Characteristics of Sn/Li2O multilayer composite anode for thin film microbattery

Sputtering growth of a Sn/Li₂O multilayer composite thin film is conducted to produce an anode thin film with less capacity fading than that of a pure SnO₂ film for a thin-film battery. The structural properties of the Sn/Li₂O multilayer are examined. In addition, the electrochemical characteristics of the Sn/Li₂O and pure SnO₂ thin films are compared. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy measurements reveal a Sn crystalline peak only and a Sn–Li₂O multilayer structure, respectively, in the Sn/Li₂O thin film. A SnO₂ thin film with a polycrystalline phase shows an irreversible side-reaction at 0.8 V versus Li/Li⁺, an initial charge retention of about 29%, and poor cycleability in the cut-off voltage range from 1.2 to 0 V versus Li/Li⁺. By contrast, no irreversible side-reaction is found in the Sn/Li₂O multilayer composite thin film while there is an initial charge retention of 49% and better cycleability (more than twice) than that of pure SnO₂ film after about 150 cycles. These results indicate that the Sn/Li₂O multilayer composite thin film can be used for tin-based, thin-film, microbatteries and provide motivation to pursue fabrication of Sn–Li₂O anode powder for bulk type batteries.     

Interfacial Reactions and Joint Strengths of Sn-<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>Zn Solders with Immersion Ag UBM

The solder joint microstructures of immersion Ag with Sn-xZn (x = 0 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 5 wt.%, and 9 wt.%) solders were analyzed and correlated with their drop impact reliability. Addition of 1 wt.% Zn to Sn did not change the interface microstructure and was only marginally effective. In comparison, the addition of 5 wt.% or 9 wt.% Zn formed layers of AgZn₃/Ag₅Zn₈ at the solder joint interface, which increased drop reliability significantly. Under extensive aging, Ag-Zn intermetallic compounds (IMCs) transformed into Cu₅Zn₈ and Ag₃Sn, and the drop impact resistance at the solder joints deteriorated up to a point. The beneficial role of Zn on immersion Ag pads was ascribed to the formation of Ag-Zn IMC layers, which were fairly resistant to the drop impact, and to the suppression of the brittle Cu₆Sn₅ phase at the joint interface.     

Droloxifene does not blunt bone anabolic effects of prostaglandin E2, but maintains prostaglandin E2-restored bone in aged, ovariectomized rats

The authors examined 1) effects of nortriptyline (NT) on electroencephalographic (EEG) sleep measures in elderly patients with bereavement-related depression in remission under randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled conditions, and 2) the effects of clinical remission on sleep after discontinuation of medication. Subjects were classified as responders to placebo (n = 9) or NT (n = 18) and had EEG sleep studies at three time-points: before treatment (T1), remitted on medication or placebo (T2), and remitted off medication or placebo (T3). As compared with placebo, NT was differentially associated with decreases in REM sleep time and percent and increases in REM sleep density (T2). No changes in EEG sleep measures occurred in placebo responders. REM sleep measures in NT responders reverted to T1 levels after T3, with persistence of robust clinical remission and normal subjective sleep quality. These data suggest that NT alters REM sleep, but that EEG sleep characteristics in bereavement-related depression persist into remission.     

光控制环路用A/D变换器

以带宽需求近80%的增长,我们正在快速进入全光网络时代.光纤通信需求速度--不仅仅是数据传输,而且也包括外设功能(如终端处的分离,放大,开关转换和外设控制电路).由于这些控制功能必须在数字域完成,所以需要一个AD C(A/D变换器)来“变换“入射信号(源为光,然后变为模拟电信号).在接入应用设计中,监控和控制信号所需的ADC应该具有很高的分辨率(16位)和速度(1Ms/s).多路转换性能是所希望的特性,希望无流水线延迟.……     

3D welding and milling: Part I–a direct approach for freeform fabrication of metallic prototypes

Solid Freeform Fabrication (SFF) gives engineers a new freedom to build parts that have thus far proved difficult to manufacture using conventional machining. However, the surface finish and accuracy of SFF parts are lower than those of conventionally machined parts. A process combination of additive and subtractive techniques is currently being developed in order to overcome this problem. A novel hybrid approach of our group called ‘3D welding and milling’ uses gas metal arc welding as an additive and milling as a subtractive technique, thereby exploiting the advantages of both processes. Compared to other deposition processes, gas metal arc welding is the most economic way of depositing metals. In this paper, the initial results of the process development and the characterization of the parts fabricated by this process are reported.     

Novel conjugated polymers employing the binding of polyfluorene derivatives and C60

New polyfluorene (PF)-based conjugated polymers, PClBEHF, PClBEHF-co-PDEHF, PN₃BEHF, PN₃BEHF-co-PDEHF, PEHPBF, PC₆₀BEHF, PC₆₀BEHF-co-PDEHF, and PEHPBF⁺PCBA⁻ containing chloro, azido, piperidine, and fullerene (C₆₀) groups as pendants, were synthesized. In the case of PC₆₀BEHF and PC₆₀BEHF-co-PDEHF, the C₆₀ moiety was introduced by using covalent bond formation between the azido group and C₆₀. PEHPBF⁺PCBA⁻ was synthesized by using ionic bond formation between the piperidinium cation of PEHPBF and carboxylate anion of PCBA. The PL and EL spectra of PClBEHF, PClBEHF-co-PDEHF, PN₃BEHF, PN₃BEHF-co-PDEHF, and PEHPBF exhibited red-shifted and broad peaks caused by the aggregation which was induced by the increasing interchain interaction due to the polar pendants. After binding with C₆₀, covalently and ionically, the photovoltaic properties of PC₆₀BEHF, PC₆₀BEHF-co-PDEHF, and PEHPBF⁺PCBA⁻ were studied. PL was quenched completely, which indicates photo-induced charge transfer from PF to pendant C₆₀. Even though photovoltaic effects did not occur in short circuit condition, blending with MEH-PPV as the ratio of 1:1 generated the photovoltaic effects.     

Changes in chemical structure of oxidation reaction layers of Zircaloy-4 and Ti by micro X-ray diffractometry

A micro X-ray diffractometer with a micrometer sized beam concentrator was developed to investigate the changes in the chemical structures of oxide layers for Zr-based alloys (Zircaloy-4) and Ti metal from the center of the cross section to the surface. Zircaloy-4 and Ti metal were chosen because of their use as a fuel cladding and a heat exchange tubing in a nuclear reactor, respectively. The diffraction patterns were obtained from the cross sectional specimens of the oxidized Zircaloy-4 and Ti metal at 50 μm intervals. For the cross section of Zircaloy-4, Zr metal (hexagonal) was identified in the center, ZrO_2−x (hexagonal, about 200 μm in thickness) inside the edge and ZrO₂ (monoclinic, about 400 μm in thickness) at the edge. In the case of Ti metal, Ti metal (hexagonal) was identified in the center, TiO (cubic, about 200 μm in thickness) inside the edge and rutile-TiO₂ (tetragonal, about 230 μm in thickness) at the edge. From this study, it was concluded that the intermediate phase formed between the fuel and the cladding can be identified by the micro-XRD system.     

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Capping on ECM‐Anchored Caspase Inhibitor–Loaded PLGA Microspheres for Intraperitoneal Injection in DSS‐Induced Murine Colitis

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered as a promising alternative for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders. However, poor viability and engraftment of MSCs after transplantation are major hurdles in mesenchymal stem cell therapy. Extracellular matrix (ECM)‐coated scaffolds provide better cell attachment and mechanical support for MSCs after transplantation. A single‐step method for ECM functionalization on poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres using a novel compound, dopamine‐conjugated poly(ethylene‐alt‐maleic acid), as a stabilizer during the preparation of microspheres is reported. The dopamine molecules on the surface of microspheres provide active sites for the conjugation of ECM in an aqueous solution. The results reveal that the viability of MSCs improves when they are coated over the ECM‐functionalized PLGA microspheres (eMs). In addition, the incorporation of a broad‐spectrum caspase inhibitor (IDN6556) into the eMs synergistically increases the viability of MSCs under in vitro conditions. Intraperitoneal injection of the MSC–microsphere hybrid alleviates experimental colitis in a murine model via inhibiting Th1 and Th17 differentiation of CD4⁺ T cells in colon‐draining mesenteric lymph nodes. Therefore, drug‐loaded ECM‐coated surfaces may be considered as attractive tools for improving viability, proliferation, and functionality of MSCs following transplantation.     

Batch-Free Event Sequence Pattern Mining for Communication Stream Data with Instant and Persistent Events

Wireless Personal Communications - Communication systems consist of many subsystems and components among which various stream data including control messages as well as payload messages are...