Optimization of Circular Ring Microstrip Antenna Using Genetic Algorithm

Circular ring microstrip antennas have several interesting properties that make it attractive in wireless applications. Although several analysis techniques such as cavity model, generalized transmission line model, Fourier-Hankel transform domain and the method of matched asymptotic expansion have been studied by researchers, there is no efficient design tool that has been incorporated with a suitable optimization algorithm. In this paper, the cavity model analysis along with the genetic optimization algorithm is presented for the design of circular ring microstrip antennas. The method studied here is based on the well-known cavity model and the optimization of the dimensions and feed point location of the circular ring antenna is performed via the genetic optimization algorithm, to achieve an acceptable antenna operation around a desired resonance frequency. The antennas designed by this efficient design procedure were realized experimentally, and the results are compared. In addition, these results are also compared to the results obtained by the commercial electromagnetic simulation tool, the FEM based software, HFSS by ANSOFT.     

Highly‐efficient Cd‐free CuInS2 thin‐film solar cells and mini‐modules with Zn(S,O) buffer layers prepared by an alternative chemical bath process

Recent progress in fabricating Cd‐ and Se‐free wide‐gap chalcopyrite thin‐film solar devices with Zn(S,O) buffer layers prepared by an alternative chemical bath process (CBD) using thiourea as complexing agent is discussed. Zn(S,O) has a larger band gap (E_g = 3·6–3·8 eV) than the conventional buffer material CdS (E_g = 2·4 eV) currently used in chalcopyrite‐based thin films solar cells. Thus, Zn(S,O) is a potential alternative buffer material, which already results in Cd‐free solar cell devices with increased spectral response in the blue wavelength region if low‐gap chalcopyrites are used. Suitable conditions for reproducible deposition of good‐quality Zn(S,O) thin films on wide‐gap CuInS₂ (‘CIS’) absorbers have been identified for an alternative, low‐temperature chemical route. The thickness of the different Zn(S,O) buffers and the coverage of the CIS absorber by those layers as well as their surface composition were controlled by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X‐ray excited Auger electron spectroscopy. The minimum thickness required for a complete coverage of the rough CIS absorber by a Zn(S,O) layer deposited by this CBD process was estimated to ∼15 nm. The high transparency of this Zn(S,O) buffer layer in the short‐wavelength region leads to an increase of ∼1 mA/cm² in the short‐circuit current density of corresponding CIS‐based solar cells. Active area efficiencies exceeding 11·0% (total area: 10·4%) have been achieved for the first time, with an open circuit voltage of 700·4 mV, a fill factor of 65·8% and a short‐circuit current density of 24·5 mA/cm² (total area: 22·5 mA/cm²). These results are comparable to the performance of CdS buffered reference cells. First integrated series interconnected mini‐modules on 5 × 5 cm² substrates have been prepared and already reach an efficiency (active area: 17·2 cm²) of above 8%. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Resistance change in memory structures integrating CuTCNQ nanowires grown on dedicated HfO2 switching layer

The present paper deals with the bipolar resistive switching of memory elements based on metal-organic complex CuTCNQ (copper-7,7’,8,8’-tetracyanoquinodimethane) nanowires grown on a dedicated HfO₂ oxide switching layer. Switching characteristics are explored either at millimeter scale on pad-size devices or at nanoscale by using conductive atomic force microscopy. Whatever the investigation scales, the basic memory characteristics appear to be controlled by copper ionic transport within a switching layer. This latter corresponds to either HfO₂ layer in pad-size devices or nanogap formed at nanoscale between the atomic force microscopy conductive tip and CuTCNQ surface. Depending upon the observation scale, the switching layer (either HfO₂ oxide or nanogap) acts as a matrix in which copper conductive bridges are formed and dissolved thanks to redox processes controlled in alternating applied bias voltages.     

35 GHz dielectric resonator stabilised gunn oscillator

A 35 GHz dielectric resonator oscillator(DRO) using GaAs Gunn diode in microstrip configuration has been designed and developed. The oscillator, with an integral waveguide-to-microstrip transition, delivered an output greater than 18 dBm. Phase noise of the oscillator is found to be better than ?80 dBc/Hz at 100 KHz away from the carrier. A frequency drift of about ±25 MHz has been observed over the temperature range from ?10 °C to 50 °C.     

Continuous-wave operation of GaInAs-AlGaAsSb quantum cascade lasers

We report on the demonstration of continuous-wave (CW) operation of GaInAs-AlGaAsSb quantum cascade (QC) lasers. By placing a 2.5-/spl mu/m-thick gold layer on both sides of the laser ridge to extract heat from the active region in the lateral direction, together with mounting the device epilayer down, we have achieved CW operation of GaInAs-AlGaAsSb QC lasers composed of 25 stages of active/injection regions. The maximum CW operating temperature of the lasers is 94 K, and the emission wavelength is around /spl lambda//spl sim/4.65 /spl mu/m. For a device with the size of 10/spl times/2000 /spl mu/m/sup 2/, the CW optical output power per facet is 13 mW at 42 K and 4 mW at 94 K. The CW threshold current density is 1.99 kA/cm/sup 2/ at 42 K, and 2.08 kA/cm/sup 2/ at 94 K, respectively.     

Data in Voice — In-Band Short Messaging Service (SMS) für den analogen Flugfunk

6. Zusammenfassung  In diesem Artikel wurde die Data in Voice-Technologie vorgestellt. DiV ist eine Methode, die es erlaubt, kurze Daten-Messages gemeinsam mit der Sprache im analogen Flugfunkkanal zu übertragen. Man ist bei FREQUENTIS überzeugt, dass man mit dieser Methode viele Nachteile des vorhandenen analogen Flugfunks beseitigen und dadurch die Flugsicherheit wesentlich erh?hen k?nnte.     

Detection of skin cancer by classification of Raman spectra

Skin lesion classification based on in vitro Raman spectroscopy is approached using a nonlinear neural network classifier. The classification framework is probabilistic and highly automated. The framework includes a feature extraction for Raman spectra and a fully adaptive and robust feedforward neural network classifier. Moreover, classification rules learned by the neural network may be extracted and evaluated for reproducibility, making it possible to explain the class assignment. The classification performance for the present data set, involving 222 cases and five lesion types, was 80.5%+/-5.3% correct classification of malignant melanoma, which is similar to that of trained dermatologists based on visual inspection. The skin cancer basal cell carcinoma has a classification rate of 95.8%+/-2.7%, which is excellent. The overall classification rate of skin lesions is 94.8%+/-3.0%. Spectral regions, which are important for network classification, are demonstrated to reproduce. Small distinctive bands in the spectrum, corresponding to specific lipids and proteins, are shown to hold the discriminating information which the network uses to diagnose skin lesions.     

A Study of Pore Formation and Methanol Vapor Permeability in Stretched Polytetrafluoroethylene Films Used as a Precursor of Composite Ion-Exchange Membranes

Methanol vapor permeability and pore formation features in stretched polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films used as a precursor of composite cation-exchange membranes have been studied. Porous structures of the precursor have been formed via stretching PTFE films in air, toluene, isopropyl alcohol, and CCl₄. Permeability has been determined according to the evaporation of a liquid through a porous film; porosity, according to the increase in the film volume during stretching; pore formation features, according to optical microscopy images of porous films and their transverse microsections. It has been found that, with an increase in the stretch ratio, the porosity of PTFE films increases almost linearly, while the methanol vapor permeability increases exponentially. The permeability of the films stretched in liquids is 20 times higher than the permeability of the films stretched in air at comparable stretch ratio and porosity values. The considerably higher permeability of the films stretched in liquids and the observed differences in their porous structure suggest that the liquids are actively involved in the formation of through pores in the direction connecting the film surfaces, i.e., in the direction that determines the transport and conductive properties of composite membranes based on stretched PTFE films.     

Reaching the Fundamental Limitation in CO2 Reduction to CO with Single Atom Catalysts

The electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) to value-added chemicals with renewable electricity is a promising method to decarbonize parts of the chemical industry. Recently, single metal atoms in nitrogen-doped carbon (MNC) have emerged as potential electrocatalysts for CO₂RR to CO with high activity and faradaic efficiency, although the reaction limitation for CO₂RR to CO is unclear. To understand the comparison of intrinsic activity of different MNCs, two catalysts are synthesized through a decoupled two-step synthesis approach of high temperature pyrolysis and low temperature metalation (Fe or Ni). The highly meso-porous structure results in the highest reported electrochemical active site utilization based on in situ nitrite stripping; up to 59±6% for NiNC. Ex situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) confirms the penta-coordinated nature of the active sites. The catalysts are amongst the most active in the literature for CO₂ reduction to CO. The density functional theory calculations (DFT) show that their binding to the reaction intermediates approximates to that of Au surfaces. However, it is found that the turnover frequencies (TOFs) of the most active catalysts for CO evolution converge, suggesting a fundamental ceiling to the catalytic rates.