The digital TV filter and nonlinear denoising.

Motivated by the classical TV (total variation) restoration model, we propose a new nonlinear filter-the digital TV filter for denoising and enhancing digital images, or more generally, data living on graphs. The digital TV filter is a data dependent lowpass filter, capable of denoising data without blurring jumps or edges. In iterations, it solves a global total variational (or L(1)) optimization problem, which differs from most statistical filters. Applications are given in the denoising of one dimensional (1-D) signals, two-dimensional (2-D) data with irregular structures, gray scale and color images, and nonflat image features such as chromaticity.     

Active contours without edges

We propose a new model for active contours to detect objects in a given image, based on techniques of curve evolution, Mumford-Shah (1989) functional for segmentation and level sets. Our model can detect objects whose boundaries are not necessarily defined by the gradient. We minimize an energy which can be seen as a particular case of the minimal partition problem. In the level set formulation, the problem becomes a "mean-curvature flow"-like evolving the active contour, which will stop on the desired boundary. However, the stopping term does not depend on the gradient of the image, as in the classical active contour models, but is instead related to a particular segmentation of the image. We give a numerical algorithm using finite differences. Finally, we present various experimental results and in particular some examples for which the classical snakes methods based on the gradient are not applicable. Also, the initial curve can be anywhere in the image, and interior contours are automatically detected.     

Optimization of the specific on-resistance of the COOLMOSTM

The optimized values for the physical and geometrical parameters of the p- and n-regions used in the voltage-sustaining layer of the COOLMOS^TM are presented. Design of the parameters is aimed to produce the lowest specific on-resistance, R_on for a given breakdown voltage, V_B. A new relationship between the R_on and V_B for the COOLMOS^TM is developed as R_on=C·V_B^1.32, where the constant C is dependent on the cell dimension and pattern geometry. It is also found that by putting a thin layer of insulator between the p-region and its neighboring n-regions, the value of R_on can be further reduced. The possibility of incorporating the insulating layer may open up opportunities for practical implementation of the COOLMOS^TM for volume production     

An SOI LDMOS/CMOS/BJT technology for integrated power amplifiersused in wireless transceiver applications

This paper describes a SOI LDMOS/CMOS/BJT technology that can be used in portable wireless communication applications. This technology allows the complete integration of the front-end circuits with the baseband circuits for low-cost/low-power/high-volume single-chip transceiver implementation. The LDMOS transistors (0.35 μm channel length, 3.8 μm drift length, 4.5 GHz f_T and 21 V breakdown voltage), CMOS transistors (1.5 μm channel length, 0.8/-1.2 V threshold voltage), lateral NPN transistor (18 V BV_CBO and h _FE of 20), and high Q-factor (up to 6.1 at 900 MHz and 7.2 at 1.8 GHz) on-chip inductors are fabricated. A fully-functional high performance integrated power amplifier for 900 MHz wireless transceiver application is also demonstrated     

Single contact optical beam induced currents

Semiconductor industry is continuously experiencing shrinking device features and a tremendous increase in the number of transistors in an integrated circuit (IC). The application of the optical beam induced currents (OBIC) technique in ICs is more difficult and mainly limited to a few transistors near the input–output pins of an IC. The single contact optical beam induced currents (SCOBIC) is a new device and failure analysis technique, that makes it possible to perform the similar OBIC technique on many transistor including internal junction on an IC. This is done by connecting the substrate or power pins of an IC circuit to the current amplifier. In contrast, in the OBIC technique, only the junction directly connected to the current amplifier is imaged. The implementation of the SCOBIC approach is discussed and experimental results which demonstrates the SCOBIC approach is presented. Application of the SCOBIC technique from the backside of an IC, which further enhances the technique, is also discussed.     

Noise characteristics of GaAs-AlGaAs heterojunction punch-throughphototransistors

Novel GaAs-AlGaAs heterojunction phototransistors with a δ-doped base have been fabricated. Very high gain and low output noise have been measured. The measured noise is composed of shot noise associated with collector quiescent bias current and amplified shot noise due to collector leak current for nonpassivated devices. The high gain and low intrinsic noise characteristics of these transistors make them very promising in weak light detection     

Microwave transformers, inductors and transmission linesimplemented in an Si/SiGe HBT process

Experimental results are presented on microwave inductors, transformers, and transmission lines fabricated in an Si/SiGe heterojunction-bipolar-transistor process with standard metallization and a thick polyimide dielectric. Microstrip transmission lines with characteristic impedances from 44 to 73 Ω, Q's from 10 to 14, and insertion losses from 0.11 to 0.16 dB/mm at 10 GHz are presented. Conventional planar inductors with inductances from 0.5 to 15 nH and with peak Q's up to 22 are presented. Lateral transformers with a maximum available gain of better than -5 dB and a measured coupling coefficient (k) of 0.6 at 5.5 GHz and 0.4 up to 12.5 GHz are also discussed     

The input impedance and the antenna gain of the spherical helicalantenna

The input impedance and the antenna gain of the spherical helical antenna are obtained theoretically and experimentally. Results indicate the better performance of the 3-turn antenna over the 7-turn one in terms of the impedance bandwidth and the stability of the antenna gain. The theoretical current distribution is also obtained and its salient characteristics are discussed     

Macrophage Immunomodulation Through New Polymers that Recapitulate Functional Effects of Itaconate as a Power House of Innate Immunity

Itaconate (ITA) is an emerging powerhouse of innate immunity with therapeutic potential that is limited in its ability to be administered in a soluble form. A library of polyester materials that incorporate ITA into polymer backbones resulting in materials with inherent immunoregulatory behavior is developed. Harnessing hydrolytic degradation release from polyester backbones, ITA polymers result in the mechanism specific immunoregulatory properties on macrophage polarization in vitro. In a functional assay, the polymer-released ITA inhibits bacterial growth on acetate. Translation to an in vivo model of biomaterial associated inflammation, intraperitoneal injection of ITA polymers demonstrate a rapid resolution of inflammation in comparison to a control polymer silicone, demonstrating the value of sustained biomimetic presentation of ITA.     

Thermally Controlled,Patterned Graphene Transfer Printing for Transparent and Wearable Electronic/Optoelectronic System

Graphene has been highlighted as a platform material in transparent electronics and optoelectronics, including flexible and stretchable ones, due to its unique properties such as optical transparency, mechanical softness, ultrathin thickness, and high carrier mobility. Despite huge research efforts for graphene‐based electronic/optoelectronic devices, there are remaining challenges in terms of their seamless integration, such as the high‐quality contact formation, precise alignment of micrometer‐scale patterns, and control of interfacial‐adhesion/local‐resistance. Here, a thermally controlled transfer printing technique that allows multiple patterned‐graphene transfers at desired locations is presented. Using the thermal‐expansion mismatch between the viscoelastic sacrificial layer and the elastic stamp, a “heating and cooling” process precisely positions patterned graphene layers on various substrates, including graphene prepatterns, hydrophilic surfaces, and superhydrophobic surfaces, with high transfer yields. A detailed theoretical analysis of underlying physics/mechanics of this approach is also described. The proposed transfer printing successfully integrates graphene‐based stretchable sensors, actuators, light‐emitting diodes, and other electronics in one platform, paving the way toward transparent and wearable multifunctional electronic systems.