Bioactive HA/TiO2 coating on magnesium alloy for biomedical applications

Magnesium alloys are new class of biodegradable alloys having many favourable properties to overcome the limitations of currently used biomedical alloys. Recently, several coatings have been developed to overcome their higher degradation rate. In this regard, a new attempt has been made to develop Hydroxyapatite and Hydroxyapatite/TiO₂ coatings on magnesium alloys to increase the biocompatibility and reduce the corrosion rate. The coated surfaces were characterized by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Spectroscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Contact angle measurements proved higher hydrophilic nature of HA/TiO₂ coating compared to HA coating. In-vitro studies showed that HA–TiO₂ coated alloy exhibited higher osteoinduction compared to HA coated alloy. Hydrogen evolution studies and corrosion studies confirmed greater reduction in degradation rate of HA/TiO₂ coated alloy. Vickers microhardness test also showed enhancement in mechanical strength of the composite coated alloy compared to HA coated alloy. Three point bend test depicted better adherence of the HA/TiO₂ coating compared to HA coating on the substrate. Cell culture studies proved higher cell attachment and proliferation on composite coated alloy by controlling the release of magnesium ions into the surrounding body tissue.     

The nucleation and crystallization of MgO-B2O3-SiO2 glass

The nucleation and crystallization of MgO-B₂O₃-SiO₂ (MBS) glass were studied by means of a non-isothermal, thermal analysis technique, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The temperature range of the nucleation and the temperature of the maximum nucleation rate for MBS glass were determined from the dependences of the inverse temperature at the DSC peak (1/T_p) and the maximum intensity of the exothermic DSC crystallization peak ((δT)_p) on the nucleation temperature (T_n). For MBS glass the nucleation occurred at 600-750 °C, with the maximum nucleation rate at 700 °C, whereas the nucleation and crystal growth processes overlapped at 700 °C < T ≤ 750 °C. The analyses of the non-isothermal data for the bulk MBS glass using the most common models (Ozawa, Kissinger, modified Kissinger, Ozawa-Chen, etc.) revealed that the crystallization of Mg₂B₂O₅ was three-dimensional bulk with a diffusion-controlled crystal growth rate, that n = m = 1.5 and that the activation energy for the crystallization was 410-440 kJ/mol.     

Intense visible photoluminescence from coloured LiF films on silicon

Lithium fluoride films, about 1.5 μm thick, thermally evaporated onto silicon <100> substrates were subjected to low energy electron bombardment. Intense photoluminescence, extending from green to red in the visible spectral range was measured at room temperature in the irradiated areas, due to the presence of the laser active F₂ and F₃⁺ colour centres.     

Effects of different needles and substrates on CuInS2 deposited by electrostatic spray deposition

Copper indium disulphide (CuInS₂) thin films were deposited using the electrostatic spray deposition method. The effects of applied voltage and solution flow rate on the aerosol cone shape, film composition, surface morphology and current conversion were investigated. The effect of aluminium substrates and transparent fluorine doped tin oxide (SnO₂:F) coated glass substrates on the properties of as-deposited CuInS₂ films were analysed. An oxidation process occurs during the deposition onto the metallic substrates which forms an insulating layer between the photoactive film and substrate. The effects of two different spray needles on the properties of the as-deposited films were also studied. The results reveal that the use of a stainless steel needle results in contamination of the film due to the transfer of metal impurities through the spray whilst this is not seen for the glass needle. The films were characterised using a number of different analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Rutherford back-scattering and secondary ion mass spectroscopy and opto-electronic measurements.     

多层柔性衬底电路板的低成本丝网印刷

当大批量生产多层聚合物基厚膜电路板时需要低成本的印刷技术.对于有超过6层导电层且不平滑的表面来说,丝网印刷是一个便宜、便捷的选择.为了研究丝网印刷技术的可行性,本研究在不同衬底材料的表面,如聚碳酸酯(PC)、聚酯(PET)、聚酰亚胺(PI)和液晶聚合物(LCP),使用同样的印刷分辨率,常规的厚膜网版印刷,通过丝网的网孔在衬底上形成精细图形.最后,研究在双层PI衬底(拥有2层导体层,在导体层的两侧有1层绝缘层覆盖板基孔)上的印刷.丝网印刷的导体材料是银基纳米颗粒油墨,介质层是聚酰亚胺基材料.许多变量是妨碍这种经济适用技术大规模生产应用的影响因素.例如,如果固化温度超过200℃,聚酰亚胺基板的稳定性就成为大问题.在本实验中,如果印刷面积小,层与层之间的对齐公差是允许的.然而,在印刷进行一段时间后,层与层之间的平整度会变差.测试用纳米粒子油墨是一种很好的导电系统,但是,当固化温度从230℃降低到200℃时,生产效率会受到极大影响.另一种实现多层结构的方法是层压法.本研究选择PET和PC层,重点是处理沉积胶层的PET层和片材的复合过程.多层结构中的板基孔和导线通过常规厚膜网印解决.先打孔,然后采用厚膜网印填补,最后印刷表面.层与层之间的黏合精度和对准精度<±15μm.     

Effects of Primary Substrate Concentration on NDMA Transport during Simulated Aquifer Recharge

N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is known to be highly carcinogenic and is present in drinking water, wastewater, and a variety of foods. Because of its presence in chloraminated water at nanogram per liter concentrations, NDMA has become an emerging issue for reclaimed water which may be used for aquifer recharge or irrigation. This research investigated the fate of NDMA in two soil column systems used to simulate subsurface transport. One column system was operated under aerobic conditions with increasing primary substrate concentration where the biodegradable organic carbon (BDOC) in reclaimed water was used as the primary substrate. The reclaimed water content in the influent was increased from 0 to 25% in the column to increase the BDOC concentration. Negligible NDMA removal was observed at 0% reclaimed water and increasing the primary substrate in the influent resulted in NDMA removal suggesting that biodegradation of NDMA might be a cometabolic process. The effects of redox conditions on NDMA fate was studied by operating a second column system with 100% reclaimed water under anoxic conditions and then changing the conditions to aerobic. It was observed that NDMA removal was similar under both aerobic and anoxic condition, however, much lower effluent concentrations were observed under aerobic conditions. Under anoxic condition, a normalized mass removal rate of 254 ng NDMA/mg DOC was observed which increased to 273-ng NDMA/mg DOC under aerobic conditions. The majority of NDMA and substrate removal occurred in the first of three columns in series column under both aerobic and anoxic conditions. Normalized mass removal rates of NDMA after the first, second, and third columns were 372, 30, and 20 ng NDMA/mg DOC, respectively. Since the majority of dissolved organic carbon was also removed in the first column, NDMA biodegradation was consistent with cometabolic activity. Batch tests verified the biodegradation removal potential of NDMA. Addition of a methylotrophic substrate, methanol and an aromatic substrate, toluene, did not increase NDMA removal.     

Automatic alignment direct step-on-wafer projection system

This paper describes an automatic alignment direct step-on-wafer (dsw) projection system. Automatic alignment accuracy is better than ±0.25 μm and useful achievable resolution is 1.5 μm or better. Stepping of the stage is achieved using a record ruler (glass scale) and photoelectric microscope. Its precision is better than ±0.33 μm (3 σ). Also included in the system is a reticle box with automatic reticle detection and selection, high pressure pulsed mercury lamp and uv light integrating exposure controller as well as a closed-circuit tv viewing and display system. The fundamental design, some experimental testing data and error analysis of the machine are described briefly in this paper     

双异质结半导体激光器（DHL）的研制

采用液相外延（ＬＰＥ）技术成功地研制出室温脉冲激发的ＧａＡｓ／ＡｌｘＧａｌ－ｘＡｓ双异质结激光器．脉冲电压３０Ｖ，频率１０ｋＨｚ，脉冲宽度约１μｓ，脉冲功率约１０ｍＷ，波长８５６．７ｎｍ．较详细地介绍了器件制作的后工艺过程．     

Adhesion of in situ precipitated calcium carbonate in the presence and absence of magnetic field in quiescent conditions on different solid surfaces

Deposition of in situ precipitated calcium carbonate from Na(2)CO(3) and CaCl2 solutions on different substrates, i.e. stainless steel, copper, aluminium, and glass, was investigated at different temperatures, 20 degrees C, 40 degrees C, 60 degrees C and 80 degrees C, both in the absence and presence of S-S 0.1T magnetic field (MF). It was found that in quiescent conditions during 2h the amounts deposited firmly on the surfaces decreased with increasing temperature. If MF was present the deposition was reduced at all temperatures, and depended on the nature of the substrate. The largest MF effect was found on glass at 60 degrees C, which amounted 50% reduction of the deposit. However, at 80 degrees C no deposition was found in the presence of MF on aluminium surface. At this temperature the reproducibility of the experiments was poor, and an additional effect due to the metal surface corrosion (especially that of aluminium and copper) may be thought in alkaline environment of the experiments (pH ca. 10). Based on optical microscope photographs, it was concluded that the amounts of crystallographic forms of CaCO3 depended on the nature of substrate on which the precipitation and then the adhesion took place. To some extent the ratios of CaCO3 forms precipitated were different in the bulk phase than on the substrate surfaces at the same temperature, and this conclusion was based on the X-ray diffractograms. Some possible mechanisms causing MF effects are discussed.     

Fabrication and characterization of Li1+x−yNb1−x−3yTix+4yO3 substrates using aqueous tape casting process

An aqueous system for tape casting Li_1+x−yNb_1−x−3yTi_x+4yO₃ (LNT) ceramics was developed using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) binder, ethylene alcohol (EG) plasticizer and ammonium salt of polycarboxylate (PCA-NH₄) dispersant. The zeta potential measurement showed that the isoelectric point of the LNT particles moved slightly toward more acid region after the dispersant absorbed on the particles, while the zeta potential increased significantly. The rheological test indicated that the ceramic slurry exhibited a typical pseudoplastic behavior without thixotropy. The effect of solid loading on the properties of the green tapes was investigated. The increase in the solid loading increased the tensile strength and the green density of the tapes. TGA analysis indicated that the organic additives in the green tapes can be completely removed by heat treatment at 600 °C. SEM micrographs showed that the microstructure of the green and sintered tapes was homogeneous.