A 322 MHz random-cycle embedded DRAM with high-accuracy sensing and tuning

A 16 Mb embedded DRAM macro in a fully CMOS logic compatible 90 nm process with a low noise core architecture and a high-accuracy post-fabrication tuning scheme has been developed. Based on the proposed techniques, 61% improvement of the sensing accuracy is realized. Even with the smallest 5 fF/cell capacitance, a 322 MHz random-cycle access while 32 ms data retention time which contributes to save the data retention power down to 60 /spl mu/W are achieved.     

Subsurface structures in initial stage of FeSi2 growth studied by high-resolution Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy

The initial stage of iron silicide formation is investigated by high-resolution Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. During the Fe deposition on Si(001) at 470 °C, the formation of FeSi₂ is confirmed by the surface peak analysis. Initially, FeSi₂ grows epitaxially so that one of the major crystallographic axes is parallel to the <111> axis of the Si substrate. With increasing Fe deposition, the deviation between the major crystallographic axis of the silicide region and Si<111> increases although the electron diffraction pattern is independent of the amount of Fe deposition. Therefore, the subsurface crystallographic structure of iron silicide is transformed from a cubic-like to a low-symmetry structure.     

Hydrolysis of human horny cells by alkaline protease: Morphological observation of the process

The interaction of highly purified alkaline protease fromBacillus sp. KSM-K16 with the horny cells of human skin contained in skin grime was directly visualized by electron microscopy. It became clear that the protease first penetrates the horny cells and then adsorbs, mainly onto the internal structure of the cells at the initial stage of hydrolysis, and directly hydrolyzes the keratin filaments, though the marginal band surrounding them retains its original shape. Then, hydrolysate produced from the keratin filaments flows out of the cell, and early in the hydrolysis process keratin filaments decrease and then disappear, leaving a marginal band, i.e., the cell turns to a hollow state. As a result, the remaining marginal band loses support from inside the cell, thus promoting cleavage and dispersion. Until this stage in the protease reaction, the remarkable liberation of hydrolysis products as water-soluble protein does not occur.     

Effect of SiC on Interfacial Reaction and Sintering Mechanism of TiB2

Compacts of TiB₂ with densities approaching 100% are difficult to obtain using pressureless sintering. The addition of SiC was very effective in improving the sinterability of TiB₂. The oxygen content of the raw TiB₂ powder used in this research was 1.5 wt%. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that the powder surface consisted mainly of TiO₂ and B₂O₃. Using vacuum sintering at 1700°C under 13–0.013 Pa, TiB₂ samples containing 2.5 wt% SiC achieved 96% of their theoretical density, and a density of 99% was achieved by HIPing. TEM observations revealed that SiC reacts to form an amorphous phase. TEM-EELS analysis indicated that the amorphous phase includes Si, O, and Ti, and X-ray diffraction showed the reaction to be TiO₂+ SiC → SiO₂+ TiC. Therefore, the improved sinterability of TiB₂ resulted from the SiO₂ liquid phase that was formed during sintering when the raw TiB₂ powder had 1.5 wt% oxygen.     

Depolymerization of fluoroalkyl methacrylate polymers as studied with thermogravimetry

Thermal behaviors of a few kinds of poly(fluoroalkyl methacrylate) prepared by γ-or UV-ray polymerization were investigated by using thermogravimetric measurements with the intermittent analysis of the gaseous products. The degradation of fluoroalkyl methacrylate polymers, monomeric units of which were CH₂=C(CH₃)COOCH₂(CF₂CF₂)_nH, n = 1, 2, and 3, proceeded according to the depolymerization mechanism reproducing the pristine monomer exclusively, but the thermogram in inert atmosphere showed the features of a two-step reaction. Two species of polymer differing in the heat stability were supposed to exist in the polymeric substance produced by γ- or UV-ray irradiation, and the fraction of polymer having lower heat stability increased with the increasing length of the fluoroalkyl ester group. In air, however, the thermogram of poly(fluoroalkyl methacrylate) showed no such a stepwise weight decrease as was observed in inert atomsphere with the elevating temperature, and the temperatures at which the depolymerization was introduced shifted to a much higher region. The results were ascribed to the reaction of initiating polymer radicals produced on polymer having lower stability with oxygen to form hydroperoxide, which once stabilized the polymer radicals and obstructed the initiaition of the unzipping reaction till higher temperature.     

Depolymerization of poly(fluoroalkyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) as studied with thermogravimetry

Thermal behaviors of a few kinds of poly(fluoroalkyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) prepared by γ-ray copolymerization were investigated by using thermogravimetric measurements together with the intermittent analysis of the gaseous products. The thermal degradation of copolymers composed of one of fluoroalkyl methacrylates of the following structures: CH₂?C(CH₃)COOCH₂(CF₂CF₂)_nH, where n = 1,2, and 3, and methyl methacrylate proceeded according to the depolymerization mechanism reproducing the pristine component comonomers exclusively, but their thermograms in inert atmosphere showed the feature of a two-step reaction. In air, however, thermograms of copolymers did not show such a stepwise decrease in weight with the elevating temperature, and temperatures at which depolymerization was introduced shifted to a much higher region. The overall aspects of depolymerization of copolymers seemed to be much similar to that of fluoroalkyl methacrylate homopolymer previously reported, and the retardation of depolymerization by air was considered to be due mainly to the stabilization of once-formed polymer radicals by oxygen.     

Effect of Computational Constraints on Zero-Dimensional Computations for the Nanosecond-Order Ignition Process of the CH4/Air Mixture

Combustion, Explosion, and Shock Waves - Zero-dimensional computations of nanosecond-order ignition using a nanosecond discharge are performed with two constraints. The effects of these constraints...     

An incentive game based evolutionary model for crowd sensing networks

Crowd sensing networks can be used for large scale sensing of the physical world or other information service by leveraging the available sensors on the phones. The collector hopes to collect as much as sensed data at relatively low cost. However, the sensing participants want to earn much money at low cost. This paper examines the evolutionary process among participants sensing networks and proposes an evolutionary game model to depict collaborative game phenomenon in the crowd sensing networks based on the principles of game theory in economics. A effectively incentive mechanism is established through corrected the penalty function of the game model accordance with the cooperation rates of the participant, and corrected the game times in accordance with it’s payoff. The collector controls the process of game by adjusting the price function. We find that the proposed incentive game based evolutionary model can help decision makers simulate evolutionary process under various scenarios. The crowd sensing networks structure significantly influence cooperation ratio and the total number of participant involved in the game, and the distribution of population with different game strategy. Through evolutionary game model, the manager can select an optimal price to facilitate the system reach equilibrium state quickly, and get the number of participants involved in the game. The incentive game based evolutionary model in crowd sensing networks provides valuable decision-making support to managers.