Ultra-dense hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) structures on thin silicon nitride membranes

Ultra-dense nanometer-scale gratings (20 nm pitch) on thin silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) membrane substrates using hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) resist have been fabricated. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) were performed to evaluate the pattern quality of the HSQ gratings. The results are compared with HSQ gratings fabricated on silicon substrates.     

Chemical composition of shell and flesh of three prawn samples from Lagos lagoon

The protein, ash, fibre and individual mineral ion contents of three species of prawn taken from the Lagos lagoon were determined. The median liveweights of Macrobrachium vollenhovenii (Herklots), Palaemon species A (Powell) and Penaeus notialis were respectively, 25.52 g (shell + head 16.76 g; flesh 9.26 g), 3.15 g (shell + head 1.71 g; flesh 1.44 g) and 5.11 g (shell + head 2.14 g; flesh 2.96 g). All (shell + head) samples had high protein, ash and fibre contents but only the protein content was high in the flesh, which had low or undetectable quantities of fibre. The fat and carbohydrates contents were generally low. In M vollenhovenii the (shell + head) was a better source of Mg, Zn, Cu and K than the flesh, which was a better source of Ca, Ni, P, Fe, Co and Na. In P species A the (shell + head) was a better source of Ca, Mg, P, Cu, Co, Na and K than the flesh (higher in Zn and Ni). In P notialis the (shell + head) was the better source of Ca, Zn, P, Fe and Co and the flesh the better source of Mg, Ni, Fe, Na and K. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Geochemical investigation of trace elements in crude oils from two different depobelts in the Niger Delta basin,Nigeria

The concentrations of trace elements in crude oil samples from the Northern and Central swamps depobelts in the Niger Delta basin were investigated using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The origin, source facies, and depositional environment of organic matter that produced the oils were determined based on the trace elements concentrations. The concentrations of the trace elements (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and V) ranged from 0.04 to 5.71 ppm. Iron is the most abundant element in the samples while Cr has the least concentration. The results from trace metal geochemistry showed that the Niger Delta oils were derived predominantly from terrestrial organic matter deposited in the oxic depositional environment. The concentrations and ratios of nickel and vanadium grouped the oils into two distinct families reflecting the depobelt the oils belong. This observation indicates that the source rocks in the two depobelts were formed from organic matter of different source facies.     

Elevated-Temperature Annealing Effects on AlGaN/GaN Heterostructures

The effect of high-temperature annealing of undoped AlGaN/GaN heterostructures on different substrates was systematically studied between 1100°C and 1230°C. An AlN spacer layer was found to add stability to structures on sapphire substrates. AlGaN/GaN heterostructures on SiC substrates demonstrated excellent robustness for the temperature range studied, maintaining their mobility, sheet resistance, and sheet concentration values, even after annealing. A silicon nitride, SiN _x , capping layer was found to assist in minimizing surface roughness during annealing and maintaining the electrical characteristics of the heterostructures. AlGaN/GaN heterostructures on SiC substrates showed a 20% decrease in mobility for uncapped samples compared with SiN _x -capped samples.