The use of artificial intelligence in PCB manufacturing

Based on the concept of a standardised, productindependent and production-independent system for factory automation, this article presents some general thoughts concerning the acquisition of operation data, machine data and quality data for manufacturing and discusses the application of artificial intelligence in the sector of PCB manufacturing. The aim of this system is to achieve data-supported work processes and an uninterrupted flow of information in both directions.     

Epindolidiones—Versatile and Stable Hydrogen‐Bonded Pigments for Organic Field‐Effect Transistors and Light‐Emitting Diodes

Hydrogen‐bonded pigments are remarkably stable high‐crystal lattice energy organic solids. Here a lesser‐known family of compounds, the epindolidiones, which demonstrates electronic transport with extraordinary stability, even in highly demanding aqueous environments, is reported. Hole mobilities in the range 0.05–1 cm² V^–1 s^–1 can be achieved, with lower electron mobilities of up to 0.1 cm² V^–1 s^–1. To help understand charge transport in epindolidiones, X‐ray diffraction is used to solve the crystal structure of 2,8‐difluoroepindolidione and 2,8‐dichloroepindolidione. Both derivatives crystallize with a linear‐chain H‐bonding lattice featuring two‐dimensional π–π stacking. Powder diffraction indicates that the unsubstituted epindolidione has very similar crystallinity. All types of epindolidiones measured here display strong low‐energy optical emission originating from excimeric states, which coexists with higher‐energy fluorescence. This can be exploited in light‐emitting diodes, which show the same hybrid singlet and low‐energy excimer electroluminescence. Low‐voltage FETs are fabricated with epindolidione, which operate reliably under repeated cyclic tests in different ionic solutions within the pH range 3–10 without degradation. Finally, in order to overcome the insolubility of epindolidiones in organic solvents, a chemical procedure is devised to allow solution‐processing via the introduction of suitable thermolabile solubilizing groups. This work shows the versatile potential of epindolidione pigments for electronics applications.     

Comparing memory skill maintenance across the life span: Preservation in adults, increase in children.

The authors examined life-span differences in the maintenance of skilled episodic memory performance by assessing 100 individuals (10 -11, 12-13, 21-26, and 66-79 years old) 11 months after termination of an intensive multisession mnemonic training program (Y. Brehmer, S.-C. Li, V. Müller, T. von Oertzen, & U. Lindenberger, 2007). Skill maintenance was tested in 2 follow-up sessions, the first without and the second with mnemonic reinstruction. Younger and older adults' average performance levels were stable across time. In contrast, both younger and older children's memory performance improved beyond originally attained levels. Older adults' performance improved from the first to the second follow-up session, presumably profiting from instruction-induced skill reactivation. Results suggest that (a) skill maintenance is largely intact in healthy older adults, (b) older adults need environmental support to fully reactivate their former skill levels (cf. F. I. M. Craik, 1983), and (c) children adapt a skill learned 11 months ago to their increasing cognitive capabilities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Fast,Precise, and Reliable Multiplex Detection of Potato Viruses by Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification

Potato is an important staple food crop in both developed and developing countries. However, potato plants are susceptible to several economically important viruses that reduce yields by up to 50% and affect tuber quality. One of the major threats is corky ringspot, which is a tuber necrosis caused by tobacco rattle virus (TRV). The appearance of corky ringspot symptoms on tubers prior to commercialization results in ≈ 45% of the tubers being downgraded in quality and value, while ≈ 55% are declared unsaleable. To improve current disease management practices, we have developed simple diagnostic methods for the reliable detection of TRV without RNA purification, involving minimalized sample handling (mini), subsequent improved colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and final verification by lateral-flow dipstick (LFD) analysis. Having optimized the mini-LAMP-LFD approach for the sensitive and specific detection of TRV, we confirmed the reliability and robustness of this approach by the simultaneous detection of TRV and other harmful viruses in duplex LAMP reactions. Therefore, our new approach offers breeders, producers, and farmers an inexpensive and efficient new platform for disease management in potato breeding and cultivation.     

Computer-aided continuous drug infusion: setup and test of a mobile closed-loop system for the continuous automated infusion of insulin.

For a diabetes mellitus patient, tight control of glucose level is essential. Results are reported of an investigation of the suitability of existing wearable continuous insulin infusors controlled and adjusted by a control algorithm using continuous glucose measurements as input to perform the functionality of an artificial pancreas. Special attention was given to the development of a continuous glucose monitor and to evaluate which quality of input data is necessary for the control algorithm. In clinical trials, it was found that for patients in a controlled environment an autonomously regulating control algorithm leads to an improved adjustment of patient glucose values and less overall insulin infusion as compared with the best fixed preprogrammed insulin infusion profiles of standard pump therapy. For the limited number of cases studied here, functionality of the control algorithm could tolerate some delay between the actual glucose values in the patient interstitial fluid and the algorithm input of up to 30 min. A quasicontinuous glucose measurement delivering actual glucose values every 5-10 min seems to be suited to control an artificial pancreas.     

Adhesion promotion of thick polyphosphate-poly(allylamine) films onto polyolefin substrates by plasma polymers

The adhesion of thick poly(allylamine)-polyphosphate layers (1 μm) deposited by the wet-chemical layer-by-layer (LbL) technique onto polyethylene or polystyrene (each 100 μm) was very low. To promote the adhesion of these LbL deposited layers, the polyolefin substrates were oxidized at the surface by short exposure to the oxygen plasma (2 or 5 s) and subsequently coated with an interlayer of plasma-deposited poly(allylamine) or poly(allyl alcohol) (100 nm). The plasma polymer interlayers have improved strongly the adhesion between polyolefin substrates and polyphosphate coatings. Such phosphate coatings are interesting for life sciences (nucleotide formation) but also for fire retardancy in combination with N-rich compounds such as melamine. The intention was to prefer chemical hydrogen bonds for adhesion promoting because of their high binding energy. Therefore the introduced oxygen-containing groups at the polyolefin surface could interact with the OH or NH₂ groups of the adhesion-promoting plasma polymer interlayer. These groups were also able to interact strongly with the poly(allylamine)-polyphosphate topcoating. The coated polyolefins were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance mode (FTIR-ATR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses and atomic force spectroscopy, and 90° peel test.