Fast locking delay-locked loop using initial delay measurement

A delay-locked loop (DLL) architecture capable of incorporating fast locking and low jitter features simultaneously is reported. A test chip was fabricated in a 0.6 μm CMOS process to prove its functionality. The proposed DLL can align the internal clock to the external reference clock within two cycles and maintain its locking state with the aid of feedback operation     

Selective Nanoscale Fabrication with Roughness Reduction of Polycrystalline Silicon by Physically Induced Fluorine Bonds Using Atomic Force Microscope

Polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) is widely used as a gate layer in integrated circuits, transistors, and channels through nanofabrication. Nanoremoval and roughness control are required for nanomanufacturing of various electronic devices. Herein, a nanoscale removal method is developed to overcome the limitations of microcracks, complex procedures, and time-consuming conventional fabrication and lithography methods. The method is implemented with a mechanically induced poly-Si phase transition using atomic force microscope (AFM). Mechanical force induces the covalent bonds between silicon and fluorine atoms which cause the phase transition of poly-Si. Then, the bond structure of the Si molecules is weakened and selectively removed by nano-Newton-scale force using AFM. A selective nanoscale removal with roughness control is implemented in 0.5 mM TBAF solution after mechanical force (43.58–58.21 nN) is applied. By the magnitude of nano-Newton force, the removal depth of poly-Si is controlled from 2.66 to 21.52 nm. Finally, the nanoscale fabrication on poly-Si wafer is achieved. The proposed nanoremoval mechanism is a simple fabrication method that provides selective, nanoscale, and highly efficient removal with roughness control.     

Influence of polymeric additives on paraffin wax crystallization in model oils

Wax deposition, precipitation, and gelation make the transport of crude oil in pipelines challenging. The effect of several ethylene copolymers, and small molecules with a long alkyl chain, on wax formation was investigated for n-C₃₂H₆₆ in decane and de-aromatized white oil. Addition of a small amount of EVA (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) copolymers delayed nucleation by reducing the onset temperature and the wax appearance temperature. They modified the wax crystal-structure and morphology from large plates to tiny particles by adsorbing to the wax surfaces and inhibiting growth. Viscosity and the pour-point were improved by inhibiting the formation of large aggregates. It was demonstrated that the content of vinyl acetate groups in EVA copolymers affected wax crystallization. The small molecules, propylene copolymers, and ethylene copolymers with ethyl acrylate, maleic anhydride, and ethylene glycol showed a weak inhibiting effect. The effect of wax inhibitors was determined by the content and by the type of structure-disturbing groups in the copolymers.     

A novel optical aerosol detector utilizing an optic fiber with conductive polymer coating

The detection of atmospheric aerosol particles is becoming an important issue in many fields such as environmental science, occupational medicine, semiconductor industry and material science. In the present paper, we utilized the conductive polymer, polypyrrole (PPy), as a sensitive membrane for detecting aerosol particles optically. A polymer optical fiber reflectance probe is constructed by depositing the PPy nanofilm at the end face of the fiber. The sensor principle relies on the change in the refractive index of the PPy nanofilm upon its interaction with aerosol nanoparticles and on the electrostatic induction between aerosol particles and the PPy nanofilm, which leads to a change in the reflected intensity. For preliminary evaluation of optical aerosol detector, three types of aerosol particles, NaCl, black carbon (BC) and polystyrene latex (PSL), are selected. The fabricated fiber optic reflectance probe using the PPy nanofilm shows distinct variations in the reflected light intensity depending on the type of aerosol particle and its properties. The proposed sensing approach may promote the use of conductive polymers in optical techniques for the detection of atmospheric aerosols.     

Hydraulic study of turbulent flow in MTR-type nuclear fuel assembly

For a more accurate safety analysis for the McMaster nuclear reactor (MNR), local velocity measurements in a mock-up of the 18-plate fuel assembly were conducted in the low Reynolds number region with emphasis on edge effects. With modification of the curved plates in the assembly to flat ones, velocity in the narrow channels was measured by laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV). The velocity profile in individual channels and the channel-to-channel flow distribution were obtained. The effect of the sudden transition from the larger rectangular channel to the circular pipe on the velocity profile and the effect of the handle presence in the top end fitting on the flow distribution were investigated. The pressure drop along the assembly was measured and compared to a simple 1D correlation prediction.     

An evaluation of the optical fiber beam as a force sensor

The present study reports the use of an intensity based plastic optical fiber (POF) as a force sensor. Different materials for beam, such as spring steel and mild steel, are used to evaluate the performance of the force sensor during macro-bending. The POF is surface bonded to a beam and subjected to force. The system relies on monitoring the light intensity, as the POF is subjected to transversal loading conditions. Experimentally obtained output of POF which could be measured with negligible hysteresis is compared with finite element analysis in the range between 0.0098 N to 19.613 N. The reproducibility of the sensor is observed in the limit of ±1%. The finding of this study highlights the potential use of POF sensors for various force sensing applications.     

Velocity and mass diffusivity effects on the linear and nonlinear phenomena of the Burke-Schumann flame with acoustic excitation

Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology - The dynamics of the Burke-Schumann flame in terms of the Péclet number variation were investigated. The effect of the Péclet number on the...     

Multimodal and Covert–Overt Convertible Structural Coloration Transformed by Mechanical Stress

Most materials and devices with structurally switchable color features responsive to external stimuli can actively and flexibly display various colors. However, realizing covert–overt transformation behavior, especially switching between transparent and colored states, is more challenging. A composite laminate of soft poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) with a rigid SiO₂-nanoparticle (NP) structure pattern is developed as a multidimensional structural color platform. Owing to the similarity in the optical properties of PDMS and SiO₂ NPs, this device is fully transparent in the normal state. However, as their mechanical strengths differ considerably, upon compressive loading, a buckling-type instability arises on the surface of the laminate, leading to the generation of 1D or 2D wrinkled patterns in the form of gratings. Finally, an application of the device in which quick response codes are displayed or hidden as covert–overt convertible colored patterns for optical encryption/decryption, showing their remarkable potential for anticounterfeiting applications, is demonstrated.     

Numerical study on spatial distribution of silver nanoparticles inside whole-body type inhalation toxicity chamber

Silver nanoparticles are among the fastest growing product categories in the nanotechnology industry. Several experimental studies reported earlier for its toxicity and its associated risks. Uniform distribution of nanoparticle concentration in inhalation toxicity exposure chambers is important in the conduct of inhalation experimental evaluation. However, relatively little is known. Several factors, including nanoparticle size, degree of mixing, and chamber design, may influence the nanoparticles distribution in whole-body exposure chamber. In the present work we investigated numerically the silver nanoparticles concentration distribution and particle trajectory in the whole body inhalation toxicity test chamber. A three dimensional numerical simulation was performed using the commercially available computational fluid dynamics code Fluent with two models, discrete phase model (DPM) and fine particle model (FPM) to calculate spatial particle trajectories and concentration. The simulated results show that the silver nanoparticle trajectories and concentration distribution are dependent on inhalation toxicity chamber geometry.