Synthetic Aperture Imaging of Surface Laid Targets by Sound

This paper discusses the design and implementation of a synthetic aperture acoustic imaging system for investigating solid objects in an outdoor environment. Measurement results are reported for a setup consisting of a rail-mounted transceiver, digital data acquisition and control system, and local storage with data post processing capabilities. This imaging system works much like typical sonar and RF synthetic aperture radar technologies but operates above ground and uses acoustic waves in air for its interrogation.     

Silicon Nanowires Driving Miniaturization of Microelectromechanical Systems Physical Sensors: A Review

The miniaturization of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) physical sensors is driven by global connectivity needs and is closely linked to emerging digital technologies and the Internet of Things. Strong technical advantages of miniaturization such as improved sensitivity, functionality, and power consumption are accompanied by significant economic benefits due to semiconductor manufacturing. Hence, the trend to produce smaller sensors and their driving force resemble very much those of the miniaturization of integrated circuits (ICs) as described by Moore's law. In this respect, with its IC-, and MEMS-compatibility, and scalability, the silicon nanowire is frequently employed in frontier research as the sensor building block replacing conventional sensors. The integration of the silicon nanowire with MEMS has thus generated a multiscale hybrid architecture, where the silicon nanowire serves as the piezoresistive transducer and MEMS provide an interface with external forces, such as inertial or magnetic. This approach has been reported for almost all physical sensor types over the last decade. These sensors are reviewed here with detailed classification. In each case, associated technological challenges and comparisons with conventional counterparts are provided. Future directions and opportunities are highlighted.     

Keramische Membranen für die effiziente Abtrennung von organischen Mikroschadstoffen aus wässrigen Lösungen am Beispiel pharmazeutischer Wirkstoffe

An indispensable part of modern medicine is the use of active pharmaceutical ingredients. However, a significant part of pharmaceuticals ends up in municipal wastewater treatment plants after administration through excreta. There, they cannot be comprehensively eliminated due to their poor biodegradability and enter the groundwater via the flowing waters. In this study, the use of ceramic membranes for the removal of various active substances, e.g., ibuprofen and diclofenac, from aqueous solutions is investigated and results on the removal efficiency of the membranes investigated are presented.     

Titanium-Based Nanoarchitectures for Sonodynamic Therapy-Involved Multimodal Treatments

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has considerably revolutionized the healthcare sector as a viable noninvasive therapeutic procedure. It employs a combination of low-intensity ultrasound and chemical entities, known as a sonosensitizer, to produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) for cancer and antimicrobial therapies. With nanotechnology, several unique nanoplatforms are introduced as a sonosensitizers, including, titanium-based nanomaterials, thanks to their high biocompatibility, catalytic efficiency, and customizable physicochemical features. Additionally, developing titanium-based sonosensitizers facilitates the integration of SDT with other treatment modalities (for example, chemotherapy, chemodynamic therapy, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, and immunotherapy), hence increasing overall therapeutic results. This review summarizes the most recent developments in cancer therapy and tissue engineering using titanium nanoplatforms mediated SDT. The synthesis strategies and biosafety aspects of Titanium-based nanoplatforms for SDT are also discussed. Finally, various challenges and prospects for its further development and potential clinical translation are highlighted.     

Feasibility Study of Tuning the Threshold Voltage of Nanoscale Fin-shaped Field Effect Transistor (FinFET) via Metal Gate Workfunction Engineering

Silicon - In this paper, we comprehensively assess the unique features, feasibility and limitations of dual material gate fin field effect transistor for tuning the threshold voltage in nanoscale...