Dielectric Dispersion of Polycrystalline Aluminum Nitride at Microwave Frequencies

Complex permittivity of polycrystalline AlN was measured over the frequency range 100 MHz to 13 GHz using reflection coefficient and cavity resonator methods. Dielectric relaxation peaks of loss tangent were observed in the frequency range 200 MHz to 3 GHz. The maximum value of loss tangent was ∼200 × 10⁻⁴. Relative permittivities decreased by ∼4% with increased frequency at the region of relaxation peaks. It was shown that these dispersion frequencies were inversely proportional to the grain sizes of AlN and independent of purities and processes. Model calculations for elastic vibration of a single-crystal grain of AlN were performed to investigate the origin of the dielectric dispersion due to piezoelectric effect. The calculated results of elastic sphere and 14-faced-polyhedron models showed a good quantitative agreement with the observed dispersion frequencies, which suggested that the dispersion was due to a piezoelectric vibration of a single grain of AlN ceramics at microwave frequencies.     

Strength Analysis of Yttria-Stabilized Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystals

Tensile strength of Y₂O₃-stabilized ZrO₂ polycrystals (Y-TZP) was measured by a newly developed tensile testing method with a rectangular bar. The tensile strength of Y-TZP was lower than that of the three-point bend strength, and the shape of the tensile strength distribution was quite different from that of the three-point bend strength distribution. It was difficult to predict the distribution curve of the tensile strength using the data of the three-point bend strength by one-modal Weibull distribution. The distribution of the tensile strength was analyzed by two- or three-model Weibull distribution coupled with an analysis of fracture origins. The distribution curve of the three-point bend strength which was estimated by multimodal Weibull distribution agreed favorably with that of the measured three-point bend strength values. A two-modal Weibull distribution function was formulated approximately from the distributions of the tensile and three-point bend strengths, and the estimated two-modal Weibull distribution function for the four-point bend strength agreed well with the measured four-point bend strength.     

粉末注射成形奥氏体不锈钢的疲劳和冲击强度

本文的目的是研究粉末性能对粉末注射成形奥氏体不锈钢的力学性能(特别是疲劳和冲击强度)的影响。试样用混有聚酰氨粘结剂系的水雾化(WA)和气雾化(GA)粉末制成。注射坯在空气中脱粘，而后在不同温度、不同保温时间下真空烧结。粉末性能对烧结体的密度、显微组织和力学性能有显著影响。孔和析出物显示出Ostward时效，而孔和析出物的长大满足Lifshitz-Wagner方程。WA和GA粉末试样的疲劳极限分别约为300MPa和310MPa。它们的疲劳强度略低于常规锻材。烧结体的冲击值随密度增加线性增大。     

Current dependence of performance of TES microcalorimeters and characteristics of excess noise

We are developing transition edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeter arrays for future Japanese astronomy missions. Although 6.6 eV energy resolution for 5.9 keV and 74 μs decay time are achieved, our energy resolution was limited by the excess noise of unknown origin. The dominant noise showed 1/R dependence and it only appeared when the current through the TES, I, is larger than 10 μA. This is explained if we assume a constant voltage noise source with a level of 2(4kT_CR_n)^1/2. We also investigated the influence of I on the TES performance and found the TES sensitivity is reduced when the ratio of current to the critical current I/I_C is large. It can explain the reduction of observed when operated without a magnetic shield. We also found a strong correlation between I_C and or the baseline width. Thus, we conclude that I_C is an essential parameter for the TES performance.     

Epitaxial growth of WOx nanorod array on W(001)

Nanorods of substoichiometric tungsten oxide (WO_x) were grown on W(001) substrates. Two methods for the growth of nanorods were used: oxidation of the substrate under appropriate conditions and the deposition of tungsten oxide from a tungsten foil heated in the presence of oxygen. The grown nanorods were observed using a scanning electron microscope and an atomic force microscope. The diameters of the nanorods were 5–20 nm. The nanorods were slightly inclined from the directions parallel or normal to the surface. The inclination of nanorods was explained in terms of the epitaxial relationship between WO₃ crystals and the W(001) substrate. The WO₃ crystals formed at the initial stage of growth act as the nuclei of WO_x nanorods. We observed selective enhancement of the growth in a certain epitaxial direction depending on the method of growth, and an array of WO_x nanorods was produced on the W(001) substrate.     

Scanning probe microscopy installed with nanotube probes and nanotube tweezers

We have developed well-controlled processes for the growth and manipulation of carbon nanotubes. The relatively thin multiwalled nanotubes were prepared with high purity by arc discharge with a high gas temperature. In the manipulation of nanotubes, the first crucial process is to prepare a nanotube array, so-called nanotube cartridge. We have found the alternated current electrophoresis of nanotubes by which nanotubes are aligned at the knife-edge of a disposal razor. The second important process is to transfer a nanotube from the nanotube cartridge onto a substrate in a scanning electron microscope. Using this method, we have developed nanotube probes and nanotube tweezers that operate in a scanning probe microscope (SPM). The nanotube probes have been applied for observation of biological samples and industrial samples to clarify their advantages. The nanotube tweezers have been demonstrated for their motion in scanning electron microscope and operated to carry a nanomaterial in a SPM.     

Thickness measurements with electron energy loss spectroscopy

Measurements of thickness using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) are revised. Absolute thickness values can be quickly and accurately determined with the Kramers-Kronig sum method. The EELS data analysis is even much easier with the log-ratio method, however, absolute calibration of this method requires knowledge of the mean free path of inelastic electron scattering lambda. The latter has been measured here in a wide range of solids and a scaling law lambda approximately rho(-0.3) versus mass density rho has been revealed. EELS measurements critically depend on the excitation and collection angles. This dependence has been studied experimentally and theoretically and an efficient model has been formulated.     

Preparation of DNA–cyclodextrin–silica composite by sol–gel method and its utilization as an environmental material

A DNA–cyclodextrin–silica composite was prepared by the sol–gel method. This composite possessed the bi-functions of double-stranded DNA, such as intercalation into DNA, and cyclodextrin, such as inclusion into its intramolecular cavity. Therefore, we demonstrated the accumulation of harmful compounds from an aqueous multi-component solution using a DNA–cyclodextrin–silica composite column. As a result, the DNA–cyclodextrin–silica composite column can effectively accumulate not only planar structure-containing harmful compounds, such as dioxin and polychlorobiphenyl (PCB) derivatives, but also non-planar structure containing compounds, such as bisphenol A and diethylstilbestrol, from an aqueous multi-component solution. The accumulated amount of these harmful compounds was more than 90%. Additionally, the DNA–cyclodextrin–silica composite column was recycled by the application of methanol. Therefore, the DNA–cyclodextrin–silica composite may have the potential to be used as an environmental material for the accumulation of harmful compounds from industrial or experimental waste.     

Supramolecular morphology of two-step melt-spun poly(dioxanone) fibers

Structure of poly(dioxanone) (PPDX) fibers produced through a two-step melt-spinning process with an additional short-period annealing above the melting temperature of PPDX was investigated and the effect of annealing on the degradation behavior was discussed. The morphological study carried out by etching the fibers using a phosphate or permanganate solution suggested that the fibers take a skin–core structure, and both the skin layer and the core region consist of a bundle of microfibrils. The micro-beam X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the short-period annealing in the production process only slightly promotes the crystallization in the skin layer but contributes to increasing the packing of amorphous chains near the skin, which seems to be the controlling factor of the hydrolytic degradation behavior of the fibers.     

Dummy humanoid robot simulating several trunk postures and abdominal shapes – Report of element technologies

Development of clothing in consideration of the shape and body function of a person with spinal cord injury is an important task. Then, a dummy robot with a deformation mechanism was developed in this study for evaluating the comfortable level of clothings. Specifically, a trunk joint mechanism and an abdominal mechanism that can realize various deformations of the abdominal area and various trunk poses were developed. The trunk joint mechanism was implemented in order to simulate the seated posture of persons with spinal cord injury. The abdominal deformation mechanism was implemented using linear actuators and rotating servomotors in order to simulate abdominal obesity of persons with spinal cord injury. Further, a tactile sensor system was developed for measuring the clothing pressure on the abdominal area and evaluating the comfort or discomfort of clothing.