Green's function approach for modeling of electrostatic effects in nanoscale fully depleted double‐gate silicon‐on‐insulator metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors

Exact solution of two‐dimensional (2D) Poisson's equation for fully depleted double‐gate silicon‐on‐insulator metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistor is derived using three‐zone Green's function solution technique. Framework consists of consideration of source–drain junction curvature. 2D potential profile obtained forms the basis for estimation of threshold voltage. Temperature dependence of front surface potential distribution, back surface potential distribution and front‐gate threshold voltage are modeled using temperature sensitive parameters. Applying newly developed model, surface potential and threshold voltage sensitivities to gate oxide thickness have been comprehensively investigated. Device simulation is performed using ATLAS 2D (SILVACO, 4701 Patrick Henry Drive, Bldg. Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA) device simulator, and the results obtained are compared with the proposed 2D model. The model results are found to be in good agreement with the simulated data. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Control of leg-powered paraplegic cycling using stimulation of the lumbo-sacral anterior spinal nerve roots

We investigated leg-powered cycling in a recumbent tricycle for a paraplegic using functional electrical stimulation (FES) with the lumbo-sacral anterior root stimulator implant (LARSI). A female complete T9 paraplegic had a stimulator for the anterior L2 to S2 spinal roots (bilaterally) implanted in 1994. She was provided with equipment for daily FES cycling exercise at home. The cycling controller applies a pattern of stimulation in each of 16 crank angle phases. A 7-bit shaft encoder measures the crank angle with adequate precision. Each pattern was originally chosen to give the greatest propulsive force in that position when there was no motion. However, dynamically, some reduction in co-contraction is needed; also the patterns are applied with a preset advance time. Maximal power is obtained with an advance of 250 ms, which compensates for muscle response delay and accommodates changes in cadence (from about 25 to 85 rpm). With this system, she has cycled 1.2 km at a time on gently undulating road. We found that spinal root stimulation gives sufficient control over the muscles in the legs to produce a fluid cycling gait. We propose that root stimulation for leg cycling exercise may be a practicable and valuable function for paraplegics following spinal cord injury.     

Structural,Mechanical and Dielectric Properties of Microwave-Assisted High-Energy Ball Milling Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite

Abstract

In the present work, the effect of high-energy ball milling (HEBM) of starting precursors of hydroxyapatite (Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂)/HA system on the processing temperature, morphological, mechanical, and electrical properties are highlighted. Calcination and sintering of HA system were carried out in microwave furnace. XRD study confirmed the evolution of HA phase and EDX analysis confirmed Ca/P ratio ～1.65. Grain size of HA samples, synthesized by using microwave-assisted HEBM technique was found to be in the order of 54–75?nm. Enhanced dielectric and mechanical properties were obtained in HA samples.     

Preparation of thermal resistant gas barrier chitosan nanobiocomposites

Nanobiocomposites of chitosan/clay were prepared by solution method using CuSO₄/glycine chelate complex as the catalyst with variable percentage of clay loading. The chemical interaction of chitosan and clay was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The structure of chitosan and clay nanobiocomposites was investigated by X‐ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. From thermogravimetric analysis, it was found that chitosan/clay nanobiocomposites were more thermally stable as compared to pure chitosan. A substantial reduction in oxygen permeability was obtained from the gas permeameter with increase in clay concentrations by which the synthesized nanocomposites materials may be used for packaging applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:2324–2328, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Separation of yttrium from europium using a hollow fiber-supported liquid membrane with 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester as an extractant

The separation of Y(III) from Eu(III) using a hollow fiber-supported liquid membrane with 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (EHPNA) as an extractant was studied. The effects of HCl and metal concentrations in the feed solution, the EHPNA concentration in the membrane, and the HCl concentration in the stripping solution on the initial fluxes of the two metals and the separation factor were investigated. The optimum conditions for selective recovery of Y(III) from an equimolar solution of Y(III) and Eu(III) chlorides (0.001?mol?L^?1 each) were as follows: HCl concentration in the feed solution, 0.1?mol?L^?1; EHPNA dimer concentration in the organic phase in the membrane, 0.1?mol?L^?1; and HCl concentration in the stripping solution, 4?mol?L^?1. Under these conditions, complete Y(III) extraction was achieved after 1 ks of operation, and the Y(III) purity in the stripping solution was 84%.     

Enhancement of thermal properties of polyacrylonitrile by reinforcement of Mg‐Al layered double hydroxide

The in situ polymerization technique was used for synthesis of polyacrylonitrile nanocomposites (PAN/LDH) by reinforcement of different concentrations of Mg‐Al layered double hydroxide (LDH). Molecular interaction between Mg/Al LDH and PAN matrix was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology of PAN/LDH nanocomposite was investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy. Energy dispersive spectroscopy of nanocomposites were noticed to establish the elemental composition of the composite. High resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to study the nanostructural distribution of LDH with PAN matrix, whereas crystalline patterns were explained by selected area electron diffraction studies. The thermal properties of nanocomposites were studied by thermo‐gravimetric analysis. It was found that, the thermal property of PAN was substantially enhanced due to strong interfacial adhesion of Mg‐Al‐LDH with PAN matrix. Further, it was noticed that the thermal stability of PAN/LDH nanocomposites were increased with increasing concentration of LDH. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:2140–2144, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineer     

Study of crystal structure,dielectric, magnetic and magnetoelecrtic properties of xCoFe2O4-(1-x)Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 composites

Multiferroic composites of spinel ferrite and ferroelectric xCoFe₂O₄ – (1-x)Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃ (with x = 0.10,0.30,0.50) were efficiently prepared by standard solid state reaction mechanism. X-ray diffractometer was used to analyze crystal structure of the prepared composites. The observed XRD patterns of the composites comprise peaks of both the phases i.e. ferrite and ferroelectric, with no sign of secondary peaks. Rietveld refinement of XRD data further confirms the coexistence of these two phases with cubic (Fd3m) and rhombohedral (R3c) symmetry corresponding to ferrite and ferroelectric phase respectively. The 3-dimensional overview of crystal structure of pure CoFe₂O₄ and Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃ and of composite 0.50CoFe₂O₄?0.50Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃ is generated by using refined parameters. The dielectric constant (ε´) and dielectric loss (tanδ) values were recorded as a function of frequency ranging from 100?Hz to 7?MHz and at different temperatures. Both ε´ and tanδ follow dispersion pattern at lower frequencies while show frequency independent behavior at higher frequencies. The magnetic evaluation carried by analyzing M-H hysteresis loop reveals the ferrimagnetic characteristics of these composites. The highest value of magnetic moment is 1.12μ_B observed for composite 0.50CoFe₂O₄ – 0.50Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO_3. Magnetoelectric (ME) voltage coefficient (α) was also demonstrated to observe the interaction between ferrite and ferroelectric phases. The highest value of α (72.72μV/Oe cm) is obtained for low ferrite composition 0.10CoFe₂O₄ – 0.90Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃, which suggests the dependence of magnetoelectric response on the resistivity of the composites.     

Epidemic Simulation for Training in Public Health Management

Epidemiological simulation models to be used primarily to augment the teaching of epidemiology to medical students and other individuals concerned with public health and control of epidemics are presented. Interactive simulations are used to expose students to ``realistic' epidemic situations and permit them to experiment with various control strategies. Criteria by which simulations for such teaching purposes may be evaluated are proposed and operating simulations, MEASLES and INFLU, are described in detail. Information is provided regarding user experience with the above simulations.