FinFET based ultra-low power 3T GC-eDRAM with very high retention time in sub-22 nm

Analog Integrated Circuits and Signal Processing - This paper presents an ultra-low power 3T gain-cell embedded DRAM (GC-eDRAM) cell in fin field-effect transistor (FinFET). This memory structure...     

Modeling and closed‐loop control of particle size and initial burst of PLGA biodegradable nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery

An in‐house computer code based on artificial intelligence has been developed and applied in modeling and closed‐loop optimization of release behavior of Poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) biodegradable particles. A series of micro‐ and nanoparticles were prepared via water‐in‐oil‐in‐water double emulsion to be loaded with albumin–fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugate as a typical drug. The interrelationship between input variables (molecular weight of polymer and stabilizer, polymer concentration, and sonication rate) and outputs (PLGA particle size and percentage of initial burst) was uncovered with the aid of artificial neural network modeling. The regression analysis confirmed acceptable correlation coefficients for the aforementioned responses, where the PLGA molecular weight played the most important role among the studied variables. Input variables needed to minimize PLGA size and PLGA initial burst were then obtained via multiobjective optimization performed by a genetic algorithm. PLGA nanoparticles were checked for particle size and particle size distribution using scanning electron micrographs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45145.     

Fabrication of electrospun nanofibre yarn based on nylon 6/microencapsulated phase change materials

Twisted nylon 6 nanofibre yarns containing microencapsulated phase change materials (MPCMs) were fabricated via electrospinning to prepare thermal regulating nanofibre yarns. Electrospun nanofibre yarns with different contents of MPCMs including 0.375, 0.75, 1.5 and 3 wt% were prepared. The surface morphology, crystallisation and thermal properties of the yarn samples were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. SEM results showed that electrospun composite fibres and yarns had good morphology with smooth surface and the MPCMs were randomly distributed on the composite yarn surface, inside the nanofibres and between the fibres in the yarn structure. Additionally, the SEM results suggested that the average diameters of nylon 6/MPCM nanofibres decreased from 0.23 ± 0.03 µm for neat nylon 6 to a minimum of 0.10 ± 0.02 µm for composite yarn containing 3 wt% MPCM. However, nylon 6/MPCM nanofibre yarn diameter displayed a complex behaviour; the average diameters of electrospun composite yarns increased upon addition of MPCM and reached a maximum value of 165.1 ± 5.11 µm for composite yarn containing 0.75 wt% MPCM, then decreased markedly. These changes in nylon 6/MPCM nanofibres and yarn diameters have been discussed in terms of electrospinning solution properties and twist parameter. The melting enthalpy values of MPCM in the composite nanofibre yarns increased as the content of MPCMs increased up to the highest content and higher than 80% of the heat storage capacity of MPCMs was retained after electrospinning.     

Optimisation of nitrate reductase enzyme activity to synthesise silver nanoparticles

Today, the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) is very common since it has many applications in different areas. The synthesis of these nanoparticles is done by means of physical, chemical, or biological methods. However, due to its inexpensive and environmentally friendly features, the biological method is more preferable. In the present study, using nitrate reductase enzyme available in the Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacterium, the biosynthesis of Ag NPs was investigated. In addition, the activity of the nitrate reductase enzyme was optimised by changing its cultural conditions, and the effects of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) concentration and enzyme amount on nanoparticles synthesis were studied. Finally, the produced nanoparticles were studied using ultraviolet –visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometer, dynamic light scattering technique, and transmission electron microscopy. UV–Visible spectrophotometric study showed the characteristic peak for Ag NPs at wavelength 405–420 nm for 1 mM metal precursor solution (AgNO₃) with 1, 5, 10, and 20 cc supernatant and 435 nm for 0.01M AgNO₃ with 20 cc supernatant. In this study, it was found that there is a direct relationship between the AgNO₃ concentration and the size of produced Ag NPs.Inspec keywords: enzymes, molecular biophysics, silver, nanoparticles, nanofabrication, microorganisms, cellular biophysics, silver compounds, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, light scattering, transmission electron microscopyOther keywords: nitrate reductase enzyme activity, optimisation, silver nanoparticle synthesis, Escherichia coli bacterium, E. coli bacterium, biosynthesis, ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometer, UV‐vis spectrophotometer, dynamic light scattering technique, transmission electron microscopy, supernatant, metal precursor solution, AgNO₃ ‐Ag     

Information Maximization in a Linear Manifold Topographic Map

This article addresses the problem of unsupervised learning of multiple linear manifolds in a topology preserving neural map. The model finds simple linear estimations of the regions of the unknown data manifold. Each neuron of the map corresponds to a linear manifold whose basis and mean vectors and on- and off-manifold standard deviations must be learnt. The learning rules are derived based on competition between neurons and maximizing an approximation of the mutual information between the input and the output of each neuron. Neighborhood functions are also considered in the learning rules in order to develop the topology preserving property for the map. Considering two special density models for the input data, the optimal nonlinear input/output mappings of the neurons are found. Experimental results show a good performance for the proposed method on synthesized and practical problems compared with other relevant techniques.     

Improving the transmission efficiency in eight-channel all optical demultiplexers

Photonic Network Communications - In order to improve the transmission efficiency in eight-channel optical demultiplexers, we are going to use novel resonant cavities for performing the wavelength...     

Confined Bubble‐Propelled Microswimmers in Capillaries: Wall Effect,Fuel Deprivation,and Exhaust Product Excess

Self‐propelled autonomous nano/microswimmers are at the forefront of materials science. These swimmers are expected to operate in highly confined environments, such as between the grains of soil or in the capillaries of the human organism. To date, little attention is paid to the problem that in such a confined environment the fuel powering catalytic nano/microswimmers can be exhausted quickly and the space can be polluted with the product of the catalytic reaction. In addition, the motion of the nano/microswimmers may be influenced by the confinement. These issues are addressed here, showing the influence of the size of the capillary and length of the micromotor on the motion and the influence of the depletion of the fuel and excess of the exhaust products. Theoretical modeling is provided as well to bring further insight into the observations. This article shows challenges that these systems face and stimulates research to overcome them.     

Effects of metal source in metal substitution of lithium manganese oxide spinel

Usefulness of W substitution for improvement of battery performance of LiMn₂O₄ cathode was investigated. Small amounts of tungsten were incorporated into LiMn₂O₄ spinel instead of available Mn. For this purpose, two sources of tungsten (metallic W or WO₃) were examined. W concentration and source have significant influence on both morphology and electrochemical behavior of W-substituted LiMn₂O₄ spinels. W substitution of LiMn₂O₄ spinel can lead to the formation of uniform spinel particles and improved battery performance. Cyclic voltammetric behaviors of the samples were examined in an aqueous solution, and Li diffusion process was investigated for different cases. The best case was the LiW_0.01Mn_1.99O₄ spinel prepared from metallic W powder, as exhibits excellent rate capability, but better cycleability was observed for the LiW_0.01Mn_1.99O₄ spinel prepared from WO₃. This means that because of significant influence of the dopant source, this parameter should be chosen in respect with the desire improvement.