Nonlinear dynamics of capacitive charging and desalination by porous electrodes.

PubMed

Biesheuvel, P M; Bazant, M Z

2010-03-01

The rapid and efficient exchange of ions between porous electrodes and aqueous solutions is important in many applications, such as electrical energy storage by supercapacitors, water desalination and purification by capacitive deionization, and capacitive extraction of renewable energy from a salinity difference. Here, we present a unified mean-field theory for capacitive charging and desalination by ideally polarizable porous electrodes (without Faradaic reactions or specific adsorption of ions) valid in the limit of thin double layers (compared to typical pore dimensions). We illustrate the theory for the case of a dilute, symmetric, binary electrolyte using the Gouy-Chapman-Stern (GCS) model of the double layer, for which simple formulae are available for salt adsorption and capacitive charging of the diffuse part of the double layer. We solve the full GCS mean-field theory numerically for realistic parameters in capacitive deionization, and we derive reduced models for two limiting regimes with different time scales: (i) in the "supercapacitor regime" of small voltages and/or early times, the porous electrode acts like a transmission line, governed by a linear diffusion equation for the electrostatic potential, scaled to the RC time of a single pore, and (ii) in the "desalination regime" of large voltages and long times, the porous electrode slowly absorbs counterions, governed by coupled, nonlinear diffusion equations for the pore-averaged potential and salt concentration.

Nonlinear dynamics of capacitive charging and desalination by porous electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biesheuvel, P. M.; Bazant, M. Z.

2010-03-01

The rapid and efficient exchange of ions between porous electrodes and aqueous solutions is important in many applications, such as electrical energy storage by supercapacitors, water desalination and purification by capacitive deionization, and capacitive extraction of renewable energy from a salinity difference. Here, we present a unified mean-field theory for capacitive charging and desalination by ideally polarizable porous electrodes (without Faradaic reactions or specific adsorption of ions) valid in the limit of thin double layers (compared to typical pore dimensions). We illustrate the theory for the case of a dilute, symmetric, binary electrolyte using the Gouy-Chapman-Stern (GCS) model of the double layer, for which simple formulae are available for salt adsorption and capacitive charging of the diffuse part of the double layer. We solve the full GCS mean-field theory numerically for realistic parameters in capacitive deionization, and we derive reduced models for two limiting regimes with different time scales: (i) in the “supercapacitor regime” of small voltages and/or early times, the porous electrode acts like a transmission line, governed by a linear diffusion equation for the electrostatic potential, scaled to the RC time of a single pore, and (ii) in the “desalination regime” of large voltages and long times, the porous electrode slowly absorbs counterions, governed by coupled, nonlinear diffusion equations for the pore-averaged potential and salt concentration.

A hybrid binary particle swarm optimization for large capacitated multi item multi level lot sizing (CMIMLLS) problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishra, S. K.; Sahithi, V. V. D.; Rao, C. S. P.

2016-09-01

The lot sizing problem deals with finding optimal order quantities which minimizes the ordering and holding cost of product mix. when multiple items at multiple levels with all capacity restrictions are considered, the lot sizing problem become NP hard. Many heuristics were developed in the past have inevitably failed due to size, computational complexity and time. However the authors were successful in the development of PSO based technique namely iterative improvement binary particles swarm technique to address very large capacitated multi-item multi level lot sizing (CMIMLLS) problem. First binary particle Swarm Optimization algorithm is used to find a solution in a reasonable time and iterative improvement local search mechanism is employed to improvise the solution obtained by BPSO algorithm. This hybrid mechanism of using local search on the global solution is found to improve the quality of solutions with respect to time thus IIBPSO method is found best and show excellent results.

An associative capacitive network based on nanoscale complementary resistive switches for memory-intensive computing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kavehei, Omid; Linn, Eike; Nielen, Lutz; Tappertzhofen, Stefan; Skafidas, Efstratios; Valov, Ilia; Waser, Rainer

2013-05-01

We report on the implementation of an Associative Capacitive Network (ACN) based on the nondestructive capacitive readout of two Complementary Resistive Switches (2-CRSs). ACNs are capable of performing a fully parallel search for Hamming distances (i.e. similarity) between input and stored templates. Unlike conventional associative memories where charge retention is a key function and hence, they require frequent refresh cycles, in ACNs, information is retained in a nonvolatile resistive state and normal tasks are carried out through capacitive coupling between input and output nodes. Each device consists of two CRS cells and no selective element is needed, therefore, CMOS circuitry is only required in the periphery, for addressing and read-out. Highly parallel processing, nonvolatility, wide interconnectivity and low-energy consumption are significant advantages of ACNs over conventional and emerging associative memories. These characteristics make ACNs one of the promising candidates for applications in memory-intensive and cognitive computing, switches and routers as binary and ternary Content Addressable Memories (CAMs) and intelligent data processing.

Facile preparation of 3D hierarchical coaxial-cable-like Ni-CNTs@beta-(Ni, Co) binary hydroxides for supercapacitors with ultrahigh specific capacitance.

PubMed

Zhang, Manyu; Ma, Xiaowei; Bi, Han; Zhao, Xuebing; Wang, Chao; Zhang, Jie; Li, Yuesheng; Che, Renchao

2017-09-15

A facile chemical method for Co doping Ni-CNTs@α-Ni(OH) 2 combining with an in situ phase transformation process is successfully proposed and employed to synthesize three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical Ni-CNTs@β-(Ni, Co) binary hydroxides. This strategy can effectively maintain the coaxial-cable-like structure of Ni-CNTs@α-Ni(OH) 2 and meanwhile increase the content of Co as much as possible. Eventually, the specific capacitances and electrical conductivity of the composites are remarkably enhanced. The optimized composite exhibits high specific capacitances of 2861.8F g -1 at 1A g -1 (39.48F cm -2 at 15mAcm -2 ), good rate capabilities of 1221.8F g -1 at 20A g -1 and cycling stabilities (87.6% of capacitance retention after 5000cycles at 5A g -1 ). The asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) constructed with the as-synthesized composite and activated carbon as positive and negative electrode delivers a high specific capacitance of 287.7F g -1 at 1A g -1 . The device demonstrates remarkable energy density (96Whkg -1 ) and high power density (15829.4Wkg -1 ). The retention of capacitance remains 83.5% at the current density of 5A g -1 after 5000cycles. The charged and discharged samples are further studied by ex situ electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) analysis, XRD and SEM to figure out the reasons of capacitance fading. Overall, it is believable that this facile synthetic strategy can be applied to prepare various nanostructured metal hydroxide/CNT composites for high performance supercapacitor electrode materials. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Improving the gate fidelity of capacitively coupled spin qubits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xin; Barnes, Edwin

2015-03-01

Precise execution of quantum gates acting on two or multiple qubits is essential to quantum computation. For semiconductor spin qubits coupled via capacitive interaction, the best fidelity for a two-qubit gate demonstrated so far is around 70%, insufficient for fault-tolerant quantum computation. In this talk we present control protocols that may substantially improve the robustness of two-qubit gates against both nuclear noise and charge noise. Our pulse sequences incorporate simultaneous dynamical decoupling protocols and are simple enough for immediate experimental realization. Together with existing control protocols for single-qubit gates, our results constitute an important step toward scalable quantum computation using spin qubits. This work is done in collaboration with Sankar Das Sarma and supported by LPS-NSA-CMTC and IARPA-MQCO.

Geophysical characterization of the Lollie Levee near Conway, Arkansas, using capacitively coupled resistivity, coring, and direct push logging

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gillip, Jonathan A.; Payne, Jason

2011-01-01

A geophysical characterization of Lollie Levee near Conway, Arkansas, was conducted in February 2011. A capacitively coupled resistivity survey (using Geometric's OhmMapper) was completed along the top and toe of the 6.7-mile levee. Two-dimensional inversions were conducted on the geophysical data. As a quality-control measure, cores and direct push logs were taken at approximately 1-mile intervals along the levee. The capacitively coupled resistivity survey, the coring, and the direct push logs were used to characterize the geologic materials. Comparison of the cores and the direct push log data, along with published resistivity values, indicates that resistivity values of 200 Ohm-meters or greater represent relatively clean sand, with decreasing resistivity values occurring with increasing silt and clay content. The cores indicated that the levee is composed of a heterogeneous mixture of sand, silt, and clay. The capacitively coupled resistivity sections confirm that the levee is composed of a heterogeneous mixture of high and low resistivity materials and show that the composition of the levee varies spatially. The geologic materials underlying the levee vary spatially as a result of the geologic processes that deposited them. In general, the naturally deposited geologic materials underlying the levee contain a greater amount of low resistivity materials in the southern extent of the levee.

Capacitively coupled EMG detection via ultra-low-power microcontroller STFT.

PubMed

Roland, Theresa; Baumgartner, Werner; Amsuess, Sebastian; Russold, Michael F

2017-07-01

As motion artefacts are a major problem with electromyography sensors, a new algorithm is developed to differentiate artefacts to contraction EMG. The performance of myoelectric prosthesis is increased with this algorithm. The implementation is done for an ultra-low-power microcontroller with limited calculation resources and memory. Short Time Fourier Transformation is used to enable real-time application. The sum of the differences (SOD) of the currently measured EMG to a reference contraction EMG is calculated. The SOD is a new parameter introduced for EMG classification. The satisfactory error rates are determined by measurements done with the capacitively coupling EMG prototype, recently developed by the research group.

Experimental benchmark of kinetic simulations of capacitively coupled plasmas in molecular gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Donkó, Z.; Derzsi, A.; Korolov, I.; Hartmann, P.; Brandt, S.; Schulze, J.; Berger, B.; Koepke, M.; Bruneau, B.; Johnson, E.; Lafleur, T.; Booth, J.-P.; Gibson, A. R.; O'Connell, D.; Gans, T.

2018-01-01

We discuss the origin of uncertainties in the results of numerical simulations of low-temperature plasma sources, focusing on capacitively coupled plasmas. These sources can be operated in various gases/gas mixtures, over a wide domain of excitation frequency, voltage, and gas pressure. At low pressures, the non-equilibrium character of the charged particle transport prevails and particle-based simulations become the primary tools for their numerical description. The particle-in-cell method, complemented with Monte Carlo type description of collision processes, is a well-established approach for this purpose. Codes based on this technique have been developed by several authors/groups, and have been benchmarked with each other in some cases. Such benchmarking demonstrates the correctness of the codes, but the underlying physical model remains unvalidated. This is a key point, as this model should ideally account for all important plasma chemical reactions as well as for the plasma-surface interaction via including specific surface reaction coefficients (electron yields, sticking coefficients, etc). In order to test the models rigorously, comparison with experimental ‘benchmark data’ is necessary. Examples will be given regarding the studies of electron power absorption modes in O2, and CF4-Ar discharges, as well as on the effect of modifications of the parameters of certain elementary processes on the computed discharge characteristics in O2 capacitively coupled plasmas.

Electrical description of N2 capacitively coupled plasmas with the global model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Ming-Lu; Lu, Yi-Jia; Cheng, Jia; Ji, Lin-Hong; Engineering Design Team

2016-10-01

N2 discharges in a commercial capacitively coupled plasma reactor are modelled by a combination of an equivalent circuit and the global model, for a range of gas pressure at 1 4 Torr. The ohmic and inductive plasma bulk and the capacitive sheath are represented as LCR elements, with electrical characteristics determined by plasma parameters. The electron density and electron temperature are obtained from the global model in which a Maxwellian electron distribution is assumed. Voltages and currents are recorded by a VI probe installed after the match network. Using the measured voltage as an input, the current flowing through the discharge volume is calculated from the electrical model and shows excellent agreement with the measurements. The experimentally verified electrical model provides a simple and accurate description for the relationship between the external electrical parameters and the plasma properties, which can serve as a guideline for process window planning in industrial applications.

Electron series resonance in a magnetized 13.56 MHz symmetric capacitive coupled discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joshi, J. K.; Binwal, S.; Karkari, S. K.; Kumar, Sunil

2018-03-01

A 13.56 MHz capacitive coupled radio-frequency (RF) argon discharge under transverse magnetic field has been investigated. The discharge is operated in a push-pull mode using a 1:1 isolation transformer with its centre tap grounded to a RF generator. The power delivered to the plasma has been calculated from phase-calibrated RF current/voltage waveforms measured on the secondary side of the isolation transformer. An equivalent electrical circuit of the discharge has been described to determine the net plasma impedance. It is found that in the presence of magnetic field, the discharge impedance exhibits a series resonance as the RF power level is increased gradually. However, in the un-magnetized case, the discharge remains entirely capacitive. A qualitative discussion has been given to explain the role of external magnetic field in achieving the series resonance.

Coupled binary embedding for large-scale image retrieval.

PubMed

Zheng, Liang; Wang, Shengjin; Tian, Qi

2014-08-01

Visual matching is a crucial step in image retrieval based on the bag-of-words (BoW) model. In the baseline method, two keypoints are considered as a matching pair if their SIFT descriptors are quantized to the same visual word. However, the SIFT visual word has two limitations. First, it loses most of its discriminative power during quantization. Second, SIFT only describes the local texture feature. Both drawbacks impair the discriminative power of the BoW model and lead to false positive matches. To tackle this problem, this paper proposes to embed multiple binary features at indexing level. To model correlation between features, a multi-IDF scheme is introduced, through which different binary features are coupled into the inverted file. We show that matching verification methods based on binary features, such as Hamming embedding, can be effectively incorporated in our framework. As an extension, we explore the fusion of binary color feature into image retrieval. The joint integration of the SIFT visual word and binary features greatly enhances the precision of visual matching, reducing the impact of false positive matches. Our method is evaluated through extensive experiments on four benchmark datasets (Ukbench, Holidays, DupImage, and MIR Flickr 1M). We show that our method significantly improves the baseline approach. In addition, large-scale experiments indicate that the proposed method requires acceptable memory usage and query time compared with other approaches. Further, when global color feature is integrated, our method yields competitive performance with the state-of-the-arts.

Design Considerations in Capacitively Coupled Plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Sang-Heon; Ventzek, Peter; Ranjan, Alok

2015-11-01

Microelectronics industry has driven transistor feature size scaling from 10-6 m to 10-9 m during the past 50 years, which is often referred to as Moore's law. It cannot be overstated that today's information technology would not have been so successful without plasma material processing. One of the major plasma sources for the microelectronics fabrication is capacitively coupled plasmas (CCPs). The CCP reactor has been intensively studied and developed for the deposition and etching of different films on the silicon wafer. As the feature size gets to around 10 nm, the requirement for the process uniformity is less than 1-2 nm across the wafer (300 mm). In order to achieve the desired uniformity, the hardware design should be as precise as possible before the fine tuning of process condition is applied to make it even better. In doing this procedure, the computer simulation can save a significant amount of resources such as time and money which are critical in the semiconductor business. In this presentation, we compare plasma properties using a 2-dimensional plasma hydrodynamics model for different kinds of design factors that can affect the plasma uniformity. The parameters studied in this presentation include chamber accessing port, pumping port, focus ring around wafer substrate, and the geometry of electrodes of CCP.

A study on improvement of discharge characteristic by using a transformer in a capacitively coupled plasma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, Young-Cheol; Kim, Hyun-Jun; Lee, Hyo-Chang

In a plasma discharge system, the power loss at powered line, matching network, and other transmission line can affect the discharge characteristics such as the power transfer efficiency, voltage and current at powered electrode, and plasma density. In this paper, we propose a method to reduce power loss by using a step down transformer mounted between the matching network and the powered electrode in a capacitively coupled argon plasma. This step down transformer decreases the power loss by reducing the current flowing through the matching network and transmission line. As a result, the power transfer efficiency was increased about 5%–10%more » by using a step down transformer. However, the plasma density was dramatically increased compared to no transformer. This can be understood by the increase in ohmic heating and the decrease in dc-self bias. By simply mounting a transformer, improvement of discharge efficiency can be achieved in capacitively coupled plasmas.« less

Simulation of Dual-Electrode Capacitively Coupled Plasma Discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Yijia; Ji, Linhong; Cheng, Jia

2016-12-01

Dual-electrode capacitively coupled plasma discharges are investigated here to lower the non-uniformity of plasma density. The dual-electrode structure proposed by Jung splits the electrode region and increases the flexibility of fine tuning non-uniformity. Different RF voltages, frequencies, phase-shifts and electrode areas are simulated and the influences are discussed. RF voltage and electrode area have a non-monotonic effect on non-uniformity, while frequency has a monotonic effect. Phase-shift has a cyclical influence on non-uniformity. A special combination of 224 V voltage and 11% area ratio with 10 MHz lowers the non-uniformity of the original set (200 V voltage and 0% area ratio with 10 MHz) by 46.5%. The position of the plasma density peak at the probe line has been tracked and properly tuning the phase-shift can obtain the same trace as tuning frequency or voltage. supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51405261)

Capacitively coupled hybrid pixel assemblies for the CLIC vertex detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tehrani, N. Alipour; Arfaoui, S.; Benoit, M.; Dannheim, D.; Dette, K.; Hynds, D.; Kulis, S.; Perić, I.; Petrič, M.; Redford, S.; Sicking, E.; Valerio, P.

2016-07-01

The vertex detector at the proposed CLIC multi-TeV linear e+e- collider must have minimal material content and high spatial resolution, combined with accurate time-stamping to cope with the expected high rate of beam-induced backgrounds. One of the options being considered is the use of active sensors implemented in a commercial high-voltage CMOS process, capacitively coupled to hybrid pixel ASICs. A prototype of such an assembly, using two custom designed chips (CCPDv3 as active sensor glued to a CLICpix readout chip), has been characterised both in the lab and in beam tests at the CERN SPS using 120 GeV/c positively charged hadrons. Results of these characterisation studies are presented both for single and dual amplification stages in the active sensor, where efficiencies of greater than 99% have been achieved at -60 V substrate bias, with a single hit resolution of 6.1 μm . Pixel cross-coupling results are also presented, showing the sensitivity to placement precision and planarity of the glue layer.

Gravitational waveforms from unequal-mass binaries with arbitrary spins under leading order spin-orbit coupling

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tessmer, Manuel

This paper generalizes the structure of gravitational waves from orbiting spinning binaries under leading order spin-orbit coupling, as given in the work by Koenigsdoerffer and Gopakumar [Phys. Rev. D 71, 024039 (2005)] for single-spin and equal-mass binaries, to unequal-mass binaries and arbitrary spin configurations. The orbital motion is taken to be quasicircular and the fractional mass difference is assumed to be small against one. The emitted gravitational waveforms are given in analytic form.

Ternary and coupled binary zinc tin oxide nanopowders: Synthesis, characterization, and potential application in photocatalytic processes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ivetić, T.B., E-mail: tamara.ivetic@df.uns.ac.rs; Finčur, N.L.; Đačanin, Lj. R.

2015-02-15

Highlights: • Mechanochemically synthesized nanocrystalline zinc tin oxide (ZTO) powders. • Photocatalytic degradation of alprazolam in the presence of ZTO water suspensions. • Coupled binary ZTO exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to ternary ZTO. - Abstract: In this paper, ternary and coupled binary zinc tin oxide nanocrystalline powders were prepared via simple solid-state mechanochemical method. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Raman and reflectance spectroscopy were used to study the structure and optical properties of the obtained powder samples. The thermal behavior of zinc tin oxide system was examined through simultaneous thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetric analysis. The efficiencies of ternary (Zn{sub 2}SnO{submore » 4} and ZnSnO{sub 3}) and coupled binary (ZnO/SnO{sub 2}) zinc tin oxide water suspensions in the photocatalytic degradation of alprazolam, short-acting anxiolytic of the benzodiazepine class of psychoactive drugs, under UV irradiation were determined and compared with the efficiency of pure ZnO and SnO{sub 2}.« less

Multi-Channel Capacitive Sensor Arrays

PubMed Central

Wang, Bingnan; Long, Jiang; Teo, Koon Hoo

2016-01-01

In this paper, multi-channel capacitive sensor arrays based on microstrip band-stop filters are studied. The sensor arrays can be used to detect the proximity of objects at different positions and directions. Each capacitive sensing structure in the array is connected to an inductive element to form resonance at different frequencies. The resonances are designed to be isolated in the frequency spectrum, such that the change in one channel does not affect resonances at other channels. The inductive element associated with each capacitive sensor can be surface-mounted inductors, integrated microstrip inductors or metamaterial-inspired structures. We show that by using metamaterial split-ring structures coupled to a microstrip line, the quality factor of each resonance can be greatly improved compared to conventional surface-mounted or microstrip meander inductors. With such a microstrip-coupled split-ring design, more sensing elements can be integrated in the same frequency spectrum, and the sensitivity can be greatly improved. PMID:26821023

Correlated Fluctuations in Strongly Coupled Binary Networks Beyond Equilibrium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dahmen, David; Bos, Hannah; Helias, Moritz

2016-07-01

Randomly coupled Ising spins constitute the classical model of collective phenomena in disordered systems, with applications covering glassy magnetism and frustration, combinatorial optimization, protein folding, stock market dynamics, and social dynamics. The phase diagram of these systems is obtained in the thermodynamic limit by averaging over the quenched randomness of the couplings. However, many applications require the statistics of activity for a single realization of the possibly asymmetric couplings in finite-sized networks. Examples include reconstruction of couplings from the observed dynamics, representation of probability distributions for sampling-based inference, and learning in the central nervous system based on the dynamic and correlation-dependent modification of synaptic connections. The systematic cumulant expansion for kinetic binary (Ising) threshold units with strong, random, and asymmetric couplings presented here goes beyond mean-field theory and is applicable outside thermodynamic equilibrium; a system of approximate nonlinear equations predicts average activities and pairwise covariances in quantitative agreement with full simulations down to hundreds of units. The linearized theory yields an expansion of the correlation and response functions in collective eigenmodes, leads to an efficient algorithm solving the inverse problem, and shows that correlations are invariant under scaling of the interaction strengths.

Characterization of high-pressure capacitively coupled hydrogen plasmas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nunomura, S.; Kondo, M.

2007-11-01

Capacitively coupled very-high-frequency hydrogen plasmas have been systematically diagnosed in a wide range of a gas pressure from 5 mTorr to 10 Torr. The plasma parameters, ion species, and ion energy distributions (IEDs) are measured using a Langmuir probe, optical emission spectroscopy, and energy filtered mass spectrometer. The measurement results show that the ion species in a hydrogen plasma is determined from ionization channels and subsequent ion-molecule reactions. The ions are dominated by H{sub 2}{sup +} at a less-collisional condition of < or approx. 20 mTorr, whereas those are dominated by H{sub 3}{sup +} at a collisional condition of >more » or approx. 20 mTorr. The IED is determined by both the sheath potential drop and ion-neutral collisions in the plasma sheath. The IED is broadened for a collisional sheath at > or approx. 0.3 Torr and the ion bombardment energy is lowered. For high-pressure discharge operated at {approx_equal}10 Torr, plasmas are characterized by a low electron temperature of {approx_equal}0.8 eV and a low ion bombardment energy of < or approx. 15 eV.« less

Modeling of capacitively and inductively coupled plasma for molecular decontamination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mihailova, Diana; Hagelaar, Gerjan; Belenguer, Philippe; Laurent, Christopher; Lo, Juslan; Caillier, Bruno; Therese, Laurent; Guillot, Philippe

2013-09-01

This project aims to study and to develop new technology bricks for next generation of molecular decontamination systems, including plasma solution, for various applications. The contamination control in the processing stages is a major issue for the industrial performance as well as for the development of new technologies in the surface treatment area. The main task is to create uniform low temperature plasma inside a reactor containing the object to be treated. Different plasma sources are modeled with the aim of finding the most efficient one for surface decontamination: inductively coupled plasma, capacitively coupled plasma and combination of both. The model used for testing the various plasma sources is a time dependent two-dimensional multi-fluid model. The model is applied to a simplified cylindrically symmetric geometry in pure argon gas. The modeling results are validated by comparison with experimental results and observations based on optical and physical diagnostic tools. The influence of various parameters (power, pressure, flow) is studied and the corresponding results are presented, compared and discussed. This work has been performed in the frame of the collaborative program PAUD (Plasma Airborne molecular contamination Ultra Desorption) funded by the French agency OSEO and certified by French global competitive clusters Minalogic and Trimatec.

Hydrogen atom kinetics in capacitively coupled plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nunomura, Shota; Katayama, Hirotaka; Yoshida, Isao

2017-05-01

Hydrogen (H) atom kinetics has been investigated in capacitively coupled very high frequency (VHF) discharges at powers of 16-780 mW cm-2 and H2 gas pressures of 0.1-2 Torr. The H atom density has been measured using vacuum ultra violet absorption spectroscopy (VUVAS) with a micro-discharge hollow cathode lamp as a VUV light source. The measurements have been performed in two different electrode configurations of discharges: conventional parallel-plate diode and triode with an intermediate mesh electrode. We find that in the triode configuration, the H atom density is strongly reduced across the mesh electrode. The H atom density varies from ˜1012 cm-3 to ˜1010 cm-3 by crossing the mesh with 0.2 mm in thickness and 36% in aperture ratio. The fluid model simulations for VHF discharge plasmas have been performed to study the H atom generation, diffusion and recombination kinetics. The simulations suggest that H atoms are generated in the bulk plasma, by the electron impact dissociation (e + H2 \\to e + 2H) and the ion-molecule reaction (H2 + + H2 \\to {{{H}}}3+ + H). The diffusion of H atoms is strongly limited by a mesh electrode, and thus the mesh geometry influences the spatial distribution of the H atoms. The loss of H atoms is dominated by the surface recombination.

Actuatable capacitive transducer for quantitative nanoindentation combined with transmission electron microscopy

DOEpatents

Warren, Oden L.; Asif, S. A. Syed; Cyrankowski, Edward; Kounev, Kalin

2010-09-21

An actuatable capacitive transducer including a transducer body, a first capacitor including a displaceable electrode and electrically configured as an electrostatic actuator, and a second capacitor including a displaceable electrode and electrically configured as a capacitive displacement sensor, wherein the second capacitor comprises a multi-plate capacitor. The actuatable capacitive transducer further includes a coupling shaft configured to mechanically couple the displaceable electrode of the first capacitor to the displaceable electrode of the second capacitor to form a displaceable electrode unit which is displaceable relative to the transducer body, and an electrically-conductive indenter mechanically coupled to the coupling shaft so as to be displaceable in unison with the displaceable electrode unit.-

Actuatable capacitive transducer for quantitative nanoindentation combined with transmission electron microscopy

DOEpatents

Warren, Oden L; Asif, Syed Amanula Syed; Cyrankowski, Edward; Kounev, Kalin

2013-06-04

An actuatable capacitive transducer including a transducer body, a first capacitor including a displaceable electrode and electrically configured as an electrostatic actuator, and a second capacitor including a displaceable electrode and electrically configured as a capacitive displacement sensor, wherein the second capacitor comprises a multi-plate capacitor. The actuatable capacitive transducer further includes a coupling shaft configured to mechanically couple the displaceable electrode of the first capacitor to the displaceable electrode of the second capacitor to form a displaceable electrode unit which is displaceable relative to the transducer body, and an electrically-conductive indenter mechanically coupled to the coupling shaft so as to be displaceable in unison with the displaceable electrode unit.

Extraction of the gate capacitance coupling coefficient in floating gate non-volatile memories: Statistical study of the effect of mismatching between floating gate memory and reference transistor in dummy cell extraction methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rafhay, Quentin; Beug, M. Florian; Duane, Russell

2007-04-01

This paper presents an experimental comparison of dummy cell extraction methods of the gate capacitance coupling coefficient for floating gate non-volatile memory structures from different geometries and technologies. These results show the significant influence of mismatching floating gate devices and reference transistors on the extraction of the gate capacitance coupling coefficient. In addition, it demonstrates the accuracy of the new bulk bias dummy cell extraction method and the importance of the β function, introduced recently in [Duane R, Beug F, Mathewson A. Novel capacitance coupling coefficient measurement methodology for floating gate non-volatile memory devices. IEEE Electr Dev Lett 2005;26(7):507-9], to determine matching pairs of floating gate memory and reference transistor.

Breaking Binaries? Biomedicine and Serostatus Borderlands among Couples with Mixed HIV Status.

PubMed

Persson, Asha; Newman, Christy E; Ellard, Jeanne

2017-01-01

With recent breakthroughs in HIV treatment and prevention, the meanings of HIV-positivity and HIV-negativity are changing at biomedical and community levels. We explore how binary constructions of HIV serostatus identities are giving way to something more complex that brings both welcome possibilities and potential concerns. We draw on research with couples with mixed HIV status to argue that, in the context of lived experiences, serostatus identities have always been more ambiguous than allowed for in HIV discourse. However, their supposed dichotomous quality seems even more dubious now in view of contemporary biomedical technologies. Invoking the anthropological concept of "borderlands," we consider how biomedicine is generating more diverse serostatus identities, widening the options for how to live with HIV, and eroding the stigmatizing serostatus binary that has haunted the epidemic. But we also ask whether this emerging borderland, and its "normalizing" tendencies, is concomitantly giving rise to new and troubling binaries.

Novel high-frequency energy-efficient pulsed-dc generator for capacitively coupled plasma discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mamun, Md Abdullah Al; Furuta, Hiroshi; Hatta, Akimitsu

2018-03-01

The circuit design, assembly, and operating tests of a high-frequency and high-voltage (HV) pulsed dc generator (PDG) for capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) discharge inside a vacuum chamber are reported. For capacitive loads, it is challenging to obtain sharp rectangular pulses with fast rising and falling edges, requiring intense current for quick charging and discharging. The requirement of intense current generally limits the pulse operation frequency. In this study, we present a new type of PDG consisting of a pair of half-resonant converters and a constant current-controller circuit connected with HV solid-state power switches that can deliver almost rectangular high voltage pulses with fast rising and falling edges for CCP discharge. A prototype of the PDG is assembled to modulate from a high-voltage direct current (HVdc) input into a pulsed HVdc output, while following an input pulse signal and a set current level. The pulse rise time and fall time are less than 500 ns and 800 ns, respectively, and the minimum pulse width is 1 µs. The maximum voltage for a negative pulse is 1000 V, and the maximum repetition frequency is 500 kHz. During the pulse on time, the plasma discharge current is controlled steadily at the set value. The half-resonant converters in the PDG perform recovery of the remaining energy from the capacitive load at every termination of pulse discharge. The PDG performed with a high energy efficiency of 85% from the HVdc input to the pulsed dc output at a repetition rate of 1 kHz and with stable plasma operation in various discharge conditions. The results suggest that the developed PDG can be considered to be more efficient for plasma processing by CCP.

Novel high-frequency energy-efficient pulsed-dc generator for capacitively coupled plasma discharge.

PubMed

Mamun, Md Abdullah Al; Furuta, Hiroshi; Hatta, Akimitsu

2018-03-01

The circuit design, assembly, and operating tests of a high-frequency and high-voltage (HV) pulsed dc generator (PDG) for capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) discharge inside a vacuum chamber are reported. For capacitive loads, it is challenging to obtain sharp rectangular pulses with fast rising and falling edges, requiring intense current for quick charging and discharging. The requirement of intense current generally limits the pulse operation frequency. In this study, we present a new type of PDG consisting of a pair of half-resonant converters and a constant current-controller circuit connected with HV solid-state power switches that can deliver almost rectangular high voltage pulses with fast rising and falling edges for CCP discharge. A prototype of the PDG is assembled to modulate from a high-voltage direct current (HVdc) input into a pulsed HVdc output, while following an input pulse signal and a set current level. The pulse rise time and fall time are less than 500 ns and 800 ns, respectively, and the minimum pulse width is 1 µs. The maximum voltage for a negative pulse is 1000 V, and the maximum repetition frequency is 500 kHz. During the pulse on time, the plasma discharge current is controlled steadily at the set value. The half-resonant converters in the PDG perform recovery of the remaining energy from the capacitive load at every termination of pulse discharge. The PDG performed with a high energy efficiency of 85% from the HVdc input to the pulsed dc output at a repetition rate of 1 kHz and with stable plasma operation in various discharge conditions. The results suggest that the developed PDG can be considered to be more efficient for plasma processing by CCP.

Capacitively coupled RF voltage probe having optimized flux linkage

DOEpatents

Moore, James A.; Sparks, Dennis O.

1999-02-02

An RF sensor having a novel current sensing probe and a voltage sensing probe to measure voltage and current. The current sensor is disposed in a transmission line to link all of the flux generated by the flowing current in order to obtain an accurate measurement. The voltage sensor is a flat plate which operates as a capacitive plate to sense voltage on a center conductor of the transmission line, in which the measured voltage is obtained across a resistance leg of a R-C differentiator circuit formed by the characteristic impedance of a connecting transmission line and a capacitance of the plate, which is positioned proximal to the center conductor.

Performance of human body communication-based wearable ECG with capacitive coupling electrodes

PubMed Central

Sakuma, Jun; Anzai, Daisuke

2016-01-01

Wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) is attracting much attention in daily healthcare applications, and human body communication (HBC) technology provides an evident advantage in making the sensing electrodes of ECG also working for transmission through the human body. In view of actual usage in daily life, however, non-contact electrodes to the human body are desirable. In this Letter, the authors discussed the ECG circuit structure in the HBC-based wearable ECG for removing the common mode noise when employing non-contact capacitive coupling electrodes. Through the comparison of experimental results, they have shown that the authors’ proposed circuit structure with the third electrode directly connected to signal ground can provide an effect on common mode noise reduction similar to the usual drive-right-leg circuit, and a sufficiently good acquisition performance of ECG signals. PMID:27733931

Performance of human body communication-based wearable ECG with capacitive coupling electrodes.

PubMed

Sakuma, Jun; Anzai, Daisuke; Wang, Jianqing

2016-09-01

Wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) is attracting much attention in daily healthcare applications, and human body communication (HBC) technology provides an evident advantage in making the sensing electrodes of ECG also working for transmission through the human body. In view of actual usage in daily life, however, non-contact electrodes to the human body are desirable. In this Letter, the authors discussed the ECG circuit structure in the HBC-based wearable ECG for removing the common mode noise when employing non-contact capacitive coupling electrodes. Through the comparison of experimental results, they have shown that the authors' proposed circuit structure with the third electrode directly connected to signal ground can provide an effect on common mode noise reduction similar to the usual drive-right-leg circuit, and a sufficiently good acquisition performance of ECG signals.

Interface and permittivity simultaneous reconstruction in electrical capacitance tomography based on boundary and finite-elements coupling method

PubMed Central

Ren, Shangjie; Dong, Feng

2016-01-01

Electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) is a non-destructive detection technique for imaging the permittivity distributions inside an observed domain from the capacitances measurements on its boundary. Owing to its advantages of non-contact, non-radiation, high speed and low cost, ECT is promising in the measurements of many industrial or biological processes. However, in the practical industrial or biological systems, a deposit is normally seen in the inner wall of its pipe or vessel. As the actual region of interest (ROI) of ECT is surrounded by the deposit layer, the capacitance measurements become weakly sensitive to the permittivity perturbation occurring at the ROI. When there is a major permittivity difference between the deposit and the ROI, this kind of shielding effect is significant, and the permittivity reconstruction becomes challenging. To deal with the issue, an interface and permittivity simultaneous reconstruction approach is proposed. Both the permittivity at the ROI and the geometry of the deposit layer are recovered using the block coordinate descent method. The boundary and finite-elements coupling method is employed to improve the computational efficiency. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated with the simulation tests. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Supersensing through industrial process tomography’. PMID:27185960

New observations and new models of spin-orbit coupling in binary asteroids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Margot, Jean-Luc; Naidu, Shantanu

2015-08-01

The YORP-induced rotational fission hypothesis is the leading candidate for explaining the formation of binaries, triples, and pairs among small (<20 km) asteroids (e.g., Margot et al, Asteroids IV, subm., 2015). Various evolutionary paths following rotational fission have been suggested, but many important questions remain about the evolutionary mechanisms and timescales. We test hypotheses about the evolution of binary asteroids by obtaining precise descriptions of the orbits and components of binary systems with radar and by examining the system dynamics with detailed numerical simulations. Predictions for component spin states and orbital precession rates can then be compared to observables in our data sets or in other data sets to elucidate the states of various systems and their likely evolutionary paths.Accurate simulations require knowledge of the masses, shapes, and spin states of individual binary components. Because radar observations can provide exquisite data sets spanning days with spatial resolutions at the decameter level, we can invert for the component shapes and measure spin states. We can also solve for the mutual orbit by fitting the observed separations between components. In addition, the superb (10e-7--10e-8) fractional uncertainties in range allow us to measure the reflex motions directly, allowing masses of individual components to be determined.We use recently published observations of the binary 2000 DP107 (Naidu et al. AJ, subm., 2015) and that of other systems to simulate the dynamics of components in well-characterized binary systems (Naidu and Margot, AJ 149, 80, 2015). We model the coupled spin and orbital motions of two rigid, ellipsoidal bodies under the influence of their mutual gravitational potential. We use surface of section plots to map the possible spin configurations of the satellites. For asynchronous satellites, the analysis reveals large regions of phase space where the spin state of the satellite is chaotic. The

On electron heating in a low pressure capacitively coupled oxygen discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gudmundsson, J. T.; Snorrason, D. I.

2017-11-01

We use the one-dimensional object-oriented particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision code oopd1 to explore the charged particle densities, the electronegativity, the electron energy probability function, and the electron heating mechanism in a single frequency capacitively coupled oxygen discharge, when the applied voltage amplitude is varied. We explore discharges operated at 10 mTorr, where electron heating within the plasma bulk (the electronegative core) dominates, and at 50 mTorr, where sheath heating dominates. At 10 mTorr, the discharge is operated in a combined drift-ambipolar and α-mode, and at 50 mTorr, it is operated in the pure α-mode. At 10 mTorr, the effective electron temperature is high and increases with increased driving voltage amplitude, while at 50 mTorr, the effective electron temperature is much lower, in particular, within the electronegative core, where it is roughly 0.2-0.3 eV, and varies only a little with the voltage amplitude.

Plasma inhomogeneities near the electrodes of a capacitively-coupled radio-frequency discharge containing dust particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tawidian, H.; Mikikian, M.; Couëdel, L.; Lecas, T.

2011-11-01

Small plasma spheroids are evidenced and analyzed in front of the electrodes of a capacitively-coupled radio-frequency discharge in which dust particles are growing. These regions are characterized by a spherical shape, a slightly enhanced luminosity and are related to instabilities induced by the presence of dust particles. Several types of behaviors are identified and particularly their chaotic appearance or disappearance and their rotational motion along the electrode periphery. Correlations with the unstable behavior of the global plasma glow are performed. These analyses are obtained thanks to high-speed imaging which is the only diagnostics able to evidence these plasma spheroids.

Plasma breakdown in a capacitively-coupled radiofrequency argon discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, H. B.; Charles, C.; Boswell, R. W.

1998-10-01

Low pressure, capacitively-coupled rf discharges are widely used in research and commercial ventures. Understanding of the non-equilibrium processes which occur in these discharges during breakdown is of interest, both for industrial applications and for a deeper understanding of fundamental plasma behaviour. The voltage required to breakdown the discharge V_brk has long been known to be a strong function of the product of the neutral gas pressure and the electrode seperation (pd). This paper investigates the dependence of V_brk on pd in rf systems using experimental, computational and analytic techniques. Experimental measurements of V_brk are made for pressures in the range 1 -- 500 mTorr and electrode separations of 2 -- 20 cm. A Paschen-style curve for breakdown in rf systems is developed which has the minimum breakdown voltage at a much smaller pd value, and breakdown voltages which are significantly lower overall, than for Paschen curves obtained from dc discharges. The differences between the two systems are explained using a simple analytic model. A Particle-in-Cell simulation is used to investigate a similar pd range and examine the effect of the secondary emission coefficient on the rf breakdown curve, particularly at low pd values. Analytic curves are fitted to both experimental and simulation results.

Fully integrated low-noise readout circuit with automatic offset cancellation loop for capacitive microsensors.

PubMed

Song, Haryong; Park, Yunjong; Kim, Hyungseup; Cho, Dong-Il Dan; Ko, Hyoungho

2015-10-14

Capacitive sensing schemes are widely used for various microsensors; however, such microsensors suffer from severe parasitic capacitance problems. This paper presents a fully integrated low-noise readout circuit with automatic offset cancellation loop (AOCL) for capacitive microsensors. The output offsets of the capacitive sensing chain due to the parasitic capacitances and process variations are automatically removed using AOCL. The AOCL generates electrically equivalent offset capacitance and enables charge-domain fine calibration using a 10-bit R-2R digital-to-analog converter, charge-transfer switches, and a charge-storing capacitor. The AOCL cancels the unwanted offset by binary-search algorithm based on 10-bit successive approximation register (SAR) logic. The chip is implemented using 0.18 μm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process with an active area of 1.76 mm². The power consumption is 220 μW with 3.3 V supply. The input parasitic capacitances within the range of -250 fF to 250 fF can be cancelled out automatically, and the required calibration time is lower than 10 ms.

Fully Integrated Low-Noise Readout Circuit with Automatic Offset Cancellation Loop for Capacitive Microsensors

PubMed Central

Song, Haryong; Park, Yunjong; Kim, Hyungseup; Cho, Dong-il Dan; Ko, Hyoungho

2015-01-01

Capacitive sensing schemes are widely used for various microsensors; however, such microsensors suffer from severe parasitic capacitance problems. This paper presents a fully integrated low-noise readout circuit with automatic offset cancellation loop (AOCL) for capacitive microsensors. The output offsets of the capacitive sensing chain due to the parasitic capacitances and process variations are automatically removed using AOCL. The AOCL generates electrically equivalent offset capacitance and enables charge-domain fine calibration using a 10-bit R-2R digital-to-analog converter, charge-transfer switches, and a charge-storing capacitor. The AOCL cancels the unwanted offset by binary-search algorithm based on 10-bit successive approximation register (SAR) logic. The chip is implemented using 0.18 μm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process with an active area of 1.76 mm2. The power consumption is 220 μW with 3.3 V supply. The input parasitic capacitances within the range of −250 fF to 250 fF can be cancelled out automatically, and the required calibration time is lower than 10 ms. PMID:26473877

Different phospholipase-C-coupled receptors differentially regulate capacitative and non-capacitative Ca2+ entry in A7r5 cells

PubMed Central

Moneer, Zahid; Pino, Irene; Taylor, Emily J. A.; Broad, Lisa M.; Liu, Yingjie; Tovey, Stephen C.; Staali, Leila; Taylor, Colin W.

2005-01-01

Several receptors, including those for AVP (Arg8-vasopressin) and 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine), share an ability to stimulate PLC (phospholipase C) and so production of IP3 (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate) and DAG (diacylglycerol) in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells. Our previous analysis of the effects of AVP on Ca2+ entry [Moneer, Dyer and Taylor (2003) Biochem. J. 370, 439–448] showed that arachidonic acid released from DAG stimulated NO synthase. NO then stimulated an NCCE (non-capacitative Ca2+ entry) pathway, and, via cGMP and protein kinase G, it inhibited CCE (capacitative Ca2+ entry). This reciprocal regulation ensured that, in the presence of AVP, all Ca2+ entry occurred via NCCE to be followed by a transient activation of CCE only when AVP was removed [Moneer and Taylor (2002) Biochem. J. 362, 13–21]. We confirm that, in the presence of AVP, all Ca2+ entry occurs via NCCE, but 5-HT, despite activating PLC and evoking release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, stimulates Ca2+ entry only via CCE. We conclude that two PLC-coupled receptors differentially regulate CCE and NCCE. We also address evidence that, in some A7r5 cells lines, AVP fails either to stimulate NCCE or inhibit CCE [Brueggemann, Markun, Barakat, Chen and Byron (2005) Biochem. J. 388, 237–244]. Quantitative PCR analysis suggests that these cells predominantly express TRPC1 (transient receptor potential canonical 1), whereas cells in which AVP reciprocally regulates CCE and NCCE express a greater variety of TRPC subtypes (TRPC1=6>2>3). PMID:15918794

3-Dimensional Modeling of Capacitively and Inductively Coupled Plasma Etching Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rauf, Shahid

2008-10-01

Low temperature plasmas are widely used for thin film etching during micro and nano-electronic device fabrication. Fluid and hybrid plasma models were developed 15-20 years ago to understand the fundamentals of these plasmas and plasma etching. These models have significantly evolved since then, and are now a major tool used for new plasma hardware design and problem resolution. Plasma etching is a complex physical phenomenon, where inter-coupled plasma, electromagnetic, fluid dynamics, and thermal effects all have a major influence. The next frontier in the evolution of fluid-based plasma models is where these models are able to self-consistently treat the inter-coupling of plasma physics with fluid dynamics, electromagnetics, heat transfer and magnetostatics. We describe one such model in this paper and illustrate its use in solving engineering problems of interest for next generation plasma etcher design. Our 3-dimensional plasma model includes the full set of Maxwell equations, transport equations for all charged and neutral species in the plasma, the Navier-Stokes equation for fluid flow, and Kirchhoff's equations for the lumped external circuit. This model also includes Monte Carlo based kinetic models for secondary electrons and stochastic heating, and can take account of plasma chemistry. This modeling formalism allows us to self-consistently treat the dynamics in commercial inductively and capacitively coupled plasma etching reactors with realistic plasma chemistries, magnetic fields, and reactor geometries. We are also able to investigate the influence of the distributed electromagnetic circuit at very high frequencies (VHF) on the plasma dynamics. The model is used to assess the impact of azimuthal asymmetries in plasma reactor design (e.g., off-center pump, 3D magnetic field, slit valve, flow restrictor) on plasma characteristics at frequencies from 2 -- 180 MHz. With Jason Kenney, Ankur Agarwal, Ajit Balakrishna, Kallol Bera, and Ken Collins.

Diagnostic of capacitively coupled radio frequency plasma from electrical discharge characteristics: comparison with optical emission spectroscopy and fluid model simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiang, HE; Chong, LIU; Yachun, ZHANG; Jianping, CHEN; Yudong, CHEN; Xiaojun, ZENG; Bingyan, CHEN; Jiaxin, PANG; Yibing, WANG

2018-02-01

The capacitively coupled radio frequency (CCRF) plasma has been widely used in various fields. In some cases, it requires us to estimate the range of key plasma parameters simpler and quicker in order to understand the behavior in plasma. In this paper, a glass vacuum chamber and a pair of plate electrodes were designed and fabricated, using 13.56 MHz radio frequency (RF) discharge technology to ionize the working gas of Ar. This discharge was mathematically described with equivalent circuit model. The discharge voltage and current of the plasma were measured at different pressures and different powers. Based on the capacitively coupled homogeneous discharge model, the equivalent circuit and the analytical formula were established. The plasma density and temperature were calculated by using the equivalent impedance principle and energy balance equation. The experimental results show that when RF discharge power is 50-300 W and pressure is 25-250 Pa, the average electron temperature is about 1.7-2.1 eV and the average electron density is about 0.5 × 1017-3.6 × 1017 m-3. Agreement was found when the results were compared to those given by optical emission spectroscopy and COMSOL simulation.

Coevolution of Binaries and Circumbinary Gaseous Disks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fleming, David; Quinn, Thomas R.

2018-04-01

The recent discoveries of circumbinary planets by Kepler raise questions for contemporary planet formation models. Understanding how these planets form requires characterizing their formation environment, the circumbinary protoplanetary disk, and how the disk and binary interact. The central binary excites resonances in the surrounding protoplanetary disk that drive evolution in both the binary orbital elements and in the disk. To probe how these interactions impact both binary eccentricity and disk structure evolution, we ran N-body smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulations of gaseous protoplanetary disks surrounding binaries based on Kepler 38 for 10^4 binary orbital periods for several initial binary eccentricities. We find that nearly circular binaries weakly couple to the disk via a parametric instability and excite disk eccentricity growth. Eccentric binaries strongly couple to the disk causing eccentricity growth for both the disk and binary. Disks around sufficiently eccentric binaries strongly couple to the disk and develop an m = 1 spiral wave launched from the 1:3 eccentric outer Lindblad resonance (EOLR). This wave corresponds to an alignment of gas particle longitude of periastrons. We find that in all simulations, the binary semi-major axis decays due to dissipation from the viscous disk.

A Self-Adaptive Capacitive Compensation Technique for Body Channel Communication.

PubMed

Mao, Jingna; Yang, Huazhong; Lian, Yong; Zhao, Bo

2017-10-01

In wireless body area network, capacitive-coupling body channel communication (CC-BCC) has the potential to attain better energy efficiency over conventional wireless communication schemes. The CC-BCC scheme utilizes the human body as the forward signal transmission medium, reducing the path loss in wireless body-centric communications. However, the backward path is formed by the coupling capacitance between the ground electrodes (GEs) of transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx), which increases the path loss and results in a body posture dependent backward impedance. Conventional methods use a fixed inductor to resonate with the backward capacitor to compensate the path loss, while it's not effective in compensating the variable backward impedance induced by the body movements. In this paper, we propose a self-adaptive capacitive compensation (SACC) technique to address such a problem. A backward distance detector is introduced to estimate the distance between two GEs of Tx and Rx, and a backward capacitance model is built to calculate the backward capacitance. The calculated backward capacitance at varying body posture is compensated by a digitally controlled tunable inductor (DCTI). The proposed SACC technique is validated by a prototype CC-BCC system, and measurements are taken on human subjects. The measurement results show that 9dB-16 dB channel enhancement can be achieved at a backward path distance of 1 cm-10 cm.

Crosstalk error correction through dynamical decoupling of single-qubit gates in capacitively coupled singlet-triplet semiconductor spin qubits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buterakos, Donovan; Throckmorton, Robert E.; Das Sarma, S.

2018-01-01

In addition to magnetic field and electric charge noise adversely affecting spin-qubit operations, performing single-qubit gates on one of multiple coupled singlet-triplet qubits presents a new challenge: crosstalk, which is inevitable (and must be minimized) in any multiqubit quantum computing architecture. We develop a set of dynamically corrected pulse sequences that are designed to cancel the effects of both types of noise (i.e., field and charge) as well as crosstalk to leading order, and provide parameters for these corrected sequences for all 24 of the single-qubit Clifford gates. We then provide an estimate of the error as a function of the noise and capacitive coupling to compare the fidelity of our corrected gates to their uncorrected versions. Dynamical error correction protocols presented in this work are important for the next generation of singlet-triplet qubit devices where coupling among many qubits will become relevant.

Capacitively coupled pickup in MCP-based photodetectors using a conductive metallic anode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Angelico, E.; Seiss, T.; Adams, B.; Elagin, A.; Frisch, H.; Spieglan, E.

2017-02-01

We have designed and tested a robust 20×20 cm2 thin metal film internal anode capacitively coupled to an external array of signal pads or micro-strips for use in fast microchannel plate photodetectors. The internal anode, in this case a 10 nm-thick NiCr film deposited on a 96% pure Al2O3 3 mm-thick ceramic plate and connected to HV ground, provides the return path for the electron cascade charge. The multi-channel pickup array consists of a printed-circuit card or glass plate with metal signal pickups on one side and the signal ground plane on the other. The pickup can be put in close proximity to the bottom outer surface of the sealed photodetector, with no electrical connections through the photodetector hermetic vacuum package other than a single ground connection to the internal anode. Two pickup patterns were tested using a small commercial MCP-PMT as the signal source: 1) parallel 50 Ω 25-cm-long micro-strips with an analog bandwidth of 1.5 GHz, and 2) a 20×20 cm2 array of 2-dimensional square 'pads' with sides of 1.27 cm or 2.54 cm. The rise-time of the fast input pulse is maintained for both pickup patterns. For the pad pattern, we observe 80% of the directly coupled amplitude. For the strip pattern we measure 34% of the directly coupled amplitude on the central strip of a broadened signal. The physical decoupling of the photodetector from the pickup pattern allows easy customization for different applications while maintaining high analog bandwidth.

Non-linear lumped model circuit of capacitively coupled plasmas at the intermediate radio-frequencies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shihab, Mohammed

2018-06-01

The discharge dynamics in geometrically asymmetric capacitively coupled plasmas are investigated via a lumped model circuit. A realistic reactor configuration is assumed. A single and two separate RF voltage sources are considered. One of the driven frequencies (the higher frequency) has been adjusted to excite a plasma series resonance, while the second frequency (the lower frequency) is in the range of the ion plasma frequency. Increasing the plasma pressure in the low pressure regime (≤ 100mTorr) is found to diminish the amplitude of the self-excited harmonics of the discharge current, however, the net result is enhancing the plasma heating. The modulation of the ion density with the lower driving frequency affect the plasma heating considerably. The net effect depends on the amplitude and the phase of the ion modulation.

Preamplifiers for non-contact capacitive biopotential measurements.

PubMed

Peng, GuoChen; Ignjatovic, Zeljko; Bocko, Mark F

2013-01-01

Non-contact biopotential sensing is an attractive measurement strategy for a number of health monitoring applications, primarily the ECG and the EEG. In all such applications a key technical challenge is the design of a low-noise trans-impedance preamplifier for the typically low-capacitance, high source impedance sensing electrodes. In this paper, we compare voltage and charge amplifier designs in terms of their common mode rejection ratio, noise performance, and frequency response. Both amplifier types employ the same operational-transconductance amplifier (OTA), which was fabricated in a 0.35 um CMOS process. The results show that a charge amplifier configuration has advantages for small electrode-to-subject coupling capacitance values (less than 10 pF--typical of noncontact electrodes) and that the voltage amplifier configuration has advantages for electrode capacitances above 10 pF.

Micromachined capacitive ultrasonic immersion transducer array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Xuecheng

Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs) have emerged as an attractive alternative to conventional piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers. They offer performance advantages of wide bandwidth and sensitivity that have heretofore been attainable. In addition, micromachining technology, which has benefited from the fast-growing microelectronics industry, enables cMUT array fabrication and electronics integration. This thesis describes the design and fabrication of micromachined capacitive ultrasonic immersion transducer arrays. The basic transducer electrical equivalent circuit is derived from Mason's theory. The effects of Lamb waves and Stoneley waves on cross coupling and acoustic losses are discussed. Electrical parasitics such as series resistance and shunt capacitance are also included in the model of the transducer. Transducer fabrication technology is systematically studied. Device dimension control in both vertical and horizontal directions, process alternatives and variations in membrane formation, via etch and cavity sealing, and metalization as well as their impact on transducer performance are summarized. Both 64 and 128 element 1-D array transducers are fabricated. Transducers are characterized in terms of electrical input impedance, bandwidth, sensitivity, dynamic range, impulse response and angular response, and their performance is compared with theoretical simulation. Various schemes for cross coupling reduction is analyzed, implemented, and verified with both experiments and theory. Preliminary results of immersion imaging are presented using 64 elements 1-D array transducers for active source imaging.

Review of ion energy and angular distributions in capacitively coupled RF plasma reactors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kawamura, E.; Lieberman, M.A.; Birdsall, C.K.

1995-12-31

The authors present a historical review and discussion of previous works on ion energy and angular distributions (IED and IAD) arriving at the target in the collisionless regime. This regime is of great interest to experimentalists and modelers studying the new generation of high density sources in which the sheath is much thinner than in the conventional RIE systems. The purpose of the review is to asses what has been done so far, and to clarify some issues about sheaths in high density systems. Having determined the important parameters, the authors show some particle-in-cell simulation results of a dually excitedmore » capacitively coupled plasma in which the sheath ions roughly see the scaling as in high density sources. The results show that when {tau}{sub ion}/{tau}{sub rf} < 1, the oscillating voltage and width of the rf sheath significantly affect the IEDs, where {tau}{sub ion} is the ion transit-time and {tau}{sub rf} is rf period.« less

The compressibility and the capacitance coefficient of helium-oxygen atmospheres.

PubMed

Imbert, G; Dejours, P; Hildwein, G

1982-12-01

The capacitance coefficient beta of an ideal gas mixture depends only on its temperature T, and its value is derived from the ideal gas law (i.e., beta = 1/RT, R being the ideal gas constant). But real gases behave as ideal gases only at low pressures, and this would not be the case in deep diving. High pressures of helium-oxygen are used in human and animal experimental dives (up to 7 or 12 MPa or more, respectively). At such pressures deviations from the ideal gas law cannot be neglected in hyperbaric atmospheres with respect to current accuracy of measuring instruments. As shown both theoretically and experimentally by this study, the non-ideal nature of helium-oxygen has a significant effect on the capacitance coefficient of hyperbaric atmospheres. The theoretical study is based on interaction energy in either homogeneous (He-He and O2-O2) or heterogeneous (He-O2) molecular pairs, and on the virial equation of state for gas mixtures. The experimental study is based on weight determination of samples of known volume of binary helium-oxygen mixtures, which are prepared in well-controlled pressure and temperature conditions. Our experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions. 1) The helium compressibility factor ZHe increases linearly with pressure [ZHe = 1 + 0.0045 P (in MPa) at 30 degrees C]; and 2) in same temperature and pressure conditions (T = 303 K and P = 0.1 to 15 MPa), the same value for Z is valid for a helium-oxygen binary mixture and for pure helium. As derived from the equation of state of real gases, the capacitance coefficient is inversely related to Z (beta = 1/ZRT); therefore, for helium-oxygen mixtures, this coefficient would decrease with increasing pressure. A table is given for theoretical values of helium-oxygen capacitance coefficient, at pressures ranging from 0.1 to 15.0 MPa and at temperatures ranging from 25 degrees C to 37 degrees C.

Template method to controllable synthesis 3D porous NiCo2O4 with enhanced capacitance and stability for supercapacitors.

PubMed

Bai, Yang; Wang, Ranran; Lu, Xiaoyu; Sun, Jing; Gao, Lian

2016-04-15

We present a facile template method to fabricate NiCo2O4 (NCO) composites with 3D porous structure as electrodes for supercapacitors. SiO2 sol is used as the template to prevent the aggregation of NCO and construct the porous structure with high specific surface area. Meanwhile, the binary metal oxides not only inherit the merits of single nickel oxides or cobalt oxides, but also show superior properties to promote the capacitance. The uniform structure of NCO12 (SiO2/NCO=1:2) is obtained through controlling the mass ratio of SiO2 and NCO. Owing to the dual advantages of porous structure and binary system, NCO12 composites exhibit highly enhanced electrochemical performance compared with those of directly prepared NCO, NCO21 (SiO2/NCO=1:0.5) and NCO14 (SiO2/NCO=1:4). The specific capacitance of NCO12 composite is about 1389 Fg(-1) at 1 Ag(-1). At 4 Ag(-1), the capacitance is still as high as 1090 Fg(-1) together with capacitance retention of 80% over 2500 cycles. The capacitance and stability are higher than those of most previously reported pure NCO composites, which make it a very promising electrode material for energy storage. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Preamplifiers for non-contact capacitive biopotential measurements*

PubMed Central

Peng, GuoChen; Ignjatovic, Zeljko; Bocko, Mark F.

2014-01-01

Non-contact biopotential sensing is an attractive measurement strategy for a number of health monitoring applications, primarily the ECG and the EEG. In all such applications a key technical challenge is the design of a low-noise trans-impedance preamplifier for the typically low-capacitance, high source impedance sensing electrodes. In this paper, we compare voltage and charge amplifier designs in terms of their common mode rejection ratio, noise performance, and frequency response. Both amplifier types employ the same operational-transconductance amplifier (OTA), which was fabricated in a 0.35um CMOS process. The results show that a charge amplifier configuration has advantages for small electrode-to-subject coupling capacitance values (less than 10 pF - typical of noncontact electrodes) and that the voltage amplifier configuration has advantages for electrode capacitances above 10 pF. PMID:24109979

Mapping Capacitive Coupling Among Pixels in a Sensor Array

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seshadri, Suresh; Cole, David M.; Smith, Roger M.

2010-01-01

An improved method of mapping the capacitive contribution to cross-talk among pixels in an imaging array of sensors (typically, an imaging photodetector array) has been devised for use in calibrating and/or characterizing such an array. The method involves a sequence of resets of subarrays of pixels to specified voltages and measurement of the voltage responses of neighboring non-reset pixels.

Capacitive label reader

DOEpatents

Arlowe, H. Duane

1985-01-01

A capacitive label reader includes an outer ring transmitting portion, an inner ring transmitting portion, and a plurality of insulated receiving portions. A label is the mirror-image of the reader except that identifying portions corresponding to the receiving portions are insulated from only one of two coupling elements. Positive and negative pulses applied, respectively, to the two transmitting rings biased a CMOS shift register positively to either a 1 or 0 condition. The output of the CMOS may be read as an indication of the label.

Capacitive label reader

DOEpatents

Arlowe, H.D.

1983-07-15

A capacitive label reader includes an outer ring transmitting portion, an inner ring transmitting portion, and a plurality of insulated receiving portions. A label is the mirror-image of the reader except that identifying portions corresponding to the receiving portions are insulated from only one of two coupling elements. Positive and negative pulses applied, respectively, to the two transmitting rings biased a CMOS shift register positively to either a 1 or 0 condition. The output of the CMOS may be read as an indication of the label.

Experimental study of a very high frequency, 162 MHz, segmented electrode, capacitively coupled plasma discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sirse, Nishant; Harvey, Cleo; Gaman, Cezar; Ellingboe, Bert

2016-09-01

Radio-frequency capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) discharge operating at a very high frequency, 30-300 MHz, offers many advantages over standard 13.56 MHz CCP. However, there is a limited flexibility on the choice of driving frequency and substrate size due to plasma non-uniformity caused by the standing wave effect and edge effect. To overcome this issue segmented electrode CCP's are proposed and researched. Despite its numerous advantages the power coupling mechanism and plasma chemistry in this type of discharge are not fully understood due to lack of experimental data. In this paper, we present the experimental study of a segmented electrode, 3x4 tile array (10x10 cm square tile with 1 cm tile-to-tile separation), CCP discharge driven at 162 MHz. We measured plasma uniformity and gas temperature using hairpin probe and optical emission spectroscopy respectively. A homemade RF compensated Langmuir probe is employed to measure the Electron Energy Distribution Function (EEDF) by second harmonic technique. Energy resolved quadrupole mass spectrometer is utilized to measure the ion energy distribution. Discharge/plasma properties are investigated for several operating conditions and for power coupling mode in both washer board and checker board configuration. The experimental results show that the uniform plasma density can be maintained over a large area along with highly non-equilibrium condition to produce unique gas phase plasma chemistry.

An Energy Efficient Technique Using Electric Active Shielding for Capacitive Coupling Intra-Body Communication

PubMed Central

Ma, Chao; Huang, Zhonghua; Wang, Zhiqi; Zhou, Linxuan; Li, Yinlin

2017-01-01

Capacitive coupling intra-body communication (CC-IBC) has become one of the candidates for healthcare sensor networks due to its positive prevailing features of energy efficiency, transmission rate and security. Under the CC-IBC scheme, some of the electric field emitted from signal (SIG) electrode of the transmitter will couple directly to the ground (GND) electrode, acting equivalently as an internal impedance of the signal source and inducing considerable energy losses. However, none of the previous works have fully studied the problem. In this paper, the underlying theory of such energy loss is investigated and quantitatively evaluated using conventional parameters. Accordingly, a method of electric active shielding is proposed to reduce the displacement current across the SIG-GND electrodes, leading to less power loss. In addition, the variation of such loss in regard to frequency range and positions on human body was also considered. The theory was validated by finite element method simulation and experimental measurement. The prototype result shows that the receiving power has been improved by approximate 5.5 dBm while the total power consumption is maximally 9 mW less using the proposed technique, providing an energy efficient option in physical layer for wearable and implantable healthcare sensor networks. PMID:28885546

Effect of electron Monte Carlo collisions on a hybrid simulation of a low-pressure capacitively coupled plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, Seok Won; Lee, Ho-Jun; Lee, Hae June

2014-12-01

Fluid models have been widely used and conducted successfully in high pressure plasma simulations where the drift-diffusion and the local-field approximation are valid. However, fluid models are not able to demonstrate non-local effects related to large electron energy relaxation mean free path in low pressure plasmas. To overcome this weakness, a hybrid model coupling electron Monte Carlo collision (EMCC) method with the fluid model is introduced to obtain precise electron energy distribution functions using pseudo-particles. Steady state simulation results by a one-dimensional hybrid model which includes EMCC method for the collisional reactions but uses drift-diffusion approximation for electron transport in a fluid model are compared with those of a conventional particle-in-cell (PIC) and a fluid model for low pressure capacitively coupled plasmas. At a wide range of pressure, the hybrid model agrees well with the PIC simulation with a reduced calculation time while the fluid model shows discrepancy in the results of the plasma density and the electron temperature.

Implications of using thermocouple thermometry in 27 MHz capacitively coupled interstitial hyperthermia.

PubMed

Crezee, J; van der Koijk, J F; Kaatee, R S; Lagendijk, J J

1997-04-01

The 27 MHz Multi Electrode Current Source (MECS) interstitial hyperthermia system uses segmented electrodes, 10-20 mm long, to steer the 3D power deposition. This power control at a scale of 1-2 cm requires detailed and accurate temperature feedback data. To this end seven-point thermocouples are integrated into the probes. The aim of this work was to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of integrated thermometry in the 27 MHz MECS system, with special attention to the interference between electrode and thermometry and its effect on system performance. We investigated the impact of a seven-sensor thermocouple probe (outer diameter 150 microns) on the apparent impedance and power output of a 20 mm dual electrode (O.D. 1.5 mm) in a polyethylene catheter in a muscle equivalent medium (sigma 1 = 0.6 S m-1). The cross coupling between electrode and thermocouple was found to be small (1-2 pF) and to cause no problems in the dual-electrode mode, and only minimal problems in the single-electrode mode. Power loss into the thermometry system can be prevented using simple filters. The temperature readings are reliable and representative of the actual tissue temperature around the electrode. Self-heating effects, occurring in some catheter materials, are eliminated by sampling the temperature after a short power-off interval. We conclude that integrated thermocouple thermometry is compatible with 27 MHz capacitively coupled interstitial hyperthermia. The performance of the system is not affected and the temperatures measured are a reliable indication of the maximum tissue temperatures.

Effect of inductive and capacitive coupling on the current–voltage characteristic and electromagnetic radiation from a system of Josephson junctions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rahmonov, I. R., E-mail: rahmonov@theor.jinr.ru, E-mail: ilhom-tj@inbox.ru; Shukrinov, Yu. M.; Atanasova, P. Kh.

We have studied the current–voltage characteristic of a system of long Josephson junctions taking into account the inductive and capacitive coupling. The dependence of the average time derivative of the phase difference on the bias current and spatiotemporal dependences of the phase difference and magnetic field in each junction are considered. The possibility of branching of the current–voltage characteristic in the region of zero field step, which is associated with different numbers of fluxons in individual Josephson junctions, is demonstrated. The current–voltage characteristic of the system of Josephson junctions is compared with the case of a single junction, and itmore » is shown that the observed branching is due to coupling between the junctions. The intensity of electromagnetic radiation associated with motion of fluxons is calculated, and the effect of coupling between junctions on the radiation power is analyzed.« less

Direct current dielectric barrier assistant discharge to get homogeneous plasma in capacitive coupled discharge

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Du, Yinchang, E-mail: ycdu@mail.ustc.edu.cn; Max-Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, D-85748 Garching; Li, Yangfang

In this paper, we propose a method to get more homogeneous plasma in the geometrically asymmetric capacitive coupled plasma (CCP) discharge. The dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is used for the auxiliary discharge system to improve the homogeneity of the geometrically asymmetric CCP discharge. The single Langmuir probe measurement shows that the DBD can increase the electron density in the low density volume, where the DBD electrodes are mounted, when the pressure is higher than 5 Pa. By this manner, we are able to improve the homogeneity of the plasma production and increase the overall density in the target volume. At last,more » the finite element simulation results show that the DC bias, applied to the DBD electrodes, can increase the homogeneity of the electron density in the CCP discharge. The simulation results show a good agreement with the experiment results.« less

Capacitive label reader

DOEpatents

Arlowe, H.D.

1985-11-12

A capacitive label reader includes an outer ring transmitting portion, an inner ring transmitting portion, and a plurality of insulated receiving portions. A label is the mirror-image of the reader except that identifying portions corresponding to the receiving portions are insulated from only one of two coupling elements. Positive and negative pulses applied, respectively, to the two transmitting rings biased a CMOS shift register positively to either a 1 or 0 condition. The output of the CMOS may be read as an indication of the label. 5 figs.

3D capacitive tactile sensor using DRIE micromachining

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuang, Chiehtang; Chen, Rongshun

2005-07-01

This paper presents a three dimensional micro capacitive tactile sensor that can detect normal and shear forces which is fabricated using deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) bulk silicon micromachining. The tactile sensor consists of a force transmission plate, a symmetric suspension system, and comb electrodes. The sensing character is based on the changes of capacitance between coplanar sense electrodes. High sensitivity is achieved by using the high aspect ratio interdigital electrodes with narrow comb gaps and large overlap areas. The symmetric suspension mechanism of this sensor can easily solve the coupling problem of measurement and increase the stability of the structure. In this paper, the sensor structure is designed, the capacitance variation of the proposed device is theoretically analyzed, and the finite element analysis of mechanical behavior of the structures is performed.

Elastic, mechanical, and thermodynamic properties of Bi-Sb binaries: Effect of spin-orbit coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Sobhit; Valencia-Jaime, Irais; Pavlic, Olivia; Romero, Aldo H.

2018-02-01

Using first-principles calculations, we systematically study the elastic stiffness constants, mechanical properties, elastic wave velocities, Debye temperature, melting temperature, and specific heat of several thermodynamically stable crystal structures of BixSb1 -x (0 binaries, which are of great interest due to their numerous inherent rich properties, such as thermoelectricity, thermomagnetic cooling, strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC) effects, and topological features in the electronic band structure. We analyze the bulk modulus (B ), Young's modulus (E ), shear modulus (G ), B /G ratio, and Poisson's ratio (ν ) as a function of the Bi concentration in BixSb1 -x . The effect of SOC on the above-mentioned properties is further investigated. In general, we observe that the SOC effects cause elastic softening in most of the studied structures. Three monoclinic structures of Bi-Sb binaries are found to exhibit significantly large auxetic behavior due to the hingelike geometric structure of bonds. The Debye temperature and the magnitude of the elastic wave velocities monotonically increase with increasing Sb concentration. However, anomalies were observed at very low Sb concentration. We also discuss the specific-heat capacity versus temperature data for all studied binaries. Our theoretical results are in excellent agreement with the existing experimental and theoretical data. The comprehensive understanding of the material properties such as hardness, mechanical strength, melting temperature, propagation of the elastic waves, auxeticity, and heat capacity is vital for practical applications of the studied binaries.

Analysis of ecstasy tablets using capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection.

PubMed

Porto, Suely K S S; Nogueira, Thiago; Blanes, Lucas; Doble, Philip; Sabino, Bruno D; do Lago, Claudimir L; Angnes, Lúcio

2014-11-01

A method for the identification of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) was developed employing capillary electrophoresis (CE) with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C(4) D). Sample extraction, separation, and detection of "Ecstasy" tablets were performed in <10 min without sample derivatization. The separation electrolyte was 20 mm TAPS/Lithium, pH 8.7. Average minimal detectable amounts for MDMA and mCPP were 0.04 mg/tablet, several orders of magnitude lower than the minimum amount encountered in a tablet. Seven different Ecstasy tablets seized in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were analyzed by CE-C(4) D and compared against routine gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The CE method demonstrated sufficient selectivity to discriminate the two target drugs, MDMA and mCPP, from the other drugs present in seizures, namely amphepramone, fenproporex, caffeine, lidocaine, and cocaine. Separation was performed in <90 sec. The advantages of using C(4) D instead of traditional CE-UV methods for in-field analysis are also discussed. © 2014 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Slope and amplitude asymmetry effects on low frequency capacitively coupled carbon tetrafluoride plasmas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bruneau, B., E-mail: bastien.bruneau@polytechnique.edu; Johnson, E.; Korolov, I.

2016-04-28

We report investigations of capacitively coupled carbon tetrafluoride (CF{sub 4}) plasmas excited with tailored voltage waveforms containing up to five harmonics of a base frequency of 5.5 MHz. The impact of both the slope asymmetry, and the amplitude asymmetry, of these waveforms on the discharge is examined by combining experiments with particle-in-cell simulations. For all conditions studied herein, the discharge is shown to operate in the drift-ambipolar mode, where a comparatively large electric field in the plasma bulk (outside the sheaths) is the main mechanism for electron power absorption leading to ionization. We show that both types of waveform asymmetries stronglymore » influence the ion energy at the electrodes, with the particularity of having the highest ion flux on the electrode where the lowest ion energy is observed. Even at the comparatively high pressure (600 mTorr) and low fundamental frequency of 5.5 MHz used here, tailoring the voltage waveforms is shown to efficiently create an asymmetry of both the ion energy and the ion flux in geometrically symmetric reactors.« less

Reversal of the asymmetry in a cylindrical coaxial capacitively coupled Ar/Cl 2 plasma

DOE PAGES

Upadhyay, Janardan; Im, Do; Popović, Svetozar; ...

2015-10-08

The reduction of the asymmetry in the plasma sheath voltages of a cylindrical coaxial capacitively coupled plasma is crucial for efficient surface modification of the inner surfaces of concave three-dimensional structures, including superconducting radio frequency cavities. One critical asymmetry effect is the negative dc self-bias, formed across the inner electrode plasma sheath due to its lower surface area compared to the outer electrode. The effect on the self-bias potential with the surface enhancement by geometric modification on the inner electrode structure is studied. The shapes of the inner electrodes are chosen as cylindrical tube, large and small pitch bellows, andmore » disc-loaded corrugated structure (DLCS). The dc self-bias measurements for all these shapes were taken at different process parameters in Ar/Cl 2 discharge. Lastly, the reversal of the negative dc self-bias potential to become positive for a DLCS inner electrode was observed and the best etch rate is achieved due to the reduction in plasma asymmetry.« less

The electrical asymmetry effect in a multi frequency geometrically asymmetric capacitively coupled plasma: A study by a nonlinear global model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saikia, P.; Bhuyan, H.; Escalona, M.; Favre, M.; Bora, B.; Kakati, M.; Wyndham, E.; Rawat, R. S.; Schulze, J.

2018-05-01

We investigate the electrical asymmetry effect (EAE) and the current dynamics in a geometrically asymmetric capacitively coupled radio frequency plasma driven by multiple consecutive harmonics based on a nonlinear global model. The discharge symmetry is controlled via the EAE, i.e., by varying the total number of harmonics and tuning the phase shifts ( θ k ) between them. Here, we systematically study the EAE in a low pressure (4 Pa) argon discharge with different geometrical asymmetries driven by a multifrequency rf source consisting of 13.56 MHz and its harmonics. We find that the geometrical asymmetry strongly affects the absolute value of the DC self-bias voltage, but its functional dependence on θ k is similar at different values of the geometrical asymmetry. Also, the values of the DC self-bias are enhanced by adding more consecutive harmonics. The voltage drop across the sheath at the powered and grounded electrode is found to increase/decrease, respectively, with the increase in the number of harmonics of the fundamental frequency. For the purpose of validating the model, its outputs are compared with the results obtained in a geometrically and electrically asymmetric 2f capacitively coupled plasmas experiment conducted by Schuengel et al. [J. Appl. Phys. 112, 053302 (2012)]. Finally, we study the self-excitation of nonlinear plasma series resonance oscillations and its dependence on the geometrical asymmetry as well as the phase angles between the driving frequencies.

Progress in performance enhancement methods for capacitive silicon resonators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Toan, Nguyen; Ono, Takahito

2017-11-01

In this paper, we review the progress in recent studies on the performance enhancement methods for capacitive silicon resonators. We provide information on various fabrication technologies and design considerations that can be employed to improve the performance of capacitive silicon resonators, including low motional resistance, small insertion loss, and high quality factor (Q). This paper contains an overview of device structures and working principles, fabrication technologies consisting of hermetic packaging, deep reactive-ion etching and neutral beam etching, and design considerations including mechanically coupled, movable electrode structures and piezoresistive heat engines.

Porous NiCo2O4 nanosheets/reduced graphene oxide composite: facile synthesis and excellent capacitive performance for supercapacitors.

PubMed

Ma, Lianbo; Shen, Xiaoping; Ji, Zhenyuan; Cai, Xiaoqing; Zhu, Guoxing; Chen, Kangmin

2015-02-15

A composite with porous NiCo2O4 nanosheets attached on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets is synthesized through a facile solution-based method combined with a simple thermal annealing process. The capacitive performances of the as-prepared NiCo2O4/RGO (NCG) composites as electrode materials are investigated. It is found that the NCG composites exhibit a high specific capacitance up to 1186.3 F g(-1) at the current density of 0.5 A g(-1), and superior cycling stability with about 97% of the initial capacitance after 100 cycles. The greatly enhanced capacitive performance of the NCG electrode can be attributed to the existence of RGO support, which serves as both conductive channels and active interface. The approach used in the synthesis provides a facile route for preparing graphene-binary metal oxide electrode materials. The remarkable capacitive performance of NCG composites will undoubtedly make them be attractive for high performance energy storage applications. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Capacitively-coupled inductive sensors for measurements of pulsed currents and pulsed magnetic fields

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ekdahl, C.A.

In experiments involving pulsed high magnetic fields the appearance of the full induced voltage at the output terminals of large-area inductive sensors such as diamagnetic loops and Rogowski belts imposes severe requirements on the insulation near the output. Capacitive detection of the inductive-sensor output voltage provides an ideal geometry for high-voltage insulation, and also accomplishes the necessary voltage division. An inductive-shunt current monitor was designed to utilize the capacitive-detection principle. The contruction of this device and its performance are described in this paper.

Quantum phase transition and Coulomb blockade effect in triangular quantum dots with interdot capacitive and tunnel couplings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiong, Yong-Chen; Wang, Wei-Zhong; Yang, Jun-Tao; Huang, Hai-Ming

2015-02-01

The quantum phase transition and the electronic transport in a triangular quantum dot system are investigated using the numerical renormalization group method. We concentrate on the interplay between the interdot capacitive coupling V and the interdot tunnel coupling t. For small t, three dots form a local spin doublet. As t increases, due to the competition between V and t, there exist two first-order transitions with phase sequence spin-doublet-magnetic frustration phase-orbital spin singlet. When t is absent, the evolutions of the total charge on the dots and the linear conductance are of the typical Coulomb-blockade features with increasing gate voltage. While for sufficient t, the antiferromagnetic spin correlation between dots is enhanced, and the conductance is strongly suppressed for the bonding state is almost doubly occupied. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10874132 and 11174228) and the Doctoral Scientific Research Foundation of HUAT (Grant No. BK201407). One of the authors (Huang Hai-Ming) supported by the Scientific Research Items Foundation of Educational Committee of Hubei Province, China (Grant No. Q20131805).

Double-driven shield capacitive type proximity sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vranish, John M. (Inventor)

1993-01-01

A capacity type proximity sensor comprised of a capacitance type sensor, a capacitance type reference, and two independent and mutually opposing driven shields respectively adjacent to the sensor and reference and which are coupled in an electrical bridge circuit configuration and driven by a single frequency crystal controlled oscillator is presented. The bridge circuit additionally includes a pair of fixed electrical impedance elements which form adjacent arms of the bridge and which comprise either a pair of precision resistances or capacitors. Detection of bridge unbalance provides an indication of the mutual proximity between an object and the sensor. Drift compensation is also utilized to improve performance and thus increase sensor range and sensitivity.

Analysis of energy relaxation kinetics for control of the electron energy distributions in capacitively coupled RF discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Jung Yeol; Verboncoeur, John P.; Lee, Hae June

2018-04-01

The transition of electron energy probability functions (EEPFs) through the change of heating mode is an important issue in plasma science. A well-known example is that the increase of gas pressure, which was analyzed in terms of the ratio of the energy relaxation mean free path to the electrode gap distance, changes the EEPF from bi-Maxwellian to Maxwellian or Druyvesteyn. In this study, a new aspect of the temporal decay of kinetic energy during the energy relaxation time is theoretically analyzed and compared with a particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision simulation of capacitively coupled plasmas. A fully kinetic description of electron transport and collisions shows drastic changes of EEPFs with the variation of the driving frequency due to the heating mode transition.

Air-coupled MUMPs capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers with resonant cavities.

PubMed

Octavio Manzanares, Alberto; Montero de Espinosa, Francisco

2012-04-01

This work reports performance improvements of air-coupled capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) using resonant cavities. In order to perform this work, we have designed and manufactured a CMUT employing multi-user microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) processes (MUMPs). The transducer was designed using Helmholtz resonator principles. This was characterised by the dimensions of the cavity and several acoustic ports, which had the form of holes in the CMUT plate. The MUMPs process has the advantage of being low cost which allows the manufacture of economic prototypes. In this paper we show the effects of the resonant cavities and acoustic ports in CMUTs using laser Doppler vibrometry and acoustical measurements. We also use Finite Element (FE) simulations in order to support experimental measurements. The results show that it is possible to enhance the output pressure and bandwidth in air by tuning the resonance frequency of the plate (f(p)) with that of the Helmholtz resonator (f(H)). The experimental measurements show the plate resonance along with an additional resonance in the output pressure spectrum. This appears due to the effect of the new resonant cavities in the transducer. FE simulations show an increase of 11 dB in the output pressure with respect to that of a theoretical vacuum-sealed cavity MUMPs CMUT by properly tuning the transducer. The bandwidth has been also analyzed by calculating the mechanical Q factor of the tuned CMUT. This has been estimated as 4.5 compared with 7.75 for the vacuum-sealed cavity MUMPs CMUT. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimental investigations of driving frequency effect in low-pressure capacitively coupled oxygen discharges

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Jia; Liu, Yong-Xin; Liu, Gang-Hu

2015-04-14

The effect of driving frequency on the electron density is investigated in low-pressure capacitively coupled oxygen plasmas by utilizing a floating hairpin probe. The power absorbed by the plasma is investigated and it is found that the power lost in the matching network can reach 50% or higher under certain conditions. The effect of driving frequency on the electron density is studied from two aspects, i.e., constant absorbed power and electrode voltage. In the former case, the electron density increases with the driving frequency increasing from 13.56 to 40.68 MHz and slightly changes depending on the gas pressures with the frequencymore » further increasing to 100 MHz. In the latter case, the electron density rapidly increases when the driving frequency increases from 13.56 to 40.68 MHz, and then decreases with the frequency further increasing to 100 MHz. The electron series resonance is observed at 40.68 MHz and can be attributed to the higher electron density. And the standing wave effect also plays an important role in increasing electron density at 100 MHz and 2.6 Pa.« less

The frequency dependence of the discharge properties in a capacitively coupled oxygen discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gudmundsson, J. T.; Snorrason, D. I.; Hannesdottir, H.

2018-02-01

We use the one-dimensional object-oriented particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision code oopd1 to explore the evolution of the charged particle density profiles, electron heating mechanism, the electron energy probability function (EEPF), and the ion energy distribution in a single frequency capacitively coupled oxygen discharge, with driving frequency in the range 12-100 MHz. At a low driving frequency and low pressure (5 and 10 mTorr), a combination of stochastic (α-mode) and drift ambipolar (DA) heating in the bulk plasma (the electronegative core) is observed and the DA-mode dominates the time averaged electron heating. As the driving frequency or pressure are increased, the heating mode transitions into a pure α-mode, where electron heating in the sheath region dominates. At low pressure (5 and 10 mTorr), this transition coincides with a sharp decrease in electronegativity. At low pressure and low driving frequency, the EEPF is concave. As the driving frequency is increased, the number of low energy electrons increases and the relative number of higher energy electrons (>10 eV) increases. At high driving frequency, the EEPF develops a convex shape or becomes bi-Maxwellian.

Capacitively coupled hydrogen plasmas sustained by tailored voltage waveforms: excitation dynamics and ion flux asymmetry

DOE PAGES

Bruneau, B.; Diomede, P.; Economou, D. J.; ...

2016-06-08

Parallel plate capacitively coupled plasmas in hydrogen at relatively high pressure (~1 Torr) are excited with tailored voltage waveforms containing up to five frequencies. Predictions of a hybrid model combining a particle-in-cell simulation with Monte Carlo collisions and a fluid model are compared to phase resolved optical emission spectroscopy measurements, yielding information on the dynamics of the excitation rate in these discharges. When the discharge is excited with amplitude asymmetric waveforms, the discharge becomes electrically asymmetric, with different ion energies at each of the two electrodes. Unexpectedly, large differences in themore » $$\\text{H}_{2}^{+}$$ fluxes to each of the two electrodes are caused by the different $$\\text{H}_{3}^{+}$$ energies. When the discharge is excited with slope asymmetric waveforms, only weak electrical asymmetry of the discharge is observed. In this case, electron power absorption due to fast sheath expansion at one electrode is balanced by electron power absorption at the opposite electrode due to a strong electric field reversal.« less

Closed-Loop Control of Humidification for Artifact Reduction in Capacitive ECG Measurements.

PubMed

Leicht, Lennart; Eilebrecht, Benjamin; Weyer, Soren; Leonhardt, Steffen; Teichmann, Daniel

2017-04-01

Recording biosignals without the need for direct skin contact offers new opportunities for ubiquitous health monitoring. Electrodes with capacitive coupling have been shown to be suitable for the monitoring of electrical potentials on the body surface, in particular ECG. However, due to triboelectric charge generation and motion artifacts, signal and thus diagnostic quality is inferior to galvanic coupling. Active closed-loop humidification of capacitive electrodes is proposed in this work as a new concept to improve signal quality. A capacitive ECG recording system integrated into a common car seat is presented. It can regulate the micro climate at the interface of electrode and patient by actively dispensing water vapour and monitoring humidity in a closed-loop approach. As a regenerative water reservoir, silica gel is used. The system was evaluated with respect to subjective and objective ECG signal quality. Active humidification was found to have a significant positive effect in case of previously poor quality. Also, it had no diminishing effect in case of already good signal quality.

Synergistically Active NiCo2 S4 Nanoparticles Coupled with Holey Defect Graphene Hydrogel for High-Performance Solid-State Supercapacitors.

PubMed

Tiruneh, Sintayehu Nibret; Kang, Bong Kyun; Kwag, Sung Hoon; Lee, YoungHun; Kim, MinSeob; Yoon, Dae Ho

2018-03-02

Nickel cobalt sulfide nanoparticles embedded in holey defect graphene hydrogel (HGH) that exhibit highly porous structures and uniform nickel cobalt sulfide nanoparticle sizes are successfully prepared by a facile solvothermal-hydrothermal method. As an electrode material for supercapacitors, the as-prepared NiCo 2 S 4 @HGH shows ultra-high specific capacitances of 1000 F g -1 and 800 F g -1 at 0.5 and 6 A g -1 , respectively, owing to the outstanding electrical conductivity of HGH and high specific capacitance of NiCo 2 S 4 . After 2100 charge/discharge cycles at a current density of 6 A g -1 , 96.6 % of the specific capacitance was retained, signifying the superb durability of NiCo 2 S 4 @HGH. Moreover, remarkable specific capacitance (312.6 F g -1 ) and capacity retention (87 % after 5000 cycles) at 6 A g -1 were displayed by the symmetric solid-state supercapacitor fabricated by using NiCo 2 S 4 @HGH electrodes. These auspicious supercapacitor performances demonstrate that the as-developed solvothermal-hydrothermal approach can be widely used to prepare graphene-coupled binary metal sulfides for high-performance supercapacitor applications. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Electrolyte Engineering: Optimizing High-Rate Double-Layer Capacitances of Micropore- and Mesopore-Rich Activated Carbon.

PubMed

Chen, Ting-Hao; Yang, Cheng-Hsien; Su, Ching-Yuan; Lee, Tai-Chou; Dong, Quan-Feng; Chang, Jeng-Kuei

2017-09-22

Various types of electrolyte cations as well as binary cations are used to optimize the capacitive performance of activated carbon (AC) with different pore structures. The high-rate capability of micropore-rich AC, governed by the mobility of desolvated cations, can outperform that of mesopore-rich AC, which essentially depends on the electrolyte conductivity. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Capacitance variation measurement method with a continuously variable measuring range for a micro-capacitance sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lü, Xiaozhou; Xie, Kai; Xue, Dongfeng; Zhang, Feng; Qi, Liang; Tao, Yebo; Li, Teng; Bao, Weimin; Wang, Songlin; Li, Xiaoping; Chen, Renjie

2017-10-01

Micro-capacitance sensors are widely applied in industrial applications for the measurement of mechanical variations. The measurement accuracy of micro-capacitance sensors is highly dependent on the capacitance measurement circuit. To overcome the inability of commonly used methods to directly measure capacitance variation and deal with the conflict between the measurement range and accuracy, this paper presents a capacitance variation measurement method which is able to measure the output capacitance variation (relative value) of the micro-capacitance sensor with a continuously variable measuring range. We present the principles and analyze the non-ideal factors affecting this method. To implement the method, we developed a capacitance variation measurement circuit and carried out experiments to test the circuit. The result shows that the circuit is able to measure a capacitance variation range of 0-700 pF linearly with a maximum relative accuracy of 0.05% and a capacitance range of 0-2 nF (with a baseline capacitance of 1 nF) with a constant resolution of 0.03%. The circuit is proposed as a new method to measure capacitance and is expected to have applications in micro-capacitance sensors for measuring capacitance variation with a continuously variable measuring range.

Ternary manganese ferrite/graphene/polyaniline nanostructure with enhanced electrochemical capacitance performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiong, Pan; Hu, Chenyao; Fan, Ye; Zhang, Wenyao; Zhu, Junwu; Wang, Xin

2014-11-01

A ternary manganese ferrite/graphene/polyaniline (MGP) nanostructure is designed and synthesized via a facile two-step approach. This nanostructure exhibits outstanding electrochemical performances, such as high specific capacitance (454.8 F g-1 at 0.2 A g-1), excellent rate capability (75.8% capacity retention at 5 A g-1), and good cycling stability (76.4% capacity retention after 5000 cycles at 2 A g-1), which are superior to those of its individual components (manganese ferrite, reduced-graphene oxide, polyaniline) and corresponding binary hybrids (manganese ferrite/graphene (MG), manganese ferrite/polyaniline (MP), and graphene/polyaniline (GP)). A symmetric supercapacitor device using the as-obtained hybrid has been fabricated and tested. The device exhibits a high specific capacitance of 307.2 F g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 with a maximum energy density of 13.5 W h kg-1. The high electrochemical performance of ternary MGP can be attributed to its well-designed nanostructure and the synergistic effect of the individual components.

Capacitance measuring device

DOEpatents

Andrews, W.H. Jr.

1984-08-01

A capacitance measuring circuit is provided in which an unknown capacitance is measured by comparing the charge stored in the unknown capacitor with that stored in a known capacitance. Equal and opposite voltages are repetitively simultaneously switched onto the capacitors through an electronic switch driven by a pulse generator to charge the capacitors during the ''on'' portion of the cycle. The stored charge is compared by summing discharge currents flowing through matched resistors at the input of a current sensor during the ''off'' portion of the switching cycle. The net current measured is thus proportional to the difference in value of the two capacitances. The circuit is capable of providing much needed accuracy and stability to a great variety of capacitance-based measurement devices at a relatively low cost.

Capacitive Feedthroughs for Medical Implants

PubMed Central

Grob, Sven; Tass, Peter A.; Hauptmann, Christian

2016-01-01

Important technological advances in the last decades paved the road to a great success story for electrically stimulating medical implants, including cochlear implants or implants for deep brain stimulation. However, there are still many challenges in reducing side effects and improving functionality and comfort for the patient. Two of the main challenges are the wish for smaller implants on one hand, and the demand for more stimulation channels on the other hand. But these two aims lead to a conflict of interests. This paper presents a novel design for an electrical feedthrough, the so called capacitive feedthrough, which allows both reducing the size, and increasing the number of included channels. Capacitive feedthroughs combine the functionality of a coupling capacitor and an electrical feedthrough within one and the same structure. The paper also discusses the progress and the challenges of the first produced demonstrators. The concept bears a high potential in improving current feedthrough technology, and could be applied on all kinds of electrical medical implants, even if its implementation might be challenging. PMID:27660602

Capacitive Feedthroughs for Medical Implants.

PubMed

Grob, Sven; Tass, Peter A; Hauptmann, Christian

2016-01-01

Important technological advances in the last decades paved the road to a great success story for electrically stimulating medical implants, including cochlear implants or implants for deep brain stimulation. However, there are still many challenges in reducing side effects and improving functionality and comfort for the patient. Two of the main challenges are the wish for smaller implants on one hand, and the demand for more stimulation channels on the other hand. But these two aims lead to a conflict of interests. This paper presents a novel design for an electrical feedthrough, the so called capacitive feedthrough, which allows both reducing the size, and increasing the number of included channels. Capacitive feedthroughs combine the functionality of a coupling capacitor and an electrical feedthrough within one and the same structure. The paper also discusses the progress and the challenges of the first produced demonstrators. The concept bears a high potential in improving current feedthrough technology, and could be applied on all kinds of electrical medical implants, even if its implementation might be challenging.

Shielded capacitive electrode

DOEpatents

Kireeff Covo, Michel

2013-07-09

A device is described, which is sensitive to electric fields, but is insensitive to stray electrons/ions and unlike a bare, exposed conductor, it measures capacitively coupled current while rejecting currents due to charged particle collected or emitted. A charged particle beam establishes an electric field inside the beam pipe. A grounded metallic box with an aperture is placed in a drift region near the beam tube radius. The produced electric field that crosses the aperture generates a fringe field that terminates in the back surface of the front of the box and induces an image charge. An electrode is placed inside the grounded box and near the aperture, where the fringe fields terminate, in order to couple with the beam. The electrode is negatively biased to suppress collection of electrons and is protected behind the front of the box, so the beam halo cannot directly hit the electrode and produce electrons. The measured signal shows the net potential (positive ion beam plus negative electrons) variation with time, as it shall be observed from the beam pipe wall.

Opening of K+ channels by capacitive stimulation from silicon chip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ulbrich, M. H.; Fromherz, P.

2005-10-01

The development of stable neuroelectronic systems requires a stimulation of nerve cells from semiconductor devices without electrochemical effects at the electrolyte/solid interface and without damage of the cell membrane. The interaction must rely on a reversible opening of voltage-gated ion channels by capacitive coupling. In a proof-of-principle experiment, we demonstrate that Kv1.3 potassium channels expressed in HEK293 cells can be opened from an electrolyte/oxide/silicon (EOS) capacitor. A sufficient strength of electrical coupling is achieved by insulating silicon with a thin film of TiO2 to achieve a high capacitance and by removing NaCl from the electrolyte to enhance the resistance of the cell-chip contact. When a decaying voltage ramp is applied to the EOS capacitor, an outward current through the attached cell membrane is observed that is specific for Kv1.3 channels. An open probability up to fifty percent is estimated by comparison with a numerical simulation of the cell-chip contact.

Lightweight linear alternators with and without capacitive tuning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niedra, Janis M.

1993-06-01

Permanent magnet excited linear alternators rated tens of kW and coupled to free-piston Stirling engines are presently viewed as promising candidates for long term generation of electric power in both space and terrestrial applications. Series capacitive cancellation of the internal inductive reactance of such alternators was considered a viable way to both increase power extraction and to suppress unstable modes of the thermodynamic oscillation. Idealized toroidal and cylindrical alternator geometries are used for a comparative study of the issues of specific mass and capacitive tuning, subject to stability criteria. The analysis shows that the stator mass of an alternator designed to be capacitively tuned is always greater than the minimum achievable stator mass of an alternator designed with no capacitors, assuming equal utilization of materials ratings and the same frequency and power to a resistive load. This conclusion is not substantially altered when the usually lesser masses of the magnets and of any capacitors are added. Within the reported stability requirements and under circumstances of normal materials ratings, this study finds no clear advantage to capacitive tuning. Comparative plots of the various constituent masses are presented versus the internal power factor taken as a design degree of freedom. The explicit formulas developed for stator core, coil, capacitor, and magnet masses and for the degree of magnet utilization provide useful estimates of scaling effects.

Lightweight linear alternators with and without capacitive tuning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Niedra, Janis M.

1993-01-01

Permanent magnet excited linear alternators rated tens of kW and coupled to free-piston Stirling engines are presently viewed as promising candidates for long term generation of electric power in both space and terrestrial applications. Series capacitive cancellation of the internal inductive reactance of such alternators was considered a viable way to both increase power extraction and to suppress unstable modes of the thermodynamic oscillation. Idealized toroidal and cylindrical alternator geometries are used for a comparative study of the issues of specific mass and capacitive tuning, subject to stability criteria. The analysis shows that the stator mass of an alternator designed to be capacitively tuned is always greater than the minimum achievable stator mass of an alternator designed with no capacitors, assuming equal utilization of materials ratings and the same frequency and power to a resistive load. This conclusion is not substantially altered when the usually lesser masses of the magnets and of any capacitors are added. Within the reported stability requirements and under circumstances of normal materials ratings, this study finds no clear advantage to capacitive tuning. Comparative plots of the various constituent masses are presented versus the internal power factor taken as a design degree of freedom. The explicit formulas developed for stator core, coil, capacitor, and magnet masses and for the degree of magnet utilization provide useful estimates of scaling effects.

Characteristics of X-Ray Emission from the PFRC-2 Capacitively Coupled Plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oliver, Richard; Pearcy, Jacob; Jandovitz, Peter; Swanson, Charles; Matteucci, Jackson; Cohen, Samuel; PFRC Team

2015-11-01

It is uncertain what causes keV X-rays emitted from the central-cell region of a cool (bulk Te ~ 4 eV), tenuous (ne ~1010 cm-3), 5 cm diameter, weakly ionized hydrogen plasma column generated in a tandem high-mirror-ratio mirror machine (PFRC-2 device) by a low-power, external, capacitively-coupled RF (27 MHz) antenna. We explored whether the energetic electrons responsible for the X-rays exist only in the central cell (ER) or also in the asymmetric mirror regions at opposite ends of the machine, as well as how the spectra compare if they do exist in both regions. To address this, we have designed, built, calibrated, installed and operated an X-ray detector system to view the PFRC-2 region near the RF antenna in one end cell (MC). We observe somewhat different X-ray spectra emanating from the two regions. The system comprises two Amptek XR-100CR detectors with moveable slits that scan across the plasma column. Further control of radial resolution (to 0.4 cm) is afforded by changing the detector-to-slit distance. Calibrations were performed with an 55Fe source. These data are being used to understand the source of the fast electrons that create the X-rays in the MC and in the ER. This work is supported by the US DOE Contract No. DE-AC02-09CH11466 and the Princeton Environmental Institute.

Fast semi-analytical method for precise prediction of ion energy distribution functions and sheath electric field in multi-frequency capacitively coupled plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Wencong; Zhang, Xi; Diao, Dongfeng

2018-05-01

We propose a fast semi-analytical method to predict ion energy distribution functions and sheath electric field in multi-frequency capacitively coupled plasmas, which are difficult to measure in commercial plasma reactors. In the intermediate frequency regime, the ion density within the sheath is strongly modulated by the low-frequency sheath electric field, making the time-independent ion density assumption employed in conventional models invalid. Our results are in a good agreement with experimental measurements and computer simulations. The application of this method will facilitate the understanding of ion–material interaction mechanisms and development of new-generation plasma etching devices.

Capacitance pressure sensor

DOEpatents

Eaton, William P.; Staple, Bevan D.; Smith, James H.

2000-01-01

A microelectromechanical (MEM) capacitance pressure sensor integrated with electronic circuitry on a common substrate and a method for forming such a device are disclosed. The MEM capacitance pressure sensor includes a capacitance pressure sensor formed at least partially in a cavity etched below the surface of a silicon substrate and adjacent circuitry (CMOS, BiCMOS, or bipolar circuitry) formed on the substrate. By forming the capacitance pressure sensor in the cavity, the substrate can be planarized (e.g. by chemical-mechanical polishing) so that a standard set of integrated circuit processing steps can be used to form the electronic circuitry (e.g. using an aluminum or aluminum-alloy interconnect metallization).

Point-spread Function Ramifications and Deconvolution of a Signal Dependent Blur Kernel Due to Interpixel Capacitive Coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Donlon, Kevan; Ninkov, Zoran; Baum, Stefi

2018-07-01

Interpixel capacitance (IPC) is a deterministic electronic coupling that results in a portion of the collected signal incident on one pixel of a hybridized detector array being measured in adjacent pixels. Data collected by light sensitive HgCdTe arrays which exhibit this coupling typically goes uncorrected or is corrected by treating the coupling as a fixed point-spread function. Evidence suggests that this IPC coupling is not uniform across different signal and background levels. This variation invalidates assumptions that are key in decoupling techniques such as Wiener Filtering or application of the Lucy–Richardson algorithm. Additionally, the variable IPC results in the point-spread function (PSF) depending upon a star’s signal level relative to the background level, among other parameters. With an IPC ranging from 0.68% to 1.45% over the full well depth of a sensor, as is a reasonable range for the H2RG arrays, the FWHM of the JWSTs NIRCam 405N band is degraded from 2.080 pix (0.″132) as expected from the diffraction pattern to 2.186 pix (0.″142) when the star is just breaching the sensitivity limit of the system. For example, When attempting to use a fixed PSF fitting (e.g., assuming the PSF observed from a bright star in the field) to untangle two sources with a flux ratio of 4:1 and a center to center distance of 3 pixels, flux estimation can be off by upwards of 1.5% with a separation error of 50 millipixels. To deal with this issue an iterative non-stationary method for deconvolution is here proposed, implemented, and evaluated that can account for the signal dependent nature of IPC.

A parallel-architecture parametric equalizer for air-coupled capacitive ultrasonic transducers.

PubMed

McSweeney, Sean G; Wright, William M D

2012-01-01

Parametric equalization is rarely applied to ultrasonic transducer systems, for which it could be used on either the transmitter or the receiver to achieve a desired response. An optimized equalizer with both bump and cut capabilities would be advantageous for ultrasonic systems in applications in which variations in the transducer performance or the properties of the propagating medium produce a less-than-desirable signal. Compensation for non-ideal transducer response could be achieved using equalization on a device-by-device basis. Additionally, calibration of ultrasonic systems in the field could be obtained by offline optimization of equalization coefficients. In this work, a parametric equalizer for ultrasonic applications has been developed using multiple bi-quadratic filter elements arranged in a novel parallel arrangement to increase the flexibility of the equalization. The equalizer was implemented on a programmable system-on-chip (PSOC) using a small number of parallel 4th-order infinite impulse response switchedcapacitor band-pass filters. Because of the interdependency of the required coefficients for the switched capacitors, particle swarm optimization (PSO) was used to determine the optimum values. The response of a through-transmission system using air-coupled capacitive ultrasonic transducers was then equalized to idealized Hamming function or brick-wall frequencydomain responses. In each case, there was excellent agreement between the equalized signals and the theoretical model, and the fidelity of the time-domain response was maintained. The bandwidth and center frequency response of the system were significantly improved. It was also shown that the equalizer could be used on either the transmitter or the receiver, and the system could compensate for the effects of transmitterreceiver misalignment. © 2012 IEEE

DNA Nucleotides Detection via capacitance properties of Graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khadempar, Nahid; Berahman, Masoud; Yazdanpanah, Arash

2016-05-01

In the present paper a new method is suggested to detect the DNA nucleotides on a first-principles calculation of the electronic features of DNA bases which chemisorbed to a graphene sheet placed between two gold electrodes in a contact-channel-contact system. The capacitance properties of graphene in the channel are surveyed using non-equilibrium Green's function coupled with the Density Functional Theory. Thus, the capacitance properties of graphene are theoretically investigated in a biological environment, and, using a novel method, the effect of the chemisorbed DNA nucleotides on electrical charges on the surface of graphene is deciphered. Several parameters in this method are also extracted including Electrostatic energy, Induced density, induced electrostatic potential, Electron difference potential and Electron difference density. The qualitative and quantitative differences among these parameters can be used to identify DNA nucleotides. Some of the advantages of this approach include its ease and high accuracy. What distinguishes the current research is that it is the first experiment to investigate the capacitance properties of gaphene changes in the biological environment and the effect of chemisorbed DNA nucleotides on the surface of graphene on the charge.

Actin Polymerization: An Event Regulated by Tyrosine Phosphorylation During Buffalo Sperm Capacitation.

PubMed

Naresh, S; Atreja, S K

2015-12-01

In the female reproductive tract, the spermatozoa undergo a series of physiological and biochemical changes, prior to gaining the ability to fertilize, that result to capacitation. However, the actin polymerization and protein tyrosine phosphorylation are the two necessary steps for capacitation. In this study, we have demonstrated the actin polymerization and established the correlation between protein tyrosine phosphorylation and actin reorganization during in vitro capacitation in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) spermatozoa. Indirect immunofluorescence and Western blot techniques were used to detect actin polymerization and tyrosine phosphorylation. The time-dependent fluorimetric studies revealed that the actin polymerization starts from the tail region and progressed towards the head region of spermatozoa during capacitation. The lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC)-induced acrosome reaction (AR) stimulated quick actin depolymerization. The inhibitor cytochalasin D (CD) blocked the in vitro capacitation by inhibiting the actin polymerization. In addition, we also performed different inhibitor (Genistein, H-89, PD9809 and GF-109) and enhancer (dbcAMP, H(2)O(2) and vanadate) studies on actin tyrosine phosphorylation and actin polymerization. The inhibitors of tyrosine phosphorylation inhibit actin tyrosine phosphorylation and polymerization, whereas enhancers of tyrosine phosphorylation stimulate F-actin formation and tyrosine phosphorylation. These observations suggest that the tyrosine phosphorylation regulates the actin polymerization, and both are coupled processes during capacitation of buffalo spermatozoa. © 2015 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Performance enhancement of an air-coupled multiple moving membrane capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer using an optimized middle plate configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Emadi, Arezoo; Buchanan, Douglas

2016-10-01

A multiple moving membrane capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer has been developed. This transducer cell structure includes a second flexible plate suspended between the transducer top plate and the fixed bottom electrode. The added plate influences the transducer top plate deflection map and, therefore, the transducer properties. Three series of individual air-coupled, dual deflectable plate transducers and two 1×27 element transducer arrays were fabricated using multiuser microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) processes (MUMPs). Each set of transducers included devices with middle plate radii from 22% to 65% of the corresponding transducer top plate radius. The effect of the transducer middle plate configuration has been investigated. Electrical, optical, and acoustic characterizations were conducted and the results were compared with the simulation findings. It was found that the transducer top plate amplitude of vibration is significantly enhanced with a wider middle deflectable plate. The electrical and optical measurement results are shown to be in good agreement with simulation results. The acoustic measurement results indicated a 37% increase in the amplitude of transmitted signal by the 1-MHz air-couple transducer when its middle plate radius was increased by 35%.

Determination of Biogenic Amines in Seawater Using Capillary Electrophoresis with Capacitively Coupled Contactless Conductivity Detection.

PubMed

Gubartallah, Elbaleeq A; Makahleh, Ahmad; Quirino, Joselito P; Saad, Bahruddin

2018-05-08

A rapid and green analytical method based on capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C⁴D) for the determination of eight environmental pollutants, the biogenic amines (putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, spermine, tyramine, 2-phenylamine, histamine and tryptamine), is described. The separation was achieved under normal polarity mode at 24 °C and 25 kV with a hydrodynamic injection (50 mbar for 5 s) and using a bare fused-silica capillary (95 cm length × 50 µm i.d.) (detection length of 10.5 cm from the outlet end of the capillary). The optimized background electrolyte consisted of 400 mM malic acid. C⁴D parameters were set at a fixed amplitude (50 V) and frequency (600 kHz). Under the optimum conditions, the method exhibited good linearity over the range of 1.0⁻100 µg mL −1 ( R ² ≥ 0.981). The limits of detection based on signal to noise (S/N) ratios of 3 and 10 were ≤0.029 µg mL −1 . The method was used for the determination of seawater samples that were spiked with biogenic amines. Good recoveries (77⁻93%) were found.

Portable integrated capillary-electrophoresis system using disposable polymer chips with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection for on-site analysis of foodstuff

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gärtner, Claudia; Hoffmann, Werner; Demattio, Horst; Clemens, Thomas; Klotz, Matthias; Klemm, Richard; Becker, Holger

2009-05-01

We present a compact portable chip-based capillary electrophoresis system that employs capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) operating at 4 MHz as an alternative detection method compared to the commonly used optical detection based on laser-induced fluorescence. Emphasis was put on system integration and industrial manufacturing technologies for the system. Therefore, the disposable chip for this system is fabricated out of PMMA using injection molding; the electrodes are screen-printed or thin-film electrodes. The system is designed for the measurement of small ionic species like Li+, Na+, K+, SO42- or NO3- typically present in foods like milk and mineral water as well as acids e.g. in wine.

Phosphorization boosts the capacitance of mixed metal nanosheet arrays for high performance supercapacitor electrodes.

PubMed

Lan, Yingying; Zhao, Hongyang; Zong, Yan; Li, Xinghua; Sun, Yong; Feng, Juan; Wang, Yan; Zheng, Xinliang; Du, Yaping

2018-05-01

Binary transition metal phosphides hold immense potential as innovative electrode materials for constructing high-performance energy storage devices. Herein, porous binary nickel-cobalt phosphide (NiCoP) nanosheet arrays anchored on nickel foam (NF) were rationally designed as self-supported binder-free electrodes with high supercapacitance performance. Taking the combined advantages of compositional features and array architectures, the nickel foam supported NiCoP nanosheet array (NiCoP@NF) electrode possesses superior electrochemical performance in comparison with Ni-Co LDH@NF and NiCoO2@NF electrodes. The NiCoP@NF electrode shows an ultrahigh specific capacitance of 2143 F g-1 at 1 A g-1 and retained 1615 F g-1 even at 20 A g-1, showing excellent rate performance. Furthermore, a binder-free all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor device is designed, which exhibits a high energy density of 27 W h kg-1 at a power density of 647 W kg-1. The hierarchical binary nickel-cobalt phosphide nanosheet arrays hold great promise as advanced electrode materials for supercapacitors with high electrochemical performance.

Electrolyte gated TFT biosensors based on the Donnan's capacitance of anchored biomolecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manoli, Kyriaki; Palazzo, Gerardo; Macchia, Eleonora; Tiwari, Amber; Di Franco, Cinzia; Scamarcio, Gaetano; Favia, Pietro; Mallardi, Antonia; Torsi, Luisa

2017-08-01

Biodetection using electrolyte gated field effect transistors has been mainly correlated to charge modulated transduction. Therefore, such platforms are designed and studied for limited applications involving relatively small charged species and much care is taken in the operating conditions particularly pH and salt concentration (ionic strength). However, there are several reports suggesting that the device conductance can also be very sensitive towards variations in the capacitance coupling. Understanding the sensing mechanism is important for further exploitation of these promising sensors in broader range of applications. In this paper, we present a thorough and in depth study of a multilayer protein system coupled to an electrolyte gated transistor. It is demonstrated that detection associated to a binding event taking place at a distance of 30 nm far from the organic semiconductor-electrolyte interface is possible and the device conductance is dominated by Donnan's capacitance of anchored biomolecules.

Simulation and optimization of a dc SQUID with finite capacitance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Waal, V. J.; Schrijner, P.; Llurba, R.

1984-02-01

This paper deals with the calculations of the noise and the optimization of the energy resolution of a dc SQUID with finite junction capacitance. Up to now noise calculations of dc SQUIDs were performed using a model without parasitic capacitances across the Josephson junctions. As the capacitances limit the performance of the SQUID, for a good optimization one must take them into account. The model consists of two coupled nonlinear second-order differential equations. The equations are very suitable for simulation with an analog circuit. We implemented the model on a hybrid computer. The noise spectrum from the model is calculated with a fast Fourier transform. A calculation of the energy resolution for one set of parameters takes about 6 min of computer time. Detailed results of the optimization are given for products of inductance and temperature of LT=1.2 and 5 nH K. Within a range of β and β c between 1 and 2, which is optimum, the energy resolution is nearly independent of these variables. In this region the energy resolution is near the value calculated without parasitic capacitances. Results of the optimized energy resolution are given as a function of LT between 1.2 and 10 mH K.

Two-Dimensional Porous Electrode Model for Capacitive Deionization

DOE PAGES

Hemmatifar, Ali; Stadermann, Michael; Santiago, Juan G.

2015-10-28

Here, ion transport in porous conductive materials is of great importance in a variety of electrochemical systems including batteries and supercapacitors. We here analyze the coupling of flow and charge transport and charge capacitance in capacitive deionization (CDI). In CDI, a pair of porous carbon electrodes is employed to electrostatically retain and remove ionic species from aqueous solutions. We here develop and solve a novel unsteady two-dimensional model for capturing the ion adsorption/desorption dynamics in a flow-between CDI system. We use this model to study the complex, nonlinear coupling between electromigration, diffusion, and advection of ions. We also fabricated amore » laboratory-scale CDI cell which we use to measure the near-equilibrium, cumulative adsorbed salt, and electric charge as a function of applied external voltage. We use these integral measures to validate and calibrate this model. We further present a detailed computational study of the spatiotemporal adsorption/desorption dynamics under constant voltage and constant flow conditions. We show results for low (20 mM KCl) and relatively high (200 mM KCl) inlet ion concentrations and identify effects of ion starvation on desalination. We show that in both cases electromigrative transport eventually becomes negligible and diffusive ion transport reduces the desalination rate.« less

Orbital synchronization capture of two binaries emitting gravitational waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seto, Naoki

2018-03-01

We study the possibility of orbital synchronization capture for a hierarchical quadrupole stellar system composed by two binaries emitting gravitational waves. Based on a simple model including the mass transfer for white dwarf binaries, we find that the capture might be realized for inter-binary distances less than their gravitational wavelength. We also discuss related intriguing phenomena such as a parasitic relation between the coupled white dwarf binaries and significant reductions of gravitational and electromagnetic radiations.

Involvement of a Na+/HCO-3 cotransporter in mouse sperm capacitation.

PubMed

Demarco, Ignacio A; Espinosa, Felipe; Edwards, Jennifer; Sosnik, Julian; De La Vega-Beltran, Jose Luis; Hockensmith, Joel W; Kopf, Gregory S; Darszon, Alberto; Visconti, Pablo E

2003-02-28

Mammalian sperm are incapable of fertilizing eggs immediately after ejaculation; they acquire fertilization capacity after residing in the female tract for a finite period of time. The physiological changes sperm undergo in the female reproductive tract that render sperm able to fertilize constitute the phenomenon of "sperm capacitation." We have demonstrated that capacitation is associated with an increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of a subset of proteins and that these events are regulated by an HCO(3)(-)/cAMP-dependent pathway involving protein kinase A. Capacitation is also accompanied by hyperpolarization of the sperm plasma membrane. Here we present evidence that, in addition to its role in the regulation of adenylyl cyclase, HCO(3)(-) has a role in the regulation of plasma membrane potential in mouse sperm. Addition of HCO(3)(-) but not Cl(-) induces a hyperpolarizing current in mouse sperm plasma membranes. This HCO(3)(-)-dependent hyperpolarization was not observed when Na(+) was replaced by the non-permeant cation choline(+). Replacement of Na(+) by choline(+) also inhibited the capacitation-associated increase in protein tyrosine phosphorylation as well as the zona pellucida-induced acrosome reaction. The lack of an increase in protein tyrosine phosphorylation was overcome by the presence of cAMP agonists in the incubation medium. The lack of a hyperpolarizing HCO(3)(-) current and the inhibition of the capacitation-dependent increase in protein tyrosine phosphorylation in the absence of Na(+) suggest that a Na(+)/HCO(3)(-) cotransporter is present in mouse sperm and is coupled to events regulating capacitation.

Capacitive chemical sensor

DOEpatents

Manginell, Ronald P; Moorman, Matthew W; Wheeler, David R

2014-05-27

A microfabricated capacitive chemical sensor can be used as an autonomous chemical sensor or as an analyte-sensitive chemical preconcentrator in a larger microanalytical system. The capacitive chemical sensor detects changes in sensing film dielectric properties, such as the dielectric constant, conductivity, or dimensionality. These changes result from the interaction of a target analyte with the sensing film. This capability provides a low-power, self-heating chemical sensor suitable for remote and unattended sensing applications. The capacitive chemical sensor also enables a smart, analyte-sensitive chemical preconcentrator. After sorption of the sample by the sensing film, the film can be rapidly heated to release the sample for further analysis. Therefore, the capacitive chemical sensor can optimize the sample collection time prior to release to enable the rapid and accurate analysis of analytes by a microanalytical system.

Capacitance Measurement with a Sigma Delta Converter for 3D Electrical Capacitance Tomography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nurge, Mark

2005-01-01

This paper will explore suitability of a newly available capacitance to digital converter for use in a 3D Electrical Capacitance Tomography system. A switch design is presented along with circuitry needed to extend the range of the capacitance to digital converter. Results are then discussed for a 15+ hour drift and noise test.

Power coupling mode transitions induced by tailored voltage waveforms in capacitive oxygen discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Derzsi, Aranka; Bruneau, Bastien; Gibson, Andrew Robert; Johnson, Erik; O'Connell, Deborah; Gans, Timo; Booth, Jean-Paul; Donkó, Zoltán

2017-03-01

Low-pressure capacitively coupled radio frequency discharges operated in O2 and driven by tailored voltage waveforms are investigated experimentally and by means of kinetic simulations. Pulse-type (peaks/valleys) and sawtooth-type voltage waveforms that consist of up to four consecutive harmonics of the fundamental frequency are used to study the amplitude asymmetry effect as well as the slope asymmetry effect at different fundamental frequencies (5, 10, and 15 MHz) and at different pressures (50-700 mTorr). Values of the DC self-bias determined experimentally and spatio-temporal excitation rates derived from phase resolved optical emission spectroscopy measurements are compared with particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collisions simulations. The spatio-temporal distributions of the excitation rate obtained from experiments are well reproduced by the simulations. Transitions of the discharge electron heating mode from the drift-ambipolar mode to the α-mode are induced by changing the number of consecutive harmonics included in the driving voltage waveform or by changing the gas pressure. Changing the number of harmonics in the waveform has a strong effect on the electronegativity of the discharge, on the generation of the DC self-bias and on the control of ion properties at the electrodes, both for pulse-type, as well as sawtooth-type driving voltage waveforms The effect of the surface quenching rate of oxygen singlet delta metastable molecules on the spatio-temporal excitation patterns is also investigated.

Capacitively Coupled RF Plasmas for the Synthesis of Silicon Nanocrystals: Scaling and Mechanisms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Markosyan, Aram H.; Le Picard, Romain; Porter, David H.; Girshick, Steven L.; Kushner, Mark J.

2015-09-01

Silicon nanocrystals (SNCs) are of interest for light emitting electronics, photovoltaics, and biotechnology. SNCs are produced in low pressure capacitively coupled plasmas (CCPs) sustained in SiH4 containing mixtures. To optimize these applications, it is necessary to control the size distribution of the SNCs. Particles 3-5 nm diameter are typically tailored by flow rates and power, however the fundamental processes responsible for this size control are not well understood. We developed a 2-d computer model for RF powered CCPs to predict the synthesis of SNCs. An aerosol sectional model was incorporated into the Hybrid Plasma Equipment Model. The reactor is a quartz tube a few mm in diameter through which 100 sccm Ar and 15 sccm He/SiH4 = 95/5 at 2 Torr are flowed. The SNC residence time is 1-2 ms in the dense plasma region near the electrodes. We found that the distribution of plasma potential is important in determining the growth and size distribution of the SNCs. The SNCs having long residence times in the plasma, thereby enabling growth, are usually negatively charged. To ultimately allow these SNCs to flow out of the plasma, the distribution of the plasma potential must enable the particles to be entrained in the neutral gas flow without a significant potential barrier. We also found that agglomeration of particles of <1 nm is important in the rate of growth of SNCs. Work supported by DOE (DE-SC0001939) and NSF (CHE-124752).

Plasma Treated Active Carbon for Capacitive Deionization of Saline Water

DOE PAGES

Zeng, Aiping; Shrestha, Maheshwar; Wang, Keliang; ...

2017-01-01

The plasma treatment on commercial active carbon (AC) was carried out in a capacitively coupled plasma system using Ar + 10% O 2at pressure of 4.0 Torr. The RF plasma power ranged from 50 W to 100 W and the processing time was 10 min. The carbon film electrode was fabricated by electrophoretic deposition. Micro-Raman spectroscopy revealed the highly increased disorder of sp 2C lattice for the AC treated at 75 W. An electrosorption capacity of 6.15 mg/g was recorded for the carbon treated at 75 W in a 0.1 mM NaCl solution when 1.5 V was applied for 5more » hours, while the capacity of the untreated AC was 1.0 mg/g. The plasma treatment led to 5.09 times increase in the absorption capacity. The jump of electrosorption capacity by plasma treatment was consistent with the Raman spectra and electrochemical double layer capacitance. This work demonstrated that plasma treatment was a potentially efficient approach to activating biochar to serve as electrode material for capacitive deionization (CDI).« less

Estimating Mass Parameters of Doubly Synchronous Binary Asteroids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, Alex; Scheeres, Daniel J.

2017-10-01

The non-spherical mass distributions of binary asteroid systems lead to coupled mutual gravitational forces and torques. Observations of the coupled attitude and orbital dynamics can be leveraged to provide information about the mass parameters of the binary system. The full 3-dimensional motion has 9 degrees of freedom, and coupled dynamics require the use of numerical investigation only. In the current study we simplify the system to a planar ellipsoid-ellipsoid binary system in a doubly synchronous orbit. Three modes are identified for the system, which has 4 degrees of freedom, with one degree of freedom corresponding to an ignorable coordinate. The three modes correspond to the three major librational modes of the system when it is in a doubly synchronous orbit. The linearized periods of each mode are a function of the mass parameters of the two asteroids, enabling measurement of these parameters based on observations of the librational motion. Here we implement estimation techniques to evaluate the capabilities of this mass measurement method. We apply this methodology to the Trojan binary asteroid system 617 Patroclus and Menoetius (1906 VY), the final flyby target of the recently announced LUCY Discovery mission. This system is of interest because a stellar occultation campaign of the Patroclus and Menoetius system has suggested that the asteroids are similarly sized oblate ellipsoids moving in a doubly-synchronous orbit, making the system an ideal test for this investigation. A number of missed observations during the campaign also suggested the possibility of a crater on the southern limb of Menoetius, the presence of which could be evaluated by our mass estimation method. This presentation will review the methodology and potential accuracy of our approach in addition to evaluating how the dynamical coupling can be used to help understand light curve and stellar occultation observations for librating binary systems.

High-Temperature Isothermal Capacitance Transient Spectroscopy Study on Inductively Coupled Plasma Etching Damage for p-GaN Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aoki, Toshichika; Wakayama, Hisashi; Kaneda, Naoki; Mishima, Tomoyoshi; Nomoto, Kazuki; Shiojima, Kenji

2013-11-01

The effects of the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching damage on the electrical characteristics of low-Mg-doped p-GaN Schottky contacts were evaluated by high-temperature isothermal capacitance transient spectroscopy. A large single peak for an acceptor-type surface state was dominantly detected for as-grown samples. The energy level and state density were obtained to be 1.18 eV above the valence band, which is close to a Ga vacancy (VGa), and 1.5×1013 cm-2, respectively. It was speculated that a small portion of Ga atoms were missing from the surface, and a high VGa density was observed in a few surface layers. The peak intensity decreased by 60% upon annealing at 800 °C, and further decrease was found by ICP etching. This decrease is consistent with the suppression of the memory effect in current-voltage characteristics. Upon annealing and ICP etching, since the VGa structure might be disordered, the peak intensity decreased.

Protein kinase C activates non-capacitative calcium entry in human platelets

PubMed Central

Rosado, Juan A; Sage, Stewart O

2000-01-01

In many non-excitable cells Ca2+ influx is mainly controlled by the filling state of the intracellular Ca2+ stores. It has been suggested that this store-mediated or capacitative Ca2+ entry is brought about by a physical and reversible coupling of the endoplasmic reticulum with the plasma membrane. Here we provide evidence for an additional, non-capacitative Ca2+ entry mechanism in human platelets. Changes in cytosolic Ca2+ and Sr2+ were measured in human platelets loaded with the fluorescent indicator fura-2. Depletion of the internal Ca2+ stores with thapsigargin plus a low concentration of ionomycin stimulated store-mediated cation entry, as demonstrated upon Ca2+ or Sr2+ addition. Subsequent treatment with thrombin stimulated further divalent cation entry in a concentration-dependent manner. Direct activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate or 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol also stimulated divalent cation entry, without evoking the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Cation entry evoked by thrombin or activators of PKC was abolished by the PKC inhibitor Ro-31-8220. Unlike store-mediated Ca2+ entry, jasplakinolide, which reorganises actin filaments into a tight cortical layer adjacent to the plasma membrane, did not inhibit divalent cation influx evoked by thrombin when applied after Ca2+ store depletion, or by activators of PKC. Thrombin also activated Ca2+ entry in platelets in which the release from intracellular stores and store-mediated Ca2+ entry were blocked by xestospongin C. These results indicate that the non-capacitative divalent cation entry pathway is regulated independently of store-mediated entry and does not require coupling of the endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane. These results support the existence of a mechanism for receptor-evoked Ca2+ entry in human platelets that is independent of Ca2+ store depletion. This Ca2+ entry mechanism may be activated by occupation of G-protein-coupled receptors

Experimental investigation of standing wave effect in dual-frequency capacitively coupled argon discharges: role of a low-frequency source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Kai; Liu, Yong-Xin; Kawamura, E.; Wen, De-Qi; Lieberman, M. A.; Wang, You-Nian

2018-05-01

It is well known that the plasma non-uniformity caused by the standing wave effect has brought about great challenges for plasma material processing. To improve the plasma uniformity, a low-frequency (LF) power source is introduced into a 100 MHz very-high-frequency (VHF) capacitively coupled argon plasma reactor. The effect of the LF parameters (LF voltage amplitude ϕ L and LF source f L) on the radial profile of plasma density has been investigated by utilizing a hairpin probe. The result at a low pressure (1 Pa) is compared to the one obtained by a 2D fluid-analytical capacitively coupled plasma model, showing good agreement in the plasma density radial profile. The experimental results show that the plasma density profile exhibits different dependences on ϕ L and f L at different gas pressures/electrode driven types (i.e., the two rf sources are applied on one electrode (case I) and separate electrodes (case II)). At low pressures (e.g., 8 Pa), the pronounced standing wave effect revealed in a VHF discharge can be suppressed at a relatively high ϕ L or a low f L in case I, because the HF sheath heating is largely weakened due to strong modulation by the LF source. By contrast, ϕ L and f L play insignificant roles in suppressing the standing wave effect in case II. At high pressures (e.g., 20 Pa), the opposite is true. The plasma density radial profile is more sensitive to ϕ L and f L in case II than in case I. In case II, the standing wave effect is surprisingly enhanced with increasing ϕ L at higher pressures; however, the center-high density profile caused by the standing wave effect can be compensated by increasing f L due to the enhanced electrostatic edge effect dominated by the LF source. In contrast, the density radial profile shows a much weaker dependence on ϕ L and f L in case I at higher pressures. To understand the different roles of ϕ L and f L, the electron excitation dynamics in each case are analyzed based on the measured spatio

Mercury determination in non- and biodegradable materials by cold vapor capacitively coupled plasma microtorch atomic emission spectrometry.

PubMed

Frentiu, Tiberiu; Mihaltan, Alin I; Ponta, Michaela; Darvasi, Eugen; Frentiu, Maria; Cordos, Emil

2011-10-15

A new analytical system consisting of a low power capacitively coupled plasma microtorch (20 W, 13.56 MHz, 150 ml min(-1) Ar) and a microspectrometer was investigated for the Hg determination in non- and biodegradable materials by cold-vapor generation, using SnCl(2) reductant, and atomic emission spectrometry. The investigated miniaturized system was used for Hg determination in recyclable plastics from electronic equipments and biodegradable materials (shopping bags of 98% biodegradable polyethylene and corn starch) with the advantages of easy operation and low analysis costs. Samples were mineralized in HNO(3)-H(2)SO(4) mixture in a high-pressure microwave system. The detection limits of 0.05 ng ml(-1) or 0.08 μg g(-1) in solid sample were compared with those reported for other analytical systems. The method precision was 1.5-9.4% for Hg levels of 1.37-13.9 mg kg(-1), while recovery in two polyethylene certified reference materials in the range 98.7 ± 4.5% (95% confidence level). Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Advanced PIC-MCC simulation for the investigation of step-ionization effect in intermediate-pressure capacitively coupled plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jin Seok; Hur, Min Young; Kim, Chang Ho; Kim, Ho Jun; Lee, Hae June

2018-03-01

A two-dimensional parallelized particle-in-cell simulation has been developed to simulate a capacitively coupled plasma reactor. The parallelization using graphics processing units is applied to resolve the heavy computational load. It is found that the step-ionization plays an important role in the intermediate gas pressure of a few Torr. Without the step-ionization, the average electron density decreases while the effective electron temperature increases with the increase of gas pressure at a fixed power. With the step-ionization, however, the average electron density increases while the effective electron temperature decreases with the increase of gas pressure. The cases with the step-ionization agree well with the tendency of experimental measurement. The electron energy distribution functions show that the population of electrons having intermediate energy from 4.2 to 12 eV is relaxed by the step-ionization. Also, it was observed that the power consumption by the electrons is increasing with the increase of gas pressure by the step-ionization process, while the power consumption by the ions decreases with the increase of gas pressure.

An approach to evaluate capacitance, capacitive reactance and resistance of pivoted pads of a thrust bearing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prashad, Har

1992-07-01

A theoretical approach is developed for determining the capacitance and active resistance between the interacting surfaces of pivoted pads and thrust collar, under different conditions of operation. It is shown that resistance and capacitive reactance of a thrust bearing decrease with the number of pads times the values of these parameters for an individual pad, and that capacitance increases with the number of pads times the capacitance of an individual pad. The analysis presented has a potential to diagnose the behavior of pivoted pad thrust bearings with the angle of tilt and the ratio of film thickness at the leading to trailing edge, by determining the variation of capacitance, resistance, and capacitive reactance.

An instability due to the nonlinear coupling of p-modes to g-modes: Implications for coalescing neutron star binaries

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Weinberg, Nevin N.; Arras, Phil; Burkart, Joshua, E-mail: nevin@mit.edu

2013-06-01

A weakly nonlinear fluid wave propagating within a star can be unstable to three-wave interactions. The resonant parametric instability is a well-known form of three-wave interaction in which a primary wave of frequency ω {sub a} excites a pair of secondary waves of frequency ω {sub b} + ω {sub c} ≅ ω {sub a}. Here we consider a nonresonant form of three-wave interaction in which a low-frequency primary wave excites a high-frequency p-mode and a low-frequency g-mode such that ω {sub b} + ω {sub c} >> ω {sub a}. We show that a p-mode can couple so stronglymore » to a g-mode of similar radial wavelength that this type of nonresonant interaction is unstable even if the primary wave amplitude is small. As an application, we analyze the stability of the tide in coalescing neutron star binaries to p-g mode coupling. We find that the equilibrium tide and dynamical tide are both p-g unstable at gravitational wave frequencies f {sub gw} ≳ 20 Hz and drive short wavelength p-g mode pairs to significant energies on very short timescales (much less than the orbital decay time due to gravitational radiation). Resonant parametric coupling to the tide is, by contrast, either stable or drives modes at a much smaller rate. We do not solve for the saturation of the p-g instability and therefore we cannot say precisely how it influences the evolution of neutron star binaries. However, we show that if even a single daughter mode saturates near its wave breaking amplitude, the p-g instability of the equilibrium tide will (1) induce significant orbital phase errors (Δφ ≳ 1 radian) that accumulate primarily at low frequencies (f {sub gw} ≲ 50 Hz) and (2) heat the neutron star core to a temperature of T ∼ 10{sup 10} K. Since there are at least ∼100 unstable p-g daughter pairs, Δφ and T are potentially much larger than these values. Tides might therefore significantly influence the gravitational wave signal and electromagnetic emission from coalescing neutron star

Ferroelectric negative capacitance domain dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoffmann, Michael; Khan, Asif Islam; Serrao, Claudy; Lu, Zhongyuan; Salahuddin, Sayeef; Pešić, Milan; Slesazeck, Stefan; Schroeder, Uwe; Mikolajick, Thomas

2018-05-01

Transient negative capacitance effects in epitaxial ferroelectric Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 capacitors are investigated with a focus on the dynamical switching behavior governed by domain nucleation and growth. Voltage pulses are applied to a series connection of the ferroelectric capacitor and a resistor to directly measure the ferroelectric negative capacitance during switching. A time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau approach is used to investigate the underlying domain dynamics. The transient negative capacitance is shown to originate from reverse domain nucleation and unrestricted domain growth. However, with the onset of domain coalescence, the capacitance becomes positive again. The persistence of the negative capacitance state is therefore limited by the speed of domain wall motion. By changing the applied electric field, capacitor area or external resistance, this domain wall velocity can be varied predictably over several orders of magnitude. Additionally, detailed insights into the intrinsic material properties of the ferroelectric are obtainable through these measurements. A new method for reliable extraction of the average negative capacitance of the ferroelectric is presented. Furthermore, a simple analytical model is developed, which accurately describes the negative capacitance transient time as a function of the material properties and the experimental boundary conditions.

Optical analogue of relativistic Dirac solitons in binary waveguide arrays

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tran, Truong X., E-mail: truong.tran@mpl.mpg.de; Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Günther-Scharowsky str. 1, 91058 Erlangen; Longhi, Stefano

2014-01-15

We study analytically and numerically an optical analogue of Dirac solitons in binary waveguide arrays in the presence of Kerr nonlinearity. Pseudo-relativistic soliton solutions of the coupled-mode equations describing dynamics in the array are analytically derived. We demonstrate that with the found soliton solutions, the coupled mode equations can be converted into the nonlinear relativistic 1D Dirac equation. This paves the way for using binary waveguide arrays as a classical simulator of quantum nonlinear effects arising from the Dirac equation, something that is thought to be impossible to achieve in conventional (i.e. linear) quantum field theory. -- Highlights: •An opticalmore » analogue of Dirac solitons in nonlinear binary waveguide arrays is suggested. •Analytical solutions to pseudo-relativistic solitons are presented. •A correspondence of optical coupled-mode equations with the nonlinear relativistic Dirac equation is established.« less

Characterization of Textile-Insulated Capacitive Biosensors

PubMed Central

Ng, Charn Loong; Reaz, Mamun Bin Ibne

2017-01-01

Capacitive biosensors are an emerging technology revolutionizing wearable sensing systems and personal healthcare devices. They are capable of continuously measuring bioelectrical signals from the human body while utilizing textiles as an insulator. Different textile types have their own unique properties that alter skin-electrode capacitance and the performance of capacitive biosensors. This paper aims to identify the best textile insulator to be used with capacitive biosensors by analysing the characteristics of 6 types of common textile materials (cotton, linen, rayon, nylon, polyester, and PVC-textile) while evaluating their impact on the performance of a capacitive biosensor. A textile-insulated capacitive (TEX-C) biosensor was developed and validated on 3 subjects. Experimental results revealed that higher skin-electrode capacitance of a TEX-C biosensor yields a lower noise floor and better signal quality. Natural fabric such as cotton and linen were the two best insulating materials to integrate with a capacitive biosensor. They yielded the lowest noise floor of 2 mV and achieved consistent electromyography (EMG) signals measurements throughout the performance test. PMID:28287493

Aspheric surface measurement using capacitive probes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, Xin; Yuan, Daocheng; Li, Shaobo

2017-02-01

With the application of aspheres in optical fields, high precision and high efficiency aspheric surface metrology becomes a hot research topic. We describe a novel method of non-contact measurement of aspheric surface with capacitive probe. Taking an eccentric spherical surface as the object of study, the averaging effect of capacitive probe measurement and the influence of tilting the capacitive probe on the measurement results are investigated. By comparing measurement results from simultaneous measurement of the capacitive probe and contact probe of roundness instrument, this paper indicates the feasibility of using capacitive probes to test aspheric surface and proposes the compensation method of measurement error caused by averaging effect and the tilting of the capacitive probe.

"Negative capacitance" in resistor-ferroelectric and ferroelectric-dielectric networks: Apparent or intrinsic?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saha, Atanu K.; Datta, Suman; Gupta, Sumeet K.

2018-03-01

In this paper, we describe and analytically substantiate an alternate explanation for the negative capacitance (NC) effect in ferroelectrics (FE). We claim that the NC effect previously demonstrated in resistance-ferroelectric (R-FE) networks does not necessarily validate the existence of "S" shaped relation between polarization and voltage (according to Landau theory). In fact, the NC effect can be explained without invoking the "S"-shaped behavior of FE. We employ an analytical model for FE (Miller model) in which the steady state polarization strictly increases with the voltage across the FE and show that despite the inherent positive FE capacitance, reduction in FE voltage with the increase in its charge is possible in a R-FE network as well as in a ferroelectric-dielectric (FE-DE) stack. This can be attributed to a large increase in FE capacitance near the coercive voltage coupled with the polarization lag with respect to the electric field. Under certain conditions, these two factors yield transient NC effect. We analytically derive conditions for NC effect in R-FE and FE-DE networks. We couple our analysis with extensive simulations to explain the evolution of NC effect. We also compare the trends predicted by the aforementioned Miller model with Landau-Khalatnikov (L-K) model (static negative capacitance due to "S"-shape behaviour) and highlight the differences between the two approaches. First, with an increase in external resistance in the R-FE network, NC effect shows a non-monotonic behavior according to Miller model but increases according to L-K model. Second, with the increase in ramp-rate of applied voltage in the FE-DE stack, NC effect increases according to Miller model but decreases according to L-K model. These results unveil a possible way to experimentally validate the actual reason of NC effect in FE.

Redox regulation of mammalian sperm capacitation

PubMed Central

O’Flaherty, Cristian

2015-01-01

Capacitation is a series of morphological and metabolic changes necessary for the spermatozoon to achieve fertilizing ability. One of the earlier happenings during mammalian sperm capacitation is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that will trigger and regulate a series of events including protein phosphorylation, in a time-dependent fashion. The identity of the sperm oxidase responsible for the production of ROS involved in capacitation is still elusive, and several candidates are discussed in this review. Interestingly, ROS-induced ROS formation has been described during human sperm capacitation. Redox signaling during capacitation is associated with changes in thiol groups of proteins located on the plasma membrane and subcellular compartments of the spermatozoon. Both, oxidation of thiols forming disulfide bridges and the increase on thiol content are necessary to regulate different sperm proteins associated with capacitation. Reducing equivalents such as NADH and NADPH are necessary to support capacitation in many species including humans. Lactate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phospohate dehydrogenase, and isocitrate dehydrogenase are responsible in supplying NAD (P) H for sperm capacitation. Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are newly described enzymes with antioxidant properties that can protect mammalian spermatozoa; however, they are also candidates for assuring the regulation of redox signaling required for sperm capacitation. The dysregulation of PRDXs and of enzymes needed for their reactivation such as thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase system and glutathione-S-transferases impairs sperm motility, capacitation, and promotes DNA damage in spermatozoa leading to male infertility. PMID:25926608

Influence of finite geometrical asymmetry of the electrodes in capacitively coupled radio frequency plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bora, B.; Soto, L.

2014-08-01

Capacitively coupled radio frequency (CCRF) plasmas are widely studied in last decades due to the versatile applicability of energetic ions, chemically active species, radicals, and also energetic neutral species in many material processing fields including microelectronics, aerospace, and biology. A dc self-bias is known to generate naturally in geometrically asymmetric CCRF plasma because of the difference in electrode sizes known as geometrical asymmetry of the electrodes in order to compensate electron and ion flux to each electrode within one rf period. The plasma series resonance effect is also come into play due to the geometrical asymmetry and excited several harmonics of the fundamental in low pressure CCRF plasma. In this work, a 13.56 MHz CCRF plasma is studied on the based on the nonlinear global model of asymmetric CCRF discharge to understand the influences of finite geometrical asymmetry of the electrodes in terms of generation of dc self-bias and plasma heating. The nonlinear global model on asymmetric discharge has been modified by considering the sheath at the grounded electrode to taking account the finite geometrical asymmetry of the electrodes. The ion density inside both the sheaths has been taken into account by incorporating the steady-state fluid equations for ions considering that the applied rf frequency is higher than the typical ion plasma frequency. Details results on the influences of geometrical asymmetry on the generation of dc self-bias and plasma heating are discussed.

Holey nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide thin sheets with ultrahigh areal capacitance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhi, Lei; Zhang, Wenliang; Dang, Liqin; Sun, Jie; Shi, Feng; Xu, Hua; Liu, Zonghuai; Lei, Zhibin

2018-05-01

Strong coupling of electroactive components on conductive carbonaceous matrix to fabricate flexible hybrid electrodes represents a promising approach towards high performance supercapacitors. This work reports the fabrication of holey nickel cobalt layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) nanosheets that are vertically grown on the cotton cloth-derived activated textile carbon (aTC). The abundant nanoholes on the thin-sheet NiCo-LDH not only enhance the electrode efficiency for efficient Faradaic redox reactions but also facilitate access of electrolyte to the electrode surface, thus giving rise to 70% capacitance arising from their outer surface. As a result, the aTC-NiCo hybrid electrode is capable of simultaneously achieving extremely high areal capacitance (6.37 F cm-2), mass capacitance (525 F g-1) and volumetric capacitance (249 F cm-3) at a practical level of mass loading (6.72 mg cm-2). Moreover, a solid-state asymmetric capacitor built with aTC-NiCo as positive electrode and active carbon-coated on aTC as negative electrode can deliver a volumetric energy density of 7.4 mWh cm-3 at a power density of 103 mW cm-3, while preserving a superior power performance, satisfying cycling stability and good mechanical flexibility.

Brain-computer interfaces using capacitive measurement of visual or auditory steady-state responses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baek, Hyun Jae; Kim, Hyun Seok; Heo, Jeong; Lim, Yong Gyu; Park, Kwang Suk

2013-04-01

Objective. Brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies have been intensely studied to provide alternative communication tools entirely independent of neuromuscular activities. Current BCI technologies use electroencephalogram (EEG) acquisition methods that require unpleasant gel injections, impractical preparations and clean-up procedures. The next generation of BCI technologies requires practical, user-friendly, nonintrusive EEG platforms in order to facilitate the application of laboratory work in real-world settings. Approach. A capacitive electrode that does not require an electrolytic gel or direct electrode-scalp contact is a potential alternative to the conventional wet electrode in future BCI systems. We have proposed a new capacitive EEG electrode that contains a conductive polymer-sensing surface, which enhances electrode performance. This paper presents results from five subjects who exhibited visual or auditory steady-state responses according to BCI using these new capacitive electrodes. The steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) spelling system and the auditory steady-state response (ASSR) binary decision system were employed. Main results. Offline tests demonstrated BCI performance high enough to be used in a BCI system (accuracy: 95.2%, ITR: 19.91 bpm for SSVEP BCI (6 s), accuracy: 82.6%, ITR: 1.48 bpm for ASSR BCI (14 s)) with the analysis time being slightly longer than that when wet electrodes were employed with the same BCI system (accuracy: 91.2%, ITR: 25.79 bpm for SSVEP BCI (4 s), accuracy: 81.3%, ITR: 1.57 bpm for ASSR BCI (12 s)). Subjects performed online BCI under the SSVEP paradigm in copy spelling mode and under the ASSR paradigm in selective attention mode with a mean information transfer rate (ITR) of 17.78 ± 2.08 and 0.7 ± 0.24 bpm, respectively. Significance. The results of these experiments demonstrate the feasibility of using our capacitive EEG electrode in BCI systems. This capacitive electrode may become a flexible and

Capacitive coupling in hybrid graphene/GaAs nanostructures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Simonet, Pauline, E-mail: psimonet@phys.ethz.ch; Rössler, Clemens; Krähenmann, Tobias

2015-07-13

Coupled hybrid nanostructures are demonstrated using the combination of lithographically patterned graphene on top of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) buried in a GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure. The graphene forms Schottky barriers at the surface of the heterostructure and therefore allows tuning the electronic density of the 2DEG. Conversely, the 2DEG potential can tune the graphene Fermi energy. Graphene-defined quantum point contacts in the 2DEG show half-plateaus of quantized conductance in finite bias spectroscopy and display the 0.7 anomaly for a large range of densities in the constriction, testifying to their good electronic properties. Finally, we demonstrate that the GaAs nanostructure canmore » detect charges in the vicinity of the heterostructure's surface. This confirms the strong coupling of the hybrid device: localized states in the graphene ribbon could, in principle, be probed by the underlying confined channel. The present hybrid graphene/GaAs nanostructures are promising for the investigation of strong interactions and coherent coupling between the two fundamentally different materials.« less

Capacitively Coupled Plasma Discharge of Ionic Liquid Solutions to Synthesize Carbon Dots as Fluorescent Sensors.

PubMed

Ke, Ching-Bin; Lu, Te-Ling; Chen, Jian-Lian

2018-05-26

Oxygen and nitrogen capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) was used to irradiate mixtures of aliphatic acids in high boiling point solvents to synthesize fluorescent carbon dots (C-dots). With a high fluorescence intensity, the C-dots obtained from the O₂/CCP radiation of a 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide ionic liquid solution of citric acid were characterized with an average diameter of 8.6 nm (σ = 1.1 nm), nitrogen and oxygen bonding functionalities, excitation-independent emissions, and upconversion fluorescence. Through dialysis of the CCP-treated C-dots, two emissive surface states corresponding to their respective functionalities and emissions were identified. The fluorescence spectrum of the CCP-treated C-dots was different from that of the microwave irradiation and possessed higher intensity than that of hydrothermal pyrolysis. By evaluation of the fluorescence quenching effect on flavonoids and metal ions, the CCP-treated C-dots showed a high selectivity for quercetin and sensitivity to Hg 2+ . Based on the Perrin model, a calibration curve ( R ² = 0.9992) was established for quercetin ranging from 2.4 μM to 119 μM with an LOD (limit of detection) = 0.5 μM. The quercetin in the ethanol extract of the sun-dried peel of Citrus reticulata cv. Chachiensis was determined by a standard addition method to be 4.20 ± 0.15 mg/g with a matrix effect of 8.16%.

Hybrid Modeling of SiH4/Ar Discharge in a Pulse Modulated RF Capacitively Coupled Plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xi-Feng, Wang; Yuan-Hong, Song; You-Nian, Wang; PSEG Team

2015-09-01

Pulsed plasmas have offered important advantages in future micro-devices, especially for electronegative gas plasmas. In this work, a one-dimensional fluid and Monte-Carlo (MC) hybrid model is developed to simulate SiH4/Ar discharge in a pulse modulated radio-frequency (RF) capacitively coupled plasma (CCP). Time evolution densities of different species, such as electrons, ions, radicals, are calculated, as well as the electron energy probability function (EEPF) which is obtained by a MC simulation. By pulsing the RF source, the electron energy distributions and plasma properties can be modulated by pulse frequency and duty cycle. High electron energy tails are obtained during power-on period, with the SiHx densities increasing rapidly mainly by SiH4 dissociation. As the RF power is off, the densities in the bulk region decrease rapidly owing to high energy electrons disappear, but increase near electrodes since diffusion without the confinement of high electric field, which can prolong the time of radials deposition on the plate. Especially, in the afterglow, the increase of negative ions near the electrodes results from cool electron attachment, which are good for film deposition. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11275038).

Capacitive Biosensors and Molecularly Imprinted Electrodes.

PubMed

Ertürk, Gizem; Mattiasson, Bo

2017-02-17

Capacitive biosensors belong to the group of affinity biosensors that operate by registering direct binding between the sensor surface and the target molecule. This type of biosensors measures the changes in dielectric properties and/or thickness of the dielectric layer at the electrolyte/electrode interface. Capacitive biosensors have so far been successfully used for detection of proteins, nucleotides, heavy metals, saccharides, small organic molecules and microbial cells. In recent years, the microcontact imprinting method has been used to create very sensitive and selective biorecognition cavities on surfaces of capacitive electrodes. This chapter summarizes the principle and different applications of capacitive biosensors with an emphasis on microcontact imprinting method with its recent capacitive biosensor applications.

A microfabricated fringing field capacitive pH sensor with an integrated readout circuit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arefin, Md Shamsul; Bulut Coskun, M.; Alan, Tuncay; Redoute, Jean-Michel; Neild, Adrian; Rasit Yuce, Mehmet

2014-06-01

This work presents a microfabricated fringe-field capacitive pH sensor using interdigitated electrodes and an integrated modulation-based readout circuit. The changes in capacitance of the sensor result from the permittivity changes due to pH variations and are converted to frequency shifts using a crossed-coupled voltage controlled oscillator readout circuit. The shift in resonant frequency of the readout circuit is 30.96 MHz for a change in pH of 1.0-5.0. The sensor can be used for the measurement of low pH levels, such as gastric acid, and can be integrated with electronic pills. The measurement results show high repeatability, low noise, and a stable output.

Context-Aware Local Binary Feature Learning for Face Recognition.

PubMed

Duan, Yueqi; Lu, Jiwen; Feng, Jianjiang; Zhou, Jie

2018-05-01

In this paper, we propose a context-aware local binary feature learning (CA-LBFL) method for face recognition. Unlike existing learning-based local face descriptors such as discriminant face descriptor (DFD) and compact binary face descriptor (CBFD) which learn each feature code individually, our CA-LBFL exploits the contextual information of adjacent bits by constraining the number of shifts from different binary bits, so that more robust information can be exploited for face representation. Given a face image, we first extract pixel difference vectors (PDV) in local patches, and learn a discriminative mapping in an unsupervised manner to project each pixel difference vector into a context-aware binary vector. Then, we perform clustering on the learned binary codes to construct a codebook, and extract a histogram feature for each face image with the learned codebook as the final representation. In order to exploit local information from different scales, we propose a context-aware local binary multi-scale feature learning (CA-LBMFL) method to jointly learn multiple projection matrices for face representation. To make the proposed methods applicable for heterogeneous face recognition, we present a coupled CA-LBFL (C-CA-LBFL) method and a coupled CA-LBMFL (C-CA-LBMFL) method to reduce the modality gap of corresponding heterogeneous faces in the feature level, respectively. Extensive experimental results on four widely used face datasets clearly show that our methods outperform most state-of-the-art face descriptors.

Capacitive Sensing of Glucose in Electrolytes Using Graphene Quantum Capacitance Varactors.

PubMed

Zhang, Yao; Ma, Rui; Zhen, Xue V; Kudva, Yogish C; Bühlmann, Philippe; Koester, Steven J

2017-11-08

A novel graphene-based variable capacitor (varactor) that senses glucose based on the quantum capacitance effect was successfully developed. The sensor utilizes a metal-oxide-graphene varactor device structure that is inherently compatible with passive wireless sensing, a key advantage for in vivo glucose sensing. The graphene varactors were functionalized with pyrene-1-boronic acid (PBA) by self-assembly driven by π-π interactions. Successful surface functionalization was confirmed by both Raman spectroscopy and capacitance-voltage characterization of the devices. Through glucose binding to the PBA, the glucose concentration in the buffer solutions modulates the level of electrostatic doping of the graphene surface to different degrees, which leads to capacitance changes and Dirac voltage shifts. These responses to the glucose concentration were shown to be reproducible and reversible over multiple measurement cycles, suggesting promise for eventual use in wireless glucose monitoring.

Light-Induced Capacitance Tunability in Ferroelectric Crystals.

PubMed

Páez-Margarit, David; Rubio-Marcos, Fernando; Ochoa, Diego A; Del Campo, Adolfo; Fernández, José F; García, José E

2018-06-25

The remote controlling of ferroic properties with light is nowadays a hot and highly appealing topic in materials science. Here, we shed light on some of the unresolved issues surrounding light-matter coupling in ferroelectrics. Our findings show that the capacitance and, consequently, its related intrinsic material property, i.e., the dielectric constant, can be reversibly adjusted through the light power control. High photodielectric performance is exhibited across a wide range of the visible light wavelength because of the wavelength-independence of the phenomenon. We have verified that this counterintuitive behavior can be strongly ascribed to the existence of "locally free charges" at domain wall.

Study of dual radio frequency capacitively coupled plasma: an analytical treatment matched to an experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saikia, P.; Bhuyan, H.; Escalona, M.; Favre, M.; Wyndham, E.; Maze, J.; Schulze, J.

2018-01-01

The behavior of a dual frequency capacitively coupled plasma (2f CCP) driven by 2.26 and 13.56 MHz radio frequency (rf) source is investigated using an approach that integrates a theoretical model and experimental data. The basis of the theoretical analysis is a time dependent dual frequency analytical sheath model that casts the relation between the instantaneous sheath potential and plasma parameters. The parameters used in the model are obtained by operating the 2f CCP experiment (2.26 MHz + 13.56 MHz) in argon at a working pressure of 50 mTorr. Experimentally measured plasma parameters such as the electron density, electron temperature, as well as the rf current density ratios are the inputs of the theoretical model. Subsequently, a convenient analytical solution for the output sheath potential and sheath thickness was derived. A comparison of the present numerical results is done with the results obtained in another 2f CCP experiment conducted by Semmler et al (2007 Plasma Sources Sci. Technol. 16 839). A good quantitative correspondence is obtained. The numerical solution shows the variation of sheath potential with the low and high frequency (HF) rf powers. In the low pressure plasma, the sheath potential is a qualitative measure of DC self-bias which in turn determines the ion energy. Thus, using this analytical model, the measured values of the DC self-bias as a function of low and HF rf powers are explained in detail.

Active Targets For Capacitive Proximity Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jenstrom, Del T.; Mcconnell, Robert L.

1994-01-01

Lightweight, low-power active targets devised for use with improved capacitive proximity sensors described in "Capacitive Proximity Sensor Has Longer Range" (GSC-13377), and "Capacitive Proximity Sensors With Additional Driven Shields" (GSC-13475). Active targets are short-distance electrostatic beacons; they generate known alternating electro-static fields used for alignment and/or to measure distances.

Enhancing capacitance behaviour of CoOOH nanostructures using transition metal dopants by ambient oxidation

PubMed Central

Chen, Yanhui; Zhou, Junfeng; Maguire, Pierce; O’Connell, Robert; Schmitt, Wolfgang; Li, Yonghe; Yan, Zhengguang; Zhang, Yuefei; Zhang, Hongzhou

2016-01-01

Cobalt hydrate and doped binary Co0.9M0.1OOH (M = Ni, Mn, Fe) nanorings of 100–300 nm were fabricated in solution through a facile ambient oxidation method. A transformation from Co0.9Ni0.1(OH)2 nanodiscs to hollow Co0.9Ni0.1OOH nanorings was observed with prolonged reaction time. Core-shell nanodiscs have elemental segregation with a Co(OH)2 core and Ni(OH)2 shell. Co0.9Ni0.1OOH nanorings displayed a higher electrochemical capacitance than Mn and Fe doped nanorings materials or materials with disc-like geometries. PMID:26853105

Enhancing capacitance behaviour of CoOOH nanostructures using transition metal dopants by ambient oxidation.

PubMed

Chen, Yanhui; Zhou, Junfeng; Maguire, Pierce; O'Connell, Robert; Schmitt, Wolfgang; Li, Yonghe; Yan, Zhengguang; Zhang, Yuefei; Zhang, Hongzhou

2016-02-08

Cobalt hydrate and doped binary Co0.9M0.1OOH (M = Ni, Mn, Fe) nanorings of 100-300 nm were fabricated in solution through a facile ambient oxidation method. A transformation from Co0.9Ni0.1(OH)2 nanodiscs to hollow Co0.9Ni0.1OOH nanorings was observed with prolonged reaction time. Core-shell nanodiscs have elemental segregation with a Co(OH)2 core and Ni(OH)2 shell. Co0.9Ni0.1OOH nanorings displayed a higher electrochemical capacitance than Mn and Fe doped nanorings materials or materials with disc-like geometries.

Conversion of stranded waste-stream carbon and nutrients into value-added products via metabolically coupled binary heterotroph-photoautotroph system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bohutskyi, Pavlo; Kucek, Leo A.; Hill, Eric

Metabolic flexibility and robustness of phototroph- heterotroph co-cultures provide a flexible binary engineering platform for a variety of biotechnological and environmental applications. Here, we metabolically coupled a heterotrophic bacterium Bacillus subtilis with astaxanthin producing alga Haematococcus pluvialis and successfully applied this binary co-culture for conversion of the starch-rich waste stream into valuable astaxanthin-rich biomass. Importantly, the implemented system required less mass transfer of CO2 and O2 due to in-situ exchange between heterotroph and phototroph, which can contribute to reduction in energy consumption for wastewater treatment. In addition, the maximum reduction in chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen and phosphorus reached 65%,more » 55% and 30%, respectively. The preliminary economic analysis indicated that realization of produced biomass with 0.8% astaxanthin content may generate annual revenues of $3.2M (baseline scenario) from treatment of wastewater (1,090 m3/day) from a potato processing plant. Moreover, the revenues may be increased up to $18.2M for optimized scenario with astaxanthin content in algae of 2%. This work demonstrates a successful proof-of-principle for conversion of waste carbon and nutrients into targeted value-added products through metabolic connection of heterotrophic and phototrophic organisms. Utilization of heterotrophic-algal binary cultures opens new perspectives for designing highly-efficient production processes for feedstock biomass production as well as allows utilization of variety of organic agricultural, chemical, or municipal wastes.« less

Hydrodynamical processes in coalescing binary stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lai, Dong

1994-01-01

. Resonant excitations of these g-modes during the last few minutes of the binary coalescence result in energy transfer and angular momentum transfer from the binary orbit to the neutron star. Because of the weak coupling between the g-modes and the tidal potential, the induced orbital phase errors due to resonances are small. However, resonant excitations of the g-modes play an important role in the tidal heating of binary neutron stars.

On the Lack of Circumbinary Planets Orbiting Isolated Binary Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fleming, David P.; Barnes, Rory; Graham, David E.; Luger, Rodrigo; Quinn, Thomas R.

2018-05-01

We outline a mechanism that explains the observed lack of circumbinary planets (CBPs) via coupled stellar–tidal evolution of isolated binary stars. Tidal forces between low-mass, short-period binary stars on the pre-main sequence slow the stellar rotations transferring rotational angular momentum to the orbit as the stars approach the tidally locked state. This transfer increases the binary orbital period, expanding the region of dynamical instability around the binary, and destabilizing CBPs that tend to preferentially orbit just beyond the initial dynamical stability limit. After the stars tidally lock, we find that angular momentum loss due to magnetic braking can significantly shrink the binary orbit, and hence the region of dynamical stability, over time, impacting where surviving CBPs are observed relative to the boundary. We perform simulations over a wide range of parameter space and find that the expansion of the instability region occurs for most plausible initial conditions and that, in some cases, the stability semimajor axis doubles from its initial value. We examine the dynamical and observable consequences of a CBP falling within the dynamical instability limit by running N-body simulations of circumbinary planetary systems and find that, typically, at least one planet is ejected from the system. We apply our theory to the shortest-period Kepler binary that possesses a CBP, Kepler-47, and find that its existence is consistent with our model. Under conservative assumptions, we find that coupled stellar–tidal evolution of pre-main sequence binary stars removes at least one close-in CBP in 87% of multi-planet circumbinary systems.

Numerical simulation of capacitively coupled RF plasma flowing through a tube for the synthesis of silicon nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Picard, Romain; Song, Sang-Heon; Porter, David; Kushner, Mark; Girshick, Steven

2014-10-01

Silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) are of interest for applications in the photonics, electronics, and biomedical areas. Nonthermal plasmas offer several potential advantages for synthesizing SiNCs. In this work, we have developed a numerical model of a capacitively coupled RF plasma used for the synthesis of SiNCs. The plasma, consisting of silane diluted in argon at a total pressure of about 2 Torr, flows through a narrow quartz tube with two ring electrodes. The numerical model is 2D, assuming axisymmetry. An aerosol sectional model is added to the Hybrid Plasma Equipment Model developed by Kushner and coworkers. The aerosol module solves for aerosol size distributions and size-dependent charge distributions. A detailed chemical kinetic mechanism considering silicon hydride species containing up to 5 Si atoms is used to model particle nucleation and surface growth. The sectional model calculates coagulation, particle transport by electric force, neutral drag and ion drag, and particle charging using orbital motion limited theory. Simulation results are presented for selected operating conditions, and are compared to experimental results. This work was partially supported by the US Dept. of Energy Office of Fusion Energy Science (DE-SC0001939), the US National Science Foundation (CHE-124752), and the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute.

Ionization of elements in medium power capacitively coupled argon plasma torch with single and double ring electrodes.

PubMed

Ponta, Michaela; Frentiu, Maria; Frentiu, Tiberiu

2012-06-01

A medium power, low Ar consumption capacitively coupled plasma torch (275 W, 0.4 L min-1) with molybdenum tubular electrode and single or two ring electrodes in non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) was characterized with respect to its ability to achieve element ionization. Ionization degrees of Ca, Mg, Mn and Cd were determined from ionic-to-atomic emission ratio and ionization equilibrium according to Saha's equation. The ionization degrees resulted from the Saha equation were higher by 9-32% than those obtained from spectral lines intensity in LTE regime and closer to reality. A linear decrease of ionization with increase of ionization energy of elements was observed. Plasma torch with two ring electrodes provided higher ionization degrees (85 ± 7% Ca, 79 ± 7% Mn, 80 ± 7% Mg and 73 ± 8% Cd) than those in single ring arrangement (70 ± 6% Ca, 57 ± 7% Mn, 57 ± 8% Mg and 42 ± 9% Cd). The Ca ionization decreased linearly by up to 79 ± 4% and 53 ± 6% in plasma with two ring electrodes and single ring respectively in the presence of up to 400 µg mL-1 Na as interferent. The studied plasma was effective in element ionization and could be a potential ion source in mass spectrometry.

An experimental system for symmetric capacitive rf discharge studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Godyak, V. A.; Piejak, R. B.; Alexandrovich, B. M.

1990-09-01

An experimental system has been designed and built to comprehensively study the electrical and plasma characteristics in symmetric capacitively coupled rf discharges at low gas pressures. Descriptions of the system concept, the discharge chamber, the vacuum-gas control system, and the rf matching and electrical measurement system are presented together with some results of electrical measurements carried out in an argon discharge at 13.56 MHz. The system has been specifically designed to facilitate external discharge parameter measurements and probe measurements and to be compatible with a wide variety of other diagnostics. External electrical measurements and probe measurements within the discharge show that it is an ideal vehicle to study low-pressure rf discharge physics. Measurements from this system should be comparable to one-dimensional rf symmetric capacitive discharge theories and may help to verify them. Although only a few results are given here, the system has been operated reliably over a wide range of gas pressures and should give reproducible and accurate results for discharge electrical characteristics and plasma parameters over a wide range of driving frequency and gas components.

Electrical Capacitance Volume Tomography with High-Contrast Dielectrics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nurge, Mark

2010-01-01

The Electrical Capacitance Volume Tomography (ECVT) system has been designed to complement the tools created to sense the presence of water in nonconductive spacecraft materials, by helping to not only find the approximate location of moisture but also its quantity and depth. The ECVT system has been created for use with a new image reconstruction algorithm capable of imaging high-contrast dielectric distributions. Rather than relying solely on mutual capacitance readings as is done in traditional electrical capacitance tomography applications, this method reconstructs high-resolution images using only the self-capacitance measurements. The image reconstruction method assumes that the material under inspection consists of a binary dielectric distribution, with either a high relative dielectric value representing the water or a low dielectric value for the background material. By constraining the unknown dielectric material to one of two values, the inverse math problem that must be solved to generate the image is no longer ill-determined. The image resolution becomes limited only by the accuracy and resolution of the measurement circuitry. Images were reconstructed using this method with both synthetic and real data acquired using an aluminum structure inserted at different positions within the sensing region. The cuboid geometry of the system has two parallel planes of 16 conductors arranged in a 4 4 pattern. The electrode geometry consists of parallel planes of copper conductors, connected through custom-built switch electronics, to a commercially available capacitance to digital converter. The figure shows two 4 4 arrays of electrodes milled from square sections of copper-clad circuit-board material and mounted on two pieces of glass-filled plastic backing, which were cut to approximately square shapes, 10 cm on a side. Each electrode is placed on 2.0-cm centers. The parallel arrays were mounted with the electrode arrays approximately 3 cm apart. The open ends

Hybrid Black-Hole Binary Initial Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mundim, Bruno C.; Kelly, Bernard J.; Nakano, Hiroyuki; Zlochower, Yosef; Campanelli, Manuela

2010-01-01

"Traditional black-hole binary puncture initial data is conformally flat. This unphysical assumption is coupled with a lack of radiation signature from the binary's past life. As a result, waveforms extracted from evolutions of this data display an abrupt jump. In Kelly et al. [Class. Quantum Grav. 27:114005 (2010)], a new binary black-hole initial data with radiation contents derived in the post-Newtonian (PN) calculations was adapted to puncture evolutions in numerical relativity. This data satisfies the constraint equations to the 2.5PN order, and contains a transverse-traceless "wavy" metric contribution, violating the standard assumption of conformal flatness. Although the evolution contained less spurious radiation, there were undesired features; the unphysical horizon mass loss and the large initial orbital eccentricity. Introducing a hybrid approach to the initial data evaluation, we significantly reduce these undesired features."

Physical Origin of Transient Negative Capacitance in a Ferroelectric Capacitor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Sou-Chi; Avci, Uygar E.; Nikonov, Dmitri E.; Manipatruni, Sasikanth; Young, Ian A.

2018-01-01

Transient negative differential capacitance, the dynamic reversal of transient capacitance in an electrical circuit, is of highly technological and scientific interest since it probes the foundation of ferroelectricity. We study a resistor-ferroelectric capacitor (R -FEC) network through a series of coupled equations based on Kirchhoff's law, electrostatics, and Landau theory. We show that transient negative capacitance (NC) in a R -FEC circuit originates from the mismatch in switching rate between the free charge on the metal plate and the bound charge in a ferroelectric (FE) capacitor during the polarization switching. This transient free charge-polarization mismatch is driven by the negative curvature of the FE free-energy landscape, and it is also analytically shown that a free-energy profile with a negative curvature is the only physical system that can describe transient NC in a R -FEC circuit. Furthermore, transient NC induced by the free charge-polarization mismatch is justified by its dependence on both external resistance and the intrinsic FE viscosity coefficient. The depolarization effect on FE capacitors emphasizes the importance of negative curvature to transient NC and also implies that transient and steady-state NC cannot be observed in a FE capacitor simultaneously. Finally, using the transient NC measurements, a procedure to experimentally determine the viscosity coefficient is presented to provide more insight into the relation between transient NC and the FE free-energy profile.

Quantum Effects on the Capacitance of Graphene-Based Electrodes

DOE PAGES

Zhan, Cheng; Neal, Justin; Wu, Jianzhong; ...

2015-09-08

We recently measured quantum capacitance for electric double layers (EDL) at electrolyte/graphene interfaces. However, the importance of quantum capacitance in realistic carbon electrodes is not clear. Toward understanding that from a theoretical perspective, here we studied the quantum capacitance and total capacitance of graphene electrodes as a function of the number of graphene layers. The quantum capacitance was obtained from electronic density functional theory based on fixed band approximation with an implicit solvation model, while the EDL capacitances were from classical density functional theory. We found that quantum capacitance plays a dominant role in total capacitance of the single-layer graphenemore » both in aqueous and ionic-liquid electrolytes but the contribution decreases as the number of graphene layers increases. Moreover, the total integral capacitance roughly levels off and is dominated by the EDL capacitance beyond about four graphene layers. Finally, because many porous carbons have nanopores with stacked graphene layers at the surface, this research provides a good estimate of the effect of quantum capacitance on their electrochemical performance.« less

SECULAR EVOLUTION OF BINARIES NEAR MASSIVE BLACK HOLES: FORMATION OF COMPACT BINARIES, MERGER/COLLISION PRODUCTS AND G2-LIKE OBJECTS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Prodan, Snezana; Antonini, Fabio; Perets, Hagai B., E-mail: sprodan@cita.utoronto.ca, E-mail: antonini@cita.utoronto.ca

2015-02-01

Here we discuss the evolution of binaries around massive black holes (MBHs) in nuclear stellar clusters. We focus on their secular evolution due to the perturbation by the MBHs, while simplistically accounting for their collisional evolution. Binaries with highly inclined orbits with respect to their orbits around MBHs are strongly affected by secular processes, which periodically change their eccentricities and inclinations (e.g., Kozai-Lidov cycles). During periapsis approach, dissipative processes such as tidal friction may become highly efficient, and may lead to shrinkage of a binary orbit and even to its merger. Binaries in this environment can therefore significantly change theirmore » orbital evolution due to the MBH third-body perturbative effects. Such orbital evolution may impinge on their later stellar evolution. Here we follow the secular dynamics of such binaries and its coupling to tidal evolution, as well as the stellar evolution of such binaries on longer timescales. We find that stellar binaries in the central parts of nuclear stellar clusters (NSCs) are highly likely to evolve into eccentric and/or short-period binaries, and become strongly interacting binaries either on the main sequence (at which point they may even merge), or through their later binary stellar evolution. The central parts of NSCs therefore catalyze the formation and evolution of strongly interacting binaries, and lead to the enhanced formation of blue stragglers, X-ray binaries, gravitational wave sources, and possible supernova progenitors. Induced mergers/collisions may also lead to the formation of G2-like cloud-like objects such as the one recently observed in the Galactic center.« less

Learning Compact Binary Face Descriptor for Face Recognition.

PubMed

Lu, Jiwen; Liong, Venice Erin; Zhou, Xiuzhuang; Zhou, Jie

2015-10-01

Binary feature descriptors such as local binary patterns (LBP) and its variations have been widely used in many face recognition systems due to their excellent robustness and strong discriminative power. However, most existing binary face descriptors are hand-crafted, which require strong prior knowledge to engineer them by hand. In this paper, we propose a compact binary face descriptor (CBFD) feature learning method for face representation and recognition. Given each face image, we first extract pixel difference vectors (PDVs) in local patches by computing the difference between each pixel and its neighboring pixels. Then, we learn a feature mapping to project these pixel difference vectors into low-dimensional binary vectors in an unsupervised manner, where 1) the variance of all binary codes in the training set is maximized, 2) the loss between the original real-valued codes and the learned binary codes is minimized, and 3) binary codes evenly distribute at each learned bin, so that the redundancy information in PDVs is removed and compact binary codes are obtained. Lastly, we cluster and pool these binary codes into a histogram feature as the final representation for each face image. Moreover, we propose a coupled CBFD (C-CBFD) method by reducing the modality gap of heterogeneous faces at the feature level to make our method applicable to heterogeneous face recognition. Extensive experimental results on five widely used face datasets show that our methods outperform state-of-the-art face descriptors.

Graphene bolometer with thermoelectric readout and capacitive coupling to an antenna

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skoblin, Grigory; Sun, Jie; Yurgens, August

2018-02-01

We report on a prototype graphene radiation detector based on the thermoelectric effect. We used a split top gate to create a p-n junction in the graphene, thereby making an effective thermocouple to read out the electronic temperature in the graphene. The electronic temperature is increased due to the AC currents induced in the graphene from the incoming radiation, which is first received by an antenna and then directed to the graphene via the top-gate capacitance. With the exception of the constant DC voltages applied to the gate, the detector does not need any bias and is therefore very simple to use. The measurements showed a clear response to microwaves at 94 GHz with the signal being almost temperature independent in the 4-100 K temperature range. The optical responsivity reached ˜700 V/W.

Trace determination of Hg together with As, Sb, Se by miniaturized optical emission spectrometry integrated with chemical vapor generation and capacitively coupled argon microwave miniplasma discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matusiewicz, Henryk; Ślachciński, Mariusz

2017-07-01

A miniaturized optical emission spectrometer (OES) with capacitively coupled argon microwave microplasma (μCMP) as and excitation source and chemical vapor generation (CVG) for sample introduction was constructed for the determination of trace Hg, As, Sb and Se. The applied method enabled simultaneous determination of hydride-forming elements (As, Sb, Se) and volatile Hg. Mercury cold vapor and the hydride volatile species of As, Sb and Se were generated when standard or sample solutions were separated from the liquid phase for transport to the capacitively coupled microwave microplasma and detection of their atomic emission. A univariate approach and the simplex optimization procedure were used to achieve optimized conditions and derive analytical figures of merit. The experimental concentration detection limits (LODs) for simultaneous determination, calculated as the concentration giving a signal equal to three times of the standard deviation of the blank (LOD, 3σblank criterion, peak height) were 3.0, 1.4, 1.5 and 3.8 ng mL- 1 for Hg, As, Sb and Se, respectively. The method was validated by the analysis of three Certified Reference Materials (NIST 2711, NRCC DOLT-2, NIST 1643e) of different matrix composition and by the standard addition technique. The method offers relatively good precision (RSD ranged from 5% to 8%) for microsampling (200 μL) analysis. The measured of contents of elements in certified reference materials were in good agreement with the certified values (Hg 1.99-6.25 μg g- 1, As 16.6-105 μg g- 1, Sb 19.4-56.88 μg g- 1, Se 1.52-11.68 μg g- 1), according to the Student t-test, for a confidence level of 95%.

Fully parameterized model of a voltage-driven capacitive coupled micromachined ohmic contact switch for RF applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heeb, Peter; Tschanun, Wolfgang; Buser, Rudolf

2012-03-01

A comprehensive and completely parameterized model is proposed to determine the related electrical and mechanical dynamic system response of a voltage-driven capacitive coupled micromechanical switch. As an advantage over existing parameterized models, the model presented in this paper returns within few seconds all relevant system quantities necessary to design the desired switching cycle. Moreover, a sophisticated and detailed guideline is given on how to engineer a MEMS switch. An analytical approach is used throughout the modelling, providing representative coefficients in a set of two coupled time-dependent differential equations. This paper uses an equivalent mass moving along the axis of acceleration and a momentum absorption coefficient. The model describes all the energies transferred: the energy dissipated in the series resistor that models the signal attenuation of the bias line, the energy dissipated in the squeezed film, the stored energy in the series capacitor that represents a fixed separation in the bias line and stops the dc power in the event of a short circuit between the RF and dc path, the energy stored in the spring mechanism, and the energy absorbed by mechanical interaction at the switch contacts. Further, the model determines the electrical power fed back to the bias line. The calculated switching dynamics are confirmed by the electrical characterization of the developed RF switch. The fabricated RF switch performs well, in good agreement with the modelled data, showing a transition time of 7 µs followed by a sequence of bounces. Moreover, the scattering parameters exhibit an isolation in the off-state of >8 dB and an insertion loss in the on-state of <0.6 dB up to frequencies of 50 GHz. The presented model is intended to be integrated into standard circuit simulation software, allowing circuit engineers to design the switch bias line, to minimize induced currents and cross actuation, as well as to find the mechanical structure dimensions

Electrical capacitance clearanceometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hester, Norbert J. (Inventor); Hornbeck, Charles E. (Inventor); Young, Joseph C. (Inventor)

1992-01-01

A hot gas turbine engine capacitive probe clearanceometer is employed to measure the clearance gap or distance between blade tips on a rotor wheel and its confining casing under operating conditions. A braze sealed tip of the probe carries a capacitor electrode which is electrically connected to an electrical inductor within the probe which is inserted into a turbine casing to position its electrode at the inner surface of the casing. Electrical power is supplied through a voltage controlled variable frequency oscillator having a tuned circuit in which the probe is a component. The oscillator signal is modulated by a change in electrical capacitance between the probe electrode and a passing blade tip surface while an automatic feedback correction circuit corrects oscillator signal drift. A change in distance between a blade tip and the probe electrode is a change in capacitance therebetween which frequency modulates the oscillator signal. The modulated oscillator signal which is then processed through a phase detector and related circuitry to provide an electrical signal is proportional to the clearance gap.

Toward Superior Capacitive Energy Storage: Recent Advances in Pore Engineering for Dense Electrodes.

PubMed

Liu, Congcong; Yan, Xiaojun; Hu, Fei; Gao, Guohua; Wu, Guangming; Yang, Xiaowei

2018-04-01

With the rapid development of mobile electronics and electric vehicles, future electrochemical capacitors (ECs) need to store as much energy as possible in a rather limited space. As the core component of ECs, dense electrodes that have a high volumetric energy density and superior rate capability are the key to achieving improved energy storage. Here, the significance of and recent progress in the high volumetric performance of dense electrodes are presented. Furthermore, dense yet porous electrodes, as the critical precondition for realizing superior electrochemical capacitive energy, have become a scientific challenge and an attractive research focus. From a pore-engineering perspective, insight into the guidelines of engineering the pore size, connectivity, and wettability is provided to design dense electrodes with different porous architectures toward high-performance capacitive energy storage. The current challenges and future opportunities toward dense electrodes are discussed and include the construction of an orderly porous structure with an appropriate gradient, the coupling of pore sizes with the solvated cations and anions, and the design of coupled pores with diverse electrolyte ions. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Chloride Is Essential for Capacitation and for the Capacitation-associated Increase in Tyrosine Phosphorylation*

PubMed Central

Wertheimer, Eva V.; Salicioni, Ana M.; Liu, Weimin; Trevino, Claudia L.; Chavez, Julio; Hernández-González, Enrique O.; Darszon, Alberto; Visconti, Pablo E.

2008-01-01

After epididymal maturation, sperm capacitation, which encompasses a complex series of molecular events, endows the sperm with the ability to fertilize an egg. This process can be mimicked in vitro in defined media, the composition of which is based on the electrolyte concentration of the oviductal fluid. It is well established that capacitation requires Na+, \\documentclass[10pt]{article} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{pmc} \\usepackage[Euler]{upgreek} \\pagestyle{empty} \\oddsidemargin -1.0in \\begin{document} \\begin{equation*}{\\mathrm{HCO}}_{3}^{-}\\end{equation*}\\end{document}, Ca2+, and a cholesterol acceptor; however, little is known about the function of Cl– during this important process. To determine whether Cl–, in addition to maintaining osmolarity, actively participates in signaling pathways that regulate capacitation, Cl– was replaced by either methanesulfonate or gluconate two nonpermeable anions. The absence of Cl– did not affect sperm viability, but capacitation-associated processes such as the increase in tyrosine phosphorylation, the increase in cAMP levels, hyperactivation, the zona pellucidae-induced acrosome reaction, and most importantly, fertilization were abolished or significantly reduced. Interestingly, the addition of cyclic AMP agonists to sperm incubated in Cl–-free medium rescued the increase in tyrosine phosphorylation and hyperactivation suggesting that Cl– acts upstream of the cAMP/protein kinase A signaling pathway. To investigate Cl– transport, sperm incubated in complete capacitation medium were exposed to a battery of anion transport inhibitors. Among them, bumetanide and furosemide, two blockers of Na+/K+/Cl– cotransporters (NKCC), inhibited all capacitation-associated events, suggesting that these transporters may mediate Cl– movements in sperm. Consistent with these results, Western blots

Heat Source Characterization In A TREAT Fuel Particle Using Coupled Neutronics Binary Collision Monte-Carlo Calculations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schunert, Sebastian; Schwen, Daniel; Ghassemi, Pedram

This work presents a multi-physics, multi-scale approach to modeling the Transient Test Reactor (TREAT) currently prepared for restart at the Idaho National Laboratory. TREAT fuel is made up of microscopic fuel grains (r ˜ 20µm) dispersed in a graphite matrix. The novelty of this work is in coupling a binary collision Monte-Carlo (BCMC) model to the Finite Element based code Moose for solving a microsopic heat-conduction problem whose driving source is provided by the BCMC model tracking fission fragment energy deposition. This microscopic model is driven by a transient, engineering scale neutronics model coupled to an adiabatic heating model. Themore » macroscopic model provides local power densities and neutron energy spectra to the microscpic model. Currently, no feedback from the microscopic to the macroscopic model is considered. TREAT transient 15 is used to exemplify the capabilities of the multi-physics, multi-scale model, and it is found that the average fuel grain temperature differs from the average graphite temperature by 80 K despite the low-power transient. The large temperature difference has strong implications on the Doppler feedback a potential LEU TREAT core would see, and it underpins the need for multi-physics, multi-scale modeling of a TREAT LEU core.« less

Solidification of a binary mixture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Antar, B. N.

1982-01-01

The time dependent concentration and temperature profiles of a finite layer of a binary mixture are investigated during solidification. The coupled time dependent Stefan problem is solved numerically using an implicit finite differencing algorithm with the method of lines. Specifically, the temporal operator is approximated via an implicit finite difference operator resulting in a coupled set of ordinary differential equations for the spatial distribution of the temperature and concentration for each time. Since the resulting differential equations set form a boundary value problem with matching conditions at an unknown spatial point, the method of invariant imbedding is used for its solution.

Final report of the supplementary comparison EURAMET.EM-S31 comparison of capacitance and capacitance ratio

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schurr, J.; Fletcher, N.; Gournay, P.; Thévenot, O.; Overney, F.; Johnson, L.; Xie, R.; Dierikx, E.

2017-01-01

Within the framework of the supplementary comparison EURAMET.EM-S31, 'Comparison of capacitance and capacitance ratio', five participants (the BIPM, METAS, LNE, PTB, and VSL) inter-compared their capacitance realisations traced to the quantum Hall resistance measured at either ac or dc. The measurands were the capacitance values of three 10 pF standards and one 100 pF standard, and optionally their voltage and frequency dependences. Because the results were not fully satisfying, the circulation was repeated, augmented by a link to the NMIA calculable capacitor. Also two ac-dc resistors were circulated and their frequency dependences were measured in terms of the ac-dc resistance standards involved in the particular capacitance realisations, to allow inter-comparison of these resistance standards. At the end and in any case, a good agreement is achieved within the expanded uncertainties at coverage factor k = 2. Furthermore, the comparison led to new insight regarding the stability and travelling behaviour of the capacitance standards and, by virtue of the link to the NMIA calculable capacitor, to a determination of the von Klitzing constant in agreement with the 2014 CODATA value. Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCEM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

On the Lack of Circumbinary Planets Orbiting Isolated Binary Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fleming, David; Barnes, Rory; Graham, David E.; Luger, Rodrigo; Quinn, Thomas R.

2018-04-01

To date, no binary star system with an orbital period less than 7.5 days has been observed to host a circumbinary planet (CBP), a puzzling observation given the thousands of binary stars with orbital periods < 10 days discovered by the Kepler mission (Kirk et al., 2016) and the observational biases that favor their detection (Munoz & Lai, 2015). We outline a mechanism that explains the observed lack of CBPs via coupled stellar-tidal evolution of isolated binary stars. Tidal forces between low-mass, short-period binary stars on the pre-main sequence slow the stellar rotations, transferring rotational angular momentum to the orbit as the stars approach the tidally locked state. This transfer increases the binary orbital period, expanding the region of dynamical instability around the binary, and destabilizing CBPs that tend to preferentially orbit just beyond the initial dynamical stability limit. After the stars tidally lock, we find that angular momentum loss due to magnetic braking can significantly shrink the binary orbit, and hence the region of dynamical stability, over time impacting where surviving CBPs are observed relative to the boundary. We perform simulations over a wide range of parameter space and find that the expansion of the instability region occurs for most plausible initial conditions and that in some cases, the stability semi-major axis doubles from its initial value. We examine the dynamical and observable consequences of a CBP falling within the dynamical instability limit by running N-body simulations of circumbinary planetary systems and find that typically, at least one planet is ejected from the system. We apply our theory to the shortest period Kepler binary that possesses a CBP, Kepler-47, and find that its existence is consistent with our model. Under conservative assumptions, we find that coupled stellar-tidal evolution of pre-main sequence binary stars removes at least one close-in CBP in 87% of multi-planet circumbinary systems.

An investigation of Ar metastable state density in low pressure dual-frequency capacitively coupled argon and argon-diluted plasmas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Wen-Yao; Xu, Yong, E-mail: yongxu@dlut.edu.cn; Peng, Fei

2015-01-14

An tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy has been used to determine the Ar*({sup 3}P{sub 2}) and Ar*({sup 3}P{sub 0}) metastable atoms densities in dual-frequency capacitively coupled plasmas. The effects of different control parameters, such as high-frequency power, gas pressure and content of Ar, on the densities of two metastable atoms and electron density were discussed in single-frequency and dual-frequency Ar discharges, respectively. Particularly, the effects of the pressure on the axial profile of the electron and Ar metastable state densities were also discussed. Furthermore, a simple rate model was employed and its results were compared with experiments to analyze themore » main production and loss processes of Ar metastable states. It is found that Ar metastable state is mainly produced by electron impact excitation from the ground state, and decayed by diffusion and collision quenching with electrons and neutral molecules. Besides, the addition of CF{sub 4} was found to significantly increase the metastable destruction rate by the CF{sub 4} quenching, especially for large CF{sub 4} content and high pressure, it becomes the dominant depopulation process.« less

Electrochemical capacitance modulation in an interacting mesoscopic capacitor induced by internal charge transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Wei; He, Jianhong; Guo, Huazhong; Gao, Jie

2018-04-01

We report experiments on the dynamic response of an interacting mesoscopic capacitor consisting of a quantum dot with two confined spin-split levels of the lowest Landau level. In high magnetic fields, states inside the dot are regulated by a mixture of Coulomb interaction and Landau-level quantization, and electrons distribute on two spatially separated regions. Quantum point contact voltage and magnetic field are employed to manipulate the number and distribution of electrons inside the quantum dot. We find that the periodicity of the electrochemical capacitance oscillations is dominated by the charging energy, and their amplitudes, due to internal charge transfer and strong internal capacitive coupling, show rich variations of modulations. Magnetocapacitance displays a sawtoothlike manner and may differ in tooth directions for different voltages, which, we demonstrate, result from a sawtoothlike electrochemical potential change induced by internal charge transfer and field-sensitive electrostatic potential. We further build a charge stability diagram, which, together with all other capacitance properties, is consistently interpreted in terms of a double-dot model. The demonstrated technique is of interest as a tool for fast and sensitive charge state readout of a double-quantum-dot qubit in the gigahertz frequency quantum electronics.

Fast simultaneous determination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole by capillary zone electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection.

PubMed

da Silva, Iranaldo Santos; Vidal, Denis Tadeu Rajh; do Lago, Claudimir Lucio; Angnes, Lúcio

2013-04-01

The association of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole is a very effective with antibiotic properties, and commonly used in the treatment of a variety of infections. Due to the importance in diseases treatment of humans and also of animals, the development of methods for their quantification in commercial formulations is highly desirable. In the present study, a rapid method for simultaneous determination of these compounds using CE with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection was developed. A favorable working region for both analytes was from 12.5 to 200 μmol/L (linear responses with R > 0.999 for N = 5). Other parameters calculated were sensitivity (1.28 ± 0.10/1.45 ± 0.11) min/(μmol L), RSD (4.5%/2.0%), and LOD (1.1/3.3) μmol/L for trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, respectively. Under this condition, the total run time was only 2.6 min. The proposed method was applied to the determination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole in commercial samples and the results were compared to those obtained by using a HPLC pharmacopoeia method. This new method is advantageous for quality-control analyses of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole in pharmaceuticals samples, because it is rapid and precise. Moreover, it is less laborious and demands minimum amounts of reagents in comparison to the recommended method. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Simultaneous Local Binary Feature Learning and Encoding for Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Face Recognition.

PubMed

Lu, Jiwen; Erin Liong, Venice; Zhou, Jie

2017-08-09

In this paper, we propose a simultaneous local binary feature learning and encoding (SLBFLE) approach for both homogeneous and heterogeneous face recognition. Unlike existing hand-crafted face descriptors such as local binary pattern (LBP) and Gabor features which usually require strong prior knowledge, our SLBFLE is an unsupervised feature learning approach which automatically learns face representation from raw pixels. Unlike existing binary face descriptors such as the LBP, discriminant face descriptor (DFD), and compact binary face descriptor (CBFD) which use a two-stage feature extraction procedure, our SLBFLE jointly learns binary codes and the codebook for local face patches so that discriminative information from raw pixels from face images of different identities can be obtained by using a one-stage feature learning and encoding procedure. Moreover, we propose a coupled simultaneous local binary feature learning and encoding (C-SLBFLE) method to make the proposed approach suitable for heterogeneous face matching. Unlike most existing coupled feature learning methods which learn a pair of transformation matrices for each modality, we exploit both the common and specific information from heterogeneous face samples to characterize their underlying correlations. Experimental results on six widely used face datasets are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Charging and Transport Dynamics of a Flow-Through Electrode Capacitive Deionization System.

PubMed

Qu, Yatian; Campbell, Patrick G; Hemmatifar, Ali; Knipe, Jennifer M; Loeb, Colin K; Reidy, John J; Hubert, Mckenzie A; Stadermann, Michael; Santiago, Juan G

2018-01-11

We present a study of the interplay among electric charging rate, capacitance, salt removal, and mass transport in "flow-through electrode" capacitive deionization (CDI) systems. We develop two models describing coupled transport and electro-adsorption/desorption which capture salt removal dynamics. The first model is a simplified, unsteady zero-dimensional volume-averaged model which identifies dimensionless parameters and figures of merits associated with cell performance. The second model is a higher fidelity area-averaged model which captures both spatial and temporal responses of charging. We further conducted an experimental study of these dynamics and considered two salt transport regimes: (1) advection-limited regime and (2) dispersion-limited regime. We use these data to validate models. The study shows that, in the advection-limited regime, differential charge efficiency determines the salt adsorption at the early stage of the deionization process. Subsequently, charging transitions to a quasi-steady state where salt removal rate is proportional to applied current scaled by the inlet flow rate. In the dispersion-dominated regime, differential charge efficiency, cell volume, and diffusion rates govern adsorption dynamics and flow rate has little effect. In both regimes, the interplay among mass transport rate, differential charge efficiency, cell capacitance, and (electric) charging current governs salt removal in flow-through electrode CDI.

rf Quantum Capacitance of the Topological Insulator Bi2Se3 in the Bulk Depleted Regime for Field-Effect Transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inhofer, A.; Duffy, J.; Boukhicha, M.; Bocquillon, E.; Palomo, J.; Watanabe, K.; Taniguchi, T.; Estève, I.; Berroir, J. M.; Fève, G.; Plaçais, B.; Assaf, B. A.

2018-02-01

A metal-dielectric topological-insulator capacitor device based on hexagonal-boron-nitrate- (h -BN) encapsulated CVD-grown Bi2Se3 is realized and investigated in the radio-frequency regime. The rf quantum capacitance and device resistance are extracted for frequencies as high as 10 GHz and studied as a function of the applied gate voltage. The superior quality h -BN gate dielectric combined with the optimized transport characteristics of CVD-grown Bi2Se3 (n ˜1018 cm-3 in 8 nm) on h -BN allow us to attain a bulk depleted regime by dielectric gating. A quantum-capacitance minimum and a linear variation of the capacitance with the chemical potential are observed revealing a Dirac regime. The topological surface state in proximity to the gate is seen to reach charge neutrality, but the bottom surface state remains charged and capacitively coupled to the top via the insulating bulk. Our work paves the way toward implementation of topological materials in rf devices.

Capacitive Deionization of High-Salinity Solutions

DOE PAGES

Sharma, Ketki; Gabitto, Jorge; Mayes, Richard T.; ...

2014-12-22

Desalination of high salinity solutions has been studied using a novel experimental technique and a theoretical model. Neutron imaging has been employed to visualize lithium ions in mesoporous carbon materials, which are used as electrodes in capacitive deionization for water desalination. Experiments were conducted with a flow-through capacitive deionization cell designed for neutron imaging and with lithium chloride ( 6LiCl) as the electrolyte. Sequences of neutron images have been obtained at a relatively high concentration of lithium chloride ( 6LiCl) solution to provide information on the transport of ions within the electrodes. A new model that computes the individual ionicmore » concentration profiles inside mesoporous carbon electrodes has been used to simulate the capacitive deionization process. Modifications have also been introduced into the simulation model to calculate results at high electrolyte concentrations. Experimental data and simulation results provide insight into why capacitive deionization is not effective for desalination of high ionic-strength solutions. The combination of experimental information, obtained through neutron imaging, with the theoretical model will help in the design of capacitive deionization devices, which can improve the process for high ionic-strength solutions.« less

Module Eleven: Capacitance; Basic Electricity and Electronics Individualized Learning System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, DC.

In this module the student will learn about another circuit quantity, capacitance, and discover the effects of this component on circuit current, voltage, and power. The module is divided into seven lessons: the capacitor, theory of capacitance, total capacitance, RC (resistive-capacitive circuit) time constant, capacitive reactance, phase and…

Capacitive Energy Extraction by Few-Layer Graphene Electrodes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lian, Cheng; Zhan, Cheng; Jiang, De-en

Capacitive double-layer expansion is a promising technology to harvest energy arising from the salinity difference between freshwater and seawater. Its optimal performance requires a careful selection of the operation potentials and electrode materials. While carbonaceous materials such as graphene and various forms of activated carbons are routinely used as the electrodes, there is little knowledge on how the quantum capacitance and the electric double-layer (EDL) capacitance, which are on the same order of magnitude, affect the capacitive performance. Toward understanding that from a theoretical perspective, here we study the capacitive energy extraction with graphene electrodes as a function of themore » number of graphene layers. The classical density functional theory is joined with the electronic density functional theory to obtain the EDL and the quantum capacitance, respectively. The theoretical results show that the quantum capacitance contribution plays a dominant role in extracting energy using the single-layer graphene, but its effect diminishes as the number of graphene layers increases. The overall extracted energy is dominated by the EDL contribution beyond about four graphene layers. Electrodes with more graphene layers are able to extract more energy at low charging potential. Here, because many porous carbons have nanopores with stacked graphene layers, our theoretical predictions are useful to identify optimal operation parameters for capacitive energy extraction with porous electrodes of different wall thickness.« less

Capacitive Energy Extraction by Few-Layer Graphene Electrodes

DOE PAGES

Lian, Cheng; Zhan, Cheng; Jiang, De-en; ...

2017-06-09

Capacitive double-layer expansion is a promising technology to harvest energy arising from the salinity difference between freshwater and seawater. Its optimal performance requires a careful selection of the operation potentials and electrode materials. While carbonaceous materials such as graphene and various forms of activated carbons are routinely used as the electrodes, there is little knowledge on how the quantum capacitance and the electric double-layer (EDL) capacitance, which are on the same order of magnitude, affect the capacitive performance. Toward understanding that from a theoretical perspective, here we study the capacitive energy extraction with graphene electrodes as a function of themore » number of graphene layers. The classical density functional theory is joined with the electronic density functional theory to obtain the EDL and the quantum capacitance, respectively. The theoretical results show that the quantum capacitance contribution plays a dominant role in extracting energy using the single-layer graphene, but its effect diminishes as the number of graphene layers increases. The overall extracted energy is dominated by the EDL contribution beyond about four graphene layers. Electrodes with more graphene layers are able to extract more energy at low charging potential. Here, because many porous carbons have nanopores with stacked graphene layers, our theoretical predictions are useful to identify optimal operation parameters for capacitive energy extraction with porous electrodes of different wall thickness.« less

Enhancing Graphene Capacitance by Nitrogen: Effects of Doping Configuration and Concentration

DOE PAGES

Zhan, Cheng; Cummings, Peter; Jiang, De-en

2016-01-08

Recent experiments have shown that nitrogen doping enhances capacitance in carbon electrode supercapacitors. However, a detailed study of the effect of N-doping on capacitance is still lacking. In this paper, we study the doping concentration and the configuration effect on the electric double-layer (EDL) capacitance, quantum capacitance, and total capacitance. It is found that pyridinic and graphitic nitrogens can increase the total capacitance by increasing quantum capacitance, but pyrrolic configuration limits the total capacitance due to its much lower quantum capacitance than the other two configurations. We also find that, unlike the graphitic and pyridinic nitrogens, the pyrrolic configuration's quantummore » capacitance does not depend on the nitrogen concentration, which may explain why some capacitance versus voltage measurements of N-doped graphene exhibit a V-shaped curve similar to that of undoped graphene. Our investigation provides a deeper understanding of the capacitance enhancement of the N-doping effect in carbon electrodes and suggests a potentially effective way to optimize the capacitance by controlling the type of N-doping.« less

Conversion of stranded waste-stream carbon and nutrients into value-added products via metabolically coupled binary heterotroph-photoautotroph system.

PubMed

Bohutskyi, Pavlo; Kucek, Leo A; Hill, Eric; Pinchuk, Grigoriy E; Mundree, Sagadevan G; Beliaev, Alexander S

2018-07-01

Growth of heterotrophic bacterium Bacillus subtilis was metabolically coupled with the photosynthetic activity of an astaxanthin-producing alga Haematococcus pluvialis for conversion of starch-containing waste stream into carotenoid-enriched biomass. The H. pluvialis accounted for 63% of the produced co-culture biomass of 2.2 g/L. Importantly, the binary system requires neither exogenous supply of gaseous substrates nor application of energy-intensive mass transfer technologies due to in-situ exchange in CO 2 and O 2 . The maximum reduction in COD, total nitrogen and phosphorus reached 65%, 55% and 30%, respectively. Conducted techno-economic assessment suggested that the astaxanthin-rich biomass may potentially offset the costs of waste treatment, and, with specific productivity enhancements (induction of astaxanthin to 2% and increase H. pluvialis fraction to 80%), provide and additional revenue stream. The outcome of this study demonstrates a successful proof-of-principle for conversion of waste carbon and nutrients into value-added products through metabolic coupling of heterotrophic and phototrophic metabolisms. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Capacitance of carbon-based electrical double-layer capacitors.

PubMed

Ji, Hengxing; Zhao, Xin; Qiao, Zhenhua; Jung, Jeil; Zhu, Yanwu; Lu, Yalin; Zhang, Li Li; MacDonald, Allan H; Ruoff, Rodney S

2014-01-01

Experimental electrical double-layer capacitances of porous carbon electrodes fall below ideal values, thus limiting the practical energy densities of carbon-based electrical double-layer capacitors. Here we investigate the origin of this behaviour by measuring the electrical double-layer capacitance in one to five-layer graphene. We find that the capacitances are suppressed near neutrality, and are anomalously enhanced for thicknesses below a few layers. We attribute the first effect to quantum capacitance effects near the point of zero charge, and the second to correlations between electrons in the graphene sheet and ions in the electrolyte. The large capacitance values imply gravimetric energy storage densities in the single-layer graphene limit that are comparable to those of batteries. We anticipate that these results shed light on developing new theoretical models in understanding the electrical double-layer capacitance of carbon electrodes, and on opening up new strategies for improving the energy density of carbon-based capacitors.

Reciprocal capacitance transients?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gfroerer, Tim; Simov, Peter; Wanlass, Mark

2007-03-01

When the reverse bias across a semiconductor diode is changed, charge carriers move to accommodate the appropriate depletion thickness, producing a simultaneous change in the device capacitance. Transient capacitance measurements can reveal inhibited carrier motion due to trapping, where the depth of the trap can be evaluated using the temperature-dependent escape rate. However, when we employ this technique on a GaAs0.72P0.28 n+/p diode (which is a candidate for incorporation in multi-junction solar cells), we observe a highly non-exponential response under a broad range of experimental conditions. Double exponential functions give good fits, but lead to non-physical results. The deduced rates depend on the observation time window and fast and slow rates, which presumably correspond to deep and shallow levels, have identical activation energies. Meanwhile, we have discovered a universal linear relationship between the inverse of the capacitance and time. An Arrhenius plot of the slope of the reciprocal of the transient yields an activation energy of approximately 0.4 eV, independent of the observation window and other experimental conditions. The reciprocal behavior leads us to hypothesize that hopping, rather than escape into high-mobility bands, may govern the transport of trapped holes in this system.

Experimental investigation of mode transitions in asymmetric capacitively coupled radio-frequency Ne and CF4 plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Gang-Hu; Liu, Yong-Xin; Bai, Li-Shui; Zhao, Kai; Wang, You-Nian

2018-02-01

The dependence of the electron density and the emission intensity on external parameters during the transitions of the electron power absorption mode is experimentally studied in asymmetric electropositive (neon) and electronegative (CF4) capacitively coupled radio-frequency plasmas. The spatio-temporal distribution of the emission intensity is measured with phase resolved optical emission spectroscopy and the electron density at the discharge center is measured by utilizing a floating hairpin probe. In neon discharge, the emission intensity increases almost linearly with the rf voltage at all driving frequencies covered here, while the variation of the electron density with the rf voltage behaves differently at different driving frequencies. In particular, the electron density increases linearly with the rf voltage at high driving frequencies, while at low driving frequencies the electron density increases slowly at the low-voltage side and, however, grows rapidly, when the rf voltage is higher than a certain value, indicating a transition from α to γ mode. The rf voltage, at which the mode transition occurs, increases with the decrease of the driving frequency/the working pressure. By contrast, in CF4 discharge, three different electron power absorption modes can be observed and the electron density and emission intensity do not exhibit a simple dependence on the rf voltage. In particular, the electron density exhibits a minimum at a certain rf voltage when the electron power absorption mode is switching from drift-ambipolar to the α/γ mode. A minimum can also be found in the emission intensity at a higher rf voltage when a discharge is switching into the γ mode.

Capacitive acoustic wave detector and method of using same

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yost, William T. (Inventor)

1994-01-01

A capacitor having two substantially parallel conductive faces is acoustically coupled to a conductive sample end such that the sample face is one end of the capacitor. A non-contacting dielectric may serve as a spacer between the two conductive plates. The formed capacitor is connected to an LC oscillator circuit such as a Hartley oscillator circuit producing an output frequency which is a function of the capacitor spacing. This capacitance oscillates as the sample end coating is oscillated by an acoustic wave generated in the sample by a transmitting transducer. The electrical output can serve as an absolute indicator of acoustic wave displacement.

Electron kinetics in capacitively coupled plasmas modulated by electron injection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Ya; Peng, Yanli; Innocenti, Maria Elena; Jiang, Wei; Wang, Hong-yu; Lapenta, Giovanni

2017-09-01

The controlling effect of an electron injection on the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) and on the energetic electron flux, in a capacitive radio-frequency argon plasma, is studied using a one-dimensional particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collisions model. The input power of the electron beam is as small as several tens of Watts with laboratory achievable emission currents and energies. With the electron injection, the electron temperature decreases but with a significant high energy tail. The electron density, electron temperature in the sheath, and electron heating rate increase with the increasing emission energy. This is attributed to the extra heating of the energetic electrons in the EEDF tail. The non-equilibrium EEDF is obtained for strong non-local distributions of the electric field, electron heating rate, excitation, and ionization rate, indicating the discharge has transited from a volume heating (α-mode dominated) into a sheath heating (γ-mode dominated) type. In addition, the electron injection not only modifies the self-bias voltage, but also enhances the electron flux that can reach the electrodes. Moreover, the relative population of energetic electrons significantly increases with the electron injection compared to that without the electron injection, relevant for modifying the gas and surface chemistry reactions.

Capacitance-level/density monitor for fluidized-bed combustor

DOEpatents

Fasching, George E.; Utt, Carroll E.

1982-01-01

A multiple segment three-terminal type capacitance probe with segment selection, capacitance detection and compensation circuitry and read-out control for level/density measurements in a fluidized-bed vessel is provided. The probe is driven at a high excitation frequency of up to 50 kHz to sense quadrature (capacitive) current related to probe/vessel capacitance while being relatively insensitive to the resistance current component. Compensation circuitry is provided for generating a negative current of equal magnitude to cancel out only the resistive component current. Clock-operated control circuitry separately selects the probe segments in a predetermined order for detecting and storing this capacitance measurement. The selected segment acts as a guarded electrode and is connected to the read-out circuitry while all unselected segments are connected to the probe body, which together form the probe guard electrode. The selected probe segment capacitance component signal is directed to a corresponding segment channel sample and hold circuit dedicated to that segment to store the signal derived from that segment. This provides parallel outputs for display, computer input, etc., for the detected capacitance values. The rate of segment sampling may be varied to either monitor the dynamic density profile of the bed (high sampling rate) or monitor average bed characteristics (slower sampling rate).

Influence of excitation frequency on the metastable atoms and electron energy distribution function in a capacitively coupled argon discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, S.; Sirse, N.; Turner, M. M.; Ellingboe, A. R.

2018-06-01

One-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation is used to simulate the capacitively coupled argon plasma for a range of excitation frequency from 13.56 MHz to 100 MHz. The argon chemistry set can, selectively, include two metastable levels enabling multi-step ionization and metastable pooling. The results show that the plasma density decreases when metastable atoms are included with higher discrepancy at a higher excitation frequency. The contribution of multistep ionization to the overall density increases with the excitation frequency. The electron temperature increases with the inclusion of metastable atoms and decreases with the excitation frequency. At a lower excitation frequency, the density of Ar** (3p5 4p, 13.1 eV) is higher than that of Ar* (3p5 4s, 11.6 eV), whereas at higher excitation frequencies, the Ar* (3p5 4s, 11.6 eV) is the dominant metastable atom. The metastable and electron temperature profile evolve from a parabolic profile at a lower excitation frequency to a saddle type profile at a higher excitation frequency. With metastable, the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) changes its shape from Druyvesteyn type, at a low excitation frequency, to bi-Maxwellian, at a high frequency plasma excitation; however, a three-temperature EEDF is observed without metastable atoms.

The electric field in capacitively coupled RF discharges: a smooth step model that includes thermal and dynamic effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brinkmann, Ralf Peter

2015-12-01

The electric field in radio-frequency driven capacitively coupled plasmas (RF-CCP) is studied, taking thermal (finite electron temperature) and dynamic (finite electron mass) effects into account. Two dimensionless numbers are introduced, the ratios ε ={λ\\text{D}}/l of the electron Debye length {λ\\text{D}} to the minimum plasma gradient length l (typically the sheath thickness) and η ={ω\\text{RF}}/{ω\\text{pe}} of the RF frequency {ω\\text{RF}} to the electron plasma frequency {ω\\text{pe}} . Assuming both numbers small but finite, an asymptotic expansion of an electron fluid model is carried out up to quadratic order inclusively. An expression for the electric field is obtained which yields (i) the space charge field in the sheath, (ii) the generalized Ohmic and ambipolar field in the plasma, and (iii) a smooth interpolation for the transition in between. The new expression is a direct generalization of the Advanced Algebraic Approximation (AAA) proposed by the same author (2009 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 42 194009), which can be recovered for η \\to 0 , and of the established Step Model (SM) by Godyak (1976 Sov. J. Plasma Phys. 2 78), which corresponds to the simultaneous limits η \\to 0 , ε \\to 0 . A comparison of the hereby proposed Smooth Step Model (SSM) with a numerical solution of the full dynamic problem proves very satisfactory.

Coupled oscillators: interesting experiments for high school students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kodejška, Č.; Lepil, O.; Sedláčková, H.

2018-07-01

This work deals with the experimental demonstration of coupled oscillators using simple tools in the form of mechanical coupled pendulums, magnetically coupled elastic strings or electromagnetic oscillators. For the evaluation of results the data logger Lab Quest Vernier and video analysis in the Tracker program were used. In the first part of this work, coupled mechanical oscillators of different types are shown and the data analysis by the Tracker or Vernier Logger Pro programs. The second part describes a measurement using two LC circuits with inductively or capacitive coupled electromagnetic oscillators and the obtained experimental results.

Electrical Capacitance Volume Tomography: Design and Applications

PubMed Central

Wang, Fei; Marashdeh, Qussai; Fan, Liang-Shih; Warsito, Warsito

2010-01-01

This article reports recent advances and progress in the field of electrical capacitance volume tomography (ECVT). ECVT, developed from the two-dimensional electrical capacitance tomography (ECT), is a promising non-intrusive imaging technology that can provide real-time three-dimensional images of the sensing domain. Images are reconstructed from capacitance measurements acquired by electrodes placed on the outside boundary of the testing vessel. In this article, a review of progress on capacitance sensor design and applications to multi-phase flows is presented. The sensor shape, electrode configuration, and the number of electrodes that comprise three key elements of three-dimensional capacitance sensors are illustrated. The article also highlights applications of ECVT sensors on vessels of various sizes from 1 to 60 inches with complex geometries. Case studies are used to show the capability and validity of ECVT. The studies provide qualitative and quantitative real-time three-dimensional information of the measuring domain under study. Advantages of ECVT render it a favorable tool to be utilized for industrial applications and fundamental multi-phase flow research. PMID:22294905

The True Ultracool Binary Fraction Using Spectral Binaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bardalez Gagliuffi, Daniella; Burgasser, Adam J.; Schmidt, Sarah J.; Gagné, Jonathan; Faherty, Jacqueline K.; Cruz, Kelle; Gelino, Chris

2018-01-01

Brown dwarfs bridge the gap between stars and giant planets. While the essential mechanisms governing their formation are not well constrained, binary statistics are a direct outcome of the formation process, and thus provide a means to test formation theories. Observational constraints on the brown dwarf binary fraction place it at 10 ‑ 20%, dominated by imaging studies (85% of systems) with the most common separation at 4 AU. This coincides with the resolution limit of state-of-the-art imaging techniques, suggesting that the binary fraction is underestimated. We have developed a separation-independent method to identify and characterize tightly-separated (< 5 AU) binary systems of brown dwarfs as spectral binaries by identifying traces of methane in the spectra of late-M and early-L dwarfs. Imaging follow-up of 17 spectral binaries yielded 3 (18%) resolved systems, corroborating the observed binary fraction, but 5 (29%) known binaries were missed, reinforcing the hypothesis that the short-separation systems are undercounted. In order to find the true binary fraction of brown dwarfs, we have compiled a volume-limited, spectroscopic sample of M7-L5 dwarfs and searched for T dwarf companions. In the 25 pc volume, 4 candidates were found, three of which are already confirmed, leading to a spectral binary fraction of 0.95 ± 0.50%, albeit for a specific combination of spectral types. To extract the true binary fraction and determine the biases of the spectral binary method, we have produced a binary population simulation based on different assumptions of the mass function, age distribution, evolutionary models and mass ratio distribution. Applying the correction fraction resulting from this method to the observed spectral binary fraction yields a true binary fraction of 27 ± 4%, which is roughly within 1σ of the binary fraction obtained from high resolution imaging studies, radial velocity and astrometric monitoring. This method can be extended to identify giant

Polyimide-Based Capacitive Humidity Sensor

PubMed Central

Steinmaßl, Matthias; Endres, Hanns-Erik; Drost, Andreas; Eisele, Ignaz; Kutter, Christoph; Müller-Buschbaum, Peter

2018-01-01

The development of humidity sensors with simple transduction principles attracts considerable interest by both scientific researchers and industrial companies. Capacitive humidity sensors, based on polyimide sensing material with different thickness and surface morphologies, are prepared. The surface morphology of the sensing layer is varied from flat to rough and then to nanostructure called nanograss by using an oxygen plasma etch process. The relative humidity (RH) sensor selectively responds to the presence of water vapor by a capacitance change. The interaction between polyimide and water molecules is studied by FTIR spectroscopy. The complete characterization of the prepared capacitive humidity sensor performance is realized using a gas mixing setup and an evaluation kit. A linear correlation is found between the measured capacitance and the RH level in the range of 5 to 85%. The morphology of the humidity sensing layer is revealed as an important parameter influencing the sensor performance. It is proved that a nanograss-like structure is the most effective for detecting RH, due to its rapid response and recovery times, which are comparable to or even better than the ones of commercial polymer-based sensors. This work demonstrates the readiness of the developed RH sensor technology for industrialization. PMID:29751632

Development of a programmable standard of ultra-low capacitance values.

PubMed

Khan, M S; Séron, O; Thuillier, G; Thévenot, O; Gournay, P; Piquemal, F

2017-05-01

A set of ultra-low value capacitance standards together with a programmable coaxial multiplexer (mux) have been developed. The mux allows the connection of these capacitances in parallel configuration and they together form the programmable capacitance standard. It is capable of producing decadic standard capacitances from 10 aF to at least 0.1 pF, which are later used to calibrate commercial precision capacitance bridges. This paper describes the realization and the characterization of this standard together with results obtained during the calibration of Andeen-Hagerling AH2700A bridges with a maximum uncertainty of 0.8 aF for all the capacitances generated ranging from 10 aF to 0.1 pF, at 1 kHz. These latter could be then integrated to functionalized AFMs or probe stations for quantitative capacitance measurements. Sources of uncertainties of the programmable capacitance standard, such as parasitic effects due to stray impedances, are evaluated and a method to overcome these hindrances is also discussed.

Distribution of coronary arterial capacitance in a canine model.

PubMed

Lader, A S; Smith, R S; Phillips, G C; McNamee, J E; Abel, F L

1998-03-01

The capacitative properties of the major left coronary arteries, left main (LM), left anterior descending (LAD), and left circumflex (LCX), were studied in 19 open-chest isolated dog hearts. Capacitance was determined by using ramp perfusion and a left ventricular-to-coronary shunt diastolic decay method; both methods gave similar results, indicating a minimal systolic capacitative component. Increased pericardial pressure (PCP), 25 mmHg, was used to experimentally alter transmural wall pressure. The response to increased PCP was different in the LAD vs. LCX; increasing PCP decreased capacitance in the LCX but increased capacitance in the LAD. This may have been due to the different intramural vs. epicardial volume distribution of these vessels and a decrease in intramural tension during increased PCP. Increased PCP decreased LCX capacitance by approximately 13%, but no changes in conductance or zero flow pressure intercept occurred in any of the three vessels, i. e., evidence against the waterfall theory of vascular collapse at these levels of PCP. Coronary arterial capacitance was also linearly related to perfusion pressure.

Using HMXBs to Probe Massive Binary Evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garofali, Kristen

2017-09-01

We propose using deep archival Chandra data of M33 to characterize the distribution of physical parameters for the high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) population from X-ray spectra, X-ray lightcurves, and identified optical counterparts coupled with ground-based spectroscopy. Our analysis will provide the largest clean sample of HMXBs in M33, including hardness, short- and long-term variability, luminosity, and ages. These measurements will be compared across M33 and to HMXB studies in other nearby galaxies to test correlations between HMXB population and host properties such as metallicity and star formation rate. Furthermore, our measurements will yield empirical constraints on prescriptions for models of the formation and evolution of massive stars in binaries.

The Circuit Theory Behind Coupled-Mode Magnetic Resonance-Based Wireless Power Transmission.

PubMed

Kiani, Mehdi; Ghovanloo, Maysam

2012-09-01

Inductive coupling is a viable scheme to wirelessly energize devices with a wide range of power requirements from nanowatts in radio frequency identification tags to milliwatts in implantable microelectronic devices, watts in mobile electronics, and kilowatts in electric cars. Several analytical methods for estimating the power transfer efficiency (PTE) across inductive power transmission links have been devised based on circuit and electromagnetic theories by electrical engineers and physicists, respectively. However, a direct side-by-side comparison between these two approaches is lacking. Here, we have analyzed the PTE of a pair of capacitively loaded inductors via reflected load theory (RLT) and compared it with a method known as coupled-mode theory (CMT). We have also derived PTE equations for multiple capacitively loaded inductors based on both RLT and CMT. We have proven that both methods basically result in the same set of equations in steady state and either method can be applied for short- or midrange coupling conditions. We have verified the accuracy of both methods through measurements, and also analyzed the transient response of a pair of capacitively loaded inductors. Our analysis shows that the CMT is only applicable to coils with high quality factor ( Q ) and large coupling distance. It simplifies the analysis by reducing the order of the differential equations by half compared to the circuit theory.

The Circuit Theory Behind Coupled-Mode Magnetic Resonance-Based Wireless Power Transmission

PubMed Central

Kiani, Mehdi; Ghovanloo, Maysam

2014-01-01

Inductive coupling is a viable scheme to wirelessly energize devices with a wide range of power requirements from nanowatts in radio frequency identification tags to milliwatts in implantable microelectronic devices, watts in mobile electronics, and kilowatts in electric cars. Several analytical methods for estimating the power transfer efficiency (PTE) across inductive power transmission links have been devised based on circuit and electromagnetic theories by electrical engineers and physicists, respectively. However, a direct side-by-side comparison between these two approaches is lacking. Here, we have analyzed the PTE of a pair of capacitively loaded inductors via reflected load theory (RLT) and compared it with a method known as coupled-mode theory (CMT). We have also derived PTE equations for multiple capacitively loaded inductors based on both RLT and CMT. We have proven that both methods basically result in the same set of equations in steady state and either method can be applied for short- or midrange coupling conditions. We have verified the accuracy of both methods through measurements, and also analyzed the transient response of a pair of capacitively loaded inductors. Our analysis shows that the CMT is only applicable to coils with high quality factor (Q) and large coupling distance. It simplifies the analysis by reducing the order of the differential equations by half compared to the circuit theory. PMID:24683368

Measuring, modeling, and minimizing capacitances in heterojunction bipolar transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anholt, R.; Bozada, C.; Dettmer, R.; Via, D.; Jenkins, T.; Barrette, J.; Ebel, J.; Havasy, C.; Sewell, J.; Quach, T.

1996-07-01

We demonstrate methods to separate junction and pad capacitances from on-wafer S-parameter measurements of HBTs with different areas and layouts. The measured junction capacitances are in good agreement with models, indicating that large-area devices are suitable for monitoring vendor epi-wafer doping. Measuring open HBTs does not give the correct pad capacitances. Finally, a capacitance comparison for a variety of layouts shows that bar-devices consistently give smaller base-collector values than multiple dot HBTs.

Electrosorption capacitance of nanostructured carbon-based materials.

PubMed

Hou, Chia-Hung; Liang, Chengdu; Yiacoumi, Sotira; Dai, Sheng; Tsouris, Costas

2006-10-01

The fundamental mechanism of electrosorption of ions developing a double layer inside nanopores was studied via a combination of experimental and theoretical studies. A novel graphitized-carbon monolithic material has proven to be a good electrical double-layer capacitor that can be applied in the separation of ions from aqueous solutions. An extended electrical double-layer model indicated that the pore size distribution plays a key role in determining the double-layer capacitance in an electrosorption process. Because of the occurrence of double-layer overlapping in narrow pores, mesopores and micropores make significantly different contributions to the double-layer capacitance. Mesopores show good electrochemical accessibility. Micropores present a slow mass transfer of ions and a considerable loss of double-layer capacitance, associated with a shallow potential distribution inside pores. The formation of the diffuse layer inside the micropores determines the magnitude of the double-layer capacitance at low electrolyte concentrations and at conditions close to the point of zero charge of the material. The effect of the double-layer overlapping on the electrosorption capacitance can be reduced by increasing the pore size, electrolyte concentration, and applied potential. The results are relevant to water deionization.

Scanning Capacitance Microscopy | Materials Science | NREL

Science.gov Websites

obtained using scanning capacitance microscopy. Top Right: Image of p-type and n-type material, obtained 'fingers' of light-colored n-type material on a yellow and blue background representing p-type material ; measurement data were obtained using scanning capacitance microscopy. Bottom Right: Image of p-type and n-type

Silicon Carbide Capacitive High Temperature MEMS Strain Transducer

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-22

SILICON CARBIDE CAPACITIVE HIGH TEMPURATURE MEMS STRAIN TRANSDUCER THESIS Richard P. Weisenberger, DR01, USAF AFIT/GE/ENG...declared a work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States AFIT/GE/ENG/12-43 SILICON CARBIDE CAPACITIVE...STATEMENT A. APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED AFIT/GE/ENG/12-43 SILICON CARBIDE CAPACITIVE IDGH TEMPURATURE MEMS STRAIN TRANSDUCER

Towards constructing multi-bit binary adder based on Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Guo-Mao; Wong, Ieong; Chou, Meng-Ta; Zhao, Xin

2012-04-01

It has been proposed that the spatial excitable media can perform a wide range of computational operations, from image processing, to path planning, to logical and arithmetic computations. The realizations in the field of chemical logical and arithmetic computations are mainly concerned with single simple logical functions in experiments. In this study, based on Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction, we performed simulations toward the realization of a more complex operation, the binary adder. Combining with some of the existing functional structures that have been verified experimentally, we designed a planar geometrical binary adder chemical device. Through numerical simulations, we first demonstrated that the device can implement the function of a single-bit full binary adder. Then we show that the binary adder units can be further extended in plane, and coupled together to realize a two-bit, or even multi-bit binary adder. The realization of chemical adders can guide the constructions of other sophisticated arithmetic functions, ultimately leading to the implementation of chemical computer and other intelligent systems.

Capacitive transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lucifredi, A. L.

1970-01-01

The theory, applications, and possible structural designs of capacitive transducers are presented. Emphasis is placed on the circuits used in connection with the sensors, such as AM, FM, resonant circuits, mode circuits, direct current circuits, and special circuits. Some criteria for selection of a design or the purchase of a commercial device are given.

Air-Coupled Ultrasonic Measurements in Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kommareddy, V.; Peters, J. J.; Dayal, V.; Hsu, D. K.

2004-02-01

Air-coupled ultrasound is a non-contact technique and has clear advantages over water-coupled testing. Research of air-coupled ultrasonics, especially using capacitance and micromachined transducers, has been extensively reported in the literature. This paper reports our experience of applying piezoceramic air-coupled transducers for nondestructive evaluation of composites. The beam profiles of air-coupled piezoceramic transducers, with and without apodization, were mapped out. The transmission of air-coupled ultrasonic energy through composite plates of different thickness was measured experimentally; model calculation of the transmission coefficient, taking into account the frequency bandwidth of the transducer, agreed with the measurement results. The occurrence of diffraction phenomenon ("Poisson bright spot") while imaging flaws in composite laminates was investigated. The resolution of scanned images obtained with air-coupled transducers was investigated for different frequency, focusing, and apodization conditions.

A Theoretical Model for Thin Film Ferroelectric Coupled Microstripline Phase Shifters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Romanofsky, R. R.; Quereshi, A. H.

2000-01-01

Novel microwave phase shifters consisting of coupled microstriplines on thin ferroelectric films have been demonstrated recently. A theoretical model useful for predicting the propagation characteristics (insertion phase shift, dielectric loss, impedance, and bandwidth) is presented here. The model is based on a variational solution for line capacitance and coupled strip transmission line theory.

Learning to assign binary weights to binary descriptor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Zhoudi; Wei, Zhenzhong; Zhang, Guangjun

2016-10-01

Constructing robust binary local feature descriptors are receiving increasing interest due to their binary nature, which can enable fast processing while requiring significantly less memory than their floating-point competitors. To bridge the performance gap between the binary and floating-point descriptors without increasing the computational cost of computing and matching, optimal binary weights are learning to assign to binary descriptor for considering each bit might contribute differently to the distinctiveness and robustness. Technically, a large-scale regularized optimization method is applied to learn float weights for each bit of the binary descriptor. Furthermore, binary approximation for the float weights is performed by utilizing an efficient alternatively greedy strategy, which can significantly improve the discriminative power while preserve fast matching advantage. Extensive experimental results on two challenging datasets (Brown dataset and Oxford dataset) demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method.

Peroxiredoxins prevent oxidative stress during human sperm capacitation

PubMed Central

Lee, Donghyun; Moawad, Adel R.; Morielli, Tania; Fernandez, Maria C.

2017-01-01

Abstract STUDY QUESTION Do peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) control reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels during human sperm capacitation? SUMMARY ANSWER PRDXs are necessary to control the levels of ROS generated during capacitation allowing spermatozoa to achieve fertilizing ability. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Sperm capacitation is an oxidative event that requires low and controlled amounts of ROS to trigger phosphorylation events. PRDXs are antioxidant enzymes that not only act as scavengers but also control ROS action in somatic cells. Spermatozoa from infertile men have lower levels of PRDXs (particularly of PRDX6), which are thiol-oxidized and therefore inactive. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Semen samples were obtained from a cohort of 20 healthy nonsmoker volunteers aged 22–30 years old over a period of 1 year. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS Sperm from healthy donors was capacitated with fetal cord serum ultrafiltrate (FCSu) in the absence or presence of thiostrepton (TSP), inhibitor of 2-Cys PRDXs or 1-Hexadecyl-3-(trifluoroethyl)-sn-glycero-2-phosphomethanol lithium (MJ33), inhibitor of calcium independent-phospholipase A2 (Ca2+-iPLA2) activity of PRDX6, added at different times of incubation. Capacitation was also induced by the dibutyryl cAMP+3-isobuty1-1-methylxanthine system. Sperm viability and motility were determined by the hypo-osmotic swelling test and computer-assisted semen analysis system, respectively. Capacitation was determined by the ability of spermatozoa to undergo the acrosome reaction triggered by lysophosphatidylcholine. Percentages of acrosome reaction were obtained using the FITC-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin assay. Phosphorylation of tyrosine residues and of protein kinase A (PKA) substrates were determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis immunoblotting with specific antibodies. Actin polymerization was determined by phalloidin labeling. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE TSP and MJ33 prevented sperm

Binary Inspiral in Quadratic Gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yagi, Kent

2015-01-01

Quadratic gravity is a general class of quantum-gravity-inspired theories, where the Einstein-Hilbert action is extended through the addition of all terms quadratic in the curvature tensor coupled to a scalar field. In this article, we focus on the scalar Gauss- Bonnet (sGB) theory and consider the black hole binary inspiral in this theory. By applying the post-Newtonian (PN) formalism, we found that there is a scalar dipole radiation which leads to -1PN correction in the energy flux relative to gravitational radiation in general relativity. From the orbital decay rate of a low-mass X-ray binary A0600-20, we obtain the bound that is six orders of magnitude stronger than the current solar system bound. Furthermore, we show that the excess in the orbital decay rate of XTE J1118+480 can be explained by the scalar radiation in sGB theory.

Interdigitated electrodes as impedance and capacitance biosensors: A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazlan, N. S.; Ramli, M. M.; Abdullah, M. M. A. B.; Halin, D. S. C.; Isa, S. S. M.; Talip, L. F. A.; Danial, N. S.; Murad, S. A. Z.

2017-09-01

Interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) are made of two individually addressable interdigitated comb-like electrode structures. IDEs are one of the most favored transducers, widely utilized in technological applications especially in the field of biological and chemical sensors due to their inexpensive, ease of fabrication process and high sensitivity. In order to detect and analyze a biochemical molecule or analyte, the impedance and capacitance signal need to be obtained. This paper investigates the working principle and influencer of the impedance and capacitance biosensors. The impedance biosensor depends on the resistance and capacitance while the capacitance biosensor influenced by the dielectric permittivity. However, the geometry and structures of the interdigitated electrodes affect both impedance and capacitance biosensor. The details have been discussed in this paper.

Bioenergetics of Mammalian Sperm Capacitation

PubMed Central

Ferramosca, Alessandra; Zara, Vincenzo

2014-01-01

After ejaculation, the mammalian male gamete must undergo the capacitation process, which is a prerequisite for egg fertilization. The bioenergetics of sperm capacitation is poorly understood despite its fundamental role in sustaining the biochemical and molecular events occurring during gamete activation. Glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) are the two major metabolic pathways producing ATP which is the primary source of energy for spermatozoa. Since recent data suggest that spermatozoa have the ability to use different metabolic substrates, the main aim of this work is to present a broad overview of the current knowledge on the energy-producing metabolic pathways operating inside sperm mitochondria during capacitation in different mammalian species. Metabolism of glucose and of other energetic substrates, such as pyruvate, lactate, and citrate, is critically analyzed. Such knowledge, besides its obvious importance for basic science, could eventually translate into the development of novel strategies for treatment of male infertility, artificial reproduction, and sperm selection methods. PMID:24791005

Bioenergetics of mammalian sperm capacitation.

PubMed

Ferramosca, Alessandra; Zara, Vincenzo

2014-01-01

After ejaculation, the mammalian male gamete must undergo the capacitation process, which is a prerequisite for egg fertilization. The bioenergetics of sperm capacitation is poorly understood despite its fundamental role in sustaining the biochemical and molecular events occurring during gamete activation. Glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) are the two major metabolic pathways producing ATP which is the primary source of energy for spermatozoa. Since recent data suggest that spermatozoa have the ability to use different metabolic substrates, the main aim of this work is to present a broad overview of the current knowledge on the energy-producing metabolic pathways operating inside sperm mitochondria during capacitation in different mammalian species. Metabolism of glucose and of other energetic substrates, such as pyruvate, lactate, and citrate, is critically analyzed. Such knowledge, besides its obvious importance for basic science, could eventually translate into the development of novel strategies for treatment of male infertility, artificial reproduction, and sperm selection methods.

Computational insight into the capacitive performance of graphene edge planes

DOE PAGES

Zhan, Cheng; Zhang, Yu; Cummings, Peter T.; ...

2017-02-01

Recent experiments have shown that electric double-layer capacitors utilizing electrodes consisting of graphene edge plane exhibit higher capacitance than graphene basal plane. However, theoretical understanding of this capacitance enhancement is still limited. Here we applied a self-consistent joint density functional theory calculation on the electrode/electrolyte interface and found that the capacitance of graphene edge plane depends on the edge type: zigzag edge has higher capacitance than armchair edge due to the difference in their electronic structures. We further examined the quantum, dielectric, and electric double-layer (EDL) contributions to the total capacitance of the edge-plane electrodes. Classical molecular dynamics simulation foundmore » that the edge planes have higher EDL capacitance than the basal plane due to better adsorption of counter-ions and higher solvent accessible surface area. Finally, our work therefore has elucidated the capacitive energy storage in graphene edge planes that take into account both the electrode's electronic structure and the EDL structure.« less

Electrical method for the measurements of volume averaged electron density and effective coupled power to the plasma bulk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henault, M.; Wattieaux, G.; Lecas, T.; Renouard, J. P.; Boufendi, L.

2016-02-01

Nanoparticles growing or injected in a low pressure cold plasma generated by a radiofrequency capacitively coupled capacitive discharge induce strong modifications in the electrical parameters of both plasma and discharge. In this paper, a non-intrusive method, based on the measurement of the plasma impedance, is used to determine the volume averaged electron density and effective coupled power to the plasma bulk. Good agreements are found when the results are compared to those given by other well-known and established methods.

A Micromachined Capacitive Pressure Sensor Using a Cavity-Less Structure with Bulk-Metal/Elastomer Layers and Its Wireless Telemetry Application

PubMed Central

Takahata, Kenichi; Gianchandani, Yogesh B.

2008-01-01

This paper reports a micromachined capacitive pressure sensor intended for applications that require mechanical robustness. The device is constructed with two micromachined metal plates and an intermediate polymer layer that is soft enough to deform in a target pressure range. The plates are formed of micromachined stainless steel fabricated by batch-compatible micro-electro-discharge machining. A polyurethane room-temperature-vulcanizing liquid rubber of 38-μm thickness is used as the deformable material. This structure eliminates both the vacuum cavity and the associated lead transfer challenges common to micromachined capacitive pressure sensors. For frequency-based interrogation of the capacitance, passive inductor-capacitor tanks are fabricated by combining the capacitive sensor with an inductive coil. The coil has 40 turns of a 127-μm-diameter copper wire. Wireless sensing is demonstrated in liquid by monitoring the variation in the resonant frequency of the tank via an external coil that is magnetically coupled with the tank. The sensitivity at room temperature is measured to be 23-33 ppm/KPa over a dynamic range of 340 KPa, which is shown to match a theoretical estimation. Temperature dependence of the tank is experimentally evaluated. PMID:27879824

Diffusion of Magnetized Binary Ionic Mixtures at Ultracold Plasma Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vidal, Keith R.; Baalrud, Scott D.

2017-10-01

Ultracold plasma experiments offer an accessible means to test transport theories for strongly coupled systems. Application of an external magnetic field might further increase their utility by inhibiting heating mechanisms of ions and electrons and increasing the temperature at which strong coupling effects are observed. We present results focused on developing and validating a transport theory to describe binary ionic mixtures across a wide range of coupling and magnetization strengths relevant to ultracold plasma experiments. The transport theory is an extension of the Effective Potential Theory (EPT), which has been shown to accurately model correlation effects at these conditions, to include magnetization. We focus on diffusion as it can be measured in ultracold plasma experiments. Using EPT within the framework of the Chapman-Enskog expansion, the parallel and perpendicular self and interdiffusion coefficients for binary ionic mixtures with varying mass ratios are calculated and are compared to molecular dynamics simulations. The theory is found to accurately extend Braginskii-like transport to stronger coupling, but to break down when the magnetization strength becomes large enough that the typical gyroradius is smaller than the interaction scale length. This material is based upon work supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Award Number FA9550-16-1-0221.

A multi-channel capacitive probe for electrostatic fluctuation measurement in the Madison Symmetric Torus reversed field pinch.

PubMed

Tan, Mingsheng; Stone, Douglas R; Triana, Joseph C; Almagri, Abdulgader F; Fiksel, Gennady; Ding, Weixing; Sarff, John S; McCollam, Karsten J; Li, Hong; Liu, Wandong

2017-02-01

A 40-channel capacitive probe has been developed to measure the electrostatic fluctuations associated with the tearing modes deep into Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) reversed field pinch plasma. The capacitive probe measures the ac component of the plasma potential via the voltage induced on stainless steel electrodes capacitively coupled with the plasma through a thin annular layer of boron nitride (BN) dielectric (also serves as the particle shield). When bombarded by the plasma electrons, BN provides a sufficiently large secondary electron emission for the induced voltage to be very close to the plasma potential. The probe consists of four stalks each with ten cylindrical capacitors that are radially separated by 1.5 cm. The four stalks are arranged on a 1.3 cm square grid so that at each radial position, there are four electrodes forming a square grid. Every two adjacent radial sets of four electrodes form a cube. The fluctuating electric field can be calculated by the gradient of the plasma potential fluctuations at the eight corners of the cube. The probe can be inserted up to 15 cm (r/a = 0.7) into the plasma. The capacitive probe has a frequency bandwidth from 13 Hz to 100 kHz, amplifier-circuit limit, sufficient for studying the tearing modes (5-30 kHz) in the MST reversed-field pinch.

Negative capacitance in a ferroelectric capacitor.

PubMed

Khan, Asif Islam; Chatterjee, Korok; Wang, Brian; Drapcho, Steven; You, Long; Serrao, Claudy; Bakaul, Saidur Rahman; Ramesh, Ramamoorthy; Salahuddin, Sayeef

2015-02-01

The Boltzmann distribution of electrons poses a fundamental barrier to lowering energy dissipation in conventional electronics, often termed as Boltzmann Tyranny. Negative capacitance in ferroelectric materials, which stems from the stored energy of a phase transition, could provide a solution, but a direct measurement of negative capacitance has so far been elusive. Here, we report the observation of negative capacitance in a thin, epitaxial ferroelectric film. When a voltage pulse is applied, the voltage across the ferroelectric capacitor is found to be decreasing with time--in exactly the opposite direction to which voltage for a regular capacitor should change. Analysis of this 'inductance'-like behaviour from a capacitor presents an unprecedented insight into the intrinsic energy profile of the ferroelectric material and could pave the way for completely new applications.

Study on effective MOSFET channel length extracted from gate capacitance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuji, Katsuhiro; Terada, Kazuo; Fujisaka, Hisato

2018-01-01

The effective channel length (L GCM) of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) is extracted from the gate capacitances of actual-size MOSFETs, which are measured by charge-injection-induced-error-free charge-based capacitance measurement (CIEF CBCM). To accurately evaluate the capacitances between the gate and the channel of test MOSFETs, the parasitic capacitances are removed by using test MOSFETs having various channel sizes and a source/drain reference device. A strong linear relationship between the gate-channel capacitance and the design channel length is obtained, from which L GCM is extracted. It is found that L GCM is slightly less than the effective channel length (L CRM) extracted from the measured MOSFET drain current. The reason for this is discussed, and it is found that the capacitance between the gate electrode and the source and drain regions affects this extraction.

Nonlinear standing wave excitation by series resonance-enhanced harmonics in low pressure capacitive discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lieberman, M. A.; Lichtenberg, A. J.; Kawamura, Emi; Marakhtanov, A. M.

2015-09-01

It is well known that standing waves having radially center-high rf voltage profiles exist in high frequency capacitive discharges. It is also known that in radially uniform discharges, the capacitive sheath nonlinearities excite strong nonlinear series resonance harmonics that enhance the electron power deposition. In this work, we consider the coupling of the series resonance-enhanced harmonics to the standing waves. A one-dimensional, asymmetric radial transmission line model is developed incorporating the wave and nonlinear sheath physics and a self-consistent dc potential. The resulting coupled pde equation set is solved numerically to determine the discharge voltages and currents. A 10 mT argon base case is chosen with plasma density 2 ×1016 m-3, gap width 2 cm and conducting electrode radius 15 cm, driven by a high frequency 500 V source with source resistance 0.5 ohms. We find that nearby resonances lead to an enhanced ratio of 4.5 of the electron power per unit area on axis, compared to the average. The radial dependence of electron power with frequency shows significant variations, with the central enhancement and sharpness of the spatial resonances depending in a complicated way on the harmonic structure. Work supported by DOE Fusion Energy Science Contract DE-SC000193 and by a gift from the Lam Research Corporation.

Surface functional groups in capacitive deionization with porous carbon electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hemmatifar, Ali; Oyarzun, Diego I.; Palko, James W.; Hawks, Steven A.; Stadermann, Michael; Santiago, Juan G.; Stanford Microfluidics Lab Team; Lawrence Livermore National Lab Team

2017-11-01

Capacitive deionization (CDI) is a promising technology for removal of toxic ions and salt from water. In CDI, an applied potential of about 1 V to pairs of porous electrodes (e.g. activated carbon) induces ion electromigration and electrostatic adsorption at electrode surfaces. Immobile surface functional groups play a critical role in the type and capacity of ion adsorption, and this can dramatically change desalination performance. We here use models and experiments to study weak electrolyte surface groups which protonate and/or depropotante based on their acid/base dissociation constants and local pore pH. Net chemical surface charge and differential capacitance can thus vary during CDI operation. In this work, we present a CDI model based on weak electrolyte acid/base equilibria theory. Our model incorporates preferential cation (anion) adsorption for activated carbon with acidic (basic) surface groups. We validated our model with experiments on custom built CDI cells with a variety of functionalizations. To this end, we varied electrolyte pH and measured adsorption of individual anionic and cationic ions using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and ion chromatography (IC) techniques. Our model shows good agreement with experiments and provides a framework useful in the design of CDI control schemes.

Development of binary and ternary titanium alloys for dental implants.

PubMed

Cordeiro, Jairo M; Beline, Thamara; Ribeiro, Ana Lúcia R; Rangel, Elidiane C; da Cruz, Nilson C; Landers, Richard; Faverani, Leonardo P; Vaz, Luís Geraldo; Fais, Laiza M G; Vicente, Fabio B; Grandini, Carlos R; Mathew, Mathew T; Sukotjo, Cortino; Barão, Valentim A R

2017-11-01

The aim of this study was to develop binary and ternary titanium (Ti) alloys containing zirconium (Zr) and niobium (Nb) and to characterize them in terms of microstructural, mechanical, chemical, electrochemical, and biological properties. The experimental alloys - (in wt%) Ti-5Zr, Ti-10Zr, Ti-35Nb-5Zr, and Ti-35Nb-10Zr - were fabricated from pure metals. Commercially pure titanium (cpTi) and Ti-6Al-4V were used as controls. Microstructural analysis was performed by means of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Vickers microhardness, elastic modulus, dispersive energy spectroscopy, X-ray excited photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, surface roughness, and surface free energy were evaluated. The electrochemical behavior analysis was conducted in a body fluid solution (pH 7.4). The albumin adsorption was measured by the bicinchoninic acid method. Data were evaluated through one-way ANOVA and the Tukey test (α=0.05). The alloying elements proved to modify the alloy microstructure and to enhance the mechanical properties, improving the hardness and decreasing the elastic modulus of the binary and ternary alloys, respectively. Ti-Zr alloys displayed greater electrochemical stability relative to that of controls, presenting higher polarization resistance and lower capacitance. The experimental alloys were not detrimental to albumin adsorption. The experimental alloys are suitable options for dental implant manufacturing, particularly the binary system, which showed a better combination of mechanical and electrochemical properties without the presence of toxic elements. Copyright © 2017 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stability of binaries. Part 1: Rigid binaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Ishan

2015-09-01

We consider the stability of binary asteroids whose members are possibly granular aggregates held together by self-gravity alone. A binary is said to be stable whenever each member is orbitally and structurally stable to both orbital and structural perturbations. To this end, we extend the stability test for rotating granular aggregates introduced by Sharma (Sharma, I. [2012]. J. Fluid Mech., 708, 71-99; Sharma, I. [2013]. Icarus, 223, 367-382; Sharma, I. [2014]. Icarus, 229, 278-294) to the case of binary systems comprised of rubble members. In part I, we specialize to the case of a binary with rigid members subjected to full three-dimensional perturbations. Finally, we employ the stability test to critically appraise shape models of four suspected binary systems, viz., 216 Kleopatra, 25143 Itokawa, 624 Hektor and 90 Antiope.

Detecting gravity waves from binary black holes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wahlquist, Hugo D.

1989-01-01

One of the most attractive possible sources of strong gravitational waves would be a binary system comprising massive black holes (BH). The gravitational radiation from a binary is an elliptically polarized, periodic wave which could be observed continuously - or at intervals whenever a detector was available. This continuity of the signal is certainly appealing compared to waiting for individual pulses from infrequent random events. It also has the advantage over pulses that continued observation can increase the signal-to-noise ratio almost indefinitely. Furthermore, this system is dynamically simple; the theory of the generation of the radiation is unambiguous; all characteristics of the signal can be precisely related to the dynamical parameters of the source. The current situation is that while there is no observational evidence as yet for the existence of massive binary BH, their formation is theoretically plausible, and within certain coupled constraints of mass and location, their existence cannot be observationally excluded. Detecting gravitational waves from these objects might be the first observational proof of their existence.

Capacitive Sensors for Measuring Masses of Cryogenic Fluids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nurge, Mark; Youngquist, Robert

2003-01-01

An effort is under way to develop capacitive sensors for measuring the masses of cryogenic fluids in tanks. These sensors are intended to function in both microgravitational and normal gravitational settings, and should not be confused with level sensors, including capacitive ones. A sensor of this type is conceptually simple in the sense that (1) it includes only one capacitor and (2) if properly designed, its single capacitance reading should be readily convertible to a close approximation of the mass of the cryogenic fluid in the tank. Consider a pair of electrically insulated electrodes used as a simple capacitive sensor. In general, the capacitance is proportional to the permittivity of the dielectric medium (in this case, a cryogenic fluid) between the electrodes. The success of design and operation of a sensor of the present type depends on the accuracy of the assumption that to a close approximation, the permittivity of the cryogenic fluid varies linearly with the density of the fluid. Data on liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, and liquid hydrogen, reported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, indicate that the permittivities and densities of these fluids are, indeed, linearly related to within a few tenths of a percent over the pressure and temperature regions of interest. Hence, ignoring geometric effects for the moment, the capacitance between two electrodes immersed in the fluid should vary linearly with the density, and, hence, with the mass of the fluid. Of course, it is necessary to take account of the tank geometry. Because most cryogenic tanks do not have uniform cross sections, the readings of level sensors, including capacitive ones, are not linearly correlated with the masses of fluids in the tanks. In a sensor of the present type, the capacitor electrodes are shaped so that at a given height, the capacitance per unit height is approximately proportional to the cross-sectional area of the tank in the horizontal plane at that

Investigating the role of capacitive coupling between the operating table and the return electrode of an electrosurgery unit in the modification of the current density distribution within the patients' body.

PubMed

Bifulco, Paolo; Massa, Rita; Cesarelli, Mario; Romano, Maria; Fratini, Antonio; Gargiulo, Gaetano D; McEwan, Alistair L

2013-08-12

Electrosurgery units are widely employed in modern surgery. Advances in technology have enhanced the safety of these devices, nevertheless, accidental burns are still regularly reported. This study focuses on possible causes of sacral burns as complication of the use of electrosurgery. Burns are caused by local densifications of the current, but the actual pathway of current within patient's body is unknown. Numerical electromagnetic analysis can help in understanding the issue. To this aim, an accurate heterogeneous model of human body (including seventy-seven different tissues), electrosurgery electrodes, operating table and mattress was build to resemble a typical surgery condition. The patient lays supine on the mattress with the active electrode placed onto the thorax and the return electrode on his back. Common operating frequencies of electrosurgery units were considered. Finite Difference Time Domain electromagnetic analysis was carried out to compute the spatial distribution of current density within the patient's body. A differential analysis by changing the electrical properties of the operating table from a conductor to an insulator was also performed. Results revealed that distributed capacitive coupling between patient body and the conductive operating table offers an alternative path to the electrosurgery current. The patient's anatomy, the positioning and the different electromagnetic properties of tissues promote a densification of the current at the head and sacral region. In particular, high values of current density were located behind the sacral bone and beneath the skin. This did not occur in the case of non-conductive operating table. Results of the simulation highlight the role played from capacitive couplings between the return electrode and the conductive operating table. The concentration of current density may result in an undesired rise in temperature, originating burns in body region far from the electrodes. This outcome is concordant

Percoll gradient-centrifuged capacitated mouse sperm have increased fertilizing ability and higher contents of sulfogalactosylglycerolipid and docosahexaenoic acid-containing phosphatidylcholine compared to washed capacitated mouse sperm.

PubMed

Furimsky, Anna; Vuong, Ngoc; Xu, Hongbin; Kumarathasan, Premkumari; Xu, Min; Weerachatyanukul, Wattana; Bou Khalil, Maroun; Kates, Morris; Tanphaichitr, Nongnuj

2005-03-01

Although Percoll gradient centrifugation has been used routinely to prepare motile human sperm, its use in preparing motile mouse sperm has been limited. Here, we showed that Percoll gradient-centrifuged (PGC) capacitated mouse sperm had markedly higher fertilizing ability (sperm-zona pellucida [ZP] binding and in vitro fertilization) than washed capacitated mouse sperm. We also showed that the lipid profiles of PGC capacitated sperm and washed capacitated sperm differed significantly. The PGC sperm had much lower contents of cholesterol and phospholipids. This resulted in relative enrichment of male germ cell-specific sulfogalactosylglycerolipid (SGG), a ZP-binding ligand, in PGC capacitated sperm, and this would explain, in part, their increased ZP-binding ability compared with that of washed capacitated sperm. Analyses of phospholipid fatty acyl chains revealed that PGC capacitated sperm were enriched in phosphatidylcholine (PC) molecular species containing highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs), with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22: 6n-3) being the predominant HUFA (42% of total hydrocarbon chains of PC). In contrast, the level of PC-HUFAs comprising arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), docosapentaenoic acid (C22:5n-6), and DHA in washed capacitated sperm was only 27%. Having the highest unsaturation degree among all HUFAs in PC, DHA would enhance membrane fluidity to the uppermost. Therefore, membranes of PGC capacitated sperm would undergo fertilization-related fusion events at higher rates than washed capacitated sperm. These results suggested that PGC mouse sperm should be used in fertilization experiments and that SGG and DHA should be considered to be important biomarkers for sperm fertilizing ability.

Binary Plutinos

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noll, Keith S.

2015-08-01

The Pluto-Charon binary was the first trans-neptunian binary to be identified in 1978. Pluto-Charon is a true binary with both components orbiting a barycenter located between them. The Pluto system is also the first, and to date only, known binary with a satellite system consisting of four small satellites in near-resonant orbits around the common center of mass. Seven other Plutinos, objects in 3:2 mean motion resonance with Neptune, have orbital companions including 2004 KB19 reported here for the first time. Compared to the Cold Classical population, the Plutinos differ in the frequency of binaries, the relative sizes of the components, and their inclination distribution. These differences point to distinct dynamical histories and binary formation processes encountered by Plutinos.

Zn2+-stimulation of sperm capacitation and of the acrosome reaction is mediated by EGFR activation.

PubMed

Michailov, Yulia; Ickowicz, Debbi; Breitbart, Haim

2014-12-15

Extracellular zinc regulates cell proliferation via the MAP1 kinase pathway in several cell types, and has been shown to act as a signaling molecule. The testis contains a relatively high concentration of Zn(2+), required in both the early and late stages of spermatogenesis. Despite the clinical significance of this ion, its role in mature sperm cells is poorly understood. In this study, we characterized the role of Zn(2+) in sperm capacitation and in the acrosome reaction. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of ZnR of the GPR39 type in sperm cells. We previously demonstrated the presence of active epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in sperm, its possible transactivation by direct activation of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), and its involvement in sperm capacitation and in the acrosome reaction (AR). We show here that Zn(2+) activates the EGFR during sperm capacitation, which is mediated by activation of trans-membrane adenylyl cyclase (tmAC), protein kinase A (PKA), and the tyrosine kinase, Src. Moreover, the addition of Zn(2+) to capacitated sperm caused further stimulation of EGFR and phosphatydil-inositol-3-kinase (PI3K) phosphorylation, leading to the AR. The stimulation of the AR by Zn(2+) also occurred in the absence of Ca(2+) in the incubation medium, and required the tmAC, indicating that Zn(2+) activates a GPCR. The AR stimulated by Zn(2+) is mediated by GPR39 receptor, PKA, Src and the EGFR, as well as the EGFR down-stream effectors PI3K, phospholipase C (PLC) and protein kinase C (PKC). These data support a role for extracellular zinc, acting through the ZnR, in regulating multiple signaling pathways in sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Primordial main equence binary stars in the globular cluster M71

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yan, Lin; Mateo, Mario

1994-01-01

We report the identification of five short-period variables near the center of the metal-rich globular cluster M71. Our observations consist of multiepoch VI charge coupled device (CCD) images centered on the cluster and covering a 6.3 min x 6.3 min field. Four of these variables are contact eclipsing binaries with periods between 0.35 and 0.41 days; one is a detached or semidetached eclipsing binary with a period of 0.56 days. Two of the variables were first identified as possible eclipsing binaries in an earlier survey by Hodder et al. (1992). We have used a variety of arguments to conclude that all five binary stars are probable members of M71, a result that is consistent with the low number (0.15) of short-period field binaries expected along this line of sight. Based on a simple model of how contact binaries evolve from initially detached binaries, we have determined a lower limit of 1.3% on the frequency of primordial binaries in M71 with initial orbital periods in the range 2.5 - 5 days. This implies that the overall primordial binary frequency, f, is 22(sup +26)(sub -12)% assuming df/d log P = const ( the 'flat' distribution), or f = 57(sup +15)(sub -8)% for df/d log P = 0.032 log P + const as observed for G-dwarf binaries in the solar neighborhood (the 'sloped' distribution). Both estimates of f correspond to binaries with initial periods shorter than 800 yr since any longer-period binaries would have been disrupted over the lifetime of the cluster. Our short-period binary frequency is in excellent agreement with the observed frequency of red-giant binaries observed in globulars if we adopt the flat distribution. For the sloped distribution, our results significantly overestimate the number of red-giant binaries. All of the short-period M71 binaries lie within 1 mag of the luminosity of the cluster turnoff in the color-magnitude diagram despite the fact we should have easily detected similar eclipsing binaries 2 - 2.5 mag fainter than this. We discuss the

Improved circuit for measuring capacitive and inductive reactances

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dalins, I.; Mc Carty, V.

1967-01-01

Amplifier circuit measures very small changes of capacitive or inductive reactance, such as produced by a variable capacitance or a variable inductance displacement transducer. The circuit employs reactance-sensing oscillators in which field effect transistors serve as the active elements.

Capacitive behavior of highly-oxidized graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ciszewski, Mateusz; Mianowski, Andrzej

2014-09-01

Capacitive behavior of a highly-oxidized graphite is presented in this paper. The graphite oxide was synthesized using an oxidizing mixture of potassium chlorate and concentrated fuming nitric acid. As-oxidized graphite was quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed with respect to the oxygen content and the species of oxygen-containing groups. Electrochemical measurements were performed in a two-electrode symmetric cell using KOH electrolyte. It was shown that prolonged oxidation causes an increase in the oxygen content while the interlayer distance remains constant. Specific capacitance increased with oxygen content in the electrode as a result of pseudo-capacitive effects, from 0.47 to 0.54 F/g for a scan rate of 20 mV/s and 0.67 to 1.15 F/g for a scan rate of 5 mV/s. Better cyclability was observed for the electrode with a higher oxygen amount.

Membrane hyperpolarization during human sperm capacitation

PubMed Central

López-González, I.; Torres-Rodríguez, P.; Sánchez-Carranza, O.; Solís-López, A.; Santi, C.M.; Darszon, A.; Treviño, C.L.

2014-01-01

Sperm capacitation is a complex and indispensable physiological process that spermatozoa must undergo in order to acquire fertilization capability. Spermatozoa from several mammalian species, including mice, exhibit a capacitation-associated plasma membrane hyperpolarization, which is necessary for the acrosome reaction to occur. Despite its importance, this hyperpolarization event has not been adequately examined in human sperm. In this report we used flow cytometry to show that a subpopulation of human sperm indeed undergo a plasma membrane hyperpolarization upon in vitro capacitation. This hyperpolarization correlated with two other well-characterized capacitation parameters, namely an increase in intracellular pH and Ca2+ concentration, measured also by flow cytometry. We found that sperm membrane hyperpolarization was completely abolished in the presence of a high external K+ concentration (60 mM), indicating the participation of K+ channels. In order to identify, which of the potential K+ channels were involved in this hyperpolarization, we used different K+ channel inhibitors including charybdotoxin, slotoxin and iberiotoxin (which target Slo1) and clofilium (a more specific blocker for Slo3). All these K+ channel antagonists inhibited membrane hyperpolarization to a similar extent, suggesting that both members of the Slo family may potentially participate. Two very recent papers recorded K+ currents in human sperm electrophysiologically, with some contradictory results. In the present work, we show through immunoblotting that Slo3 channels are present in the human sperm membrane. In addition, we found that human Slo3 channels expressed in CHO cells were sensitive to clofilium (50 μM). Considered altogether, our data indicate that Slo1 and Slo3 could share the preponderant role in the capacitation-associated hyperpolarization of human sperm in contrast to what has been previously reported for mouse sperm, where Slo3 channels are the main contributors to the

Implementing transmission eigenchannels of disordered media by a binary-control digital micromirror device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Donggyu; Choi, Wonjun; Kim, Moonseok; Moon, Jungho; Seo, Keumyoung; Ju, Sanghyun; Choi, Wonshik

2014-11-01

We report a method for measuring the transmission matrix of a disordered medium using a binary-control of a digital micromirror device (DMD). With knowledge of the measured transmission matrix, we identified the transmission eigenchannels of the medium. We then used binary control of the DMD to shape the wavefront of incident waves and to experimentally couple light to individual eigenchannels. When the wave was coupled to the eigenchannel with the largest eigenvalue, in particular, we were able to achieve about two times more energy transmission than the mean transmittance of the medium. Our study provides an elaborated use of the DMD as a high-speed wavefront shaping device for controlling the multiple scattering of waves in highly scattering media.

Capacitive pressure-sensitive composites using nickel-silicone rubber: experiments and modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Yuqin; Liao, Changrong; Liao, Ganliang; Tan, Renbing; Xie, Lei

2017-07-01

Capacitive pressure (i.e., piezo-capacitive) sensors have manifested their superiority as a potential electronic skin. The mechanism of the traditional piezo-capacitive sensors is mainly to change the relative permittivity of the flexible composites by compressing the specially fabricated microstructures in the polymer matrix under pressure. Instead, we study the piezo-capacitive effect for a newly reported isotropic flexible composite consisting of silicone rubber (SR) and uniformly dispersed micron-sized conductive nickel particles experimentally and theoretically. The Young’s modulus of the nickel-SR composites (NSRCs) is designed to meet that of human skin. Experimental results show that the NSRCs exhibit remarkable particle concentration dependent capacitance response under uniaxial pressure, and the NSRCs present a good repeatability. We propose a mathematical model at particle level to provide deep insights into the piezo-capacitive mechanism, by considering the adjacent particles in the axial direction as micro capacitors connected in series and in parallel on the horizontal plane. The piezo-capacitive effect is determined by the relative permittivity induced by the particles rearrangement, longitudinal interparticle gap, and deflection angle of micro particle capacitors under pressure. Specifically, the relative capacitance of NSRC capacitor is deduced to be product of two factors: the degree of particle rearrangement, and the relative capacitance of a micro capacitor with the average longitudinal gap. The proposed model well matches and interprets the experimental results.

Efficiency of thermoelectric conversion in ferroelectric film capacitive structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Volpyas, V. A.; Kozyrev, A. B.; Soldatenkov, O. I.; Tepina, E. R.

2012-06-01

Thermal heating/cooling conditions for metal-insulator-metal structures based on barium strontium titanate ferroelectric films are studied by numerical methods with the aim of their application in capacitive thermoelectric converters. A correlation between the thermal and capacitive properties of thin-film ferroelectric capacitors is considered. The time of the temperature response and the rate of variation of the capacitive properties of the metal-insulator-metal structures are determined by analyzing the dynamics of thermal processes. Thermophysical calculations are carried out that take into consideration the real electrical properties of barium strontium titanate ferroelectric films and allow estimation of thermal modulation parameters and the efficiency of capacitive thermoelectric converters on their basis.

Current concepts of molecular events during bovine and porcine spermatozoa capacitation.

PubMed

Vadnais, Melissa L; Galantino-Homer, Hannah L; Althouse, Gary C

2007-01-01

Spermatozoa are required to undergo the processes of capacitation before they obtain fertilizing ability. The molecular changes of capacitation are still not fully understood. However, it is accepted that capacitation is a sequential process involving numerous physiological changes including destabilization of the plasma membrane, alterations of intracellular ion concentrations and membrane potential, and protein phosphorylation. There are no known morphological changes that occur to the spermatozoon during capacitation. The purpose of this review is to summarize current evidence on the molecular aspects of capacitation both in vivo and in vitro in bovine and porcine spermatozoa. For the purpose of this review, the process of sperm capacitation will encompass maturational events that occur following ejaculation up to binding to the zona pellucida, that triggers acrosomal exocytosis and initiates fertilization.

Programmable differential capacitance-to-voltage converter for MEMS accelerometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Royo, G.; Sánchez-Azqueta, C.; Gimeno, C.; Aldea, C.; Celma, S.

2017-05-01

Capacitive MEMS sensors exhibit an excellent noise performance, high sensitivity and low power consumption. They offer a huge range of applications, being the accelerometer one of its main uses. In this work, we present the design of a capacitance-to-voltage converter in CMOS technology to measure the acceleration from the capacitance variations. It is based on a low-power, fully-differential transimpedance amplifier with low input impedance and a very low input noise.

Capacitive deionization coupled with microbial fuel cells to desalinate low-concentration salt water.

PubMed

Yuan, Lulu; Yang, Xufei; Liang, Peng; Wang, Lei; Huang, Zheng-Hong; Wei, Jincheng; Huang, Xia

2012-04-01

A new technology (CDI-MFC) that combined capacitive deionization (CDI) and microbial fuel cell (MFC) was developed to treat low-concentration salt water with NaCl concentration of 60mg/L. The water desalination rate was 35.6mg/(Lh), meanwhile the charge efficiency was 21.8%. Two desorption modes were investigated: discharging (DC) mode and short circuit (SC) mode. The desalination rate in the DC mode was 200.6±3.1mg/(Lh), 47.8% higher than that in the SC mode [135.7±15.3mg/(Lh)]. The average current in the DC mode was also much higher than that of the SC mode. The energy stored in the CDI cell has been reused to enhance the electron production of MFC by the discharging desorption mode (DC mode), which offers an approach to recover the electrostatic energy in the CDI cell. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Generation of two-dimensional binary mixtures in complex plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wieben, Frank; Block, Dietmar

2016-10-01

Complex plasmas are an excellent model system for strong coupling phenomena. Under certain conditions the dust particles immersed into the plasma form crystals which can be analyzed in terms of structure and dynamics. Previous experiments focussed mostly on monodisperse particle systems whereas dusty plasmas in nature and technology are polydisperse. Thus, a first and important step towards experiments in polydisperse systems are binary mixtures. Recent experiments on binary mixtures under microgravity conditions observed a phase separation of particle species with different radii even for small size disparities. This contradicts several numerical studies of 2D binary mixtures. Therefore, dedicated experiments are required to gain more insight into the physics of polydisperse systems. In this contribution first ground based experiments on two-dimensional binary mixtures are presented. Particular attention is paid to the requirements for the generation of such systems which involve the consideration of the temporal evolution of the particle properties. Furthermore, the structure of these two-component crystals is analyzed and compared to simulations. This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG in the framework of the SFB TR24 Greifswald Kiel, Project A3b.

Online capacitive densitometer

DOEpatents

Porges, Karl G.

1990-01-01

This invention is an apparatus for measuring fluid density of mixed phase fluid flow. The apparatus employs capacitive sensing of the mixed phased flow combined with means for uniformizing the electric field between the capacitor plates to account for flow line geometry. From measurement of fluid density, the solids feedrate can be ascertained.

Flexible Framework for Capacitive Sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Woodard, Stanley E. (Inventor); Taylor, Bryant D. (Inventor)

2006-01-01

A flexible framework supports electrically-conductive elements in a capacitive sensing arrangement. Identical frames are arranged end-to-end with adjacent frames being capable of rotational movement there between. Each frame has first and second passages extending therethrough and parallel to one another. Each of the first and second passages is adapted to receive an electrically-conductive element therethrough. Each frame further has a hollowed-out portion for the passage of a fluent material therethrough. The hollowed-out portion is sized and shaped to provide for capacitive sensing along a defined region between the electrically-conductive element in the first passage and the electrically-conductive element in the second passage.

Resonant capacitive MEMS acoustic emission transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozevin, D.; Greve, D. W.; Oppenheim, I. J.; Pessiki, S. P.

2006-12-01

We describe resonant capacitive MEMS transducers developed for use as acoustic emission (AE) detectors, fabricated in the commercial three-layer polysilicon surface micromachining process (MUMPs). The 1 cm square device contains six independent transducers in the frequency range between 100 and 500 kHz, and a seventh transducer at 1 MHz. Each transducer is a parallel plate capacitor with one plate free to vibrate, thereby causing a capacitance change which creates an output signal in the form of a current under a dc bias voltage. With the geometric proportions we employed, each transducer responds with two distinct resonant frequencies. In our design the etch hole spacing was chosen to limit squeeze film damping and thereby produce an underdamped vibration when operated at atmospheric pressure. Characterization experiments obtained by capacitance and admittance measurements are presented, and transducer responses to physically simulated AE source are discussed. Finally, we report our use of the device to detect acoustic emissions associated with crack initiation and growth in weld metal.

Stability of binaries. Part II: Rubble-pile binaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Ishan

2016-10-01

We consider the stability of the binary asteroids whose members are granular aggregates held together by self-gravity alone. A binary is said to be stable whenever both its members are orbitally and structurally stable to both orbital and structural perturbations. To this end, we extend the stability analysis of Sharma (Sharma [2015] Icarus, 258, 438-453), that is applicable to binaries with rigid members, to the case of binary systems with rubble members. We employ volume averaging (Sharma et al. [2009] Icarus, 200, 304-322), which was inspired by past work on elastic/fluid, rotating and gravitating ellipsoids. This technique has shown promise when applied to rubble-pile ellipsoids, but requires further work to settle some of its underlying assumptions. The stability test is finally applied to some suspected binary systems, viz., 216 Kleopatra, 624 Hektor and 90 Antiope. We also see that equilibrated binaries that are close to mobilizing their maximum friction can sustain only a narrow range of shapes and, generally, congruent shapes are preferred.

Frequency scanning capaciflector for capacitively determining the material properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, Charles E. (Inventor)

1996-01-01

A capaciflector sensor system scanned in frequency is used to detect the permittivity of the material of an object being sensed. A capaciflector sensor element, coupled to current-measuring voltage follower circuitry, is driven by a frequency swept oscillator and generates an output which corresponds to capacity as a function of the input frequency. This swept frequency information is fed into apparatus e.g. a digital computer for comparing the shape of the capacitance vs. frequency curve against characteristic capacitor vs. frequency curves for a variety of different materials which are stored, for example, in a digital memory of the computer or a database. Using a technique of pattern matching, a determination is made as to the identification of the material. Also, when desirable, the distance between the sensor and the object can be determined.

Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers for medical imaging and therapy.

PubMed

Khuri-Yakub, Butrus T; Oralkan, Omer

2011-05-01

Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) have been subject to extensive research for the last two decades. Although they were initially developed for air-coupled applications, today their main application space is medical imaging and therapy. This paper first presents a brief description of CMUTs, their basic structure, and operating principles. Our progression of developing several generations of fabrication processes is discussed with an emphasis on the advantages and disadvantages of each process. Monolithic and hybrid approaches for integrating CMUTs with supporting integrated circuits are surveyed. Several prototype transducer arrays with integrated frontend electronic circuits we developed and their use for 2-D and 3-D, anatomical and functional imaging, and ablative therapies are described. The presented results prove the CMUT as a MEMS technology for many medical diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers for medical imaging and therapy

PubMed Central

Khuri-Yakub, Butrus T.; Oralkan, Ömer

2011-01-01

Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) have been subject to extensive research for the last two decades. Although they were initially developed for air-coupled applications, today their main application space is medical imaging and therapy. This paper first presents a brief description of CMUTs, their basic structure, and operating principles. Our progression of developing several generations of fabrication processes is discussed with an emphasis on the advantages and disadvantages of each process. Monolithic and hybrid approaches for integrating CMUTs with supporting integrated circuits are surveyed. Several prototype transducer arrays with integrated frontend electronic circuits we developed and their use for 2-D and 3-D, anatomical and functional imaging, and ablative therapies are described. The presented results prove the CMUT as a MEMS technology for many medical diagnostic and therapeutic applications. PMID:21860542

Constraining Binary Asteroid Mass Distributions Based On Mutual Motion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, Alex B.; Scheeres, Daniel J.

2017-06-01

The mutual gravitational potential and torques of binary asteroid systems results in a complex coupling of attitude and orbital motion based on the mass distribution of each body. For a doubly-synchronous binary system observations of the mutual motion can be leveraged to identify and measure the unique mass distributions of each body. By implementing arbitrary shape and order computation of the full two-body problem (F2BP) equilibria we study the influence of asteroid asymmetries on separation and orientation of a doubly-synchronous system. Additionally, simulations of binary systems perturbed from doubly-synchronous behavior are studied to understand the effects of mass distribution perturbations on precession and nutation rates such that unique behaviors can be isolated and used to measure asteroid mass distributions. We apply our investigation to the Trojan binary asteroid system 617 Patroclus and Menoetius (1906 VY), which will be the final flyby target of the recently announced LUCY Discovery mission in March 2033. This binary asteroid system is of particular interest due to the results of a recent stellar occultation study (DPS 46, id.506.09) that suggests the system to be doubly-synchronous and consisting of two-similarly sized oblate ellipsoids, in addition to suggesting the presence mass asymmetries resulting from an impact crater on the southern limb of Menoetius.

Development of AC-coupled, poly-silicon biased, p-on-n silicon strip detectors in India for HEP experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jain, Geetika; Dalal, Ranjeet; Bhardwaj, Ashutosh; Ranjan, Kirti; Dierlamm, Alexander; Hartmann, Frank; Eber, Robert; Demarteau, Marcel

2018-02-01

P-on-n silicon strip sensors having multiple guard-ring structures have been developed for High Energy Physics applications. The study constitutes the optimization of the sensor design, and fabrication of AC-coupled, poly-silicon biased sensors of strip width of 30 μm and strip pitch of 55 μm. The silicon wafers used for the fabrication are of 4 inch n-type, having an average resistivity of 2-5 k Ω cm, with a thickness of 300 μm. The electrical characterization of these detectors comprises of: (a) global measurements of total leakage current, and backplane capacitance; (b) strip and voltage scans of strip leakage current, poly-silicon resistance, interstrip capacitance, interstrip resistance, coupling capacitance, and dielectric current; and (c) charge collection measurements using ALiBaVa setup. The results of the same are reported here.

R144: a very massive binary likely ejected from R136 through a binary-binary encounter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, Seungkyung; Kroupa, Pavel; Banerjee, Sambaran

2014-02-01

R144 is a recently confirmed very massive, spectroscopic binary which appears isolated from the core of the massive young star cluster R136. The dynamical ejection hypothesis as an origin for its location is claimed improbable by Sana et al. due to its binary nature and high mass. We demonstrate here by means of direct N-body calculations that a very massive binary system can be readily dynamically ejected from an R136-like cluster, through a close encounter with a very massive system. One out of four N-body cluster models produces a dynamically ejected very massive binary system with a mass comparable to R144. The system has a system mass of ≈355 M⊙ and is located at 36.8 pc from the centre of its parent cluster, moving away from the cluster with a velocity of 57 km s-1 at 2 Myr as a result of a binary-binary interaction. This implies that R144 could have been ejected from R136 through a strong encounter with another massive binary or single star. In addition, we discuss all massive binaries and single stars which are ejected dynamically from their parent cluster in the N-body models.

Low-Temperature Scanning Capacitance Probe for Imaging Electron Motion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhandari, S.; Westervelt, R. M.

2014-12-01

Novel techniques to probe electronic properties at the nanoscale can shed light on the physics of nanoscale devices. In particular, studying the scattering of electrons from edges and apertures at the nanoscale and imaging the electron profile in a quantum dot, have been of interest [1]. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of a cooled scanning capacitance probe that operates at liquid He temperatures to image electron waves in nanodevices. The conducting tip of a scanned probe microscope is held above the nanoscale structure, and an applied sample-to-tip voltage creates an image charge that is measured by a cooled charge amplifier [2] adjacent to the tip. The circuit is based on a low-capacitance, high- electron-mobility transistor (Fujitsu FHX35X). The input is a capacitance bridge formed by a low capacitance pinched-off HEMT transistor and tip-sample capacitance. We have achieved low noise level (0.13 e/VHz) and high spatial resolution (100 nm) for this technique, which promises to be a useful tool to study electronic behavior in nanoscale devices.

Capacitance-Based Frequency Adjustment of Micro Piezoelectric Vibration Generator

PubMed Central

Mao, Xinhua; He, Qing; Li, Hong; Chu, Dongliang

2014-01-01

Micro piezoelectric vibration generator has a wide application in the field of microelectronics. Its natural frequency is unchanged after being manufactured. However, resonance cannot occur when the natural frequencies of a piezoelectric generator and the source of vibration frequency are not consistent. Output voltage of the piezoelectric generator will sharply decline. It cannot normally supply power for electronic devices. In order to make the natural frequency of the generator approach the frequency of vibration source, the capacitance FM technology is adopted in this paper. Different capacitance FM schemes are designed by different locations of the adjustment layer. The corresponding capacitance FM models have been established. Characteristic and effect of the capacitance FM have been simulated by the FM model. Experimental results show that the natural frequency of the generator could vary from 46.5 Hz to 42.4 Hz when the bypass capacitance value increases from 0 nF to 30 nF. The natural frequency of a piezoelectric vibration generator could be continuously adjusted by this method. PMID:25133237

High resolution CMOS capacitance-frequency converter for biosensor applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghoor, I. S.; Land, K.; Joubert, T.-H.

2016-02-01

This paper presents the design of a low-complexity, linear and sub-pF CMOS capacitance-frequency converter for reading out a capacitive bacterial bio/sensors with the endeavour of creating a universal bio/sensor readout module. Therefore the priority design objectives are a high resolution as well as an extensive dynamic range. The circuit is based on a method which outputs a digital frequency signal directly from a differential capacitance by the accumulation of charges produced by repetitive charge integration and charge preservation1. A prototype has been designed for manufacture in the 0.35 μm, 3.3V ams CMOS technology. At a 1MHz clock speed, the most pertinent results obtained for the designed converter are: (i) power consumption of 1.37mW; (ii) a resolution of at least 5 fF for sensitive capacitive transduction; and (iii) an input dynamic range of at least 43.5 dB from a measurable capacitance value range of 5 - 750 fF (iv) and a Pearson's coefficient of linearity of 0.99.

Online capacitive densitometer

DOEpatents

Porges, K.G.

1988-01-21

This invention is an apparatus for measuring fluid density of mixed phase fluid flow. The apparatus employs capacitive sensing of the mixed phased flow combined with means for uniformizing the electric field between the capacitor plates to account for flow line geometry. From measurement of fluid density, the solids feedrate can be ascertained. 7 figs.

Negative capacitance in multidomain ferroelectric superlattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zubko, Pavlo; Wojdeł, Jacek C.; Hadjimichael, Marios; Fernandez-Pena, Stéphanie; Sené, Anaïs; Luk'Yanchuk, Igor; Triscone, Jean-Marc; Íñiguez, Jorge

2016-06-01

The stability of spontaneous electrical polarization in ferroelectrics is fundamental to many of their current applications, which range from the simple electric cigarette lighter to non-volatile random access memories. Research on nanoscale ferroelectrics reveals that their behaviour is profoundly different from that in bulk ferroelectrics, which could lead to new phenomena with potential for future devices. As ferroelectrics become thinner, maintaining a stable polarization becomes increasingly challenging. On the other hand, intentionally destabilizing this polarization can cause the effective electric permittivity of a ferroelectric to become negative, enabling it to behave as a negative capacitance when integrated in a heterostructure. Negative capacitance has been proposed as a way of overcoming fundamental limitations on the power consumption of field-effect transistors. However, experimental demonstrations of this phenomenon remain contentious. The prevalent interpretations based on homogeneous polarization models are difficult to reconcile with the expected strong tendency for domain formation, but the effect of domains on negative capacitance has received little attention. Here we report negative capacitance in a model system of multidomain ferroelectric-dielectric superlattices across a wide range of temperatures, in both the ferroelectric and paraelectric phases. Using a phenomenological model, we show that domain-wall motion not only gives rise to negative permittivity, but can also enhance, rather than limit, its temperature range. Our first-principles-based atomistic simulations provide detailed microscopic insight into the origin of this phenomenon, identifying the dominant contribution of near-interface layers and paving the way for its future exploitation.

The usefulness of mobile insulator sheets for the optimisation of deep heating area for regional hyperthermia using a capacitively coupled heating method: phantom, simulation and clinical prospective studies.

PubMed

Tomura, Kyosuke; Ohguri, Takayuki; Mulder, Hendrik Thijmen; Murakami, Motohiro; Nakahara, Sota; Yahara, Katsuya; Korogi, Yukunori

2017-11-20

To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of deep regional hyperthermia with the use of mobile insulator sheets in a capacitively coupled heating device. The heat was applied using an 8-MHz radiofrequency-capacitive device. The insulator sheet was inserted between the regular bolus and cooled overlay bolus in each of upper and lower side of the electrode. Several settings using the insulator sheets were investigated in an experimental study using an agar phantom to evaluate the temperature distributions. The specific absorption rate (SAR) distributions in several organs were also computed for the three-dimensional patient model. In a clinical prospective study, a total of five heating sessions were scheduled for the pelvic tumours, to assess the thermal parameters. The conventional setting was used during the first, third and fifth treatment sessions, and insulator sheets were used during the second and fourth treatment sessions. In the phantom study, the higher heating area improved towards the centre when the mobile insulator sheets were used. The subcutaneous fat/target ratios for the averaged SARs in the setting with the mobile insulator (median, 2.5) were significantly improved compared with those in the conventional setting (median, 3.4). In the clinical study, the thermal dose parameters of CEM43°CT90 in the sessions with the mobile insulator sheets (median, 1.9 min) were significantly better than those in the sessions using a conventional setting (median, 1.0 min). Our novel heating method using mobile insulator sheets was thus found to improve the thermal dose parameters. Further investigations are expected.

Electrostatic capacitance and Faraday cage behavior of carbon nanotube forests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ya'akobovitz, A.; Bedewy, M.; Hart, A. J.

2015-02-01

Understanding of the electrostatic properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) forests is essential to enable their integration in microelectronic and micromechanical devices. In this study, we sought to understand how the hierarchical geometry and morphology of CNT forests determines their capacitance. First, we find that at small gaps, solid micropillars have greater capacitance, yet at larger gaps the capacitance of the CNT forests is greater. The surface area of the CNT forest accessible to the electrostatic field was extracted by analysis of the measured capacitance, and, by relating the capacitance to the average density of CNTs in the forest, we find that the penetration depth of the electrostatic field is on the order of several microns. Therefore, CNT forests can behave as a miniature Faraday cage. The unique electrostatic properties of CNT forests could therefore enable their use as long-range proximity sensors and as shielding elements for miniature electronic devices.

Brown Dwarf Binaries from Disintegrating Triple Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reipurth, Bo; Mikkola, Seppo

2015-04-01

Binaries in which both components are brown dwarfs (BDs) are being discovered at an increasing rate, and their properties may hold clues to their origin. We have carried out 200,000 N-body simulations of three identical stellar embryos with masses drawn from a Chabrier IMF and embedded in a molecular core. The bodies are initially non-hierarchical and undergo chaotic motions within the cloud core, while accreting using Bondi-Hoyle accretion. The coupling of dynamics and accretion often leads to one or two dominant bodies controlling the center of the cloud core, while banishing the other(s) to the lower-density outskirts, leading to stunted growth. Eventually each system transforms either to a bound hierarchical configuration or breaks apart into separate single and binary components. The orbital motion is followed for 100 Myr. In order to illustrate 200,000 end-states of such dynamical evolution with accretion, we introduce the “triple diagnostic diagram,” which plots two dimensionless numbers against each other, representing the binary mass ratio and the mass ratio of the third body to the total system mass. Numerous freefloating BD binaries are formed in these simulations, and statistical properties are derived. The separation distribution function is in good correspondence with observations, showing a steep rise at close separations, peaking around 13 AU and declining more gently, reaching zero at separations greater than 200 AU. Unresolved BD triple systems may appear as wider BD binaries. Mass ratios are strongly peaked toward unity, as observed, but this is partially due to the initial assumptions. Eccentricities gradually increase toward higher values, due to the lack of viscous interactions in the simulations, which would both shrink the orbits and decrease their eccentricities. Most newborn triple systems are unstable and while there are 9209 ejected BD binaries at 1 Myr, corresponding to about 4% of the 200,000 simulations, this number has grown to

Capacitance probe for detection of anomalies in non-metallic plastic pipe

DOEpatents

Mathur, Mahendra P.; Spenik, James L.; Condon, Christopher M.; Anderson, Rodney; Driscoll, Daniel J.; Fincham, Jr., William L.; Monazam, Esmail R.

2010-11-23

The disclosure relates to analysis of materials using a capacitive sensor to detect anomalies through comparison of measured capacitances. The capacitive sensor is used in conjunction with a capacitance measurement device, a location device, and a processor in order to generate a capacitance versus location output which may be inspected for the detection and localization of anomalies within the material under test. The components may be carried as payload on an inspection vehicle which may traverse through a pipe interior, allowing evaluation of nonmetallic or plastic pipes when the piping exterior is not accessible. In an embodiment, supporting components are solid-state devices powered by a low voltage on-board power supply, providing for use in environments where voltage levels may be restricted.

Orbital evolution of small binary asteroids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ćuk, Matija; Nesvorný, David

2010-06-01

About 15% of both near-Earth and main-belt asteroids with diameters below 10 km are now known to be binary. These small asteroid binaries are relatively uniform and typically contain a fast-spinning, flattened primary and a synchronously rotating, elongated secondary that is 20-40% as large (in diameter) as the primary. The principal formation mechanism for these binaries is now thought to be YORP (Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack) effect induced spin-up of the primary followed by mass loss and accretion of the secondary from the released material. It has previously been suggested (Ćuk, M. [2007]. Astrophys. J. 659, L57-L60) that the present population of small binary asteroids is in a steady state between production through YORP and destruction through binary YORP (BYORP), which should increase or decrease secondary's orbit, depending on the satellite's shape. However, BYORP-driven evolution has not been directly modeled until now. Here we construct a simple numerical model of the binary's orbital as well the secondary's rotational dynamics which includes BYORP and selected terms representing main solar perturbations. We find that many secondaries should be vulnerable to chaotic rotation even for relatively low-eccentricity mutual orbits. We also find that the precession of the mutual orbit for typical small binary asteroids might be dominated by the perturbations from the prolate and librating secondary, rather than the oblate primary. When we evolve the mutual orbit by BYORP we find that the indirect effects on the binary's eccentricity (through the coupling between the orbit and the secondary's spin) dominate over direct ones caused by the BYORP acceleration. In particular, outward evolution causes eccentricity to increase and eventually triggers chaotic rotation of the secondary. We conclude that the most likely outcome will be reestablishing of the synchronous lock with a "flipped" secondary which would then evolve back in. For inward evolution we find

Sensitivity Enhancement of an Inductively Coupled Local Detector Using a HEMT-based Current Amplifier

PubMed Central

Qian, Chunqi; Duan, Qi; Dodd, Steve; Koretsky, Alan; Murphy-Boesch, Joe

2015-01-01

Purpose To improve the signal transmission efficiency and sensitivity of a local detection coil that is weakly inductively coupled to a larger receive coil. Methods The resonant detection coil is connected in parallel with the gate of a HEMT transistor without impedance matching. When the drain of the transistor is capacitively shunted to ground, current amplification occurs in the resonator by feedback that transforms a capacitive impedance on the transistor’s source to a negative resistance on its gate. Results High resolution images were obtained from a mouse brain using a small, 11 mm diameter surface coil that was inductively coupled to a commercial, phased array chest coil. Although the power consumption of the amplifier was only 88 µW, 14 dB gain was obtained with excellent noise performance. Conclusion An integrated current amplifier based on a High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) can enhance the sensitivity of inductively coupled local detectors when weakly coupled. This amplifier enables efficient signal transmission between customized user coils and commercial clinical coils, without the need for a specialized signal interface. PMID:26192998

Electrostatic capacitance and Faraday cage behavior of carbon nanotube forests

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ya'akobovitz, A.; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva; Bedewy, M.

2015-02-02

Understanding of the electrostatic properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) forests is essential to enable their integration in microelectronic and micromechanical devices. In this study, we sought to understand how the hierarchical geometry and morphology of CNT forests determines their capacitance. First, we find that at small gaps, solid micropillars have greater capacitance, yet at larger gaps the capacitance of the CNT forests is greater. The surface area of the CNT forest accessible to the electrostatic field was extracted by analysis of the measured capacitance, and, by relating the capacitance to the average density of CNTs in the forest, we findmore » that the penetration depth of the electrostatic field is on the order of several microns. Therefore, CNT forests can behave as a miniature Faraday cage. The unique electrostatic properties of CNT forests could therefore enable their use as long-range proximity sensors and as shielding elements for miniature electronic devices.« less

Factors and pathways involved in capacitation: how are they regulated?

PubMed Central

Jin, Shi-Kai; Yang, Wan-Xi

2017-01-01

In mammals, fertilization occurs via a comprehensive progression of events. Freshly ejaculated sperm have yet to acquire progressive motility or fertilization ability. They must first undergo a series of biochemical and physiological changes, collectively known as capacitation. Capacitation is a significant prerequisite to fertilization. During the process of capacitation, changes in membrane properties, intracellular ion concentration and the activities of enzymes, together with other protein modifications, induce multiple signaling events and pathways in defined media in vitro or in the female reproductive tract in vivo. These, in turn, stimulate the acrosome reaction and prepare spermatozoa for penetration of the egg zona pellucida prior to fertilization. In the present review, we conclude all mainstream factors and pathways regulate capacitation and highlight their crosstalk. We also summarize the relationship between capacitation and assisted reproductive technology or human disease. In the end, we sum up the open questions and future avenues in this field. PMID:27690295

Design of capacitive sensor for water level measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qurthobi, A.; Iskandar, R. F.; Krisnatal, A.; Weldzikarvina

2016-11-01

Capacitive sensor for water level detection has been fabricated. It has, typically, high-impedance sensor, particularly at low frequencies, as clear from the impedance (reactance) expression for a capacitor. Also, capacitive sensor is a noncontacting device in the common usage. In this research, water level sensor based on capacitive principal created using two copper plates with height (h), width (b), and distance (l) between two plates, respectively, 0.040 m, 0.015 m, and 0.010 m. 5 V pp 3 kHz AC signal is used as input signal for the system. Dielectric constant between two plates is proportional to water level. Hence, it can be used to determine water level from electrical characteristic as it inversely proportional to sensor impedance. Linearization, inverting amplifier, and rectifier circuits are used as signal conditioning for the system. Based on conducted experiment, the relationship between water level (x), capacitance (C), and output voltage (Vdc ) can be expressed as C(x) = 2.756x + 0.333 nF and Vdc (x) = 15.755 + 0.316 V.

Identification of inorganic ions in post-blast explosive residues using portable CE instrumentation and capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection.

PubMed

Hutchinson, Joseph P; Johns, Cameron; Breadmore, Michael C; Hilder, Emily F; Guijt, Rosanne M; Lennard, Chris; Dicinoski, Greg; Haddad, Paul R

2008-11-01

Novel CE methods have been developed on portable instrumentation adapted to accommodate a capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector for the separation and sensitive detection of inorganic anions and cations in post-blast explosive residues from homemade inorganic explosive devices. The methods presented combine sensitivity and speed of analysis for the wide range of inorganic ions used in this study. Separate methods were employed for the separation of anions and cations. The anion separation method utilised a low conductivity 70 mM Tris/70 mM CHES aqueous electrolyte (pH 8.6) with a 90 cm capillary coated with hexadimethrine bromide to reverse the EOF. Fifteen anions could be baseline separated in 7 min with detection limits in the range 27-240 microg/L. A selection of ten anions deemed most important in this application could be separated in 45 s on a shorter capillary (30.6 cm) using the same electrolyte. The cation separation method was performed on a 73 cm length of fused-silica capillary using an electrolyte system composed of 10 mM histidine and 50 mM acetic acid, at pH 4.2. The addition of the complexants, 1 mM hydroxyisobutyric acid and 0.7 mM 18-crown-6 ether, enhanced selectivity and allowed the separation of eleven inorganic cations in under 7 min with detection limits in the range 31-240 microg/L. The developed methods were successfully field tested on post-blast residues obtained from the controlled detonation of homemade explosive devices. Results were verified using ion chromatographic analyses of the same samples.

Methylmercury determination in seafood by photochemical vapor generation capacitively coupled plasma microtorch optical emission spectrometry.

PubMed

Covaci, Eniko; Senila, Marin; Ponta, Michaela; Darvasi, Eugen; Petreus, Dorin; Frentiu, Maria; Frentiu, Tiberiu

2017-08-01

A non-chromatographic method based on double liquid-liquid extraction and measurements by UV photochemical vapor generation capacitively coupled plasma microtorch optical emission spectrometry was developed and characterized for methylmercury determination in seafood. Samples were prepared following the procedure recommended in JRC Technical Report of European Commission formerly proposed for the determination of methylmercury in seafood by thermal decomposition atomic absorption spectrometry, namely confinement of Hg species in 47% HBr solution, extraction of CH 3 Hg + in toluene and back-extraction in 1% l-cysteine aqueous solution. Mercury cold vapor was generated by flow injection UV photo-reduction from CH 3 Hg + in 0.6molL -1 HCOOH, while quantification was performed against external Hg 2+ aqueous standards and measuring Hg 253.652nm emission using a low power/Ar consumption plasma microtorch (15W, 100mLmin -1 ) and a low resolution microspectrometer (Ocean Optics). The figures of merit and analytical capability were assessed by analyzing certified reference materials and test samples of fish fillet and discussed in relation with requirements for Hg determination in seafood in European legislation (Decisions 2007/333/EC and 2002/657/EC) as well as compared to performances achieved in thermal decomposition atomic absorption spectrometry. The limit of detection and quantification of 2µgkg -1 and 6µgkg -1 respectively, precision of 2.7-9.4% and accuracy of 99±8% of the proposed method for the determination of CH 3 Hg + fulfill the demands of European legislation for Hg quantification. The limit of detection and quantification were better than those in the used reference method or other non-/chromatographic methods taken for comparison. The analysis of certified reference materials and the Bland and Altman test performed on 12 test samples confirmed trueness of the proposed method and its reliability for the determination of traces of CH 3 Hg + with 95

Predicting ion specific capacitances of supercapacitors due to quantum ionic interactions.

PubMed

Parsons, Drew F

2014-08-01

A new theoretical framework is now available to help explain ion specific (Hofmeister) effects. All measurements in physical chemistry show ion specificity, inexplicable by classical electrostatic theories. These ignore ionic dispersion forces that change ionic adsorption. We explored ion specificity in supercapacitors using a modified Poisson-Boltzmann approach that includes ionic dispersion energies. We have applied ab initio quantum chemical methods to determine required ion sizes and ion polarisabilities. Our model represents graphite electrodes through their optical dielectric spectra. The electrolyte was 1.2 M Li salt in propylene carbonate, using the common battery anions, PF6(-), BF4(-) and ClO4(-). We also investigated the perhalate series with BrO4(-) and IO4(-). The capacitance C=dσ/dψ was calculated from the predicted electrode surface charge σ of each electrode with potential ψ between electrodes. Compared to the purely electrostatic calculation, the capacitance of a positively charged graphite electrode was enhanced by more than 15%, with PF6(-) showing >50% increase in capacitance. IO4(-) provided minimal enhancement. The enhancement is due to adsorption of both anions and cations, driven by ionic dispersion forces. The Hofmeister series in the single-electrode capacitance was PF6(-)>BF4(-)>ClO4(-)>BrO4(-)>IO4(-) . When the graphite electrode was negatively charged, the perhalates provided almost no enhancement of capacitance, while PF6(-) and BF4(-) decreased capacitance by about 15%. Due to the asymmetric impact of nonelectrostatic ion interactions, the capacitances of positive and negative electrodes are not equal. The capacitance of a supercapacitor should therefore be reported as two values rather than one, similar to the matrix of mutual capacitances used in multielectrode devices. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Separation of neural stem cells by whole cell membrane capacitance using dielectrophoresis.

PubMed

Adams, Tayloria N G; Jiang, Alan Y L; Vyas, Prema D; Flanagan, Lisa A

2018-01-15

Whole cell membrane capacitance is an electrophysiological property of the plasma membrane that serves as a biomarker for stem cell fate potential. Neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) that differ in ability to form neurons or astrocytes are distinguished by membrane capacitance measured by dielectrophoresis (DEP). Differences in membrane capacitance are sufficient to enable the enrichment of neuron- or astrocyte-forming cells by DEP, showing the separation of stem cells on the basis of fate potential by membrane capacitance. NSPCs sorted by DEP need not be labeled and do not experience toxic effects from the sorting procedure. Other stem cell populations also display shifts in membrane capacitance as cells differentiate to a particular fate, clarifying the value of sorting a variety of stem cell types by capacitance. Here, we describe methods developed by our lab for separating NSPCs on the basis of capacitance using several types of DEP microfluidic devices, providing basic information on the sorting procedure as well as specific advantages and disadvantages of each device. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Measurement of Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Flow in Micro-Pipes by a Capacitance Sensor

PubMed Central

Ji, Haifeng; Li, Huajun; Huang, Zhiyao; Wang, Baoliang; Li, Haiqing

2014-01-01

A capacitance measurement system is developed for the measurement of gas-liquid two-phase flow in glass micro-pipes with inner diameters of 3.96, 2.65 and 1.56 mm, respectively. As a typical flow regime in a micro-pipe two-phase flow system, slug flow is chosen for this investigation. A capacitance sensor is designed and a high-resolution and high-speed capacitance measurement circuit is used to measure the small capacitance signals based on the differential sampling method. The performance and feasibility of the capacitance method are investigated and discussed. The capacitance signal is analyzed, which can reflect the voidage variation of two-phase flow. The gas slug velocity is determined through a cross-correlation technique using two identical capacitance sensors. The simulation and experimental results show that the presented capacitance measurement system is successful. Research work also verifies that the capacitance sensor is an effective method for the measurement of gas liquid two-phase flow parameters in micro-pipes. PMID:25587879

Measurement of gas-liquid two-phase flow in micro-pipes by a capacitance sensor.

PubMed

Ji, Haifeng; Li, Huajun; Huang, Zhiyao; Wang, Baoliang; Li, Haiqing

2014-11-26

A capacitance measurement system is developed for the measurement of gas-liquid two-phase flow in glass micro-pipes with inner diameters of 3.96, 2.65 and 1.56 mm, respectively. As a typical flow regime in a micro-pipe two-phase flow system, slug flow is chosen for this investigation. A capacitance sensor is designed and a high-resolution and high-speed capacitance measurement circuit is used to measure the small capacitance signals based on the differential sampling method. The performance and feasibility of the capacitance method are investigated and discussed. The capacitance signal is analyzed, which can reflect the voidage variation of two-phase flow. The gas slug velocity is determined through a cross-correlation technique using two identical capacitance sensors. The simulation and experimental results show that the presented capacitance measurement system is successful. Research work also verifies that the capacitance sensor is an effective method for the measurement of gas liquid two-phase flow parameters in micro-pipes.

Programmable electronic synthesized capacitance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kleinberg, Leonard L. (Inventor)

1987-01-01

A predetermined and variable synthesized capacitance which may be incorporated into the resonant portion of an electronic oscillator for the purpose of tuning the oscillator comprises a programmable operational amplifier circuit. The operational amplifier circuit has its output connected to its inverting input, in a follower configuration, by a network which is low impedance at the operational frequency of the circuit. The output of the operational amplifier is also connected to the noninverting input by a capacitor. The noninverting input appears as a synthesized capacitance which may be varied with a variation in gain-bandwidth product of the operational amplifier circuit. The gain-bandwidth product may, in turn, be varied with a variation in input set current with a digital to analog converter whose output is varied with a command word. The output impedance of the circuit may also be varied by the output set current. This circuit may provide very small ranges in oscillator frequency with relatively large control voltages unaffected by noise.

Effect of ion concentration, solution and membrane permittivity on electric energy storage and capacitance.

PubMed

Tajparast, Mohammad; Glavinović, Mladen I

2018-06-06

Bio-membranes as capacitors store electric energy, but their permittivity is low whereas the permittivity of surrounding solution is high. To evaluate the effective capacitance of the membrane/solution system and determine the electric energy stored within the membrane and in the solution, we estimated their electric variables using Poisson-Nernst-Planck simulations. We calculated membrane and solution capacitances from stored electric energy. The effective capacitance was calculated by fitting a six-capacitance model to charges (fixed and ion) and associated potentials, because it cannot be considered as a result of membrane and solution capacitance in series. The electric energy stored within the membrane (typically much smaller than that in the solution), depends on the membrane permittivity, but also on the external electric field, surface charge density, water permittivity and ion concentration. The effect on capacitances is more specific. Solution capacitance rises with greater solution permittivity or ion concentration, but the membrane capacitance (much smaller than solution capacitance) is only influenced by its permittivity. Interestingly, the effective capacitance is independent of membrane or solution permittivity, but rises as the ion concentration increases and surface charge becomes positive. Experimental estimates of membrane capacitance are thus not necessarily a reliable index of its surface area. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

THE MEMBRANE CAPACITANCE OF THE SEA URCHIN EGG

PubMed Central

Rothschild, Lord

1957-01-01

1. The surface of the unfertilized sea urchin egg is folded and the folds are reversibly eliminated by exposing the egg to hypotonic sea water. If the plasma membrane is outside the layer of cortical granules, unfolding may explain why the membrane capacitance per unit area decreases (and does not increase) when a sea urchin egg is put into hypotonic sea water. 2. The degree of surface folding markedly increases after fertilization, which provides an explanation for the increase in membrane capacitance per unit area observed after fertilization. 3. The percentage reduction in membrane folding in fertilized eggs after immersion in hypotonic sea water is probably sufficient to explain the decrease in membrane capacitance per unit area observed in these conditions. PMID:13416315

A simple method for determination of erythritol, maltitol, xylitol, and sorbitol in sugar-free chocolates by capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection.

PubMed

Coelho, Aline Guadalupe; de Jesus, Dosil Pereira

2016-11-01

In this work, a novel and simple analytical method using capillary electrophoresis (CE) with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C 4 D) is proposed for the determination of the polyols erythritol, maltitol, xylitol, and sorbitol in sugar-free chocolate. CE separation of the polyols was achieved in less than 6 min, and it was mediated by the interaction between the polyols and the borate ions in the background electrolyte, forming negatively charged borate esters. The extraction of the polyols from the samples was simply obtained using ultra-pure water and ultrasonic energy. Linearity was assessed by calibration curves that showed R 2 varying from 0.9920 to 0.9976. The LOQs were 12.4, 15.9, 9.0, and 9.0 μg/g for erythritol, maltitol, xylitol, and sorbitol, respectively. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by recovery tests, and the obtained recoveries varied from 70 to 116% with standard deviations ranging from 0.2 to 19%. The CE-C 4 D method was successfully applied for the determination of the studied polyols in commercial samples of sugar-free chocolate. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Uniformity control of the deposition rate profile of a-Si:H film by gas velocity and temperature distributions in a capacitively coupled plasma reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Ho Jun; Lee, Hae June

2018-03-01

The effect of neutral transport on the deposition rate profiles of thin films formed by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) is investigated to improve the uniformity of amorphous hydrogenated silicon films. The PECVD reactor with a cylindrical showerhead is numerically simulated with a variation of the gas velocity and temperature in the capacitively coupled plasma with an intermediate-pressure SiH4/He gas mixture. The modulation of the gas velocity distribution results in a noticeable change in the density distributions of neutral molecules such as SiH4, SiH3, H, SiH2, and Si2H6, especially in the vicinity of the electrode edge. With the locally accelerated gas flow, the concomitant increase in Si2H6 density near the electrode edge induces increases in both the electron density and the deposition rate profile near the electrode edge. In addition, it is observed that changing the surface temperature distribution by changing the sidewall temperature can also effectively modulate the plasma density distributions. The simulated deposition rate profile matches the experimental data well, even under non-isothermal wall boundary conditions.

Scanning gate imaging of two coupled quantum dots in single-walled carbon nanotubes.

PubMed

Zhou, Xin; Hedberg, James; Miyahara, Yoichi; Grutter, Peter; Ishibashi, Koji

2014-12-12

Two coupled single wall carbon nanotube quantum dots in a multiple quantum dot system were characterized by using a low temperature scanning gate microscopy (SGM) technique, at a temperature of 170 mK. The locations of single wall carbon nanotube quantum dots were identified by taking the conductance images of a single wall carbon nanotube contacted by two metallic electrodes. The single electron transport through single wall carbon nanotube multiple quantum dots has been observed by varying either the position or voltage bias of a conductive atomic force microscopy tip. Clear hexagonal patterns were observed in the region of the conductance images where only two sets of overlapping conductance rings are visible. The values of coupling capacitance over the total capacitance of the two dots, C(m)/C(1(2)) have been extracted to be 0.21 ∼ 0.27 and 0.23 ∼ 0.28, respectively. In addition, the interdot coupling (conductance peak splitting) has also been confirmed in both conductance image measurement and current-voltage curves. The results show that a SGM technique enables spectroscopic investigation of coupled quantum dots even in the presence of unexpected multiple quantum dots.

Estimation of Leakage Potential of Selected Sites in Interstate and Tri-State Canals Using Geostatistical Analysis of Selected Capacitively Coupled Resistivity Profiles, Western Nebraska, 2004

USGS Publications Warehouse

Vrabel, Joseph; Teeple, Andrew; Kress, Wade H.

2009-01-01

With increasing demands for reliable water supplies and availability estimates, groundwater flow models often are developed to enhance understanding of surface-water and groundwater systems. Specific hydraulic variables must be known or calibrated for the groundwater-flow model to accurately simulate current or future conditions. Surface geophysical surveys, along with selected test-hole information, can provide an integrated framework for quantifying hydrogeologic conditions within a defined area. In 2004, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the North Platte Natural Resources District, performed a surface geophysical survey using a capacitively coupled resistivity technique to map the lithology within the top 8 meters of the near-surface for 110 kilometers of the Interstate and Tri-State Canals in western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming. Assuming that leakage between the surface-water and groundwater systems is affected primarily by the sediment directly underlying the canal bed, leakage potential was estimated from the simple vertical mean of inverse-model resistivity values for depth levels with geometrically increasing layer thickness with depth which resulted in mean-resistivity values biased towards the surface. This method generally produced reliable results, but an improved analysis method was needed to account for situations where confining units, composed of less permeable material, underlie units with greater permeability. In this report, prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the North Platte Natural Resources District, the authors use geostatistical analysis to develop the minimum-unadjusted method to compute a relative leakage potential based on the minimum resistivity value in a vertical column of the resistivity model. The minimum-unadjusted method considers the effects of homogeneous confining units. The minimum-adjusted method also is developed to incorporate the effect of local lithologic heterogeneity on water

Method and apparatus for measuring low currents in capacitance devices

DOEpatents

Kopp, M.K.; Manning, F.W.; Guerrant, G.C.

1986-06-04

A method and apparatus for measuring subnanoampere currents in capacitance devices is reported. The method is based on a comparison of the voltages developed across the capacitance device with that of a reference capacitor in which the current is adjusted by means of a variable current source to produce a stable voltage difference. The current varying means of the variable current source is calibrated to provide a read out of the measured current. Current gain may be provided by using a reference capacitor which is larger than the device capacitance with a corresponding increase in current supplied through the reference capacitor. The gain is then the ratio of the reference capacitance to the device capacitance. In one illustrated embodiment, the invention makes possible a new type of ionizing radiation dose-rate monitor where dose-rate is measured by discharging a reference capacitor with a variable current source at the same rate that radiation is discharging an ionization chamber. The invention eliminates high-megohm resistors and low current ammeters used in low-current measuring instruments.

Plasmon resonances on opto-capacitive nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahcheraghi, N.; Dowd, A.; Arnold, M. D.; Cortie, M. B.

2015-12-01

Silver is considered as one of the most desirable materials for plasmonic devices due to it having low loss, low epsilon2, across the visible spectrum. In addition, silver nanotriangles can self-assemble into complex structures that can include tip-totip or base-to-base arrangements. While the optical properties of tip-to-tip dimers of nanotriangles have been quite intensively studied, the geometric inverse, the base-to-base configuration, has received much less attention. Here we report the results of a computational study of the optical response of this latter configuration. Calculations were performed using the discrete dipole approximation. The effect of gap size and substrate are considered. The results indicate that the base-to-base configuration can sustain a strong coupled dipole and various multimode resonances. The pairing of the parallel triangle edges produces a strongly capacitive configuration and very intense electric fields over an extended volume of space. Therefore, the base-to-base configuration could be suitable for a range of plasmonic applications that require a strong and uniform concentration of electric field. Examples include refractometeric sensing or metal-enhanced fluorescence.

Transparent Flexible Active Faraday Cage Enables In Vivo Capacitance Measurement in Assembled Microsensor.

PubMed

Ahmadi, Mahdi; Rajamani, Rajesh; Sezen, Serdar

2017-10-01

Capacitive micro-sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes and pressure sensors are increasingly used in the modern electronic world. However, the in vivo use of capacitive sensing for measurement of pressure or other variables inside a human body suffers from significant errors due to stray capacitance. This paper proposes a solution consisting of a transparent thin flexible Faraday cage that surrounds the sensor. By supplying the active sensing voltage simultaneously to the deformable electrode of the capacitive sensor and to the Faraday cage, the stray capacitance during in vivo measurements can be largely eliminated. Due to the transparency of the Faraday cage, the top and bottom portions of a capacitive sensor can be accurately aligned and assembled together. Experimental results presented in the paper show that stray capacitance is reduced by a factor of 10 by the Faraday cage, when the sensor is subjected to a full immersion in water.

Concentration Fluctuations and Capacitive Response in Dense Ionic Solutions.

PubMed

Uralcan, Betul; Aksay, Ilhan A; Debenedetti, Pablo G; Limmer, David T

2016-07-07

We use molecular dynamics simulations in a constant potential ensemble to study the effects of solution composition on the electrochemical response of a double layer capacitor. We find that the capacitance first increases with ion concentration following its expected ideal solution behavior but decreases upon approaching a pure ionic liquid in agreement with recent experimental observations. The nonmonotonic behavior of the capacitance as a function of ion concentration results from the competition between the independent motion of solvated ions in the dilute regime and solvation fluctuations in the concentrated regime. Mirroring the capacitance, we find that the characteristic decay length of charge density correlations away from the electrode is also nonmonotonic. The correlation length first decreases with ion concentration as a result of better electrostatic screening but increases with ion concentration as a result of enhanced steric interactions. When charge fluctuations induced by correlated ion-solvent fluctuations are large relative to those induced by the pure ionic liquid, such capacitive behavior is expected to be generic.

Reducing orbital eccentricity of precessing black-hole binaries

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Buonanno, Alessandra; Taracchini, Andrea; Kidder, Lawrence E.

2011-05-15

Building initial conditions for generic binary black-hole evolutions which are not affected by initial spurious eccentricity remains a challenge for numerical-relativity simulations. This problem can be overcome by applying an eccentricity-removal procedure which consists of evolving the binary black hole for a couple of orbits, estimating the resulting eccentricity, and then restarting the simulation with corrected initial conditions. The presence of spins can complicate this procedure. As predicted by post-Newtonian theory, spin-spin interactions and precession prevent the binary from moving along an adiabatic sequence of spherical orbits, inducing oscillations in the radial separation and in the orbital frequency. For single-spinmore » binary black holes these oscillations are a direct consequence of monopole-quadrupole interactions. However, spin-induced oscillations occur at approximately twice the orbital frequency, and therefore can be distinguished and disentangled from the initial spurious eccentricity which occurs at approximately the orbital frequency. Taking this into account, we develop a new eccentricity-removal procedure based on the derivative of the orbital frequency and find that it is rather successful in reducing the eccentricity measured in the orbital frequency to values less than 10{sup -4} when moderate spins are present. We test this new procedure using numerical-relativity simulations of binary black holes with mass ratios 1.5 and 3, spin magnitude 0.5, and various spin orientations. The numerical simulations exhibit spin-induced oscillations in the dynamics at approximately twice the orbital frequency. Oscillations of similar frequency are also visible in the gravitational-wave phase and frequency of the dominant l=2, m=2 mode.« less

Optimal traits of plant hydraulic capacitance as an adaptation to hydroclimatic variability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartzell, S. R.; Bartlett, M. S., Jr.; Porporato, A. M.

2016-12-01

Hydraulic capacitance allows plants to uptake and store water when it is abundant. This stored water is utilized during periods of water stress, decreasing tissue damage and increasing carbon assimilation. By providing a more consistent and readily accessible water supply, it buffers water stress variability across daily and seasonal timescales. The rate of plant water storage and withdrawal varies widely between plant species and is principally governed by several plant hydraulic parameters, principally the hydraulic capacitance, the total water storage capacity, and the conductance between xylem and water storage tissue. The timescale of the plant response to changes in environmental conditions may be related to the timescale of relevant environmental variability. For example, the Baobab tree (Adansonia), which grows in an environment with very strong seasonal rainfall variability, has a relatively long timescale of hydraulic response, while an evergreen tree such as Pinus taeda, which mainly contends with daily and inter-rainfall moisture variability, has a much shorter timescale of hydraulic response. Here a model of hydraulic capacitance is coupled to a resistance model of soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. We force this model with stochastic rainfall and examine plant responses to moisture variability at various timescales. Optimal plant hydraulic properties are examined as a function of mean soil moisture (daily variability), mean period between rainfall events (inter-rainfall variability), and seasonal rainfall variability, and the relative importance of each type of variability in shaping plant water use strategies is assessed. Results are compared to typical hydraulic parameters of plants growing under specific environmental conditions. Values of hydraulic traits which optimize carbon assimilation and water use efficiency are found; these values are dependent on mean environmental conditions as well as the timescale of environmental variability.

Wireless Capacitive Pressure Sensor Operating up to 400 Celcius from 0 to 100 psi Utilizing Power Scavenging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scardelletti, Maximilian C.; Ponchak, George E.; Harsh, Kevin; Mackey, Jonathan A.; Meredith, Roger D.; Zorman, Christian A.; Beheim, Glenn M.; Dynys, Frederick W.; Hunter, Gary W.

2014-01-01

In this paper, a wireless capacitive pressure sensor developed for the health monitoring of aircraft engines has been demonstrated. The sensing system is composed of a Clapp-type oscillator that operates at 131 MHz. The Clapp oscillator is fabricated on a alumina substrate and consists of a Cree SiC (silicon carbide) MESFET (Metal Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors), this film inductor, Compex chip capacitors and Sporian Microsystem capacitive pressure sensor. The resonant tank circuit within the oscillator is made up of the pressure sensor and a spiral thin film inductor, which is used to magnetically couple the wireless pressure sensor signal to a coil antenna placed over 1 meter away. 75% of the power used to bias the sensing system is generated from thermoelectric power modules. The wireless pressure sensor is operational at room temperature through 400 C from 0 to 100 psi and exhibits a frequency shift of over 600 kHz.

Neutron-Star-Black-Hole Binaries Produced by Binary-Driven Hypernovae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fryer, Chris L.; Oliveira, F. G.; Rueda, J. A.; Ruffini, R.

2015-12-01

Binary-driven hypernovae (BdHNe) within the induced gravitational collapse paradigm have been introduced to explain energetic (Eiso≳1052 erg ), long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) associated with type Ic supernovae (SNe). The progenitor is a tight binary composed of a carbon-oxygen (CO) core and a neutron-star (NS) companion, a subclass of the newly proposed "ultrastripped" binaries. The CO-NS short-period orbit causes the NS to accrete appreciable matter from the SN ejecta when the CO core collapses, ultimately causing it to collapse to a black hole (BH) and producing a GRB. These tight binaries evolve through the SN explosion very differently than compact binaries studied in population synthesis calculations. First, the hypercritical accretion onto the NS companion alters both the mass and the momentum of the binary. Second, because the explosion time scale is on par with the orbital period, the mass ejection cannot be assumed to be instantaneous. This dramatically affects the post-SN fate of the binary. Finally, the bow shock created as the accreting NS plows through the SN ejecta transfers angular momentum, braking the orbit. These systems remain bound even if a large fraction of the binary mass is lost in the explosion (well above the canonical 50% limit), and even large kicks are unlikely to unbind the system. Indeed, BdHNe produce a new family of NS-BH binaries unaccounted for in current population synthesis analyses and, although they may be rare, the fact that nearly 100% remain bound implies that they may play an important role in the compact merger rate, important for gravitational waves that, in turn, can produce a new class of ultrashort GRBs.

Improving accuracy of electrochemical capacitance and solvation energetics in first-principles calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sundararaman, Ravishankar; Letchworth-Weaver, Kendra; Schwarz, Kathleen A.

2018-04-01

Reliable first-principles calculations of electrochemical processes require accurate prediction of the interfacial capacitance, a challenge for current computationally efficient continuum solvation methodologies. We develop a model for the double layer of a metallic electrode that reproduces the features of the experimental capacitance of Ag(100) in a non-adsorbing, aqueous electrolyte, including a broad hump in the capacitance near the potential of zero charge and a dip in the capacitance under conditions of low ionic strength. Using this model, we identify the necessary characteristics of a solvation model suitable for first-principles electrochemistry of metal surfaces in non-adsorbing, aqueous electrolytes: dielectric and ionic nonlinearity, and a dielectric-only region at the interface. The dielectric nonlinearity, caused by the saturation of dipole rotational response in water, creates the capacitance hump, while ionic nonlinearity, caused by the compactness of the diffuse layer, generates the capacitance dip seen at low ionic strength. We show that none of the previously developed solvation models simultaneously meet all these criteria. We design the nonlinear electrochemical soft-sphere solvation model which both captures the capacitance features observed experimentally and serves as a general-purpose continuum solvation model.

Pulsars in binary systems: probing binary stellar evolution and general relativity.

PubMed

Stairs, Ingrid H

2004-04-23

Radio pulsars in binary orbits often have short millisecond spin periods as a result of mass transfer from their companion stars. They therefore act as very precise, stable, moving clocks that allow us to investigate a large set of otherwise inaccessible astrophysical problems. The orbital parameters derived from high-precision binary pulsar timing provide constraints on binary evolution, characteristics of the binary pulsar population, and the masses of neutron stars with different mass-transfer histories. These binary systems also test gravitational theories, setting strong limits on deviations from general relativity. Surveys for new pulsars yield new binary systems that increase our understanding of all these fields and may open up whole new areas of physics, as most spectacularly evidenced by the recent discovery of an extremely relativistic double-pulsar system.

Contribution of Dielectric Screening to the Total Capacitance of Few-Layer Graphene Electrodes.

PubMed

Zhan, Cheng; Jiang, De-en

2016-03-03

We apply joint density functional theory (JDFT), which treats the electrode/electrolyte interface self-consistently, to an electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) based on few-layer graphene electrodes. The JDFT approach allows us to quantify a third contribution to the total capacitance beyond quantum capacitance (CQ) and EDL capacitance (CEDL). This contribution arises from the dielectric screening of the electric field by the surface of the few-layer graphene electrode, and we therefore term it the dielectric capacitance (CDielec). We find that CDielec becomes significant in affecting the total capacitance when the number of graphene layers in the electrode is more than three. Our investigation sheds new light on the significance of the electrode dielectric screening on the capacitance of few-layer graphene electrodes.

Preparation and electrochemical capacitance performances of super-hydrophilic conducting polyaniline

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xingwei; Li, Xiaohan; Dai, Na; Wang, Gengchao; Wang, Zhun

Super-hydrophilic conducting polyaniline was prepared by surface modification of polyaniline using tetraethyl orthosilicate in water/ethanol solution, whereas its conductivity was 4.16 S cm -1 at 25 °C. And its electrochemical capacitance performances as an electrode material were evaluated by the cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge test in 0.1 M H 2SO 4 aqueous solution. Its initial specific capacitance was 500 F g -1 at a constant current density of 1.5 A g -1, and the capacitance still reached about 400 F g -1 after 5000 consecutive cycles. Moreover, its capacitance retention ratio was circa 70% with the growth of current densities from 1.5 to 20 A g -1, indicating excellent rate capability. It would be a promising electrode material for aqueous redox supercapacitors.

Electrochemical and Capacitive Properties of Carbon Dots/Reduced Graphene Oxide Supercapacitors.

PubMed

Dang, Yong-Qiang; Ren, Shao-Zhao; Liu, Guoyang; Cai, Jiangtao; Zhang, Yating; Qiu, Jieshan

2016-11-14

There is much recent interest in graphene-based composite electrode materials because of their excellent mechanical strengths, high electron mobilities, and large specific surface areas. These materials are good candidates for applications in supercapacitors. In this work, a new graphene-based electrode material for supercapacitors was fabricated by anchoring carbon dots (CDs) on reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The capacitive properties of electrodes in aqueous electrolytes were systematically studied by galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The capacitance of rGO was improved when an appropriate amount of CDs were added to the material. The CD/rGO electrode exhibited a good reversibility, excellent rate capability, fast charge transfer, and high specific capacitance in 1 M H₂SO₄. Its capacitance was as high as 211.9 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g. This capacitance was 74.3% higher than that of a pristine rGO electrode (121.6 F/g), and the capacitance of the CD/rGO electrode retained 92.8% of its original value after 1000 cycles at a CDs-to-rGO ratio of 5:1.

On singlet metastable states, ion flux and ion energy in single and dual frequency capacitively coupled oxygen discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hannesdottir, H.; Gudmundsson, J. T.

2017-05-01

We apply particle-in-cell simulations with Monte Carlo collisions to study the influence of the singlet metastable states on the ion energy distribution in single and dual frequency capacitively coupled oxygen discharges. For this purpose, the one-dimensional object-oriented particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision code oopd1 is used, in which the discharge model includes the following nine species: electrons, the neutrals O(3P) and O{{}2}≤ft({{\\text{X}}3} Σ g-\\right. ), the negative ions O-, the positive ions O+ and O2+ , and the metastables O(1D), O{{}2}≤ft({{\\text{a}}1}{{ Δ }g}\\right) and O2(b{{}1} Σ g+ ). Earlier, we have explored the effects of adding the species O{{}2}≤ft({{\\text{a}}1}{{ Δ }g}\\right. ) and O2(b{{}1} Σ g+ ), and an energy-dependent secondary electron emission yield for oxygen ions and neutrals, to the discharge model. We found that including the two molecular singlet metastable states decreases the ohmic heating and the effective electron temperature in the bulk region (the electronegative core). Here we explore how these metastable states influence dual frequency discharges consisting of a fundamental frequency and the lowest even harmonics. Including or excluding the detachment reactions of the metastables O{{}2}≤ft({{\\text{a}}1}{{ Δ }g}\\right. ) and O2(b{{}1} Σ g+ ) can shift the peak electron temperature from the grounded to the powered electrode or vice versa, depending on the phase difference of the two applied frequencies. These metastable states can furthermore significantly influence the peak of the ion energy distribution for O2+ -ions bombarding the powered electrode, and hence the average ion energy upon bombardment of the electrode, and lower the ion flux.

Capacitive sensing of droplets for microfluidic devices based on thermocapillary actuation.

PubMed

Chen, Jian Z; Darhuber, Anton A; Troian, Sandra M; Wagner, Sigurd

2004-10-01

The design and performance of a miniaturized coplanar capacitive sensor is presented whose electrode arrays can also function as resistive microheaters for thermocapillary actuation of liquid films and droplets. Optimal compromise between large capacitive signal and high spatial resolution is obtained for electrode widths comparable to the liquid film thickness measured, in agreement with supporting numerical simulations which include mutual capacitance effects. An interdigitated, variable width design, allowing for wider central electrodes, increases the capacitive signal for liquid structures with non-uniform height profiles. The capacitive resolution and time response of the current design is approximately 0.03 pF and 10 ms, respectively, which makes possible a number of sensing functions for nanoliter droplets. These include detection of droplet position, size, composition or percentage water uptake for hygroscopic liquids. Its rapid response time allows measurements of the rate of mass loss in evaporating droplets.

High-Capacitance Mechanism for Ti3C2Tx MXene by in Situ Electrochemical Raman Spectroscopy Investigation.

PubMed

Hu, Minmin; Li, Zhaojin; Hu, Tao; Zhu, Shihao; Zhang, Chao; Wang, Xiaohui

2016-12-27

MXenes represent an emerging family of conductive two-dimensional materials. Their representative, Ti 3 C 2 T x , has been recognized as an outstanding member in the field of electrochemical energy storage. However, an in-depth understanding of fundamental processes responsible for the superior capacitance of Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene in acidic electrolytes is lacking. Here, to understand the mechanism of capacitance in Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene, we studied electrochemically the charge/discharge processes of Ti 3 C 2 T x electrodes in sulfate ion-containing aqueous electrolytes with three different cations, coupled with in situ Raman spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that hydronium in the H 2 SO 4 electrolyte bonds with the terminal O in the negative electrode upon discharging while debonding occurs upon charging. Correspondingly, the reversible bonding/debonding changes the valence state of Ti element in the MXene, giving rise to the pseudocapacitance in the acidic electrolyte. In stark contrast, only electric double layer capacitance is recognized in the other electrolytes of (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 or MgSO 4 . The charge storage ways also differ: ion exchange dominates in H 2 SO 4 , while counterion adsorption in the rest. Hydronium that is characterized by smaller hydration radius and less charge is the most mobile among the three cations, facilitating it more kinetically accommodated on the deep adsorption sites between the MXene layers. The two key factors, i.e., surface functional group-involved bonding/debonding-induced pseudocapacitance, and ion exchange-featured charge storage, simultaneously contribute to the superior capacitance of Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene in acidic electrolytes.

Strategies for dynamic soft-landing in capacitive microelectromechanical switches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jain, Ankit; Nair, Pradeep R.; Alam, Muhammad A.

2011-06-01

Electromechanical dielectric degradation associated with the hard landing of movable electrode is a technology-inhibiting reliability concern for capacitive RF-MEMS switches. In this letter, we propose two schemes for dynamic soft-landing that obviate the need for external feedback circuitry. Instead, the proposed resistive and capacitive braking schemes can reduce impact velocity significantly without compromising other performance characteristics like pull-in voltage and pull-in time. Resistive braking is achieved by inserting a resistance in series with the voltage source whereas capacitive braking requires patterning of the electrode or the dielectric. Our results have important implications to the design and optimization of reliability aware electrostatically actuated MEMS switches.

Biological capacitance studies of anodes in microbial fuel cells using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

PubMed

Lu, Zhihao; Girguis, Peter; Liang, Peng; Shi, Haifeng; Huang, Guangtuan; Cai, Lankun; Zhang, Lehua

2015-07-01

It is known that cell potential increases while anode resistance decreases during the start-up of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Biological capacitance, defined as the apparent capacitance attributed to biological activity including biofilm production, plays a role in this phenomenon. In this research, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was employed to study anode capacitance and resistance during the start-up period of MFCs so that the role of biological capacitance was revealed in electricity generation by MFCs. It was observed that the anode capacitance ranged from 3.29 to 120 mF which increased by 16.8% to 18-20 times over 10-12 days. Notably, lowering the temperature and arresting biological activity via fixation by 4% para formaldehyde resulted in the decrease of biological capacitance by 16.9 and 62.6%, indicating a negative correlation between anode capacitance and anode resistance of MFCs. Thus, biological capacitance of anode should play an important role in power generation by MFCs. We suggest that MFCs are not only biological reactors and/or electrochemical cells, but also biological capacitors, extending the vision on mechanism exploration of electron transfer, reactor structure design and electrode materials development of MFCs.

Neutron-star–black-hole binaries produced by binary-driven hypernovae

DOE PAGES

Fryer, Chris L.; Oliveira, F. G.; Rueda, Jorge A.; ...

2015-12-04

Here, binary-driven hypernovae (BdHNe) within the induced gravitational collapse paradigm have been introduced to explain energetic (E iso ≳10 52 erg), long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) associated with type Ic supernovae (SNe). The progenitor is a tight binary composed of a carbon-oxygen (CO) core and a neutron-star (NS) companion, a subclass of the newly proposed “ultrastripped” binaries. The CO-NS short-period orbit causes the NS to accrete appreciable matter from the SN ejecta when the CO core collapses, ultimately causing it to collapse to a black hole (BH) and producing a GRB. These tight binaries evolve through the SN explosion very differentlymore » than compact binaries studied in population synthesis calculations. First, the hypercritical accretion onto the NS companion alters both the mass and the momentum of the binary. Second, because the explosion time scale is on par with the orbital period, the mass ejection cannot be assumed to be instantaneous. This dramatically affects the post-SN fate of the binary. Finally, the bow shock created as the accreting NS plows through the SN ejecta transfers angular momentum, braking the orbit. These systems remain bound even if a large fraction of the binary mass is lost in the explosion (well above the canonical 50% limit), and even large kicks are unlikely to unbind the system. Indeed, BdHNe produce a new family of NS-BH binaries unaccounted for in current population synthesis analyses and, although they may be rare, the fact that nearly 100% remain bound implies that they may play an important role in the compact merger rate, important for gravitational waves that, in turn, can produce a new class of ultrashort GRBs.« less

Neutron-Star-Black-Hole Binaries Produced by Binary-Driven Hypernovae.

PubMed

Fryer, Chris L; Oliveira, F G; Rueda, J A; Ruffini, R

2015-12-04

Binary-driven hypernovae (BdHNe) within the induced gravitational collapse paradigm have been introduced to explain energetic (E_{iso}≳10^{52}  erg), long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) associated with type Ic supernovae (SNe). The progenitor is a tight binary composed of a carbon-oxygen (CO) core and a neutron-star (NS) companion, a subclass of the newly proposed "ultrastripped" binaries. The CO-NS short-period orbit causes the NS to accrete appreciable matter from the SN ejecta when the CO core collapses, ultimately causing it to collapse to a black hole (BH) and producing a GRB. These tight binaries evolve through the SN explosion very differently than compact binaries studied in population synthesis calculations. First, the hypercritical accretion onto the NS companion alters both the mass and the momentum of the binary. Second, because the explosion time scale is on par with the orbital period, the mass ejection cannot be assumed to be instantaneous. This dramatically affects the post-SN fate of the binary. Finally, the bow shock created as the accreting NS plows through the SN ejecta transfers angular momentum, braking the orbit. These systems remain bound even if a large fraction of the binary mass is lost in the explosion (well above the canonical 50% limit), and even large kicks are unlikely to unbind the system. Indeed, BdHNe produce a new family of NS-BH binaries unaccounted for in current population synthesis analyses and, although they may be rare, the fact that nearly 100% remain bound implies that they may play an important role in the compact merger rate, important for gravitational waves that, in turn, can produce a new class of ultrashort GRBs.

Trojan Binaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noll, K. S.

2017-12-01

The Jupiter Trojans, in the context of giant planet migration models, can be thought of as an extension of the small body populations found beyond Neptune in the Kuiper Belt. Binaries are a distinctive feature of small body populations in the Kuiper Belt with an especially high fraction apparent among the brightest Cold Classicals. The binary fraction, relative sizes, and separations in the dynamically excited populations (Scattered, Resonant) reflects processes that may have eroded a more abundant initial population. This trend continues in the Centaurs and Trojans where few binaries have been found. We review new evidence including a third resolved Trojan binary and lightcurve studies to understand how the Trojans are related to the small body populations that originated in the outer protoplanetary disk.

Coupling of demixing and magnetic ordering phase transitions probed by turbidimetric measurements in a binary mixture doped with magnetic nanoparticles.

PubMed

Hernández-Díaz, Lorenzo; Hernández-Reta, Juan Carlos; Encinas, Armando; Nahmad-Molinari, Yuri

2010-05-19

We present a novel study on the effect of a magnetic field applied on a binary mixture doped with magnetic nanoparticles close to its demixing transition. Turbidity measurements in the Faraday configuration show that the effect of applying an external field produces changes in the critical opalescence of the mixture that allow us to track an aggregation produced by critical Casimir forces and a reversible aggregation due to the formation of chain-like flocks in response to the external magnetic field. The observation of a crossover of the aggregation curves through optical signals is interpreted as the evolution from low to high power dispersion nuclei due to an increase in the radius of the condensation seed brought about by Casimir or magnetic interactions. Finally, evidence of an enhanced magnetocaloric effect due to the coupling between mixing and ordering phase transitions is presented which opens up a nonsolid state approach of designing refrigerating cycles and devices.

Three-port beam splitter of a binary fused-silica grating.

PubMed

Feng, Jijun; Zhou, Changhe; Wang, Bo; Zheng, Jiangjun; Jia, Wei; Cao, Hongchao; Lv, Peng

2008-12-10

A deep-etched polarization-independent binary fused-silica phase grating as a three-port beam splitter is designed and manufactured. The grating profile is optimized by use of the rigorous coupled-wave analysis around the 785 nm wavelength. The physical explanation of the grating is illustrated by the modal method. Simple analytical expressions of the diffraction efficiencies and modal guidelines for the three-port beam splitter grating design are given. Holographic recording technology and inductively coupled plasma etching are used to manufacture the fused-silica grating. Experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical values.

Contribution of dielectric screening to the total capacitance of few-layer graphene electrodes

DOE PAGES

Zhan, Cheng; Jiang, De-en

2016-02-17

We apply joint density functional theory (JDFT), which treats the electrode/electrolyte interface self-consistently, to an electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) based on few-layer graphene electrodes. The JDFT approach allows us to quantify a third contribution to the total capacitance beyond quantum capacitance (C Q) and EDL capacitance (C EDL). This contribution arises from the dielectric screening of the electric field by the surface of the few-layer graphene electrode, and we therefore term it the dielectric capacitance (C Dielec). We find that C Dielec becomes significant in affecting the total capacitance when the number of graphene layers in the electrode is moremore » than three. In conclusion, our investigation sheds new light on the significance of the electrode dielectric screening on the capacitance of few-layer graphene electrodes.« less

A comparative study of capacitively coupled HBr/He, HBr/Ar plasmas for etching applications: Numerical investigation by fluid model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gul, Banat, E-mail: banatgul@gmail.com; Research Group PLASMANT, Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp; Aman-ur-Rehman, E-mail: amansadiq@gmail.com

Fluid model has been applied to perform a comparative study of hydrogen bromide (HBr)/He and HBr/Ar capacitively coupled plasma discharges that are being used for anisotropic etching process. This model has been used to identify the most dominant species in HBr based plasmas. Our simulation results show that the neutral species like H and Br, which are the key player in chemical etching, have bell shape distribution, while ions like HBr{sup +}, Br{sup +}, which play a dominant rule in the physical etching, have double humped distribution and show peaks near electrodes. It was found that the dilution of HBrmore » by Ar and/or He results in an increase in electron density and electron temperature, which results in more ionization and dissociation and hence higher densities of neutral and charged species can be achieved. The ratio of positive ion flux to the neutral flux increases with an increase in additive gas fraction. Compare to HBr/He plasma, the HBr/Ar plasma shows a maximum change in the ion density and flux and hence the etching rate can be considered in the ion-assisted and in the ion-flux etch regime in HBr/Ar discharge. The densities of electron and other dominant species in HBr/Ar plasma are higher than those of HBr/He plasma. The densities and fluxes of the active neutrals and positive ions for etching and subsequently chemical etching versus physical sputtering in HBr/Ar and HBr/He plasmas discharge can be controlled by tuning gas mixture ratio and the desire etching can be achieved.« less

Effect of source frequency and pulsing on the SiO2 etching characteristics of dual-frequency capacitive coupled plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Hoe Jun; Jeon, Min Hwan; Mishra, Anurag Kumar; Kim, In Jun; Sin, Tae Ho; Yeom, Geun Young

2015-01-01

A SiO2 layer masked with an amorphous carbon layer (ACL) has been etched in an Ar/C4F8 gas mixture with dual frequency capacitively coupled plasmas under variable frequency (13.56-60 MHz)/pulsed rf source power and 2 MHz continuous wave (CW) rf bias power, the effects of the frequency and pulsing of the source rf power on the SiO2 etch characteristics were investigated. By pulsing the rf power, an increased SiO2 etch selectivity was observed with decreasing SiO2 etch rate. However, when the rf power frequency was increased, not only a higher SiO2 etch rate but also higher SiO2 etch selectivity was observed for both CW and pulse modes. A higher CF2/F ratio and lower electron temperature were observed for both a higher source frequency mode and a pulsed plasma mode. Therefore, when the C 1s binding states of the etched SiO2 surfaces were investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the increase of C-Fx bonding on the SiO2 surface was observed for a higher source frequency operation similar to a pulsed plasma condition indicating the increase of SiO2 etch selectivity over the ACL. The increase of the SiO2 etch rate with increasing etch selectivity for the higher source frequency operation appears to be related to the increase of the total plasma density with increasing CF2/F ratio in the plasma. The SiO2 etch profile was also improved not only by using the pulsed plasma but also by increasing the source frequency.

Sensitive Precise p H Measurement with Large-Area Graphene Field-Effect Transistors at the Quantum-Capacitance Limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fakih, Ibrahim; Mahvash, Farzaneh; Siaj, Mohamed; Szkopek, Thomas

2017-10-01

A challenge for p H sensing is decreasing the minimum measurable p H per unit bandwidth in an economical fashion. Minimizing noise to reach the inherent limit imposed by charge fluctuation remains an obstacle. We demonstrate here graphene-based ion-sensing field-effect transistors that saturate the physical limit of sensitivity, defined here as the change in electrical response with respect to p H , and achieve a precision limited by charge-fluctuation noise at the sensing layer. We present a model outlining the necessity for maximizing the device carrier mobility, active sensing area, and capacitive coupling in order to minimize noise. We encapsulate large-area graphene with an ultrathin layer of parylene, a hydrophobic polymer, and deposit an ultrathin, stoichiometric p H -sensing layer of either aluminum oxide or tantalum pentoxide. With these structures, we achieve gate capacitances ˜0.6 μ F /cm2 , approaching the quantum-capacitance limit inherent to graphene, along with a near-Nernstian p H response of ˜55 ±2 mV /p H . We observe field-effect mobilities as high as 7000 cm2 V-1 s-1 with minimal hysteresis as a result of the parylene encapsulation. A detection limit of 0.1 m p H in a 60-Hz electrical bandwidth is observed in optimized graphene transistors.

Optical/Infrared properties of Be stars in X-ray Binary systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naik, Sachindra

2018-04-01

Be/X-ray binaries, consisting of a Be star and a compact object (neutron star), form the largest subclass of High Mass X-ray Binaries. The orbit of the compact object around the Be star is wide and highly eccentric. Neutron stars in the Be/X-ray binaries are generally quiescent in X-ray emission. Transient X-ray outbursts seen in these objects are thought to be due to the interaction between the compact object and the circumstellar disk of the Be star at the periastron passage. Optical/infrared observations of the companion Be star during these outbursts show that the increase in the X-ray intensity of the neutron star is coupled with the decrease in the optical/infrared flux of the companion star. Apart from the change in optical/infrared flux, dramatic changes in the Be star emission line profiles are also seen during X-ray outbursts. Observational evidences of changes in the emission line profiles and optical/infrared continuum flux along with associated X-ray outbursts from the neutron stars in several Be/X-ray binaries are presented in this paper.

Calibration of micro-capacitance measurement system for thermal barrier coating testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Yuan; Chen, Dixiang; Wan, Chengbiao; Tian, Wugang; Pan, Mengchun

2018-06-01

In order to comprehensively evaluate the thermal barrier coating system of an engine blade, an integrated planar sensor combining electromagnetic coils with planar capacitors is designed, in which the capacitance measurement accuracy of the planar capacitor is a key factor. The micro-capacitance measurement system is built based on an impedance analyzer. Because of the influence of non-ideal factors on the measuring system, there is an obvious difference between the measured value and the actual value. It is necessary to calibrate the measured results and eliminate the difference. In this paper, the measurement model of a planar capacitive sensor is established, and the relationship between the measured value and the actual value of capacitance is deduced. The model parameters are estimated with the least square method, and the calibration accuracy is evaluated with experiments under different dielectric conditions. The capacitance measurement error is reduced from 29% ˜ 46.5% to around 1% after calibration, which verifies the feasibility of the calibration method.

Micromachined low frequency rocking accelerometer with capacitive pickoff

DOEpatents

Lee, Abraham P.; Simon, Jonathon N.; McConaghy, Charles F.

2001-01-01

A micro electro mechanical sensor that uses capacitive readout electronics. The sensor involves a micromachined low frequency rocking accelerometer with capacitive pickoff fabricated by deep reactive ion etching. The accelerometer includes a central silicon proof mass, is suspended by a thin polysilicon tether, and has a moving electrode (capacitor plate or interdigitated fingers) located at each end the proof mass. During movement (acceleration), the tethered mass moves relative to the surrounding packaging, for example, and this defection is measured capacitively by a plate capacitor or interdigitated finger capacitor, having the cooperating fixed electrode (capacitor plate or interdigitated fingers) positioned on the packaging, for example. The micromachined rocking accelerometer has a low frequency (<500 Hz), high sensitivity (.mu.G), with minimal power usage. The capacitors are connected to a power supply (battery) and to sensor interface electronics, which may include an analog to digital (A/D) converter, logic, RF communication link, antenna, etc. The sensor (accelerometer) may be, for example, packaged along with the interface electronics and a communication system in a 2".times.2".times.2" cube. The proof mass may be asymmetric or symmetric. Additional actuating capacitive plates may be used for feedback control which gives a greater dynamic range.

Distributed Capacitive Sensor for Sample Mass Measurement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Toda, Risaku; McKinney, Colin; Jackson, Shannon P.; Mojarradi, Mohammad; Manohara, Harish; Trebi-Ollennu, Ashitey

2011-01-01

Previous robotic sample return missions lacked in situ sample verification/ quantity measurement instruments. Therefore, the outcome of the mission remained unclear until spacecraft return. In situ sample verification systems such as this Distributed Capacitive (DisC) sensor would enable an unmanned spacecraft system to re-attempt the sample acquisition procedures until the capture of desired sample quantity is positively confirmed, thereby maximizing the prospect for scientific reward. The DisC device contains a 10-cm-diameter pressure-sensitive elastic membrane placed at the bottom of a sample canister. The membrane deforms under the weight of accumulating planetary sample. The membrane is positioned in close proximity to an opposing rigid substrate with a narrow gap. The deformation of the membrane makes the gap narrower, resulting in increased capacitance between the two parallel plates (elastic membrane and rigid substrate). C-V conversion circuits on a nearby PCB (printed circuit board) provide capacitance readout via LVDS (low-voltage differential signaling) interface. The capacitance method was chosen over other potential approaches such as the piezoelectric method because of its inherent temperature stability advantage. A reference capacitor and temperature sensor are embedded in the system to compensate for temperature effects. The pressure-sensitive membranes are aluminum 6061, stainless steel (SUS) 403, and metal-coated polyimide plates. The thicknesses of these membranes range from 250 to 500 m. The rigid substrate is made with a 1- to 2-mm-thick wafer of one of the following materials depending on the application requirements glass, silicon, polyimide, PCB substrate. The glass substrate is fabricated by a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication approach. Several concentric electrode patterns are printed on the substrate. The initial gap between the two plates, 100 m, is defined by a silicon spacer ring that is anodically bonded to the glass

Effect of Plasma Membrane Semipermeability in Making the Membrane Electric Double Layer Capacitances Significant.

PubMed

Sinha, Shayandev; Sachar, Harnoor Singh; Das, Siddhartha

2018-01-30

Electric double layers (or EDLs) formed at the membrane-electrolyte interface (MEI) and membrane-cytosol interface (MCI) of a charged lipid bilayer plasma membrane develop finitely large capacitances. However, these EDL capacitances are often much larger than the intrinsic capacitance of the membrane, and all of these capacitances are in series. Consequently, the effect of these EDL capacitances in dictating the overall membrane-EDL effective capacitance C eff becomes negligible. In this paper, we challenge this conventional notion pertaining to the membrane-EDL capacitances. We demonstrate that, on the basis of the system parameters, the EDL capacitance for both the permeable and semipermeable membranes can be small enough to influence C eff . For the semipermeable membranes, however, this lowering of the EDL capacitance can be much larger, ensuring a reduction of C eff by more than 20-25%. Furthermore, for the semipermeable membranes, the reduction in C eff is witnessed over a much larger range of system parameters. We attribute such an occurrence to the highly nonintuitive electrostatic potential distribution associated with the recently discovered phenomena of charge-inversion-like electrostatics and the attainment of a positive zeta potential at the MCI for charged semipermeable membranes. We anticipate that our findings will impact the quantification and the identification of a large number of biophysical phenomena that are probed by measuring the plasma membrane capacitance.

Density Functional Theory Calculations of the Quantum Capacitance of Graphene Oxide as a Supercapacitor Electrode.

PubMed

Song, Ce; Wang, Jinyan; Meng, Zhaoliang; Hu, Fangyuan; Jian, Xigao

2018-03-31

Graphene oxide has become an attractive electrode-material candidate for supercapacitors thanks to its higher specific capacitance compared to graphene. The quantum capacitance makes relative contributions to the specific capacitance, which is considered as the major limitation of graphene electrodes, while the quantum capacitance of graphene oxide is rarely concerned. This study explores the quantum capacitance of graphene oxide, which bears epoxy and hydroxyl groups on its basal plane, by employing density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results demonstrate that the total density of states near the Fermi level is significantly enhanced by introducing oxygen-containing groups, which is beneficial for the improvement of the quantum capacitance. Moreover, the quantum capacitances of the graphene oxide with different concentrations of these two oxygen-containing groups are compared, revealing that more epoxy and hydroxyl groups result in a higher quantum capacitance. Notably, the hydroxyl concentration has a considerable effect on the capacitive behavior. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Energy relaxation mechanisms in capacitively shunted flux qubits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corcoles, Antonio; Rozen, Jim; Rothwell, Mary Beth; Keefe, George; di Vincenzo, David; Ketchen, Mark; Chow, Jerry; Rigetti, Chad; Rohrs, Jack; Borstelmann, Mark; Steffen, Matthias; IBM Quantum Computing Group Team

2011-03-01

Energy losses in superconducting qubits remain a major object of study in the road towards scalable, highly coherent qubit devices. The current understanding of the loss mechanisms in these devices is far from being complete and it is sometimes difficult to experimentally separate the different contributions to decoherence. Here we compare a traditional three Josephson-junction flux qubit to the recently implemented capacitively shunted flux qubit, whose energy decay is thought to be limited by dielectric losses arising from native oxides in the shunting capacitor. Keeping all parameters identical except for the shunting capacitance, we obtain energy relaxation times that are comparable for both types of qubit. This suggests that the energy relaxation time is not limited by junction losses in capacitively shunted flux qubits. We discuss some other possible loss mechanisms present in these devices.

Effect of driving voltages in dual capacitively coupled radio frequency plasma: A study by nonlinear global model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bora, B., E-mail: bbora@cchen.cl

2015-10-15

On the basis of nonlinear global model, a dual frequency capacitively coupled radio frequency plasma driven by 13.56 MHz and 27.12 MHz has been studied to investigate the influences of driving voltages on the generation of dc self-bias and plasma heating. Fluid equations for the ions inside the plasma sheath have been considered to determine the voltage-charge relations of the plasma sheath. Geometrically symmetric as well as asymmetric cases with finite geometrical asymmetry of 1.2 (ratio of electrodes area) have been considered to make the study more reasonable to experiment. The electrical asymmetry effect (EAE) and finite geometrical asymmetry is found tomore » work differently in controlling the dc self-bias. The amount of EAE has been primarily controlled by the phase angle between the two consecutive harmonics waveforms. The incorporation of the finite geometrical asymmetry in the calculations shift the dc self-bias towards negative polarity direction while increasing the amount of EAE is found to increase the dc self-bias in either direction. For phase angle between the two waveforms ϕ = 0 and ϕ = π/2, the amount of EAE increases significantly with increasing the low frequency voltage, whereas no such increase in the amount of EAE is found with increasing high frequency voltage. In contrast to the geometrically symmetric case, where the variation of the dc self-bias with driving voltages for phase angle ϕ = 0 and π/2 are just opposite in polarity, the variation for the geometrically asymmetric case is different for ϕ = 0 and π/2. In asymmetric case, for ϕ = 0, the dc self-bias increases towards the negative direction with increasing both the low and high frequency voltages, but for the ϕ = π/2, the dc-self bias is increased towards positive direction with increasing low frequency voltage while dc self-bias increases towards negative direction with increasing high frequency voltage.« less

Anomalous high capacitance in a coaxial single nanowire capacitor.

PubMed

Liu, Zheng; Zhan, Yongjie; Shi, Gang; Moldovan, Simona; Gharbi, Mohamed; Song, Li; Ma, Lulu; Gao, Wei; Huang, Jiaqi; Vajtai, Robert; Banhart, Florian; Sharma, Pradeep; Lou, Jun; Ajayan, Pulickel M

2012-06-06

Building entire multiple-component devices on single nanowires is a promising strategy for miniaturizing electronic applications. Here we demonstrate a single nanowire capacitor with a coaxial asymmetric Cu-Cu(2)O-C structure, fabricated using a two-step chemical reaction and vapour deposition method. The capacitance measured from a single nanowire device corresponds to ~140 μF cm(-2), exceeding previous reported values for metal-insulator-metal micro-capacitors and is more than one order of magnitude higher than what is predicted by classical electrostatics. Quantum mechanical calculations indicate that this unusually high capacitance may be attributed to a negative quantum capacitance of the dielectric-metal interface, enhanced significantly at the nanoscale.

Capacitance-digital and impedance converter as electrical tomography measurement system for biological tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikhsanti, Mila Izzatul; Bouzida, Rana; Wijaya, Sastra Kusuma; Rohmadi, Muttakin, Imamul; Taruno, Warsito P.

2017-02-01

This research aims to explore the feasibility of capacitance-digital converter and impedance converter for measurement module in electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) system. ECT sensor used was a cylindrical sensor having 8 electrodes. Absolute capacitance measurement system based on Sigma Delta Capacitance-to-Digital-Converter AD7746 has been shown to produce measurement with high resolution. Whereas, capacitance measurement with wide range of frequency is possible using Impedance Converter AD5933. Comparison of measurement accuracy by both AD7746 and AD5933 with reference of LCR meter was evaluated. Biological matters represented in water and oil were treated as object reconstructed into image using linear back projection (LBP) algorithm.

Testing the Binary Black Hole Nature of a Compact Binary Coalescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krishnendu, N. V.; Arun, K. G.; Mishra, Chandra Kant

2017-09-01

We propose a novel method to test the binary black hole nature of compact binaries detectable by gravitational wave (GW) interferometers and, hence, constrain the parameter space of other exotic compact objects. The spirit of the test lies in the "no-hair" conjecture for black holes where all properties of a Kerr black hole are characterized by its mass and spin. The method relies on observationally measuring the quadrupole moments of the compact binary constituents induced due to their spins. If the compact object is a Kerr black hole (BH), its quadrupole moment is expressible solely in terms of its mass and spin. Otherwise, the quadrupole moment can depend on additional parameters (such as the equation of state of the object). The higher order spin effects in phase and amplitude of a gravitational waveform, which explicitly contains the spin-induced quadrupole moments of compact objects, hence, uniquely encode the nature of the compact binary. Thus, we argue that an independent measurement of the spin-induced quadrupole moment of the compact binaries from GW observations can provide a unique way to distinguish binary BH systems from binaries consisting of exotic compact objects.

Testing the Binary Black Hole Nature of a Compact Binary Coalescence.

PubMed

Krishnendu, N V; Arun, K G; Mishra, Chandra Kant

2017-09-01

We propose a novel method to test the binary black hole nature of compact binaries detectable by gravitational wave (GW) interferometers and, hence, constrain the parameter space of other exotic compact objects. The spirit of the test lies in the "no-hair" conjecture for black holes where all properties of a Kerr black hole are characterized by its mass and spin. The method relies on observationally measuring the quadrupole moments of the compact binary constituents induced due to their spins. If the compact object is a Kerr black hole (BH), its quadrupole moment is expressible solely in terms of its mass and spin. Otherwise, the quadrupole moment can depend on additional parameters (such as the equation of state of the object). The higher order spin effects in phase and amplitude of a gravitational waveform, which explicitly contains the spin-induced quadrupole moments of compact objects, hence, uniquely encode the nature of the compact binary. Thus, we argue that an independent measurement of the spin-induced quadrupole moment of the compact binaries from GW observations can provide a unique way to distinguish binary BH systems from binaries consisting of exotic compact objects.

Ramp-integration technique for capacitance-type blade-tip clearance measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarma, Garimella R.; Barranger, John P.

The analysis of a proposed new technique for capacitance type blade tip clearance measurement is presented. The capacitance between the blade tip and a mounted capacitance electrode within a guard ring forms one of the feedback elements of a high speed operational amplifier. The differential equation governing the operational amplifier circuit is formulated and solved for two types of inputs to the amplifier - a constant voltage and a ramp. The resultant solution shows an output that contains a term that is proportional to the derivative of the product of the input voltage and the time constant of the feedback network. The blade tip clearance capacitance is obtained by subtracting the output of a balancing reference channel followed by integration. The proposed sampled data algorithm corrects for environmental effects and varying rotor speeds on-line, making the system suitable for turbine instrumentation. System requirements, block diagrams, and a typical application are included.

Ramp-integration technique for capacitance-type blade-tip clearance measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarma, G. R.; Barranger, J. P.

1986-05-01

The analysis of a proposed new technique for capacitance type blade tip clearance measurement is presented. The capacitance between the blade tip and a mounted capacitance electrode within a guard ring forms one of the feedback elements of a high speed operational amplifier. The differential equation governing the operational amplifier circuit is formulated and solved for two types of inputs to the amplifier - a constant voltage and a ramp. The resultant solutions shows an output that contains a term that is proportional to the derivative of the product of the input voltage and the time constant of the feedback network. The blade tip clearance capacitance is obtained by subtracting the output of a balancing reference channel followed by integration. The proposed sampled data algorithm corrects the environmental effects and varying rotor speeds on-line, making the system suitable for turbine instrumentation. System requirements, block diagrams, and typical application are included.

Quantum decrease of capacitance in a nanometer-sized tunnel junction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Untiedt, C.; Saenz, G.; Olivera, B.; Corso, M.; Sabater, C.; Pascual, J. I.

2013-03-01

We have studied the capacitance of the tunnel junction defined by the tip and sample of a Scanning Tunnelling Microscope through the measurement of the electrostatic forces and impedance of the junction. A decrease of the capacitance when a tunnel current is present has shown to be a more general phenomenon as previously reported in other systems. On another hand, an unexpected reduction of the capacitance is also observed when increasing the applied voltage above the work function energy of the electrodes to the Field Emission (FE) regime, and the decrease of capacitance due to a single FE-Resonance has been characterized. All these effects should be considered when doing measurements of the electronic characteristics of nanometer-sized electronic devices and have been neglected up to date. Spanish government (FIS2010-21883-C02-01, CONSOLIDER CSD2007-0010), Comunidad Valenciana (ACOMP/2012/127 and PROMETEO/2012/011)

Ramp-integration technique for capacitance-type blade-tip clearance measurement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sarma, Garimella R.; Barranger, John P.

1986-01-01

The analysis of a proposed new technique for capacitance type blade tip clearance measurement is presented. The capacitance between the blade tip and a mounted capacitance electrode within a guard ring forms one of the feedback elements of a high speed operational amplifier. The differential equation governing the operational amplifier circuit is formulated and solved for two types of inputs to the amplifier - a constant voltage and a ramp. The resultant solution shows an output that contains a term that is proportional to the derivative of the product of the input voltage and the time constant of the feedback network. The blade tip clearance capacitance is obtained by subtracting the output of a balancing reference channel followed by integration. The proposed sampled data algorithm corrects for environmental effects and varying rotor speeds on-line, making the system suitable for turbine instrumentation. System requirements, block diagrams, and a typical application are included.

Ramp-integration technique for capacitance-type blade-tip clearance measurement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sarma, G. R.; Barranger, J. P.

1986-01-01

The analysis of a proposed new technique for capacitance type blade tip clearance measurement is presented. The capacitance between the blade tip and a mounted capacitance electrode within a guard ring forms one of the feedback elements of a high speed operational amplifier. The differential equation governing the operational amplifier circuit is formulated and solved for two types of inputs to the amplifier - a constant voltage and a ramp. The resultant solutions shows an output that contains a term that is proportional to the derivative of the product of the input voltage and the time constant of the feedback network. The blade tip clearance capacitance is obtained by subtracting the output of a balancing reference channel followed by integration. The proposed sampled data algorithm corrects the environmental effects and varying rotor speeds on-line, making the system suitable for turbine instrumentation. System requirements, block diagrams, and typical application are included.

Tunable, Electrically Small, Inductively Coupled Antenna for Transportable Ionospheric Heating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esser, Benedikt; Mauch, Daniel; Dickens, James; Mankowski, John; Neuber, Andreas

2018-04-01

An electrically small antenna is evaluated for use as the principle radiating element in a mobile ionospheric heating array. Consisting of a small loop antenna inductively coupled to a capacitively loaded loop, the electrically small antenna provides high efficiency with the capability of being tuned within the range of ionospheric heating. At a factor 60 smaller in area than a High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program element, this antenna provides a compact, efficient radiating element for mobile ionospheric heating. A prototype antenna at 10 MHz was built to study large-scale feasibility and possible use with photoconductive semiconductor switch-based drivers. Based on the experimental study, the design has been extrapolated to a small 6 × 4 array of antennas. At a total power input of 16.1 MW this array is predicted to provide 3.6-GW effective radiated power typically required for ionospheric heating. Array cross talk is addressed, including effects upon individual antenna port parameters. Tuning within the range of ionospheric heating, 3-10 MHz, is made possible without the use of lossy dielectrics through a large capacitive area suited to tune the antenna. Considerations for high power operation across the band are provided including a method of driving the antenna with a simple switcher requiring no radio frequency cabling. Source matching may be improved via adjustment of the coupling between small loop antenna and capacitively loaded loop improving |S11| from -1 to -21 dB at 3 MHz.

Multiobjective synchronization of coupled systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Yang; Wang, Zidong; Wong, W. K.; Kurths, Jürgen; Fang, Jian-an

2011-06-01

In this paper, multiobjective synchronization of chaotic systems is investigated by especially simultaneously minimizing optimization of control cost and convergence speed. The coupling form and coupling strength are optimized by an improved multiobjective evolutionary approach that includes a hybrid chromosome representation. The hybrid encoding scheme combines binary representation with real number representation. The constraints on the coupling form are also considered by converting the multiobjective synchronization into a multiobjective constraint problem. In addition, the performances of the adaptive learning method and non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II as well as the effectiveness and contributions of the proposed approach are analyzed and validated through the Rössler system in a chaotic or hyperchaotic regime and delayed chaotic neural networks.

Frequency-Dependent Capacitance of Hydrophobic Membranes Containing Fixed Negative Charges

PubMed Central

Ilani, Asher

1968-01-01

Filters containing fixed negative charges were saturated with hydrophobic solvent and interposed between aqueous solutions. The capacitance of such membranes was measured in the frequency range of 0.05-30 kc. The capacitance increased with decrease in frequency. The frequency dependence of the capacitance was sensitive to nature of the cation present and to salt concentration in the aqueous solution. It is suggested that variation of membrane resistivity in the space charge region of the membrane is responsible for this phenomenon. Possible effects of the potential and counterion concentration profiles at the membrane-water interface are discussed. PMID:5699796

Enhanced Capacitance of Hybrid Layered Graphene/Nickel Nanocomposite for Supercapacitors

PubMed Central

Mohd Zaid, Norsaadatul Akmal; Idris, Nurul Hayati

2016-01-01

In this work, Ni nanoparticles were directly decorated on graphene (G) nanosheets via mechanical ball milling. Based on transmission electron microscopy observations, the Ni nanoparticles were well dispersed and attached to the G nanosheet without any agglomerations. Electrochemical results showed that the capacitance of a G/Ni nanocomposite was 275 F g−1 at a current density of 2 A g−1, which is higher than the capacitance of bare G (145 F g−1) and bare Ni (3 F g−1). The G/Ni electrode also showed superior performance at a high current density, exhibiting a capacitance of 190 F g−1 at a current density of 5 A g−1 and a capacitance of 144 F g−1 at a current density of 10 A g−1. The equivalent series resistance for G/Ni nanocomposites also decreased. The enhanced performance of this hybrid supercapacitor is best described by the synergistic effect, i.e. dual charge-storage mechanism, which is demonstrated by electrical double layer and pseudocapacitance materials. Moreover, a high specific surface area and electrical conductivity of the materials enhanced the capacitance. These results indicate that the G/Ni nanocomposite is a potential supercapacitor. PMID:27553290

Enhanced Capacitance of Hybrid Layered Graphene/Nickel Nanocomposite for Supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohd Zaid, Norsaadatul Akmal; Idris, Nurul Hayati

2016-08-01

In this work, Ni nanoparticles were directly decorated on graphene (G) nanosheets via mechanical ball milling. Based on transmission electron microscopy observations, the Ni nanoparticles were well dispersed and attached to the G nanosheet without any agglomerations. Electrochemical results showed that the capacitance of a G/Ni nanocomposite was 275 F g-1 at a current density of 2 A g-1, which is higher than the capacitance of bare G (145 F g-1) and bare Ni (3 F g-1). The G/Ni electrode also showed superior performance at a high current density, exhibiting a capacitance of 190 F g-1 at a current density of 5 A g-1 and a capacitance of 144 F g-1 at a current density of 10 A g-1. The equivalent series resistance for G/Ni nanocomposites also decreased. The enhanced performance of this hybrid supercapacitor is best described by the synergistic effect, i.e. dual charge-storage mechanism, which is demonstrated by electrical double layer and pseudocapacitance materials. Moreover, a high specific surface area and electrical conductivity of the materials enhanced the capacitance. These results indicate that the G/Ni nanocomposite is a potential supercapacitor.

Enhanced Capacitance of Hybrid Layered Graphene/Nickel Nanocomposite for Supercapacitors.

PubMed

Mohd Zaid, Norsaadatul Akmal; Idris, Nurul Hayati

2016-08-24

In this work, Ni nanoparticles were directly decorated on graphene (G) nanosheets via mechanical ball milling. Based on transmission electron microscopy observations, the Ni nanoparticles were well dispersed and attached to the G nanosheet without any agglomerations. Electrochemical results showed that the capacitance of a G/Ni nanocomposite was 275 F g(-1) at a current density of 2 A g(-1), which is higher than the capacitance of bare G (145 F g(-1)) and bare Ni (3 F g(-1)). The G/Ni electrode also showed superior performance at a high current density, exhibiting a capacitance of 190 F g(-1) at a current density of 5 A g(-1) and a capacitance of 144 F g(-1) at a current density of 10 A g(-1). The equivalent series resistance for G/Ni nanocomposites also decreased. The enhanced performance of this hybrid supercapacitor is best described by the synergistic effect, i.e. dual charge-storage mechanism, which is demonstrated by electrical double layer and pseudocapacitance materials. Moreover, a high specific surface area and electrical conductivity of the materials enhanced the capacitance. These results indicate that the G/Ni nanocomposite is a potential supercapacitor.

A numerical method for measuring capacitive soft sensors through one channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tairych, Andreas; Anderson, Iain A.

2018-03-01

Soft capacitive stretch sensors are well suited for unobtrusive wearable body motion capture. Conventional sensing methods measure sensor capacitances through separate channels. In sensing garments with many sensors, this results in high wiring complexity, and a large footprint of rigid sensing circuit boards. We have developed a more efficient sensing method that detects multiple sensors through only one channel, and one set of wires. It is based on a R-C transmission line assembled from capacitive conductive fabric stretch sensors, and external resistors. The unknown capacitances are identified by solving a system of nonlinear equations. These equations are established by modelling and continuously measuring transmission line reactances at different frequencies. Solving these equations numerically with a Newton-Raphson solver for the unknown capacitances enables real time reading of all sensors. The method was verified with a prototype comprising three sensors that is capable of detecting both individually and simultaneously stretched sensors. Instead of using three channels and six wires to detect the sensors, the task was achieved with only one channel and two wires.

Effect of gold nanoparticles on structure and dynamics of binary Lennard-Jones liquid: direct space analysis.

PubMed

Separdar, L; Davatolhagh, S

2013-02-01

We investigate the static structure and diffusive dynamics of binary Lennard-Jones mixture upon supercooling in the presence of gold nanoparticle within the framework of the mode-coupling theory of the dynamic glass transition in the direct space by means of constant-NVT molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that the presence of gold nanoparticle causes the energy per particle and the pressure of this system to decrease with respect to the bulk binary Lennard-Jones mixture. Furthermore, the presence of nanoparticle has a direct effect on the liquid structure and causes the peaks of the radial distribution functions to become shorter with respect to the bulk binary Lennard-Jones liquid. The dynamics of the liquid at a given density is found to be consistent with the mode-coupling theory (MCT) predictions in a certain range at low temperatures. In accordance with the idealized MCT, the diffusion constants D(T) show a power-law behavior at low temperatures for both types of binary Lennard-Jones (BLJ) particles as well as the gold atoms comprising the nanoparticle. The mode-coupling crossover temperature T(c) is the same for all particle types; however, T(c)=0.4 is reduced with respect to that of the bulk BLJ liquid, and the γ exponent is found to depend on the particle type. The existence of the nanoparticle causes the short-time β-relaxation regime to shorten and the range of validity of the MCT shrinks with respect to the bulk BLJ. It is also found that at intermediate and low temperatures the curves of the mean-squared displacements (MSDs) versus tD(T) fall onto a master curve. The MSDs follow the master curve in an identical time range with the long-time α-relaxation regime of the mode-coupling theory. By obtaining the viscosity, it is observed that the Stokes-Einstein relation remains valid at high and intermediate temperatures but breaks down as the temperatures approach T(c) as a result of the cooperative motion or activated processes.

Capacitive Behavior of Single Gallium Oxide Nanobelt

PubMed Central

Cai, Haitao; Liu, Hang; Zhu, Huichao; Shao, Pai; Hou, Changmin

2015-01-01

In this research, monocrystalline gallium oxide (Ga2O3) nanobelts were synthesized through oxidation of metal gallium at high temperature. An electronic device, based on an individual Ga2O3 nanobelt on Pt interdigital electrodes (IDEs), was fabricated to investigate the electrical characteristics of the Ga2O3 nanobelt in a dry atmosphere at room temperature. The current-voltage (I-V) and I/V-t characteristics show the capacitive behavior of the Ga2O3 nanobelt, indicating the existence of capacitive elements in the Pt/Ga2O3/Pt structure. PMID:28793506

Full Ionisation In Binary-Binary Encounters With Small Positive Energies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sweatman, W. L.

2006-08-01

Interactions between binary stars and single stars and binary stars and other binary stars play a key role in the dynamics of a dense stellar system. Energy can be transferred between the internal dynamics of a binary and the larger scale dynamics of the interacting objects. Binaries can be destroyed and created by the interaction. In a binary-binary encounter, full ionisation occurs when both of the binary stars are destroyed in the interaction to create four single stars. This is only possible when the total energy of the system is positive. For very small energies the probability of this occurring is very low and it tends towards zero as the total energy tends towards zero. Here the case is considered for which all the stars have equal masses. An asymptotic power law is predicted relating the probability of full ionisation with the total energy when this latter quantity is small. The exponent, which is approximately 2.31, is compared with the results from numerical scattering experiments. The theoretical approach taken is similar to one used previously in the three-body problem. It makes use of the fact that the most dramatic changes in scale and energies of a few-body system occur when its components pass near to a central configuration. The position, and number, of these configurations is not known for the general four-body problem, however, with equal masses there are known to be exactly five different cases. Separate consideration and comparison of the properties of orbits close to each of these five central configurations enables the prediction of the form of the cross-section for full ionisation for the case of small positive total energy. This is the relation between total energy and the probability of total ionisation described above.

Quantifying the thickness of the electrical double layer neutralizing a planar electrode: the capacitive compactness.

PubMed

Guerrero-García, Guillermo Iván; González-Tovar, Enrique; Chávez-Páez, Martín; Kłos, Jacek; Lamperski, Stanisław

2017-12-20

The spatial extension of the ionic cloud neutralizing a charged colloid or an electrode is usually characterized by the Debye length associated with the supporting charged fluid in the bulk. This spatial length arises naturally in the linear Poisson-Boltzmann theory of point charges, which is the cornerstone of the widely used Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek formalism describing the colloidal stability of electrified macroparticles. By definition, the Debye length is independent of important physical features of charged solutions such as the colloidal charge, electrostatic ion correlations, ionic excluded volume effects, or specific short-range interactions, just to mention a few. In order to include consistently these features to describe more accurately the thickness of the electrical double layer of an inhomogeneous charged fluid in planar geometry, we propose here the use of the capacitive compactness concept as a generalization of the compactness of the spherical electrical double layer around a small macroion (González-Tovar et al., J. Chem. Phys. 2004, 120, 9782). To exemplify the usefulness of the capacitive compactness to characterize strongly coupled charged fluids in external electric fields, we use integral equations theory and Monte Carlo simulations to analyze the electrical properties of a model molten salt near a planar electrode. In particular, we study the electrode's charge neutralization, and the maximum inversion of the net charge per unit area of the electrode-molten salt system as a function of the ionic concentration, and the electrode's charge. The behaviour of the associated capacitive compactness is interpreted in terms of the charge neutralization capacity of the highly correlated charged fluid, which evidences a shrinking/expansion of the electrical double layer at a microscopic level. The capacitive compactness and its first two derivatives are expressed in terms of experimentally measurable macroscopic properties such as the

A system for measuring thermal activation energy levels in silicon by thermally stimulated capacitance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cockrum, R. H.

1982-01-01

One method being used to determine energy level(s) and electrical activity of impurities in silicon is described. The method is called capacitance transient spectroscopy (CTS). It can be classified into three basic categories: the thermally stimulated capacitance method, the voltage-stimulated capacitance method, and the light-stimulated capacitance method; the first two categories are discussed. From the total change in capacitance and the time constant of the capacitance response, emission rates, energy levels, and trap concentrations can be determined. A major advantage of using CTS is its ability to detect the presence of electrically active impurities that are invisible to other techniques, such as Zeeman effect atomic absorption, and the ability to detect more than one electrically active impurity in a sample. Examples of detection of majority and minority carrier traps from gold donor and acceptor centers in silicon using the capacitance transient spectrometer are given to illustrate the method and its sensitivity.

Contamination of current-clamp measurement of neuron capacitance by voltage-dependent phenomena

PubMed Central

White, William E.

2013-01-01

Measuring neuron capacitance is important for morphological description, conductance characterization, and neuron modeling. One method to estimate capacitance is to inject current pulses into a neuron and fit the resulting changes in membrane potential with multiple exponentials; if the neuron is purely passive, the amplitude and time constant of the slowest exponential give neuron capacitance (Major G, Evans JD, Jack JJ. Biophys J 65: 423–449, 1993). Golowasch et al. (Golowasch J, Thomas G, Taylor AL, Patel A, Pineda A, Khalil C, Nadim F. J Neurophysiol 102: 2161–2175, 2009) have shown that this is the best method for measuring the capacitance of nonisopotential (i.e., most) neurons. However, prior work has not tested for, or examined how much error would be introduced by, slow voltage-dependent phenomena possibly present at the membrane potentials typically used in such work. We investigated this issue in lobster (Panulirus interruptus) stomatogastric neurons by performing current clamp-based capacitance measurements at multiple membrane potentials. A slow, voltage-dependent phenomenon consistent with residual voltage-dependent conductances was present at all tested membrane potentials (−95 to −35 mV). This phenomenon was the slowest component of the neuron's voltage response, and failure to recognize and exclude it would lead to capacitance overestimates of several hundredfold. Most methods of estimating capacitance depend on the absence of voltage-dependent phenomena. Our demonstration that such phenomena make nonnegligible contributions to neuron responses even at well-hyperpolarized membrane potentials highlights the critical importance of checking for such phenomena in all work measuring neuron capacitance. We show here how to identify such phenomena and minimize their contaminating influence. PMID:23576698

Negative Capacitance in BaTiO3/BiFeO3 Bilayer Capacitors.

PubMed

Hou, Ya-Fei; Li, Wei-Li; Zhang, Tian-Dong; Yu, Yang; Han, Ren-Lu; Fei, Wei-Dong

2016-08-31

Negative capacitances provide an approach to reduce heat generations in field-effect transistors during the switch processes, which contributes to further miniaturization of the conventional integrated circuits. Although there are many studies about negative capacitances using ferroelectric materials, the direct observation of stable ferroelectric negative capacitances has rarely been reported. Here, we put forward a dc bias assistant model in bilayer capacitors, where one ferroelectric layer with large dielectric constant and the other ferroelectric layer with small dielectric constant are needed. Negative capacitances can be obtained when external dc bias electric fields are larger than a critical value. Based on the model, BaTiO3/BiFeO3 bilayer capacitors are chosen as study objects, and negative capacitances are observed directly. Additionally, the upward self-polarization effect in the ferroelectric layer reduces the critical electric field, which may provide a method for realizing zero and/or small dc bias assistant negative capacitances.

Conduction-coupled Tesla transformer.

PubMed

Reed, J L

2015-03-01

A proof-of-principle Tesla transformer circuit is introduced. The new transformer exhibits the high voltage-high power output signal of shock-excited transformers. The circuit, with specification of proper circuit element values, is capable of obtaining extreme oscillatory voltages. The primary and secondary portions of the circuit communicate solely by conduction. The destructive arcing between the primary and secondary inductors in electromagnetically coupled transformers is ubiquitous. Flashover is eliminated in the new transformer as the high-voltage inductors do not interpenetrate and so do not possess an annular volume of electric field. The inductors are remote from one another. The high voltage secondary inductor is isolated in space, except for a base feed conductor, and obtains earth by its self-capacitance to the surroundings. Governing equations, for the ideal case of no damping, are developed from first principles. Experimental, theoretical, and circuit simulator data are presented for the new transformer. Commercial high-temperature superconductors are discussed as a means to eliminate the counter-intuitive damping due to small primary inductances in both the electromagnetic-coupled and new conduction-coupled transformers.

Flexible capacitive behavior of hybrid carbon materials prepared from graphene sheets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Y.-H.; Xie, W.; Zhang, P.; Jiang, Y.

2016-06-01

High frequency ultrasonication was employed to reduce the aggregation of graphene by constructing hybrid carbon materials (HCMs), which are endowed with a large electrochemical reaction area and high energy density. HCMs exhibited a specific capacitance of 168.5 F · g-1 with ˜100% capacitance retention over 500 cycles. Flexible supercapacitors fabricated from HCMs also showed an excellent capacitive behavior even under tough conditions. These outstanding electrochemical properties were ascribed to the increased specific surface area and open structure of HCMs.

Negative quantum capacitance induced by midgap states in single-layer graphene.

PubMed

Wang, Lin; Wang, Yang; Chen, Xiaolong; Zhu, Wei; Zhu, Chao; Wu, Zefei; Han, Yu; Zhang, Mingwei; Li, Wei; He, Yuheng; Xiong, Wei; Law, Kam Tuen; Su, Dangsheng; Wang, Ning

2013-01-01

We demonstrate that single-layer graphene (SLG) decorated with a high density of Ag adatoms displays the unconventional phenomenon of negative quantum capacitance. The Ag adatoms act as resonant impurities and form nearly dispersionless resonant impurity bands near the charge neutrality point (CNP). Resonant impurities quench the kinetic energy and drive the electrons to the Coulomb energy dominated regime with negative compressibility. In the absence of a magnetic field, negative quantum capacitance is observed near the CNP. In the quantum Hall regime, negative quantum capacitance behavior at several Landau level positions is displayed, which is associated with the quenching of kinetic energy by the formation of Landau levels. The negative quantum capacitance effect near the CNP is further enhanced in the presence of Landau levels due to the magnetic-field-enhanced Coulomb interactions.

Negative Quantum Capacitance Induced by Midgap States in Single-layer Graphene

PubMed Central

Wang, Lin; Wang, Yang; Chen, Xiaolong; Zhu, Wei; Zhu, Chao; Wu, Zefei; Han, Yu; Zhang, Mingwei; Li, Wei; He, Yuheng; Xiong, Wei; Law, Kam Tuen; Su, Dangsheng; Wang, Ning

2013-01-01

We demonstrate that single-layer graphene (SLG) decorated with a high density of Ag adatoms displays the unconventional phenomenon of negative quantum capacitance. The Ag adatoms act as resonant impurities and form nearly dispersionless resonant impurity bands near the charge neutrality point (CNP). Resonant impurities quench the kinetic energy and drive the electrons to the Coulomb energy dominated regime with negative compressibility. In the absence of a magnetic field, negative quantum capacitance is observed near the CNP. In the quantum Hall regime, negative quantum capacitance behavior at several Landau level positions is displayed, which is associated with the quenching of kinetic energy by the formation of Landau levels. The negative quantum capacitance effect near the CNP is further enhanced in the presence of Landau levels due to the magnetic-field-enhanced Coulomb interactions. PMID:23784258

Development of a Capacitive Ice Sensor to Measure Ice Growth in Real Time

PubMed Central

Zhi, Xiang; Cho, Hyo Chang; Wang, Bo; Ahn, Cheol Hee; Moon, Hyeong Soon; Go, Jeung Sang

2015-01-01

This paper presents the development of the capacitive sensor to measure the growth of ice on a fuel pipe surface in real time. The ice sensor consists of pairs of electrodes to detect the change in capacitance and a thermocouple temperature sensor to examine the ice formation situation. In addition, an environmental chamber was specially designed to control the humidity and temperature to simulate the ice formation conditions. From the humidity, a water film is formed on the ice sensor, which results in an increase in capacitance. Ice nucleation occurs, followed by the rapid formation of frost ice that decreases the capacitance suddenly. The capacitance is saturated. The developed ice sensor explains the ice growth providing information about the icing temperature in real time. PMID:25808770

Development of a capacitive ice sensor to measure ice growth in real time.

PubMed

Zhi, Xiang; Cho, Hyo Chang; Wang, Bo; Ahn, Cheol Hee; Moon, Hyeong Soon; Go, Jeung Sang

2015-03-19

This paper presents the development of the capacitive sensor to measure the growth of ice on a fuel pipe surface in real time. The ice sensor consists of pairs of electrodes to detect the change in capacitance and a thermocouple temperature sensor to examine the ice formation situation. In addition, an environmental chamber was specially designed to control the humidity and temperature to simulate the ice formation conditions. From the humidity, a water film is formed on the ice sensor, which results in an increase in capacitance. Ice nucleation occurs, followed by the rapid formation of frost ice that decreases the capacitance suddenly. The capacitance is saturated. The developed ice sensor explains the ice growth providing information about the icing temperature in real time.

Self similarities in desalination dynamics and performance using capacitive deionization.

PubMed

Ramachandran, Ashwin; Hemmatifar, Ali; Hawks, Steven A; Stadermann, Michael; Santiago, Juan G

2018-09-01

Charge transfer and mass transport are two underlying mechanisms which are coupled in desalination dynamics using capacitive deionization (CDI). We developed simple reduced-order models based on a mixed reactor volume principle which capture the coupled dynamics of CDI operation using closed-form semi-analytical and analytical solutions. We use the models to identify and explore self-similarities in the dynamics among flow rate, current, and voltage for CDI cell operation including both charging and discharging cycles. The similarity approach identifies the specific combination of cell (e.g. capacitance, resistance) and operational parameters (e.g. flow rate, current) which determine a unique effluent dynamic response. We here demonstrate self-similarity using a conventional flow between CDI (fbCDI) architecture, and we hypothesize that our similarity approach has potential application to a wide range of designs. We performed an experimental study of these dynamics and used well-controlled experiments of CDI cell operation to validate and explore limits of the model. For experiments, we used a CDI cell with five electrode pairs and a standard flow between (electrodes) architecture. Guided by the model, we performed a series of experiments that demonstrate natural response of the CDI system. We also identify cell parameters and operation conditions which lead to self-similar dynamics under a constant current forcing function and perform a series of experiments by varying flowrate, currents, and voltage thresholds to demonstrate self-similarity. Based on this study, we hypothesize that the average differential electric double layer (EDL) efficiency (a measure of ion adsorption rate to EDL charging rate) is mainly dependent on user-defined voltage thresholds, whereas flow efficiency (measure of how well desalinated water is recovered from inside the cell) depends on cell volumes flowed during charging, which is determined by flowrate, current and voltage thresholds

Inhibition of capacitation-associated tyrosine phosphorylation signaling in rat sperm by epididymal protein Crisp-1.

PubMed

Roberts, Kenneth P; Wamstad, Joseph A; Ensrud, Kathy M; Hamilton, David W

2003-08-01

Ejaculated sperm are unable to fertilize an egg until they undergo capacitation. Capacitation results in the acquisition of hyperactivated motility, changes in the properties of the plasma membrane, including changes in proteins and glycoproteins, and acquisition of the ability to undergo the acrosome reaction. In all mammalian species examined, capacitation requires removal of cholesterol from the plasma membrane and the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and HCO3-. We designed experiments to elucidate the conditions required for in vitro capacitation of rat spermatozoa and the effects of Crisp-1, an epididymal secretory protein, on capacitation. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation, a hallmark of capacitation in sperm of other species, occurs during 5 h of in vitro incubation, and this phosphorylation is dependent upon HCO3-, Ca2+, and the removal of cholesterol from the membrane. Crisp-1, which is added to the sperm surface in the epididymis in vivo, is lost during capacitation, and addition of exogenous Crisp-1 to the incubation medium inhibits tyrosine phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner, thus inhibiting capacitation and ultimately the acrosome reaction. Inhibition of capacitation by Crisp-1 occurs upstream of the production of cAMP by the sperm.

Capacitive touch sensing : signal and image processing algorithms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baharav, Zachi; Kakarala, Ramakrishna

2011-03-01

Capacitive touch sensors have been in use for many years, and recently gained center stage with the ubiquitous use in smart-phones. In this work we will analyze the most common method of projected capacitive sensing, that of absolute capacitive sensing, together with the most common sensing pattern, that of diamond-shaped sensors. After a brief introduction to the problem, and the reasons behind its popularity, we will formulate the problem as a reconstruction from projections. We derive analytic solutions for two simple cases: circular finger on a wire grid, and square finger on a square grid. The solutions give insight into the ambiguities of finding finger location from sensor readings. The main contribution of our paper is the discussion of interpolation algorithms including simple linear interpolation , curve fitting (parabolic and Gaussian), filtering, general look-up-table, and combinations thereof. We conclude with observations on the limits of the present algorithmic methods, and point to possible future research.

CMOS capacitive biosensors for highly sensitive biosensing applications.

PubMed

Chang, An-Yu; Lu, Michael S-C

2013-01-01

Magnetic microbeads are widely used in biotechnology and biomedical research for manipulation and detection of cells and biomolecules. Most lab-on-chip systems capable of performing manipulation and detection require external instruments to perform one of the functions, leading to increased size and cost. This work aims at developing an integrated platform to perform these two functions by implementing electromagnetic microcoils and capacitive biosensors on a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) chip. Compared to most magnetic-type sensors, our detection method requires no externally applied magnetic fields and the associated fabrication is less complicated. In our experiment, microbeads coated with streptavidin were driven to the sensors located in the center of microcoils with functionalized anti-streptavidin antibody. Detection of a single microbead was successfully demonstrated using a capacitance-to-frequency readout. The average capacitance changes for the experimental and control groups were -5.3 fF and -0.2 fF, respectively.

Electrical capacitance volume tomography of high contrast dielectrics using a cuboid geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nurge, Mark A.

An Electrical Capacitance Volume Tomography system has been created for use with a new image reconstruction algorithm capable of imaging high contrast dielectric distributions. The electrode geometry consists of two 4 x 4 parallel planes of copper conductors connected through custom built switch electronics to a commercially available capacitance to digital converter. Typical electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) systems rely solely on mutual capacitance readings to reconstruct images of dielectric distributions. This dissertation presents a method of reconstructing images of high contrast dielectric materials using only the self capacitance measurements. By constraining the unknown dielectric material to one of two values, the inverse problem is no longer ill-determined. Resolution becomes limited only by the accuracy and resolution of the measurement circuitry. Images were reconstructed using this method with both synthetic and real data acquired using an aluminum structure inserted at different positions within the sensing region. Comparisons with standard two dimensional ECT systems highlight the capabilities and limitations of the electronics and reconstruction algorithm.

Adaptable Binary Programs

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-04-01

a variation of Ziv - Lempel compression [ZL77]. We found that using a standard compression algorithm rather than semantic compression allowed simplified...mentation. In Proceedings of the Conference on Programming Language Design and Implementation, 1993. (ZL77] J. Ziv and A. Lempel . A universal algorithm ...required by adaptable binaries. Our ABS stores adaptable binary information using the conventional binary symbol table and compresses this data using

Parameters assessment of the inductively-coupled circuit for wireless power transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isaev, Yu N.; Vasileva, O. V.; Budko, A. A.; Lefebvre, S.

2017-02-01

In this paper, a wireless power transfer model through the example of inductively-coupled coils of irregular shape in software package COMSOL Multiphysics is studied. Circuit parameters, such as inductance, coil resistance and self-capacitance were defined through electromagnetic energy by the finite-element method. The study was carried out according to Helmholtz equation. Spatial distribution of current per unit depending on frequency and the coupling coefficient for analysis of resonant frequency and spatial distribution of the vector magnetic potential at different distances between coils were presented. The resulting algorithm allows simulating the wireless power transfer between the inductively coupled coils of irregular shape with the assessment of the optimal parameters.

Large Capacitance Measurement by Multiple Uses of MBL Charge Sensor

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Jung Sook; Chae, Min; Kim, Jung Bog

2010-01-01

A recent article by Morse described interesting electrostatics experiments using an MBL charge sensor. In this application, the charge sensor has a large capacitance compared to the charged test object, so nearly all charges can be transferred to the sensor capacitor from the capacitor to be measured. However, the typical capacitance of commercial…

Biochemical capacitance of Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms.

PubMed

Bueno, Paulo R; Schrott, Germán D; Bonanni, Pablo S; Simison, Silvia N; Busalmen, Juan P

2015-08-10

An electrical model able to decouple the electron pathway from microbial cell machinery impedance terms is introduced. In this context, capacitance characteristics of the biofilm are clearly resolved. In other words, the model allows separating, according to the advantage of frequency and spectroscopic response approach, the different terms controlling the performance of the microbial biofilm respiratory process and thus the directly related electricity production process. The model can be accurately fitted to voltammetry measurements obtained under steady-state conditions and also to biofilm discharge amperometric measurements. The implications of biological aspects of the electrochemical or redox capacitance are discussed theoretically in the context of current knowledge with regard to structure and physiological activity of microbial Geobacter biofilms. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Capacitors and Resistance-Capacitance Networks.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Balabanian, Norman; Root, Augustin A.

This programed textbook was developed under a contract with the United States Office of Education as Number 5 in a series of materials for use in an electrical engineering sequence. It is divided into three parts--(1) capacitors, (2) voltage-current relationships, and (3) simple resistance-capacitance networks. (DH)

Conductive polymer foam surface improves the performance of a capacitive EEG electrode.

PubMed

Baek, Hyun Jae; Lee, Hong Ji; Lim, Yong Gyu; Park, Kwang Suk

2012-12-01

In this paper, a new conductive polymer foam-surfaced electrode was proposed for use as a capacitive EEG electrode for nonintrusive EEG measurements in out-of-hospital environments. The current capacitive electrode has a rigid surface that produces an undefined contact area due to its stiffness, which renders it unable to conform to head curvature and locally isolates hairs between the electrode surface and scalp skin, making EEG measurement through hair difficult. In order to overcome this issue, a conductive polymer foam was applied to the capacitive electrode surface to provide a cushioning effect. This enabled EEG measurement through hair without any conductive contact with bare scalp skin. Experimental results showed that the new electrode provided lower electrode-skin impedance and higher voltage gains, signal-to-noise ratios, signal-to-error ratios, and correlation coefficients between EEGs measured by capacitive and conventional resistive methods compared to a conventional capacitive electrode. In addition, the new electrode could measure EEG signals, while the conventional capacitive electrode could not. We expect that the new electrode presented here can be easily installed in a hat or helmet to create a nonintrusive wearable EEG apparatus that does not make users look strange for real-world EEG applications.

Effect of hysteretic and non-hysteretic negative capacitance on tunnel FETs DC performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saeidi, Ali; Jazaeri, Farzan; Stolichnov, Igor; Luong, Gia V.; Zhao, Qing-Tai; Mantl, Siegfried; Ionescu, Adrian M.

2018-03-01

This work experimentally demonstrates that the negative capacitance effect can be used to significantly improve the key figures of merit of tunnel field effect transistor (FET) switches. In the proposed approach, a matching condition is fulfilled between a trained-polycrystalline PZT capacitor and the tunnel FET (TFET) gate capacitance fabricated on a strained silicon-nanowire technology. We report a non-hysteretic switch configuration by combining a homojunction TFET and a negative capacitance effect booster, suitable for logic applications, for which the on-current is increased by a factor of 100, the transconductance by 2 orders of magnitude, and the low swing region is extended. The operation of a hysteretic negative capacitance TFET, when the matching condition for the negative capacitance is fulfilled only in a limited region of operation, is also reported and discussed. In this late case, a limited improvement in the device performance is observed. Overall, the paper demonstrates the main beneficial effects of negative capacitance on TFETs are the overdrive and transconductance amplification, which exactly address the most limiting performances of current TFETs.

Binary Sources and Binary Lenses in Microlensing Surveys of MACHOs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrovic, N.; Di Stefano, R.; Perna, R.

2003-12-01

Microlensing is an intriguing phenomenon which may yield information about the nature of dark matter. Early observational searches identified hundreds of microlensing light curves. The data set consisted mainly of point-lens light curves and binary-lens events in which the light curves exhibit caustic crossings. Very few mildly perturbed light curves were observed, although this latter type should constitute the majority of binary lens light curves. Di Stefano (2001) has suggested that the failure to take binary effects into account may have influenced the estimates of optical depth derived from microlensing surveys. The work we report on here is the first step in a systematic analysis of binary lenses and binary sources and their impact on the results of statistical microlensing surveys. In order to asses the problem, we ran Monte-Carlo simulations of various microlensing events involving binary stars (both as the source and as the lens). For each event with peak magnification > 1.34, we sampled the characteristic light curve and recorded the chi squared value when fitting the curve with a point lens model; we used this to asses the perturbation rate. We also recorded the parameters of each system, the maximum magnification, the times at which each light curve started and ended and the number of caustic crossings. We found that both the binarity of sources and the binarity of lenses increased the lensing rate. While the binarity of sources had a negligible effect on the perturbation rates of the light curves, the binarity of lenses had a notable effect. The combination of binary sources and binary lenses produces an observable rate of interesting events exhibiting multiple "repeats" in which the magnification rises above and dips below 1.34 several times. Finally, the binarity of lenses impacted both the durations of the events and the maximum magnifications. This work was supported in part by the SAO intern program (NSF grant AST-9731923) and NASA contracts NAS8

Capacitive Cells for Dielectric Constant Measurement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aguilar, Horacio Munguía; Maldonado, Rigoberto Franco

2015-01-01

A simple capacitive cell for dielectric constant measurement in liquids is presented. As an illustrative application, the cell is used for measuring the degradation of overheated edible oil through the evaluation of their dielectric constant.

Directional Carrier Transfer in Strongly Coupled Binary Nanocrystal Superlattice Films Formed by Assembly and in Situ Ligand Exchange at a Liquid–Air Interface

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wu, Yaoting; Li, Siming; Gogotsi, Natalie

Two species of monodisperse nanocrystals (NCs) can self-assemble into a variety of complex 2D and 3D periodic structures, or binary NC superlattice (BNSL) films, based on the relative number and size of the NCs. BNSL films offer great promise for both fundamental scientific studies and optoelectronic applications; however, the utility of as-assembled structures has been limited by the insulating ligands that originate from the synthesis of NCs. Here we report the application of an in situ ligand exchange strategy at a liquid–air interface to replace the long synthesis ligands with short ligands while preserving the long-range order of BNSL films.more » This approach is demonstrated for BNSL structures consisting of PbSe NCs of different size combinations and ligands of interest for photovoltaic devices, infrared detectors, and light-emitting diodes. To confirm enhanced coupling introduced by ligand exchange, we show ultrafast (~1 ps) directional carrier transfer across the type-I heterojunction formed by NCs of different sizes within ligand-exchanged BNSL films. In conclusion, this approach shows the potential promise of functional BNSL films, where the local and long-range energy landscape and electronic coupling can be adjusted by tuning NC composition, size, and interparticle spacing.« less

Topologically Optimized Nano-Positioning Stage Integrating with a Capacitive Comb Sensor.

PubMed

Chen, Tao; Wang, Yaqiong; Liu, Huicong; Yang, Zhan; Wang, Pengbo; Sun, Lining

2017-01-28

Nano-positioning technology has been widely used in many fields, such as microelectronics, optical engineering, and micro manufacturing. This paper presents a one-dimensional (1D) nano-positioning system, adopting a piezoelectric ceramic (PZT) actuator and a multi-objective topological optimal structure. The combination of a nano-positioning stage and a feedback capacitive comb sensor has been achieved. In order to obtain better performance, a wedge-shaped structure is used to apply the precise pre-tension for the piezoelectric ceramics. Through finite element analysis and experimental verification, better static performance and smaller kinetic coupling are achieved. The output displacement of the system achieves a long-stroke of up to 14.7 μm and high-resolution of less than 3 nm. It provides a flexible and efficient way in the design and optimization of the nano-positioning system.

Topologically Optimized Nano-Positioning Stage Integrating with a Capacitive Comb Sensor

PubMed Central

Chen, Tao; Wang, Yaqiong; Liu, Huicong; Yang, Zhan; Wang, Pengbo; Sun, Lining

2017-01-01

Nano-positioning technology has been widely used in many fields, such as microelectronics, optical engineering, and micro manufacturing. This paper presents a one-dimensional (1D) nano-positioning system, adopting a piezoelectric ceramic (PZT) actuator and a multi-objective topological optimal structure. The combination of a nano-positioning stage and a feedback capacitive comb sensor has been achieved. In order to obtain better performance, a wedge-shaped structure is used to apply the precise pre-tension for the piezoelectric ceramics. Through finite element analysis and experimental verification, better static performance and smaller kinetic coupling are achieved. The output displacement of the system achieves a long-stroke of up to 14.7 μm and high-resolution of less than 3 nm. It provides a flexible and efficient way in the design and optimization of the nano-positioning system. PMID:28134854

Mass spectrometry based on a coupled Cooper-pair box and nanomechanical resonator system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Cheng; Chen, Bin; Li, Jin-Jin; Zhu, Ka-Di

2011-10-01

Nanomechanical resonators (NRs) with very high frequency have a great potential for mass sensing with unprecedented sensitivity. In this study, we propose a scheme for mass sensing based on the NR capacitively coupled to a Cooper-pair box (CPB) driven by two microwave currents. The accreted mass landing on the resonator can be measured conveniently by tracking the resonance frequency shifts because of mass changes in the signal absorption spectrum. We demonstrate that frequency shifts induced by adsorption of ten 1587 bp DNA molecules can be well resolved in the absorption spectrum. Integration with the CPB enables capacitive readout of the mechanical resonance directly on the chip.

Fabrication of a printed capacitive air-gap touch sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Sang Hoon; Seo, Hwiwon; Lee, Sangyoon

2018-05-01

Unlike lithography-based processes, printed electronics does not require etching, which makes it difficult to fabricate electronic devices with an air gap. In this study, we propose a method to fabricate capacitive air-gap touch sensors via printing and coating. First, the bottom electrode was fabricated on a flexible poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrate using roll-to-roll gravure printing with silver ink. Then poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) was spin coated to form a sacrificial layer. The top electrode was fabricated on the sacrificial layer by spin coating with a stretchable silver ink. The sensor samples were then put in a tetrabutylammonium (TBAF) bath to generate the air gap by removing the sacrificial layer. The capacitance of the samples was measured for verification, and the results show that the capacitance increases in proportion to the applied force from 0 to 2.5 N.

On Machine Capacitance Dimensional and Surface Profile Measurement System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Resnick, Ralph

1993-01-01

A program was awarded under the Air Force Machine Tool Sensor Improvements Program Research and Development Announcement to develop and demonstrate the use of a Capacitance Sensor System including Capacitive Non-Contact Analog Probe and a Capacitive Array Dimensional Measurement System to check the dimensions of complex shapes and contours on a machine tool or in an automated inspection cell. The manufacturing of complex shapes and contours and the subsequent verification of those manufactured shapes is fundamental and widespread throughout industry. The critical profile of a gear tooth; the overall shape of a graphite EDM electrode; the contour of a turbine blade in a jet engine; and countless other components in varied applications possess complex shapes that require detailed and complex inspection procedures. Current inspection methods for complex shapes and contours are expensive, time-consuming, and labor intensive.

Effectiveness, active energy produced by molecular motors, and nonlinear capacitance of the cochlear outer hair cell.

PubMed

Spector, Alexander A

2005-06-01

Cochlear outer hair cells are crucial for active hearing. These cells have a unique form of motility, named electromotility, whose main features are the cell's length changes, active force production, and nonlinear capacitance. The molecular motor, prestin, that drives outer hair cell electromotility has recently been identified. We reveal relationships between the active energy produced by the outer hair cell molecular motors, motor effectiveness, and the capacitive properties of the cell membrane. We quantitatively characterize these relationships by introducing three characteristics: effective capacitance, zero-strain capacitance, and zero-resultant capacitance. We show that zero-strain capacitance is smaller than zero-resultant capacitance, and that the effective capacitance is between the two. It was also found that the differences between the introduced capacitive characteristics can be expressed in terms of the active energy produced by the cell's molecular motors. The effectiveness of the cell and its molecular motors is introduced as the ratio of the motors'active energy to the energy of the externally applied electric field. It is shown that the effectiveness is proportional to the difference between zero-strain and zero-resultant capacitance. We analyze the cell and motor's effectiveness within a broad range of cellular parameters and estimate it to be within a range of 12%-30%.

The surface-induced spatial-temporal structures in confined binary alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krasnyuk, Igor B.; Taranets, Roman M.; Chugunova, Marina

2014-12-01

This paper examines surface-induced ordering in confined binary alloys. The hyperbolic initial boundary value problem (IBVP) is used to describe a scenario of spatiotemporal ordering in a disordered phase for concentration of one component of binary alloy and order parameter with non-linear dynamic boundary conditions. This hyperbolic model consists of two coupled second order differential equations for order parameter and concentration. It also takes into account effects of the “memory” on the ordering of atoms and their densities in the alloy. The boundary conditions characterize surface velocities of order parameter and concentration changing which is due to surface (super)cooling on walls confining the binary alloy. It is shown that for large times there are three classes of dynamic non-linear boundary conditions which lead to three different types of attractor’s elements for the IBVP. Namely, the elements of attractor are the limit periodic simple shock waves with fronts of “discontinuities” Γ. If Γ is finite, then the attractor contains spatiotemporal functions of relaxation type. If Γ is infinite and countable then we observe the functions of pre-turbulent type. If Γ is infinite and uncountable then we obtain the functions of turbulent type.

Automatic target detection using binary template matching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jun, Dong-San; Sun, Sun-Gu; Park, HyunWook

2005-03-01

This paper presents a new automatic target detection (ATD) algorithm to detect targets such as battle tanks and armored personal carriers in ground-to-ground scenarios. Whereas most ATD algorithms were developed for forward-looking infrared (FLIR) images, we have developed an ATD algorithm for charge-coupled device (CCD) images, which have superior quality to FLIR images in daylight. The proposed algorithm uses fast binary template matching with an adaptive binarization, which is robust to various light conditions in CCD images and saves computation time. Experimental results show that the proposed method has good detection performance.

A merged pipe organ binary-analog correlator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, R. S.; Berry, M. B.

1982-02-01

The design of a 96-stage, programmable binary-analog correlator is described. An array of charge coupled device (CCD) delay lines of differing lengths perform the delay and sum functions. Merging of several CCD channels is employed to reduce the active area. This device architecture allows simplified output detection while maintaining good device performance at higher speeds (5-10 MHz). Experimental results indicate a 50 dB broadband dynamic range and excellent agreement with the theoretical processing gain (19.8 dB) when operated at a 6 MHz sampling frequency as a p-n sequence matched filter.

Conductive MOF electrodes for stable supercapacitors with high areal capacitance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheberla, Dennis; Bachman, John C.; Elias, Joseph S.; Sun, Cheng-Jun; Shao-Horn, Yang; Dincă, Mircea

2017-02-01

Owing to their high power density and superior cyclability relative to batteries, electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) have emerged as an important electrical energy storage technology that will play a critical role in the large-scale deployment of intermittent renewable energy sources, smart power grids, and electrical vehicles. Because the capacitance and charge-discharge rates of EDLCs scale with surface area and electrical conductivity, respectively, porous carbons such as activated carbon, carbon nanotubes and crosslinked or holey graphenes are used exclusively as the active electrode materials in EDLCs. One class of materials whose surface area far exceeds that of activated carbons, potentially allowing them to challenge the dominance of carbon electrodes in EDLCs, is metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The high porosity of MOFs, however, is conventionally coupled to very poor electrical conductivity, which has thus far prevented the use of these materials as active electrodes in EDLCs. Here, we show that Ni3(2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaiminotriphenylene)2 (Ni3(HITP)2), a MOF with high electrical conductivity, can serve as the sole electrode material in an EDLC. This is the first example of a supercapacitor made entirely from neat MOFs as active materials, without conductive additives or other binders. The MOF-based device shows an areal capacitance that exceeds those of most carbon-based materials and capacity retention greater than 90% over 10,000 cycles, in line with commercial devices. Given the established structural and compositional tunability of MOFs, these results herald the advent of a new generation of supercapacitors whose active electrode materials can be tuned rationally, at the molecular level.

Conductive MOF electrodes for stable supercapacitors with high areal capacitance.

PubMed

Sheberla, Dennis; Bachman, John C; Elias, Joseph S; Sun, Cheng-Jun; Shao-Horn, Yang; Dincă, Mircea

2017-02-01

Owing to their high power density and superior cyclability relative to batteries, electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) have emerged as an important electrical energy storage technology that will play a critical role in the large-scale deployment of intermittent renewable energy sources, smart power grids, and electrical vehicles. Because the capacitance and charge-discharge rates of EDLCs scale with surface area and electrical conductivity, respectively, porous carbons such as activated carbon, carbon nanotubes and crosslinked or holey graphenes are used exclusively as the active electrode materials in EDLCs. One class of materials whose surface area far exceeds that of activated carbons, potentially allowing them to challenge the dominance of carbon electrodes in EDLCs, is metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The high porosity of MOFs, however, is conventionally coupled to very poor electrical conductivity, which has thus far prevented the use of these materials as active electrodes in EDLCs. Here, we show that Ni 3 (2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaiminotriphenylene) 2 (Ni 3 (HITP) 2 ), a MOF with high electrical conductivity, can serve as the sole electrode material in an EDLC. This is the first example of a supercapacitor made entirely from neat MOFs as active materials, without conductive additives or other binders. The MOF-based device shows an areal capacitance that exceeds those of most carbon-based materials and capacity retention greater than 90% over 10,000 cycles, in line with commercial devices. Given the established structural and compositional tunability of MOFs, these results herald the advent of a new generation of supercapacitors whose active electrode materials can be tuned rationally, at the molecular level.

Cell-based capacitance sensor for analysis of EGFR expression on cell membrane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Dong-Myeong; Shin, Yong-Cheol; Ha, Ji Hye; Lee, Jong-Ho; Han, Dong-Wook; Kim, Jong-Man; Kim, Hyung Kook; Hwang, Yoon-Hwae

2013-02-01

Cancer cells have many kinds of cancer biomarkers. Among them, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors can show a possibility for a cancer marker because the over-expression of EGF receptor is related with fibrous, colorectal, cervical and gastric tumorigenesis. We fabricated the capacitance sensor with a gap area of 50 μm × 200 μm by using photolithography and lift-off method. Using the capacitance sensor, we investigated the time dependent capacitance changes of different kinds of fibrous cells, such as HT1080 fibrosarcoma, L-929 fibroblast cell line and nHDF dermal fibroblast primary cell. We found that when we put the EGF, the capacitance decreased due to the immobilization of EGF to EGF receptor on the cell membrane. The quantitative determination of EGF receptor level for various fibrous cells was carried out and the results showed good correlation with conventional method. Based on our results, we suggest that the capacitance sensor can measure the expression level of the EGF receptor on cell membrane and be a good candidate as a cancer diagnosis.

Tidal resonances in binary star systems. II - Slowly rotating stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexander, M. E.

1988-12-01

The potential energy of tidal interactions in a binary system with rotating components is formulated as a perturbation Hamiltonian which self-consistently couples the dynamics of the rotating stars' oscillations and orbital motion. The action-angle formalism used to discuss tidal resonances in the nonrotating case (Alexander, 1987) is extended to rotating stars. The behavior of a two-mode system and the procedure for treating an arbitrary number of modes are discussed.

Hidden-sector Spectroscopy with Gravitational Waves from Binary Neutron Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Croon, Djuna; Nelson, Ann E.; Sun, Chen; Walker, Devin G. E.; Xianyu, Zhong-Zhi

2018-05-01

We show that neutron star (NS) binaries can be ideal laboratories to probe hidden sectors with a long-range force. In particular, it is possible for gravitational wave (GW) detectors such as LIGO and Virgo to resolve the correction of waveforms from ultralight dark gauge bosons coupled to NSs. We observe that the interaction of the hidden sector affects both the GW frequency and amplitude in a way that cannot be fitted by pure gravity.

Capacitive Sensors for Feedback Control of Microfluidic Devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, J. Z.; Darhuber, A. A.; Troian, S. M.; Wagner, S.

2003-11-01

Automation of microfluidic devices based on thermocapillary flow [1] requires feedback control and detection techniques for monitoring the location, and ideally also composition and volume of liquid droplets. For this purpose we have developed a co-planar capacitance technique with a sensitivity of 0.07 pF at a frequency of 370 kHz. The variation in capacitance due to the presence of a droplet is monitored by the output frequency of an RC relaxation oscillator consisting of two inverters, one resistor and one capacitor. We discuss the performance of this coplanar sensor as a function of the electrode dimensions and geometry. These geometric variables determine the electric field penetration depth within the liquid, which in our studies ranged from 30 to 450 microns. Numerical solutions for the capacitance corresponding to the exact fabricated geometry agree very well with experimental data. An approximate analytic solution, which ignores fringe field effects, provides a simple but excellent guide for design development. [1] A. A. Darhuber et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 82, 657 (2003).

Quaternary sediment architecture in the Orkhon Valley (central Mongolia) inferred from capacitive coupled resistivity and Georadar measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mackens, Sonja; Klitzsch, Norbert; Grützner, Christoph; Klinger, Riccardo

2017-09-01

Detailed information on shallow sediment distribution in basins is required to achieve solutions for problems in Quaternary geology, geomorphology, neotectonics, (geo)archaeology, and climatology. Usually, detailed information is obtained by studying outcrops and shallow drillings. Unfortunately, such data are often sparsely distributed and thus cannot characterise entire basins in detail. Therefore, they are frequently combined with remote sensing methods to overcome this limitation. Remote sensing can cover entire basins but provides information of the land surface only. Geophysical methods can close the gap between detailed sequences of the shallow sediment inventory from drillings at a few spots and continuous surface information from remote sensing. However, their interpretation in terms of sediment types is often challenging, especially if permafrost conditions complicate their interpretation. Here we present an approach for the joint interpretation of the geophysical methods ground penetrating radar (GPR) and capacitive coupled resistivity (CCR), drill core, and remote sensing data. The methods GPR and CCR were chosen because they allow relatively fast surveying and provide complementary information. We apply the approach to the middle Orkhon Valley in central Mongolia where fluvial, alluvial, and aeolian processes led to complex sediment architecture. The GPR and CCR data, measured on profiles with a total length of about 60 km, indicate the presence of two distinct layers over the complete surveying area: (i) a thawed layer at the surface, and (ii) a frozen layer below. In a first interpretation step, we establish a geophysical classification by considering the geophysical signatures of both layers. We use sedimentological information from core logs to relate the geophysical classes to sediment types. This analysis reveals internal structures of Orkhon River sediments, such as channels and floodplain sediments. We also distinguish alluvial fan deposits and

Scanning capacitance microscopy of ErAs nanoparticles embedded in GaAs pn junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, K. W.; Nair, H. P.; Crook, A. M.; Bank, S. R.; Yu, E. T.

2011-09-01

Scanning capacitance microscopy is used to characterize the electronic properties of ErAs nanoparticles embedded in GaAs pn junctions grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Voltage-dependent capacitance images reveal localized variations in subsurface electronic structure near buried ErAs nanoparticles at lateral length scales of 20-30 nm. Numerical modeling indicates that these variations arise from inhomogeneities in charge modulation due to Fermi level pinning behavior associated with the embedded ErAs nanoparticles. Statistical analysis of image data yields an average particle radius of 6-8 nm—well below the direct resolution limit in scanning capacitance microscopy but discernible via analysis of patterns in nanoscale capacitance images.

Surface Inhomogeneities of the White Dwarf in the Binary EUVE J2013+400

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vennes, Stephane

We propose to study the white dwarf in the binary EUVE J2013+400. The object is paired with a dMe star and new extreme ultraviolet (EUV) observations will offer critical insights into the properties of the white dwarf. The binary behaves, in every other aspects, like its siblings EUVE J0720-317 and EUVE J1016-053 and new EUV observations will help establish their class properties; in particular, EUV photometric variations in 0720-317 and 1016-053 over a period of 11 hours and 57 minutes, respectively, are indicative of surface abundance inhomogeneities coupled with the white dwarfs rotation period. These variations and their large photospheric helium abundance are best explained by a diffusion-accretion model in which time-variable accretion and possible coupling to magnetic poles contribute to abundance variations across the surface and possibly as a function of depth. EUV spectroscopy will also enable a study of the helium abundance as a function of depth and a detailed comparison with theoretical diffusion profile.

Capacitance changes in frog skin caused by theophylline and antidiuretic hormone.

PubMed

Cuthbert, A W; Painter, E

1969-09-01

1. Impedance loci for frog skins have been calculated by computer analysis from voltage transients developed across the tissues.2. Attention has been paid to simultaneous changes in conductance and capacitance of skins treated either with antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or with theophylline. These drugs always caused an increase in conductance and usually the skin capacitance also increased. However, changes in conductance were not correlated with capacitance changes.3. Changes in capacitance caused by the drugs may represent pore formation in the barrier to water flow, since both drugs increase hydro-osmotic flow in epithelia. If this interpretation is correct, then 0.14% of the membrane area forms water-permeable pores in response to a maximal dose of ADH. This value is somewhat less than the value obtained previously (0.3%) by graphical analysis.4. A theoretical account is given of the relative accuracy of the computer method and the graphical method for voltage transient analysis.

A Wearable Capacitive Sensor for Monitoring Human Respiratory Rate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kundu, Subrata Kumar; Kumagai, Shinya; Sasaki, Minoru

2013-04-01

Realizing an untethered, low-cost, and comfortably wearable respiratory rate sensor for long-term breathing monitoring application still remains a challenge. In this paper, a conductive-textile-based wearable respiratory rate sensing technique based on the capacitive sensing approach is proposed. The sensing unit consists of two conductive textile electrodes that can be easily fabricated, laminated, and integrated in garments. Respiration cycle is detected by measuring the capacitance of two electrodes placed on the inner anterior and posterior sides of a T-shirt at either the abdomen or chest position. A convenient wearable respiratory sensor setup with a capacitance-to-voltage converter has been devised. Respiratory rate as well as breathing mode can be accurately identified using the designed sensor. The sensor output provides significant information on respiratory flow. The effectiveness of the proposed system for different breathing patterns has been evaluated by experiments.

Phase-Discriminating Capacitive Sensor System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vranish, John M.; Rahim, Wadi

1993-01-01

Crosstalk eliminated by maintaining voltages on all electrodes at same amplitude, phase, and frequency. Each output feedback-derived control voltage, change of which indicates proximity-induced change in capacitance of associated sensing electrode. Sensors placed close together, enabling imaging of sort. Images and/or output voltages used to guide robots in proximity to various objects.

Ultrahigh Temperature Capacitive Pressure Sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harsh, Kevin

2014-01-01

Robust, miniaturized sensing systems are needed to improve performance, increase efficiency, and track system health status and failure modes of advanced propulsion systems. Because microsensors must operate in extremely harsh environments, there are many technical challenges involved in developing reliable systems. In addition to high temperatures and pressures, sensing systems are exposed to oxidation, corrosion, thermal shock, fatigue, fouling, and abrasive wear. In these harsh conditions, sensors must be able to withstand high flow rates, vibration, jet fuel, and exhaust. In order for existing and future aeropropulsion turbine engines to improve safety and reduce cost and emissions while controlling engine instabilities, more accurate and complete sensor information is necessary. High-temperature (300 to 1,350 C) capacitive pressure sensors are of particular interest due to their high measurement bandwidth and inherent suitability for wireless readout schemes. The objective of this project is to develop a capacitive pressure sensor based on silicon carbon nitride (SiCN), a new class of high-temperature ceramic materials, which possesses excellent mechanical and electric properties at temperatures up to 1,600 C.

Starter for inductively coupled plasma tube

DOEpatents

Hull, Donald E.; Bieniewski, Thomas M.

1988-01-01

A starter assembly is provided for use with an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) tube to reliably initate a plasma at internal pressures above about 30 microns. A conductive probe is inserted within the inductor coil about the tube and insulated from the tube shield assembly. A capacitive circuit is arranged for momentarily connecting a high voltage radio-frequency generator to the probe while simultaneously energizing the coil. When the plasma is initiated the probe is disconnected from the generator and electrically connected to the shield assembly for operation.

Starter for inductively coupled plasma tube

DOEpatents

Hull, D.E.; Bieniewski, T.M.

1988-08-23

A starter assembly is provided for use with an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) tube to reliably initiate a plasma at internal pressures above about 30 microns. A conductive probe is inserted within the inductor coil about the tube and insulated from the tube shield assembly. A capacitive circuit is arranged for momentarily connecting a high voltage radio-frequency generator to the probe while simultaneously energizing the coil. When the plasma is initiated the probe is disconnected from the generator and electrically connected to the shield assembly for operation. 1 fig.

In Situ High-Level Nitrogen Doping into Carbon Nanospheres and Boosting of Capacitive Charge Storage in Both Anode and Cathode for a High-Energy 4.5 V Full-Carbon Lithium-Ion Capacitor.

PubMed

Sun, Fei; Liu, Xiaoyan; Wu, Hao Bin; Wang, Lijie; Gao, Jihui; Li, Hexing; Lu, Yunfeng

2018-05-02

To circumvent the imbalances of electrochemical kinetics and capacity between Li + storage anodes and capacitive cathodes for lithium-ion capacitors (LICs), we herein demonstrate an efficient solution by boosting the capacitive charge-storage contributions of carbon electrodes to construct a high-performance LIC. Such a strategy is achieved by the in situ and high-level doping of nitrogen atoms into carbon nanospheres (ANCS), which increases the carbon defects and active sites, inducing more rapidly capacitive charge-storage contributions for both Li + storage anodes and PF 6 - storage cathodes. High-level nitrogen-doping-induced capacitive enhancement is successfully evidenced by the construction of a symmetric supercapacitor using commercial organic electrolytes. Coupling a pre-lithiated ANCS anode with a fresh ANCS cathode enables a full-carbon LIC with a high operating voltage of 4.5 V and high energy and power densities thereof. The assembled LIC device delivers high energy densities of 206.7 and 115.4 Wh kg -1 at power densities of 0.225 and 22.5 kW kg -1 , respectively, as well as an unprecedented high-power cycling stability with only 0.0013% capacitance decay per cycle within 10 000 cycles at a high power output of 9 kW kg -1 .

Capacitively readout multi-element sensor array with common-mode cancellation

DOEpatents

Britton, Jr., Charles L.; Warmack, Robert J.; Bryan, William L.; Jones, Robert L.; Oden, Patrick Ian; Thundat, Thomas

2001-01-01

An improved multi-element apparatus for detecting the presence of at least one chemical, biological or physical component in a monitored area comprising an array or single set of the following elements: a capacitive transducer having at least one cantilever spring element secured thereto, the cantilever element having an area thereof coated with a chemical having an affinity for the component to be detected; a pick-up plate positioned adjacent to the cantilever element at a distance such that a capacitance between the cantilever element and the pick-up plate changes as the distance between the cantilever element and the pick-up plate varies, the change in capacitance being a measurable variation; a detection means for measuring the measurable variation in the capacitance between the cantilever element and the pick-up plate that forms a measurement channel signal; and at least one feedback cantilever spring element positioned apart from the coated cantilever element, the cantilever element substantially unaffected by the component being monitored and providing a reference channel signal to the detection means that achieves a common mode cancellation between the measurement channel signal and reference channel signal.

Near-Earth asteroid satellite spins under spin-orbit coupling

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Naidu, Shantanu P.; Margot, Jean-Luc

We develop a fourth-order numerical integrator to simulate the coupled spin and orbital motions of two rigid bodies having arbitrary mass distributions under the influence of their mutual gravitational potential. We simulate the dynamics of components in well-characterized binary and triple near-Earth asteroid systems and use surface of section plots to map the possible spin configurations of the satellites. For asynchronous satellites, the analysis reveals large regions of phase space where the spin state of the satellite is chaotic. For synchronous satellites, we show that libration amplitudes can reach detectable values even for moderately elongated shapes. The presence of chaoticmore » regions in the phase space has important consequences for the evolution of binary asteroids. It may substantially increase spin synchronization timescales, explain the observed fraction of asychronous binaries, delay BYORP-type evolution, and extend the lifetime of binaries. The variations in spin rate due to large librations also affect the analysis and interpretation of light curve and radar observations.« less

Binary-disk interaction. II. Gap-opening criteria for unequal-mass binaries

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Del Valle, Luciano; Escala, Andrés, E-mail: ldelvalleb@gmail.com

We study the interaction of an unequal-mass binary with an isothermal circumbinary disk, motivated by the theoretical and observational evidence that after a major merger of gas-rich galaxies, a massive gaseous disk with a supermassive black hole binary will be formed in the nuclear region. We focus on the gravitational torques that the binary exerts on the disk and how these torques can drive the formation of a gap in the disk. This exchange of angular momentum between the binary and the disk is mainly driven by the gravitational interaction between the binary and a strong nonaxisymmetric density perturbation thatmore » is produced in the disk, in response to the presence of the binary. Using smoothed particle hydrodynamics numerical simulations, we test two gap-opening criteria, one that assumes the geometry of the density perturbation is an ellipsoid/thick spiral and another that assumes a flat spiral geometry for the density perturbation. We find that the flat spiral gap-opening criterion successfully predicts which simulations will have a gap in the disk and which will not. We also study the limiting cases predicted by the gap-opening criteria. Since the viscosity in our simulations is considerably smaller than the expected value in the nuclear regions of gas-rich merging galaxies, we conclude that in such environments the formation of a circumbinary gap is unlikely.« less

Electrical capacitance volume tomography with high contrast dielectrics using a cuboid sensor geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nurge, Mark A.

2007-05-01

An electrical capacitance volume tomography system has been created for use with a new image reconstruction algorithm capable of imaging high contrast dielectric distributions. The electrode geometry consists of two 4 × 4 parallel planes of copper conductors connected through custom built switch electronics to a commercially available capacitance to digital converter. Typical electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) systems rely solely on mutual capacitance readings to reconstruct images of dielectric distributions. This paper presents a method of reconstructing images of high contrast dielectric materials using only the self-capacitance measurements. By constraining the unknown dielectric material to one of two values, the inverse problem is no longer ill-determined. Resolution becomes limited only by the accuracy and resolution of the measurement circuitry. Images were reconstructed using this method with both synthetic and real data acquired using an aluminium structure inserted at different positions within the sensing region. Comparisons with standard two-dimensional ECT systems highlight the capabilities and limitations of the electronics and reconstruction algorithm.

Numerical correction of the phase error due to electromagnetic coupling effects in 1D EIT borehole measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Y.; Zimmermann, E.; Huisman, J. A.; Treichel, A.; Wolters, B.; van Waasen, S.; Kemna, A.

2012-12-01

Spectral Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) allows obtaining images of the complex electrical conductivity for a broad frequency range (mHz to kHz). It has recently received increased interest in the field of near-surface geophysics and hydrogeophysics because of the relationships between complex electrical properties and hydrogeological and biogeochemical properties and processes observed in the laboratory with Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP). However, these laboratory results have also indicated that a high phase accuracy is required for surface and borehole EIT measurements because many soils and sediments are only weakly polarizable and show phase angles between 1 and 20 mrad. In the case of borehole EIT measurements, long cables and electrode chains (>10 meters) are typically used, which leads to undesired inductive coupling between the electric loops for current injection and potential measurement and capacitive coupling between the electrically conductive cable shielding and the soil. Depending on the electrical properties of the subsurface and the measured transfer impedances, both coupling effects can cause large phase errors that have typically limited the frequency bandwidth of field EIT measurement to the mHz to Hz range. The aim of this study is i) to develop correction procedures for these coupling effects to extend the applicability of EIT to the kHz range and ii) to validate these corrections using controlled laboratory measurements and field measurements. In order to do so, the inductive coupling effect was modeled using electronic circuit models and the capacitive coupling effect was modeled by integrating discrete capacitances in the electrical forward model describing the EIT measurement process. The correction methods were successfully verified with measurements under controlled conditions in a water-filled rain barrel, where a high phase accuracy of 2 mrad in the frequency range up to 10 kHz was achieved. In a field demonstration using

Experimental investigations of electron density and ion energy distributions in dual-frequency capacitively coupled plasmas for Ar/CF{sub 4} and Ar/O{sub 2}/CF{sub 4} discharges

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Jia; Liu, Yong-Xin; Gao, Fei

2014-01-07

The electron density and ion energy distribution (IED) are investigated in low-pressure dual-frequency capacitively coupled Ar/CF{sub 4} (90%/10%) and Ar/O{sub 2}/CF{sub 4} (80%/10%/10%) plasmas. The relations between controllable parameters, such as high-frequency (HF) power, low-frequency (LF) power and gas pressure, and plasma parameters, such as electron density and IEDs, are studied in detail by utilizing a floating hairpin probe and an energy resolved quadrupole mass spectrometer, respectively. In our experiment, the electron density is mainly determined by the HF power and slightly influenced by the LF power. With increasing gas pressure, the electron density first goes up rapidly to amore » maximum value and then decreases at various HF and LF powers. The HF power also plays a considerable role in affecting the IEDs under certain conditions and the ion energy independently controlled by the LF source is discussed here. For clarity, some numerical results obtained from a two-dimensional fluid model are presented.« less

In situ arsenic oxidation and sorption by a Fe-Mn binary oxide waste in soil.

PubMed

McCann, Clare M; Peacock, Caroline L; Hudson-Edwards, Karen A; Shrimpton, Thomas; Gray, Neil D; Johnson, Karen L

2018-01-15

The ability of a Fe-Mn binary oxide waste to adsorb arsenic (As) in a historically contaminated soil was investigated. Initial laboratory sorption experiments indicated that arsenite [As(III)] was oxidized to arsenate [As(V)] by the Mn oxide component, with concurrent As(V) sorption to the Fe oxide. The binary oxide waste had As(III) and As(V) adsorption capacities of 70mgg -1 and 32mgg -1 respectively. X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure at the As K-edge confirmed that all binary oxide waste surface complexes were As(V) sorbed by mononuclear bidentate corner-sharing, with 2 Fe at ∼3.27Ǻ. The ability of the waste to perform this coupled oxidation-sorption reaction in real soils was investigated with a 10% by weight addition of the waste to an industrially As contaminated soil. Electron probe microanalysis showed As accumulation onto the Fe oxide component of the binary oxide waste, which had no As innately. The bioaccessibility of As was also significantly reduced by 7.80% (p<0.01) with binary oxide waste addition. The results indicate that Fe-Mn binary oxide wastes could provide a potential in situ remediation strategy for As and Pb immobilization in contaminated soils. Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Non-mean-field theory of anomalously large double layer capacitance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loth, M. S.; Skinner, Brian; Shklovskii, B. I.

2010-07-01

Mean-field theories claim that the capacitance of the double layer formed at a metal/ionic conductor interface cannot be larger than that of the Helmholtz capacitor, whose width is equal to the radius of an ion. However, in some experiments the apparent width of the double layer capacitor is substantially smaller. We propose an alternate non-mean-field theory of the ionic double layer to explain such large capacitance values. Our theory allows for the binding of discrete ions to their image charges in the metal, which results in the formation of interface dipoles. We focus primarily on the case where only small cations are mobile and other ions form an oppositely charged background. In this case, at small temperature and zero applied voltage dipoles form a correlated liquid on both contacts. We show that at small voltages the capacitance of the double layer is determined by the transfer of dipoles from one electrode to the other and is therefore limited only by the weak dipole-dipole repulsion between bound ions so that the capacitance is very large. At large voltages the depletion of bound ions from one of the capacitor electrodes triggers a collapse of the capacitance to the much smaller mean-field value, as seen in experimental data. We test our analytical predictions with a Monte Carlo simulation and find good agreement. We further argue that our “one-component plasma” model should work well for strongly asymmetric ion liquids. We believe that this work also suggests an improved theory of pseudocapacitance.

A non-capacitative pathway activated by arachidonic acid is the major Ca2+ entry mechanism in rat A7r5 smooth muscle cells stimulated with low concentrations of vasopressin

PubMed Central

Broad, Lisa M; Cannon, Toby R; Taylor, Colin W

1999-01-01

Depletion of the Ca2+ stores of A7r5 cells stimulated Ca2+, though not Sr2+, entry. Vasopressin (AVP) or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulated Sr2+ entry. The cells therefore express a capacitative pathway activated by empty stores and a non-capacitative pathway stimulated by receptors; only the former is permeable to Mn2+ and only the latter to Sr2+. Neither empty stores nor inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) binding to its receptors are required for activation of the non-capacitative pathway, because microinjection of cells with heparin prevented PDGF-evoked Ca2+ mobilization but not Sr2+ entry. Low concentrations of Gd3+ irreversibly blocked capacitative Ca2+ entry without affecting AVP-evoked Sr2+ entry. After inhibition of the capacitative pathway with Gd3+, AVP evoked a substantial increase in cytosolic [Ca2+], confirming that the non-capacitative pathway can evoke a significant increase in cytosolic [Ca2+]. Arachidonic acid mimicked the effect of AVP on Sr2+ entry without stimulating Mn2+ entry; the Sr2+ entry was inhibited by 100 μM Gd3+, but not by 1 μM Gd3+ which completely inhibited capacitative Ca2+ entry. The effects of arachidonic acid did not require its metabolism. AVP-evoked Sr2+ entry was unaffected by isotetrandrine, an inhibitor of G protein-coupled phospholipase A2. U73122, an inhibitor of phosphoinositidase C, inhibited AVP-evoked formation of inositol phosphates and Sr2+ entry. The effects of phorbol esters and Ro31-8220 (a protein kinase C inhibitor) established that protein kinase C did not mediate the effects of AVP on the non-capacitative pathway. An inhibitor of diacylglycerol lipase, RHC-80267, inhibited AVP-evoked Sr2+ entry without affecting capacitative Ca2+ entry or release of Ca2+ stores. Selective inhibition of capacitative Ca2+ entry with Gd3+ revealed that the non-capacitative pathway is the major route for the Ca2+ entry evoked by low AVP concentrations. We conclude that in A7r5 cells, the Ca2+ entry evoked by

Current Progress of Capacitive Deionization for Removal of Pollutant Ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaikwad, Mahendra S.; Balomajumder, Chandrajit

2016-08-01

A mini review of a recently developing water purification technology capacitive deionization (CDI) applied for removal of pollutant ions is provided. The current progress of CDI for removal of different pollutant ions such as arsenic, fluoride, boron, phosphate, lithium, copper, cadmium, ferric, and nitrate ions is presented. This paper aims at motivating new research opportunities in capacitive deionization technology for removal of pollutant ions from polluted water.

2-dimensional simulations of electrically asymmetric capacitively coupled RF-discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohr, Sebastian; Schulze, Julian; Schuengel, Edmund; Czarnetzki, Uwe

2011-10-01

Capactively coupled RF-discharges are widely used for surface treatment like the deposition of thin films. For industrial applications, the independent control of the ion flux to and the mean energy of the electrons impinging on the surfaces is desired. Experiments and 1D3v-PIC/MCC-simulations have shown that this independent control is possible by applying a fundamental frequency and its second harmonic to the powered electrode. This way, even in geometrically symmetric discharges, as they are often used in industrial reactors, a discharge asymmetry can be induced electrically, hence the name Electrical Asymmetry Effect (EAE). We performed 2D-simulations of electrically asymmetric discharges using HPEM by the group of Mark Kushner, a simulation tool suitable for simulating industrial reactors. First results are presented and compared to previously obtained experimental and simulation data. The comparison shows that for the first time, we succeeded in simulating electrically asymmetric discharges with a 2-dimensional simulation. Capactively coupled RF-discharges are widely used for surface treatment like the deposition of thin films. For industrial applications, the independent control of the ion flux to and the mean energy of the electrons impinging on the surfaces is desired. Experiments and 1D3v-PIC/MCC-simulations have shown that this independent control is possible by applying a fundamental frequency and its second harmonic to the powered electrode. This way, even in geometrically symmetric discharges, as they are often used in industrial reactors, a discharge asymmetry can be induced electrically, hence the name Electrical Asymmetry Effect (EAE). We performed 2D-simulations of electrically asymmetric discharges using HPEM by the group of Mark Kushner, a simulation tool suitable for simulating industrial reactors. First results are presented and compared to previously obtained experimental and simulation data. The comparison shows that for the first time, we

Effect of noncovalent basal plane functionalization on the quantum capacitance in graphene.

PubMed

Ebrish, Mona A; Olson, Eric J; Koester, Steven J

2014-07-09

The concentration-dependent density of states in graphene allows the capacitance in metal-oxide-graphene structures to be tunable with the carrier concentration. This feature allows graphene to act as a variable capacitor (varactor) that can be utilized for wireless sensing applications. Surface functionalization can be used to make graphene sensitive to a particular species. In this manuscript, the effect on the quantum capacitance of noncovalent basal plane functionalization using 1-pyrenebutanoic acid succimidyl ester and glucose oxidase is reported. It is found that functionalized samples tested in air have (1) a Dirac point similar to vacuum conditions, (2) increased maximum capacitance compared to vacuum but similar to air, (3) and quantum capacitance "tuning" that is greater than that in vacuum and ambient atmosphere. These trends are attributed to reduced surface doping and random potential fluctuations as a result of the surface functionalization due to the displacement of H2O on the graphene surface and intercalation of a stable H2O layer beneath graphene that increases the overall device capacitance. The results are important for future application of graphene as a platform for wireless chemical and biological sensors.

Microbial fuel cell as a biocapacitor by using pseudo-capacitive anode materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Zhisheng; Xie, Daohai; Li, Fusheng; Hu, Yun; Wei, Chaohai; Feng, Chunhua

2014-01-01

Here, we report that the microbial fuel cell (MFC) containing pseudo-capacitive anode materials such as polypyrrole (PPy)/9,10-anthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid sodium salt (AQS) composite films and RuO2 nanoparticles can function as a biocapacitor, able to store bioelectrons generated from microbial oxidation of substrate and release the accumulated charge upon requirement. Influences of the specific capacitance of the PPy/AQS- and RuO2-modified carbon felt anodes on the extent of accumulated charge are examined. Results show that increasing anode capacitance is responsible for the increases in the amount of electrons stored and released, and thereby leading to more energy stored and average power dissipated. The long-term charging-discharging tests indicate that the RuO2-modified biocapacitor with a specific capacitance of 3.74 F cm-2 exhibits 6% loss in the amount of released charge over 10 cycles for one-month operation, and 40% loss over 60 cycles for six-month operation. Our findings suggest that the MFC anode incorporating pseudo-capacitive materials shows potential for storing energy from waste organic matter and releasing in a short time of high power to the electronic device.

Commission 42: Close Binary Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rucinski, Slavek M.; Ribas, Ignasi; Giménez, Alvaro; Harmanec, Petr; Hilditch, Ronald W.; Kaluzny, Janusz; Niarchos, Panayiotis; Nordström, Birgitta; Oláh, Katalin; Richards, Mercedes T.; Scarfe, Colin D.; Sion, Edward M.; Torres, Guillermo; Vrielmann, Sonja

Two meetings of interest to close binaries took place during the reporting period: A full day session on short-period binary stars mostly CV's (Milone et al. 2008) during the 2006 AAS Spring meeting in Calgary and the very broadly designed IAU Symposium No. 240 on Binary Stars as Critical Tools and Tests in Contemporary Astrophysics in Prague, 2006, with many papers on close binaries [Hartkopf et al. 2007]. In addition, the book by Eggleton (2006), which is a comprehensive summary of evolutionary processes in binary and multiple stars, was published.

Gait Phase Estimation Based on Noncontact Capacitive Sensing and Adaptive Oscillators.

PubMed

Zheng, Enhao; Manca, Silvia; Yan, Tingfang; Parri, Andrea; Vitiello, Nicola; Wang, Qining

2017-10-01

This paper presents a novel strategy aiming to acquire an accurate and walking-speed-adaptive estimation of the gait phase through noncontact capacitive sensing and adaptive oscillators (AOs). The capacitive sensing system is designed with two sensing cuffs that can measure the leg muscle shape changes during walking. The system can be dressed above the clothes and free human skin from contacting to electrodes. In order to track the capacitance signals, the gait phase estimator is designed based on the AO dynamic system due to its ability of synchronizing with quasi-periodic signals. After the implementation of the whole system, we first evaluated the offline estimation performance by experiments with 12 healthy subjects walking on a treadmill with changing speeds. The strategy achieved an accurate and consistent gait phase estimation with only one channel of capacitance signal. The average root-mean-square errors in one stride were 0.19 rad (3.0% of one gait cycle) for constant walking speeds and 0.31 rad (4.9% of one gait cycle) for speed transitions even after the subjects rewore the sensing cuffs. We then validated our strategy in a real-time gait phase estimation task with three subjects walking with changing speeds. Our study indicates that the strategy based on capacitive sensing and AOs is a promising alternative for the control of exoskeleton/orthosis.

The fate of close encounters between binary stars and binary supermassive black holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yi-Han; Leigh, Nathan; Yuan, Ye-Fei; Perna, Rosalba

2018-04-01

The evolution of main-sequence binaries that reside in the Galactic Centre can be heavily influenced by the central supermassive black hole (SMBH). Due to these perturbative effects, the stellar binaries in dense environments are likely to experience mergers, collisions, or ejections through secular and/or non-secular interactions. More direct interactions with the central SMBH are thought to produce hypervelocity stars (HVSs) and tidal disruption events (TDEs). In this paper, we use N-body simulations to study the dynamics of stellar binaries orbiting a central SMBH primary with an outer SMBH secondary orbiting this inner triple. The effects of the secondary SMBH on the event rates of HVSs, TDEs, and stellar mergers are investigated, as a function of the SMBH-SMBH binary mass ratio. Our numerical experiments reveal that, relative to the isolated SMBH case, the TDE and HVS rates are enhanced for, respectively, the smallest and largest mass ratio SMBH-SMBH binaries. This suggests that the observed event rates of TDEs and HVSs have the potential to serve as a diagnostic of the mass ratio of a central SMBH-SMBH binary. The presence of a secondary SMBH also allows for the creation of hypervelocity binaries. Observations of these systems could thus constrain the presence of a secondary SMBH in the Galactic Centre.

cGMP and cyclic nucleotide-gated channels participate in mouse sperm capacitation.

PubMed

Cisneros-Mejorado, Abraham; Sánchez Herrera, Daniel P

2012-01-20

During capacitation of mammalian sperm intracellular [Ca(2+)] and cyclic nucleotides increase, suggesting that CNG channels play a role in the physiology of sperm. Here we study the effect of capacitation, 8Br-cAMP (8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate) and 8Br-cGMP (8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate) on the macroscopic ionic currents of mouse sperm, finding the existence of different populations of sperm, in terms of the recorded current and its response to cyclic nucleotides. Our results show that capacitation and cyclic nucleotides increase the ionic current, having a differential sensitivity to cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate) and cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate). Using a specific inhibitor we determine the contribution of CNG channels to macroscopic current and capacitation. Copyright © 2011 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Manganese oxide micro-supercapacitors with ultra-high areal capacitance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xu; Myers, Benjamin D.; Yan, Jian; Shekhawat, Gajendra; Dravid, Vinayak; Lee, Pooi See

2013-05-01

A symmetric micro-supercapacitor is constructed by electrochemically depositing manganese oxide onto micro-patterned current collectors. High surface-to-volume ratio of manganese oxide and short diffusion distance between electrodes give an ultra-high areal capacitance of 56.3 mF cm-2 at a current density of 27.2 μA cm-2.A symmetric micro-supercapacitor is constructed by electrochemically depositing manganese oxide onto micro-patterned current collectors. High surface-to-volume ratio of manganese oxide and short diffusion distance between electrodes give an ultra-high areal capacitance of 56.3 mF cm-2 at a current density of 27.2 μA cm-2. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental procedures; optical images of micro-supercapacitors; areal capacitances of samples M-0.3C, M-0.6C and M-0.9C; illustration of interdigital finger electrodes; Nyquist plot of Co(OH)2 deposited on micro-electrodes. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr00210a

Hyper-activated motility in sperm capacitation is mediated by phospholipase D-dependent actin polymerization.

PubMed

Itach, Sarit Bar-Sheshet; Finklestein, Maya; Etkovitz, Nir; Breitbart, Haim

2012-02-15

In order to fertilize the oocyte, sperm must undergo a series of biochemical changes in the female reproductive tract, known as capacitation. Once capacitated, spermatozoon can bind to the zona pellucida of the egg and undergo the acrosome reaction (AR), a process that enables its penetration and fertilization of the oocyte. Important processes that characterize sperm capacitation are actin polymerization and the development of hyper-activated motility (HAM). Previously, we showed that Phospholipase D (PLD)-dependent actin polymerization occurs during sperm capacitation, however the role of this process in sperm capacitation is not yet known. In the present study, we showed for the first time the involvement of PLD-dependent actin polymerization in sperm motility during mouse and human capacitation. Sperm incubated under capacitation conditions revealed a time dependent increase in actin polymerization and HAM. Inhibition of Phosphatidic Acid (PA) formation by PLD using butan-1-ol, inhibited actin polymerization and motility, as well as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the ability of the sperm to undergo the AR. The inhibition of sperm HAM by low concentration of butan-1-ol is completely restored by adding PA, further indicating the involvement of PLD in these processes. Furthermore, exogenous PA enhanced rapid actin polymerization that was followed by a rise in the HAM, as well as an increased in IVF rate. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that PLD-dependent actin polymerization is a critical step needed for the development of HAM during mouse and human sperm capacitation. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Absolute Position Sensing Based on a Robust Differential Capacitive Sensor with a Grounded Shield Window

PubMed Central

Bai, Yang; Lu, Yunfeng; Hu, Pengcheng; Wang, Gang; Xu, Jinxin; Zeng, Tao; Li, Zhengkun; Zhang, Zhonghua; Tan, Jiubin

2016-01-01

A simple differential capacitive sensor is provided in this paper to measure the absolute positions of length measuring systems. By utilizing a shield window inside the differential capacitor, the measurement range and linearity range of the sensor can reach several millimeters. What is more interesting is that this differential capacitive sensor is only sensitive to one translational degree of freedom (DOF) movement, and immune to the vibration along the other two translational DOFs. In the experiment, we used a novel circuit based on an AC capacitance bridge to directly measure the differential capacitance value. The experimental result shows that this differential capacitive sensor has a sensitivity of 2 × 10−4 pF/μm with 0.08 μm resolution. The measurement range of this differential capacitive sensor is 6 mm, and the linearity error are less than 0.01% over the whole absolute position measurement range. PMID:27187393

Sensitivity Enhancement of an Inductively Coupled Local Detector Using a HEMT-Based Current Amplifier.

PubMed

Qian, Chunqi; Duan, Qi; Dodd, Steve; Koretsky, Alan; Murphy-Boesch, Joe

2016-06-01

To improve the signal transmission efficiency and sensitivity of a local detection coil that is weakly inductively coupled to a larger receive coil. The resonant detection coil is connected in parallel with the gate of a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) transistor without impedance matching. When the drain of the transistor is capacitively shunted to ground, current amplification occurs in the resonator by feedback that transforms a capacitive impedance on the transistor's source to a negative resistance on its gate. High resolution images were obtained from a mouse brain using a small, 11 mm diameter surface coil that was inductively coupled to a commercial, phased array chest coil. Although the power consumption of the amplifier was only 88 μW, 14 dB gain was obtained with excellent noise performance. An integrated current amplifier based on a HEMT can enhance the sensitivity of inductively coupled local detectors when weakly coupled. This amplifier enables efficient signal transmission between customized user coils and commercial clinical coils, without the need for a specialized signal interface. Magn Reson Med 75:2573-2578, 2016. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Published 2015 This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Profiling of barrier capacitance and spreading resistance using a transient linearly increasing voltage technique.

PubMed

Gaubas, E; Ceponis, T; Kusakovskij, J

2011-08-01

A technique for the combined measurement of barrier capacitance and spreading resistance profiles using a linearly increasing voltage pulse is presented. The technique is based on the measurement and analysis of current transients, due to the barrier and diffusion capacitance, and the spreading resistance, between a needle probe and sample. To control the impact of deep traps in the barrier capacitance, a steady state bias illumination with infrared light was employed. Measurements of the spreading resistance and barrier capacitance profiles using a stepwise positioned probe on cross sectioned silicon pin diodes and pnp structures are presented.

Estimation of stream depletion using values of capacitance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baldenkov, Mikhail; Filimonova, Elena

2014-05-01

Compensation pumping is used to alleviate deficiencies in streamflow discharge during dry seasons. Short-term groundwater pumping can use aquifer storage instead of catchment-zone water until the drawdown reaches the edge of the stream. Stream-aquifer interactions are the key component of the hydrologic budgets and estimation of stream depletion has top-priority when evaluating the effectiveness of application of seasonal compensation pumping. Numerous analytical equations have been developed to assess the influence of groundwater pumping on nearby streams (C.V. Theis, R.E. Glover, C.G. Balmer, M.S. Hantush, C.T. Jenkins, B. Hunt, J. Bredehoeft, V.A. Zlotnik, E.L. Minkin, N.N. Lapshin, F.M. Bochever and other researchers). R.B. Wallace and Y. Darama obtained solution for cyclic conditions groundwater pumping. Numerical model approaches used in difficult hydrogeological conditions. It is offered to estimate stream depletion by seasonal pumping using values of capacitance (complex, dimensionless parameter of an aquifer system that defines the delayed effect on steamflow when there is groundwater pumping). Capacitance (C) is determined by the following equation: ( ) L* C = f( °---) , TS-Δt where S and T are the aquifer specific yield (or storage coefficient for a confined aquifer) and transmissivity, respectively; Δt is the pumping time inside one cycle, L* is the summarizing distance between the compensation well and stream edge; in some cases it can involve a function of the stream leakance and vertical leakance of the impermeable layer. Three typical hydraulic cases of compensation pumping were classified depending on their capacitance structure (i.e. the relationship between surface water and groundwater): (a) perfect hydraulic connection between the stream and aquifer; (b) imperfect hydraulic connection between the stream and aquifer; and (c) essentially imperfect hydraulic connection between the stream and the underlying confined aquifer. The form of

Learning Rotation-Invariant Local Binary Descriptor.

PubMed

Duan, Yueqi; Lu, Jiwen; Feng, Jianjiang; Zhou, Jie

2017-08-01

In this paper, we propose a rotation-invariant local binary descriptor (RI-LBD) learning method for visual recognition. Compared with hand-crafted local binary descriptors, such as local binary pattern and its variants, which require strong prior knowledge, local binary feature learning methods are more efficient and data-adaptive. Unlike existing learning-based local binary descriptors, such as compact binary face descriptor and simultaneous local binary feature learning and encoding, which are susceptible to rotations, our RI-LBD first categorizes each local patch into a rotational binary pattern (RBP), and then jointly learns the orientation for each pattern and the projection matrix to obtain RI-LBDs. As all the rotation variants of a patch belong to the same RBP, they are rotated into the same orientation and projected into the same binary descriptor. Then, we construct a codebook by a clustering method on the learned binary codes, and obtain a histogram feature for each image as the final representation. In order to exploit higher order statistical information, we extend our RI-LBD to the triple rotation-invariant co-occurrence local binary descriptor (TRICo-LBD) learning method, which learns a triple co-occurrence binary code for each local patch. Extensive experimental results on four different visual recognition tasks, including image patch matching, texture classification, face recognition, and scene classification, show that our RI-LBD and TRICo-LBD outperform most existing local descriptors.

Electron heating and the Electrical Asymmetry Effect in capacitively coupled RF discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schulze, Julian

2011-10-01

For applications of capacitive radio frequency discharges, the control of particle distribution functions at the substrate surface is essential. Their spatio-temporal shape is the result of complex heating mechanisms of the respective species. Enhanced process control, therefore, requires a detailed understanding of the heating dynamics. There are two known modes of discharge operation: α- and γ-mode. In α-mode, most ionization is caused by electron beams generated by the expanding sheaths and field reversals during sheath collapse, while in γ-mode secondary electrons dominate the ionisation. In strongly electronegative discharges, a third heating mode is observed. Due to the low electron density in the discharge center the bulk conductivity is reduced and a high electric field is generated to drive the RF current through the discharge center. In this field, electrons are accelerated and cause significant ionisation in the bulk. This bulk heating mode is observed experimentally and by PIC simulations in CF4 discharges. The electron dynamics and mode transitions as a function of driving voltage and pressure are discussed. Based on a detailed understanding of the heating dynamics, the concept of separate control of the ion mean energy and flux in classical dual-frequency discharges is demonstrated to fail under process relevant conditions. To overcome these limitations of process control, the Electrical Asymmetry Effect (EAE) is proposed in discharges driven at multiple consecutive harmonics with adjustable phase shifts between the driving frequencies. Its concept and a recipe to optimize the driving voltage waveform are introduced. The functionality of the EAE in different gases and first applications to large area solar cell manufacturing are discussed. Finally, limitations caused by the bulk heating in strongly electronegative discharges are outlined.

A three-sided rearrangeable switching network for a binary fat tree

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yen, Mao-Hsu; Yu, Chu; Shin, Haw-Yun; Chen, Sao-Jie

2011-06-01

A binary fat tree needs an internal node to interconnect the left-children, right-children and parent terminals to each other. In this article, we first propose a three-stage, 3-sided rearrangeable switching network for the implementation of a binary fat tree. The main component of this 3-sided switching network (3SSN) consists of a polygonal switch block (PSB) interconnected by crossbars. With the same size and the same number of switches as our 3SSN, a three-stage, 3-sided clique-based switching network is shown to be not rearrangeable. Also, the effects of the rearrangeable structure and the number of terminals on the network switch-efficiency are explored and a proper set of parameters has been determined to minimise the number of switches. We derive that a rearrangeable 3-sided switching network with switches proportional to N 3/2 is most suitable to interconnect N terminals. Moreover, we propose a new Polygonal Field Programmable Gate Array (PFPGA) that consists of logic blocks interconnected by our 3SSN, such that the logic blocks in this PFPGA can be grouped into clusters to implement different logic functions. Since the programmable switches usually have high resistance and capacitance and occupy a large area, we have to consider the effect of the 3SSN structure and the granularity of its cluster logic blocks on the switch efficiency of PFPGA. Experiments on benchmark circuits show that the switch and speed performances are significantly improved. Based on the experimental results, we can determine the parameters of PFPGA for the VLSI implementation.

Binary YORP Effect and Evolution of Binary Asteroids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steinberg, Elad; Sari, Re'em

2011-02-01

The rotation states of kilometer-sized near-Earth asteroids are known to be affected by the Yarkevsky O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack (YORP) effect. In a related effect, binary YORP (BYORP), the orbital properties of a binary asteroid evolve under a radiation effect mostly acting on a tidally locked secondary. The BYORP effect can alter the orbital elements over ~104-105 years for a Dp = 2 km primary with a Ds = 0.4 km secondary at 1 AU. It can either separate the binary components or cause them to collide. In this paper, we devise a simple approach to calculate the YORP effect on asteroids and the BYORP effect on binaries including J 2 effects due to primary oblateness and the Sun. We apply this to asteroids with known shapes as well as a set of randomly generated bodies with various degrees of smoothness. We find a strong correlation between the strengths of an asteroid's YORP and BYORP effects. Therefore, statistical knowledge of one could be used to estimate the effect of the other. We show that the action of BYORP preferentially shrinks rather than expands the binary orbit and that YORP preferentially slows down asteroids. This conclusion holds for the two extremes of thermal conductivities studied in this work and the assumption that the asteroid reaches a stable point, but may break down for moderate thermal conductivity. The YORP and BYORP effects are shown to be smaller than could be naively expected due to near cancellation of the effects at small scales. Taking this near cancellation into account, a simple order-of-magnitude estimate of the YORP and BYORP effects as a function of the sizes and smoothness of the bodies is calculated. Finally, we provide a simple proof showing that there is no secular effect due to absorption of radiation in BYORP.

New spectroscopic binary companions of giant stars and updated metallicity distribution for binary systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bluhm, P.; Jones, M. I.; Vanzi, L.; Soto, M. G.; Vos, J.; Wittenmyer, R. A.; Drass, H.; Jenkins, J. S.; Olivares, F.; Mennickent, R. E.; Vučković, M.; Rojo, P.; Melo, C. H. F.

2016-10-01

We report the discovery of 24 spectroscopic binary companions to giant stars. We fully constrain the orbital solution for 6 of these systems. We cannot unambiguously derive the orbital elements for the remaining stars because the phase coverage is incomplete. Of these stars, 6 present radial velocity trends that are compatible with long-period brown dwarf companions. The orbital solutions of the 24 binary systems indicate that these giant binary systems have a wide range in orbital periods, eccentricities, and companion masses. For the binaries with restricted orbital solutions, we find a range of orbital periods of between ~97-1600 days and eccentricities of between ~0.1-0.4. In addition, we studied the metallicity distribution of single and binary giant stars. We computed the metallicity of a total of 395 evolved stars, 59 of wich are in binary systems. We find a flat distribution for these binary stars and therefore conclude that stellar binary systems, and potentially brown dwarfs, have a different formation mechanism than planets. This result is confirmed by recent works showing that extrasolar planets orbiting giants are more frequent around metal-rich stars. Finally, we investigate the eccentricity as a function of the orbital period. We analyzed a total of 130 spectroscopic binaries, including those presented here and systems from the literature. We find that most of the binary stars with periods ≲30 days have circular orbits, while at longer orbital periods we observe a wide spread in their eccentricities. Based on observations collected at La Silla - Paranal Observatory under programs IDs IDs 085.C-0557, 087.C.0476, 089.C-0524, 090.C-0345, 096.A-9020 and through the Chilean Telescope Time under programs IDs CN2012A-73, CN2012B-47, CN2013A-111, CN2013B-51, CN2014A-52 and CN2015A-48.

A Power-Efficient Capacitive Read-Out Circuit With Parasitic-Cancellation for MEMS Cochlea Sensors.

PubMed

Wang, Shiwei; Koickal, Thomas Jacob; Hamilton, Alister; Mastropaolo, Enrico; Cheung, Rebecca; Abel, Andrew; Smith, Leslie S; Wang, Lei

2016-02-01

This paper proposes a solution for signal read-out in the MEMS cochlea sensors that have very small sensing capacitance and do not have differential sensing structures. The key challenge in such sensors is the significant signal degradation caused by the parasitic capacitance at the MEMS-CMOS interface. Therefore, a novel capacitive read-out circuit with parasitic-cancellation mechanism is developed; the equivalent input capacitance of the circuit is negative and can be adjusted to cancel the parasitic capacitance. Chip results prove that the use of parasitic-cancellation is able to increase the sensor sensitivity by 35 dB without consuming any extra power. In general, the circuit follows a low-degradation low-amplification approach which is more power-efficient than the traditional high-degradation high-amplification approach; it employs parasitic-cancellation to reduce the signal degradation and therefore a lower gain is required in the amplification stage. Besides, the chopper-stabilization technique is employed to effectively reduce the low-frequency circuit noise and DC offsets. As a result of these design considerations, the prototype chip demonstrates the capability of converting a 7.5 fF capacitance change of a 1-Volt-biased 0.5 pF capacitive sensor pair into a 0.745 V signal-conditioned output at the cost of only 165.2 μW power consumption.

Effects of gas flow rate on the etch characteristics of a low- k sicoh film with an amorphous carbon mask in dual-frequency CF4/C4F8/Ar capacitively-coupled plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwon, Bong-Soo; Lee, Hea-Lim; Lee, Nae-Eung; Kim, Chang-Young; Choi, Chi Kyu

2013-01-01

Highly selective nanoscale etching of a low-dielectric constant (low- k) organosilicate (SiCOH) layer using a mask pattern of chemical-vapor-deposited (CVD) amorphous carbon layer (ACL) was carried out in CF4/C4F8/Ar dual-frequency superimposed capacitively-coupled plasmas. The etching characteristics of the SiCOH layers, such as the etch rate, etch selectivity, critical dimension (CD), and line edge roughness (LER) during the plasma etching, were investigated by varying the C4F8 flow rate. The C4F8 gas flow rate primarily was found to control the degree of polymerization and to cause variations in the selectivity, CD and LER of the patterned SiCOH layer. Process windows for ultra-high etch selectivity of the SiCOH layer to the CVD ACL are formed due to the disproportionate degrees of polymerization on the SiCOH and the ACL surfaces.

Lack of anodic capacitance causes power overshoot in microbial fuel cells.

PubMed

Peng, Xinhong; Yu, Han; Yu, Hongbing; Wang, Xin

2013-06-01

Power overshoot commonly makes the performance evaluation of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) inaccurate. Here, three types of carbon with different capacitance (ultracapacitor activated carbon (UAC), plain activated carbon (PAC) and carbon black (CB)) rolled on stainless steel mesh (SSM) as anodes to investigate the relationship between overshoot and anodic capacitance. It was not observed in all cycles of UAC-MFCs (from Cycle 2 to 4) due to the largest abiotic capacitance (Cm(abiotic)) of 2.1F/cm(2), while this phenomenon was eliminated in PAC-MFCs (Cm(abiotic)=1.6 F/cm(2)) from Cycle 3 and in CB-MFCs (Cm(abiotic)=0.5F/cm(2)) from Cycle 4, indicated that the Cm(abiotic) of the anode stored charges and functioned as electron shuttle to overcome the power overshoot. With bacterial colonization, the transient charge storage in biofilm resulted in a 0.1-0.4F/cm(2) increase in total capacitance for anodes, which was the possible reason for the elimination of power overshoot in PAC/CB-MFCs after multi cycle acclimation. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Heber Binary Project. Binary Cycle Geothermal Demonstration Power Plant (RP1900-1)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lacy, R. G.; Nelson, T. T.

1982-12-01

The Heber Binary Project (1) demonstrates the potential of moderate temperature (below 410 F) geothermal energy to produce economic electric power with binary cycle conversion technology; (2) allows the scaling up and evaluation of the performance of binary cycle technology in geothermal service; (3) establishes schedule, cost and equipment performance, reservoir performance, and the environmental acceptability of such plants; and (4) resolves uncertainties associated with the reservoir performance, plant operation, and economics.

New Results on Contact Binary Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, J.; Qian, S.; Zhu, L.; Liu, L.; Liao, W.

2014-08-01

Contact binary star is a kind of close binary with the strongest interaction binary system. Their formations and evolutions are unsolved problems in astrophysics. Since 2000, our groups have observed and studied more than half a hundred of contact binaries. In this report, I will summarize our new results of some contact binary stars (e.g. UZ CMi, GSC 03526-01995, FU Dra, GSC 0763-0572, V524 Mon, MR Com, etc.). They are as follow: (1) We discovered that V524 Mon and MR Com are shallow-contact binaries with their period decreasing; (2) GSC 03526-01995 is middle-contact binary without a period increasing or decreasing continuously; (3) UZ CMi, GSC 0763-0572 and FU Dra are middle-contact binaries with the period increasing continuously; (4) UZ CMi, GSC 03526-01995, FU Dra and V524 Mon show period oscillation which may imply the presence of additional components in these contact binaries.

Neutron-Star Radius from a Population of Binary Neutron Star Mergers.

PubMed

Bose, Sukanta; Chakravarti, Kabir; Rezzolla, Luciano; Sathyaprakash, B S; Takami, Kentaro

2018-01-19

We show how gravitational-wave observations with advanced detectors of tens to several tens of neutron-star binaries can measure the neutron-star radius with an accuracy of several to a few percent, for mass and spatial distributions that are realistic, and with none of the sources located within 100 Mpc. We achieve such an accuracy by combining measurements of the total mass from the inspiral phase with those of the compactness from the postmerger oscillation frequencies. For estimating the measurement errors of these frequencies, we utilize analytical fits to postmerger numerical relativity waveforms in the time domain, obtained here for the first time, for four nuclear-physics equations of state and a couple of values for the mass. We further exploit quasiuniversal relations to derive errors in compactness from those frequencies. Measuring the average radius to well within 10% is possible for a sample of 100 binaries distributed uniformly in volume between 100 and 300 Mpc, so long as the equation of state is not too soft or the binaries are not too heavy. We also give error estimates for the Einstein Telescope.

The Tarantula Massive Binary Monitoring. I. Observational campaign and OB-type spectroscopic binaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almeida, L. A.; Sana, H.; Taylor, W.; Barbá, R.; Bonanos, A. Z.; Crowther, P.; Damineli, A.; de Koter, A.; de Mink, S. E.; Evans, C. J.; Gieles, M.; Grin, N. J.; Hénault-Brunet, V.; Langer, N.; Lennon, D.; Lockwood, S.; Maíz Apellániz, J.; Moffat, A. F. J.; Neijssel, C.; Norman, C.; Ramírez-Agudelo, O. H.; Richardson, N. D.; Schootemeijer, A.; Shenar, T.; Soszyński, I.; Tramper, F.; Vink, J. S.

2017-02-01

Context. Massive binaries play a crucial role in the Universe. Knowing the distributions of their orbital parameters is important for a wide range of topics from stellar feedback to binary evolution channels and from the distribution of supernova types to gravitational wave progenitors, yet no direct measurements exist outside the Milky Way. Aims: The Tarantula Massive Binary Monitoring project was designed to help fill this gap by obtaining multi-epoch radial velocity (RV) monitoring of 102 massive binaries in the 30 Doradus region. Methods: In this paper we analyze 32 FLAMES/GIRAFFE observations of 93 O- and 7 B-type binaries. We performed a Fourier analysis and obtained orbital solutions for 82 systems: 51 single-lined (SB1) and 31 double-lined (SB2) spectroscopic binaries. Results: Overall, the binary fraction and orbital properties across the 30 Doradus region are found to be similar to existing Galactic samples. This indicates that within these domains environmental effects are of second order in shaping the properties of massive binary systems. A small difference is found in the distribution of orbital periods, which is slightly flatter (in log space) in 30 Doradus than in the Galaxy, although this may be compatible within error estimates and differences in the fitting methodology. Also, orbital periods in 30 Doradus can be as short as 1.1 d, somewhat shorter than seen in Galactic samples. Equal mass binaries (q> 0.95) in 30 Doradus are all found outside NGC 2070, the central association that surrounds R136a, the very young and massive cluster at 30 Doradus's core. Most of the differences, albeit small, are compatible with expectations from binary evolution. One outstanding exception, however, is the fact that earlier spectral types (O2-O7) tend to have shorter orbital periods than later spectral types (O9.2-O9.7). Conclusions: Our results point to a relative universality of the incidence rate of massive binaries and their orbital properties in the

Electric double-layer capacitance between an ionic liquid and few-layer graphene.

PubMed

Uesugi, Eri; Goto, Hidenori; Eguchi, Ritsuko; Fujiwara, Akihiko; Kubozono, Yoshihiro

2013-01-01

Ionic-liquid gates have a high carrier density due to their atomically thin electric double layer (EDL) and extremely large geometrical capacitance Cg. However, a high carrier density in graphene has not been achieved even with ionic-liquid gates because the EDL capacitance CEDL between the ionic liquid and graphene involves the series connection of Cg and the quantum capacitance Cq, which is proportional to the density of states. We investigated the variables that determine CEDL at the molecular level by varying the number of graphene layers n and thereby optimising Cq. The CEDL value is governed by Cq at n < 4, and by Cg at n > 4. This transition with n indicates a composite nature for CEDL. Our finding clarifies a universal principle that determines capacitance on a microscopic scale, and provides nanotechnological perspectives on charge accumulation and energy storage using an ultimately thin capacitor.

Electric double-layer capacitance between an ionic liquid and few-layer graphene

PubMed Central

Uesugi, Eri; Goto, Hidenori; Eguchi, Ritsuko; Fujiwara, Akihiko; Kubozono, Yoshihiro

2013-01-01

Ionic-liquid gates have a high carrier density due to their atomically thin electric double layer (EDL) and extremely large geometrical capacitance Cg. However, a high carrier density in graphene has not been achieved even with ionic-liquid gates because the EDL capacitance CEDL between the ionic liquid and graphene involves the series connection of Cg and the quantum capacitance Cq, which is proportional to the density of states. We investigated the variables that determine CEDL at the molecular level by varying the number of graphene layers n and thereby optimising Cq. The CEDL value is governed by Cq at n < 4, and by Cg at n > 4. This transition with n indicates a composite nature for CEDL. Our finding clarifies a universal principle that determines capacitance on a microscopic scale, and provides nanotechnological perspectives on charge accumulation and energy storage using an ultimately thin capacitor. PMID:23549208

Abnormal hump in capacitance-voltage measurements induced by ultraviolet light in a-IGZO thin-film transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsao, Yu-Ching; Chang, Ting-Chang; Chen, Hua-Mao; Chen, Bo-Wei; Chiang, Hsiao-Cheng; Chen, Guan-Fu; Chien, Yu-Chieh; Tai, Ya-Hsiang; Hung, Yu-Ju; Huang, Shin-Ping; Yang, Chung-Yi; Chou, Wu-Ching

2017-01-01

This work demonstrates the generation of abnormal capacitance for amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide (a-InGaZnO4) thin-film transistors after being subjected to negative bias stress under ultraviolet light illumination stress (NBIS). At various operation frequencies, there are two-step tendencies in their capacitance-voltage curves. When gate bias is smaller than threshold voltage, the measured capacitance is dominated by interface defects. Conversely, the measured capacitance is dominated by oxygen vacancies when gate bias is larger than threshold voltage. The impact of these interface defects and oxygen vacancies on capacitance-voltage curves is verified by TCAD simulation software.

Teaching of Inductive and Capacitive Reactance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MacInnes, I.; Jeffrey, W. S.

1983-01-01

Discusses how understanding mechanical systems and their graphic representation can be of value when teaching inductive and capacitive reactance, in particular, the response of inductors and capacitors to an alternating potential difference. Suggests that mechanical systems be taught, not just before introducing reactance but earlier in the…

In-Line Capacitance Sensor for Real-Time Water Absorption Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nurge, Mark A.; Perusich, Stephen A.

2010-01-01

A capacitance/dielectric sensor was designed, constructed, and used to measure in real time the in-situ water concentration in a desiccant water bed. Measurements were carried out with two experimental setups: (1) passing nitrogen through a humidity generator and allowing the gas stream to become saturated at a measured temperature and pressure, and (2) injecting water via a syringe pump into a nitrogen stream. Both water vapor generating devices were attached to a downstream vertically-mounted water capture bed filled with 19.5 g of Moisture Gone desiccant. The sensor consisted of two electrodes: (1) a 1/8" dia stainless steel rod placed in the middle of the bed and (2) the outer shell of the stainless steel bed concentric with the rod. All phases of the water capture process (background, heating, absorption, desorption, and cooling) were monitored with capacitance. The measured capacitance was found to vary linearly with the water content in the bed at frequencies above 100 kHz indicating dipolar motion dominated the signal; below this frequency, ionic motion caused nonlinearities in the water concentration/capacitance relationship. The desiccant exhibited a dielectric relaxation whose activation energy was lowered upon addition of water indicating either a less hindered rotational motion or crystal reorientation.

Recent advances in capacitance type of blade tip clearance measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barranger, John P.

1988-01-01

Two recent electronic advances at NASA-Lewis that meet the blade tip clearance needs of a wide class of fans, compressors, and turbines are described. The first is a frequency modulated (FM) oscillator that requires only a single low cost ultrahigh frequency operational amplifier. Its carrier frequency is 42.8 MHz when used with a 61 cm long hermetically sealed coaxial cable. The oscillator can be calibrated in the static mode and has a negative peak frequency deviation of 400 kHz for a typical rotor blade. High temperature performance tests of the probe and 13 cm of the adjacent cable show good accuracy up to 600 C, the maximum which produces a clearance error of + or - 10 microns at a clearance of 500 microns. In the second advance, a guarded probe configuration allows a longer cable capacitance. The capacitance of the probe is part of a small time constant feedback in a high speed operational amplifier. The solution of the governing differential equation is applied to a ramp type of input. The results show an amplifier output that contains a term which is proportional to the derivative of the feedback capacitance. The capacitance is obtained by subtracting a balancing reference channel followed by an integration stage.

Novel High Temperature Capacitive Pressure Sensor Utilizing SiC Integrated Circuit Twin Ring Oscillators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scardelletti, M.; Neudeck, P.; Spry, D.; Meredith, R.; Jordan, J.; Prokop, N.; Krasowski, M.; Beheim, G.; Hunter, G.

2017-01-01

This paper describes initial development and testing of a novel high temperature capacitive pressure sensor system. The pressure sensor system consists of two 4H-SiC 11-stage ring oscillators and a SiCN capacitive pressure sensor. One oscillator has the capacitive pressure sensor fixed at one node in its feedback loop and varies as a function of pressure and temperature while the other provides a pressure-independent reference frequency which can be used to temperature compensate the output of the first oscillator. A two-day repeatability test was performed up to 500C on the oscillators and the oscillator fundamental frequency changed by only 1. The SiCN capacitive pressure sensor was characterized at room temperature from 0 to 300 psi. The sensor had an initial capacitance of 3.76 pF at 0 psi and 1.75 pF at 300 psi corresponding to a 54 change in capacitance. The integrated pressure sensor system was characterized from 0 to 300 psi in steps of 50 psi over a temperature range of 25 to 500C. The pressure sensor system sensitivity was 0.113 kHzpsi at 25C and 0.026 kHzpsi at 500C.

CMOS micromachined capacitive cantilevers for mass sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Ying-Chung; Ho, Meng-Han; Hung, Shi-Jie; Chen, Meng-Huei; S-C Lu, Michael

2006-12-01

In this paper, we present the design, fabrication and characterization of the CMOS micromachined cantilevers for mass sensing in the femtogram range. The cantilevers consisting of multiple metal and dielectric layers are fabricated after completion of a conventional CMOS process by dry etching steps. The cantilevers are electrostatically actuated to resonance by in-plane electrodes. The mechanical resonant frequency is detected capacitively with on-chip circuitry, where the modulation technique is applied to eliminate capacitive feedthrough from the driving port and to lessen the effect of flicker noise. The highest resonant frequency of the cantilevers is measured at 396.46 kHz with a quality factor of 2600 at 10 mTorr. The resonant frequency shift after deposition of a 0.1 µm SiO2 layer is 140 Hz, averaging 353 fg Hz-1.

Characteristics Study of In-Situ Capacitive Sensor for Monitoring Lubrication Oil Debris

PubMed Central

Han, Zhibin; Wang, Yishou; Qing, Xinlin

2017-01-01

As an essential part of engine health monitoring (EHM), online lubrication oil debris monitoring has recently received great attention for the assessment of rotating and reciprocating parts in aero-engines, due to its high integration, low cost and safe characteristics. However, it is be a challenge to find a suitable sensor operating in such a complex environment. We present an unconventional novel approach, in which a cylinder capacitive sensor is designed and integrated with the pipeline of an engine lubrication system, so that the capacitive sensor can effectively detect changes in the lubrication oil condition. In this paper, an attempt to illustrate the performance characteristics of the developed cylinder capacitive sensor is made, through an experiment system that simulates a real scenario of a lubrication oil system. The main aim of the research was to qualitatively describe the relationship between the sensor parameter and the lubrication oil debris. In addition, the effect of the temperature and flow rate of the lubrication oil on capacitance change was performed by several experiments and we figured out a compensation method. The experimental results demonstrated that the cylinder capacitive sensor can potentially be used for lubrication oil debris monitoring of the health condition of an aero-engine. PMID:29292748

Characteristics Study of In-Situ Capacitive Sensor for Monitoring Lubrication Oil Debris.

PubMed

Han, Zhibin; Wang, Yishou; Qing, Xinlin

2017-12-08

As an essential part of engine health monitoring (EHM), online lubrication oil debris monitoring has recently received great attention for the assessment of rotating and reciprocating parts in aero-engines, due to its high integration, low cost and safe characteristics. However, it is be a challenge to find a suitable sensor operating in such a complex environment. We present an unconventional novel approach, in which a cylinder capacitive sensor is designed and integrated with the pipeline of an engine lubrication system, so that the capacitive sensor can effectively detect changes in the lubrication oil condition. In this paper, an attempt to illustrate the performance characteristics of the developed cylinder capacitive sensor is made, through an experiment system that simulates a real scenario of a lubrication oil system. The main aim of the research was to qualitatively describe the relationship between the sensor parameter and the lubrication oil debris. In addition, the effect of the temperature and flow rate of the lubrication oil on capacitance change was performed by several experiments and we figured out a compensation method. The experimental results demonstrated that the cylinder capacitive sensor can potentially be used for lubrication oil debris monitoring of the health condition of an aero-engine.

High Temperature Capacitive Strain Gage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wnuk, Stephen P., Jr.; Wnuk, Stephen P., III; Wnuk, V. P.

1990-01-01

Capacitive strain gages designed for measurements in wind tunnels to 2000 F were built and evaluated. Two design approaches were followed. One approach was based on fixed capacitor plates with a movable ground plane inserted between the plates to effect differential capacitive output with strain. The second approach was based on movable capacitor plates suspended between sapphire bearings, housed in a rugged body, and arranged to operate as a differential capacitor. A sapphire bearing gage (1/4 in. diameter x 1 in. in size) was built with a range of 50,000 and a resolution of 200 microstrain. Apparent strain on Rene' 41 was less than + or - 1000 microstrain from room temperature to 2000 F. Three gage models were built from the Ground Plane Differential concept. The first was 1/4 in. square by 1/32 in. high and useable to 700 F. The second was 1/2 in. square by 1/16 in. high and useable to 1440 F. The third, also 1/2 in. square by 1/16 in. high was expected to operate in the 1600 to 2000 F range, but was not tested because time and funding ended.

High temperature capacitive strain gage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wnuk, Stephen P., Jr.; Wnuk, Stephen P., III; Wnuk, V. P.

1990-01-01

Capacitive strain gages designed for measurements in wind tunnels to 2000 F were built and evaluated. Two design approaches were followed. One approach was based on fixed capacitor plates with a movable ground plane inserted between the plates to effect differential capacitive output with strain. The second approach was based on movable capacitor plates suspended between sapphire bearings, housed in a rugged body, and arranged to operate as a differential capacitor. A sapphire bearing gage (1/4 in. diameter x 1 in. in size) was built with a range of 50,000 and a resolution of 200 microstrain. Apparent strain on Rene' 41 was less than + or - 1000 microstrain from room temperature to 2000 F. Three gage models were built from the Ground Plane Differential concept. The first was 1/4 in. square by 1/32 in. high and useable to 700 F. The second was 1/2 in. square by 1/16 in. high and useable to 1440 F. The third, also 1/2 in. square by 1/16 in. high was expected to operate in the 1600 to 2000 F range, but was not tested because time and funding ended.

Fringe Capacitance of a Parallel-Plate Capacitor.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hale, D. P.

1978-01-01

Describes an experiment designed to measure the forces between charged parallel plates, and determines the relationship among the effective electrode area, the measured capacitance values, and the electrode spacing of a parallel plate capacitor. (GA)

Experimental analysis and simulation calculation of the inductances of loosely coupled transformer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kerui, Chen; Yang, Han; Yan, Zhang; Nannan, Gao; Ying, Pei; Hongbo, Li; Pei, Li; Liangfeng, Guo

2017-11-01

The experimental design of iron-core wireless power transmission system is designed, and an experimental model of loosely coupled transformer is built. Measuring the air gap on both sides of the transformer 15mm inductor under the parameters. The feasibility and feasibility of using the finite element method to calculate the coil inductance parameters of the loosely coupled transformer are analyzed. The system was modeled by ANSYS, and the magnetic field was calculated by finite element method, and the inductance parameters were calculated. The finite element method is used to calculate the inductive parameters of the loosely coupled transformer, and the basis for the accurate compensation of the capacitance of the wireless power transmission system is established.

Evolution of double white dwarf binaries undergoing direct-impact accretion: Implications for gravitational wave astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kremer, Kyle; Breivik, Katelyn; Larson, Shane L.; Kalogera, Vassiliki

2017-01-01

For close double white dwarf binaries, the mass-transfer phenomenon known as direct-impact accretion (when the mass transfer stream impacts the accretor directly rather than forming a disc) may play a pivotal role in the long-term evolution of the systems. In this analysis, we explore the long-term evolution of white dwarf binaries accreting through direct-impact and explore implications of such systems to gravitational wave astronomy. We cover a broad range of parameter space which includes initial component masses and the strength of tidal coupling, and show that these systems, which lie firmly within the LISA frequency range, show strong negative chirps which can last as long as several million years. Detections of double white dwarf systems in the direct-impact phase by detectors such as LISA would provide astronomers with unique ways of probing the physics governing close compact object binaries.

Kinetic interpretation of resonance phenomena in low pressure capacitively coupled radio frequency plasmas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wilczek, Sebastian; Trieschmann, Jan; Eremin, Denis

Low pressure capacitive radio frequency (RF) plasmas are often described by equivalent circuit models based on fluid approaches that predict the self-excitation of resonances, e.g., high frequency oscillations of the total current in asymmetric discharges, but do not provide a kinetic interpretation of these effects. In fact, they leave important questions open: How is current continuity ensured in the presence of energetic electron beams generated by the expanding sheaths that lead to a local enhancement of the conduction current propagating through the bulk? How do the beam electrons interact with cold bulk electrons? What is the kinetic origin of resonancemore » phenomena? Based on kinetic simulations, we find that the energetic beam electrons interact with cold bulk electrons (modulated on a timescale of the inverse local electron plasma frequency) via a time dependent electric field outside the sheaths. This electric field is caused by the electron beam itself, which leaves behind a positive space charge, that attracts cold bulk electrons towards the expanding sheath. The resulting displacement current ensures current continuity by locally compensating the enhancement of the conduction current. The backflow of cold electrons and their interaction with the nonlinear plasma sheath cause the generation of multiple electron beams during one phase of sheath expansion and contribute to a strongly non-sinusoidal RF current. These kinetic mechanisms are the basis for a fundamental understanding of the electron power absorption dynamics and resonance phenomena in such plasmas, which are found to occur in discharges of different symmetries including perfectly symmetric plasmas.« less

The effects of dielectric decrement and finite ion size on differential capacitance of electrolytically gated graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daniels, Lindsey; Scott, Matthew; Mišković, Z. L.

2018-06-01

We analyze the effects of dielectric decrement and finite ion size in an aqueous electrolyte on the capacitance of a graphene electrode, and make comparisons with the effects of dielectric saturation combined with finite ion size. We first derive conditions for the cross-over from a camel-shaped to a bell-shaped capacitance of the diffuse layer. We show next that the total capacitance is dominated by a V-shaped quantum capacitance of graphene at low potentials. A broad peak develops in the total capacitance at high potentials, which is sensitive to the ion size with dielectric saturation, but is stable with dielectric decrement.

Molecular Insights into Carbon Nanotube Supercapacitors: Capacitance Independent of Voltage and Temperature

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Feng, Guang; Li, Song; Atchison, Jennifer S.

2013-04-12

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of supercapacitors with single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) electrodes in room-temperature ionic liquids were performed to investigate the influences of the applied electrical potential, the radius/curvature of SWCNTs, and temperature on their capacitive behavior. It is found that (1) SWCNTs-based supercapacitors exhibit a near-flat capacitance–potential curve, (2) the capacitance increases as the tube radius decreases, and (3) the capacitance depends little on the temperature. We report the first MD study showing the influence of the electrode curvature on the capacitance–potential curve and negligible dependence of temperature on capacitance of tubular electrode. The latter is in good agreementmore » with recent experimental findings and is attributed to the similarity of the electrical double layer (EDL) microstructure with temperature varying from 260 to 400 K. The electrode curvature effect is explained by the dominance of charge overscreening and increased ion density per unit area of electrode surface.« less

A dielectric model of self-assembled monolayer interfaces by capacitive spectroscopy.

PubMed

Góes, Márcio S; Rahman, Habibur; Ryall, Joshua; Davis, Jason J; Bueno, Paulo R

2012-06-26

The presence of self-assembled monolayers at an electrode introduces capacitance and resistance contributions that can profoundly affect subsequently observed electronic characteristics. Despite the impact of this on any voltammetry, these contributions are not directly resolvable with any clarity by standard electrochemical means. A capacitive analysis of such interfaces (by capacitance spectroscopy), introduced here, enables a clean mapping of these features and additionally presents a means of studying layer polarizability and Cole-Cole relaxation effects. The resolved resistive term contributes directly to an intrinsic monolayer uncompensated resistance that has a linear dependence on the layer thickness. The dielectric model proposed is fully aligned with the classic Helmholtz plate capacitor model and additionally explains the inherently associated resistive features of molecular films.

Binary optics: Trends and limitations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farn, Michael W.; Veldkamp, Wilfrid B.

1993-01-01

We describe the current state of binary optics, addressing both the technology and the industry (i.e., marketplace). With respect to the technology, the two dominant aspects are optical design methods and fabrication capabilities, with the optical design problem being limited by human innovation in the search for new applications and the fabrication issue being limited by the availability of resources required to improve fabrication capabilities. With respect to the industry, the current marketplace does not favor binary optics as a separate product line and so we expect that companies whose primary purpose is the production of binary optics will not represent the bulk of binary optics production. Rather, binary optics' more natural role is as an enabling technology - a technology which will directly result in a competitive advantage in a company's other business areas - and so we expect that the majority of binary optics will be produced for internal use.

Photometric binary stars in Praesepe and the search for globular cluster binaries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bolte, Michael

1991-01-01

A radial velocity study of the stars which are located on a second sequence above the single-star zero-age main sequence at a given color in the color-magnitude diagram of the open cluster Praesepe, (NGC 2632) shows that 10, and possibly 11, of 17 are binary systems. Of the binary systems, five have full amplitudes for their velocity variations that are greater than 50 km/s. To the extent that they can be applied to globular clusters, these results suggests that (1) observations of 'second-sequence' stars in globular clusters would be an efficient way of finding main-sequence binary systems in globulars, and (2) current instrumentation on large telescopes is sufficient for establishing unambiguously the existence of main-sequence binary systems in nearby globular clusters.

BINARY ASTROMETRIC MICROLENSING WITH GAIA

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sajadian, Sedighe, E-mail: sajadian@ipm.ir; Department of Physics, Sharif University of Technology, P.O. Box 11155-9161, Tehran

2015-04-15

We investigate whether or not Gaia can specify the binary fractions of massive stellar populations in the Galactic disk through astrometric microlensing. Furthermore, we study whether or not some information about their mass distributions can be inferred via this method. In this regard, we simulate the binary astrometric microlensing events due to massive stellar populations according to the Gaia observing strategy by considering (i) stellar-mass black holes, (ii) neutron stars, (iii) white dwarfs, and (iv) main-sequence stars as microlenses. The Gaia efficiency for detecting the binary signatures in binary astrometric microlensing events is ∼10%–20%. By calculating the optical depth duemore » to the mentioned stellar populations, the numbers of the binary astrometric microlensing events being observed with Gaia with detectable binary signatures, for the binary fraction of about 0.1, are estimated to be 6, 11, 77, and 1316, respectively. Consequently, Gaia can potentially specify the binary fractions of these massive stellar populations. However, the binary fraction of black holes measured with this method has a large uncertainty owing to a low number of the estimated events. Knowing the binary fractions in massive stellar populations helps with studying the gravitational waves. Moreover, we investigate the number of massive microlenses for which Gaia specifies masses through astrometric microlensing of single lenses toward the Galactic bulge. The resulting efficiencies of measuring the mass of mentioned populations are 9.8%, 2.9%, 1.2%, and 0.8%, respectively. The numbers of their astrometric microlensing events being observed in the Gaia era in which the lens mass can be inferred with the relative error less than 0.5 toward the Galactic bulge are estimated as 45, 34, 76, and 786, respectively. Hence, Gaia potentially gives us some information about the mass distribution of these massive stellar populations.« less

Na/K-ATPase regulates bovine sperm capacitation through raft- and non-raft-mediated signaling mechanisms.

PubMed

Rajamanickam, Gayathri D; Kastelic, John P; Thundathil, Jacob C

2017-11-01

Highly dynamic lipid microdomains (rafts) in the sperm plasma membrane contain several signaling proteins that regulate sperm capacitation. Na/K-ATPase isoforms (testis-specific isoform ATP1A4 and ubiquitous isoform ATP1A1) are abundant in bovine sperm plasma membrane. We previously reported that incubation of bovine sperm with ouabain, a specific Na/K-ATPase ligand, induced tyrosine phosphorylation of several sperm proteins during capacitation. The objective of this study was to investigate the roles of lipid rafts and non-rafts in Na/K-ATPase enzyme activity and signaling during bovine sperm capacitation. Content of ATP1A4 and, to a lesser extent, ATP1A1 was increased in raft and non-raft fractions of capacitated sperm, although non-raft enzyme activities of both isoforms were higher than the corresponding activities in rafts from capacitated sperm. Yet, ATP1A4 was the predominant isoform responsible for total Na/K-ATPase activity in both rafts and non-rafts. A comparative increase in phosphorylation of signaling molecules was observed in both raft (CAV1) and non-raft (EGFR and ERK1/2) membrane fractions during capacitation. Although SRC was phosphorylated in both membrane fractions, the non-raft fraction possessed more of this activated form. We also inferred, by immunoprecipitation, that ATP1A4 interacted with CAV1 and EGFR in the raft fraction, whereas interactions of ATP1A4 with SRC, EGFR, and ERK1/2 occurred in the non-raft fraction of ouabain-capacitated sperm; conversely, ATP1A1 interacted only with CAV1 in both fractions of uncapacitated and capacitated sperm. In conclusion, both raft and non-raft cohorts of Na/K-ATPase isoforms contributed to phosphorylation of signaling molecules during bovine sperm capacitation. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

KEPLER ECLIPSING BINARIES WITH STELLAR COMPANIONS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gies, D. R.; Matson, R. A.; Guo, Z.

2015-12-15

Many short-period binary stars have distant orbiting companions that have played a role in driving the binary components into close separation. Indirect detection of a tertiary star is possible by measuring apparent changes in eclipse times of eclipsing binaries as the binary orbits the common center of mass. Here we present an analysis of the eclipse timings of 41 eclipsing binaries observed throughout the NASA Kepler mission of long duration and precise photometry. This subset of binaries is characterized by relatively deep and frequent eclipses of both stellar components. We present preliminary orbital elements for seven probable triple stars amongmore » this sample, and we discuss apparent period changes in seven additional eclipsing binaries that may be related to motion about a tertiary in a long period orbit. The results will be used in ongoing investigations of the spectra and light curves of these binaries for further evidence of the presence of third stars.« less

Robust and conductive two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks with exceptionally high volumetric and areal capacitance

DOE PAGES

Feng, Dawei; Lei, Ting; Lukatskaya, Maria R.; ...

2018-01-01

For miniaturized capacitive energy storage, volumetric and areal capacitances are more important metrics than gravimetric ones because of the constraints imposed by device volume and chip area. Typically used in commercial supercapacitors, porous carbons, although they provide a stable and reliable performance, lack volumetric performance because of their inherently low density and moderate capacitances. In this paper, we report a high-performing electrode based on conductive hexaaminobenzene (HAB)-derived two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). In addition to possessing a high packing density and hierarchical porous structure, these MOFs also exhibit excellent chemical stability in both acidic and basic aqueous solutions, which is inmore » sharp contrast to conventional MOFs. Submillimetre-thick pellets of HAB MOFs showed high volumetric capacitances up to 760 F cm -3 and high areal capacitances over 20 F cm -2. Furthermore, the HAB MOF electrodes exhibited highly reversible redox behaviours and good cycling stability with a capacitance retention of 90% after 12,000 cycles. In conclusion, these promising results demonstrate the potential of using redox-active conductive MOFs in energy-storage applications.« less

Robust and conductive two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks with exceptionally high volumetric and areal capacitance

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Feng, Dawei; Lei, Ting; Lukatskaya, Maria R.

For miniaturized capacitive energy storage, volumetric and areal capacitances are more important metrics than gravimetric ones because of the constraints imposed by device volume and chip area. Typically used in commercial supercapacitors, porous carbons, although they provide a stable and reliable performance, lack volumetric performance because of their inherently low density and moderate capacitances. In this paper, we report a high-performing electrode based on conductive hexaaminobenzene (HAB)-derived two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). In addition to possessing a high packing density and hierarchical porous structure, these MOFs also exhibit excellent chemical stability in both acidic and basic aqueous solutions, which is inmore » sharp contrast to conventional MOFs. Submillimetre-thick pellets of HAB MOFs showed high volumetric capacitances up to 760 F cm -3 and high areal capacitances over 20 F cm -2. Furthermore, the HAB MOF electrodes exhibited highly reversible redox behaviours and good cycling stability with a capacitance retention of 90% after 12,000 cycles. In conclusion, these promising results demonstrate the potential of using redox-active conductive MOFs in energy-storage applications.« less

Robust and conductive two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks with exceptionally high volumetric and areal capacitance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Dawei; Lei, Ting; Lukatskaya, Maria R.; Park, Jihye; Huang, Zhehao; Lee, Minah; Shaw, Leo; Chen, Shucheng; Yakovenko, Andrey A.; Kulkarni, Ambarish; Xiao, Jianping; Fredrickson, Kurt; Tok, Jeffrey B.; Zou, Xiaodong; Cui, Yi; Bao, Zhenan

2018-01-01

For miniaturized capacitive energy storage, volumetric and areal capacitances are more important metrics than gravimetric ones because of the constraints imposed by device volume and chip area. Typically used in commercial supercapacitors, porous carbons, although they provide a stable and reliable performance, lack volumetric performance because of their inherently low density and moderate capacitances. Here we report a high-performing electrode based on conductive hexaaminobenzene (HAB)-derived two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). In addition to possessing a high packing density and hierarchical porous structure, these MOFs also exhibit excellent chemical stability in both acidic and basic aqueous solutions, which is in sharp contrast to conventional MOFs. Submillimetre-thick pellets of HAB MOFs showed high volumetric capacitances up to 760 F cm-3 and high areal capacitances over 20 F cm-2. Furthermore, the HAB MOF electrodes exhibited highly reversible redox behaviours and good cycling stability with a capacitance retention of 90% after 12,000 cycles. These promising results demonstrate the potential of using redox-active conductive MOFs in energy-storage applications.

Transcending binary logic by gating three coupled quantum dots.

PubMed

Klein, Michael; Rogge, S; Remacle, F; Levine, R D

2007-09-01

Physical considerations supported by numerical solution of the quantum dynamics including electron repulsion show that three weakly coupled quantum dots can robustly execute a complete set of logic gates for computing using three valued inputs and outputs. Input is coded as gating (up, unchanged, or down) of the terminal dots. A nanosecond time scale switching of the gate voltage requires careful numerical propagation of the dynamics. Readout is the charge (0, 1, or 2 electrons) on the central dot.

Nanocomposite of polyaniline nanorods grown on graphene nanoribbons for highly capacitive pseudocapacitors.

PubMed

Li, Lei; Raji, Abdul-Rahman O; Fei, Huilong; Yang, Yang; Samuel, Errol L G; Tour, James M

2013-07-24

A facile and cost-effective approach to the fabrication of a nanocomposite material of polyaniline (PANI) and graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) has been developed. The morphology of the composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The resulting composite has a high specific capacitance of 340 F/g and stable cycling performance with 90% capacitance retention over 4200 cycles. The high performance of the composite results from the synergistic combination of electrically conductive GNRs and highly capacitive PANI. The method developed here is practical for large-scale development of pseudocapacitor electrodes for energy storage.

Real-time estimation of paracellular permeability of cerebral endothelial cells by capacitance sensor array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hyun Jo, Dong; Lee, Rimi; Hyoung Kim, Jin; Oh Jun, Hyoung; Geol Lee, Tae; Hun Kim, Jeong

2015-06-01

Vascular integrity is important in maintaining homeostasis of brain microenvironments. In various brain diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and multiple sclerosis, increased paracellular permeability due to breakdown of blood-brain barrier is linked with initiation and progression of pathological conditions. We developed a capacitance sensor array to monitor dielectric responses of cerebral endothelial cell monolayer, which could be utilized to evaluate the integrity of brain microvasculature. Our system measured real-time capacitance values which demonstrated frequency- and time-dependent variations. With the measurement of capacitance at the frequency of 100 Hz, we could differentiate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a representative permeability-inducing factor, on endothelial cells and quantitatively analyse the normalized values. Interestingly, we showed differential capacitance values according to the status of endothelial cell monolayer, confluent or sparse, evidencing that the integrity of monolayer was associated with capacitance values. Another notable feature was that we could evaluate the expression of molecules in samples in our system with the reference of real-time capacitance values. We suggest that this dielectric spectroscopy system could be successfully implanted as a novel in vitro assay in the investigation of the roles of paracellular permeability in various brain diseases.

Capacitive energy storage and recovery for synchrotron magnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koseki, K.

2014-06-01

Feasibility studies on capacitive energy storage and recovery in the main-ring synchrotron of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex were conducted by circuit simulation. The estimated load fluctuation was 96 MVA in total for dipole magnets, which is likely to induce a serious disturbance in the main grid. It was found that the energy stored in the magnets after the excitation period can be recovered to the storage capacitor by controlling the voltage across the energy-storage capacitor using a pulse-width-modulation converter and reused in the next operational cycle. It was also found that the power fluctuation in the main grid can be reduced to 12 MVA. An experimental evaluation of an aluminum metalized film capacitor revealed that capacitance loss was induced by a fluctuating voltage applied to the storage capacitor when applying the proposed method. The capacitance loss was induced by corona discharge around the edges of segmented electrodes of a self-healing capacitor. The use of aluminum-zinc alloy was evaluated as a countermeasure to mitigate the effect induced by the corona discharge. For a zinc content of 8%, which was optimized experimentally, a capacitor with a sufficient life time expectancy of 20 years and a working potential gradient of 250 V/μm was developed.

Observation of non-linear biomass-capacitance correlations: reasons and implications for bioprocess control.

PubMed

Maskow, Thomas; Röllich, Anita; Fetzer, Ingo; Yao, Jun; Harms, Hauke

2008-09-15

Electrical capacitance has been discussed as a real time measure for living biomass concentration in technical bioreactors such as brewery (fermentation) tanks. Commonly, a linear correlation between biomass concentration and capacitance is assumed. While following the growth and subsequent lipid formation of the yeast Arxula adeninivorans we observed non-linearity between biomass concentration and capacitance. Capacitance deviation from linearity coincided with incipient lipid formation and depended on the intracellular lipid content. As the extent of deviation between capacitance and biomass concentration was proportional to the lipid concentration, it was considered as a quantitative measure of intracellular product formation. The correlation between shifts in dielectric relaxation (summarized as characteristic frequency of the Cole-Cole equation) and lipid content could not be explained by interfacial polarization on the lipid droplets alone. However, the parameters of the Cole-Cole equation were found to be a clear indicator for different phases of growth and lipid production. Integrating all results in a redundancy analysis (RDA), we were able to accurately describe the formation of cellular lipid inclusions. Our measurements are thus potentially valuable as components of future bioprocess control strategies targeting intracellular products such as proteins or biopolyesters.

The Chemical Capacitance as a Fingerprint of Defect Chemistry in Mixed Conducting Oxides.

PubMed

Fleig, Juergen; Schmid, Alexander; Rupp, Ghislain M; Slouka, Christoph; Navickas, Edvinas; Andrejs, Lukas; Hutter, Herbert; Volgger, Lukas; Nenning, Andreas

2016-01-01

The oxygen stoichiometry of mixed conducting oxides depends on the oxygen chemical potential and thus on the oxygen partial pressure in the gas phase. Also voltages may change the local oxygen stoichiometry and the amount to which such changes take place is quantified by the chemical capacitance of the sample. Impedance spectroscopy can be used to probe this chemical capacitance. Impedance measurements on different oxides ((La,Sr)FeO3-δ = LSF, Sr(Ti,Fe)O3-δ = STF, and Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 = PZT) are presented, and demonstrate how the chemical capacitance may affect impedance spectra in different types of electrochemical cells. A quantitative analysis of the spectra is based on generalized equivalent circuits developed for mixed conducting oxides by J. Jamnik and J. Maier. It is discussed how defect chemical information can be deduced from the chemical capacitance.

The capacitive proximity sensor based on transients in RC-circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yakunin, A. G.

2018-05-01

The principle of operation of the capacitive proximity sensor is described. It can be used in various robotic complexes, automation systems and alarm devices to inform the control device of the approach to the sensor sensitive surface of an object. At the heart of the device is the measurement of the change in the current of the transient accompanying the charge of the reference capacitor because of the parallel connection to it the capacitance formed by the sensitive sensor surface and the external object. At the heart of the device is the measurement of the change in the current of the transient accompanying the charge of the reference capacitor caused by the parallel connection to it the capacitance formed by the sensitive sensor surface and the external object. As shown by theoretical and experimental studies, the value of this capacity, depending on the purpose of the device, can vary within very wide limits. In this case, the sensitive surface can be both a piece of ordinary wire several centimeters long, and a metall plate or grid, the area of which can reach units and even tens of square meters. The main advantage of the proposed solution is a significant reduction in the effect of spurious leakage currents arising at the capacitance of the measuring electrode under the influence of pollution and humidity of the environment.

Binaries in globular clusters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hut, Piet; Mcmillan, Steve; Goodman, Jeremy; Mateo, Mario; Phinney, E. S.; Pryor, Carlton; Richer, Harvey B.; Verbunt, Frank; Weinberg, Martin

1992-01-01

Recent observations have shown that globular clusters contain a substantial number of binaries most of which are believed to be primordial. We discuss different successful optical search techniques, based on radial-velocity variables, photometric variables, and the positions of stars in the color-magnitude diagram. In addition, we review searches in other wavelengths, which have turned up low-mass X-ray binaries and more recently a variety of radio pulsars. On the theoretical side, we give an overview of the different physical mechanisms through which individual binaries evolve. We discuss the various simulation techniques which recently have been employed to study the effects of a primordial binary population, and the fascinating interplay between stellar evolution and stellar dynamics which drives globular-cluster evolution.

Spectral properties of binary asteroids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pajuelo, Myriam; Birlan, Mirel; Carry, Benoît; DeMeo, Francesca E.; Binzel, Richard P.; Berthier, Jérôme

2018-04-01

We present the first attempt to characterize the distribution of taxonomic class among the population of binary asteroids (15% of all small asteroids). For that, an analysis of 0.8-2.5{μ m} near-infrared spectra obtained with the SpeX instrument on the NASA/IRTF is presented. Taxonomic class and meteorite analog is determined for each target, increasing the sample of binary asteroids with known taxonomy by 21%. Most binary systems are bound in the S-, X-, and C- classes, followed by Q and V-types. The rate of binary systems in each taxonomic class agrees within uncertainty with the background population of small near-Earth objects and inner main belt asteroids, but for the C-types which are under-represented among binaries.

Biomedical applications of a commercial capacitance transducer.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1968-03-01

A capacitive displacement transducer with a linear response and constant sensitivity for a frequency range of 0-1,000 Hz is described. Its application to measurement of chest wall motions was verified using static displacements from flat and curved s...

Large capacitance enhancement induced by metal-doping in graphene-based supercapacitors: a first-principles-based assessment.

PubMed

Paek, Eunsu; Pak, Alexander J; Hwang, Gyeong S

2014-08-13

Chemically doped graphene-based materials have recently been explored as a means to improve the performance of supercapacitors. In this work, we investigate the effects of 3d transition metals bound to vacancy sites in graphene with [BMIM][PF6] ionic liquid on the interfacial capacitance; these results are compared to the pristine graphene case with particular attention to the relative contributions of the quantum and electric double layer capacitances. Our study highlights that the presence of metal-vacancy complexes significantly increases the availability of electronic states near the charge neutrality point, thereby enhancing the quantum capacitance drastically. In addition, the use of metal-doped graphene electrodes is found to only marginally influence the microstructure and capacitance of the electric double layer. Our findings indicate that metal-doping of graphene-like electrodes can be a promising route toward increasing the interfacial capacitance of electrochemical double layer capacitors, primarily by enhancing the quantum capacitance.

Characteristics of Capacity Coupled Discharge in Atmospheric Pressure Air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sasaki, Tadahiro; Omukai, Reina; Mukaigawa, Seiji; Takaki, Koichi; Fujiwara, Tamiya; Mase, Hiroshi; Sato, Noriyoshi

This paper describes characteristics of capacity coupled discharge in atmospheric pressure air with focusing influence of gap length of point-to-plane electrode configuration on input power into the discharge. The discharge can be quenched in short time duration by inserting a small capacitance capacitor between the electrode and the ground. We employed a needle electrode and a coaxial cable as the quenching capacitor. The discharge was successfully quenched within 25 ns in duration according to 9.4 pF in a capacitance of the quenching capacitor. The discharge was classified as two modes; a spark mode and a corona mode. At the spark mode, the power consumed in the discharge plasma was almost 10 times as large as that of a conventional dielectric barrier discharge. At the corona mode, the consumed energy was almost same value with that of the dielectric barrier discharge. A velocity of the discharge development was obtained to be 3×105 m/s by an optical measurement.

Polar alignment of a protoplanetary disc around an eccentric binary II: Effect of binary and disc parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Rebecca G.; Lubow, Stephen H.

2018-06-01

In a recent paper Martin & Lubow showed that a circumbinary disc around an eccentric binary can undergo damped nodal oscillations that lead to the polar (perpendicular) alignment of the disc relative to the binary orbit. The disc angular momentum vector aligns to the eccentricity vector of the binary. We explore the robustness of this mechanism for a low mass disc (0.001 of the binary mass) and its dependence on system parameters by means of hydrodynamic disc simulations. We describe how the evolution depends upon the disc viscosity, temperature, size, binary mass ratio, orbital eccentricity and inclination. We compare results with predictions of linear theory. We show that polar alignment of a low mass disc may occur over a wide range of binary-disc parameters. We discuss the application of our results to the formation of planetary systems around eccentric binary stars.

Simplifications in modelling of dynamical response of coupled electro-mechanical system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Darula, Radoslav; Sorokin, Sergey

2016-12-01

The choice of a most suitable model of an electro-mechanical system depends on many variables, such as a scale of the system, type and frequency range of its operation, or power requirements. The article focuses on the model of the electromagnetic element used in passive regime (no feedback loops are assumed) and a general lumped parameter model (a conventional mass-spring-damper system coupled to an electric circuit consisting of a resistance, an inductance and a capacitance) is compared with its simplified version, where the full RLC circuit is replaced with its RL simplification, i.e. the capacitance of the electric system is neglected and just its inductance and the resistance are considered. From the comparison of dynamical responses of these systems, the range of applicability of a simplified model is assessed for free as well as forced vibration.

Extremal Optimization for Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boettcher, S.

We present an implementation of τ-EO for quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) problems. To this end, we transform modify QUBO from its conventional Boolean presentation into a spin glass with a random external field on each site. These fields tend to be rather large compared to the typical coupling, presenting EO with a challenging two-scale problem, exploring smaller differences in couplings effectively while sufficiently aligning with those strong external fields. However, we also find a simple solution to that problem that indicates that those external fields apparently tilt the energy landscape to a such a degree such that global minima become more easy to find than those of spin glasses without (or very small) fields. We explore the impact of the weight distribution of the QUBO formulation in the operations research literature and analyze their meaning in a spin-glass language. This is significant because QUBO problems are considered among the main contenders for NP-hard problems that could be solved efficiently on a quantum computer such as D-Wave.

An Annular Mechanical Temperature Compensation Structure for Gas-Sealed Capacitive Pressure Sensor

PubMed Central

Hao, Xiuchun; Jiang, Yonggang; Takao, Hidekuni; Maenaka, Kazusuke; Higuchi, Kohei

2012-01-01

A novel gas-sealed capacitive pressure sensor with a temperature compensation structure is reported. The pressure sensor is sealed by Au-Au diffusion bonding under a nitrogen ambient with a pressure of 100 kPa and integrated with a platinum resistor-based temperature sensor for human activity monitoring applications. The capacitance-pressure and capacitance-temperature characteristics of the gas-sealed capacitive pressure sensor without temperature compensation structure are calculated. It is found by simulation that a ring-shaped structure on the diaphragm of the pressure sensor can mechanically suppress the thermal expansion effect of the sealed gas in the cavity. Pressure sensors without/with temperature compensation structures are fabricated and measured. Through measured results, it is verified that the calculation model is accurate. Using the compensation structures with a 900 μm inner radius, the measured temperature coefficient is much reduced as compared to that of the pressure sensor without compensation. The sensitivities of the pressure sensor before and after compensation are almost the same in the pressure range from 80 kPa to 100 kPa. PMID:22969385

Spectral properties of binary asteroids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pajuelo, Myriam; Birlan, Mirel; Carry, Benoît; DeMeo, Francesca E.; Binzel, Richard P.; Berthier, Jérôme

2018-07-01

We present the first attempt to characterize the distribution of taxonomic class among the population of binary asteroids (15 per cent of all small asteroids). For that, an analysis of 0.8-2.5 µm near-infrared spectra obtained with the SpeX instrument on the NASA/IRTF (Infrared Telescope Facility) is presented. Taxonomic class and meteorite analogue is determined for each target, increasing the sample of binary asteroids with known taxonomy by 21 per cent. Most binary systems are bound in the S, X, and C classes, followed by Q and V types. The rate of binary systems in each taxonomic class agrees within uncertainty with the background population of small near-Earth objects and inner main belt asteroids, but for the C types which are under-represented among binaries.

Effect of reducing system on capacitive behavior of reduced graphene oxide film: Application for supercapacitor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Akbi, Hamdane; Yu, Lei; Wang, Bin

2015-01-15

To determine the best chemical reduction of graphene oxide film with hydriodic acid that gives maximum energy and power density, we studied the effect of two reducing systems, hydriodic acid/water and hydriodic acid/acetic acid, on the morphology and electrochemical features of reduced graphene oxide film. Using acetic acid as solvent results in high electrical conductivity (5195 S m{sup −1}), excellent specific capacitance (384 F g{sup −1}) and good cyclic stability (about 98% of its initial response after 4000 cycles). Using water as a solvent, results in an ideal capacitive behavior and excellent cyclic stability (about 6% increase of its initialmore » response after 2100 cycles). - Graphical abstract: The choice of reducing system determines the morphology and structure of the chemically reduced graphene film and, as a result, affects largely the capacitive behavior. - Highlights: • The structure of the graphene film has a pronounced effect on capacitive behavior. • The use of water/HI as reducing system results in an ideal capacitive behavior. • The use of acetic acid/HI as reducing system results in a high specific capacitance.« less

Aptamer-functionalized capacitance sensors for real-time monitoring of bacterial growth and antibiotic susceptibility.

PubMed

Jo, Namgyeong; Kim, Bongjun; Lee, Sun-Mi; Oh, Jeseung; Park, In Ho; Jin Lim, Kook; Shin, Jeon-Soo; Yoo, Kyung-Hwa

2018-04-15

To prevent spread of infection and antibiotic resistance, fast and accurate diagnosis of bacterial infection and subsequent administration of antimicrobial agents are important. However, conventional methods for bacterial detection and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) require more than two days, leading to delays that have contributed to an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Here, we report an aptamer-functionalized capacitance sensor array that can monitor bacterial growth and antibiotic susceptibility in real-time. While E. coli and S. aureus were cultured, the capacitance increased over time, and apparent bacterial growth curves were observed even when 10 CFU/mL bacteria was inoculated. Furthermore, because of the selectivity of aptamers, bacteria could be identified within 1h using the capacitance sensor array functionalized with aptamers. In addition to bacterial growth, antibiotic susceptibility could be monitored in real-time. When bacteria were treated with antibiotics above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), the capacitance decreased because the bacterial growth was inhibited. These results demonstrate that the aptamer-functionalized capacitance sensor array might be applied for rapid ASTs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Graphene/Polyaniline Aerogel with Superelasticity and High Capacitance as Highly Compression-Tolerant Supercapacitor Electrode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Peng; Tang, Xun; Zheng, Ruilin; Ma, Xiaobo; Yu, Kehan; Wei, Wei

2017-12-01

Superelastic graphene aerogel with ultra-high compressibility shows promising potential for compression-tolerant supercapacitor electrode. However, its specific capacitance is too low to meet the practical application. Herein, we deposited polyaniline (PANI) into the superelastic graphene aerogel to improve the capacitance while maintaining the superelasticity. Graphene/PANI aerogel with optimized PANI mass content of 63 wt% shows the improved specific capacitance of 713 F g-1 in the three-electrode system. And the graphene/PANI aerogel presents a high recoverable compressive strain of 90% due to the strong interaction between PANI and graphene. The all-solid-state supercapacitors were assembled to demonstrate the compression-tolerant ability of graphene/PANI electrodes. The gravimetric capacitance of graphene/PANI electrodes reaches 424 F g-1 and retains 96% even at 90% compressive strain. And a volumetric capacitance of 65.5 F cm-3 is achieved, which is much higher than that of other compressible composite electrodes. Furthermore, several compressible supercapacitors can be integrated and connected in series to enhance the overall output voltage, suggesting the potential to meet the practical application.