Compliant membranes improve resolution in full-wafer micro/nanostencil lithography

This work reports on a considerable resolution improvement of micro/nanostencil lithography when applied on full-wafer scale by using compliant membranes to reduce gap-induced pattern blurring. Silicon nitride (SiN) membranes are mechanically decoupled from a rigid silicon (Si) frame by means of four compliant, protruding cantilevers. When pressing the stencil into contact with a surface to be patterned, the membranes thus adapt to the surface independently and reduce the gap between the membrane and the substrate even over large, uneven surfaces. Finite element modeling (FEM) simulations show that compliant membranes can deflect vertically 40 μm which is a typical maximal non-planarity observed in standard Si wafers, due to polishing. Microapertures in the stencil membrane are defined by UV lithography and nanoapertures, down to 200 nm in diameter, using focused ion beam (FIB). A thin aluminium (Al) layer is deposited through both compliant and non-compliant membranes on a Si wafer, for comparison. The blurring in the case of compliant membranes is up to 95% reduced on full-wafer scale compared to standard (non-compliant) membranes.     

高场不对称波形离子迁移谱关键测控模块研究

研究了高场不对称波形离子迁移谱(high-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer,FAIMS)两个关键测控模块:波形不对称高压产生模块和微弱电流检测模块的设计。通过采用反激升压原理,设计了一种电压幅度在线可调的波形不对称高压产生电路模块,其输出电压峰峰值达1 800 V,频率达1 MHz;微弱电流检测采用超高电阻反馈式I-V转换电路,并对失调电压进行补偿,同时结合PCB割板处理及包裹屏蔽等抗干扰措施,使得微弱电流模块的检测下限优于0.1 pA。最后,通过对比实验研究了不同波形不对称高压与分离效果关系,并以苯为样品对系统的检测下限进行了研究,结果表明采用上述测控模块的FAIMS检测下限达1×10-9。     

Fabricating novel thermal crosslinked ultrafine fibers via electrospinning

In this article, we report the preparation of a kind of novel crosslinked ultrafine fiber by electrospinning of unsaturated polyester macromonomers (UPM) and subsequent thermal crosslinking. The UPM is prepared via a two‐step reaction with poly(2‐methyl‐1,3‐propyleneadipate) diol terminated (PMPA), isophorone‐diisocyanate (IPDI) and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). Poly(3‐hydroxyl‐butyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxylvalerate) (PHBV) is chosen to improve the processability of the UPM. UPM/PHBV blend ultrafine fibers are successfully electrospun with a proper mass ratio of UPM to PHBV in dichloromethane solution. The fibers are thermally crosslinked after electrospinning. Measurement results indicate that the average diameter of the fibers is about 1 μm and the crosslinked fibers have good solvent‐stability and thermal‐stability. This novel fiber has potential applications in filtration and protective coating. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 107:2142–2149, 2008     

rhAPC reduces the endothelial cell permeability via a decrease of contractile tensions induced by endothelial cells

All cells generate contractile tension. This strain is crucial for mechanically controlling the cell shape, function and survival. In this study, the CellDrum technology quantifying cell's (the cellular) mechanical tension on a pico-scale was used to investigate the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on human aortic endothelial cell (HAoEC) tension. The LPS effect during gram-negative sepsis on endothelial cells is cell contraction causing endothelium permeability increase. The aim was to finding out whether recombinant activated protein C (rhAPC) would reverse the endothelial cell response in an in-vitro sepsis model. In this study, the established in-vitro sepsis model was confirmed by interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels at the proteomic and genomic levels by ELISA, real time-PCR and reactive oxygen species (ROS) activation by florescence staining. The thrombin cellular contraction effect on endothelial cells was used as a positive control when the CellDrum technology was applied. Additionally, the Ras homolog gene family, member A (RhoA) mRNA expression level was checked by real time-PCR to support contractile tension results. According to contractile tension results, the mechanical predominance of actin stress fibers was a reason of the increased endothelial contractile tension leading to enhanced endothelium contractility and thus permeability enhancement. The originality of this data supports firstly the basic measurement principles of the CellDrum technology and secondly that rhAPC has a beneficial effect on sepsis influenced cellular tension. The technology presented here is promising for future high-throughput cellular tension analysis that will help identify pathological contractile tension responses of cells and prove further cell in-vitro models.     

Effect of aerosol microphysical properties on polarization of skylight: sensitivity study and measurements

We analyze the sensitivity of the degree of linear polarization in the Sun's principal plane as a function of aerosol microphysical parameters: the real and imaginary parts of the refractive index, the median radius and geometric standard deviation of the bimodal size distribution (both fine and coarse modes), and the relative number weight of the fine mode at a wavelength of 675 nm. We use Mie theory for single-scattering simulations and the doubling-adding method with the inclusion of polarization for multiple scattering. It is shown that the behavior of the degree of linear polarization is highly sensitive to both the small mode of the bimodal size distribution and the real part of the refractive index of aerosols, as well as to the aerosol optical thickness; whereas not all parameters influence the polarization equally. A classification of the importance of the input parameters is given. This sensitivity study is applied to an analysis of ground-based polarization measurements. For the passive remote sensing of microphysical and optical properties of aerosols, a ground-based spectral polarization measuring system was built, which aims to measure the Stokes parameters I, Q, and U in the visible (from 410 to 789 nm) and near-infrared (from 674 to 995 nm) spectral range with a spectral resolution of 7 nm in the visible and 2.4 nm in the near infrared. We compare polarization measurements taken with radiative transfer simulations under both clear- and hazy-sky conditions in an urban area (Cabauw, The Netherlands, 51.58 degrees N, 4.56 degrees E). Conclusions about the microphysical properties of aerosol are drawn from the comparison.     

Electrical-contact-free readout of the response of superconductive bolometer arrays using thermal cross talk

We utilized and investigated the unique dependence of the magnitude and phase of the response on thermal cross talk between bolometer pixels in an array to measure the response of the devices through fewer monitoring devices. We show the feasibility of the proposed readout technique by use of two source pixels in an array, as the image-mapping devices, and one optically shielded pixel as the readout device. While the sensing pixels were electrical-contact free, the readout device was current biased in 4-probe current-bias configuration. Both the phase and the magnitude of the response due to the cross talk in the array were found to be strongly dependent on the modulation frequency and the distance between the sensing and the readout pixels. A series of measurements were designed to extract the response of each single-sensing pixel. By combining the measured data, the response of individual pixels could be extracted through the interpolation of the mapped responses.     

Sublethal toxicity of commercial insecticide formulations and their active ingredients to larval fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)

Toxic effect concentrations of insecticides are generally determined using the technical grade or pure active ingredient. Commercial insecticide formulations, however, contain a significant proportion (> 90%) of so-called inert ingredients, which may alter the toxicity of the active ingredient(s). This study compares the sublethal toxicity of two insecticides, the pyrethroid bifenthrin, and the phenylpyrazole fipronil, to their commercial formulations, Talstar® and Termidor®. Both insecticides are used for landscape treatment and structural pest control, and can be transported into surface water bodies via stormwater and irrigation runoff. We used larval fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), to determine effects on growth and swimming performance after short-term (24 h) exposure to sublethal concentrations of pure insecticides and the respective formulations. Significantly enhanced 7 d growth was observed at 10% of the 24 h LC₁₀ (53 μg L⁻¹) fipronil. Swimming performance was significantly impaired at 20% of the 24 h LC₁₀ (0.14 μg L⁻¹) of bifenthrin and 10% of the 24 h LC₁₀ of Talstar® (0.03 μg L⁻¹). Fipronil and Termidor® led to a significant impairment of swimming performance at 142 μg L⁻¹ and 148 μg L⁻¹ respectively, with more pronounced effects for the formulation. Our data shows that based on dissolved concentrations both formulations were more toxic than the pure active ingredients, suggesting that increased toxicity due to inert ingredients should be considered in risk assessments and regulation of insecticides.     

Comprehensive concept planning of urban greening based on ecological principles: a case study in Beijing, China

Greenspace is an important part of complex urban ecosystems and provides significant ecosystem services. It benefits urban communities environmentally, esthetically, recreationally and economically. Beijing Province is in north of China, and has a total area of 16,807.8 km² and a population of about 13.8 million. This paper aims to develop a comprehensive conceptual framework for urban greening of Beijing Province based on landscape ecological principles. It attempts to answer how to establish an urban greening plan at the regional, city and neighborhood levels to achieve long-term sustainability. At the regional level, a big natural and semi-natural forest area in the northwest and an ecological buffer belt in the southeast are planned to protect the environmental quality of Beijing and provide habitats for wildlife. At the city level, a green network system of green wedges, parks and green corridors has been proposed. This green network helps to limit future urban expansion, improve urban environmental quality and serve as habitats and migration routes for wildlife. At the neighborhood level, green extensions and connections of riverside greenway, road greenway, parks and vertical greening permeate into the built-up areas. They provide open space close to residential areas and offer places for recreation. This three-level green system constitutes an integrated ecological network for urban sustainable development of Beijing. For future development of Beijing, urban parks, forestry, agriculture, water and infrastructure should be planned and designed in an integrated way. After this greenspace plan is legislated and completely realized, Beijing will develop an interconnected and integrated network of urban greenspaces. It has the prospect of achieving the aim of “Green Olympic City 2008” and the long-term goal of developing Beijing towards an “Eco-City”.     

Improvement on straightness of metal bar based on straightening stroke-deflection model

The straightening technics is one of important means to improve the straightness of metal bar. A nove way of predicting the straightening stroke is proposed based on mathematical methods and bending experimental and numerical simulation. The experimental and numerical simulation is conducted by following the mathematical load-stroke model of press straightening process under the elastic-plastic theory. For the linear guide rails, as an example, the stroke-deflection model focusing on the straight-ening stro...