Sizing of multi-stage Op Amps by combining design equations with the gm/ID method

Analog integrated circuit design has as integral parts both analytical reasoning and numerical validation in the process from topology construction to sizing. Given a circuit topology, different circuit sizing results can be obtained from different processes of sizing inference. Sizing methods by simulation-based numerical searching have been a continuously studied subject. However, almost all approaches in this category require an overwhelming number of circuit simulations to arrive at an optimized sizing result. On the other hand, many published manual sizing methods by using the conventional device equations also require repeated SPICE simulations to correct the equation-based sizing results. This paper proposes a systematic gm/ID-based initial sizing method specifically customized for designing multiple-stage operational amplifiers (Op Amps). A main feature of the proposal is to use circuit-level design equations as constraints on the gm/ID table lookup method to substantially reduce the uncertainty in the sizing calculations. As a result, a significant amount of SPICE based correction work can be reduced to complete an initial sizing. The proposed sizing procedure includes a few regular sizing rules customized to the configuration of multi-stage Op Amps. We validate the proposed sizing method by application to several multi-stage Op Amp examples with a capacitive load or Miller compensation. Simulations have justified that the produced initial sizing results can achieve most of the prespecified design targets.     

浅渍法发酵豇豆的工艺优化

以具有降解亚硝酸盐功能的植物乳杆菌（Lactobacillus plantarum）SD-7和具有优良抗氧化能力的植物乳杆菌（Lactobacillus plantarum）FM-LP-9为复合发酵剂（1∶1），采用浅渍法发酵豇豆。以硬度和感官评分为考察指标，通过单因素试验及响应面试验研究复合发酵剂接种量、发酵温度和发酵时间对浅渍法发酵豇豆品质的影响。结果表明，最佳发酵工艺条件为发酵温度25 ℃，接种量5%，发酵时间125 h，在此优化条件下，得到的浅渍法发酵豇豆硬度为47.31 N，感官评分为90.98分，香气浓郁、口感脆嫩。     

Mathematical law of size effect on the flexural property of ceramics

Brittle materials generally exhibit size effects, and the mechanical properties of these materials degrade significantly with an increase in size. However, the mathematical law governing the attenuation degree of mechanical properties with the increase in size is still unknown. In this study, maximum loads of differently sized ceramic test strips were subjected to three point bending tests under two working conditions of equal spans and span amplifications, respectively. Subsequently, the theoretical maximum loads of materials were calculated using the finite element method (FEM). By calculating the difference between the calculated values and the actual maximum loads, the attenuation of mechanical properties of ceramic samples were observed. The results show that the theoretical mechanical properties and the performance attenuation caused by the size effect tend to increase according to the following equation: y=ax³+bx²+cx+d. Therefore, mechanical properties and performance attenuation of any sample exhibiting a size within the experimental range can be predicted by a mathematical law, which was obtained through mechanical tests results of four samples with different sizes. The obtained mathematical law holds great significance for predicting the mechanical properties of materials under size effects.     

Novel Bi4O5Br2/MnxZn1-xFe2O4 magnetic composite with an enhanced photodegradation activity and excellent recyclability

Bi₄O₅Br₂/Mn_xZn_1-xFe₂O₄ nanocomposites with impressive photocatalytic and recyclability properties were synthesised using a microemulsion method. In addition to the photocatalytic effect, the crystal structure and morphology, photoelectrochemical characteristics, magnetic effect and photocatalytic mechanism of Bi₄O₅Br₂/Mn_xZn_1-xFe₂O₄ were also investigated. As the best sample, the removal rate of the Bi₄O₅Br₂/Mn_xZn_1-xFe₂O₄ photocatalyst with 7.5 wt% Mn_xZn_1-xFe₂O₄ to rhodamine B (RhB) reached up to 99.4% within 60 min. The enhanced photocatalyst activity was mainly attributed to the type-II heterojunction formed between Bi₄O₅Br₂ and Mn_xZn_1-xFe₂O₄, which not only optimised the energy band structure, but also led to the building of an interior electromagnetic field within the Bi₄O₅Br₂/Mn_xZn_1-xFe₂O₄ heterojunction. Meanwhile, the constantly producing and migrating h⁺ and ·O₂^? were the main active components. In particular, the results of the saturation magnetization tests and magnetic recovery experiments revealed that the magnetic composite photocatalyst can be recovered effectively. The results of the removal rate of RhB remaining at 85.2% after five uses reflected the advantages of the stability of the Bi₄O₅Br₂/Mn_xZn_1-xFe₂O₄ photocatalyst. In brief, this paper presented an original idea to develop a novel composite magnetic photocatalyst and research the enhancement mechanism of photocatalysis.     

Numerical Investigation of the Capture of Polydisperse Particles by Charged Droplets

The capture of particles by charged droplets was simulated by considering the electrostatic interactions of droplet-droplet and droplet-particle. The results indicate that the electrostatic repulsion between droplets leads to a dynamic accumulation mode of particles. However, the droplet spacing has an insignificant effect on the capture efficiency when the electrostatic deposition predominates. The increase of droplet charge remarkably improves the capture efficiency, in which the capture of fine particles accounts for the largest proportion. Compared to the droplet charge, the droplet size shows a limited improvement in the capture efficiency. Reducing the droplet velocity prolongs the capture time instead of enhancing the capture capacity per unit time, thereby improving capture efficiency.     

Ag nanoparticles-polypyrrole-carbon black/mesoporous TiO2 novel nanocomposite as ultrafast visible-light-driven photocatalyst

Effective design and fabrication of novel visible light-oriented photocatalysts is an existing challenging task that requires further dedicated efforts, and it has been always a main concern among the scientific community. This study deals with the design and fabrication of an extremely active and ultrafast ternary photocatalyst based on Ag nanoparticles, polypyrrole doped carbon black (PPy-C) and mesoporous TiO₂ (m-TiO₂). Sol-gel methodology along with sonication and photodeposition routes have been employed for the successful creation of the ternary framework. Ternary photocatalyst composed of uniform spherical titania nanoparticles (10–15 nm in size) perfectly intermingled with the polymeric linkage of PPy-C. Fruitful creation of unique trio photocatalyst between AgNPs, PPy-C and m-TiO₂ was confirmed by XPS and XRD. FTIR analysis further supports the development of nanocomposite photocatalyst. TEM analysis showed uniform spherical m-TiO₂ nanoparticles (10–15 nm in size) covered by PPy-C with compact nodes like appearance interlocked very well among each other. The newly developed Ag@PPy-C/m-TiO₂ ternary photocatalyst exhibited band gap energy in desired visible range of spectra. The photocatalytic efficiency for all created photocatalysts has been evaluated taking Imidacloprid (insecticide derivative) and methylene blue (MB) dye as target pollutants. The novel Ag@PPy-C/m-TiO₂ photocatalyst produced astonishing results with ultrafast removal of both Imidacloprid as well MB dye under visible light irradiation. The newly created ultrafast Ag@PPy-C/m-TiO₂ photocatalyst has removed 96.0% of the insecticide Imidacloprid in only 25 min with almost ? 2.65 times more efficient than bare m-TiO₂ towards the removal of insecticide derivative. The present report offers a highly encouraging and vastly talented Ag@PPy-C/m-TiO₂ ternary photocatalyst, enabling the ideal management of extremely lethal and notorious chemicals.     

The suppression of dark current for achieving high-performance Ga2O3 nanorod array ultraviolet photodetector

Gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) is a promising candidate for next-generation solar-blind photodetectors (PDs) because of its large bandgap of 4.9 eV. Its single-crystal nanorod structure improves its photoelectric performance, which promotes carrier transformation and separation. However, Ga₂O₃ nanorods fabricated by the hydrothermal method have many oxygen vacancies, which largely enhance the dark current and reduce the on/off ratio of PDs, restricting application of such devices. Therefore, in this paper, dual strategies are applied to reduce the dark current of a metal–semiconductor–metal-structured Ga₂O₃ nanorod PD fabricated by the hydrothermal method. Through these dual strategies, which include annealing treatment and the application of a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) coating, the dark current of the PD is reduced from 1.34 × 10^?7 to 2.04 × 10^?9 A at 1 V, resulting in the on/off ratio of the PD reaching as high as 3.24 × 10⁴. Besides, the responsivity and detectivity of the device reach 1.73 A/W and 2.53 × 10¹² Jones respectively, which represents better performance than those of other reported Ga₂O₃ nanorod array PDs. Results have shown that the new strategy adopted can greatly improve the performance of Ga₂O₃-based ultraviolet photodetectors.     

Measurement of residual stresses in dissimilar friction stir-welded aluminium and copper plates using the contour method

The longitudinal residual stresses in the friction stir-welded plates of 5A06 aluminium and pure copper were determined using the contour method. The results revealed the presence of high tensile and compressive residual stresses on the aluminium and copper sides, respectively. The residual stresses were detected on the weld zone as well as the thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) of the aluminium plate. In contrast, the compressive residual stresses in the copper plate had a much narrower width along the weld line. Peak tensile stresses up to 240?MPa were found in the TMAZ of the aluminium plate.     

Elemental analysis of cemented carbides by calibration-free portable laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

The process of cemented carbides manufacturing requires rapid and field elemental analytical techniques to control and evaluate the properties of products. Calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) is such a potential elemental analytical technique. In this work, a portable LIBS instrument combined with a CF method was developed for the analysis of cemented carbides. Three batches of cemented compact carbides without reference samples were analyzed. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the samples were achieved by using the portable LIBS instrument combined with CF method. To validate the analysis results, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) was used to analyze the samples as well. The results of CF-LIBS agreed well with the results of XRF, with relative errors between ?29.53 and 24.70%. The results demonstrated that the portable LIBS instrument combined with CF method was capable for direct and rapid analysis without any need of standard measurements. Notably, with the portable LIBS instrument combined with CF method, acceptable accuracy could be obtained, which is promising for practical field applications.     

基于信任链的骚扰电话预判技术研究

当前,骚扰电话乱象屡禁不止,严重影响了人民群众的正常生活,甚至威胁到个人财产安全,因此简单有效地识别骚扰电话技术成为亟待解决的问题。区别于现有的对电话号码进行黑白名单标记、大数据分析等识别方法,提出基于信任链的骚扰电话预判技术,从可信度量的角度计算来电号码的可靠程度,并针对高危受害群体的典型应用场景进行分析,通过对骚扰电话的预判,降低其受到电话骚扰甚至电话诈骗的可能性。