A survey on role of photonic technologies in 5G communication systems

A new generation of mobile communications has been evolving for every 10 years, keeping in mind the enormous data traffic, huge capacity requirements, excellent quality of service with minimal latency; there is a shift in paradigm toward the upcoming 5G technology which is expected to be rolled out by 2020 that promises to meet the requirements stated above. 5G is envisaged to be a merged framework of wide range of applications ranging from device-to-device communications, smart grid to Internet of Things and many more. In this survey paper, a brief discussion on the major pillars of 5G which are millimeter wave technology, massive MIMO, ultra-dense network, beamforming and full-duplex transmission are presented. This survey paper also focuses on the role of optics in 5G technology, sometimes commonly referred to as microwave photonics, an interdisciplinary research platform. Due to huge bandwidth and enormous capacity upgrade, optical fibers are considered to be ideal backhaul and fronthaul media rather than copper cables in order to support small cells and next-generation networks. These advantages of optical fiber technology enable integrated optical and wireless access technologies for 5G wireless communications an interdisciplinary area of research.

     

Dopant Effect on Local Dielectric Properties in Barium Titanate Based Electroceramics Determined by Transmission EELS

Local electronic excitations of Nb-doped BaTiO₃ electroceramic were investigated using low-loss electron energy loss (EEL) spectroscopy with a transmission electron microscope. The variations in electronic structure of the BaTiO₃ were monitored as a function of Nb content by using Kramers-Krönig analysis of the low-loss EEL spectra. We found that the valence state of Nb (+5) as compared with that of the Ti (+4) introduces changes in the valence and conduction band states of BaTi_{1− x} Nb _x O₃ samples. The real part of the dielectric function, Re(1/ɛ), displays an increasingly less negative character with higher amounts of dopant and the valence plasmon exhibits "quasi-plasmon" characteristics with the addition of Nb (at 0.0–1.8 at.%). Further, the plasmon energy shifts (by about 0.5 eV) to higher values with Nb additions. Significant changes take place in oscillator strengths of excitations in local (nanometer-scale) regions of the perovskite samples. This investigation demonstrates a method to quantitatively assess electronic properties, at the submicrometer scale, of doped ceramics used in electronic and electrooptical applications.     

Nanomechanics of Surface Modified Nanohydroxyapatite Particulates Used in Biomaterials

Hydroxyapatite is an important constituent of natural bone, and possesses excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity, but its brittle nature limits its use for bone tissue engineering. Nanohydroxyapatite (nanoHAP) has been used in synthesis of biomimetic composites for more than a decade, yet the mechanics of nanoHAP particles is not fully understood. The present work attempts to advance the current understanding of mechanics of hydroxyapatite at nanoscale, by carrying out systematic nanoindentation experiments on nanoHAP and surface modified nanoHAP [prepared by in situ mineralization in presence of polyacrylic acid (PAAc)]. Quantitative nanomodulus maps of both modified and unmodified HAP nanoparticles indicate that various surface features of HAP nanoparticles can be probed. Dips in values of elastic moduli across the nanoparticle surfaces in modified nanohydroxyapatite are indicative of composite responses from both polymer and mineral phases (PAAc-HAP) on the surface. Nanoindentation experiments were performed at 100, 1,000, 3,000, 5,000, and 8,000?μN loads, respectively, to obtain the indentation response from both shallow and deep penetration depths. Nanoindentation results at shallow penetration depths are influenced by nanoscale surface roughness of irregular-shaped HAP nanoparticles and nonuniform distribution of PAAc in the microstructure. Significant nonbonded interactions between HAP and PAAc, as well as the mechanical properties of individual constituents (HAP and PAAc) lead to superior nanomechanical properties of surface-modified nanoHAP as compared to unmodified HAP. The overall inelastic nanomechanical response (including damage leading to reduced overall elastic modulus) is strongly influenced by the nature of the interfaces between the nanoparticles, especially when indent size is much larger than the particle size.     

Anionic polymerization of alkyl cyanoacrylates: In vitro model studies for in vivo applications

Alkyl cyanoacrylates were polymerized anionically in water medium at different levels of pH. The effect of pH on the molecular weight and softening points of the polymers was studied. Alkyl cyanoacrylates were also polymerized in suspension by using the combination of methanol–water, and also by using different catalysts such as triethylamine, diazabicyclooctane, and diazabicycloundecane. The poly(cyanoacrylates) thus obtained were characterised by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and the softening points of the polymers were determined. These studies would help in more effective usage of cyanoacrylates as bioadhesives under varied physiological conditions. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 336–344, 1999     

Modeling microarchitecture and mechanical behavior of nacre using 3D finite element techniques Part I Elastic properties

Three dimensional finite element models of nacre were constructed based on reported microstructural studies on the 'brick and mortar' micro-architecture of nacre. 3D eight noded isoparametric brick elements were used to design the microarchitecture of nacre. Tensile tests were simulated using this model. The tests were conducted at low stresses of 2 MPa which occur well within the elastic regime of nacre and thus effects related to locus and extent of damage were ignored. Our simulations show that using the reported values of elastic moduli of organic (0.005 GPa) and aragonitic platelets (205 GPa), the displacements observed in nacre are extremely large and correspond to a very low modulus of 0.011 GPa. The reported elastic modulus of nacre is of the order of 50 GPa. The reason for this inconsistency may arise from two possibilities. Firstly, the organic layer due to its multilayered structure is possibly composed of distinct layers of different elastic moduli. The continuously changing elastic modulus within the organic layer may approach modulus of aragonite near the organic-inorganic interface. Simulations using variable elastic moduli for the organic phase suggest that an elastic modulus of 15 GPa is consistent with the observed elastic behavior of nacre. Another explanation for the observed higher elastic modulus may arise from localized platelet-platelet contact. Since the observed modulus of nacre lies within the above two extremes (i.e. 15 GPa and 205 GPa) it is suggested that a combination of the two possibilities, i.e. a higher modulus of the organic phase near the organic-inorganic interface and localized platelet-platelet contact can result in the observed elastic properties of nacre.     

Local heat transfer distribution on a smooth flat plate impinged by a slot jet

Experimental investigation of local heat transfer distribution on a smooth flat plate impinged by a normal slot jet is conducted. Present study concentrates on the influence of jet-to-plate spacing (z/b) and Reynolds number on the fluid flow and heat transfer distribution. A single slot jet with an aspect ratio (l/b) of about 50 is chosen to get the fully developed flow at the nozzle exit. Reynolds number based on slot width is varied from 4200 to 12,000 and jet-to-plate spacing (z/b) is varied from 0.5 to 12. The local heat transfer coefficients are estimated from the thermal images obtained from infrared thermal imaging camera. Measurement for the static wall pressure is carried out for various jet-to-plate spacings at a Reynolds number of 12,000. Normalized value of turbulence and velocity are measured using hot wire anemometer along the streamwise direction (x/b) for jet-to-plate spacings (z/b) of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12. The entire flow field is divided into three regimes namely stagnation region (laminar boundary layer associated with favorable pressure gradient), transition region (associated with increase in turbulence intensities and heat transfer) and turbulent wall jet region. Semi-empirical correlation for the Nusselt number in the stagnation region is proposed. Heat transfer characteristics in the transition region are explained based on the fluid dynamic behavior from the hot wire measurements. Semi-empirical correlation for the Nusselt number in the wall jet region is presented using the velocity profile obtained from the hot wire measurements.     

Polyelectrolyte-complex nanostructured fibrous scaffolds for tissue engineering

In the current work, polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) fibrous scaffolds for tissue engineering have been synthesized and a mechanism of their formation has been investigated. The scaffolds are synthesized using polygalacturonic acid and chitosan using the freeze drying methodology. Highly interconnected pores of sizes in the range of 5–20 µm are observed in the scaffolds. The thickness of the fibers was found to be in the range of 1–2 µm. Individual fibers have a nanogranular structure as observed using AFM imaging. In these scaffolds, PEC nanoparticles assemble together at the interface of ice crystals during freeze drying process. Further investigation shows that the freezing temperature and concentration have a remarkable effect on structure of scaffolds. Biocompatibility studies show that scaffold containing chitosan, polygalacturonic acid and hydroxyapatite promotes cell adhesion and proliferation. On the other hand, cells on scaffolds fabricated without hydroxyapatite nanoparticles showed poor adhesion.     

APPLICATION OF UF TECHNOLOGY TO LARGE-SCALE SYNTHESIS OF GT 267-004, A SEQUESTRANT FOR C. DIFFICILE TOXIN

GT 267-004 is a nonabsorbed, nonantibiotic, high molecular weight anionic polymer that is undergoing clinical evaluation as a Clostridium difficile toxin sequestrant. The API is a mixed salt form that consists of approximately 30 to 50% potassium and 70 to 50% sodium as the counterions on the polymer.

The initial polymerization process results in an aqueous polymer solution with the polymer in the 100% sodium form. It also contains some oligomeric impurities. UF technology was applied in a novel way to convert the single-salt polymer to the mixed salt form and to simultaneously remove the oligomers below the required specification limits in a single-unit operation.

Experiments with a UF lab unit validated the concept of simultaneously performing ion exchange and purification. An appropriate amount of potassium chloride was added to the polymer solution to carry out the ion exchange considering the selectivity of the polymer for the potassium ion over the sodium ion. The resulting mixed salts in solution were removed using ultrafiltration membranes. The process produced the API in excellent purity.

The lab data were used to scale up the process to produce several hundred kg of the API. The engineering analysis of the large-scale UF operation was carried out to run the UF process in the cyclic mode and in the diafiltration mode. The UF operation was optimized with respect to time, water usage, operability, and the concentration of product solution required for the subsequent processing.

The optimized UF process was found to be a very cost-effective and time-efficient route to produce the new API.     

INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO SYNTHESIS OF GT 267-004, A SEQUESTRANT FOR C. DIFFICILE TOXIN

GT 267-004 is a nonabsorbed, nonantibiotic, high molecular weight anionic polymer that is undergoing clinical evaluation as a Clostridium difficile toxin sequestrant. The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is a mixed salt form that consists of approximately 30 to 50% potassium and 70 to 50% sodium as the counterions on the polymer. The initial polymerization process results in an aqueous polymer solution with the polymer in the 100% sodium form. This article describes the use of two innovative approaches, electrodialysis (ED) and ion exchange using ion exchange resins (IXR), to convert the single-salt polymer to the mixed-salt form. Electrodialysis experiments were conducted using a stack of five cells, each of which contained two cation and one anion exchange membranes. The electrodialysis was run in batch mode with a sodium chloride solution as the concentrate stream and a potassium chloride solution as the diluate stream. The ED process was monitored on-line by measuring the conductivity of the streams. Yield loss of the API through the ED membranes was minimal. The ED process was found to be fast, efficient, and reproducible. The ion exchange experiments were conducted using a strong acid cation resin in the potassium form. By using a fixed bed column mode, an appropriate amount of ion exchange was carried out to produce the mixed-salt API in the effluent stream. The resin bed could be regenerated using KCl solution and reused for subsequent batches of polymer solution. The recovery of the API in the product solution was excellent. The ion exchange route was used to synthesize radio-labeled API for clinical trials.     

Integration challenges of copper Through Silicon Via (TSV) metallization for 3D-stacked IC integration

In this paper we will highlight key integration issues that were encountered during the development of the 3D-stacked IC Through Silicon Via (TSV) module and present solutions to achieve a robust copper TSV. Electrical performance of the obtained TSV module is discussed based on a lumped RC model for 3D ring oscillators containing TSVs between bottom and top tiers.