Rheological and crystallisation behaviour of high melt strength polypropylene under gas-loading

The understanding of the rheology and crystallisation under processing conditions like high pressure and gas-loading is crucial in foam-processing. A new method to measure both the rheology and crystallisation is introduced. A pressure cell for a conventional rheometer is firstly used to study the crystallisation process under saturation pressure up to 400 bar.     

A software package for the decomposition of long-term multichannel EMG signals using wavelet coefficients

This paper presents a method to decompose multichannel long-term intramuscular electromyogram (EMG) signals. In contrast to existing decomposition methods which only support short registration periods or single-channel recordings of signals of constant muscle effort, the decomposition software EMG-LODEC (ElectroMyoGram LOng-term DEComposition) is especially designed for multichannel long-term recordings of signals of slight muscle movements. A wavelet-based, hierarchical cluster analysis algorithm estimates the number of classes [motor units (MUs)], distinguishes single MUAPs from superpositions, and sets up the shape of the template for each class. Using three channels and a weighted averaging method to track action potential (AP) shape changes improve the analysis. In the last step, nonclassified segments, i.e., segments containing superimposed APs, are decomposed into their units using class-mean signals. Based on experiments on simulated and long-term recorded EMG signals, our software is capable of providing reliable decompositions with satisfying accuracy. EMG-LODEC is suitable for the study of MU discharge patterns and recruitment order in healthy subjects and patients during long-term measurements.     

Differential modulation techniques for a 34 MBit/s radio channel using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing

The orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technique has been proposed for terrestrial digital transmission systems due to its high spectral efficiency, its robustness in different multipath propagation environments and the ability of avoiding intersymbol interference (ISI). Our studies consider a radio channel bandwidth of 8 MHz and a data rate of 34 Mbit/s.In the case of the OFDM transmission system a coherent 64-QAM requires a channel estimation process and a channel equalization in frequency-selective interference situations [4]. The equalization process can be realized by a multiplier bank at the FFT output in the receiver, a so-called frequency-domain equalizer. Alternatively, a multilevel differential modulation technique, the so-called differential amplitude and phase shift keying (64-DAPSK) considering the phase and simultaneously the amplitude for differential modulation, is proposed and presented in this paper. Differential modulation/demodulation techniques do not require any explicit knowledge about the radio channel properties in the differential channel equalization. It is therefore not necessary to implement a frequency-domain equalizer in an OFDM/64-DAPSK receiver, which reduces the computation complexity. The performance of both modulation techniques has been analysed in the uncoded and coded case referring to Gaussian and frequency-selective Rayleigh fading channels. Simulation results are presented in this paper.The OFDM signal has a non-constant envelope with large instantaneous power spikes possible primarily resulting in an overdriving of the high power amplifier (HPA) at the transmitter. This leads to nonlinear distortion causing intermodulation noise and spectral spreading. Both effects can be limited by introducing an appropriate input backoff (IBO). In this paper the performance of OFDM signals in the presence of nonlinearities is analysed quantitatively.     

Applications of LIGA technology to precision manufacturing of high-aspect-ratio micro-components and -systems: a review

The by far leading technology for manufacturing MEMS devices is Si-micromachining with its various derivatives. However, many applications of microsystems have requirements on materials basis, geometry, aspect ratio, dimensions, shape, accuracy of microstructures, and number of parts that cannot be fulfilled easily by mainstream silicon-based micromachining technologies. LIGA, an alternative microfabrication process combining deep X-ray lithography, plating-through-mask and molding, enables the highly precise manufacture of high-aspect-ratio microstructures with large structural height ranging from hundreds to thousands of micrometers thick. These tall microstructures can be produced in a variety of materials with well-defined geometry and dimensions, very straight and smooth sidewalls, and tight tolerances. LIGA technology is also well suited for mass fabrication of parts, particularly in polymer.Many microsystems benefit from unique characteristics and advantages of the LIGA process in terms of product performance. The LIGA technology is briefly reviewed. The strengths of the manufacturing method and its main fields of application are emphasized with examples taken from various groups worldwide, especially in micromechanics and microoptics.     

Wave-front adaptive control structure (WACS) for quasi-optical power amplifiers in Intelligent RF front-ends

Tunable electromagnetic crystal (EMXT) surfaces are used as rectangular waveguide sidewalls to provide uniform excitation for quasi-optical power amplifiers. InP hetero-barrier varactors are monolithically integrated into periodic metal-dielectric structures to realize a reconfigurable EMXT surface that has a tunable resonance frequency from 30 to 45 GHz. Real-time reconfigurable (30 - 40 GHz) and low-loss quasi-TEM wave-front control with only 2-mm long EMXT waveguide section is demonstrated. Experimental results are in good agreement with design simulations. Such waveguides can be readily integrated into an intelligent RF front-end with self-assessment and self-adjustment capabilities.     

Double Stimuli‐Responsive Isoporous Membranes via Post‐Modification of pH‐Sensitive Self‐Assembled Diblock Copolymer Membranes

Double stimuli‐responsive membranes are prepared by modification of pH‐sensitive integral asymmetric polystyrene‐b‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP) diblock copolymer membranes with temperature‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) by a surface linking reaction. PS‐b‐P4VP membranes are first functionalized with a mild mussel‐inspired polydopamine coating and then reacted via Michael addition with an amine‐terminated pNIPAM‐NH₂ under slightly basic conditions. The membranes are thoroughly characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray‐induced photoelectron spectroscopy. Additionally dynamic contact angle measurements are performed comparing the sinking rate of water droplets at different temperatures. The pH‐ and thermo‐double sensitivities of the modified membranes are proven by determining the water flux under different temperature and pH conditions.     

Assigning Electronic States in Carbon Nanodots

Luminescent carbon nanodots exhibit enormous potential to be used as functional building blocks in energy conversion devices. Their intrinsic heterogeneity, however, hinders a thorough characterization and subsequently their applicability. In this work, the spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of prototype carbon nanodots were thoroughly studied in solution. Spectro‐electrochemical experiments revealed information on the spectral features of several oxidized and reduced species of our carbon nanodots. Therefore, these experiments were complemented with pulse radiolysis where the spectral signature of the one‐electron oxidized and reduced forms were identified. Both, electrochemically and radiolytically reduced and oxidized products show high reactivity in solution which correlates with an open‐shell character, detected by paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The herein presented studies help to understand the complex nature of carbon nanodots and serve to overcome difficulties in device fabrication.     

Bifunctional Heterostructure Assembly of NiFe LDH Nanosheets on NiCoP Nanowires for Highly Efficient and Stable Overall Water Splitting

3D hierarchical heterostructure NiFe LDH@NiCoP/NF electrodes are prepared successfully on nickel foam with special interface engineering and synergistic effects. This research finds that the as‐prepared NiFe LDH@NiCoP/NF electrodes have a more sophisticated inner structure and intensive interface than a simple physical mixture. The NiFe LDH@NiCoP/NF electrodes require an overpotential as low as 120 and 220 mV to deliver 10 mA cm^?2 for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in 1 m KOH, respectively. Tafel and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy further reveal a favorable kinetic during electrolysis. Specifically, the NiFe LDH@NiCoP/NF electrodes are simultaneously used as cathode and anode for overall water splitting, which requires a cell voltage of 1.57 V at 10 mA cm^?2. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of the heterostructure improves the structural stability and promotes the generation of active phases during HER and OER, resulting in excellent stability over 100 h of continuous operation. Moreover, the strategy and interface engineering of the introduced heterostructure can also be used to prepare other bifunctional and cost‐efficient electrocatalysts for various applications.