Replication and bonding techniques for integrated microfluidic systems

From the technical and economic points of view, systems integration, and packaging represent a crucial step in the production of microsystems. Compared to purely silicon- or glass-based systems, the variety of materials and geometries available for purely polymer microfluidic systems is much larger, due to the outstanding material properties. Moreover, polymers may be shaped and joined by comparably simple methods. Examples are polymer microreplication as well as various bonding methods. With them, complete polymer microsystems can be integrated. In addition, a number of established, compatible processes are available for the integration of functional elements that may also be made of other materials.

     

Kinetic aspects of deactivation of catalysts in prolonged use

A theoretical approach to the dynamic analysis of deactivation and aging of heterogeneous catalysts is proposed — analysis of the rate derivative in a kinetic equation of a given form. Methodology was demonstrated for the simplest kinetic equations — zero-and first-order. Regardless of the form of the kinetic equation for the dynamic model of deactivation, the rate constant is a function of an independent reaction coordinate. The method can also be used for solving reactivation problems and for explaining the dynamics of cation exchange in zeolite. __________ Translated from Khimiya i Tekhnologiya Topliv i Masel, No. 1, pp. 3–34, January–February, 2006.     

Generalized Nakagami-m phase crossing rate

This paper provides simple, exact, new closed-form expressions for the generalized phase crossing rate of Nakagami-m fading channels. Sample numerical results obtained by simulation are presented that validate the formulations developed here. A special case of this formulation is the Rayleigh case, whose result agrees with that obtained elsewhere in the literature. In passing, several new closed-form results concerning the statistics of the envelope, its in-phase and quadrature components, phase, and their time derivatives are obtained.     

Exciton-polariton transition induced by elastic exciton-exciton collisions in ultrahigh quality AIGaAs alloys

The stationary and time-resolved polariton radiation in ultrahigh quality AIGaAs layers have been studied. It has been found that elastic exciton-exciton collisions lead to the appearance of a low-energy line of polariton radiation. We show that the rate of exciton-to-polariton transitions caused by elastic exciton-exciton collisions is determined not only by the density of the excitonic gas, but also by its temperature; this is in accordance with existing theoretical predictions. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Modified modulation formats using time-varying phase functions

New modulation formats are presented that increase the transmission rate over that of conventional systems, without degrading the bit error rate (BER) and with minimal bandwidth variation. A time-varying function called an "extra phase variation function" (EPVF) is added to the discrete phase of conventional modulation formats such as M-PSK and QAM to transmit additional data bits. A receiver configuration is presented that allows the decoding of information represented by the discrete and extra phases. It is shown that in an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel, the BER performance of the bits carried by the discrete phase and the extra phase in the modified format improves over the BER of conventional modulation formats.     

The role of interparticle forces in colloidal aggregates: local investigations and modelling of restructuring during filtration.

Industrial solid-liquid separation processes, such as pressure filtration or membrane processes, involve the application of pressure to suspensions. In response, some water is extracted, the suspension volume is reduced, and the dispersed aggregates start to form a network. In recent works, we aimed to make a prediction for the response of aggregates to stress which occurs during a filtration. We chose model systems made of aggregated silica nanoparticles. Some of these systems offer a strong resistance to applied stresses, and retain their permeability; others yield and collapse. We used small angle neutron scattering by which we can locally quantify the particle distribution withi the network to determine the processes by which particles reorganise during collapse: we found that reordering processes at the scale of 1 to 10 particle diameters control the course of collapse and the loss of permeability. Finally we constructed a numerical model for describing the processes by which colloidal aggregates are compressed. This model predicts that the response of such networks to pressure follows some scaling laws, which depend only on the elastic vs. dissipative nature of interparticle bonds.     

Towards General Guidelines for Aligned,Nanoscale Assemblies of Hairy‐Rod Polyfluorene

This account highlights recent progress towards understanding the complex hierarchical levels of solid‐state structure in a prototypical helical hairy‐rod polyfluorene, poly[9,9‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)fluorene‐2,7‐diyl] (or PF2/6). This branched‐side‐chain containing polyfluorene undergoes a systematic intermolecular self‐assembly and liquid‐crystalline phase behavior in combination with uniaxial and biaxial alignment. The latter processes yield full three‐dimensional orientation of the crystallites and polymer chains. Also reviewed are the impact of the molecular structure and phase behavior on surface morphology, anisotropic film formation, and, ultimately, the overall impact of these physical attributes on optical constants. This particular polyfluorene also represents a model system for demonstrating the applicability of mean‐field theory in detailing the self‐organization of aligned hairy‐rod block‐copolymer systems. These results of PF2/6 are compared to those of other archetypical π‐conjugated hairy‐rod polymers. General guidelines of how molecular weight influences nanostructure, phase behavior, alignment, and surface morphology are given.     

Microstructural development and mechanical properties of interrupted aged Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy

The effects of a recently developed interrupted aging procedure on the microstructural development and mechanical properties of the commercial Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy 6061 have been studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and mechanical testing. This so-called T6I6 temper involves partially aging the alloy at a typical T6 temperature (the underaging stage), quenching, then holding at a reduced temperature (in this case 65 °C) to facilitate further hardening (the secondary aging stage), prior to final aging to peak properties at, or close to, the initial aging (T6) temperature (the reaging stage). The T6I6 aging treatment produces simultaneous increases in tensile properties, hardness, and toughness, as compared with conventional T6. The overall improvement in the mechanical properties of 6061 T6I6 is associated with the formation of a greater number of finer, and more densely dispersed, β″ precipitates in the final microstructure. Secondary precipitation took place during the interrupted aging stage of the T6I6 temper, resulting in the formation of a large number of Guinier-Preston (GP) zones that served as precursors to the needlelike β″ precipitates when elevated temperature aging was resumed.     

Successful Aging

This issue's Works in Progress department presents six abstracts for projects that are developing interesting solutions to the elderly's quality of life challenges. The first two abstracts discuss projects that will help provide the elderly with freedom and independence by instrumenting their environments with supportive technology. The next two abstracts discuss projects building specialized user interfaces for addressing some of the challenges associated with aging, such as vision impairment. The final two abstracts present projects that will aid independence for the elderly by providing remote monitoring and assistance.     

Self-Consistent Effects on the Starting Current of Gyrotron Oscillators

Self-consistent effects on the starting current of gyrotron oscillators are examined. Field profiles in the open cavity are shown to be sensitive to the interaction dynamics. This can either significantly raise or lower the oscillation threshold, particularly for the low-Q modes. The transition from resonant-mode oscillations at the low magnetic field to backward-wave oscillations at the high magnetic field is demonstrated.