Fine-line conductor manufacturing using drop-on demand PZT printingtechnology

An emerging selective metallization process to fabricate fine-line conductors based on drop-on-demand (DOD) ink jet printing and novel nano-particle fluid suspensions (NPFS) was studied. The suspensions consist of 1-10 nm silver or gold particulates that are homogeneously suspended in an organic carrier. A piezo-electric droplet generator driven by a bipolar voltage signal is used to dispense 50-70 μm diameter droplets traveling at 1-3 m/s before impacting a compliant polyimide substrate. The deposit/substrate composite is subsequently processed at 300°C for 15 min to allow for complete evaporation of the carrier and for sintering of the nano-particles, thereby yielding a finished circuit interconnect. Test vehicles created using this technique exhibit features as fine as 120 μm wide and 1 μm thick with resistivities on the order of 3.5×10^-5 Ωcm. The circuitry performed well under environmental conditioning. As expected, repeatability of circuitry fabrication showed sensitivity to the generation of steady, satellite-free droplets. In an effort to generate droplets consistently, it is essential to develop a strong fundamental understanding of the correlation between device excitation parameters and dispensed fluid properties, and to resolve the microrheological behavior of the NPFS when flowing through the droplet generator     

Myelin lipids and proteins in experimental global ischemia

The experiments were performed on white rats, in which clinical death was induced according to the method described by Korpatchev et al. (1982). After cardiac arrest and cessation of respiratory function lasting 5 minutes resuscitatory action was performed. The lipids and proteins of the cerebral myelin fraction were studied in animals sacrificed 1, 9 and 14 days after global ischemia. The obtained results lead to the following conclusions: 1. Myelin lipids in postreanimation syndrome are characterized by a marked increase in cholesteryl esters and a mild one of lysophosphatidylcholine content. 2. Myelin lipids in the predemyelinating period demonstrate a general pattern of reaction, notwithstanding to the character of the primary noxious agent. 3. After global ischemia a great fall of small basic protein in the myelin fraction and subsequently of SBP to LBP ratio occurred. 4. Various noxious agents affect different proteins of the myelin membranes and the resulting changes seem to be characteristic for various pathological processes.     

An approach for deriving field equations for magnetic heads of different geometrical configurations

This paper describes an approach for deriving field equations for virtually any magnetic head configuration. As an example, equations are derived for the thin-film head configuration. Results obtained from the new equations and those obtained from previously derived equations are compared to results obtained from the finite difference method. Results obtained from the new equations are also compared to data obtained from measurements on a large-scale thin-film head.     

Determination of transport properties in chromium disilicide nanowires via combined thermoelectric and structural characterizations

The Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity of individual chromium disilicide nanowires were characterized using a suspended microdevice and correlated with the crystal structure and growth direction obtained by transmission electron microscopy on the same nanowires. The obtained thermoelectric figure of merit of the nanowires was comparable to the bulk values. We show that combined Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity measurements provide an effective approach to probing the Fermi Level, carrier concentration and mobility in nanowires.     

INK JET PROCESSING OF METALLIC NANOPARTICLE SUSPENSIONS FOR ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY FABRICATION

A solution-processable approach in creating gold circuit electrodes with features as fine as 100 μm is demonstrated, using a piezoelectrically driven printhead to deposit metallic nanoparticle suspensions. The suspensions consist of gold particles ranging 5–20 nm in diameter suspended in a toluene solvent. The amount of gold nanoparticles present in the suspensions ranges between 30 to 50% by weight. Inductor and capacitor electrode patterns are deposited onto a glass substrate and thermally processed to drive off the solvent and allow the nanoparticles to coalesce/sinter, thereby yielding a conductive path with an electrical resistivity of O(10^?7) Ωm.     

A model for overwrite modulation in longitudinal recording

An inherent contribution to overwrite modulation, a pattern of position shifts of the newly recorded flux transitions, is shown to result from magnetic fields from initial signal flux transitions superimposed on the head field during the overwrite process. A mathematical model was developed for this overwrite modulation mechanism for the case where a double frequency (2F) square wave signal is overwritten on a track initially recorded with a square wave signal of frequency F. The model predicted the qualitative form of the experimentally observed flux transition shift pattern, and was in quantitative agreement with measured overwrite modulation values for seven different magnetic recording tapes at two different recording densities.     

Anemia management in chronic kidney disease

Anemia is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to a state of erythropoietin deficiency. Erythropoietin therapy has been used for approximately 20 years to correct anemia in CKD and to improve both subjective and objective outcomes. Guidelines that establish a hemoglobin (Hb) goal for anemia correction in CKD patients are largely based on observational data. Controversy still exists, however, because outcomes have not been consistent with various degrees of anemia correction. The number of prospective randomized trials investigating the effects of anemia correction on cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in CKD patients, an already high-risk group, is limited. With respect to improving CV outcomes in the CKD population, the currently available trial data caution against raising Hb levels in CKD patients to approach more "normal" physiologic ranges. The disappointing experience with the trial data must be weighed against the beneficial associations of erythropoietin therapy that have been generated from observational data. Establishing the ideal target Hb ranges for anemia correction in CKD patients remains a dynamic process and leaves many gray areas to be further elucidated. Here, we present a case that underscores the need to consider the study design when reviewing the data at a population level in order to determine what is most appropriate for our patient.