Atomic layer chemical vapour deposition of copper

Copper films with (1 1 1) texture are of crucial importance in integrated circuit interconnects. We have deposited strongly (1 1 1)-textured thin films of copper by atomic layer deposition (ALD) using [2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptadionato] Cu(II), Cu(thd)₂, as the precursor. The dependence of the microstructure of the films on ALD conditions, such as the number of ALD cycles and the deposition temperature was studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy. Analysis of (1 1 1)-textured films shows the presence of twin planes in the copper grains throughout the films. SEM shows a labyrinthine structure of highly connected, large grains developing as film thickness increases. This leads to low resistivity and suggests high resistance to electromigration.     

Pristine and cadmium-doped zinc oxide: chemical synthesis and characterizations

The chemical synthesis of pristine and cadmium-doped ZnO powders using a simple, cost-effective at 65 °C is reported and characterized for their structures, optical and morphological studies using X-ray diffraction, UV–visible–Near Infra-Red (UV–Vis–NIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy measurement techniques where XRD spectra confirm the formation of ZnO and Cd-doped ZnO with hexagonal crystal structure. The particle size of ZnO is reduced on Cd-doping from 16 to 14 nm. Plane-view surface morphology analysis supported for spherical-type crystallites and UV–Vis–NIR spectra reveal shift in the band edge of ZnO after Cd-doping. Photo-degradation study of Methylene Blue dye shows Pristine ZnO degrades dye faster than Cd-doped ZnO.     

Irregular, unknown light sources in dynamic global illumination

The goal in global illumination solutions for dynamic environments is to update a scene based on past scenes. For this difficult problem, current state of the art solutions are either not applicable, or unduly complex, when there are large changes in the illumination of unbounded number of objects. Such changes may be caused by the appearance of unexpected (at modeling time), irregular light sources.

We define a subset of dynamic environments in which new light sources may be user introduced, and implement solutions that complement existing schemes.     

Friction Stir Surface Processing of Al 6061 Alloy: Role of Surface Alloying with Copper and Heat-Treatment

The current paper focuses on enhancing the surface hardness of the heat-treatable Al-alloy using the combined approach of thermal-spray, friction stir surface processing (FSSP) and heat-treatment. Copper powder was thermal-sprayed in the surface groove of Al 6061 alloy specimens followed by FSSP. Defect-free stirred zone was observed at lower transverse speed of 10 mm/min. The width of the hardness profiles across the stirred zone was increased with increase in the rotational speed of the tool. Grain refining was observed in the stirred zone due to the FSSP. In post-FSSP T6 heat-treatment, aging kinetics in the non-surface-alloyed specimen was accelerated due to the FSSP. Precipitation of Al₂Cu phase was observed in the stirred zone. Copper-alloying and post-FSSP heat-treatment were effective in enhancing the surface hardness (about 39% improvement in the surface hardness was observed).     

Computation of feed-paths for casting solidification using level-set-method

The aim of the present work is to compute feed-paths and hot-spots by combining level-set-method based sharp interface and feed-path model. The model is based on the solution of energy and level-set equations in solid and liquid, with Stefan condition on the interface. The energy and level-set equation are discretized using finite-volume and finite-difference method, respectively. Feed-path is computed by tracking mass-less particles along the liquid-solid interface during solidification using combined Eulerian-Lagrangian framework. The proposed model is benchmarked on six test cases, where temperature contours and solidification time are compared with a finite-element-method based commercial software. The capability to predict the temporal evolution of interface and to identify multiple hot-spots is validated with an industrial aluminum-alloy lug casting. The numerical as well as experimental validations demonstrate the effectiveness of level-set-method for feed-path calculation.     

Interfacial tension approach toward drug loading with two-dimensional crosslinked polymer embedded gold: Adsorption kinetics evaluation

Interfacial tension of drugs with hydrophilic polymer (A) embedded gold resulting into selective drug adsorption, which also affected the drug adsorption kinetics. Two-dimensional crosslinked polymer embedded gold was synthesized for drug loading application in an acidic buffer. Lower interfacial tension of pantoprazole sodium (B) revealed the exponential loading inversely loading was gradual for chloroquine (C) having more interfacial tension with adsorbent. Initial 2 h was the exponential adsorption period for a pantoprazole sodium whereas exponential adsorption begins after 12 h for a chloroquine. Monolayer drug adsorption was obtained because Langmuir adsorption isotherm was obeyed by both drugs. Moreover, pseudo first- and pseudo second-order kinetics was also evaluated which demonstrated that reactive sites of the adsorbent are homogeneous and drug adsorption mechanism is chemisorption and not the physisorption. Thermal analysis was evaluated to confirm the polymer thermostability and glass transition temperature during catalytic applications in thermal reactions.