Analog and radio-frequency performance analysis of silicon-nanotube MOSFETs

This work presents a comparative study of the influence of various parameters on the analog and RF properties of silicon-nanotube MOSFETs and nanowire-based gate-all-around (GAA) MOSFETs. The important analog and RF performance parameters of SiNT FETs and GAA MOSFETs, namely drain current (I_d), transconductance to drain current ratio (g_m/I_d), I_on/I_off, the cut-off frequency (f_T) and the maximum frequency of oscillation (f_MAX) are evaluated with the help of Y- and H-parameters which are obtained from a 3-D device simulator, ATLAS^TM. It is found that the silicon-nanotube MOSFETs have far more superior analog and RF characteristics (g_m/I_d, f_T and f_MAX) compared to the nanowire-based gate-all-around GAA MOSFETs. The silicon-nanotube MOSFET shows an improvement of~2.5 and 3 times in the case of f_T and f_MAX values respectively compared with the nanowire-based gate-all-around (GAA) MOSFET.     

Design and analysis of RF MEMS shunt switch for V-band applications

Microsystem Technologies - In this paper, we have designed and simulations of RF MEMS shunt switch. The electro-mechanical and electromagnetic analysis of the switch have been done using COMSOL...     

Synthesis,characterization and corrosion protection properties of poly(N-vinyl carbazole-co-glycidyl methacrylate) coatings on low nickel stainless steel

Methacrylate based copolymers are considered as one of the best organic coating materials for anticorrosive application. Poly(N-vinyl carbazole-co-glycidyl methacrylate) have been synthesized by free radical solution polymerization technique from different mole ratios of N-vinyl carbazole (N-Vc) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR). Thermal analyses of the poly(N-Vc-co-GMA) were performed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The number average molecular weight (M_n) of different compositions of the same was determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The corrosion performances of low nickel stainless steel specimens coated with different composition of copolymers were investigated in 1 M H₂SO₄ using potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) method, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). Poly(N-Vc-co-GMA) have been provided in order to achieve adherent, low permeability to aggressive ions as well as environmentally favored good anticorrosive coating. Electrochemical corrosion test and surface analysis results clearly showed that poly(N-Vc-co-GMA) coatings served as a stable host matrix on low nickel stainless steel against corrosion. It was also observed that the coatings of poly(N-Vc-co-GMA) with equal mole ratio of N-Vc and GMA exhibited the best corrosion resistance among all combinations.     

Synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical evaluation of anti-corrosive performance of poly((N-methacryloyloxymethyl) benzotriazole-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone) coatings

Poly((N-methacryloyloxymethyl)benzotriazole-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone) was synthesized by free radical solution polymerization technique and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Thermal stability of the synthesized copolymer was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis. The corrosion performances of low nickel stainless steel specimens coated with different mole ratios of synthesized copolymer were investigated in 1 M H₂SO₄ using potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance method, and chronoamperometric studies. Surface and morphological investigation were also provided in order to characterize the adherence and uniformity of the coatings. Electrochemical corrosion test and surface analysis results were clearly showed that the copolymer-coatings served as a stable host matrix on low nickel stainless steel as environmentally favored good anticorrosive coating.     

Hydroxyapatite coating on selectively passivated and sensitively polymer-protected surgical grade stainless steel

Surgical grade stainless steel (316L SS) is a widely used implant material in orthopedic surgeries. However, the release of metallic ions evidenced from the 316L SS implants in vivo conditions is a big challenge. In order to minimize the release of metallic ions, coating the 316L SS implant with a biocompatible material like hydroxyapatite [HAP, Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂] is one of the suitable methods. In this paper, the hydroxyapatite coating on borate passivated through poly-ortho-phenylenediamine (PoPD)-coated 316L SS by a dip coating method has been reported. The coatings were characterized by electrochemical techniques such as potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Surface characterization studies of the coatings such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were also carried out. The leach out characteristics of the coatings was determined at the impressed potential. The mechanical property of the coatings was evaluated by Vicker’s microhardness test. The Cr-rich passive film formed underneath the PoPD layer showed a higher protective efficiency. The ability to form apatite on the post-passivated PoPD-coated 316L SS specimen was examined by immersing it in the simulated body fluid. The enhanced corrosion resistivity of the HAP coating on the post-passivated PoPD-coated 316L SS was due to an effective barrier of PoPD followed by the passive film underneath the PoPD.     

Automated cell classification and visualization for analyzing remyelination therapy

Remyelination therapy is a state-of-the-art technique for treating spinal cord injury (SCI). Demyelination—the loss of myelin sheath that insulates axons, is a prominent feature in many neurological disorders resulting in SCI. This lost myelin sheath can be replaced by remyelination. In this paper, we propose an algorithm for efficient automated cell classification and visualization to analyze the progress of remyelination therapy in SCI. Our method takes as input the images of the cells and outputs a density map of the therapeutically important oligodendrocyte-remyelinated axons (OR-axons) which is used for efficacy analysis of the therapy. Our method starts with detecting cell boundaries using a robust, shape-independent algorithm based on iso-contour analysis of the image at progressively increasing intensity levels. The detected boundaries of spatially clustered cells are then separated using the Delaunay triangulation based contour separation method. Finally, the OR-axons are identified and a density map is generated for efficacy analysis of the therapy. Our efficient automated cell classification and visualization of remyelination analysis significantly reduces error due to human subjectivity. We validate the accuracy of our results by extensive cross-verification by the domain experts.     

Investigation of CTARA wood-burning stove. Part I. Experimental investigation

This paper describes experimental investigation of a single pot wood-burning stove developed atCtara. The stove incorporates features such as a converging combustion space, a grate, preheated secondary air and a swirling-device. Using chipped wood and a large diameter vessel (30 cm), efficiencies in excess of 40% have been measured. An electric stove, having a geometry similar to that of the woodburning stove, has also been experimented with to obtain magnitudes of heat transfer coefficient at the vessel bottom, to estimate relative contributions of convection and radiation heat transfer to the vessel bottom, to study the effect of flame to grate heat release ratios and to study the effect of depth of insertion of the vessel into the stove. Finally, a 3-pot mud stove used in the Konkan region is investigated and it is shown that provision of a grate improves the efficiency of the stove.     

Capacitance modelling of perforated RF MEMS shunt switch

Microsystem Technologies - This paper presents the capacitance modelling of RF MEMS shunt switch by using the parallel plate, fringing field, and parasitic capacitance. The model carried out...     

Evaluation of hydroxyapatite coatings on borate passivated 316L SS in Ringer's solution

Surgical grade stainless steel (316L SS) is one of the widely used implant material in orthopedic surgeries. But often the release of metal ions is evidenced from the implants and subsequently a second surgery is required to remove the implant material. One way to control this release of metal ions is to coat the implant material with a biocompatible material like hydroxyapatite. In this paper we have reported a successful coating of hydroxyapatite over borate passivated 316L SS by a dip coating method. The coatings were characterized by electrochemical techniques such as potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Also X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies were performed to confirm the quality of the coatings. Results of accelerated leach out characteristics by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP–AES) and the evaluation of shear strength are also presented to support the corrosion resistant nature of the coatings. The enhanced bio-resistivity of the as-formed HAP coatings on passivated 316L SS is attributed to the protective passive layer formed by borate buffer solution at selected potentials.