrasonic soldering of 1070 aluminum was conducted under liquidus temperature of Sn–Zn hypereutectic solder. A device for ultrasonic soldering was assembled, which propagated ultrasonic vibrations in a direction perpendicular to joining surfaces. This device joined 1070-Al using quasi-melting Sn–Zn hypereutectic solder without using any artificial spacers. The strength of the solder joints was evaluated by tensile tests. The optimum joining conditions were determined, and the effects of solder compositions and soldering temperature on the joint strength and the solder layer thickness were examined. In this ultrasonic soldering process, the highest tensile strength was obtained for the solder joints fabricated at 220 °C for the Sn–23Zn and Sn–40Zn solder compositions. The joint strength was equivalent to that of 1070-Al heat treated at 220 °C. The sound joints were obtained at 300 °C using Sn–82Zn solder, the liquid phase volume fraction of which was theoretically only 0.24. The present work also revealed that the thickness of retained solder layer in the joint after ultrasonic soldering could be estimated. Accordingly, ultrasonic soldering under the liquidus temperature of Sn–Zn hypereutectic solder could be a spacer-free soldering method to obtain high-strength aluminum joints.     

Tensile test for estimation of thermal fatigue properties of solder alloys

A tensile test is proposed to evaluate the thermal fatigue resistance of solder alloys. The test is based on the strain rate change method to obtain the strain rate sensitivity index, m. The m value is obtained at various strains during the tensile test. The plots of m and strain where m is measured showed a linear relation; therefore, the m value at zero strain, m0, and the gradient, k, are obtained by extrapolation. The m value at zero strain related to the coarseness or fineness of solder alloy microstructure; m0 becomes lower with coarsening of the microstructure. The solder alloys with low m0 and low k have excellent thermal fatigue resistance when compared with alloys with high m0 and high k. m0 and k would be good measures to estimate the thermal fatigue properties of solder alloys; highly resistant alloys have low m0 and low k. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Preparation of High-Strength and Translucent Alumina by Hot Isostatic Pressing

A vacuum-pressure slip-casting technique and hot isostatic pressing (HIPing) were used to prepare high-strength and translucent alumina ceramics. A low-viscosity and high-solids-content slurry (46 vol% solids) was prepared, and a dense green compact was formed. The samples were sintered and subjected to capsule-free HIPing. Extremely high-density (99.9%) and fine-grained (0.7 to 15 μm in diameter) alumina ceramics were obtained. The HIPed samples showed high bend strength and translucency with in-line transmittance of 30% to 46% (1 mm thick).     

Three-dimensional architecture of ribosomal DNA within barley nucleoli revealed with electron microscopy

To elucidate the topological positioning of ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) and nucleolar structure in three dimensions, we examined the localization of rDNA using in situ hybridization (ISH) analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The rDNA genes within the three-dimensional architecture of nucleoli were detected on chromatin fibers that connect a thick strand-like structure and a protrusion of rDNA into the inner nuclear hole where the nucleolus is formed. This novel use of ISH together with SEM is useful for the analysis of nucleolar structure in detail. Furthermore, rDNA was detected at the periphery of the fibrillar centers (FCs) of the nucleolus using immuno-gold labeling together with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In situ hybridization with TEM confirmed that rDNA is naked and thus active in the FCs of nucleoli; ISH with SEM confirmed that rDNA is not covered with ribonucleo proteins at the protruding point and is thus inactive. We also show that the distribution pattern of FCs differs from sample to sample. These results indicate that rDNA is transcribed dynamically in a time- and region-specific manner over the course of the cell cycle.     

Development of a microchip-based bioassay system using cultured cells

We developed a novel bioassay system using a glass microchip and cultured cells. A microchamber for cell culture and microchannels for reactions and detection were fabricated on a Pyrex glass substrate by photolithography and wet etching techniques. Cell culture, chemical and enzymatic reactions, and detection were integrated into the microchip. To keep different temperatures locally in three areas of the microchip, we designed and fabricated a temperature control device. Nitric oxide released from macrophage-like cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide was successfully monitored with the microchip, the temperature control device, and a thermal lens microscope. The total assay time was reduced from 24 to 4 h, and detection limit of NO was improved from 1 x 10(-6) to 7 x 10(-8) M compared with conventional methods. Moreover, the system could monitor a time course of the release, which is difficult to measure by conventional batch methods. We conclude that this system is promising for a rapid bioassay system with very small consumption of cells.