Growth of highly orientated strontium barium niobate thin films on Si substrates through the sol–gel process using a K: SBN template layer

We report the growth of highly C-axis orientation of Sr _x Ba_1−x Nb₂O₆ (SBN) thin films on p-type (100) Si substrates by using a potassium-substituted SBN template layer with the sol–gel method. The crystallization of SBN thin films was found closely related to the potassium ion doping concentration and the postannealing temperature of the K-SBN template layer. Secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis showed that potassium elements were accumulated at the interface of the template layer and silicon substrate. SBN films postannealed at 750 °C with K-SBN template layer has a smaller full width at half maximum of X-ray rocking curve of 2.45° than that of 5.40° for the pure SBN films. By introducing a template layer, the surface morphologies of SBN films fabricated on silicon substrate were greatly improved.     

Battery-Aware Routing for Streaming Data Transmissions in Wireless Sensor Networks

Recent technological advances have made it possible to support long lifetime and large volume streaming data transmissions in sensor networks. A major challenge is to maximize the lifetime of battery-powered sensors to support such transmissions. Battery, as the power provider of the sensors, therefore emerges as the key factor for achieving high performance in such applications. Recent study in battery technology reveals that the behavior of battery discharging is more complex than we used to think. Battery powered sensors might waste a huge amount of energy if we do not carefully schedule and budget their discharging. In this paper we study the effect of battery behavior on routing for streaming data transmissions in wireless sensor networks. We first give an on-line computable energy model to mathematically model battery discharge behavior. We show that the model can capture and describe battery behavior accurately at low computational complexity and thus is suitable for on-line battery capacity computation. Based on this battery model we then present a battery-aware routing (BAR) protocol to schedule the routing in wireless sensor networks. The routing protocol is sensitive to the battery status of routing nodes and avoids energy loss. We use the battery data from actual sensors to evaluate the performance of our protocol. The results show that the battery-aware protocol proposed in this paper performs well and can save a significant amount of energy compared to existing routing protocols for streaming data transmissions. Network lifetime is also prolonged with maximum data throughput. As far as we know, this is the first work considering battery-awareness with an accurate analytical on-line computable battery model in sensor network routing. We believe the battery model can be used to explore other energy efficient schemes for wireless networks as well.     

An accurate experimental method for characterizing transmission lines embedded in multilayer printed circuit boards

We have developed an accurate method for measuring the complex propagation constant and characteristic impedance of transmission lines embedded in multilayer printed circuit boards. It is based on mathematical error-removal schemes using two different length transmission lines and an advanced via-hole structure that minimizes coupling. Consequently, associated errors, due to discontinuities and interference can be effectively eliminated, and the frequency dependencies of the transmission line parameters can be clarified in wide frequency bandwidths. We verified the validity of this method in frequency ranges up to at least 18 GHz, by comparing the determined values with the theory derived from transverse electromagnetic (TEM) approximations.     

Closed-form error analysis of the non-identical Nakagami-m relay fading channel

We present closed-form expressions for the average bit error probability (ABEP) of BPSK, QPSK and M-QAM of an amplify-and-forward average power scaling dual-hop relay transmission, over non-identical Nakagami-m fading channels, with integer values of m. Additionally, we evaluate in closed-form the ABEP under sufficiently large signal-to-noise ratio for the source-relay link, valid for arbitrary rn. Numerical and simulation results show the validity of the proposed mathematical analysis and point out the effect of the two hops unbalanced fading conditions on the error performance.     

A simple technique to minimize heat damage to specimens during thermal polymerization of LR White in plastic and gelatin capsules

London Resin (LR) White is a commonly used resin for embedding specimens to be used for immuno- and/or cytochemical studies. In some instances, due to either the properties of the specimen or the availability of various reagents and equipment, it becomes necessary and/or more convenient to polymerize LR White using heat rather than chemical accelerators or UV light. It is known, however, that heat can reduce or even eliminate the anti genicity of the tissue being embedded. It is therefore desirable to polymerize specimens at the lowest temperature possible and to remove the specimens from the oven as soon as polymerization is complete. We have developed a technique that provides a visual marker that allows the exothermic polymerization of LR White to be monitored, thus minimizing the amount of time a specimen must stay in the oven while excluding oxygen from capsules of polymerizing LR White.     

Thomson scattering diagnostic systems in the ITER divertor

A diagnostic array has been developed for studying the operating modes of the divertor in the ITER tokamak-reactor using the Thomson scattering technique. The aim of this study is to measure the spatial profiles of the electron temperature and density. The structure of the diagnostic setup was selected on the basis of a classical diagnostic geometry and the high-resolution LIDAR system, which provide access to different regions of the divertor plasma. A severe radiation environment, limited access to the plasma in the ITER divertor, and a high-dust environment (the divertor plate erosion material) in the divertor volume pose many problems for performing diagnostics under unique conditions having no analogs in the tokamaks that are now in operation. Different methods for protecting optical surfaces from plasma-enriched deposition are proposed and analyzed. The efficiency of these methods has been demonstrated in bench tests. The concept of laser and detector systems and diffraction polychromators capable of operating at different electron temperatures with a lower limit of 1 eV, has been justified and approved.     

Lean philosophy: implementation in a forging company

This research addresses the implementation of lean philosophy in a forging company with a focus on radial forging production flow lines. Here, the prime motive is to evolve and test several strategies to eliminate waste on the shop floor. In this research, a systematic approach is suggested for the implementation of lean principles. This paper describes an application of value stream mapping (VSM). Consequently, the present and future states of value stream maps are constructed to improve the production process by identifying waste and its sources. Furthermore, Taguchi’s method of design of experiments is pursued here to minimize the forging defects produced due to imperfect operating conditions. A noticeable reduction in set-up time and work-in-process (WIP) inventory level is substantiated. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of managerial implications and the future scope of research.     

Finger assignment schemes for RAKE receivers with multiple-way soft handover

We propose and analyze new finger assignment techniques that are applicable for RAKE receivers in the soft handover (SHO) region. Specifically, extending the results for the case of two-base station (BS), we consider the multi-BS situation, attack the statistics of several correlated generalized selection combining (GSC) stages, and provide closed-form expressions for the statistics of the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). By investigating the tradeoff among the error performance, the average number of required path estimations/comparisons, and the SHO overhead, we show through numerical examples that the new schemes offer commensurate performance in comparison with more complicated GSC-based diversity systems while requiring a smaller estimation load and SHO overhead.     

Structural and Superconducting Property Variations with Nominal Mg Non‐Stoichiometry in MgxB2 and Its Enhancement of Upper Critical Field

By applying a combination of characterisation tools, changes in structural and superconducting properties with nominal Mg non‐stoichiometry in Mg_xB₂ are found. The non‐stoichiometry produces enhanced in‐field critical current densities (J_c's) and upper critical field / irreversibility field (H_c2/H_irr(T)) values. Upper critical fields of ～ 21 T (4.2 K) were obtained in nominal Mg‐deficient samples compared to ～ 17 T (4.2 K) for near‐stoichiometric samples.