An Experimental 0.8 V 256‐kbit SRAM Macro with Boosted Cell Array Scheme

This work presents a low‐voltage static random access memory (SRAM) technique based on a dual‐boosted cell array. For each read/write cycle, the wordline and cell power node of selected SRAM cells are boosted into two different voltage levels. This technique enhances the read static noise margin to a sufficient level without an increase in cell size. It also improves the SRAM circuit speed due to an increase in the cell read‐out current. A 0.18 µm CMOS 256‐kbit SRAM macro is fabricated with the proposed technique, which demonstrates 0.8 V operation with 50 MHz while consuming 65 µW/MHz. It also demonstrates an 87% bit error rate reduction while operating with a 43% higher clock frequency compared with that of conventional SRAM.     

An exploratory study of radio frequency identification (RFID) adoption in the healthcare industry

This study examines the radio frequency identification (RFID) adoption decision process and proposes a model predicting the likelihood of adopting RFID within organizations in the healthcare industry. A considerable number of studies have been conducted regarding organizational information technology (IT) adoption, but the nature of the organizational IT adoption process is still not well understood. Especially, although there are a number of variables and categories that have been found empirically to be related to adoption behavior, there is little in the way of evidence to suggest the origin or motivation behind the adoption. Thus, this study investigates the underlying motivations and driving forces behind the adoption of RFID using the theory of technology-push and need-pull. In this study, an organizational RFID adoption model is proposed and empirically tested by a survey using a sample of 126 senior executives in U.S. hospitals. The model posits that three categories of factors, technology push, need pull, and presence of champions, determine the likelihood of adopting RFID within organizations. This study also found that the relationships between those three categories and the likelihood of adopting RFID are strengthened or weakened by organizational readiness.     

Microfluidic Synthesis of pH‐Sensitive Multicompartmental Microparticles for Multimodulated Drug Release

Stimuli‐responsive carriers releasing multiple drugs have been researched for synergistic combinatorial cancer treatment with reduced side‐effects. However, previously used drug carriers have limitations in encapsulating multiple drug components in a single carrier and releasing each drug independently. In this work, pH‐sensitive, multimodulated, anisotropic drug carrier particles are synthesized using an acid‐cleavable polymer and stop‐flow lithography. The particles exhibit a faster drug release rate at the acidic pH of tumors than at physiological pH, demonstrating their potential for tumor‐selective drug release. The drug release rate of the particles can be adjusted by controlling the monomer composition. To accomplish multimodulated drug release, multicompartmental particles are synthesized. The drug release profile of each compartment is programmed by tailoring the monomer composition. These pH‐sensitive, multicompartmental particles are promising drug carriers enabling tumor‐selective and multimodulated release of multiple drugs for synergistic combination cancer therapy.     

Methodology to design the interfaces in SiC/Al composites

A methodology to control interfacial microstructures, while suppressing formation of Al₄C₃ in wrought Al alloy composites reinforced with SiC, was demonstrated. Thermodynamic calculations were carried out to elucidate how one can select process parameters in terms of alloy composition and fabrication temperature to obtain intended interfaces. Experimental verifications were conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to validate calculated results. The reaction mechanisms for forming various interfaces were identified both theoretically and experimentally. Evaluations of the interfacial bonding strengths and interfacial stability at elevated temperatures were also carried out for various interface types.     

Production of bioethanol from waste money bills – A new cellulosic material for biofuels

Waste money bills that are no longer legal tender are non-recyclable and are usually destroyed. In this study, we used this cellulose-rich material for bioethanol fermentation for the first time. Glucose production was enhanced by using diluted H₂SO₄ during pretreatment. Different incubation periods were tested for saccharification and subsequent bioethanol fermentation. The highest yield of glucose (41.90 mg/ml) was shown to increase with 27.20% and 25.90% respectively by increasing the reaction period by 30 min and by increasing the acid concentration by 0.5%. Bioethanol production was enhanced by adding 0.4 mM benzoic acid under anoxic condition. In accordance with three different conditions, the highest amount of bioethanol (22.01 mg/ml) was obtained and bioethanol fermentation was increased by 59.38%, 110.02% and 64.13% respectively with 30 min of reaction periods, 0.5% of acid concentrations and under anoxic condition with benzoic acid. This procedure for the production of bioethanol from a waste material would reduce waste money bill management costs and make a profit from ethanol.     

Fabrication of YBa2Cu3Ox superconductor using Y2BaCuO5, BaCuO2 and CuO

YBa₂Cu₃O _x superconductor was synthesized using Y₂BaCuO₅, BaCuO₂, and CuO powder mixture. Reaction temperatures were identified using differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetry (TG) for syntheses of precursor powders and the powder mixtures. Appropriate reaction temperatures for Y₂BaCuO₅ and BaCuO₂ precursor powders were 950 and 930°C, respectively. Two endothermic reactions involving melt formations were identified on the DTA and TG curves of the powder mixture, and the liquid increased the reactivity of the YBa₂Cu₃O _x formation. Powder mixture samples were sintered at various temperatures ranging from 880 to 1000°C. Microstructural and X-ray powder diffraction studies showed YBa₂Cu₃O _x and impurities to be formed in the samples sintered at various temperatures. The samples sintered at 990 and 1000°C showed dense microstructures. The critical temperature was 84 K for the sample sintered at 880°C and rose to 92 K as the sintering temperature increased.     

Carbonium Ion and Hydridocobalt Intermediates in the Acidic Phase Transfer Catalyzed Reactions of Olefins and Dienes with Cobalt Carbonyl

The intermediates mentioned in the title are probably involved in the hydrogenation of olefins and dienes; bidentate phosphine and arsine cobalt complexes are useful reagents for these reactions.     

Electrospun PEDOT:PSS/PVP nanofibers as the chemiresistor in chemical vapour sensing

Herein, PEDOT:PSS/PVP nanofibers were produced by electrospinning. The presence of PEDOT:PSS in the nanofibers was confirmed by FT-Raman spectroscopy. The applied voltage-dependent diameter of PEDOT:PSS/PVP nanofibers was observed. Also, sensing behaviors of electrospun PEDOT:PSS/PVP nanofibers were explored by measuring its response upon cyclic exposure to organic vapours such as ethanol, methanol, THF, and acetone at room temperature. When PEDOT:PSS/PVP nanofibers were exposed to each solvent, the protic and aprotic solvents resulted in opposite electrical responses. These findings exhibit that electrospun PEDOT:PSS/PVP nanofibers are the promising candidate for the organic vapour sensing material.     

Surface morphology and I-V characteristics of single-crystal,polycrystalline, and amorphous silicon FEA's

This letter reports the surface morphology and current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of single-crystal silicon (c-Si), polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si), and amorphous silicon (a-Si) field emitter arrays (FEAs). As-deposited a-Si film has a smoother surface than poly-Si film. The surface morphology of the a-Si remains smooth even after phosphorus doping and oxidation at 950°C to be improved in emission characteristics, i.e., smaller anode current deviation among arrays smaller gate current, and higher failure voltage than those of poly-Si FEAs. Such improved characteristics can be explained by the smooth surface morphology which is kept during doping and oxidation. The surface roughness and emission characteristics of a-Si FEAs are comparable to those of c-Si FEAs     

A comparison of LII analysis results from numerical model and experiment at elevated surrounding pressures

With environmental concerns over emitted particulate matters(PM) from combustion systems, various researches have been conducted on reduction and measurement techniques of particulate matters. The LII analysis results from numerical models and experiments in an ethylene/air laminar diffusion flame at elevated pressure up to 2.0 MPa with laser fluence 0.07 J/cm², detection wavelength 400 nm were compared to validate a modified LII numerical model. The lifetime of the LII signal decreased as the elevated pressure increased, so that LII decay time also decreased in both results. In the aspect of heat transfer mechanism, it becomes earlier that dominant conduction starts. This shows that the results matched well under the pressure conditions. It is concluded that the LII numerical model could be applied to decide particle size in TIRE-LII at the high-pressure condition.