Joint Equalization and Coding for On-Chip Bus Communication

In this paper, we propose using joint equalization and coding to improve on-chip communication speeds by signaling at rates beyond the rate governed by resistance-capacitance (RC) delay of the interconnect. Operating beyond the RC limit introduces inter-symbol interference (ISI). We mitigate the effects of ISI by employing equalization. The proposed equalizer employs a variable threshold inverter whose switching threshold is modified as a function of past output of the bus. We demonstrate even higher speedups by combining equalization with crosstalk avoidance coding. Specifically, simulation results for a 10-mm 32-bit bus in 0.13-mum CMOS technology show that 1.28 speedup is achievable by equalization alone and 2.30 speedup is achievable by joint equalization and coding.     

Detailed Physical Characterizations of Cu-rich and Ru-poor (Ru0.9Cu0.1)Sr2YCu2O7.9

The optimized nominal composition, (Ru_0.9Cu_0.1) Sr₂YCu₂O_7.9 sample, has been prepared through high-pressure and high-temperature solid-state densification method. The obtained material has been studied by X-ray (laboratory) diffraction powder technique, magnetization and detailed magneto-transport measurements. The title compound indicates bulk magneto-superconducting properties under field strengths of H=10, 100, 500 and 1000 Oe. It shows diamagnetic transition at T _d=54, 38, 20 and 8 K for H=10, 100, 500 and 1000 Oe, respectively, in the zero-field-cooled susceptibility measurements. The high-field (H=5 and 10 kOe) molar susceptibility measurements show sharp ferromagnetic transition at ∼150 K with reduced molar susceptibility values. The various field dependence of magnetization, M(H), isotherm curves recorded at constant temperatures (5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 150 K) indicate ferromagnetic saturation, whereas the MH curves measured at 200 and 300 K conditions reveal the paramagnetic state of the compound. Though the sample showed onset transition temperature, T_c^onsetT_{mathrm{c}}^{mathrm{onset}}, at ∼34 K under different field strengths (H=0, 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90 kOe), no T_c^R=0T_{mathrm{c}}^{R=0} is seen down to 2 K. Even under relatively low applied field (ΔH=10 kOe) the title compound shows large negative magnetoresistance (MR) of about 68% at 2 K and increases with increasing the field strength up to ΔH=90 kOe (MR=77% at 2 K). This value is amazing and probably higher than other 1212 type ruthenocuprates. The title compound which shows little negative MR (about 1%) in the high temperature regions (125–300 K) is not affected much by different field strengths. Among the different fixed temperature MR(H) isotherms, the MR(H) curve measured at 5 K shows maximum negative MR of about 47% at 90 kOe compared to other four (T=50, 100, 200 and 300 K) MR(H) curves.     

Influence of Germanium Source Dual Halo Dual Dielectric Triple Material Surrounding Gate Tunnel FET for Improved Analog/RF Performance

Silicon - This paper investigates the RF Stability performance of the Germanium Source Dual Halo Dual Dielectric Triple Material Surrounding Gate Tunnel FET Ge(SRC)-DH-DD-TM-SG-TFET using 3D -...     

Air Jet Erosion Studies on Mg/SiC Composite

Magnesium with 10% SiC is identified to be a suitable composition for wear resistance application. To improve the utilization of this composite for various industrial applications, erosion study has been conducted by using air jet erosion tester with varied machining conditions. The composite is prepared by a conventional stir casting process. Alumina is taken as an erodent particle. Impact angle, erosion velocity, and discharge rate are taken as the governing parameters of erosion rate. Lower impact angle and high erodent velocity yield to have a high erosion rate of 0.022 g/min with the least surface finish of 1.48 μm. Erosion velocity is found to have a significant effect of 59% over the other considered parameters. Further, the analysis of the surface profile parameters likely; Ssk, Sku, Sp, Sv, and Sa on the machined surface reveals the mechanism of the material removal and also, the surface defects are analyzed by using SEM image.     

Modeling and Simulation Based Investigation of Triple Material Surrounding Gate Tunnel FET for Low Power Application

Silicon - A two-dimensional analytical model is proposed in this paper for surface potential and drain current on Triple Material Surrounding Gate Junctionless Tunnel Field Effect Transistor...     

Effect of flowing sodium on corrosion and tensile properties of AISI type 316LN stainless steel at 823 K

AISI type 316LN stainless steel was exposed to flowing sodium in mass transfer loop (MTL) at 823 K for 16 000 h and then examined for changes in the tensile properties due to the mass transfer and corrosion effects. Comparisons in microstructural and mechanical properties were made between annealed, thermally aged and sodium exposed materials. Microstructural examination of thermally aged and sodium exposed materials revealed precipitation of carbides at the grain boundaries. The sodium exposed samples contained a degraded layer at the surface up to a depth of around 10 μm and a surface carburized layer of about 30 μm. There was about 15% increase in yield strength and a decrease of about 20% in ductility for the sodium exposed material vis-a-vis thermally aged material and this was attributed to carburization effects and microstructural changes.     

Double layer CuInS2 absorber using spray pyrolysis: A better candidate for CuInS2/In2S3 thin film solar cells

In the fabrication of CuInS₂/In₂S₃ solar cell using chemical spray pyrolysis (CSP) deposition technique, one of the major problems is the diffusion of Cu towards the In₂S₃ layer affecting stability and repeatability of the CuInS₂/In₂S₃ cells. In order to ensure a Cu-free In₂S₃ layer, a ‘double layer structure’ of CuInS₂ film, having a Cu-rich first layer and In-rich second layer was deposited using manual CSP technique. In this paper, we present the difference in material properties of single and double layered CuInS₂ films and the results of characterisation of the junctions prepared using such films with β-In₂S₃ films. Better crystallinity as well as larger and densely packed grains were observed for the CuInS₂ films having ‘double layer structure’. Such samples also possessed two band gaps, which was not due to the presence of different phases, but due to the Cu-rich and Cu-poor layers. In addition, their low resistivity makes the double layered CuInS₂ film more beneficial for photovoltaic applications.     

Evaluation of antibacterial,antifungal, and antioxidant properties of some food dyes

Natural dyes find use in the coloring of textiles, drugs, cosmetics, etc. Owing to their nontoxic effects, they are also used for coloring various food products. In the present study antimicrobial properties of 8 food dyes against 10 bacteria and 5 fungal organisms were investigated. It was observed that red dyes showed best antibacterial activity while yellow dyes showed better antifungal activity. Dyes obtained from catechu (Acacia catechu) and myrobalan (Terminalia chebula) is not sufficiently effective against the tested microorganisms. In addition to antimicrobial analysis, antioxidant activity by 3 different methods was also investigated. In all the methods, red dye was found to have greater antioxidant activity. It suggest that the addition of these dyes in food not only enhances the value addition by making the food more presentable but also shall address the issue of food supplementation with substances that are good antibiotics and antioxidants, subsequently proving to be health benefactors.     

Visible light irradiated photocatalytic and magnetic properties of Fe-doped SnS<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanopowders

Fe-doped SnS₂ (SnS₂:Fe) nanopowders were synthesized by cost effective chemical method and characterized by thermo gravimetric-differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer techniques. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated for the degradation of congo red dye under visible light irradiation. XRD studies indicate that both the undoped and doped SnS₂ nanopowders exhibit hexagonal crystal structure with a strong (1 0 1) preferential growth. Nanosized grains are evinced from the TEM images. XPS spectra confirmed the presence of Fe in the doped samples. Photodegradation efficiency increased with increase in Fe doping concentration and the SnS₂:Fe nanopowder with 10 wt% Fe doping concentration exhibits a maximum efficiency of 93.94% after 180 min light irradiation. Ferromagnetic ordering of pure SnS₂ improved with Fe doping. The outcome of the results indicated that Fe-doped SnS₂ nanopowders are well suited as diluted magnetic semiconductor and also can be used as an efficient photocatalyst.     

Magnetization Studies of Mercury-Cuprates and Its Precursors

The mercury-cuprates such as (Hg, Cr)/Sr-1201 and (Hg, Re)/Sr-1201 were synthesized by encapsulation-technique at 880–920 °C for 12–16 h, and characterized by power XRD, M(T) and M(H). All the precursors (Sr₂CuO₃, Cr_0.30Sr₂CuO _y or Re_0.10Sr₂CuO _y ) were found to be non-superconducting. The samples with optimal composition (Hg_0.70Cr_0.30)Sr₂CuO_4+δ [(Hg, Cr)/Sr-1201] and (Hg_0.90Re_0.10)Sr₂CuO_4+δ [(Hg, Re)/Sr-1201] are superconducting with T_c^onset ~ 58T_{\rm c}^{{\rm onset}} \sim 58 and ∼54 K, respectively. At low temperatures (below 10 K), on cooling in D.C.-magnetic field of 4 kOe, the sample (Hg, Re)/Sr-1201 shows a dramatic decrease in diamagnetic signal. Further, this effect is also faintly reflected in the M(H) curve. Such a behaviour was not observed in the (Hg, Cr)/Sr-1201 cuprates. We ascribe this effect to a field enhanced paramagnetic contribution possibly arising from mixed valent (6+, 7+ dominant) Re ions in the (Hg, Re)/Sr-1201 cuprates.