A novel robust current control approach using adaptive line enhancer for three‐phase current‐source active power filter

An effective system control method is presented for applying a three‐phase current‐source PWM converter with a deadbeat controller to active power filters (APFs). In the shunt‐type configuration, the APF is controlled such that the current drawn by the APF from the utility is equal to the current harmonics and reactive current required for the load. To attain the time‐optimal response of the APF supply current, a two‐dimensional deadbeat control scheme is applied to APF current control. Furthermore, in order to cancel both the delay in the two‐dimensional deadbeat control scheme and the delay in DSP control strategy, an Adaptive Line Enhancer (ALE) is introduced in order to predict the desired value three sampling periods ahead. ALE has another function of bringing robustness to the deadbeat control system. Due to the ALE, settling time is made short in a transient state. On the other hand, total harmonic distortion (THD) of source currents can be minimized compared to the case where ideal identification of the controlled system can be made. The experimental results obtained from the DSP‐based APF are also reported. The compensating ability of this APF is very high in accuracy and responsiveness although the modulation frequency is rather low. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 150(1): 50–61, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20014     

Design strategy and development of spherical silicon solar cell with semi-concentration reflector system

Structural and economical merits of a spherical silicon solar cell with semi-concentration reflector system have been discussed. The roles of the reflector system have been clarified; the reflector improves short-circuit current density and also open-circuit voltage by 4–6 times concentration to make a light irradiation area comparable to a p–n junction area. We have theoretically demonstrated that the spherical Si solar cell with semi-concentration reflector system can realize a performance comparable to that of conventional Si solar cells, with less amount of silicon material use.     

Development of chip-on-flex using SBB flip-chip technology

A bare LSI chip mounted onto a flexible substrate is called chip-on-flex (COF). Companies and universities are desperately developing COF. In this paper, the development of COF using stud bump bonding (SBB) flip-chip technology will be introduced.So far, SBB technology has been adopted when ceramic or glass-epoxy is used as a substrate material for chip size packages (CSPs) and multi-chip modules (MCMs). Recently there is a great demand for developing SBB technology toward a flexible substrate.SBB technology needs to keep a flexible substrate flat during the assembly process. A flexible substrate was adhered to a flat carrier using a thermal release sheet in order to keep it flat. Since this thermal release sheet loses its adhesive strength by applying heat beyond 160°C, it is easy to peel off accomplished specimens from the flat carrier after assembling.SBB specimens were prepared using liquid crystal polymer (LCP) and polyimide (PI) as a flexible substrate. Reliability tests, such as pressure cooker test (PCT), thermal shock test (TST) and reflow soldering after moisture storage test, were carried out for these specimens. In PCT, both LCP and PI specimens passed as a result of using proper underfill for each substrate. In TST, both specimens also passed using the underfill selected in PCT. In reflow soldering after moisture storage test, LCP specimens passed, on the other hand PI specimens needed to be baked after moisture storage in order to pass the reflow.     

Electron-microscopic imaging of single-walled carbon nanotubes grown on silicon and silicon oxide substrates

Direct imaging of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) suspended on pillar-patterned Si or SiO2 substrates is investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The suspended nanotubes are successfully observed by direct TEM imaging and it is seen that they have either individual or bundles of SWNTs. Low energy (< or =2 keV) SEM produces high contrast images of suspended SWNTs. On the contrary, when SWNTs contact a SiO2 substrate, they are imaged using electron-beam induced current. The image brightness depends on the length of SWNTs.     

Application of electrospray ionization ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry for chemically-synthesized small RNAs

In this study, we have demonstrated an accurate and rapid small RNA analytical method with both sequence determination and detailed modification analysis by electrospray ionization-ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-IT/TOFMS). To develop this ideal method, we have examined the performance of ESI-IT/TOFMS using various chemically-synthesized model sequences of modified or unmodified microRNAs (miRNAs). The deconvoluted mass of a 22-nucleotide (nt) miRNA was obtained from a multiply charged precursor ion (MS(1)). The ion exhibited high mass accuracy (< 7 ppm) and high mass resolution (a value of m/Δm=10,000) and was therefore very useful in RNA composition assignment. The optimized MS(2) method using ion trap collision-induced dissociation, as well as automatic annotation analysis of product ions based on the accurate mass information, enabled the precise sequencing determination of intact miRNAs. Further, the detailed structural analysis of 3'-terminal modified nucleic acid in intact methylated miRNA was carried out using the MS(3) capability of the hybrid IT/TOFMS. The direct infusion method also provided a high throughput and good sensitivity because the analytical time and sample concentration needed in a series of experiments with reliable data were only 3 min and 100 nM, respectively. This study provides a novel approach for characterizing the intact chemically-synthesized small RNA without chemical and enzymatic digestions and would be widely applicable for the structural analysis of complicated modified small RNAs.     

Evaluation of photo-induced cellular damage using photoautotrophic cultures of puk-bung hairy roots as a sensing tool

In photoautotrophic cultures of pak-bung hairy roots, strong light irradiation (22 W/m²) increased the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells, resulting in chlorophyll (Chl) degradation and DNA injury. The Chl degradation rate, R_D, can be used as a parameter to measure the cellular damage caused by photo-induced stress. The presence of the antioxidants ascorbic acid, chlorogenic acid or catechin reduced the R_D, while lowering the content of ROS and moderating the DNA injury.     

Effect of short‐term anaerobic conditions on the production of volatiles,activity of alcohol acetyltransferase and other quality traits of ripened bananas. Sumithra K Wendakoon. Yoshinori Ueda. Yoshihiro Imahori. Megumi Ishimaru. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2006; 86: 1475–1480

The original article to which this Erratum refers was published in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2006; 86: 1475–1480.