Three-dimensional confocal microscopy of colloids

Confocal microscopy is used in the study of colloidal gels, glasses, and binary fluids. We measure the three-dimensional positions of colloidal particles with a precision of approximately 50 nm (a small fraction of each particle's radius) and with a time resolution sufficient for tracking the thermal motions of several thousand particles at once. This information allows us to characterize the structure and the dynamics of these materials in qualitatively new ways, for example, by quantifying the topology of chains and clusters of particles as well as by measuring the spatial correlations between particles with high mobilities. We describe our experimental technique and describe measurements that complement the results of light scattering.     

Checking extended <Emphasis Type="Italic">CTL</Emphasis> properties using guarded quotient structures

We extend CTL logic to a logic called COUNT CTL (CCTL) for specifying properties of concurrent programs with large number of processes. We present a model checking algorithm for symmetric or partially symmetric systems when their correctness specification is given in CCTL. The model-checking algorithm employs Guarded Quotient Structures introduced by Sistla and Godefroid (Lecture Notes in Comput. Sci., vol. 2102, 2001). The GQS structures can be succinct representations for the reachability graphs of partially symmetric or even asymmetric systems. Our algorithm exploits state symmetries for fast evaluation. The algorithm is top down in nature, and automatically incorporates formula decomposition and sub-formula tracking. This paper is supported in part by the NSF grants CCR-9988884, CCR-0205365.     

Target-matching test problem for multiobjective topology optimization using genetic algorithms

This paper describes the multiobjective topology optimization of continuum structures solved as a discrete optimization problem using a multiobjective genetic algorithm (GA) with proficient constraint handling. Crucial to the effectiveness of the methodology is the use of a morphological geometry representation that defines valid structural geometries that are inherently free from checkerboard patterns, disconnected segments, or poor connectivity. A graph- theoretic chromosome encoding, together with compatible reproduction operators, helps facilitate the transmission of topological/shape characteristics across generations in the evolutionary process. A multicriterion target-matching problem developed here is a novel test problem, where a predefined target geometry is the known optimum solution, and the good results obtained in solving this problem provide a convincing demonstration and a quantitative measure of how close to the true optimum the solutions achieved by GA methods can be. The methodology is then used to successfully design a path-generating compliant mechanism by solving a multicriterion structural topology optimization problem.     

A Mixed-Voltage Sensor Readout Circuit With On-Chip Calibration and Built-In Self-Test

This paper reports a mixed-voltage mixed-signal chip for interfacing multiple capacitive transducers to embedded processors in integrated microsystems. A programmable switched-capacitor readout circuit accommodates capacitive sensors from 16 fF to 40 pF and allows self-test and online calibration. The 20 mm² chip has a sensitivity of 1.25 mV/fF and is realized in a 1 mum n-well BiCMOS 2 P/2 M process that permits high-voltage operation, large-value resistors, and nonvolatile on-chip memory. An on-chip charge pump generates voltages up to 30 V that permits transducer electrostatic self-test. In normal operation mode, the chip provides a fast sensor readout consuming only 90 nj of energy, making it suitable for portable applications.     

Benefits of the use of impairment constraint routing in optical networks

In transparent optical networks, the optical signal accumulates the effects of all physical impairments present along the path it traverses. The conventional selection of signal paths based on e.g. shortest path routing without considering the signal quality and its association with the physical impairments does not always provide the optimum solution in terms of network performance such as blocking and resource utilization. This paper proposes an impairment constraint based routing algorithm to achieve an optimal combination of physical and networking performance taking into account all physical linear impairments including noise, chromatic and polarization mode dispersion, crosstalk and filter concatenation effects in an integrated approach. The performance of a typical metropolitan area network is examined and the improvement achieved when using the proposed approach compared to the conventional shortest path routing is demonstrated.     

Electrical and Reliability Studies of “Wet N2O” Tunnel Oxides Grown on Silicon for Flash Memory Applications

In this paper, we report the electrical characteristics and reliability studies on tunnel oxides fabricated by "wet N₂O" oxidation of silicon in an ambient of water vapor and N₂O at a furnace temperature of 800 degC. Tunnel oxides that have an equivalent oxide thickness of 67 A are subjected to a constant-current stress (CCS) amount of -100 mA/cm² using a MOS capacitor to obtain information on stress-induced leakage current (SILC), interface, and bulk trap generation. The obtained results clearly demonstrate the superior performance features of the present tunnel oxides with reduced SILC, lower trap generation, minimum change in gate voltage, and higher charge-to-breakdown during CCS studies. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth profile studies of the tunnel oxide interfaces have shown that the improved performance characteristics and reliability can be attributed to the incorporation of about 8.5% nitrogen at the oxide-silicon interface of the samples formed by the "wet N₂O" process that involves low-temperature oxidation and annealing at 800 degC.     

Bromide ion mediated modification to digestive ripening process: Preparation of ultra-small Pd,Pt, Rh and Ru nanoparticles

Nanoparticles of catalytically important transition metals, such as Pd, Pt, Rh, and Ru have been prepared by the well-known “digestive ripening” (DR) and “modified digestive ripening” (mDR) methods. In the traditional DR process, a polydisperse colloidal dispersion is refluxed in the presence of a surface-active molecule, such as alkanethiol. The mDR method involved a small modification in the procedure, wherein refluxing was performed with an alkanethiol and a tetra-alkylammonium bromide surfactant. This minor modification led to a dramatic change in the final particle size distributions, giving access to nanoparticles in the <3 nm size regime; this was not possible with the traditional DR process. Bromide ions, which are present during refluxing, proved to be an important ingredient in the modification process. These bromide ions are revealed to act as etchants, resulting in ultra-small nanoparticles. All transition metal nanoparticles investigated displayed catalytic activity in the reduction reaction of p-nitro phenol. Pd nanoparticles, synthesized by a modified digestive ripening method, exhibited the best catalytic activity among the systems investigated.

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Biomass burning and related trace gas emissions from tropical dry deciduous forests of India: A study using DMSP-OLS data and ground-based measurements

Biomass burning is one of the major sources of trace gas emissions in the atmosphere. In India the major sources of biomass burning include deforestation, shifting cultivation, accidental fires, controlled burning, fire wood burning, burning from agricultural residues and burning due to fire lines. Studies on biomass burning practices gain importance due to increasing anthropogenic activities and increasing rates of deforestation. Satellite data have been widely used over the globe to monitor the rates of deforestation and also with respect to biomass burning studies. But, much of the polar orbiting satellites, due to their repetitive cycle, have limitations in observing such events and in the tropics, due to cloud cover, getting a cloud-free image during the daytime is difficult. In this study we used Defence Meteorological Satellite Program Operational Line Scanner (DMSP-OLS) night-time data to study the biomass burning events over a period of 10 years from 1987 to 1998 for the Eastern Ghats region, covering the northern part of Andhra Pradesh, India. Two ground-based experiments were carried out to quantify the emissions from biomass burning practices. The results of the study with respect to trace gases suggested emission ratios for CO, CH4, NOx and N20 during the burning to be about 12.3%, 1.29%, 0.29% and 0.07% at the first site and 12.5%, 1.59%, 0.29% and 0.05% at the second site, suggesting low inter-fire variability between the sites. The variation has been attributed to the fuel load, vegetation characteristics, site conditions and local meteorological parameters affecting the relative amounts of combustion. Using the DMSP OLS derived areal estimates of active fires, the trace gas emissions released from the biomass burning were quantified. The results suggested the emissions of 8.2 2 10 10 g CO 2, 1.8 2 10 8 g CO, 6.0 2 10 6 g N 2 O, 3.0 2 10 6 g NO x and 1.2 2 10 8 8 g CH 4 during March 1987. The emissions increased to 1.0 2 10 11 g CO 2, 2.3 2 10 g CO, 7.8 2 10 6 g N 2 O, 3.9 2 10 7 g NO x and 1.6 2 10 8 g CH 4, over a period of 10 years. The results of the analysis suggest the possible use of monitoring biomass burning events from DMSP-OLS night-time data.     

Visible Light Communications (VLC) for Ambient Assisted Living

With the advent of high efficacy light emitting diode directional lamps as a key component in focal lighting, new possibilities emerge for re-designing the smart home scenario. A smart home scenario is characterized by enabled intelligent interworking of various wireless and wired technologies to provide inhabitants with ease of use of appliances, while creating a personalized and safe ambience space. More and more high and low data rate circulates within the indoor ambient space (e.g., home, hospitals, offices). Although, unlicensed technologies, such as wireless local area networks can take upon part of the indoor traffic, the ever increasing demand for such data, and users, calls for either use of licensed or novel unlicensed wireless communication technologies as part of the smart home enablers. This paper focuses on the potentials of visible light communications (VLCs), jointly with radio and fiber communications, to support very dense low and high data rate connectivity, while enabling deployment of secure-sensitive indoor applications, including indoor tracking and localization. The paper proposes a scenario for integrating VLC into the smart home scenario and a conceptual supporting architecture for its deployment. Further, the technical challenges and possible roadmap for the actual deployment are analyzed for the particular case of an eHealth scenario where the utilization of VLC technology is the enabler of the cost-efficient rollout of the required infrastructure and thus the game-changer in a multi-billion eHealth niche that is seeking for cost affordable solutions.     

An analytical approach to dynamic crosstalk in coupled interconnects

This paper deals with waveform analysis, crosstalk peak and delay estimation of CMOS gate driven capacitively and inductively coupled interconnects. Simultaneously switching inputs for the coupled interconnects are considered. A transmission line-based coupled model of interconnect is used for analysis. Alpha-power Law model of MOS transistor is used to represent the transistors in CMOS driver. Peaks and delays at far-end of victim line are estimated for conditions when the inputs to the two coupled interconnects are switching in-phase and out-of-phase. The comparison of analytically obtained results with SPICE simulations show that the proposed model captures noise peak and their timing; 90% propagation delay; transition time delay and waveform shape with good accuracy, such as not more than 5% error in crosstalk peak estimation.