Neural network based MOSFET channel length and width decision method for analogue integrated circuits

The channel length and width of a MOSFET are two important parameters selected by the experience of the integrated circuit designer. Since drain current of a transistor is directly adjusted by the aspect ratio, the wrong selection of these parameters changes the circuit characteristics. In this work neural networks are used to decide the most suitable selection of channel length and width of MOSFET. Both p-channel and n-channel transistors are modelled by multi layer perceptron (MLP) neural network and the channel length and width are predicted by MLP. MOSFET level 3 is modelled by MLP, training and test data are obtained from HSPICE design environment with YITAL 1.5μ parameters. Developed network is tested with the current mirror and the differential amplifier circuits. Estimated aspect ratios for each transistor are compared with the HSPICE simulation results.     

Characterization of binding interactions between green tea flavanoids and milk proteins

Flavanoids are known to interact with proteins to form complexes whose properties depend on the structure of both the flavanoids and the protein. In this study, the fluorescent probe binding method (fluorimetry analysis) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) analysis were used to characterize binding interactions of green tea (GT) flavanoids and milk proteins. The hydrophobicity of the surface sites of milk proteins was estimated using the reconstituted milk–green tea and casein–green tea systems. Reconstituted milk–green tea and casein–green tea samples were prepared with different solid-non-fat (SNF) and casein (Cn) concentrations, respectively. It was observed that the number of surface hydrophobic sites decreased in the presence of GT flavanoids for all SNF and Cn concentrations. The decrease in protein surface hydrophobicity was explained by the hydrophobic binding between milk proteins and GT flavanoids. The binding enthalpies obtained from ITC analysis implied that interaction was non-covalent between catechin and β-casein.     

A fluid dynamics-based deformable model for segmentation of cervical cell images

A novel deformable model for unsupervised segmentation of cervical cells within Pap smear images is presented in this paper. The proposed method is inspired by fluid mechanics and based on the simulation of incompressible fluid flood via grid-based solution of Navier–Stokes equations. In this approach, simulation starts inside the cytoplasmic region and the simulated fluid is attracted toward the cell contours. Unlike most of the other fluid-based methods, gradient magnitude data are not used for extracting topological relief of the image. However, gradient magnitude of the image is still considered as the source for extracting particles. Direction of propagation of the flow is determined by an interaction mechanism based on the permeability rate of these particles. Interaction between fluid and particles guides the advancing fronts of the fluid toward object boundaries. Redefinition of complex topologies with particle groups provides potential of improved segmentation capability and flexibility to the model. We demonstrate the segmentation capability of our model with fully automated and unsupervised experimental setting on Pap smear sample images. Results showed that proposed method may be more adaptive than watershed algorithm and have an improved performance on recovering shape and boundary data of cervical cells.     

Weathering performance of waterborne acrylic coating systems on flat-pressed wood–plastic composites

This study applied coating systems containing two different waterborne acrylic resins with an ultraviolet (UV) absorber on the surfaces of polyvinyl chloride-based flat-pressed wood–plastic composites (WPCs) evaluated and the effects of waterborne acrylic coating on the performance of WPCs in outdoor conditions. The results showed that waterborne acrylic coating systems enhanced the surface quality of WPC. The decrease in flexural strength was found to reach up to 22%, while it was about 25% for modulus. The color changes on the surface decreased by 55% as a result of the UV absorbability of the coating systems. Moreover, the chemical changes in the composites were found to be almost nonexistent in the attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for WPCs coated with both formulations. The light microscopy images revealed that the coating systems minimized deformation on the surface. In comparison to the control samples, it was seen that the surface roughness of the WPC was also improved by using waterborne acrylic coating systems. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48518.     

Enhanced thermoelectric properties induced by chemical pressure in Ca3Co4O9

We report the investigation of boron substitution on structural, electrical, thermal, and thermoelectric properties of Ca_3−xB_xCo₄O₉ (x=0, 0.5, 0.75, and 1) in the temperature range between 300 K and 5 K. X-ray diffraction studies show that the Ca₃Co₄O₉ phase is successfully preserved as the majority phase in the x=0.5 sample despite the small size of boron ions. Electrical transport measurements confirm that B³⁺ substitution for Ca²⁺ causes an increase in resistivity due to the decrease in carrier concentration. x=0.5 sample is found to have a Seebeck coefficient of 181 μV/K at room temperature which is ~1.5 times higher than that of the pure Ca₃Co₄O₉. Our results indicate that the chemical pressure due to the large ionic radii difference between B³⁺ (0.27 Å) and Ca²⁺ (1 Å) enhances the thermoelectric properties as long as the unique crystal structure of Ca₃Co₄O₉ is preserved.     

Development of high‐tenacity,high‐modulus poly(ethylene terephthalate) filaments via a next generation wet‐melt‐spinning process

In this study, PET (intrinsic viscosity of 1.05 dl/g) was melt processed with a horizontal isothermal bath (HIB) treatment. Tensile properties of PET fiber samples were highly increased by using the HIB. The process‐structure‐property relationship of control (no HIB) and HIB fiber samples were characterized by tensile testing, differential scanning calorimetry, birefringence measurement, scanning electron microscopy and hot‐air shrinkage measurements. It was found that HIB fiber samples, which had been subjected to post‐drawing process, had a high degree of molecular chain orientation, that is, a high birefringence, high crystallinity and a fibrillar structure. The best tensile property acquired from a HIB‐drawn PET fiber sample was 10.24 g/d in tenacity, 114.17 g/d in modulus, and 13.49% in elongation at break. Applying the HIB in the melt spinning process was simple and required only small process space; hence, it is cost effective. In addition, acquiring HIB fiber samples was successful at a final take‐up speed of 2,500 m/min. Hence, this HIB‐assisted melt spinning technology has a high potential to be used in industries for technical textiles applications. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:224–230, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Structural,magnetic, electrical,and electrochemical properties of Sr–Co–Ru–O: A hybrid‐capacitor application

In this study, we report the synthesis of SrCo_1?xRu_xO_3?δ nominal compositions, where x = 0.0‐1.0, using solid‐state reaction technique. XRD analysis confirms the structure of x = 0 sample as hexagonal Sr₆Co₅O₁₅. As the Co ions are substituted by Ru, a two‐phase structure (hexagonal R32 and orthorhombic Pbnm) emerges up to x ≤ 0.5. As the Ru content is increased further, the hexagonal R32 phase disappears completely and an orthorhombic Pbnm phase becomes the main phase. SEM images show that grain size of the samples decreases with increasing Ru content. Temperature‐dependent electrical conductivity studies indicate upon Ru substitution in the nominal SrCo_1?xRu_xO_3?δ compounds, resistivity decreases due to appearance of metallic SrRuO₃ phase. The cyclic voltammogram (CV) of the samples show capacitive properties upon Ru substitution. The cycle measurements of the capacitors yield promising results for potential supercapacitor applications.     

Parametric analysis of Fischer‐tropsch synthesis in a catalytic microchannel reactor

Fischer‐Tropsch synthesis (FTS) involves highly exothermic conversion of syngas to a wide range of hydrocarbons, but demands isothermal conditions due to the strong dependence of product distribution on temperature. Running FTS in microchannel reactors is promising, as the sub‐millimeter dimensions can lead to significant intensification that inherently favors robust temperature control. This study involves computer‐based FTS simulations in a heat‐exchange integrated microchannel network composed of horizontal groups of square‐shaped cooling and wall‐coated, catalytic reaction channels. Effects of material type and thickness of the wall separating the channels, side length of the cooling channel, coolant flow rate, and channel wall texture on reaction temperature are investigated. Use of thicker walls with high thermal conductivities and micro‐baffles on the catalytic reaction channel wall favor near‐isothermal conditions. Response of reaction temperature against coolant flow rate is significant. Using cooling channels with smaller side lengths, however, is shown to be insufficient for temperature control. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012     

New cationic polyelectrolytes for flocculation processes of baker's yeast waste water

Summary New cationic polyelectrolytes synthesized by homopolymerization or copolymerization of allyl-acrylate quaternary ammonium salts with acrylamide (AAm) and diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC) were tested as flocculants in a baker's yeast waste water. The effect of polymer structure, molecular weight and charge density on the flocculation properties were investigated with respect to total organic content, optical density and volume of sludge. The results were compared with that of a commercial polyelectrolyte Zetag 7557 (acryloxyethyltrimethylammoniumchloride-acrylamide copolymer) (Allied Colloids). The flocculation results indicated that the efficiency of the new copolymers was similar to commercial polyelectrolyte Zetag 7557 and both polymer bridging and charge patch models are effective. Received: 2 April 2002 / Revised version: 13 May 2002 / Accepted: 13 May 2002     

Effects of Surface Roughness on the Performance of Tangential Inlet Cyclone Separators

This study is carried out to investigate the effects of surface roughness on the flow field and cyclone performance. The flow inside the cyclone separator is modeled as a three-dimensional turbulent continuous gas flow with solid particles as a discrete phase. The continuous gas flow is predicted by solving the governing equations by using the Reynolds Stress turbulence model, and the modeling of the particle motions is based on a Lagrangian approach. The results of the numerical simulations are compared with experimental data as well as with the results of mathematical models. Analysis of computed results shows that increase of relative roughness due to corrosion, wear, or accumulation of particles on the inner walls considerably influences the tangential velocity, cyclone separation efficiency, and cyclone pressure drop especially for high inlet velocities. Decreases in cyclone collection efficiency and pressure drop with the increase in surface roughness are found to be more pronounced for high values of relative roughness.