Artificial brains. A million spiking-neuron integrated circuit with a scalable communication network and interface.

PubMed

Merolla, Paul A; Arthur, John V; Alvarez-Icaza, Rodrigo; Cassidy, Andrew S; Sawada, Jun; Akopyan, Filipp; Jackson, Bryan L; Imam, Nabil; Guo, Chen; Nakamura, Yutaka; Brezzo, Bernard; Vo, Ivan; Esser, Steven K; Appuswamy, Rathinakumar; Taba, Brian; Amir, Arnon; Flickner, Myron D; Risk, William P; Manohar, Rajit; Modha, Dharmendra S

2014-08-08

Inspired by the brain's structure, we have developed an efficient, scalable, and flexible non-von Neumann architecture that leverages contemporary silicon technology. To demonstrate, we built a 5.4-billion-transistor chip with 4096 neurosynaptic cores interconnected via an intrachip network that integrates 1 million programmable spiking neurons and 256 million configurable synapses. Chips can be tiled in two dimensions via an interchip communication interface, seamlessly scaling the architecture to a cortexlike sheet of arbitrary size. The architecture is well suited to many applications that use complex neural networks in real time, for example, multiobject detection and classification. With 400-pixel-by-240-pixel video input at 30 frames per second, the chip consumes 63 milliwatts. Copyright © 2014, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Embellishment of microfluidic devices via femtosecond laser micronanofabrication for chip functionalization.

PubMed

Wang, Juan; He, Yan; Xia, Hong; Niu, Li-Gang; Zhang, Ran; Chen, Qi-Dai; Zhang, Yong-Lai; Li, Yan-Feng; Zeng, Shao-Jiang; Qin, Jian-Hua; Lin, Bing-Cheng; Sun, Hong-Bo

2010-08-07

This paper demonstrates the embellishment of existing microfluidic devices with integrated three dimensional (3D) micronanostructures via femtosecond laser micronanofabrication, which, for the first time, proves two-photon photopolymerization (TPP) to be a powerful technology for chip functionalization. As representative examples, microsieves with various pore shape and adjustable pore size were successfully fabricated inside a conventional glass-based microfluidic channel prepared by wet etching for microparticle separation. Moreover, a fish scale like microfilter was also fabricated and appointed as a one-way valve, which showed excellent performance as we expected. These results indicate that such embellishment of microfluidic devices is simple, low cost, flexible and easy to access. We believe that, combined with TPP, the application of lab-on-chip devices would be further extended.

Electro-optic techniques for VLSI interconnect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neff, J. A.

1985-03-01

A major limitation to achieving significant speed increases in very large scale integration (VLSI) lies in the metallic interconnects. They are costly not only from the charge transport standpoint but also from capacitive loading effects. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, in pursuit of the fifth generation supercomputer, is investigating alternatives to the VLSI metallic interconnects, especially the use of optical techniques to transport the information either inter or intrachip. As the on chip performance of VLSI continues to improve via the scale down of the logic elements, the problems associated with transferring data off and onto the chip become more severe. The use of optical carriers to transfer the information within the computer is very appealing from several viewpoints. Besides the potential for gigabit propagation rates, the conversion from electronics to optics conveniently provides a decoupling of the various circuits from one another. Significant gains will also be realized in reducing cross talk between the metallic routings, and the interconnects need no longer be constrained to the plane of a thin film on the VLSI chip. In addition, optics can offer an increased programming flexibility for restructuring the interconnect network.

Flexible integration of free-standing nanowires into silicon photonics.

PubMed

Chen, Bigeng; Wu, Hao; Xin, Chenguang; Dai, Daoxin; Tong, Limin

2017-06-14

Silicon photonics has been developed successfully with a top-down fabrication technique to enable large-scale photonic integrated circuits with high reproducibility, but is limited intrinsically by the material capability for active or nonlinear applications. On the other hand, free-standing nanowires synthesized via a bottom-up growth present great material diversity and structural uniformity, but precisely assembling free-standing nanowires for on-demand photonic functionality remains a great challenge. Here we report hybrid integration of free-standing nanowires into silicon photonics with high flexibility by coupling free-standing nanowires onto target silicon waveguides that are simultaneously used for precise positioning. Coupling efficiency between a free-standing nanowire and a silicon waveguide is up to ~97% in the telecommunication band. A hybrid nonlinear-free-standing nanowires-silicon waveguides Mach-Zehnder interferometer and a racetrack resonator for significantly enhanced optical modulation are experimentally demonstrated, as well as hybrid active-free-standing nanowires-silicon waveguides circuits for light generation. These results suggest an alternative approach to flexible multifunctional on-chip nanophotonic devices.Precisely assembling free-standing nanowires for on-demand photonic functionality remains a challenge. Here, Chen et al. integrate free-standing nanowires into silicon waveguides and show all-optical modulation and light generation on silicon photonic chips.

Site-controlled InGaN/GaN single-photon-emitting diode

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

Zhang, Lei; Deng, Hui, E-mail: dengh@umich.edu; Teng, Chu-Hsiang

2016-04-11

We report single-photon emission from electrically driven site-controlled InGaN/GaN quantum dots. The device is fabricated from a planar light-emitting diode structure containing a single InGaN quantum well, using a top-down approach. The location, dimension, and height of each single-photon-emitting diode are controlled lithographically, providing great flexibility for chip-scale integration.

Study of a Flexible Low Profile Tunable Dipole Antenna Using Barium Strontium Titanate Varactors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cure, David; Weller, Thomas; Miranda, Felix A.

2014-01-01

In this paper a flexible low profile dipole antenna using a frequency selective surface (FSS) with interdigital barium strontium titanate (BST) varactor-tuned unit cells is presented. The varactor chips were placed only along one dimension of the FSS to avoid the use of vias and simplify the DC bias network. The antenna uses overlapping metallic plates that resemble fish scales as a ground plane to improve the flexibility of the multi-material stack structure. The measured data of the antenna demonstrate tunability from 2.42 GHz to 2.66 GHz and 1.3 dB gain drop when using overlapping metallic plates instead of continuous ground plane. The total antenna thickness is approximately lambda/24.

Chip bonding of low-melting eutectic alloys by transmitted laser radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoff, Christian; Venkatesh, Arjun; Schneider, Friedrich; Hermsdorf, Jörg; Bengsch, Sebastian; Wurz, Marc C.; Kaierle, Stefan; Overmeyer, Ludger

2017-06-01

Present-day thermode bond systems for the assembly of radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips are mechanically inflexible, difficult to control, and will not meet future manufacturing challenges sufficiently. Chip bonding, one of the key processes in the production of integrated circuits (ICs), has a high potential for optimization with respect to process duration and process flexibility. For this purpose, the technologies used, so far, are supposed to be replaced by a transmission laser-bonding process using low-melting eutectic alloys. In this study, successful bonding investigations of mock silicon chips and of RFID chips on flexible polymer substrates are presented using the low-melting eutectic alloy, 52In48Sn, and a laser with a wavelength of 2 μm.

Implementation of the Timepix ASIC in the Scalable Readout System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lupberger, M.; Desch, K.; Kaminski, J.

2016-09-01

We report on the development of electronics hardware, FPGA firmware and software to provide a flexible multi-chip readout of the Timepix ASIC within the framework of the Scalable Readout System (SRS). The system features FPGA-based zero-suppression and the possibility to read out up to 4×8 chips with a single Front End Concentrator (FEC). By operating several FECs in parallel, in principle an arbitrary number of chips can be read out, exploiting the scaling features of SRS. Specifically, we tested the system with a setup consisting of 160 Timepix ASICs, operated as GridPix devices in a large TPC field cage in a 1 T magnetic field at a DESY test beam facility providing an electron beam of up to 6 GeV. We discuss the design choices, the dedicated hardware components, the FPGA firmware as well as the performance of the system in the test beam.

Multiple plasmonically induced transparency for chip-scale bandpass filters in metallic nanowaveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Hua; Yue, Zengqi; Zhao, Jianlin

2018-05-01

We propose and investigate a new kind of bandpass filters based on the plasmonically induced transparency (PIT) effect in a special metal-insulator-metal (MIM) waveguide system. The finite element method (FEM) simulations illustrate that the obvious PIT response can be generated in the metallic nanostructure with the stub and coupled cavities. The lineshape and position of the PIT peak are particularly dependent on the lengths of the stub and coupled cavities, the waveguide width, as well as the coupling distance between the stub and coupled cavities. The numerical simulations are in accordance with the results obtained by the temporal coupled-mode theory. The multi-peak PIT effect can be achieved by integrating multiple coupled cavities into the plasmonic waveguide. This PIT response contributes to the flexible realization of chip-scale multi-channel bandpass filters, which could find crucial applications in highly integrated optical circuits for signal processing.

Silicon Integrated Cavity Optomechanical Transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Jie; Miao, Houxun; Michels, Thomas; Liu, Yuxiang; Srinivasan, Kartik; Aksyuk, Vladimir

2013-03-01

Cavity optomechanics enables measurements of mechanical motion at the fundamental limits of precision imposed by quantum mechanics. However, the need to align and couple devices to off-chip optical components hinders development, miniaturization and broader application of ultrahigh sensitivity chip-scale optomechanical transducers. Here we demonstrate a fully integrated and optical fiber pigtailed optomechanical transducer with a high Q silicon micro-disk cavity near-field coupled to a nanoscale cantilever. We detect the motion of the cantilever by measuring the resonant frequency shift of the whispering gallery mode of the micro-disk. The sensitivity near the standard quantum limit can be reached with sub-uW optical power. Our on-chip approach combines compactness and stability with great design flexibility: the geometry of the micro-disk and cantilever can be tailored to optimize the mechanical/optical Q factors and tune the mechanical frequency over two orders of magnitudes. Electrical transduction in addition to optical transduction was also demonstrated and both can be used to effectively cool the cantilever. Moreover, cantilevers with sharp tips overhanging the chip edge were fabricated to potentially allow the mechanical cantilever to be coupled to a wide range of off-chip systems, such as spins, DNA, nanostructures and atoms on clean surfaces.

Hard and flexible optical printed circuit board

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, El-Hang; Lee, Hyun Sik; Lee, S. G.; O, B. H.; Park, S. G.; Kim, K. H.

2007-02-01

We report on the design and fabrication of hard and flexible optical printed circuit boards (O-PCBs). The objective is to realize generic and application-specific O-PCBs, either in hard form or flexible form, that are compact, light-weight, low-energy, high-speed, intelligent, and environmentally friendly, for low-cost and high-volume universal applications. The O-PCBs consist of 2-dimensional planar arrays of micro/nano-scale optical wires, circuits and devices that are interconnected and integrated to perform the functions of sensing, storing, transporting, processing, switching, routing and distributing optical signals on flat modular boards. For fabrication, the polymer and organic optical wires and waveguides are first fabricated on a board and are used to interconnect and integrate micro/nano-scale photonic devices. The micro/nano-optical functional devices include lasers, detectors, switches, sensors, directional couplers, multi-mode interference devices, ring-resonators, photonic crystal devices, plasmonic devices, and quantum devices. For flexible boards, the optical waveguide arrays are fabricated on flexible poly-ethylen terephthalate (PET) substrates by UV embossing. Electrical layer carrying VCSEL and PD array is laminated with the optical layer carrying waveguide arrays. Both hard and flexible electrical lines are replaced with high speed optical interconnection between chips over four waveguide channels up to 10Gbps on each. We discuss uses of hard or flexible O-PCBs for telecommunication systems, computer systems, transportation systems, space/avionic systems, and bio-sensor systems.

Performance oriented guidance for Mississippi chip seals - volume I.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-12-01

A five year laboratory study was conducted to investigate near surface properties of flexible pavements in relation to : how they are affected by bituminous surface treatments. Chip seals and scrub seals (a specialized type of chip seal) : were the f...

Scalable fabrication of high-power graphene micro-supercapacitors for flexible and on-chip energy storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Kady, Maher F.; Kaner, Richard B.

2013-02-01

The rapid development of miniaturized electronic devices has increased the demand for compact on-chip energy storage. Microscale supercapacitors have great potential to complement or replace batteries and electrolytic capacitors in a variety of applications. However, conventional micro-fabrication techniques have proven to be cumbersome in building cost-effective micro-devices, thus limiting their widespread application. Here we demonstrate a scalable fabrication of graphene micro-supercapacitors over large areas by direct laser writing on graphite oxide films using a standard LightScribe DVD burner. More than 100 micro-supercapacitors can be produced on a single disc in 30 min or less. The devices are built on flexible substrates for flexible electronics and on-chip uses that can be integrated with MEMS or CMOS in a single chip. Remarkably, miniaturizing the devices to the microscale results in enhanced charge-storage capacity and rate capability. These micro-supercapacitors demonstrate a power density of ~200 W cm-3, which is among the highest values achieved for any supercapacitor.

Recent Progress of Microfluidics in Translational Applications

PubMed Central

Liu, Zongbin; Han, Xin

2016-01-01

Microfluidics, featuring microfabricated structures, is a technology for manipulating fluids at the micrometer scale. The small dimension and flexibility of microfluidic systems are ideal for mimicking molecular and cellular microenvironment, and show great potential in translational research and development. Here, the recent progress of microfluidics in biological and biomedical applications, including molecular analysis, cellular analysis, and chip-based material delivery and biomimetic design is presented. The potential future developments in the translational microfluidics field are also discussed. PMID:27091777

Integrated Flexible Electronic Devices Based on Passive Alignment for Physiological Measurement

PubMed Central

Ryu, Jin Hwa; Byun, Sangwon; Baek, In-Bok; Lee, Bong Kuk; Jang, Won Ick; Jang, Eun-Hye; Kim, Ah-Yung; Yu, Han Yung

2017-01-01

This study proposes a simple method of fabricating flexible electronic devices using a metal template for passive alignment between chip components and an interconnect layer, which enabled efficient alignment with high accuracy. An electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor was fabricated using 20 µm thick polyimide (PI) film as a flexible substrate to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method. The interconnect layer was fabricated by a two-step photolithography process and evaporation. After applying solder paste, the metal template was placed on top of the interconnect layer. The metal template had rectangular holes at the same position as the chip components on the interconnect layer. Rectangular hole sizes were designed to account for alignment tolerance of the chips. Passive alignment was performed by simply inserting the components in the holes of the template, which resulted in accurate alignment with positional tolerance of less than 10 µm based on the structural design, suggesting that our method can efficiently perform chip mounting with precision. Furthermore, a fabricated flexible ECG sensor was easily attachable to the curved skin surface and able to measure ECG signals from a human subject. These results suggest that the proposed method can be used to fabricate epidermal sensors, which are mounted on the skin to measure various physiological signals. PMID:28420219

Dynamically Reconfigurable Systolic Array Accelerator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dasu, Aravind; Barnes, Robert

2012-01-01

A polymorphic systolic array framework has been developed that works in conjunction with an embedded microprocessor on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), which allows for dynamic and complimentary scaling of acceleration levels of two algorithms active concurrently on the FPGA. Use is made of systolic arrays and a hardware-software co-design to obtain an efficient multi-application acceleration system. The flexible and simple framework allows hosting of a broader range of algorithms, and is extendable to more complex applications in the area of aerospace embedded systems. FPGA chips can be responsive to realtime demands for changing applications needs, but only if the electronic fabric can respond fast enough. This systolic array framework allows for rapid partial and dynamic reconfiguration of the chip in response to the real-time needs of scalability, and adaptability of executables.

Recent Progress of Microfluidics in Translational Applications.

PubMed

Liu, Zongbin; Han, Xin; Qin, Lidong

2016-04-20

Microfluidics, featuring microfabricated structures, is a technology for manipulating fluids at the micrometer scale. The small dimension and flexibility of microfluidic systems are ideal for mimicking molecular and cellular microenvironment, and show great potential in translational research and development. Here, the recent progress of microfluidics in biological and biomedical applications, including molecular analysis, cellular analysis, and chip-based material delivery and biomimetic design is presented. The potential future developments in the translational microfluidics field are also discussed. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

On-chip and freestanding elastic carbon films for micro-supercapacitors

DOE PAGES

Huang, Peihua; Lethien, C.; Pinaud, S.; ...

2016-02-11

Integration of electrochemical capacitors with silicon-based electronics is a major challenge, limiting energy storage on a chip. We describe a wafer-scale process for manufacturing strongly adhering carbide-derived carbon films and interdigitated micro-supercapacitors with embedded titanium carbide current collectors, fully compatible with current microfabrication and silicon-based device technology. Capacitance of those films reaches 410 farads per cubic centimeter/200 millifarads per square centimeter in aqueous electrolyte and 170 farads per cubic centimeter/85 millifarads per square centimeter in organic electrolyte. We also demonstrate preparation of self-supported, mechanically stable, micrometer-thick porous carbon films with a Young’s modulus of 14.5 gigapascals, with the possibility ofmore » further transfer onto flexible substrates. Lastly, these materials are interesting for applications in structural energy storage, tribology, and gas separation.« less

On-chip and freestanding elastic carbon films for micro-supercapacitors

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

Huang, Peihua; Lethien, C.; Pinaud, S.

Integration of electrochemical capacitors with silicon-based electronics is a major challenge, limiting energy storage on a chip. We describe a wafer-scale process for manufacturing strongly adhering carbide-derived carbon films and interdigitated micro-supercapacitors with embedded titanium carbide current collectors, fully compatible with current microfabrication and silicon-based device technology. Capacitance of those films reaches 410 farads per cubic centimeter/200 millifarads per square centimeter in aqueous electrolyte and 170 farads per cubic centimeter/85 millifarads per square centimeter in organic electrolyte. We also demonstrate preparation of self-supported, mechanically stable, micrometer-thick porous carbon films with a Young’s modulus of 14.5 gigapascals, with the possibility ofmore » further transfer onto flexible substrates. Lastly, these materials are interesting for applications in structural energy storage, tribology, and gas separation.« less

Research on single-chip microcomputer controlled rotating magnetic field mineralization model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yang; Qi, Yulin; Yang, Junxiao; Li, Na

2017-08-01

As one of the method of selecting ore, the magnetic separation method has the advantages of stable operation, simple process flow, high beneficiation efficiency and no chemical environment pollution. But the existing magnetic separator are more mechanical, the operation is not flexible, and can not change the magnetic field parameters according to the precision of the ore needed. Based on the existing magnetic separator is mechanical, the rotating magnetic field can be used for single chip microcomputer control as the research object, design and trial a rotating magnetic field processing prototype, and through the single-chip PWM pulse output to control the rotation of the magnetic field strength and rotating magnetic field speed. This method of using pure software to generate PWM pulse to control rotary magnetic field beneficiation, with higher flexibility, accuracy and lower cost, can give full play to the performance of single-chip.

Laser Scanning Holographic Lithography for Flexible 3D Fabrication of Multi-Scale Integrated Nano-structures and Optical Biosensors

PubMed Central

Yuan, Liang (Leon); Herman, Peter R.

2016-01-01

Three-dimensional (3D) periodic nanostructures underpin a promising research direction on the frontiers of nanoscience and technology to generate advanced materials for exploiting novel photonic crystal (PC) and nanofluidic functionalities. However, formation of uniform and defect-free 3D periodic structures over large areas that can further integrate into multifunctional devices has remained a major challenge. Here, we introduce a laser scanning holographic method for 3D exposure in thick photoresist that combines the unique advantages of large area 3D holographic interference lithography (HIL) with the flexible patterning of laser direct writing to form both micro- and nano-structures in a single exposure step. Phase mask interference patterns accumulated over multiple overlapping scans are shown to stitch seamlessly and form uniform 3D nanostructure with beam size scaled to small 200 μm diameter. In this way, laser scanning is presented as a facile means to embed 3D PC structure within microfluidic channels for integration into an optofluidic lab-on-chip, demonstrating a new laser HIL writing approach for creating multi-scale integrated microsystems. PMID:26922872

Flexible feature-space-construction architecture and its VLSI implementation for multi-scale object detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Aiwen; An, Fengwei; Zhang, Xiangyu; Chen, Lei; Huang, Zunkai; Jürgen Mattausch, Hans

2018-04-01

Feature extraction techniques are a cornerstone of object detection in computer-vision-based applications. The detection performance of vison-based detection systems is often degraded by, e.g., changes in the illumination intensity of the light source, foreground-background contrast variations or automatic gain control from the camera. In order to avoid such degradation effects, we present a block-based L1-norm-circuit architecture which is configurable for different image-cell sizes, cell-based feature descriptors and image resolutions according to customization parameters from the circuit input. The incorporated flexibility in both the image resolution and the cell size for multi-scale image pyramids leads to lower computational complexity and power consumption. Additionally, an object-detection prototype for performance evaluation in 65 nm CMOS implements the proposed L1-norm circuit together with a histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) descriptor and a support vector machine (SVM) classifier. The proposed parallel architecture with high hardware efficiency enables real-time processing, high detection robustness, small chip-core area as well as low power consumption for multi-scale object detection.

Engineering cell-compatible paper chips for cell culturing, drug screening, and mass spectrometric sensing.

PubMed

Chen, Qiushui; He, Ziyi; Liu, Wu; Lin, Xuexia; Wu, Jing; Li, Haifang; Lin, Jin-Ming

2015-10-28

Paper-supported cell culture is an unprecedented development for advanced bioassays. This study reports a strategy for in vitro engineering of cell-compatible paper chips that allow for adherent cell culture, quantitative assessment of drug efficiency, and label-free sensing of intracellular molecules via paper spray mass spectrometry. The polycarbonate paper is employed as an excellent alternative bioscaffold for cell distribution, adhesion, and growth, as well as allowing for fluorescence imaging without light scattering. The cell-cultured paper chips are thus amenable to fabricate 3D tissue construction and cocultures by flexible deformation, stacks and assembly by layers of cells. As a result, the successful development of cell-compatible paper chips subsequently offers a uniquely flexible approach for in situ sensing of live cell components by paper spray mass spectrometry, allowing profiling the cellular lipids and quantitative measurement of drug metabolism with minimum sample pretreatment. Consequently, the developed paper chips for adherent cell culture are inexpensive for one-time use, compatible with high throughputs, and amenable to label-free and rapid analysis. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Low Loss Nanostructured Polymers for Chip-scale Waveguide Amplifiers.

PubMed

Chen, George F R; Zhao, Xinyu; Sun, Yang; He, Chaobin; Tan, Mei Chee; Tan, Dawn T H

2017-06-13

On-chip waveguide amplifiers offer higher gain in small device sizes and better integration with photonic devices than the commonly available fiber amplifiers. However, on-chip amplifiers have yet to make its way into the mainstream due to the limited availability of materials with ideal light guiding and amplification properties. A low-loss nanostructured on-chip channel polymeric waveguide amplifier was designed, characterized, fabricated and its gain experimentally measured at telecommunication wavelength. The active polymeric waveguide core comprises of NaYF 4 :Yb,Er,Ce core-shell nanocrystals dispersed within a SU8 polymer, where the nanoparticle interfacial characteristics were tailored using hydrolyzed polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-graft-poly(methyl methacrylate) to improve particle dispersion. Both the enhanced IR emission intensity from our nanocrystals using a tri-dopant scheme and the reduced scattering losses from our excellent particle dispersion at a high solid loading of 6.0 vol% contributed to the outstanding optical performance of our polymeric waveguide. We achieved one of the highest reported gain of 6.6 dB/cm using a relatively low coupled pump power of 80 mW. These polymeric waveguide amplifiers offer greater promise for integrated optical circuits due to their processability and integration advantages which will play a key role in the emerging areas of flexible communication and optoelectronic devices.

Versatile single-chip event sequencer for atomic physics experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eyler, Edward

2010-03-01

A very inexpensive dsPIC microcontroller with internal 32-bit counters is used to produce a flexible timing signal generator with up to 16 TTL-compatible digital outputs, with a time resolution and accuracy of 50 ns. This time resolution is easily sufficient for event sequencing in typical experiments involving cold atoms or laser spectroscopy. This single-chip device is capable of triggered operation and can also function as a sweeping delay generator. With one additional chip it can also concurrently produce accurately timed analog ramps, and another one-chip addition allows real-time control from an external computer. Compared to an FPGA-based digital pattern generator, this design is slower but simpler and more flexible, and it can be reprogrammed using ordinary `C' code without special knowledge. I will also describe the use of the same microcontroller with additional hardware to implement a digital lock-in amplifier and PID controller for laser locking, including a simple graphics-based control unit. This work is supported in part by the NSF.

Single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping on optical thin-film biosensor chips.

PubMed

Zhong, Xiao-Bo; Reynolds, Robert; Kidd, Judith R; Kidd, Kenneth K; Jenison, Robert; Marlar, Richard A; Ward, David C

2003-09-30

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) constitute the bulk of human genetic variation and provide excellent markers to identify genetic factors contributing to complex disease susceptibility. A rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive assay is important for large-scale SNP scoring. Here we report the development of a multiplex SNP detection system using silicon chips coated to create a thin-film optical biosensor. Allele-discriminating, aldehyde-labeled oligonucleotides are arrayed and covalently attached to a hydrazinederivatized chip surface. Target sequences (e.g., PCR amplicons) then are hybridized in the presence of a mixture of biotinylated detector probes, one for each SNP, and a thermostable DNA ligase. After a stringent wash (0.01 M NaOH), ligation of biotinylated detector probes to perfectly matched capture oligomers is visualized as a color change on the chip surface (gold to blue/purple) after brief incubations with an anti-biotin IgG-horseradish peroxidase conjugate and a precipitable horseradish peroxidase substrate. Testing of PCR fragments is completed in 30-40 min. Up to several hundred SNPs can be assayed on a 36-mm2 chip, and SNP scoring can be done by eye or with a simple digital-camera system. This assay is extremely robust, exhibits high sensitivity and specificity, and is format-flexible and economical. In studies of mutations associated with risk for venous thrombosis and genotyping/haplotyping of African-American samples, we document high-fidelity analysis with 0 misassignments in 500 assays performed in duplicate.

Selective wetting-induced micro-electrode patterning for flexible micro-supercapacitors.

PubMed

Kim, Sung-Kon; Koo, Hyung-Jun; Lee, Aeri; Braun, Paul V

2014-08-13

Selective wetting-induced micro-electrode patterning is used to fabricate flexible micro-supercapacitors (mSCs). The resulting mSCs exhibit high performance, mechanical stability, stable cycle life, and hold great promise for facile integration into flexible devices requiring on-chip energy storage. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Universal nondestructive mm-wave integrated circuit test fixture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Romanofsky, Robert R. (Inventor); Shalkhauser, Kurt A. (Inventor)

1990-01-01

Monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) test includes a bias module having spring-loaded contacts which electrically engage pads on a chip carrier disposed in a recess of a base member. RF energy is applied to and passed from the chip carrier by chamfered edges of ridges in the waveguide passages of housings which are removably attached to the base member. Thru, Delay, and Short calibration standards having dimensions identical to those of the chip carrier assure accuracy and reliability of the test. The MMIC chip fits in an opening in the chip carrier with the boundaries of the MMIC lying on movable reference planes thereby establishing accuracy and flexibility.

On-demand acoustic droplet splitting and steering in a disposable microfluidic chip.

PubMed

Park, Jinsoo; Jung, Jin Ho; Park, Kwangseok; Destgeer, Ghulam; Ahmed, Husnain; Ahmad, Raheel; Sung, Hyung Jin

2018-01-30

On-chip droplet splitting is one of the fundamental droplet-based microfluidic unit operations to control droplet volume after production and increase operational capability, flexibility, and throughput. Various droplet splitting methods have been proposed, and among them the acoustic droplet splitting method is promising because of its label-free operation without any physical or thermal damage to droplets. Previous acoustic droplet splitting methods faced several limitations: first, they employed a cross-type acoustofluidic device that precluded multichannel droplet splitting; second, they required irreversible bonding between a piezoelectric substrate and a microfluidic chip, such that the fluidic chip was not replaceable. Here, we present a parallel-type acoustofluidic device with a disposable microfluidic chip to address the limitations of previous acoustic droplet splitting devices. In the proposed device, an acoustic field is applied in the direction opposite to the flow direction to achieve multichannel droplet splitting and steering. A disposable polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic chip is employed in the developed device, thereby removing the need for permanent bonding and improving the flexibility of the droplet microfluidic device. We experimentally demonstrated on-demand acoustic droplet bi-splitting and steering with precise control over the droplet splitting ratio, and we investigated the underlying physical mechanisms of droplet splitting and steering based on Laplace pressure and ray acoustics analyses, respectively. We also demonstrated droplet tri-splitting to prove the feasibility of multichannel droplet splitting. The proposed on-demand acoustic droplet splitting device enables on-chip droplet volume control in various droplet-based microfluidic applications.

All-polymer photonic sensing platform based on whispering-gallery mode microgoblet lasers.

PubMed

Wienhold, T; Kraemmer, S; Wondimu, S F; Siegle, T; Bog, U; Weinzierl, U; Schmidt, S; Becker, H; Kalt, H; Mappes, T; Koeber, S; Koos, C

2015-09-21

We present an all-polymer photonic sensing platform based on whispering-gallery mode microgoblet lasers integrated into a microfluidic chip. The chip is entirely made from polymers, enabling the use of the devices as low-cost disposables. The microgoblet cavities feature quality factors exceeding 10(5) and are fabricated from poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) using spin-coating, mask-based optical lithography, wet chemical etching, and thermal reflow. In contrast to silica-based microtoroid resonators, this approach replaces technically demanding vacuum-based dry etching and serial laser-based reflow techniques by solution-based processing and parallel thermal reflow. This enables scaling to large-area substrates, and hence significantly reduces device costs. Moreover, the resonators can be fabricated on arbitrary substrate materials, e.g., on transparent and flexible polymer foils. Doping the microgoblets with the organic dye pyrromethene 597 transforms the passive resonators into lasers. Devices have lasing thresholds below 0.6 nJ per pulse and can be efficiently pumped via free-space optics using a compact and low-cost green laser diode. We demonstrate that arrays of microgoblet lasers can be readily integrated into a state-of-the-art microfluidic chip replicated via injection moulding. In a proof-of-principle experiment, we show the viability of the lab-on-a-chip via refractometric sensing, demonstrating a bulk refractive index sensitivity (BRIS) of 10.56 nm per refractive index unit.

Toward Enhancing OpenMP's Work-Sharing Directives

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

Chapman, B M; Huang, L; Jin, H

2006-05-17

OpenMP provides a portable programming interface for shared memory parallel computers (SMPs). Although this interface has proven successful for small SMPs, it requires greater flexibility in light of the steadily growing size of individual SMPs and the recent advent of multithreaded chips. In this paper, we describe two application development experiences that exposed these expressivity problems in the current OpenMP specification. We then propose mechanisms to overcome these limitations, including thread subteams and thread topologies. Thus, we identify language features that improve OpenMP application performance on emerging and large-scale platforms while preserving ease of programming.

SNAVA-A real-time multi-FPGA multi-model spiking neural network simulation architecture.

PubMed

Sripad, Athul; Sanchez, Giovanny; Zapata, Mireya; Pirrone, Vito; Dorta, Taho; Cambria, Salvatore; Marti, Albert; Krishnamourthy, Karthikeyan; Madrenas, Jordi

2018-01-01

Spiking Neural Networks (SNN) for Versatile Applications (SNAVA) simulation platform is a scalable and programmable parallel architecture that supports real-time, large-scale, multi-model SNN computation. This parallel architecture is implemented in modern Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) devices to provide high performance execution and flexibility to support large-scale SNN models. Flexibility is defined in terms of programmability, which allows easy synapse and neuron implementation. This has been achieved by using a special-purpose Processing Elements (PEs) for computing SNNs, and analyzing and customizing the instruction set according to the processing needs to achieve maximum performance with minimum resources. The parallel architecture is interfaced with customized Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) to configure the SNN's connectivity, to compile the neuron-synapse model and to monitor SNN's activity. Our contribution intends to provide a tool that allows to prototype SNNs faster than on CPU/GPU architectures but significantly cheaper than fabricating a customized neuromorphic chip. This could be potentially valuable to the computational neuroscience and neuromorphic engineering communities. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Open-systems Architecture of a Standardized Command Interface Chip-set for Switching and Control of a Spacecraft Power Bus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ruiz, B. Ian; Burke, Gary R.; Lung, Gerald; Whitaker, William D.; Nowicki, Robert M.

2004-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews the architecture of the The CIA-AlA chip-set is a set of mixed-signal ASICs that provide a flexible high level interface between the spacecraft's command and data handling (C&DH) electronics and lower level functions in other spacecraft subsystems. Due to the open-systems architecture of the chip-set including an embedded micro-controller a variety of applications are possible. The chip-set was developed for the missions to the outer planets. The chips were developed to provide a single solution for both the switching and regulation of a spacecraft power bus. The Open-Systems Architecture allows for other powerful applications.

Advanced indium phosphide based monolithic integration using quantum well intermixing and MOCVD regrowth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raring, James W.

The proliferation of the internet has fueled the explosive growth of telecommunications over the past three decades. As a result, the demand for communication systems providing increased bandwidth and flexibility at lower cost continues to rise. Lightwave communication systems meet these demands. The integration of multiple optoelectronic components onto a single chip could revolutionize the photonics industry. Photonic integrated circuits (PIC) provide the potential for cost reduction, decreased loss, decreased power consumption, and drastic space savings over conventional fiber optic communication systems comprised of discrete components. For optimal performance, each component within the PIC may require a unique epitaxial layer structure, band-gap energy, and/or waveguide architecture. Conventional integration methods facilitating such flexibility are increasingly complex and often result in decreased device yield, driving fabrication costs upward. It is this trade-off between performance and device yield that has hindered the scaling of photonic circuits. This dissertation presents high-functionality PICs operating at 10 and 40 Gb/s fabricated using novel integration technologies based on a robust quantum-well-intermixing (QWI) method and metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) regrowth. We optimize the QWI process for the integration of high-performance quantum well electroabsorption modulators (QW-EAM) with sampled-grating (SG) DBR lasers to demonstrate the first widely-tunable negative chirp 10 and 40 Gb/s EAM based transmitters. Alone, QWI does not afford the integration of high-performance semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA) and photodetectors with the transmitters. To overcome this limitation, we have developed a novel high-flexibility integration scheme combining MOCVD regrowth with QWI to merge low optical confinement factor SOAs and 40 Gb/s uni-traveling carrier (UTC) photodiodes on the same chip as the QW-EAM based transmitters. These high-saturation power receiver structures represent the state-of-the-art technologies for even discrete components. Using the novel integration technology, we present the first widely-tunable single-chip device capable of transmit and receive functionality at 40 Gb/s. This device monolithically integrates tunable lasers, EAMs, SOAs, and photodetectors with performance that rivals optimized discrete components. The high-flexibility integration scheme requires only simple blanket regrowth steps and thus breaks the performance versus yield trade-off plaguing conventional fabrication techniques employed for high-functionality PICs.

Flexible plastic, paper and textile lab-on-a chip platforms for electrochemical biosensing.

PubMed

Economou, Anastasios; Kokkinos, Christos; Prodromidis, Mamas

2018-06-26

Flexible biosensors represent an increasingly important and rapidly developing field of research. Flexible materials offer several advantages as supports of biosensing platforms in terms of flexibility, weight, conformability, portability, cost, disposability and scope for integration. On the other hand, electrochemical detection is perfectly suited to flexible biosensing devices. The present paper reviews the field of integrated electrochemical bionsensors fabricated on flexible materials (plastic, paper and textiles) which are used as functional base substrates. The vast majority of electrochemical flexible lab-on-a-chip (LOC) biosensing devices are based on plastic supports in a single or layered configuration. Among these, wearable devices are perhaps the ones that most vividly demonstrate the utility of the concept of flexible biosensors while diagnostic cards represent the state-of-the art in terms of integration and functionality. Another important type of flexible biosensors utilize paper as a functional support material enabling the fabrication of low-cost and disposable paper-based devices operating on the lateral flow, drop-casting or folding (origami) principles. Finally, textile-based biosensors are beginning to emerge enabling real-time measurements in the working environment or in wound care applications. This review is timely due to the significant advances that have taken place over the last few years in the area of LOC biosensors and aims to direct the readers to emerging trends in this field.

Stochastic architecture for Hopfield neural nets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pavel, Sandy

1992-01-01

An expandable stochastic digital architecture for recurrent (Hopfield like) neural networks is proposed. The main features and basic principles of stochastic processing are presented. The stochastic digital architecture is based on a chip with n full interconnected neurons with a pipeline, bit processing structure. For large applications, a flexible way to interconnect many such chips is provided.

Ultra Small Integrated Optical Fiber Sensing System

PubMed Central

Van Hoe, Bram; Lee, Graham; Bosman, Erwin; Missinne, Jeroen; Kalathimekkad, Sandeep; Maskery, Oliver; Webb, David J.; Sugden, Kate; Van Daele, Peter; Van Steenberge, Geert

2012-01-01

This paper introduces a revolutionary way to interrogate optical fiber sensors based on fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) and to integrate the necessary driving optoelectronic components with the sensor elements. Low-cost optoelectronic chips are used to interrogate the optical fibers, creating a portable dynamic sensing system as an alternative for the traditionally bulky and expensive fiber sensor interrogation units. The possibility to embed these laser and detector chips is demonstrated resulting in an ultra thin flexible optoelectronic package of only 40 μm, provided with an integrated planar fiber pigtail. The result is a fully embedded flexible sensing system with a thickness of only 1 mm, based on a single Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL), fiber sensor and photodetector chip. Temperature, strain and electrodynamic shaking tests have been performed on our system, not limited to static read-out measurements but dynamically reconstructing full spectral information datasets.

Wideband Fully-Programmable Dual-Mode CMOS Analogue Front-End for Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Valente, Virgilio; Demosthenous, Andreas

2016-01-01

This paper presents a multi-channel dual-mode CMOS analogue front-end (AFE) for electrochemical and bioimpedance analysis. Current-mode and voltage-mode readouts, integrated on the same chip, can provide an adaptable platform to correlate single-cell biosensor studies with large-scale tissue or organ analysis for real-time cancer detection, imaging and characterization. The chip, implemented in a 180-nm CMOS technology, combines two current-readout (CR) channels and four voltage-readout (VR) channels suitable for both bipolar and tetrapolar electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. Each VR channel occupies an area of 0.48 mm2, is capable of an operational bandwidth of 8 MHz and a linear gain in the range between −6 dB and 42 dB. The gain of the CR channel can be set to 10 kΩ, 50 kΩ or 100 kΩ and is capable of 80-dB dynamic range, with a very linear response for input currents between 10 nA and 100 μA. Each CR channel occupies an area of 0.21 mm2. The chip consumes between 530 μA and 690 μA per channel and operates from a 1.8-V supply. The chip was used to measure the impedance of capacitive interdigitated electrodes in saline solution. Measurements show close matching with results obtained using a commercial impedance analyser. The chip will be part of a fully flexible and configurable fully-integrated dual-mode EIS system for impedance sensors and bioimpedance analysis. PMID:27463721

The Chip-Scale Atomic Clock - Recent Development Progress

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-09-01

35th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) Meeting 467 THE CHIP-SCALE ATOMIC CLOCK – RECENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS R. Lutwak ...1] R. Lutwak , et al., 2003, “The Chip-Scale Atomic Clock – Coherent Population Trapping vs. Conventional Interrogation,” in

Test probe for surface mounted leadless chip carrier

DOEpatents

Meyer, Kerry L.; Topolewski, John

1989-05-23

A test probe for a surface mounted leadless chip carrier is disclosed. The probed includes specially designed connector pins which allow size reductions in the probe. A thermoplastic housing provides spring action to ensure good mechanical and electrical contact between the pins and the contact strips of a leadless chip carrier. Other features include flexible wires molded into the housing and two different types of pins alternately placed in the housing. These features allow fabrication of a smaller and simpler test probe.

Test probe for surface mounted leadless chip carrier

DOEpatents

Meyer, K.L.; Topolewski, J.

1987-10-02

A test probe for a surface mounted leadless chip carrier is disclosed. The probe includes specially designed connector pins which allow size reductions in the probe. A thermoplastic housing provides spring action to ensure good mechanical and electrical contact between the pins and the contact strips of a leadless chip carrier. Other features include flexible wires molded into the housing and two different types of pins alternately placed in the housing. These features allow fabrication of a smaller and simpler test probe. 1 fig.

Interface between path and orbital angular momentum entanglement for high-dimensional photonic quantum information.

PubMed

Fickler, Robert; Lapkiewicz, Radek; Huber, Marcus; Lavery, Martin P J; Padgett, Miles J; Zeilinger, Anton

2014-07-30

Photonics has become a mature field of quantum information science, where integrated optical circuits offer a way to scale the complexity of the set-up as well as the dimensionality of the quantum state. On photonic chips, paths are the natural way to encode information. To distribute those high-dimensional quantum states over large distances, transverse spatial modes, like orbital angular momentum possessing Laguerre Gauss modes, are favourable as flying information carriers. Here we demonstrate a quantum interface between these two vibrant photonic fields. We create three-dimensional path entanglement between two photons in a nonlinear crystal and use a mode sorter as the quantum interface to transfer the entanglement to the orbital angular momentum degree of freedom. Thus our results show a flexible way to create high-dimensional spatial mode entanglement. Moreover, they pave the way to implement broad complex quantum networks where high-dimensionally entangled states could be distributed over distant photonic chips.

Sensor chip and apparatus for tactile and/or flow sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Chang (Inventor); Chen, Jack (Inventor); Engel, Jonathan (Inventor)

2008-01-01

A sensor chip, comprising a flexible, polymer-based substrate, and at least one microfabricated sensor disposed on the substrate and including a conductive element. The at least one sensor comprises at least one of a tactile sensor and a flow sensor. Other embodiments of the present invention include sensors and/or multi-modal sensor nodes.

Sensor chip and apparatus for tactile and/or flow sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Chang (Inventor); Chen, Jack (Inventor); Engel, Jonathan (Inventor)

2009-01-01

A sensor chip, comprising a flexible, polymer-based substrate, and at least one microfabricated sensor disposed on the substrate and including a conductive element. The at least one sensor comprises at least one of a tactile sensor and a flow sensor. Other embodiments of the present invention include sensors and/or multi-modal sensor nodes.

Fabrication of silicon films from patterned protruded seeds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Huang; Zhang, Wei; Li, Jizhou; Wang, Cong; Yang, Hui; Chen, Yigang; Chen, Xiaoyuan; Liu, Dongfang

2017-05-01

Thin, flexible silicon crystals are starting up applications such as light-weighted flexible solar cells, SOI, flexible IC chips, 3D ICs imagers and 3D CMOS imagers on the demand of high performance with low cost. Kerfless wafering technology by direct conversion of source gases into mono-crystalline wafers on reusable substrates is highly cost-effective and feedstock-effective route to cheap wafers with the thickness down to several microns. Here we show a prototype for direct conversion of silicon source gases to wafers by using the substrate with protruded seeds. A reliable and controllable method of wafer-scaled preparation of protruded seed patterns has been developed by filling liquid wax into a rod array as the mask for the selective removal of oxide layer on the rod head. Selectively epitaxial growth is performed on the protruded seeds, and the voidless film is formed by the merging of neighboring seeds through growing. And structured hollows are formed between the grown film and the substrate, which would offer the transferability of the grown film and the reusability of the protruded seeds.

Neuron array with plastic synapses and programmable dendrites.

PubMed

Ramakrishnan, Shubha; Wunderlich, Richard; Hasler, Jennifer; George, Suma

2013-10-01

We describe a novel neuromorphic chip architecture that models neurons for efficient computation. Traditional architectures of neuron array chips consist of large scale systems that are interfaced with AER for implementing intra- or inter-chip connectivity. We present a chip that uses AER for inter-chip communication but uses fast, reconfigurable FPGA-style routing with local memory for intra-chip connectivity. We model neurons with biologically realistic channel models, synapses and dendrites. This chip is suitable for small-scale network simulations and can also be used for sequence detection, utilizing directional selectivity properties of dendrites, ultimately for use in word recognition.

Right-Brain/Left-Brain Integrated Associative Processor Employing Convertible Multiple-Instruction-Stream Multiple-Data-Stream Elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayakawa, Hitoshi; Ogawa, Makoto; Shibata, Tadashi

2005-04-01

A very large scale integrated circuit (VLSI) architecture for a multiple-instruction-stream multiple-data-stream (MIMD) associative processor has been proposed. The processor employs an architecture that enables seamless switching from associative operations to arithmetic operations. The MIMD element is convertible to a regular central processing unit (CPU) while maintaining its high performance as an associative processor. Therefore, the MIMD associative processor can perform not only on-chip perception, i.e., searching for the vector most similar to an input vector throughout the on-chip cache memory, but also arithmetic and logic operations similar to those in ordinary CPUs, both simultaneously in parallel processing. Three key technologies have been developed to generate the MIMD element: associative-operation-and-arithmetic-operation switchable calculation units, a versatile register control scheme within the MIMD element for flexible operations, and a short instruction set for minimizing the memory size for program storage. Key circuit blocks were designed and fabricated using 0.18 μm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. As a result, the full-featured MIMD element is estimated to be 3 mm2, showing the feasibility of an 8-parallel-MIMD-element associative processor in a single chip of 5 mm× 5 mm.

Optical and Electric Multifunctional CMOS Image Sensors for On-Chip Biosensing Applications.

PubMed

Tokuda, Takashi; Noda, Toshihiko; Sasagawa, Kiyotaka; Ohta, Jun

2010-12-29

In this review, the concept, design, performance, and a functional demonstration of multifunctional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors dedicated to on-chip biosensing applications are described. We developed a sensor architecture that allows flexible configuration of a sensing pixel array consisting of optical and electric sensing pixels, and designed multifunctional CMOS image sensors that can sense light intensity and electric potential or apply a voltage to an on-chip measurement target. We describe the sensors' architecture on the basis of the type of electric measurement or imaging functionalities.

Novel Non-Intrusive Trans-Dermal Remote Wireless Micro-Fluidic Monitoring System Applied to Continuous Glucose and Lactate Assays for Casualty Care and Combat Readiness Assessment

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-09-01

identification of the lettered features. 2.2 BFIT Sampling Chip The BFIT sampling chip is a flexible patch-like chip with a multilayer polymeric metal...PPy) and glucose oxidase (GOD). The BFIT fabrication process uses SU8 as a principal structural material consisting of five steps (Figure 2). This...process is a subset of an earlier technology developed for the polymer material PDMS.11,12,13,14,15 The first step was the deposition of a Teflon

A flexible and miniaturized hair dye based photodetector via chemiluminescence pathway.

PubMed

Lin, Ching-Chang; Sun, Da-Shiuan; Lin, Ya-Lin; Tsai, Tsung-Tso; Cheng, Chieh; Sun, Wen-Hsien; Ko, Fu-Hsiang

2017-04-15

A flexible and miniaturized metal semiconductor metal (MSM) biomolecular photodetector was developed as the core photocurrent system through chemiluminescence for hydrogen peroxide sensing. The flexible photocurrent sensing system was manufactured on a 30-µm-thick crystalline silicon chip by chemical etching process, which produced a flexible silicon chip. A surface texturization design on the flexible device enhanced the light-trapping effect and minimized reflectivity losses from the incident light. The model protein streptavidin bound to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was successfully immobilized onto the sensor surface through high-affinity conjugation with biotin. The luminescence reaction occurred with luminol, hydrogen peroxide and HRP enzyme, and the emission of light from the catalytic reaction was detected by underlying flexible photodetector. The chemiluminescence in the miniaturized photocurrent sensing system was successfully used to determine the hydrogen peroxide concentration in real-time analyses. The hydrogen peroxide detection limit of the flexible MSM photodetector was 2.47mM. The performance of the flexible MSM photodetector maintained high stability under bending at various bending radii. Moreover, for concave bending, a significant improvement in detection signal intensity (14.5% enhancement compared with a flat configuration) was observed because of the increased photocurrent, which was attributed to enhancement of light trapping. Additionally, this detector was used to detect hydrogen peroxide concentrations in commercial hair dye products, which is a significant issue in the healthcare field. The development of this novel, flexible and miniaturized MSM biomolecular photodetector with excellent mechanical flexibility and high sensitivity demonstrates the applicability of this approach to future wearable sensor development efforts. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Attachment method for stacked integrated circuit (IC) chips

DOEpatents

Bernhardt, Anthony F.; Malba, Vincent

1999-01-01

An attachment method for stacked integrated circuit (IC) chips. The method involves connecting stacked chips, such as DRAM memory chips, to each other and/or to a circuit board. Pads on the individual chips are rerouted to form pads on the side of the chip, after which the chips are stacked on top of each other whereby desired interconnections to other chips or a circuit board can be accomplished via the side-located pads. The pads on the side of a chip are connected to metal lines on a flexible plastic tape (flex) by anisotropically conductive adhesive (ACA). Metal lines on the flex are likewise connected to other pads on chips and/or to pads on a circuit board. In the case of a stack of DRAM chips, pads to corresponding address lines on the various chips may be connected to the same metal line on the flex to form an address bus. This method has the advantage of reducing the number of connections required to be made to the circuit board due to bussing; the flex can accommodate dimensional variation in the alignment of chips in the stack; bonding of the ACA is accomplished at low temperature and is otherwise simpler and less expensive than solder bonding; chips can be bonded to the ACA all at once if the sides of the chips are substantially coplanar, as in the case for stacks of identical chips, such as DRAM.

Microfluidic "Pouch" Chips for Immunoassays and Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests.

PubMed

Mauk, Michael G; Liu, Changchun; Qiu, Xianbo; Chen, Dafeng; Song, Jinzhao; Bau, Haim H

2017-01-01

Microfluidic cassettes ("chips") for processing and analysis of clinical specimens and other sample types facilitate point-of-care (POC) immunoassays and nucleic acid based amplification tests. These single-use test chips can be self-contained and made amenable to autonomous operation-reducing or eliminating supporting instrumentation-by incorporating laminated, pliable "pouch" and membrane structures for fluid storage, pumping, mixing, and flow control. Materials and methods for integrating flexible pouch compartments and diaphragm valves into hard plastic (e.g., acrylic and polycarbonate) microfluidic "chips" for reagent storage, fluid actuation, and flow control are described. We review several versions of these pouch chips for immunoassay and nucleic acid amplification tests, and describe related fabrication techniques. These protocols thus offer a "toolbox" of methods for storage, pumping, and flow control functions in microfluidic devices.

A miniature high-efficiency fully digital adaptive voltage scaling buck converter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Hangbiao; Zhang, Bo; Luo, Ping; Zhen, Shaowei; Liao, Pengfei; He, Yajuan; Li, Zhaoji

2015-09-01

A miniature high-efficiency fully digital adaptive voltage scaling (AVS) buck converter is proposed in this paper. The pulse skip modulation with flexible duty cycle (FD-PSM) is used in the AVS controller, which simplifies the circuit architecture (<170 gates) and greatly saves the die area and the power consumption. The converter is implemented in a 0.13-μm one-poly-eight-metal (1P8 M) complementary metal oxide semiconductor process and the active on-chip area of the controller is only 0.003 mm2, which is much smaller. The measurement results show that when the operating frequency of the digital load scales dynamically from 25.6 MHz to 112.6 MHz, the supply voltage of which can be scaled adaptively from 0.84 V to 1.95 V. The controller dissipates only 17.2 μW, while the supply voltage of the load is 1 V and the operating frequency is 40 MHz.

Microfluidic multiplexed partitioning enables flexible and effective utilization of magnetic sensor arrays.

PubMed

Bechstein, Daniel J B; Ng, Elaine; Lee, Jung-Rok; Cone, Stephanie G; Gaster, Richard S; Osterfeld, Sebastian J; Hall, Drew A; Weaver, James A; Wilson, Robert J; Wang, Shan X

2015-11-21

We demonstrate microfluidic partitioning of a giant magnetoresistive sensor array into individually addressable compartments that enhances its effective use. Using different samples and reagents in each compartment enables measuring of cross-reactive species and wide dynamic ranges on a single chip. This compartmentalization technique motivates the employment of high density sensor arrays for highly parallelized measurements in lab-on-a-chip devices.

Nanofluidic interfaces in microfluidic networks

DOE PAGES

Millet, Larry J.; Doktycz, Mitchel John; Retterer, Scott T.

2015-09-24

The integration of nano- and microfluidic technologies enables the construction of tunable interfaces to physical and biological systems across relevant length scales. The ability to perform chemical manipulations of miniscule sample volumes is greatly enhanced through these technologies and extends the ability to manipulate and sample the local fluidic environments at subcellular, cellular and community or tissue scales. Here we describe the development of a flexible surface micromachining process for the creation of nanofluidic channel arrays integrated within SU-8 microfluidic networks. The use of a semi-porous, silicon rich, silicon nitride structural layer allows rapid release of the sacrificial silicon dioxidemore » during the nanochannel fabrication. Nanochannel openings that form the interface to biological samples are customized using focused ion beam milling. The compatibility of these interfaces with on-chip microbial culture is demonstrated.« less

Attachment method for stacked integrated circuit (IC) chips

DOEpatents

Bernhardt, A.F.; Malba, V.

1999-08-03

An attachment method for stacked integrated circuit (IC) chips is disclosed. The method involves connecting stacked chips, such as DRAM memory chips, to each other and/or to a circuit board. Pads on the individual chips are rerouted to form pads on the side of the chip, after which the chips are stacked on top of each other whereby desired interconnections to other chips or a circuit board can be accomplished via the side-located pads. The pads on the side of a chip are connected to metal lines on a flexible plastic tape (flex) by anisotropically conductive adhesive (ACA). Metal lines on the flex are likewise connected to other pads on chips and/or to pads on a circuit board. In the case of a stack of DRAM chips, pads to corresponding address lines on the various chips may be connected to the same metal line on the flex to form an address bus. This method has the advantage of reducing the number of connections required to be made to the circuit board due to bussing; the flex can accommodate dimensional variation in the alignment of chips in the stack; bonding of the ACA is accomplished at low temperature and is otherwise simpler and less expensive than solder bonding; chips can be bonded to the ACA all at once if the sides of the chips are substantially coplanar, as in the case for stacks of identical chips, such as DRAM. 12 figs.

On-demand transfer of trapped photons on a chip.

PubMed

Konoike, Ryotaro; Nakagawa, Haruyuki; Nakadai, Masahiro; Asano, Takashi; Tanaka, Yoshinori; Noda, Susumu

2016-05-01

Photonic crystal nanocavities, which have modal volumes of the order of a cubic wavelength in the material, are of great interest as flexible platforms for manipulating photons. Recent developments in ultra-high quality factor nanocavities with long photon lifetimes have encouraged us to develop an ultra-compact and flexible photon manipulation technology where photons are trapped in networks of such nanocavities. The most fundamental requirement is the on-demand transfer of photons to and from the trapped states of arbitrary nanocavities. We experimentally demonstrate photon transfer between two nearly resonant nanocavities at arbitrary positions on a chip, triggered by the irradiation of a third nonresonant nanocavity using an optical control pulse. We obtain a high transfer efficiency of ~90% with a photon lifetime of ~200 ps.

Optical and Electric Multifunctional CMOS Image Sensors for On-Chip Biosensing Applications

PubMed Central

Tokuda, Takashi; Noda, Toshihiko; Sasagawa, Kiyotaka; Ohta, Jun

2010-01-01

In this review, the concept, design, performance, and a functional demonstration of multifunctional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors dedicated to on-chip biosensing applications are described. We developed a sensor architecture that allows flexible configuration of a sensing pixel array consisting of optical and electric sensing pixels, and designed multifunctional CMOS image sensors that can sense light intensity and electric potential or apply a voltage to an on-chip measurement target. We describe the sensors’ architecture on the basis of the type of electric measurement or imaging functionalities. PMID:28879978

SSI/MSI/LSI/VLSI/ULSI.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alexander, George

1984-01-01

Discusses small-scale integrated (SSI), medium-scale integrated (MSI), large-scale integrated (LSI), very large-scale integrated (VLSI), and ultra large-scale integrated (ULSI) chips. The development and properties of these chips, uses of gallium arsenide, Josephson devices (two superconducting strips sandwiching a thin insulator), and future…

Single-chip microprocessor that communicates directly using light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Chen; Wade, Mark T.; Lee, Yunsup; Orcutt, Jason S.; Alloatti, Luca; Georgas, Michael S.; Waterman, Andrew S.; Shainline, Jeffrey M.; Avizienis, Rimas R.; Lin, Sen; Moss, Benjamin R.; Kumar, Rajesh; Pavanello, Fabio; Atabaki, Amir H.; Cook, Henry M.; Ou, Albert J.; Leu, Jonathan C.; Chen, Yu-Hsin; Asanović, Krste; Ram, Rajeev J.; Popović, Miloš A.; Stojanović, Vladimir M.

2015-12-01

Data transport across short electrical wires is limited by both bandwidth and power density, which creates a performance bottleneck for semiconductor microchips in modern computer systems—from mobile phones to large-scale data centres. These limitations can be overcome by using optical communications based on chip-scale electronic-photonic systems enabled by silicon-based nanophotonic devices8. However, combining electronics and photonics on the same chip has proved challenging, owing to microchip manufacturing conflicts between electronics and photonics. Consequently, current electronic-photonic chips are limited to niche manufacturing processes and include only a few optical devices alongside simple circuits. Here we report an electronic-photonic system on a single chip integrating over 70 million transistors and 850 photonic components that work together to provide logic, memory, and interconnect functions. This system is a realization of a microprocessor that uses on-chip photonic devices to directly communicate with other chips using light. To integrate electronics and photonics at the scale of a microprocessor chip, we adopt a ‘zero-change’ approach to the integration of photonics. Instead of developing a custom process to enable the fabrication of photonics, which would complicate or eliminate the possibility of integration with state-of-the-art transistors at large scale and at high yield, we design optical devices using a standard microelectronics foundry process that is used for modern microprocessors. This demonstration could represent the beginning of an era of chip-scale electronic-photonic systems with the potential to transform computing system architectures, enabling more powerful computers, from network infrastructure to data centres and supercomputers.

Single-chip microprocessor that communicates directly using light.

PubMed

Sun, Chen; Wade, Mark T; Lee, Yunsup; Orcutt, Jason S; Alloatti, Luca; Georgas, Michael S; Waterman, Andrew S; Shainline, Jeffrey M; Avizienis, Rimas R; Lin, Sen; Moss, Benjamin R; Kumar, Rajesh; Pavanello, Fabio; Atabaki, Amir H; Cook, Henry M; Ou, Albert J; Leu, Jonathan C; Chen, Yu-Hsin; Asanović, Krste; Ram, Rajeev J; Popović, Miloš A; Stojanović, Vladimir M

2015-12-24

Data transport across short electrical wires is limited by both bandwidth and power density, which creates a performance bottleneck for semiconductor microchips in modern computer systems--from mobile phones to large-scale data centres. These limitations can be overcome by using optical communications based on chip-scale electronic-photonic systems enabled by silicon-based nanophotonic devices. However, combining electronics and photonics on the same chip has proved challenging, owing to microchip manufacturing conflicts between electronics and photonics. Consequently, current electronic-photonic chips are limited to niche manufacturing processes and include only a few optical devices alongside simple circuits. Here we report an electronic-photonic system on a single chip integrating over 70 million transistors and 850 photonic components that work together to provide logic, memory, and interconnect functions. This system is a realization of a microprocessor that uses on-chip photonic devices to directly communicate with other chips using light. To integrate electronics and photonics at the scale of a microprocessor chip, we adopt a 'zero-change' approach to the integration of photonics. Instead of developing a custom process to enable the fabrication of photonics, which would complicate or eliminate the possibility of integration with state-of-the-art transistors at large scale and at high yield, we design optical devices using a standard microelectronics foundry process that is used for modern microprocessors. This demonstration could represent the beginning of an era of chip-scale electronic-photonic systems with the potential to transform computing system architectures, enabling more powerful computers, from network infrastructure to data centres and supercomputers.

Scalable Motion Estimation Processor Core for Multimedia System-on-Chip Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lai, Yeong-Kang; Hsieh, Tian-En; Chen, Lien-Fei

2007-04-01

In this paper, we describe a high-throughput and scalable motion estimation processor architecture for multimedia system-on-chip applications. The number of processing elements (PEs) is scalable according to the variable algorithm parameters and the performance required for different applications. Using the PE rings efficiently and an intelligent memory-interleaving organization, the efficiency of the architecture can be increased. Moreover, using efficient on-chip memories and a data management technique can effectively decrease the power consumption and memory bandwidth. Techniques for reducing the number of interconnections and external memory accesses are also presented. Our results demonstrate that the proposed scalable PE-ringed architecture is a flexible and high-performance processor core in multimedia system-on-chip applications.

On-chip photonic memory elements employing phase-change materials.

PubMed

Rios, Carlos; Hosseini, Peiman; Wright, C David; Bhaskaran, Harish; Pernice, Wolfram H P

2014-03-05

Phase-change materials integrated into nanophotonic circuits provide a flexible way to realize tunable optical components. Relying on the enormous refractive-index contrast between the amorphous and crystalline states, such materials are promising candidates for on-chip photonic memories. Nonvolatile memory operation employing arrays of microring resonators is demonstrated as a route toward all-photonic chipscale information processing. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

High-Performance Microsupercapacitors Based on Bioinspired Graphene Microfibers.

PubMed

Pan, Hui; Wang, Dawei; Peng, Qingfa; Ma, Jun; Meng, Xin; Zhang, Yaopeng; Ma, Yuning; Zhu, Shenmin; Zhang, Di

2018-03-28

The miniaturization of portable electronic devices has fueled the development of microsupercapacitors that hold great potential to complement or even replace microbatteries and electrolytic capacitors. In spite of recent developments taking advantage of printing and lithography, it remains a great challenge to attain a high energy density without sacrificing the power density. Herein, a new protocol mimicking the spider's spinning process is developed to create highly oriented microfibers from graphene-based composites via a purpose-designed microfluidic chip. The orientation provides the microfibers with an electrical conductivity of ∼3 × 10 4 S m -1 , which leads to a high power density; the energy density is sustained by nanocarbons and high-purity metallic molybdenum disulfide. The microfibers are patterned in-plane to fabricate asymmetric microsupercapacitors for flexible and on-chip energy storage. The on-chip microsupercapacitor with a high pattern resolution of 100 μm delivers energy density up to the order of 10 -2 W h cm -3 and retains an ultrahigh power density exceeding 100 W cm -3 in an aqueous electrolyte. This work provides new design of flexible and on-chip asymmetric microsupercapacitors based on microfibers. The unique biomimetic microfluidic fabrication of graphene microfibers for energy storage may also stimulate thinking of the bionic design in many other fields.

76 FR 14688 - In the Matter of Certain Large Scale Integrated Circuit Semiconductor Chips and Products...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-03-17

... Integrated Circuit Semiconductor Chips and Products Containing the Same; Notice of a Commission Determination... certain large scale integrated circuit semiconductor chips and products containing same by reason of... existence of a domestic industry. The Commission's notice of investigation named several respondents...

Effect of thermal cycling ramp rate on CSP assembly reliability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ghaffarian, R.

2001-01-01

A JPL-led chip scale package consortium of enterprises recently joined together to pool in-kind resources for developing the quality and reliability of chip scale packages for a variety of projects. The experience of the consortium in building more than 150 test vehicle assemblies, single and double sided multilayer PWBs, and the environmental test results has now been published as a chip scale package guidelines document.

Chip-scale sensor system integration for portable health monitoring.

PubMed

Jokerst, Nan M; Brooke, Martin A; Cho, Sang-Yeon; Shang, Allan B

2007-12-01

The revolution in integrated circuits over the past 50 yr has produced inexpensive computing and communications systems that are powerful and portable. The technologies for these integrated chip-scale sensing systems, which will be miniature, lightweight, and portable, are emerging with the integration of sensors with electronics, optical systems, micromachines, microfluidics, and the integration of chemical and biological materials (soft/wet material integration with traditional dry/hard semiconductor materials). Hence, we stand at a threshold for health monitoring technology that promises to provide wearable biochemical sensing systems that are comfortable, inauspicious, wireless, and battery-operated, yet that continuously monitor health status, and can transmit compressed data signals at regular intervals, or alarm conditions immediately. In this paper, we explore recent results in chip-scale sensor integration technology for health monitoring. The development of inexpensive chip-scale biochemical optical sensors, such as microresonators, that are customizable for high sensitivity coupled with rapid prototyping will be discussed. Ground-breaking work in the integration of chip-scale optical systems to support these optical sensors will be highlighted, and the development of inexpensive Si complementary metal-oxide semiconductor circuitry (which makes up the vast majority of computational systems today) for signal processing and wireless communication with local receivers that lie directly on the chip-scale sensor head itself will be examined.

Nano-optical conveyor belt with waveguide-coupled excitation.

PubMed

Wang, Guanghui; Ying, Zhoufeng; Ho, Ho-pui; Huang, Ying; Zou, Ningmu; Zhang, Xuping

2016-02-01

We propose a plasmonic nano-optical conveyor belt for peristaltic transport of nano-particles. Instead of illumination from the top, waveguide-coupled excitation is used for trapping particles with a higher degree of precision and flexibility. Graded nano-rods with individual dimensions coded to have resonance at specific wavelengths are incorporated along the waveguide in order to produce spatially addressable hot spots. Consequently, by switching the excitation wavelength sequentially, particles can be transported to adjacent optical traps along the waveguide. The feasibility of this design is analyzed using three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain and Maxwell stress tensor methods. Simulation results show that this system is capable of exciting addressable traps and moving particles in a peristaltic fashion with tens of nanometers resolution. It is the first, to the best of our knowledge, report about a nano-optical conveyor belt with waveguide-coupled excitation, which is very important for scalability and on-chip integration. The proposed approach offers a new design direction for integrated waveguide-based optical manipulation devices and its application in large scale lab-on-a-chip integration.

Genome-wide Target Enrichment-aided Chip Design: a 66 K SNP Chip for Cashmere Goat.

PubMed

Qiao, Xian; Su, Rui; Wang, Yang; Wang, Ruijun; Yang, Ting; Li, Xiaokai; Chen, Wei; He, Shiyang; Jiang, Yu; Xu, Qiwu; Wan, Wenting; Zhang, Yaolei; Zhang, Wenguang; Chen, Jiang; Liu, Bin; Liu, Xin; Fan, Yixing; Chen, Duoyuan; Jiang, Huaizhi; Fang, Dongming; Liu, Zhihong; Wang, Xiaowen; Zhang, Yanjun; Mao, Danqing; Wang, Zhiying; Di, Ran; Zhao, Qianjun; Zhong, Tao; Yang, Huanming; Wang, Jian; Wang, Wen; Dong, Yang; Chen, Xiaoli; Xu, Xun; Li, Jinquan

2017-08-17

Compared with the commercially available single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip based on the Bead Chip technology, the solution hybrid selection (SHS)-based target enrichment SNP chip is not only design-flexible, but also cost-effective for genotype sequencing. In this study, we propose to design an animal SNP chip using the SHS-based target enrichment strategy for the first time. As an update to the international collaboration on goat research, a 66 K SNP chip for cashmere goat was created from the whole-genome sequencing data of 73 individuals. Verification of this 66 K SNP chip with the whole-genome sequencing data of 436 cashmere goats showed that the SNP call rates was between 95.3% and 99.8%. The average sequencing depth for target SNPs were 40X. The capture regions were shown to be 200 bp that flank target SNPs. This chip was further tested in a genome-wide association analysis of cashmere fineness (fiber diameter). Several top hit loci were found marginally associated with signaling pathways involved in hair growth. These results demonstrate that the 66 K SNP chip is a useful tool in the genomic analyses of cashmere goats. The successful chip design shows that the SHS-based target enrichment strategy could be applied to SNP chip design in other species.

75 FR 24742 - In the Matter of Certain Large Scale Integrated Circuit Semiconductor Chips and Products...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-05

... Integrated Circuit Semiconductor Chips and Products Containing Same; Notice of Investigation AGENCY: U.S... of certain large scale integrated circuit semiconductor chips and products containing same by reason... alleges that an industry in the United States exists as required by subsection (a)(2) of section 337. The...

The Chip-Scale Atomic Clock - Prototype Evaluation

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-11-01

39th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) Meeting THE CHIP-SCALE ATOMIC CLOCK – PROTOTYPE EVALUATION R. Lutwak *, A. Rashed...been supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Contract # NBCHC020050. REFERENCES [1] R. Lutwak , D. Emmons, W. Riley, and...D.C.), pp. 539-550. [2] R. Lutwak , D. Emmons, T. English, W. Riley, A. Duwel, M. Varghese, D. K. Serkland, and G. M. Peake, 2004, “The Chip-Scale

Modular integration of electronics and microfluidic systems using flexible printed circuit boards.

PubMed

Wu, Amy; Wang, Lisen; Jensen, Erik; Mathies, Richard; Boser, Bernhard

2010-02-21

Microfluidic systems offer an attractive alternative to conventional wet chemical methods with benefits including reduced sample and reagent volumes, shorter reaction times, high-throughput, automation, and low cost. However, most present microfluidic systems rely on external means to analyze reaction products. This substantially adds to the size, complexity, and cost of the overall system. Electronic detection based on sub-millimetre size integrated circuits (ICs) has been demonstrated for a wide range of targets including nucleic and amino acids, but deployment of this technology to date has been limited due to the lack of a flexible process to integrate these chips within microfluidic devices. This paper presents a modular and inexpensive process to integrate ICs with microfluidic systems based on standard printed circuit board (PCB) technology to assemble the independently designed microfluidic and electronic components. The integrated system can accommodate multiple chips of different sizes bonded to glass or PDMS microfluidic systems. Since IC chips and flex PCB manufacturing and assembly are industry standards with low cost, the integrated system is economical for both laboratory and point-of-care settings.

Digital microfluidics – a new paradigm for radiochemistry

PubMed Central

Keng, Pei Yuin; van Dam, R. Michael

2016-01-01

The emerging technology of digital microfluidics is opening up the possibility to perform radiochemistry at the microliter scale to produce tracers for positron emission tomography (PET) labeled with fluorine-18 or other isotopes. Working at this volume scale not only reduces reagent costs, but also improves specific activity (SA) by reduction of contamination by the stable isotope. This technology could provide a practical means to routinely prepare high SA tracers for applications such as neuroimaging, and could make it possible to routinely achieve high SA using synthesis strategies such as isotopic exchange. Reagent droplets are controlled electronically, providing high reliability, a compact control system, and flexibility for diverse syntheses with a single chip design. The compact size may enable the development of a self-shielded synthesizer that does not require a hot cell. This article reviews the progress of this technology and its application to the synthesis of PET tracers. PMID:26650206

μOrgano: A Lego®-Like Plug & Play System for Modular Multi-Organ-Chips.

PubMed

Loskill, Peter; Marcus, Sivan G; Mathur, Anurag; Reese, Willie Mae; Healy, Kevin E

2015-01-01

Human organ-on-a-chip systems for drug screening have evolved as feasible alternatives to animal models, which are unreliable, expensive, and at times erroneous. While chips featuring single organs can be of great use for both pharmaceutical testing and basic organ-level studies, the huge potential of the organ-on-a-chip technology is revealed by connecting multiple organs on one chip to create a single integrated system for sophisticated fundamental biological studies and devising therapies for disease. Furthermore, since most organ-on-a-chip systems require special protocols with organ-specific media for the differentiation and maturation of the tissues, multi-organ systems will need to be temporally customizable and flexible in terms of the time point of connection of the individual organ units. We present a customizable Lego®-like plug & play system, μOrgano, which enables initial individual culture of single organ-on-a-chip systems and subsequent connection to create integrated multi-organ microphysiological systems. As a proof of concept, the μOrgano system was used to connect multiple heart chips in series with excellent cell viability and spontaneously physiological beat rates.

μOrgano: A Lego®-Like Plug & Play System for Modular Multi-Organ-Chips

PubMed Central

Loskill, Peter; Marcus, Sivan G.; Mathur, Anurag; Reese, Willie Mae; Healy, Kevin E.

2015-01-01

Human organ-on-a-chip systems for drug screening have evolved as feasible alternatives to animal models, which are unreliable, expensive, and at times erroneous. While chips featuring single organs can be of great use for both pharmaceutical testing and basic organ-level studies, the huge potential of the organ-on-a-chip technology is revealed by connecting multiple organs on one chip to create a single integrated system for sophisticated fundamental biological studies and devising therapies for disease. Furthermore, since most organ-on-a-chip systems require special protocols with organ-specific media for the differentiation and maturation of the tissues, multi-organ systems will need to be temporally customizable and flexible in terms of the time point of connection of the individual organ units. We present a customizable Lego®-like plug & play system, μOrgano, which enables initial individual culture of single organ-on-a-chip systems and subsequent connection to create integrated multi-organ microphysiological systems. As a proof of concept, the μOrgano system was used to connect multiple heart chips in series with excellent cell viability and spontaneously physiological beat rates. PMID:26440672

The Chip-Scale Atomic Clock - Low-Power Physics Package

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-12-01

36th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval (PTTI) Meeting 339 THE CHIP-SCALE ATOMIC CLOCK – LOW-POWER PHYSICS PACKAGE R. Lutwak ...pdf/documents/ds-x72.pdf [2] R. Lutwak , D. Emmons, W. Riley, and R. M. Garvey, 2003, “The Chip-Scale Atomic Clock – Coherent Population Trapping vs...2002, Reston, Virginia, USA (U.S. Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C.), pp. 539-550. [3] R. Lutwak , D. Emmons, T. English, and W. Riley, 2004

A novel bonding method for large scale poly(methyl methacrylate) micro- and nanofluidic chip fabrication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qu, Xingtian; Li, Jinlai; Yin, Zhifu

2018-04-01

Micro- and nanofluidic chips are becoming increasing significance for biological and medical applications. Future advances in micro- and nanofluidics and its utilization in commercial applications depend on the development and fabrication of low cost and high fidelity large scale plastic micro- and nanofluidic chips. However, the majority of the present fabrication methods suffer from a low bonding rate of the chip during thermal bonding process due to air trapping between the substrate and the cover plate. In the present work, a novel bonding technique based on Ar plasma and water treatment was proposed to fully bond the large scale micro- and nanofluidic chips. The influence of Ar plasma parameters on the water contact angle and the effect of bonding conditions on the bonding rate and the bonding strength of the chip were studied. The fluorescence tests demonstrate that the 5 × 5 cm2 poly(methyl methacrylate) chip with 180 nm wide and 180 nm deep nanochannels can be fabricated without any block and leakage by our newly developed method.

A multi-scale PDMS fabrication strategy to bridge the size mismatch between integrated circuits and microfluidics†

PubMed Central

Muluneh, Melaku

2015-01-01

In recent years there has been great progress harnessing the small-feature size and programmability of integrated circuits (ICs) for biological applications, by building microfluidics directly on top of ICs. However, a major hurdle to the further development of this technology is the inherent size-mismatch between ICs (~mm) and microfluidic chips (~cm). Increasing the area of the ICs to match the size of the microfluidic chip, as has often been done in previous studies, leads to a waste of valuable space on the IC and an increase in fabrication cost (>100×). To address this challenge, we have developed a three dimensional PDMS chip that can straddle multiple length scales of hybrid IC/microfluidic chips. This approach allows millimeter-scale ICs, with no post-processing, to be integrated into a centimeter-sized PDMS chip. To fabricate this PDMS chip we use a combination of soft-lithography and laser micromachining. Soft lithography was used to define micrometer-scale fluid channels directly on the surface of the IC, allowing fluid to be controlled with high accuracy and brought into close proximity to sensors for highly sensitive measurements. Laser micromachining was used to create ~50 μm vias to connect these molded PDMS channels to a larger PDMS chip, which can connect multiple ICs and house fluid connections to the outside world. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, we built and demonstrated an in-flow magnetic cytometer that consisted of a 5 × 5 cm2 microfluidic chip that incorporated a commercial 565 × 1145 μm2 IC with a GMR sensing circuit. We additionally demonstrated the modularity of this approach by building a chip that incorporated two of these GMR chips connected in series. PMID:25284502

A multi-scale PDMS fabrication strategy to bridge the size mismatch between integrated circuits and microfluidics.

PubMed

Muluneh, Melaku; Issadore, David

2014-12-07

In recent years there has been great progress harnessing the small-feature size and programmability of integrated circuits (ICs) for biological applications, by building microfluidics directly on top of ICs. However, a major hurdle to the further development of this technology is the inherent size-mismatch between ICs (~mm) and microfluidic chips (~cm). Increasing the area of the ICs to match the size of the microfluidic chip, as has often been done in previous studies, leads to a waste of valuable space on the IC and an increase in fabrication cost (>100×). To address this challenge, we have developed a three dimensional PDMS chip that can straddle multiple length scales of hybrid IC/microfluidic chips. This approach allows millimeter-scale ICs, with no post-processing, to be integrated into a centimeter-sized PDMS chip. To fabricate this PDMS chip we use a combination of soft-lithography and laser micromachining. Soft lithography was used to define micrometer-scale fluid channels directly on the surface of the IC, allowing fluid to be controlled with high accuracy and brought into close proximity to sensors for highly sensitive measurements. Laser micromachining was used to create ~50 μm vias to connect these molded PDMS channels to a larger PDMS chip, which can connect multiple ICs and house fluid connections to the outside world. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, we built and demonstrated an in-flow magnetic cytometer that consisted of a 5 × 5 cm(2) microfluidic chip that incorporated a commercial 565 × 1145 μm(2) IC with a GMR sensing circuit. We additionally demonstrated the modularity of this approach by building a chip that incorporated two of these GMR chips connected in series.

Construction of large scale switch matrix by interconnecting integrated optical switch chips with EDFAs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Mingle; Wu, Baojian; Hou, Jianhong; Qiu, Kun

2018-03-01

Large scale optical switches are essential components in optical communication network. We aim to build up a large scale optical switch matrix by the interconnection of silicon-based optical switch chips using 3-stage CLOS structure, where EDFAs are needed to compensate for the insertion loss of the chips. The optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) performance of the resulting large scale optical switch matrix is investigated for TE-mode light and the experimental results are in agreement with the theoretical analysis. We build up a 64 ×64 switch matrix by use of 16 ×16 optical switch chips and the OSNR and receiver sensibility can respectively be improved by 0.6 dB and 0.2 dB by optimizing the gain configuration of the EDFAs.

Chip-scale integrated optical interconnects: a key enabler for future high-performance computing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haney, Michael; Nair, Rohit; Gu, Tian

2012-01-01

High Performance Computing (HPC) systems are putting ever-increasing demands on the throughput efficiency of their interconnection fabrics. In this paper, the limits of conventional metal trace-based inter-chip interconnect fabrics are examined in the context of state-of-the-art HPC systems, which currently operate near the 1 GFLOPS/W level. The analysis suggests that conventional metal trace interconnects will limit performance to approximately 6 GFLOPS/W in larger HPC systems that require many computer chips to be interconnected in parallel processing architectures. As the HPC communications bottlenecks push closer to the processing chips, integrated Optical Interconnect (OI) technology may provide the ultra-high bandwidths needed at the inter- and intra-chip levels. With inter-chip photonic link energies projected to be less than 1 pJ/bit, integrated OI is projected to enable HPC architecture scaling to the 50 GFLOPS/W level and beyond - providing a path to Peta-FLOPS-level HPC within a single rack, and potentially even Exa-FLOPSlevel HPC for large systems. A new hybrid integrated chip-scale OI approach is described and evaluated. The concept integrates a high-density polymer waveguide fabric directly on top of a multiple quantum well (MQW) modulator array that is area-bonded to the Silicon computing chip. Grayscale lithography is used to fabricate 5 μm x 5 μm polymer waveguides and associated novel small-footprint total internal reflection-based vertical input/output couplers directly onto a layer containing an array of GaAs MQW devices configured to be either absorption modulators or photodetectors. An external continuous wave optical "power supply" is coupled into the waveguide links. Contrast ratios were measured using a test rider chip in place of a Silicon processing chip. The results suggest that sub-pJ/b chip-scale communication is achievable with this concept. When integrated into high-density integrated optical interconnect fabrics, it could provide a seamless interconnect fabric spanning the intra-

A Memory-Based Programmable Logic Device Using Look-Up Table Cascade with Synchronous Static Random Access Memories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamura, Kazuyuki; Sasao, Tsutomu; Matsuura, Munehiro; Tanaka, Katsumasa; Yoshizumi, Kenichi; Nakahara, Hiroki; Iguchi, Yukihiro

2006-04-01

A large-scale memory-technology-based programmable logic device (PLD) using a look-up table (LUT) cascade is developed in the 0.35-μm standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) logic process. Eight 64 K-bit synchronous SRAMs are connected to form an LUT cascade with a few additional circuits. The features of the LUT cascade include: 1) a flexible cascade connection structure, 2) multi phase pseudo asynchronous operations with synchronous static random access memory (SRAM) cores, and 3) LUT-bypass redundancy. This chip operates at 33 MHz in 8-LUT cascades at 122 mW. Benchmark results show that it achieves a comparable performance to field programmable gate array (FPGAs).

Various on-chip sensors with microfluidics for biological applications.

PubMed

Lee, Hun; Xu, Linfeng; Koh, Domin; Nyayapathi, Nikhila; Oh, Kwang W

2014-09-12

In this paper, we review recent advances in on-chip sensors integrated with microfluidics for biological applications. Since the 1990s, much research has concentrated on developing a sensing system using optical phenomena such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to improve the sensitivity of the device. The sensing performance can be significantly enhanced with the use of microfluidic chips to provide effective liquid manipulation and greater flexibility. We describe an optical image sensor with a simpler platform for better performance over a larger field of view (FOV) and greater depth of field (DOF). As a new trend, we review consumer electronics such as smart phones, tablets, Google glasses, etc. which are being incorporated in point-of-care (POC) testing systems. In addition, we discuss in detail the current optical sensing system integrated with a microfluidic chip.

Laser subtractive-additive-welding microfabrication for Lab-On-Chip (LOC) applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jonušauskas, Linas; RekštytÄ--, Sima; Buivydas, Ričardas; Butkus, Simas; Paipulas, Domas; Gadonas, Roaldas; Juodkazis, Saulius; Malinauskas, Mangirdas

2017-02-01

An approach employing ultrafast laser hybrid microfabrication combining ablation, 3D nanolithography and welding is proposed for the realization of Lab-On-Chip (LOC) device. The same laser setup is shown to be suitable for fabricating microgrooves in glass slabs, polymerization of fine meshes inside them, and, lastly, sealing the whole chip with cover glass into one monolithic piece. The created micro fluidic device proved its particle sorting function by separating 1 μm and 10 μm polystyrene spheres from a mixture. Next, a lens adapter for a cell phone's camera was manufactured via thermal extrusion 3D printing technique which allowed to achieve sufficient magnification to clearly resolve <10 μm features. All together shows fs-laser microfabrication technology as a flexible and versatile tool for study and manufacturing of Lab-On-Chip devices.

Optimal use of tandem biotin and V5 tags in ChIP assays

PubMed Central

Kolodziej, Katarzyna E; Pourfarzad, Farzin; de Boer, Ernie; Krpic, Sanja; Grosveld, Frank; Strouboulis, John

2009-01-01

Background Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays coupled to genome arrays (Chip-on-chip) or massive parallel sequencing (ChIP-seq) lead to the genome wide identification of binding sites of chromatin associated proteins. However, the highly variable quality of antibodies and the availability of epitopes in crosslinked chromatin can compromise genomic ChIP outcomes. Epitope tags have often been used as more reliable alternatives. In addition, we have employed protein in vivo biotinylation tagging as a very high affinity alternative to antibodies. In this paper we describe the optimization of biotinylation tagging for ChIP and its coupling to a known epitope tag in providing a reliable and efficient alternative to antibodies. Results Using the biotin tagged erythroid transcription factor GATA-1 as example, we describe several optimization steps for the application of the high affinity biotin streptavidin system in ChIP. We find that the omission of SDS during sonication, the use of fish skin gelatin as blocking agent and choice of streptavidin beads can lead to significantly improved ChIP enrichments and lower background compared to antibodies. We also show that the V5 epitope tag performs equally well under the conditions worked out for streptavidin ChIP and that it may suffer less from the effects of formaldehyde crosslinking. Conclusion The combined use of the very high affinity biotin tag with the less sensitive to crosslinking V5 tag provides for a flexible ChIP platform with potential implications in ChIP sequencing outcomes. PMID:19196479

A flexible skin patch for continuous physiological monitoring of mental disorders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jang, Won Ick; Lee, Bong Kuk; Ryu, Jin Hwa; Baek, In-Bok; Yu, Han Young; Kim, Seunghwan

2017-10-01

In this study, we have newly developed a flexible adhesive skin patch of electrocardiogram (ECG) device for continuous physiological monitoring of mental disorders. In addition, this flexible patch did not cause any damage to the skin even after 24 hours attachment. We have also suggested the possibility of novel interconnection for copper film on polyimide and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layers of the flexible patch. Self-align and soldering of IC chips such as resistor between metal pads on flexible skin patch have also successfully fabricated for 5 min at 180 °C in vacuum oven. Low temperature interconnection technology based on a Sn42/Bi58 solder was also developed for flexible ECG devices. As a result, we can monitor the mental health status through a comprehensive analysis of biological signals from flexible ECG devices.

Design and integration of an all-in-one biomicrofluidic chip

PubMed Central

Liu, Liyu; Cao, Wenbin; Wu, Jingbo; Wen, Weijia; Chang, Donald Choy; Sheng, Ping

2008-01-01

We demonstrate a highly integrated microfluidic chip with the function of DNA amplification. The integrated chip combines giant electrorheological-fluid actuated micromixer and micropump with a microheater array, all formed using soft lithography. Internal functional components are based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and silver∕carbon black-PDMS composites. The system has the advantages of small size with a high degree of integration, high polymerase chain reaction efficiency, digital control and simple fabrication at low cost. This integration approach shows promise for a broad range of applications in chemical synthesis and biological sensing∕analysis, as different components can be combined to target desired functionalities, with flexible designs of different microchips easily realizable through soft lithography. PMID:19693370

Preservation of Cell Structure, Metabolism, and Biotransformation Activity of Liver-On-Chip Organ Models by Hypothermic Storage.

PubMed

Gröger, Marko; Dinger, Julia; Kiehntopf, Michael; Peters, Frank T; Rauen, Ursula; Mosig, Alexander S

2018-01-01

The liver is a central organ in the metabolization of nutrition, endogenous and exogenous substances, and xenobiotic drugs. The emerging organ-on-chip technology has paved the way to model essential liver functions as well as certain aspects of liver disease in vitro in liver-on-chip models. However, a broader use of this technology in biomedical research is limited by a lack of protocols that enable the short-term preservation of preassembled liver-on-chip models for stocking or delivery to researchers outside the bioengineering community. For the first time, this study tested the ability of hypothermic storage of liver-on-chip models to preserve cell viability, tissue morphology, metabolism and biotransformation activity. In a systematic study with different preservation solutions, liver-on-chip function can be preserved for up to 2 d using a derivative of the tissue preservation solution TiProtec, containing high chloride ion concentrations and the iron chelators LK614 and deferoxamine, supplemented with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Hypothermic storage in this solution represents a promising method to preserve liver-on-chip function for at least 2 d and allows an easier access to liver-on-chip technology and its versatile and flexible use in biomedical research. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Chip-to-chip entanglement of transmon qubits using engineered measurement fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dickel, C.; Wesdorp, J. J.; Langford, N. K.; Peiter, S.; Sagastizabal, R.; Bruno, A.; Criger, B.; Motzoi, F.; DiCarlo, L.

2018-02-01

While the on-chip processing power in circuit QED devices is growing rapidly, an open challenge is to establish high-fidelity quantum links between qubits on different chips. Here, we show entanglement between transmon qubits on different cQED chips with 49 % concurrence and 73 % Bell-state fidelity. We engineer a half-parity measurement by successively reflecting a coherent microwave field off two nearly identical transmon-resonator systems. By ensuring the measured output field does not distinguish |01 > from |10 > , unentangled superposition states are probabilistically projected onto entangled states in the odd-parity subspace. We use in situ tunability and an additional weakly coupled driving field on the second resonator to overcome imperfect matching due to fabrication variations. To demonstrate the flexibility of this approach, we also produce an even-parity entangled state of similar quality, by engineering the matching of outputs for the |00 > and |11 > states. The protocol is characterized over a range of measurement strengths using quantum state tomography showing good agreement with a comprehensive theoretical model.

Bending induced electrical response variations in ultra-thin flexible chips and device modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heidari, Hadi; Wacker, Nicoleta; Dahiya, Ravinder

2017-09-01

Electronics that conform to 3D surfaces are attracting wider attention from both academia and industry. The research in the field has, thus far, focused primarily on showcasing the efficacy of various materials and fabrication methods for electronic/sensing devices on flexible substrates. As the device response changes are bound to change with stresses induced by bending, the next step will be to develop the capacity to predict the response of flexible systems under various bending conditions. This paper comprehensively reviews the effects of bending on the response of devices on ultra-thin chips in terms of variations in electrical parameters such as mobility, threshold voltage, and device performance (static and dynamic). The discussion also includes variations in the device response due to crystal orientation, applied mechanics, band structure, and fabrication processes. Further, strategies for compensating or minimizing these bending-induced variations have been presented. Following the in-depth analysis, this paper proposes new mathematical relations to simulate and predict the device response under various bending conditions. These mathematical relations have also been used to develop new compact models that have been verified by comparing simulation results with the experimental values reported in the recent literature. These advances will enable next generation computer-aided-design tools to meet the future design needs in flexible electronics.

A Reduced Order Model for Whole-Chip Thermal Analysis of Microfluidic Lab-on-a-Chip Systems

PubMed Central

Wang, Yi; Song, Hongjun; Pant, Kapil

2013-01-01

This paper presents a Krylov subspace projection-based Reduced Order Model (ROM) for whole microfluidic chip thermal analysis, including conjugate heat transfer. Two key steps in the reduced order modeling procedure are described in detail, including (1) the acquisition of a 3D full-scale computational model in the state-space form to capture the dynamic thermal behavior of the entire microfluidic chip; and (2) the model order reduction using the Block Arnoldi algorithm to markedly lower the dimension of the full-scale model. Case studies using practically relevant thermal microfluidic chip are undertaken to establish the capability and to evaluate the computational performance of the reduced order modeling technique. The ROM is compared against the full-scale model and exhibits good agreement in spatiotemporal thermal profiles (<0.5% relative error in pertinent time scales) and over three orders-of-magnitude acceleration in computational speed. The salient model reusability and real-time simulation capability renders it amenable for operational optimization and in-line thermal control and management of microfluidic systems and devices. PMID:24443647

Development and psychometric properties of the Carer - Head Injury Neurobehavioral Assessment Scale (C-HINAS) and the Carer - Head Injury Participation Scale (C-HIPS): patient and family determined outcome scales.

PubMed

Deb, Shoumitro; Bryant, Eleanor; Morris, Paul G; Prior, Lindsay; Lewis, Glyn; Haque, Sayeed

2007-06-01

Develop and assess the psychometric properties of the Carer - Head Injury Participation Scale (C-HIPS) and its biggest factor the Carer - Head Injury Neurobehavioral Assessment Scale (C-HINAS). Furthermore, the aim was to examine the inter-informant reliability by comparing the self reports of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) with the carer reports on the C-HIPS and the C-HINAS. Thirty-two TBI individuals and 27 carers took part in in-depth qualitative interviews exploring the consequences of the TBI. Interview transcripts were analysed and key themes and concepts were used to construct a 49-item and 58-item patient (Patient - Head Injury Participation Scale [P-HIPS]) and carer outcome measure (C-HIPS) respectively, of which 49 were parallel items and nine additional items were used to assess carer burden. Postal versions of the P-HIPS, C-HIPS, Mayo Portland Adaptability Inventory-3 (MPAI-3), and the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) were completed by a cohort of 113 TBI individuals and 80 carers. Data from a sub-group of 66 patient/carer pairs were used to compare inter-informant reliability between the P-HIPS and the C-HIPS, and the P-HINAS and the C-HINAS respectively. All individual 49 items of the C-HIPS and their total score showed good test-retest reliability (0.95) and internal consistency (0.95). Comparisons with the MPAI-3 and GOSE found a good correlation with the MPAI-3 (0.7) and a moderate negative correlation with the GOSE (-0.6). Factor analysis of these items extracted a 4-factor structure which represented the domains 'Emotion/Behavior' (C-HINAS), 'Independence/Community Living', 'Cognition', and 'Physical'. The C-HINAS showed good internal consistency (0.92), test-retest reliability (0.93), and concurrent validity with one MPAI subscale (0.7). Assessment of inter-informant reliability revealed good correspondence between the reports of the patients and the carers for both the C-HIPS (0.83) and the C-HINAS (0.82). Both the C-HINAS and the C-HIPS show strong psychometric properties. The qualitative methodology employed in the construction stage of the questionnaires provided good evidence of face and content validity. Comparisons between the P-HIPS and the C-HIPS, and the P-HINAS and the C-HINAS indicated high levels of agreement suggesting that in situations where the patient is unable to provide self-reports, information provided by the carer could be used.

A Tactile Sensor Network System Using a Multiple Sensor Platform with a Dedicated CMOS-LSI for Robot Applications †

PubMed Central

Shao, Chenzhong; Tanaka, Shuji; Nakayama, Takahiro; Hata, Yoshiyuki; Bartley, Travis; Muroyama, Masanori

2017-01-01

Robot tactile sensation can enhance human–robot communication in terms of safety, reliability and accuracy. The final goal of our project is to widely cover a robot body with a large number of tactile sensors, which has significant advantages such as accurate object recognition, high sensitivity and high redundancy. In this study, we developed a multi-sensor system with dedicated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) Large-Scale Integration (LSI) circuit chips (referred to as “sensor platform LSI”) as a framework of a serial bus-based tactile sensor network system. The sensor platform LSI supports three types of sensors: an on-chip temperature sensor, off-chip capacitive and resistive tactile sensors, and communicates with a relay node via a bus line. The multi-sensor system was first constructed on a printed circuit board to evaluate basic functions of the sensor platform LSI, such as capacitance-to-digital and resistance-to-digital conversion. Then, two kinds of external sensors, nine sensors in total, were connected to two sensor platform LSIs, and temperature, capacitive and resistive sensing data were acquired simultaneously. Moreover, we fabricated flexible printed circuit cables to demonstrate the multi-sensor system with 15 sensor platform LSIs operating simultaneously, which showed a more realistic implementation in robots. In conclusion, the multi-sensor system with up to 15 sensor platform LSIs on a bus line supporting temperature, capacitive and resistive sensing was successfully demonstrated. PMID:29061954

A Tactile Sensor Network System Using a Multiple Sensor Platform with a Dedicated CMOS-LSI for Robot Applications.

PubMed

Shao, Chenzhong; Tanaka, Shuji; Nakayama, Takahiro; Hata, Yoshiyuki; Bartley, Travis; Nonomura, Yutaka; Muroyama, Masanori

2017-08-28

Robot tactile sensation can enhance human-robot communication in terms of safety, reliability and accuracy. The final goal of our project is to widely cover a robot body with a large number of tactile sensors, which has significant advantages such as accurate object recognition, high sensitivity and high redundancy. In this study, we developed a multi-sensor system with dedicated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) Large-Scale Integration (LSI) circuit chips (referred to as "sensor platform LSI") as a framework of a serial bus-based tactile sensor network system. The sensor platform LSI supports three types of sensors: an on-chip temperature sensor, off-chip capacitive and resistive tactile sensors, and communicates with a relay node via a bus line. The multi-sensor system was first constructed on a printed circuit board to evaluate basic functions of the sensor platform LSI, such as capacitance-to-digital and resistance-to-digital conversion. Then, two kinds of external sensors, nine sensors in total, were connected to two sensor platform LSIs, and temperature, capacitive and resistive sensing data were acquired simultaneously. Moreover, we fabricated flexible printed circuit cables to demonstrate the multi-sensor system with 15 sensor platform LSIs operating simultaneously, which showed a more realistic implementation in robots. In conclusion, the multi-sensor system with up to 15 sensor platform LSIs on a bus line supporting temperature, capacitive and resistive sensing was successfully demonstrated.

Merging parallel optics packaging and surface mount technologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopp, Christophe; Volpert, Marion; Routin, Julien; Bernabé, Stéphane; Rossat, Cyrille; Tournaire, Myriam; Hamelin, Régis

2008-02-01

Optical links are well known to present significant advantages over electrical links for very high-speed data rate at 10Gpbs and above per channel. However, the transition towards optical interconnects solutions for short and very short reach applications requires the development of innovative packaging solutions that would deal with very high volume production capability and very low cost per unit. Moreover, the optoelectronic transceiver components must be able to move from the edge to anywhere on the printed circuit board, for instance close to integrated circuits with high speed IO. In this paper, we present an original packaging design to manufacture parallel optic transceivers that are surface mount devices. The package combines highly integrated Multi-Chip-Module on glass and usual IC ceramics packaging. The use of ceramic and the development of sealing technologies achieve hermetic requirements. Moreover, thanks to a chip scale package approach the final device exhibits a much minimized footprint. One of the main advantages of the package is its flexibility to be soldered or plugged anywhere on the printed circuit board as any other electronic device. As a demonstrator we present a 2 by 4 10Gbps transceiver operating at 850nm.

System-on-chip integration of a new electromechanical impedance calculation method for aircraft structure health monitoring.

PubMed

Boukabache, Hamza; Escriba, Christophe; Zedek, Sabeha; Medale, Daniel; Rolet, Sebastien; Fourniols, Jean Yves

2012-10-11

The work reported on this paper describes a new methodology implementation for active structural health monitoring of recent aircraft parts made from carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer. This diagnosis is based on a new embedded method that is capable of measuring the local high frequency impedance spectrum of the structure through the calculation of the electro-mechanical impedance of a piezoelectric patch pasted non-permanently onto its surface. This paper involves both the laboratory based E/M impedance method development, its implementation into a CPU with limited resources as well as a comparison with experimental testing data needed to demonstrate the feasibility of flaw detection on composite materials and answer the question of the method reliability. The different development steps are presented and the integration issues are discussed. Furthermore, we present the unique advantages that the reconfigurable electronics through System-on-Chip (SoC) technology brings to the system scaling and flexibility. At the end of this article, we demonstrate the capability of a basic network of sensors mounted onto a real composite aircraft part specimen to capture its local impedance spectrum signature and to diagnosis different delamination sizes using a comparison with a baseline.

A Scalable Multicore Architecture With Heterogeneous Memory Structures for Dynamic Neuromorphic Asynchronous Processors (DYNAPs).

PubMed

Moradi, Saber; Qiao, Ning; Stefanini, Fabio; Indiveri, Giacomo

2018-02-01

Neuromorphic computing systems comprise networks of neurons that use asynchronous events for both computation and communication. This type of representation offers several advantages in terms of bandwidth and power consumption in neuromorphic electronic systems. However, managing the traffic of asynchronous events in large scale systems is a daunting task, both in terms of circuit complexity and memory requirements. Here, we present a novel routing methodology that employs both hierarchical and mesh routing strategies and combines heterogeneous memory structures for minimizing both memory requirements and latency, while maximizing programming flexibility to support a wide range of event-based neural network architectures, through parameter configuration. We validated the proposed scheme in a prototype multicore neuromorphic processor chip that employs hybrid analog/digital circuits for emulating synapse and neuron dynamics together with asynchronous digital circuits for managing the address-event traffic. We present a theoretical analysis of the proposed connectivity scheme, describe the methods and circuits used to implement such scheme, and characterize the prototype chip. Finally, we demonstrate the use of the neuromorphic processor with a convolutional neural network for the real-time classification of visual symbols being flashed to a dynamic vision sensor (DVS) at high speed.

System-on-Chip Integration of a New Electromechanical Impedance Calculation Method for Aircraft Structure Health Monitoring

PubMed Central

Boukabache, Hamza; Escriba, Christophe; Zedek, Sabeha; Medale, Daniel; Rolet, Sebastien; Fourniols, Jean Yves

2012-01-01

The work reported on this paper describes a new methodology implementation for active structural health monitoring of recent aircraft parts made from carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer. This diagnosis is based on a new embedded method that is capable of measuring the local high frequency impedance spectrum of the structure through the calculation of the electro-mechanical impedance of a piezoelectric patch pasted non-permanently onto its surface. This paper involves both the laboratory based E/M impedance method development, its implementation into a CPU with limited resources as well as a comparison with experimental testing data needed to demonstrate the feasibility of flaw detection on composite materials and answer the question of the method reliability. The different development steps are presented and the integration issues are discussed. Furthermore, we present the unique advantages that the reconfigurable electronics through System-on-Chip (SoC) technology brings to the system scaling and flexibility. At the end of this article, we demonstrate the capability of a basic network of sensors mounted onto a real composite aircraft part specimen to capture its local impedance spectrum signature and to diagnosis different delamination sizes using a comparison with a baseline. PMID:23202013

Various On-Chip Sensors with Microfluidics for Biological Applications

PubMed Central

Lee, Hun; Xu, Linfeng; Koh, Domin; Nyayapathi, Nikhila; Oh, Kwang W.

2014-01-01

In this paper, we review recent advances in on-chip sensors integrated with microfluidics for biological applications. Since the 1990s, much research has concentrated on developing a sensing system using optical phenomena such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to improve the sensitivity of the device. The sensing performance can be significantly enhanced with the use of microfluidic chips to provide effective liquid manipulation and greater flexibility. We describe an optical image sensor with a simpler platform for better performance over a larger field of view (FOV) and greater depth of field (DOF). As a new trend, we review consumer electronics such as smart phones, tablets, Google glasses, etc. which are being incorporated in point-of-care (POC) testing systems. In addition, we discuss in detail the current optical sensing system integrated with a microfluidic chip. PMID:25222033

On-chip microlasers for biomolecular detection via highly localized deposition of a multifunctional phospholipid ink.

PubMed

Bog, Uwe; Laue, Thomas; Grossmann, Tobias; Beck, Torsten; Wienhold, Tobias; Richter, Benjamin; Hirtz, Michael; Fuchs, Harald; Kalt, Heinz; Mappes, Timo

2013-07-21

We report on a novel approach to realize on-chip microlasers, by applying highly localized and material-saving surface functionalization of passive photonic whispering gallery mode microresonators. We apply dip-pen nanolithography on a true three-dimensional structure. We coat solely the light-guiding circumference of pre-fabricated poly(methyl methacrylate) resonators with a multifunctional molecular ink. The functionalization is performed in one single fabrication step and simultaneously provides optical gain as well as molecular binding selectivity. This allows for a direct and flexible realization of on-chip microlasers, which can be utilized as biosensors in optofluidic lab-on-a-chip applications. In a proof-of-concept we show how this highly localized molecule deposition suffices for low-threshold lasing in air and water, and demonstrate the capability of the ink-lasers as biosensors in a biotin-streptavidin binding experiment.

Chip-on-the-tip ultra-compact flexible endoscopic epifluorescence video-microscope for in-vivo imaging in medical and biomedical fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matz, Gregor; Messerschmidt, Bernhard; Göbel, Werner; Filser, Severin; Betz, Christian; Kunze, Marcel; Flaemig, Sven; Ehrhardt, André; Irion, Klaus-Martin; Herms, Jochen; Gross, Herbert

2017-02-01

We demonstrate a flexible stand-alone, minimally invasive video-endomicroscope with an outer diameter of 1.6 mm and a length of the rigid tip of 6.7 mm that enables surgeons and biologists to image hardly accessible regions in-vivo in epifluorescence mode. The 60 mg light device improves state-of-the-art objectives by a double deflection approach using a side-fire fiber in combination with spherical microlenses, GRIN-lenses with a specific adapted gradient index profile and an extremely miniaturized chip-on-the-tip camera to achieve an excellent imaging quality. A high NA of 0.7 enables the observation of subcellular features within the entire field of view with a diameter of 183 μm, assure a bright and high-contrast image and promise a good overview during the intervention. Ex-vivo measurements of biological samples confirmed the functionality of the probe.

Microfluidic Biosensing Systems Using Magnetic Nanoparticles

PubMed Central

Giouroudi, Ioanna; Keplinger, Franz

2013-01-01

In recent years, there has been rapidly growing interest in developing hand held, sensitive and cost-effective on-chip biosensing systems that directly translate the presence of certain bioanalytes (e.g., biomolecules, cells and viruses) into an electronic signal. The impressive and rapid progress in micro- and nanotechnology as well as in biotechnology enables the integration of a variety of analytical functions in a single chip. All necessary sample handling and analysis steps are then performed within the chip. Microfluidic systems for biomedical analysis usually consist of a set of units, which guarantees the manipulation, detection and recognition of bioanalytes in a reliable and flexible manner. Additionally, the use of magnetic fields for performing the aforementioned tasks has been steadily gaining interest. This is because magnetic fields can be well tuned and applied either externally or from a directly integrated solution in the biosensing system. In combination with these applied magnetic fields, magnetic nanoparticles are utilized. Some of the merits of magnetic nanoparticles are the possibility of manipulating them inside microfluidic channels by utilizing high gradient magnetic fields, their detection by integrated magnetic microsensors, and their flexibility due to functionalization by means of surface modification and specific binding. Their multi-functionality is what makes them ideal candidates as the active component in miniaturized on-chip biosensing systems. In this review, focus will be given to the type of biosening systems that use microfluidics in combination with magnetoresistive sensors and detect the presence of bioanalyte tagged with magnetic nanoparticles. PMID:24022689

Biomimetic approaches for engineered organ chips and skin electronics for in vitro diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suh, Kahp-Yang; Pang, Changhyun; Jang, Kyung-Jin; Kim, Hong Nam; Jiao, Alex; Hwang, Nathaniel S.; Kim, Min Sung; Kang, Do-Hyun; Kim, Deok-Ho

2012-10-01

Two kinds of biomimetic systems including engineered organ chip and flexible electronic sensor are presented. First, in vivo, renal tubular epithelial cells are exposed to luminal fluid shear stress (FSS) and a transepithelial osmotic gradient. In this study, we used a simple collecting-duct-on-a-chip to investigate the role of an altered luminal microenvironment in the translocation of aquaporin-2 (AQP2) and the reorganization of actin cytoskeleton (F-actin) in primary cultured inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells of rat kidney. We demonstrate that several factors (i.e., luminal FSS, hormonal stimulation, transepithelial osmotic gradient) collectively exert a profound effect on the AQP2 trafficking in the collecting ducts, which is associated with actin cytoskeletal reorganization. Furthermore, with this kidney-mimicking chip, renal toxicity of cisplatin was tested under static and fluidic conditions, suggesting the physiological relevancy of fluidic environment compared to static culture. Second, we present a simple architecture for a flexible and highly sensitive strain sensor that enables the detection of pressure, shear and torsion. The device is based on two interlocked arrays of high-aspect-ratio Pt-coated polymeric nanofibres that are supported on thin polydimethylsiloxane layers. When different sensing stimuli are applied, the degree of interconnection and the electrical resistance of the sensor changes in a reversible, directional manner with specific, discernible strain-gauge factors. We show that the sensor can be used to monitor signals ranging from human heartbeats to the impact of a bouncing water droplet on a superhydrophobic surface.

Multi-scale reflection modulator-based optical interconnects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nair, Rohit

This dissertation describes the design, analysis, and experimental validation of micro- and macro-optical components for implementing optical interconnects at multiple scales for varied applications. Three distance scales are explored: millimeter, centimeter, and meter-scales. At the millimeter-scale, we propose the use of optical interconnects at the intra-chip level. With the rapid scaling down of CMOS critical dimensions in accordance to Moore's law, the bandwidth requirements of global interconnects in microprocessors has exceeded the capabilities of metal links. These are the wires that connect the most remote parts of the chip and are disproportionately problematic in terms of chip area and power consumption. Consequently, in the mid-2000s, we saw a shift in the chip architecture: a move towards multicore designs. However, this only delays the inevitable communication bottleneck between cores. To satisfy this bandwidth, we propose to replace the global metal interconnects with optical interconnects. We propose to use the hybrid integration of silicon with GaAs/AlAs-based multiple quantum well devices as optical modulators and photodetectors along with polymeric waveguides to transport the light. We use grayscale lithography to fabricate curved facets into the waveguides to couple light into the modulators and photodetectors. Next, at the chip-to-chip level in high-performance multiprocessor computing systems, communication distances vary from a few centimeters to tens of centimeters. An optical design for coupling light from off-chip lasers to on-chip surface-normal modulators is proposed in order to implement chip-to-chip free-space optical interconnects. The method uses a dual-prism module constructed from prisms made of two different glasses. The various alignment tolerances of the proposed system are investigated and found to be well within pick-and-place accuracies. For the off-chip lasers, vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) are proposed. The rationale behind using on-chip modulators rather than VCSELs is to avoid VCSEL thermal loads on chip, and because of higher reliability of modulators than VCSELs. Particularly above 10Gbps, an empirical model developed shows the rapid decrease of VCSEL median time to failure vs. data rate. Thus the proposed interconnect scheme which utilizes continuous wave VCSELs that are externally modulated by on-chip multiple quantum well modulators is applicable for chip-to-chip optical interconnects at 20Gbps and higher line data rates. Finally, for applications such as remote telemetry, where the interrogation distances can vary from a few meters to tens or even hundreds of meters we demonstrate a modulated retroreflector that utilizes InGaAs/InAlAs-based large-area multiple quantum well modulators on all three faces of a retroreflector. The large-area devices, fabricated by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, are characterized in terms of the yield and leakage currents. A yield higher than that achieved previously using devices fabricated by molecular beam epitaxy is observed. The retroreflector module is constructed using standard FR4 printed circuit boards, thereby simplifying the wiring issue. A high optical contrast ratio of 8.23dB is observed for a drive of 20V. A free-standing PCB retroreflector is explored and found to have insufficient angular tolerances (+/-0.5 degrees). We show that the angular errors in the corner-cube construction can be corrected for using off-the-shelf optical components as opposed to mounting the PCBs on a precision corner cube, as has been done previously.

Improving Design Efficiency for Large-Scale Heterogeneous Circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gregerson, Anthony

Despite increases in logic density, many Big Data applications must still be partitioned across multiple computing devices in order to meet their strict performance requirements. Among the most demanding of these applications is high-energy physics (HEP), which uses complex computing systems consisting of thousands of FPGAs and ASICs to process the sensor data created by experiments at particles accelerators such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Designing such computing systems is challenging due to the scale of the systems, the exceptionally high-throughput and low-latency performance constraints that necessitate application-specific hardware implementations, the requirement that algorithms are efficiently partitioned across many devices, and the possible need to update the implemented algorithms during the lifetime of the system. In this work, we describe our research to develop flexible architectures for implementing such large-scale circuits on FPGAs. In particular, this work is motivated by (but not limited in scope to) high-energy physics algorithms for the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at the LHC. To make efficient use of logic resources in multi-FPGA systems, we introduce Multi-Personality Partitioning, a novel form of the graph partitioning problem, and present partitioning algorithms that can significantly improve resource utilization on heterogeneous devices while also reducing inter-chip connections. To reduce the high communication costs of Big Data applications, we also introduce Information-Aware Partitioning, a partitioning method that analyzes the data content of application-specific circuits, characterizes their entropy, and selects circuit partitions that enable efficient compression of data between chips. We employ our information-aware partitioning method to improve the performance of the hardware validation platform for evaluating new algorithms for the CMS experiment. Together, these research efforts help to improve the efficiency and decrease the cost of the developing large-scale, heterogeneous circuits needed to enable large-scale application in high-energy physics and other important areas.

Mathematical Simulation for Integrated Linear Fresnel Spectrometer Chip

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Park, Yeonjoon; Yoon, Hargoon; Lee, Uhn; King, Glen C.; Choi, Sang H.

2012-01-01

A miniaturized solid-state optical spectrometer chip was designed with a linear gradient-gap Fresnel grating which was mounted perpendicularly to a sensor array surface and simulated for its performance and functionality. Unlike common spectrometers which are based on Fraunhoffer diffraction with a regular periodic line grating, the new linear gradient grating Fresnel spectrometer chip can be miniaturized to a much smaller form-factor into the Fresnel regime exceeding the limit of conventional spectrometers. This mathematical calculation shows that building a tiny motionless multi-pixel microspectrometer chip which is smaller than 1 cubic millimter of optical path volume is possible. The new Fresnel spectrometer chip is proportional to the energy scale (hc/lambda), while the conventional spectrometers are proportional to the wavelength scale (lambda). We report the theoretical optical working principle and new data collection algorithm of the new Fresnel spectrometer to build a compact integrated optical chip.

The silicon chip: A versatile micro-scale platform for micro- and nano-scale systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Edward

Cutting-edge advances in micro- and nano-scale technology require instrumentation to interface with the external world. While technology feature sizes are continually being reduced, the size of experimentalists and their instrumentation do not mirror this trend. Hence there is a need for effective application-specific instrumentation to bridge the gap from the micro and nano-scale phenomena being studied to the comparative macro-scale of the human interfaces. This dissertation puts forward the idea that the silicon CMOS integrated circuit, or microchip in short, serves as an excellent platform to perform this functionality. The electronic interfaces designed for the semiconductor industry are particularly attractive as development platforms, and the reduction in feature sizes that has been a hallmark of the industry suggests that chip-scale instrumentation may be more closely coupled to the phenomena of interest, allowing finer control or improved measurement capabilities. Compatibility with commercial processes will further enable economies of scale through mass production, another welcome feature of this approach. Thus chip-scale instrumentation may replace the bulky, expensive, cumbersome-to-operate macro-scale prototypes currently in use for many of these applications. The dissertation examines four specific applications in which the chip may serve as the ideal instrumentation platform. These are nanorod manipulation, polypyrrole bilayer hinge microactuator control, organic transistor hybrid circuits, and contact fluorescence imaging. The thesis is structured around chapters devoted to each of these projects, in addition to a chapter on preliminary work on an RFID system that serves as a wireless interface model. Each of these chapters contains tools and techniques developed for chip-scale instrumentation, from custom scripts for automated layout and data collection to microfabrication processes. Implementation of these tools to develop systems for the applications above is evaluated. The viability of this approach is not limited to the examples listed in this work, and innovative new methodologies beyond those included here may be developed in the future for other systems which would benefit from the versatility of chip-scale platforms.

Thermal cycling test results of CSP and RF assemblies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ghaffarian, R.; Nelson, G.; Cooper, M.; Lam, D.; Strudler, S.; Umdekar, A.; Selk, K.; Bjorndahl, B.; Duprey, R.

2000-01-01

A JPL-led chip scale package (CSP) Consortium of enterprises, composed of representing agencies and private companies, recently joined together to pool in-kind resources for developing the quality and reliability of chip scale packages (CSPs) for a variety of projects.

Moving Beyond 3D Hetero-Integration and Towards Monolithic Integration of Phase-Change RF Switches with SiGe BiCMOS

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-31

Corporation, Linthicum, Maryland *Corresponding author: Pavel.Borodulin@ngc.com Abstract: A chip -scale, highly-reconfigurable transmitter and...the technology has been used in a chip -scale, reconfigurable receiver demonstration and ongoing efforts to increase the level of performance and...circuit (RF-FPGA). It consists of a heterogeneous assembly of a SiGe BiCMOS chip with multiple 3D-integrated, low-loss, phase-change switch chiplets

Characterization and partitioning of the char ash collected after the processing of pine wood chips in a pilot-scale gasification unit

Treesearch

Thomas L. Eberhardt; Hui Pan; Leslie H. Groom; Chi-Leung So

2011-01-01

Southern yellow pine wood chips were used as the feedstock for a pilot-scale gasification unit coupled with a 25 kW generator. The pulp-grade wood chips were relatively free of bark and low in ash content. Processing this feedstock yielded a black/sooty by-product that upon combustion in a muffle furnace resulted in an ash content of about 48%. The term "char ash...

Demonstration of versatile whispering-gallery micro-lasers for remote refractive index sensing.

PubMed

Wan, Lei; Chandrahalim, Hengky; Zhou, Jian; Li, Zhaohui; Chen, Cong; Cho, Sangha; Zhang, Hui; Mei, Ting; Tian, Huiping; Oki, Yuji; Nishimura, Naoya; Fan, Xudong; Guo, L Jay

2018-03-05

We developed chip-scale remote refractive index sensors based on Rhodamine 6G (R6G)-doped polymer micro-ring lasers. The chemical, temperature, and mechanical sturdiness of the fused-silica host guaranteed a flexible deployment of dye-doped polymers for refractive index sensing. The introduction of the dye as gain medium demonstrated the feasibility of remote sensing based on the free-space optics measurement setup. Compared to the R6G-doped TZ-001, the lasing behavior of R6G-doped SU-8 polymer micro-ring laser under an aqueous environment had a narrower spectrum linewidth, producing the minimum detectable refractive index change of 4 × 10 -4 RIU. The maximum bulk refractive index sensitivity (BRIS) of 75 nm/RIU was obtained for SU-8 laser-based refractive index sensors. The economical, rapid, and simple realization of polymeric micro-scale whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) laser-based refractive index sensors will further expand pathways of static and dynamic remote environmental, chemical, biological, and bio-chemical sensing.

Development and psychometric properties of the Carer – Head Injury Neurobehavioral Assessment Scale (C-HINAS) and the Carer – Head Injury Participation Scale (C-HIPS): patient and family determined outcome scales

PubMed Central

Deb, Shoumitro; Bryant, Eleanor; Morris, Paul G; Prior, Lindsay; Lewis, Glyn; Haque, Sayeed

2007-01-01

Objective Develop and assess the psychometric properties of the Carer – Head Injury Participation Scale (C-HIPS) and its biggest factor the Carer – Head Injury Neurobehavioral Assessment Scale (C-HINAS). Furthermore, the aim was to examine the inter-informant reliability by comparing the self reports of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) with the carer reports on the C-HIPS and the C-HINAS. Method Thirty-two TBI individuals and 27 carers took part in in-depth qualitative interviews exploring the consequences of the TBI. Interview transcripts were analysed and key themes and concepts were used to construct a 49-item and 58-item patient (Patient – Head Injury Participation Scale [P-HIPS]) and carer outcome measure (C-HIPS) respectively, of which 49 were parallel items and nine additional items were used to assess carer burden. Postal versions of the P-HIPS, C-HIPS, Mayo Portland Adaptability Inventory-3 (MPAI-3), and the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE) were completed by a cohort of 113 TBI individuals and 80 carers. Data from a sub-group of 66 patient/carer pairs were used to compare inter-informant reliability between the P-HIPS and the C-HIPS, and the P-HINAS and the C-HINAS respectively. Results All individual 49 items of the C-HIPS and their total score showed good test-retest reliability (0.95) and internal consistency (0.95). Comparisons with the MPAI-3 and GOSE found a good correlation with the MPAI-3 (0.7) and a moderate negative correlation with the GOSE (−0.6). Factor analysis of these items extracted a 4-factor structure which represented the domains ‘Emotion/Behavior’ (C-HINAS), ‘Independence/Community Living’, ‘Cognition’, and ‘Physical’. The C-HINAS showed good internal consistency (0.92), test-retest reliability (0.93), and concurrent validity with one MPAI subscale (0.7). Assessment of inter-informant reliability revealed good correspondence between the reports of the patients and the carers for both the C-HIPS (0.83) and the C-HINAS (0.82). Conclusion Both the C-HINAS and the C-HIPS show strong psychometric properties. The qualitative methodology employed in the construction stage of the questionnaires provided good evidence of face and content validity. Comparisons between the P-HIPS and the C-HIPS, and the P-HINAS and the C-HINAS indicated high levels of agreement suggesting that in situations where the patient is unable to provide self-reports, information provided by the carer could be used. PMID:19300569

Addressing On-Chip Power Converstion and Dissipation Issues in Many-Core System-on-a-Chip Based on Conventional Silicon and Emerging Nanotechnologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashenafi, Emeshaw

Integrated circuits (ICs) are moving towards system-on-a-chip (SOC) designs. SOC allows various small and large electronic systems to be implemented in a single chip. This approach enables the miniaturization of design blocks that leads to high density transistor integration, faster response time, and lower fabrication costs. To reap the benefits of SOC and uphold the miniaturization of transistors, innovative power delivery and power dissipation management schemes are paramount. This dissertation focuses on on-chip integration of power delivery systems and managing power dissipation to increase the lifetime of energy storage elements. We explore this problem from two different angels: On-chip voltage regulators and power gating techniques. On-chip voltage regulators reduce parasitic effects, and allow faster and efficient power delivery for microprocessors. Power gating techniques, on the other hand, reduce the power loss incurred by circuit blocks during standby mode. Power dissipation (Ptotal = Pstatic and Pdynamic) in a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuit comes from two sources: static and dynamic. A quadratic dependency on the dynamic switching power and a more than linear dependency on static power as a form of gate leakage (subthreshold current) exist. To reduce dynamic power loss, the supply power should be reduced. A significant reduction in power dissipation occurs when portions of a microprocessor operate at a lower voltage level. This reduction in supply voltage is achieved via voltage regulators or converters. Voltage regulators are used to provide a stable power supply to the microprocessor. The conventional off-chip switching voltage regulator contains a passive floating inductor, which is difficult to be implemented inside the chip due to excessive power dissipation and parasitic effects. Additionally, the inductor takes a very large chip area while hampering the scaling process. These limitations make passive inductor based on-chip regulator design very unattractive for SOC integration and multi-/many-core environments. To circumvent the challenges, three alternative techniques based on active circuit elements to replace the passive LC filter of the buck convertor are developed. The first inductorless on-chip switching voltage regulator architecture is based on a cascaded 2nd order multiple feedback (MFB) low-pass filter (LPF). This design has the ability to modulate to multiple voltage settings via pulse-with modulation (PWM). The second approach is a supplementary design utilizing a hybrid low drop-out scheme to lower the output ripple of the switching regulator over a wider frequency range. The third design approach allows the integration of an entire power management system within a single chipset by combining a highly efficient switching regulator with an intermittently efficient linear regulator (area efficient), for robust and highly efficient on-chip regulation. The static power (Pstatic) or subthreshold leakage power (Pleak) increases with technology scaling. To mitigate static power dissipation, power gating techniques are implemented. Power gating is one of the popular methods to manage leakage power during standby periods in low-power high-speed IC design. It works by using transistor based switches to shut down part of the circuit block and put them in the idle mode. The efficiency of a power gating scheme involves minimum Ioff and high Ion for the sleep transistor. A conventional sleep transistor circuit design requires an additional header, footer, or both switches to turn off the logic block. This additional transistor causes signal delay and increases the chip area. We propose two innovative designs for next generation sleep transistor designs. For an above threshold operation, we present a sleep transistor design based on fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) device. For a subthreshold circuit operation, we implement a sleep transistor utilizing the newly developed silicon-on-ferroelectric-insulator field effect transistor (SOFFET). In both of the designs, the ability to control the threshold voltage via bias voltage at the back gate makes both devices more flexible for sleep transistors design than a bulk MOSFET. The proposed approaches simplify the design complexity, reduce the chip area, eliminate the voltage drop by sleep transistor, and improve power dissipation. In addition, the design provides a dynamically controlled Vt for times when the circuit needs to be in a sleep or switching mode.

A compact imaging spectroscopic system for biomolecular detections on plasmonic chips.

PubMed

Lo, Shu-Cheng; Lin, En-Hung; Wei, Pei-Kuen; Tsai, Wan-Shao

2016-10-17

In this study, we demonstrate a compact imaging spectroscopic system for high-throughput detection of biomolecular interactions on plasmonic chips, based on a curved grating as the key element of light diffraction and light focusing. Both the curved grating and the plasmonic chips are fabricated on flexible plastic substrates using a gas-assisted thermal-embossing method. A fiber-coupled broadband light source and a camera are included in the system. Spectral resolution within 1 nm is achieved in sensing environmental index solutions and protein bindings. The detected sensitivities of the plasmonic chip are comparable with a commercial spectrometer. An extra one-dimensional scanning stage enables high-throughput detection of protein binding on a designed plasmonic chip consisting of several nanoslit arrays with different periods. The detected resonance wavelengths match well with the grating equation under an air environment. Wavelength shifts between 1 and 9 nm are detected for antigens of various concentrations binding with antibodies. A simple, mass-productive and cost-effective method has been demonstrated on the imaging spectroscopic system for real-time, label-free, highly sensitive and high-throughput screening of biomolecular interactions.

A Medipix3 readout system based on the National Instruments FlexRIO card and using the LabVIEW programming environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horswell, I.; Gimenez, E. N.; Marchal, J.; Tartoni, N.

2011-01-01

Hybrid silicon photon-counting detectors are becoming standard equipment for many synchrotron applications. The latest in the Medipix family of read-out chips designed as part of the Medipix Collaboration at CERN is the Medipix3, which while maintaining the same pixel size as its predecessor, offers increased functionality and operating modes. The active area of the Medipix3 chip is approx 14mm × 14mm (containing 256 × 256 pixels) which is not large enough for many detector applications, this results in the need to tile many sensors and chips. As a first step on the road to develop such a detector, it was decided to build a prototype single chip readout system to gain the necessary experience in operating a Medipix3 chip. To provide a flexible learning and development tool it was decided to build an interface based on the recently released FlexRIOTM system from National Instruments and to use the LabVIEWTM graphical programming environment. This system and the achieved performance are described in this paper.

Chip Scale Atomic Resonator Frequency Stabilization System With Ultra-Low Power Consumption for Optoelectronic Oscillators.

PubMed

Zhao, Jianye; Zhang, Yaolin; Lu, Haoyuan; Hou, Dong; Zhang, Shuangyou; Wang, Zhong

2016-07-01

We present a long-term chip scale stabilization scheme for optoelectronic oscillators (OEOs) based on a rubidium coherent population trapping (CPT) atomic resonator. By locking a single mode of an OEO to the (85)Rb 3.035-GHz CPT resonance utilizing an improved phase-locked loop (PLL) with a PID regulator, we achieved a chip scale frequency stabilization system for the OEO. The fractional frequency stability of the stabilized OEO by overlapping Allan deviation reaches 6.2 ×10(-11) (1 s) and  ∼ 1.45 ×10 (-11) (1000 s). This scheme avoids a decrease in the extra phase noise performance induced by the electronic connection between the OEO and the microwave reference in common injection locking schemes. The total physical package of the stabilization system is [Formula: see text] and the total power consumption is 400 mW, which provides a chip scale and portable frequency stabilization approach with ultra-low power consumption for OEOs.

New comparison of psychological meaning of colors in samples and objects with semantic ratings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Tien-Rein

2002-06-01

In color preference and color-meaning research, color chips are widely used as stimuli. Are meanings of isolated color chips generalizeable to contextualized colors? According to Taft (1996), few significant differences exist between chip and object ratings for the same color. A similar survey was performed on 192 college students. This article reports the results of the study comparing semantic rating of color applied to a variety of familiar objects. The objects were a cup, T-shirt, sofa, car, notebook, and MP3 player, all images that represent daily life familiar objects. Subjects rated a set of 16 color chips, against 6 bipolar, 7-step semantic differential scales. The scales consisted of beautiful-ugly, soft-hard, warm-cool, elegant-vulgar, loud- discreet, and masculine-feminine. Analyses performed on the data indicated that unlike Taft's findings on 1996, significant differences existed between chip and object rating for the same color in every scale. The results of the study have implications for the use of color chips in color planning which suggest they are not compatible with the generality of results of the earlier color meaning research. Generally, a color judged to be beautiful, elegant and warm when presented as a chip does not equal beautiful, elegant, and warm when applied to the surface of an object such as a cup, T-shirt, sofa, car.

[Flexible print circuit technology application in biomedical engineering].

PubMed

Jiang, Lihua; Cao, Yi; Zheng, Xiaolin

2013-06-01

Flexible print circuit (FPC) technology has been widely applied in variety of electric circuits with high precision due to its advantages, such as low-cost, high specific fabrication ability, and good flexibility, etc. Recently, this technology has also been used in biomedical engineering, especially in the development of microfluidic chip and microelectrode array. The high specific fabrication can help making microelectrode and other micro-structure equipment. And good flexibility allows the micro devices based on FPC technique to be easily packaged with other parts. In addition, it also reduces the damage of microelectrodes to the tissue. In this paper, the application of FPC technology in biomedical engineering is introduced. Moreover, the important parameters of FPC technique and the development trend of prosperous applications is also discussed.

Progress in ion torrent semiconductor chip based sequencing.

PubMed

Merriman, Barry; Rothberg, Jonathan M

2012-12-01

In order for next-generation sequencing to become widely used as a diagnostic in the healthcare industry, sequencing instrumentation will need to be mass produced with a high degree of quality and economy. One way to achieve this is to recast DNA sequencing in a format that fully leverages the manufacturing base created for computer chips, complementary metal-oxide semiconductor chip fabrication, which is the current pinnacle of large scale, high quality, low-cost manufacturing of high technology. To achieve this, ideally the entire sensory apparatus of the sequencer would be embodied in a standard semiconductor chip, manufactured in the same fab facilities used for logic and memory chips. Recently, such a sequencing chip, and the associated sequencing platform, has been developed and commercialized by Ion Torrent, a division of Life Technologies, Inc. Here we provide an overview of this semiconductor chip based sequencing technology, and summarize the progress made since its commercial introduction. We described in detail the progress in chip scaling, sequencing throughput, read length, and accuracy. We also summarize the enhancements in the associated platform, including sample preparation, data processing, and engagement of the broader development community through open source and crowdsourcing initiatives. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Development of the Large-Scale Oligonucleotide Chip for the Diagnosis of Plant Viruses and its Practical Use

PubMed Central

Nam, Moon; Kim, Jeong-Seon; Lim, Seungmo; Park, Chung Youl; Kim, Jeong-Gyu; Choi, Hong-Soo; Lim, Hyoun-Sub; Moon, Jae Sun; Lee, Su-Heon

2014-01-01

A large-scale oligonucleotide (LSON) chip was developed for the detection of the plant viruses with known genetic information. The LSON chip contains two sets of 3,978 probes for 538 species of targets including plant viruses, satellite RNAs and viroids. A hundred forty thousand probes, consisting of isolate-, species- and genus-specific probes respectively, are designed from 20,000 of independent nucleotide sequence of plant viruses. Based on the economic importance, the amount of genome information, and the number of strains and/or isolates, one to fifty-one probes for each target virus are selected and spotted on the chip. The standard and field samples for the analysis of the LSON chip have been prepared and tested by RT-PCR. The probe’s specific and/or nonspecific reaction patterns by LSON chip allow us to diagnose the unidentified viruses. Thus, the LSON chip in this study could be highly useful for the detection of unexpected plant viruses, the monitoring of emerging viruses and the fluctuation of the population of major viruses in each plant. PMID:25288985

Flexible multimode polymer waveguides for high-speed short-reach communication links

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bamiedakis, N.; Shi, F.; Chu, D.; Penty, R. V.; White, I. H.

2018-02-01

Multimode polymer waveguides have attracted great interest for use in high-speed short-reach communication links as they can be cost-effectively integrated onto standard PCBs using conventional methods of the electronics industry and provide low loss (<0.04 dB/cm at 850 nm) and high bandwidth (>30 GHz×m) interconnection. The formation of such waveguides on flexible substrates can further provide flexible low-weight low-thickness interconnects and offer additional freedom in the implementation of high-speed short-reach optical links. These attributes make these flexible waveguides particularly attractive for use in low-cost detachable chip-to-chip links and in environments where weight and shape conformity become important, such as in cars and aircraft. However, the highly-multimoded nature of these waveguides raises important questions about their performance under severe flex due to mode loss and mode coupling. In this work therefore, we investigate the loss, crosstalk and bandwidth performance of such waveguides under out-of plane bending and in-plane twisting under different launch conditions and carry out data transmission tests at 40 Gb/s on a 1 m long spiral flexible waveguide under flexure. Excellent optical transmission characteristics are obtained while robust loss, crosstalk and bandwidth performance are demonstrated under flexure. Error-free (BER<10-12) 40 Gb/s data transmission is achieved over the 1 m long spiral waveguide for a 180° bend with a 4 mm radius. The obtained results demonstrate the excellent optical and mechanical properties of this technology and highlight its potential for use in real-world systems.

On-chip optical diode based on silicon photonic crystal heterojunctions.

PubMed

Wang, Chen; Zhou, Chang-Zhu; Li, Zhi-Yuan

2011-12-19

Optical isolation is a long pursued object with fundamental difficulty in integrated photonics. As a step towards this goal, we demonstrate the design, fabrication, and characterization of on-chip wavelength-scale optical diodes that are made from the heterojunction between two different silicon two-dimensional square-lattice photonic crystal slabs with directional bandgap mismatch and different mode transitions. The measured transmission spectra show considerable unidirectional transmission behavior, in good agreement with numerical simulations. The experimental realization of on-chip optical diodes with wavelength-scale size using all-dielectric, passive, and linear silicon photonic crystal structures may help to construct on-chip optical logical devices without nonlinearity or magnetism, and would open up a road towards photonic computers.

Programmable bio-nano-chip system: a flexible point-of-care platform for bioscience and clinical measurements

PubMed Central

McRae, Michael. P.; Simmons, Glennon. W.; Wong, Jorge; Shadfan, Basil; Gopalkrishnan, Sanjiv; Christodoulides, Nicolaos

2015-01-01

The development of integrated instrumentation for universal bioassay systems serves as a key goal for the lab-on-a-chip community. The programmable bio-nano-chip (p-BNC) system is a versatile multiplexed and multiclass chemical- and bio-sensing system for bioscience and clinical measurements. The system is comprised of two main components, a disposable cartridge and a portable analyzer. The customizable single-use plastic cartridges, which now can be manufactured in high volumes using injection molding, are designed for analytical performance, ease of use, reproducibility, and low cost. These labcard devices implement high surface area nano-structured biomarker capture elements that enable high performance signaling and are index matched to real-world biological specimens. This detection modality, along with the convenience of on-chip fluid storage in blisters and self-contained waste, represents a standard process to digitize biological signatures at the point-of-care. A companion portable analyzer prototype has been developed to integrate fluid motivation, optical detection, and automated data analysis, and it serves as the human interface for complete assay automation. In this report, we provide a systems-level perspective of the p-BNC universal biosensing platform with an emphasis on flow control, device integration, and automation. To demonstrate the flexibility of the p-BNC, we distinguish diseased and non-case patients across three significant disease applications: prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and acute myocardial infarction. Progress towards developing a rapid 7 minute myoglobin assay is presented using the fully automated p-BNC system. PMID:26308851

Exponential current pulse generation for efficient very high-impedance multisite stimulation.

PubMed

Ethier, S; Sawan, M

2011-02-01

We describe in this paper an intracortical current-pulse generator for high-impedance microstimulation. This dual-chip system features a stimuli generator and a high-voltage electrode driver. The stimuli generator produces flexible rising exponential pulses in addition to standard rectangular stimuli. This novel stimulation waveform is expected to provide superior energy efficiency for action potential triggering while releasing less toxic reduced ions in the cortical tissues. The proposed fully integrated electrode driver is used as the output stage where high-voltage supplies are generated on-chip to significantly increase the voltage compliance for stimulation through high-impedance electrode-tissue interfaces. The stimuli generator has been implemented in 0.18-μm CMOS technology while a 0.8-μm CMOS/DMOS process has been used to integrate the high-voltage output stage. Experimental results show that the rectangular pulses cover a range of 1.6 to 167.2 μA with a DNL and an INL of 0.098 and 0.163 least-significant bit, respectively. The maximal dynamic range of the generated exponential reaches 34.36 dB at full scale within an error of ± 0.5 dB while all of its parameters (amplitude, duration, and time constant) are independently programmable over wide ranges. This chip consumes a maximum of 88.3 μ W in the exponential mode. High-voltage supplies of 8.95 and -8.46 V are generated by the output stage, boosting the voltage swing up to 13.6 V for a load as high as 100 kΩ.

Assembly reliability of CSPs with various chiip sizes by accelerated thermal and mechanical cycling test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ghaffarian, R.

2000-01-01

A JPL-led chip scale package (CSP) Consortium, composed of team members representing government agencies and private companies, recently joined together to pool in-kind resources for developing the quality and reliability of chip scale packages (CSPs) for a variety of projects.

Flexible Multiplexed Surface Temperature Sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daryabeigi, Kamran; Dillon-Townes, L. A.; Johnson, Preston B.; Ash, Robert L.

1995-01-01

Unitary array of sensors measures temperatures at points distributed over designated area on surface. Useful in measuring surface temperatures of aerodynamic models and thermally controlled objects. Made of combination of integrated-circuit microchips and film circuitry. Temperature-sensing chips scanned at speeds approaching 10 kHz. Operating range minus 40 degrees C to 120 degrees C. Flexibility of array conforms to curved surfaces. Multiplexer eliminates numerous monitoring cables. Control of acquisition and recording of data effected by connecting array to microcomputers via suitable interface circuitry.

Microfabrication of human organs-on-chips.

PubMed

Huh, Dongeun; Kim, Hyun Jung; Fraser, Jacob P; Shea, Daniel E; Khan, Mohammed; Bahinski, Anthony; Hamilton, Geraldine A; Ingber, Donald E

2013-11-01

'Organs-on-chips' are microengineered biomimetic systems containing microfluidic channels lined by living human cells, which replicate key functional units of living organs to reconstitute integrated human organ-level pathophysiology in vitro. These microdevices can be used to test efficacy and toxicity of drugs and chemicals, and to create in vitro models of human disease. Thus, they potentially represent low-cost alternatives to conventional animal models for pharmaceutical, chemical and environmental applications. Here we describe a protocol for the fabrication, microengineering and operation of these microfluidic organ-on-chip systems. First, microengineering is used to fabricate a multilayered microfluidic device that contains two parallel elastomeric microchannels separated by a thin porous flexible membrane, along with two full-height, hollow vacuum chambers on either side; this requires ∼3.5 d to complete. To create a 'breathing' lung-on-a-chip that mimics the mechanically active alveolar-capillary interface of the living human lung, human alveolar epithelial cells and microvascular endothelial cells are cultured in the microdevice with physiological flow and cyclic suction applied to the side chambers to reproduce rhythmic breathing movements. We describe how this protocol can be easily adapted to develop other human organ chips, such as a gut-on-a-chip lined by human intestinal epithelial cells that experiences peristalsis-like motions and trickling fluid flow. Also, we discuss experimental techniques that can be used to analyze the cells in these organ-on-chip devices.

Maximizing Computational Capability with Minimal Power

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-01

Chip -Scale Energy and Power... and Heat Report Documentation Page Form ApprovedOMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of...OpticalBench Mounting Posts Imager Chip LCDinterfaced withthecomputer P o l a r i z e r P o l a r i z e r XYZ Translator Optical Slide VMM Computational Pixel...Signal routing power / memory: ? Power does not include comm off chip (i.e. accessing memory) Power = ½ C Vdd2 f for CMOS Chip to Chip (10pF load min

Reconfigurable radio-frequency arbitrary waveforms synthesized in a silicon photonic chip.

PubMed

Wang, Jian; Shen, Hao; Fan, Li; Wu, Rui; Niu, Ben; Varghese, Leo T; Xuan, Yi; Leaird, Daniel E; Wang, Xi; Gan, Fuwan; Weiner, Andrew M; Qi, Minghao

2015-01-12

Photonic methods of radio-frequency waveform generation and processing can provide performance advantages and flexibility over electronic methods due to the ultrawide bandwidth offered by the optical carriers. However, bulk optics implementations suffer from the lack of integration and slow reconfiguration speed. Here we propose an architecture of integrated photonic radio-frequency generation and processing and implement it on a silicon chip fabricated in a semiconductor manufacturing foundry. Our device can generate programmable radio-frequency bursts or continuous waveforms with only the light source, electrical drives/controls and detectors being off-chip. It modulates an individual pulse in a radio-frequency burst within 4 ns, achieving a reconfiguration speed three orders of magnitude faster than thermal tuning. The on-chip optical delay elements offer an integrated approach to accurately manipulating individual radio-frequency waveform features without constraints set by the speed and timing jitter of electronics, and should find applications ranging from high-speed wireless to defence electronics.

Reconfigurable radio-frequency arbitrary waveforms synthesized in a silicon photonic chip

PubMed Central

Wang, Jian; Shen, Hao; Fan, Li; Wu, Rui; Niu, Ben; Varghese, Leo T.; Xuan, Yi; Leaird, Daniel E.; Wang, Xi; Gan, Fuwan; Weiner, Andrew M.; Qi, Minghao

2015-01-01

Photonic methods of radio-frequency waveform generation and processing can provide performance advantages and flexibility over electronic methods due to the ultrawide bandwidth offered by the optical carriers. However, bulk optics implementations suffer from the lack of integration and slow reconfiguration speed. Here we propose an architecture of integrated photonic radio-frequency generation and processing and implement it on a silicon chip fabricated in a semiconductor manufacturing foundry. Our device can generate programmable radio-frequency bursts or continuous waveforms with only the light source, electrical drives/controls and detectors being off-chip. It modulates an individual pulse in a radio-frequency burst within 4 ns, achieving a reconfiguration speed three orders of magnitude faster than thermal tuning. The on-chip optical delay elements offer an integrated approach to accurately manipulating individual radio-frequency waveform features without constraints set by the speed and timing jitter of electronics, and should find applications ranging from high-speed wireless to defence electronics. PMID:25581847

Nonlinear Silicon Photonics: Extending Platforms, Control, and Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, Steven Andrew

Silicon photonics is a revolutionary technology that enables the control of light inside a silicon chip and holds promise to impact many applications from data center optical interconnects to optical sensing and even quantum optics. The tight confinement of light inside these chips greatly enhances light-matter interactions, making this an ideal platform for nonlinear photonics. Recently, microresonator-based Kerr frequency comb generation has become a prevalent emerging field, enabling the generation of a broadband optical pulse train by inputting a low-power continuous-wave laser into a low-loss chip-scale micro-cavity. These chip-scale combs have a wide variety of applications, including optical clocks, optical spectroscopy, and data communications. Several important applications in biological, chemical and atmospheric areas require combs generated in the visible and mid-infrared wavelength ranges, where there has been far less research and development compared with the near-infrared. Additionally, most platforms widely for combs are passive, limiting the ability to control and optimize the frequency combs. In this dissertation, we set out to address these shortcomings and introduce new tunability as well as wavelength flexibility in order to enable new applications for microresonator frequency combs. The silicon nitride platform for near-infrared combs is generally a passive platform with limited tuning capabilities. We overcome dispersion limitations in the visible range by leveraging the second-order nonlinearity of silicon nitride and demonstrate visible comb lines. We then further investigate the second-order nonlinearity of silicon nitride by measuring the linear electro-optic effect, a potential tuning mechanism. Finally, we introduce thermal tuning onto the silicon nitride platform and demonstrate tuning of the resonance extinction and dispersion of a micro-cavity using a coupled cavity design. We also address the silicon mid-infrared frequency comb platform. The transparency range of the traditional silicon platform prohibits operation beyond 4 mum wavelength. Here we show that a silicon photonics platform can be leveraged for broadband mid-infrared operation without introducing complexity in fabrication. Both an air-clad and fully suspended silicon platform can enable broadband, low-loss propagation and comb generation as high as 6 mum. We demonstrate a high quality factor resonator near 4 mum wavelength, more than an order of magnitude higher than the traditional platform. Finally, we discuss future avenues of research building on the work presented here.

Thermally induced light-driven microfluidics using a MOEMS-based laser scanner for particle manipulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kremer, Matthias P.; Tortschanoff, Andreas

2014-03-01

One key challenge in the field of microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip experiments for biological or chemical applications is the remote manipulation of fluids, droplets and particles. These can be volume elements of reactants, particles coated with markers, cells or many others. Light-driven microfluidics is one way of accomplishing this challenge. In our work, we manipulated micrometre sized polystyrene beads in a microfluidic environment by inducing thermal flows. Therefore, the beads were held statically in an unstructured microfluidic chamber, containing a dyed watery solution. Inside this chamber, the beads were moved along arbitrary trajectories on a micrometre scale. The experiments were performed, using a MOEMS (micro-opto-electro-mechanical-systems)-based laser scanner with a variable focal length. This scanner system is integrated in a compact device, which is flexibly applicable to various microscope setups. The device utilizes a novel approach for varying the focal length, using an electrically tunable lens. A quasi statically driven MOEMS mirror is used for beam steering. The combination of a tunable lens and a dual axis micromirror makes the device very compact and robust and is capable of positioning the laser focus at any arbitrary location within a three dimensional working space. Hence, the developed device constitutes a valuable extension to manually executed microfluidic lab-on-chip experiments.

Microintaglio Printing for Soft Lithography-Based in Situ Microarrays

PubMed Central

Biyani, Manish; Ichiki, Takanori

2015-01-01

Advances in lithographic approaches to fabricating bio-microarrays have been extensively explored over the last two decades. However, the need for pattern flexibility, a high density, a high resolution, affordability and on-demand fabrication is promoting the development of unconventional routes for microarray fabrication. This review highlights the development and uses of a new molecular lithography approach, called “microintaglio printing technology”, for large-scale bio-microarray fabrication using a microreactor array (µRA)-based chip consisting of uniformly-arranged, femtoliter-size µRA molds. In this method, a single-molecule-amplified DNA microarray pattern is self-assembled onto a µRA mold and subsequently converted into a messenger RNA or protein microarray pattern by simultaneously producing and transferring (immobilizing) a messenger RNA or a protein from a µRA mold to a glass surface. Microintaglio printing allows the self-assembly and patterning of in situ-synthesized biomolecules into high-density (kilo-giga-density), ordered arrays on a chip surface with µm-order precision. This holistic aim, which is difficult to achieve using conventional printing and microarray approaches, is expected to revolutionize and reshape proteomics. This review is not written comprehensively, but rather substantively, highlighting the versatility of microintaglio printing for developing a prerequisite platform for microarray technology for the postgenomic era. PMID:27600226

A 32-channel fully implantable wireless neurosensor for simultaneous recording from two cortical regions.

PubMed

Aceros, Juan; Yin, Ming; Borton, David A; Patterson, William R; Nurmikko, Arto V

2011-01-01

We present a fully implantable, wireless, neurosensor for multiple-location neural interface applications. The device integrates two independent 16-channel intracortical microelectrode arrays and can simultaneously acquire 32 channels of broadband neural data from two separate cortical areas. The system-on-chip implantable sensor is built on a flexible Kapton polymer substrate and incorporates three very low power subunits: two cortical subunits connected to a common subcutaneous subunit. Each cortical subunit has an ultra-low power 16-channel preamplifier and multiplexer integrated onto a cortical microelectrode array. The subcutaneous epicranial unit has an inductively coupled power supply, two analog-to-digital converters, a low power digital controller chip, and microlaser-based infrared telemetry. The entire system is soft encapsulated with biocompatible flexible materials for in vivo applications. Broadband neural data is conditioned, amplified, and analog multiplexed by each of the cortical subunits and passed to the subcutaneous component, where it is digitized and combined with synchronization data and wirelessly transmitted transcutaneously using high speed infrared telemetry.

Facile fabrication of microfluidic surface-enhanced Raman scattering devices via lift-up lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yuanzi; Jiang, Ye; Zheng, Xiaoshan; Jia, Shasha; Zhu, Zhi; Ren, Bin; Ma, Hongwei

2018-04-01

We describe a facile and low-cost approach for a flexibly integrated surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate in microfluidic chips. Briefly, a SERS substrate was fabricated by the electrostatic assembling of gold nanoparticles, and shaped into designed patterns by subsequent lift-up soft lithography. The SERS micro-pattern could be further integrated within microfluidic channels conveniently. The resulting microfluidic SERS chip allowed ultrasensitive in situ SERS monitoring from the transparent glass window. With its advantages in simplicity, functionality and cost-effectiveness, this method could be readily expanded into optical microfluidic fabrication for biochemical applications.

Application of software technology to a future spacecraft computer design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Labaugh, R. J.

1980-01-01

A study was conducted to determine how major improvements in spacecraft computer systems can be obtained from recent advances in hardware and software technology. Investigations into integrated circuit technology indicated that the CMOS/SOS chip set being developed for the Air Force Avionics Laboratory at Wright Patterson had the best potential for improving the performance of spaceborne computer systems. An integral part of the chip set is the bit slice arithmetic and logic unit. The flexibility allowed by microprogramming, combined with the software investigations, led to the specification of a baseline architecture and instruction set.

Chip-Scale Magnetic Source of Cold Atoms

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-01

the desert, the roof of the physics building, no air conditioning, shooting stars, coconut and coconuts , hacienda, and margarita. v Acknowledgments I...toner paper was folded around the chip and run through a laminator. The laminator’s heat transferred the toner to the chip. By splashing water on the

RF-Interrogated End-State Chip-Scale Atomic Clock

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-11-01

coherent population trapping,” Electronics Letters 37, (24), 1449-1451. [2] R. Lutwak , P. Vlitas, M. Varghese, M. Mescher, D. K. Serkland, and G. M...367. [9] R. Lutwak , D. Emmons, T. English, W. Riley, A. Duwel, M. Varghese, D. K. Serland, and G. M. Peake, 2003, “Chip-Scale Atomic Clock, Recent

Lab-on-a-chip modules for detection of highly pathogenic bacteria: from sample preparation to detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Julich, S.; Kopinč, R.; Hlawatsch, N.; Moche, C.; Lapanje, A.; Gärtner, C.; Tomaso, H.

2014-05-01

Lab-on-a-chip systems are innovative tools for the detection and identification of microbial pathogens in human and veterinary medicine. The major advantages are small sample volume and a compact design. Several fluidic modules have been developed to transform analytical procedures into miniaturized scale including sampling, sample preparation, target enrichment, and detection procedures. We present evaluation data for single modules that will be integrated in a chip system for the detection of pathogens. A microfluidic chip for purification of nucleic acids was established for cell lysis using magnetic beads. This assay was evaluated with spiked environmental aerosol and swab samples. Bacillus thuringiensis was used as simulant for Bacillus anthracis, which is closely related but non-pathogenic for humans. Stationary PCR and a flow-through PCR chip module were investigated for specific detection of six highly pathogenic bacteria. The conventional PCR assays could be transferred into miniaturized scale using the same temperature/time profile. We could demonstrate that the microfluidic chip modules are suitable for the respective purposes and are promising tools for the detection of bacterial pathogens. Future developments will focus on the integration of these separate modules to an entire lab-on-a-chip system.

Design and fabrication of a foldable 3D silicon based package for solid state lighting applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sokolovskij, R.; Liu, P.; van Zeijl, H. W.; Mimoun, B.; Zhang, G. Q.

2015-05-01

Miniaturization of solid state lighting (SSL) luminaires as well as reduction of packaging and assembly costs are of prime interest for the SSL lighting industry. A novel silicon based LED package for lighting applications is presented in this paper. The proposed design consists of 5 rigid Si tiles connected by flexible polyimide hinges with embedded interconnects (ICs). Electrical, optical and thermal characteristics were taken into consideration during design. The fabrication process involved polyimide (PI) application and patterning, aluminium interconnect integration in the flexible hinge, LED reflector cavity formation and metalization followed by through wafer DRIE etching for chip formation and release. A method to connect chip front to backside without TSVs was also integrated into the process. Post-fabrication wafer level assembly included LED mounting and wirebond, phosphor-based colour conversion and silicone encapsulation. The package formation was finalized by vacuum assisted wrapping around an assembly structure to form a 3D geometry, which is beneficial for omnidirectional lighting. Bending tests were performed on the flexible ICs and optical performance at different temperatures was evaluated. It is suggested that 3D packages can be expanded to platforms for miniaturized luminaire applications by combining monolithic silicon integration and system-in-package (SiP) technologies.

Nanobarcode gene expression monitoring system for potential miniaturized space applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruan, Weiming; Eastman, P. Scott; Cooke, Patrick A.; Park, Jennifer S.; Chu, Julia S. F.; Gray, Joe W.; Li, Song; Chen, Fanqing Frank

Manned mission to space has been threatened by various cosmos risks including radiation, mirogravity, vacuum, confinement, etc., which may cause genetic variations of astronauts and eventually lead to damages of their health. Thus, the development of small biomedical devices, which can monitor astronaut gene expression changes, is useful for future long-term space missions. Using magnetic microbeads packed with nanocrystal quantum dots at controlled ratios, we were able to generate highly multiplexed nanobarcodes, which can encode a flexible panel of genes. Also, by using a reporter quantum dot, this nanobarcode platform can monitor and quantify gene expression level with improved speed and sensitivity. As a comparison, we studied TGF-β1 induced transcription changes in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells with both the nanobarcode microbead system and the Affymetrix GeneChip ® HTA system, which is currently considered as the industrial standard. Though using only 1/20 of the sample RNA, the nanobarcode system showed sensitivity equivalent to Affymetrix GeneChip ® system. The coefficient of variation, dynamic range, and accuracy of the nanobarcodes measurement is equivalent to that of the GeneChip ® HTA system. Therefore, this newly invented nanobarcode microbead platform is thought to be sensitive, flexible, cost-effective and accurate in a level equivalent to the conventional methods. As an extension of the use of this new platform, spacecrafts may carry this miniaturized system as a diagnostic tool for the astronauts.

In vitro characterization of six STUB1 variants in spinocerebellar ataxia 16 reveals altered structural properties for the encoded CHIP proteins.

PubMed

Pakdaman, Yasaman; Sanchez-Guixé, Monica; Kleppe, Rune; Erdal, Sigrid; Bustad, Helene J; Bjørkhaug, Lise; Haugarvoll, Kristoffer; Tzoulis, Charalampos; Heimdal, Ketil; Knappskog, Per M; Johansson, Stefan; Aukrust, Ingvild

2017-04-30

Spinocerebellar ataxia, autosomal recessive 16 (SCAR16) is caused by biallelic mutations in the STIP1 homology and U-box containing protein 1 ( STUB1 ) gene encoding the ubiquitin E3 ligase and dimeric co-chaperone C-terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP). It has been proposed that the disease mechanism is related to CHIP's impaired E3 ubiquitin ligase properties and/or interaction with its chaperones. However, there is limited knowledge on how these mutations affect the stability, folding, and protein structure of CHIP itself. To gain further insight, six previously reported pathogenic STUB1 variants (E28K, N65S, K145Q, M211I, S236T, and T246M) were expressed as recombinant proteins and studied using limited proteolysis, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), and circular dichroism (CD). Our results reveal that N65S shows increased CHIP dimerization, higher levels of α-helical content, and decreased degradation rate compared with wild-type (WT) CHIP. By contrast, T246M demonstrates a strong tendency for aggregation, a more flexible protein structure, decreased levels of α-helical structures, and increased degradation rate compared with WT CHIP. E28K, K145Q, M211I, and S236T also show defects on structural properties compared with WT CHIP, although less profound than what observed for N65S and T246M. In conclusion, our results illustrate that some STUB1 mutations known to cause recessive SCAR16 have a profound impact on the protein structure, stability, and ability of CHIP to dimerize in vitro. These results add to the growing understanding on the mechanisms behind the disorder. © 2017 The Author(s).

Adjunctive Effects of A Piscean Collagen-Based Controlled-Release Chlorhexidine Chip in the Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis: A Clinical and Microbiological Study

PubMed Central

John, Priya; Lazarus, Flemingson; Selvam, Arul; Prabhuji, Munivenkatappa Lakshmaiah Venkatesh

2015-01-01

Introduction PerioChip a bovine origin gelatine based CHX chip has shown beneficial effects in the management of Chronic Periodontitis. A new fish collagen based CHX chip similar to PerioChip is currently available; however this product has not been thoroughly researched. Aim The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new Piscean collagen-based controlled-release chlorhexidine chip (CHX chip) as an adjunctive therapy to scaling and root planing (SRP). Settings and Design The study was conducted as a randomised, split-mouth, controlled clinical trial at Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences, Bangalore, India. Materials and Methods In a split–mouth study involving 20 sites in 10 patients with chronic periodontitis, control sites received scaling and root planing and test sites received scaling and root planing (SRP) and the intrapocket CHX chip placement as an adjunct. Subgingival plaque samples were collected from both control and test sites at baseline, 11 days and 11 weeks and the anaerobic colony count were assessed. Clinical parameters that were recorded at baseline and 11 weeks were gingival index, Plaque index, Probing pocket depth (PPD), and Clinical attachment level (CAL). Plaque index was recorded additionally at 11 days. Results In the test group there was a statistically significant reduction in the total anaerobic colony count, gingival index and plaque scores from baseline as compared to control sites at all time intervals. An additional 0.8mm reduction in mean probing pocket depth was noted in the test group. Gain in Clinical attachment level was comparable in both groups. Conclusion The adjunctive use of the new collagen-based CHX chip yielded significant antimicrobial benefit accompanied by a reduction in probing depth and a clinical attachment level gain as compared to SRP alone. This suggests that it may be a useful treatment option of nonsurgical periodontal treatment of chronic periodontitis. PMID:26155567

Three Dimensional Integration and On-Wafer Packaging for Heterogeneous Wafer-Scale Circuit Architectures

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-11-01

Chip Level CMOS Chip High resistivity Si Metal Interconnect 25μm 24GHz fully integrated receiver CMOS transimpedance Amplifier (13GHz BW, 52dBΩ...power of a high-resistivity SiGe power amplifier chip with the wide operating frequency range and compactness of a CMOS mixed signal chip operating...With good RF channel selectivity, system specifications such as the linearity of the low noise amplifier (LNA), the phase noise of the voltage

Utilization of treated conifer wood chips by Pleurotus (Fr.) P. Karst. species for cultivating mushrooms

Treesearch

Suki C. Croan

2003-01-01

Mushroom-producing white-rot basidiomycetes can grow rapidly and produce heavy mycelial growth on treated conifer wastes with extractive-degrading fungi. This study evaluates the treatment of scaled-up conifer wood chips with Ophiostoma piliferum (Cartapip 97). Treated conifer chips were used as substrates for cultivating mushroom-producing basidiomycetes of various...

"Chips with Everything": A Laboratory Exercise for Comparing Subjective and Objective Measurements of Potato Chips

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davies, Cathy

2005-01-01

The following laboratory exercise was designed to aid student understanding of the differences between subjective and objective measurements. Students assess the color and texture of different varieties of potato chip (crisps) by means of an intensity rating scale and a rank test and objectively with a colorimeter and texture analyzer. For data…

75 FR 51843 - In the Matter of Certain Large Scale Integrated Circuit Semiconductor Chips and Products...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-23

... Integrated Circuit Semiconductor Chips and Products Containing the Same; Notice of Commission Decision Not To... semiconductor chips and products containing same by reason of infringement of certain claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,933,364 and 6,834,336. The complaint further alleges the existence of a domestic industry. The...

Semi-contact-writing of polymer molds for prototyping PDMS chips with low surface roughness, sharp edges and locally varying channel heights

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gutzweiler, Ludwig; Stumpf, Fabian; Tanguy, Laurent; Roth, Guenter; Koltay, Peter; Zengerle, Roland; Riegger, Lutz

2016-04-01

Microfluidic systems fabricated in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) enable a broad variety of applications and are widespread in the field of Lab-on-a-Chip. Here we demonstrate semi-contact-writing, a novel method for fabrication of polymer based molds for casting microfluidic PDMS chips in a highly flexible, time and cost-efficient manner. The method is related to direct-writing of an aqueous polymer solution on a planar glass substrate and substitutes conventional, time- and cost-consuming UV-lithography. This technique facilitates on-demand prototyping in a low-cost manner and is therefore ideally suited for rapid chip layout iterations. No cleanroom facilities and less expertise are required. Fabrication time from scratch to ready-to-use PDMS-chip is less than 5 h. This polymer writing method enables structure widths down to 140 μm and controllable structure heights ranging from 5.5 μm for writing single layers up to 98 μm by stacking. As a unique property, freely selectable height variations across a substrate can be achieved by application of local stacking. Furthermore, the molds exhibit low surface roughness (R a   =  24 nm, R RMS  =  28 nm) and high fidelity edge sharpness. We validated the method by fabrication of molds to cast PDMS chips for droplet based flow-through PCR with single-cell sensitivity.

Ultrafast dynamics and stabilization in chip-scale optical frequency combs (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Shu Wei

2017-02-01

Optical frequency comb technology has been the cornerstone for scientific breakthroughs such as precision frequency metrology, re-definition of time, extreme light-matter interaction, and attosecond sciences. Recently emerged Kerr-active microresonators are promising alternatives to the current benchmark femtosecond laser platform. These chip-scale frequency combs, or Kerr combs, are unique in their compact footprints and offer the potential for monolithic electronic and feedback integration, thereby expanding the already remarkable applications of optical frequency combs. In this talk, I will first report the generation and characterization of low-phase-noise Kerr frequency combs. Measurements of the Kerr comb ultrafast dynamics and phase noise will be presented and discussed. Then I will describe novel strategies to fully stabilize Kerr comb line frequencies towards chip-scale optical frequency synthesizers with a relative uncertainty better than 2.7×10-16. I will show that the unique generation physics of Kerr frequency comb can provide an intrinsic self-referenced access to the Kerr comb line frequencies. The strategy improves the optical frequency stability by more than two orders of magnitude, while preserving the Kerr comb's key advantage of low SWaP and potential for chip-scale electronic and photonic integration.

Ultra-high-Q phononic resonators on-chip at cryogenic temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kharel, Prashanta; Chu, Yiwen; Power, Michael; Renninger, William H.; Schoelkopf, Robert J.; Rakich, Peter T.

2018-06-01

Long-lived, high-frequency phonons are valuable for applications ranging from optomechanics to emerging quantum systems. For scientific as well as technological impact, we seek high-performance oscillators that offer a path toward chip-scale integration. Confocal bulk acoustic wave resonators have demonstrated an immense potential to support long-lived phonon modes in crystalline media at cryogenic temperatures. So far, these devices have been macroscopic with cm-scale dimensions. However, as we push these oscillators to high frequencies, we have an opportunity to radically reduce the footprint as a basis for classical and emerging quantum technologies. In this paper, we present novel design principles and simple microfabrication techniques to create high performance chip-scale confocal bulk acoustic wave resonators in a wide array of crystalline materials. We tailor the acoustic modes of such resonators to efficiently couple to light, permitting us to perform a non-invasive laser-based phonon spectroscopy. Using this technique, we demonstrate an acoustic Q-factor of 2.8 × 107 (6.5 × 106) for chip-scale resonators operating at 12.7 GHz (37.8 GHz) in crystalline z-cut quartz (x-cut silicon) at cryogenic temperatures.

On-chip detection of non-classical light by scalable integration of single-photon detectors

PubMed Central

Najafi, Faraz; Mower, Jacob; Harris, Nicholas C.; Bellei, Francesco; Dane, Andrew; Lee, Catherine; Hu, Xiaolong; Kharel, Prashanta; Marsili, Francesco; Assefa, Solomon; Berggren, Karl K.; Englund, Dirk

2015-01-01

Photonic-integrated circuits have emerged as a scalable platform for complex quantum systems. A central goal is to integrate single-photon detectors to reduce optical losses, latency and wiring complexity associated with off-chip detectors. Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are particularly attractive because of high detection efficiency, sub-50-ps jitter and nanosecond-scale reset time. However, while single detectors have been incorporated into individual waveguides, the system detection efficiency of multiple SNSPDs in one photonic circuit—required for scalable quantum photonic circuits—has been limited to <0.2%. Here we introduce a micrometer-scale flip-chip process that enables scalable integration of SNSPDs on a range of photonic circuits. Ten low-jitter detectors are integrated on one circuit with 100% device yield. With an average system detection efficiency beyond 10%, and estimated on-chip detection efficiency of 14–52% for four detectors operated simultaneously, we demonstrate, to the best of our knowledge, the first on-chip photon correlation measurements of non-classical light. PMID:25575346

On-chip clearing of arrays of 3-D cell cultures and micro-tissues.

PubMed

Grist, S M; Nasseri, S S; Poon, T; Roskelley, C; Cheung, K C

2016-07-01

Three-dimensional (3-D) cell cultures are beneficial models for mimicking the complexities of in vivo tissues, especially in tumour studies where transport limitations can complicate response to cancer drugs. 3-D optical microscopy techniques are less involved than traditional embedding and sectioning, but are impeded by optical scattering properties of the tissues. Confocal and even two-photon microscopy limit sample imaging to approximately 100-200 μm depth, which is insufficient to image hypoxic spheroid cores. Optical clearing methods have permitted high-depth imaging of tissues without physical sectioning, but they are difficult to implement for smaller 3-D cultures due to sample loss in solution exchange. In this work, we demonstrate a microfluidic platform for high-throughput on-chip optical clearing of breast cancer spheroids using the SeeDB, Clear(T2), and ScaleSQ clearing methods. Although all three methods are able to effectively clear the spheroids, we find that SeeDB and ScaleSQ more effectively clear the sample than Clear(T2); however, SeeDB induces green autofluorescence while ScaleS causes sample expansion. Our unique on-chip implementation permits clearing arrays of 3-D cultures using perfusion while monitoring the 3-D cultures throughout the process, enabling visualization of the clearing endpoint as well as monitoring of transient changes that could induce image artefacts. Our microfluidic device is compatible with on-chip 3-D cell culture, permitting the use of on-chip clearing at the endpoint after monitoring the same spheroids during their culture. This on-chip method has the potential to improve readout from 3-D cultures, facilitating their use in cell-based assays for high-content drug screening and other applications.

Multichannel Baseband Processor for Wideband CDMA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jalloul, Louay M. A.; Lin, Jim

2005-12-01

The system architecture of the cellular base station modem engine (CBME) is described. The CBME is a single-chip multichannel transceiver capable of processing and demodulating signals from multiple users simultaneously. It is optimized to process different classes of code-division multiple-access (CDMA) signals. The paper will show that through key functional system partitioning, tightly coupled small digital signal processing cores, and time-sliced reuse architecture, CBME is able to achieve a high degree of algorithmic flexibility while maintaining efficiency. The paper will also highlight the implementation and verification aspects of the CBME chip design. In this paper, wideband CDMA is used as an example to demonstrate the architecture concept.

Microcontroller-based real-time QRS detection.

PubMed

Sun, Y; Suppappola, S; Wrublewski, T A

1992-01-01

The authors describe the design of a system for real-time detection of QRS complexes in the electrocardiogram based on a single-chip microcontroller (Motorola 68HC811). A systematic analysis of the instrumentation requirements for QRS detection and of the various design techniques is also given. Detection algorithms using different nonlinear transforms for the enhancement of QRS complexes are evaluated by using the ECG database of the American Heart Association. The results show that the nonlinear transform involving multiplication of three adjacent, sign-consistent differences in the time domain gives a good performance and a quick response. When implemented with an appropriate sampling rate, this algorithm is also capable of rejecting pacemaker spikes. The eight-bit single-chip microcontroller provides sufficient throughput and shows a satisfactory performance. Implementation of multiple detection algorithms in the same system improves flexibility and reliability. The low chip count in the design also favors maintainability and cost-effectiveness.

Compact Multimedia Systems in Multi-chip Module Technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fang, Wai-Chi; Alkalaj, Leon

1995-01-01

This tutorial paper shows advanced multimedia system designs based on multi-chip module (MCM) technologies that provide essential computing, compression, communication, and storage capabilities for various large scale information highway applications.!.

Fabrication and physical evaluation of a polymer-encapsulated paramagnetic probe for biomedical oximetry

PubMed Central

Meenakshisundaram, Guruguhan; Eteshola, Edward; Pandian, Ramasamy P.; Bratasz, Anna; Kuppusamy, Periannan

2009-01-01

Lithium octa-n-butoxynaphthalocyanine (LiNc-BuO) is a promising probe for biological electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry and is being developed for clinical use. However, clinical applicability of LiNc-BuO may be hindered by potential limitations associated with biocompatibility, biodegradation, and migration of individual crystals in tissue. To overcome these limitations, we have encapsulated LiNc-BuO crystals in polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS), an oxygen-permeable and bioinert polymer, to fabricate conveniently implantable and retrievable oxygen-sensing chips. Encapsulation was performed by a simple cast-molding process, giving appreciable control over size, shape, thickness and spin density of chips. The in vitro oxygen response of the chip was linear, reproducible, and not significantly different from that of unencapsulated crystals. Cast-molding of the structurally-flexible PDMS enabled the fabrication of chips with tailored spin densities, and ensured non-exposure of embedded LiNc-BuO, mitigating potential biocompatibility/toxicological concerns. Our results establish PDMS-encapsulated LiNc-BuO as a promising candidate for further biological evaluation and potential clinical application. PMID:19291409

Laser micromachining of biofactory-on-a-chip devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burt, Julian P.; Goater, Andrew D.; Hayden, Christopher J.; Tame, John A.

2002-06-01

Excimer laser micromachining provides a flexible means for the manufacture and rapid prototyping of miniaturized systems such as Biofactory-on-a-Chip devices. Biofactories are miniaturized diagnostic devices capable of characterizing, manipulating, separating and sorting suspension of particles such as biological cells. Such systems operate by exploiting the electrical properties of microparticles and controlling particle movement in AC non- uniform stationary and moving electric fields. Applications of Biofactory devices are diverse and include, among others, the healthcare, pharmaceutical, chemical processing, environmental monitoring and food diagnostic markets. To achieve such characterization and separation, Biofactory devices employ laboratory-on-a-chip type components such as complex multilayer microelectrode arrays, microfluidic channels, manifold systems and on-chip detection systems. Here we discuss the manufacturing requirements of Biofactory devices and describe the use of different excimer laser micromachined methods both in stand-alone processes and also in conjunction with conventional fabrication processes such as photolithography and thermal molding. Particular attention is given to the production of large area multilayer microelectrode arrays and the manufacture of complex cross-section microfluidic channel systems for use in simple distribution and device interfacing.

Flexible carbon micro-supercapacitors prepared by direct cw-laser writing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Jinguang; Watanabe, Akira

2016-03-01

Micro-/nano-scale power supply units with high energy and high power densities are critical components for the development of compact miniaturized portable electronic devices. Supercapacitors have attracted many research attentions due to their high power density, robust cycle performance, pollution-free operation, and maintenance-free features. Besides, the properties of small size, light weight, and flexibility are also required. On-chip microsupercapacitors (MSCs) have the potential acting as power supply units in portable devices, due to their simplified packaging processes and compatibility to the integrated circuits. However, the fabrication methods and materials should be cost-effective, scalable, and compatible to current electronic industry. Carbon materials own high specific surface areas, electrochemical stability, and high electrical conductivity, which are critical parameters for high-power supercapacitors. Moreover, the high mechanical tolerance makes them good candidates for flexible wearable devices. Therefore, MSCs based on carbon materials would satisfy the requirements of portable electronics. In this work, we demonstrated the fabrication of carbon MSCs by laser direct writing on commercial polyimide sheets in Ar with lowcost semiconductor cw-laser with a wavelength of 405nm. The obtained structures are macro-nanostructures comprising graphitized and amorphous carbon with relatively smooth surfaces and low resistance, in compared with the structures obtained by laser writing in air. As-prepared micro-supercapacitors show a high capacitance of about 14.9 mF/cm2 at a scanning rate of 10 mV/s, which is comparable to the reported highest capacitance of carbon-based supercapacitors fabricated by pulse-laser writing.

Finite element analysis of a micromechanical deformable mirror device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sheerer, T. J.; Nelson, W. E.; Hornbeck, L. J.

1989-01-01

A monolithic spatial light modulator chip was developed consisting of a large number of micrometer-scale mirror cells which can be rotated through an angle by application of an electrostatic field. The field is generated by electronics integral to the chip. The chip has application in photoreceptor based non-impact printing technologies. Chips containing over 16000 cells were fabricated, and were tested to several billions of cycles. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of the device was used to model both the electrical and mechanical characteristics.

Sustaining Moore's law with 3D chips

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

DeBenedictis, Erik P.; Badaroglu, Mustafa; Chen, An

Here, rather than continue the expensive and time-consuming quest for transistor replacement, the authors argue that 3D chips coupled with new computer architectures can keep Moore's law on its traditional scaling path.

Sustaining Moore's law with 3D chips

DOE PAGES

DeBenedictis, Erik P.; Badaroglu, Mustafa; Chen, An; ...

2017-08-01

Here, rather than continue the expensive and time-consuming quest for transistor replacement, the authors argue that 3D chips coupled with new computer architectures can keep Moore's law on its traditional scaling path.

In vitro characterization of six STUB1 variants in spinocerebellar ataxia 16 reveals altered structural properties for the encoded CHIP proteins

PubMed Central

Pakdaman, Yasaman; Sanchez-Guixé, Monica; Kleppe, Rune; Erdal, Sigrid; Bustad, Helene J.; Bjørkhaug, Lise; Haugarvoll, Kristoffer; Tzoulis, Charalampos; Heimdal, Ketil; Knappskog, Per M.; Johansson, Stefan

2017-01-01

Spinocerebellar ataxia, autosomal recessive 16 (SCAR16) is caused by biallelic mutations in the STIP1 homology and U-box containing protein 1 (STUB1) gene encoding the ubiquitin E3 ligase and dimeric co-chaperone C-terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP). It has been proposed that the disease mechanism is related to CHIP’s impaired E3 ubiquitin ligase properties and/or interaction with its chaperones. However, there is limited knowledge on how these mutations affect the stability, folding, and protein structure of CHIP itself. To gain further insight, six previously reported pathogenic STUB1 variants (E28K, N65S, K145Q, M211I, S236T, and T246M) were expressed as recombinant proteins and studied using limited proteolysis, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), and circular dichroism (CD). Our results reveal that N65S shows increased CHIP dimerization, higher levels of α-helical content, and decreased degradation rate compared with wild-type (WT) CHIP. By contrast, T246M demonstrates a strong tendency for aggregation, a more flexible protein structure, decreased levels of α-helical structures, and increased degradation rate compared with WT CHIP. E28K, K145Q, M211I, and S236T also show defects on structural properties compared with WT CHIP, although less profound than what observed for N65S and T246M. In conclusion, our results illustrate that some STUB1 mutations known to cause recessive SCAR16 have a profound impact on the protein structure, stability, and ability of CHIP to dimerize in vitro. These results add to the growing understanding on the mechanisms behind the disorder. PMID:28396517

Formulation of Saudi Propolis into Biodegradable Chitosan Chips for Vital Pulpotomy.

PubMed

Balata, Gihan F; Abdelhady, Mohamed I S; Mahmoud, Ghada M; Matar, Moustafa A; Abd El-Latif, Amani N

2018-01-01

Propolis has been widely used to treat oral cavity disorders, such as endodontal and periodontal diseases and microbial infections. The study aimed at the formulation of commercial Saudi propolis into biodegradable chitosan chips and evaluation of its effectiveness as a pulpotomy agent. The standardization of 80% ethanolic propolis extract was performed regarding its total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, quantitative estimation of main polyphenolic constituents and antioxidant activity. Chitosan chips containing propolis extract were prepared by the solvent/ casting method. The investigated variables were % of chitosan polymer (2, 2.5 and 3%), % of plasticizer (1, 5 and 10%) and incorporation of different concentrations of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (5, 10 and 20% of polymer weight). The chips were characterized for weight and thickness uniformity, content uniformity, pH, percentage moisture loss, swelling index, tensile strength and in vitro propolis release. The optimal propolis chip formulation was further investigated in dogs regarding the short term response of primary dental pulp to propolis chips compared with the most commonly used formocresol preparation. The prepared films were flexible and demonstrated satisfactory physicochemical characteristics. The optimal formulation showed an initial release of about 41.7% of the loaded propolis followed by a sustained release extended up to 7 days. The kinetics study demonstrated that propolis release was controlled by Fick´s diffusion. The optimal propolis chip formulation resulted in less pulpal inflammation compared to formocresol, and produced hard tissue formation in all specimens. Formulation of commercial Saudi propolis as a biodegradable chitosan chip is an effective alternative to the commercially available chemical agents for the treatment of vital pulpotomy. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

Nitrogen removal in wood chip combined substrate baffled subsurface-flow constructed wetlands: impact of matrix arrangement and intermittent aeration.

PubMed

Li, Huai; Chi, Zifang; Yan, Baixing; Cheng, Long; Li, Jianzheng

2017-02-01

In this study, two lab-scale baffled subsurface-flow constructed wetlands (BSFCWs), including gravel-wood chips-slag and gravel-slag-wood chips, were operated at different intermittent aeration to evaluate the effect of artificial aeration and slow-released carbon source on the treatment efficiency of high-strength nitrogen wastewater. Results indicated that gravel-slag-wood chips extended aerobic/anaerobic alternating environment to gravel and slag zones and maintained anaerobic condition in the subsequent wood chip section. The order of gravel-slag-wood chip was more beneficial to pollutant removal. Sufficient carbon source supply resulted from wood-chip-framework substrate simultaneously obtained high removals of COD (97%), NH 4 + -N (95%), and TN (94%) in BSFCWs at 2 h aeration per day. The results suggest that intermittent aeration combined with wood chips could achieve high nitrogen removal in BSFCWs.

Temperature regulation during ultrasonic manipulation for long-term cell handling in a microfluidic chip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Svennebring, J.; Manneberg, O.; Wiklund, M.

2007-12-01

We demonstrate simultaneous micromanipulation and temperature regulation by the use of ultrasonic standing wave technology in a microfluidic chip. The system is based on a microfabricated silicon structure sandwiched between two glass layers, and an external ultrasonic transducer using a refractive wedge placed on top of the chip for efficient coupling of ultrasound into the microchannel. The chip is fully transparent and compatible with any kind of high-resolution optical microscopy. The temperature regulation method uses calibration data of the temperature increase due to the ultrasonic actuation for determining the temperature of the surrounding air and microscope table, controlled by a warm-air heating unit and a heatable mounting frame. The heating methods are independent of each other, resulting in a flexible choice of ultrasonic actuation voltage and flow rate for different cell and particle manipulation purposes. Our results indicate that it is possible to perform stable temperature regulation with an accuracy of the order of ±0.1 °C around any physiologically relevant temperature (e.g., 37 °C) with high temporal stability and repeatability. The purpose is to use ultrasound for long-term cell and/or particle handling in a microfluidic chip while controlling and maintaining the biocompatibility of the system.

Development of flexible plasmonic plastic sensor using nanograting textured laminating film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumari, Sudha; Mohapatra, Saswat; Moirangthem, Rakesh S.

2017-02-01

The work presented in this paper describes the development of a cost-effective, flexible plasmonic plastic sensor using gold-coated nanograting nanoimprinted on a laminating plastic. The fabrication of plasmonic plastic sensor involved the transfer of nanograting pattern from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer stamp to laminating plastic via thermal nanoimprint lithography, and subsequent gold film deposition. Gold-coated nanograting sample acted as a plasmonic chip, which exhibited surface plasmon resonance (SPR) mode in reflectance spectra under the white light illumination. The theoretical calculation was performed to study and analyze the excited SPR mode on the plasmonic chip. Further, the bulk refractive index sensitivity was demonstrated with respect to changing surrounding dielectric medium giving a value about 800  ±  27 nm/RIU (refractive index unit). In addition, the surface binding sensitivity upon adsorption of bovine serum albumin protein on the sensor surface was approximately 4.605 nm/(ng/mm2).We believe that our proposed low-cost plastic based plasmonic sensing device could be a potential candidate for the label-free and high-throughput screening of biological molecules.

In situ measurement of the junction temperature of light emitting diodes using a flexible micro temperature sensor.

PubMed

Lee, Chi-Yuan; Su, Ay; Liu, Yin-Chieh; Fan, Wei-Yuan; Hsieh, Wei-Jung

2009-01-01

This investigation aimed to fabricate a flexible micro resistive temperature sensor to measure the junction temperature of a light emitting diode (LED). The junction temperature is typically measured using a thermal resistance measurement approach. This approach is limited in that no standard regulates the timing of data capture. This work presents a micro temperature sensor that can measure temperature stably and continuously, and has the advantages of being lightweight and able to monitor junction temperatures in real time. Micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) technologies are employed to minimize the size of a temperature sensor that is constructed on a stainless steel foil substrate (SS-304 with 30 μm thickness). A flexible micro resistive temperature sensor can be fixed between the LED chip and the frame. The junction temperature of the LED can be measured from the linear relationship between the temperature and the resistance. The sensitivity of the micro temperature sensor is 0.059 ± 0.004 Ω/°C. The temperature of the commercial CREE(®) EZ1000 chip is 119.97 °C when it is thermally stable, as measured using the micro temperature sensor; however, it was 126.9 °C, when measured by thermal resistance measurement. The micro temperature sensor can be used to replace thermal resistance measurement and performs reliably.

Universal lab-on-a-chip platform for complex, perfused 3D cell cultures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sonntag, F.; Schmieder, F.; Ströbel, J.; Grünzner, S.; Busek, M.; Günther, K.; Steege, T.; Polk, C.; Klotzbach, U.

2016-03-01

The miniaturization, rapid prototyping and automation of lab-on-a-chip technology play nowadays a very important role. Lab-on-a-chip technology is successfully implemented not only for environmental analysis and medical diagnostics, but also as replacement of animals used for the testing of substances in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. For that purpose the Fraunhofer IWS and partners developed a lab-on-a-chip platform for perfused cell-based assays in the last years, which includes different micropumps, valves, channels, reservoirs and customized cell culture modules. This technology is already implemented for the characterization of different human cell cultures and organoids, like skin, liver, endothelium, hair follicle and nephron. The advanced universal lab-on-a-chip platform for complex, perfused 3D cell cultures is divided into a multilayer basic chip with integrated micropump and application-specific 3D printed cell culture modules. Moreover a technology for surface modification of the printed cell culture modules by laser micro structuring and a complex and flexibly programmable controlling device based on an embedded Linux system was developed. A universal lab-on-a-chip platform with an optional oxygenator and a cell culture module for cubic scaffolds as well as first cell culture experiments within the cell culture device will be presented. The module is designed for direct interaction with robotic dispenser systems. This offers the opportunity to combine direct organ printing of cells and scaffolds with the microfluidic cell culture module. The characterization of the developed system was done by means of Micro-Particle Image Velocimetry (μPIV) and an optical oxygen measuring system.

Quantitative chemical biosensing by bacterial chemotaxis in microfluidic chips.

PubMed

Roggo, Clémence; Picioreanu, Cristian; Richard, Xavier; Mazza, Christian; van Lintel, Harald; van der Meer, Jan Roelof

2018-01-01

Whole-cell bacterial bioreporters are proposed as alternatives to chemical analysis of, for example, pollutants in environmental compartments. Commonly based on reporter gene induction, bioreporters produce a detectable signal within 30 min to a few hours after exposure to the chemical target, which is impractical for applications aiming at a fast response. In an attempt to attain faster readout but maintain flexibility of chemical targeting, we explored the concept for quantitative chemical sensing by bacterial chemotaxis. Chemotaxis was quantified from enrichment of cells across a 600 µm-wide chemical gradient stabilized by parallel flow in a microfluidic chip, further supported by transport and chemotaxis steady state and kinetic modelling. As proof-of-concept, we quantified Escherichia coli chemotaxis towards serine, aspartate and methylaspartate as a function of attractant concentration and exposure time. E. coli chemotaxis enrichment increased sharply between 0 and 10 µM serine, before saturating at 100 µM. The chemotaxis accumulation rate was maximal at 10 µM serine, leading to observable cell enrichment within 5 min. The potential application for biosensing of environmental toxicants was investigated by quantifying chemotaxis of Cupriavidus pinatubonensis JMP134 towards the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate. Our results show that bacterial chemotaxis can be quantified on a scale of minutes and may be used for developing faster bioreporter assays. © 2017 The Authors. Environmental Microbiology published by Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Engineering a Blood Vessel Network Module for Body-on-a-Chip Applications.

PubMed

Ryu, Hyunryul; Oh, Soojung; Lee, Hyun Jae; Lee, Jin Young; Lee, Hae Kwang; Jeon, Noo Li

2015-06-01

The blood circulatory system links all organs from one to another to support and maintain each organ's functions consistently. Therefore, blood vessels have been considered as a vital unit. Engineering perfusable functional blood vessels in vitro has been challenging due to difficulties in designing the connection between rigid macroscale tubes and fragile microscale ones. Here, we propose a generalizable method to engineer a "long" perfusable blood vessel network. To form millimeter-scale vessels, fibroblasts were co-cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in close proximity. In contrast to previous works, in which all cells were permanently placed within the device, we developed a novel method to culture paracrine factor secreting fibroblasts on an O-ring-shaped guide that can be transferred in and out. This approach affords flexibility in co-culture, where the effects of secreted factors can be decoupled. Using this, blood vessels with length up to 2 mm were successfully produced in a reproducible manner (>90%). Because the vessels form a perfusable network within the channel, simple links to inlets and outlets of the device allowed connections to the outside world. The robust and reproducible formation of in vitro engineered vessels can be used as a module to link various organ components as parts of future body-on-a-chip applications. © 2014 Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening.

Smart and functional polymer materials for smart and functional microfluidic instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gray, Bonnie L.

2014-04-01

As microfluidic systems evolve from "chip-in-the-lab" to true portable lab-on-a-chip (LoC) or lab-in-a-package (LiP) microinstrumentation, there is a need for increasingly miniaturized sensors, actuators, and integration/interconnect technologies with high levels of functionality and self-direction. Furthermore, as microfluidic instruments are increasingly realized in polymer-based rather than glass- or silicon- based platforms, there is a need to realize these highly functional components in materials that are polymer-compatible. Polymers that are altered to possess basic functionality, and even higher-functioning "smart" polymer materials, may help to realize high-functioning and selfdirecting portable microinstrumentation. Stimuli-responsive hydrogels have been recognized for over a decade as beneficial to the development of smart microfluidics systems and instrumentation. In addition, functional materials such as conductive and magnetic composite polymers are being increasingly employed to push microfluidics systems to greater degrees of functionality, portability, and/or flexibility for wearable/implantable systems. Functional and smart polymer materials can be employed to realize electrodes, electronic routing, heaters, mixers, valves, pumps, sensors, and interconnect structures in polymer-based microfluidic systems. Stimuli for such materials can be located on-chip or in a small package, thus greatly increasing the degree of portability and the potential for mechanical flexibility of such systems. This paper will examine the application of functional polymer materials to the development of high-functioning microfluidics instruments with a goal towards self-direction.

Methods for fabrication of flexible hybrid electronics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Street, Robert A.; Mei, Ping; Krusor, Brent; Ready, Steve E.; Zhang, Yong; Schwartz, David E.; Pierre, Adrien; Doris, Sean E.; Russo, Beverly; Kor, Siv; Veres, Janos

2017-08-01

Printed and flexible hybrid electronics is an emerging technology with potential applications in smart labels, wearable electronics, soft robotics, and prosthetics. Printed solution-based materials are compatible with plastic film substrates that are flexible, soft, and stretchable, thus enabling conformal integration with non-planar objects. In addition, manufacturing by printing is scalable to large areas and is amenable to low-cost sheet-fed and roll-to-roll processes. FHE includes display and sensory components to interface with users and environments. On the system level, devices also require electronic circuits for power, memory, signal conditioning, and communications. Those electronic components can be integrated onto a flexible substrate by either assembly or printing. PARC has developed systems and processes for realizing both approaches. This talk presents fabrication methods with an emphasis on techniques recently developed for the assembly of off-the-shelf chips. A few examples of systems fabricated with this approach are also described.

Efficient and flexible memory architecture to alleviate data and context bandwidth bottlenecks of coarse-grained reconfigurable arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Chen; Liu, LeiBo; Yin, ShouYi; Wei, ShaoJun

2014-12-01

The computational capability of a coarse-grained reconfigurable array (CGRA) can be significantly restrained due to data and context memory bandwidth bottlenecks. Traditionally, two methods have been used to resolve this problem. One method loads the context into the CGRA at run time. This method occupies very small on-chip memory but induces very large latency, which leads to low computational efficiency. The other method adopts a multi-context structure. This method loads the context into the on-chip context memory at the boot phase. Broadcasting the pointer of a set of contexts changes the hardware configuration on a cycle-by-cycle basis. The size of the context memory induces a large area overhead in multi-context structures, which results in major restrictions on application complexity. This paper proposes a Predictable Context Cache (PCC) architecture to address the above context issues by buffering the context inside a CGRA. In this architecture, context is dynamically transferred into the CGRA. Utilizing a PCC significantly reduces the on-chip context memory and the complexity of the applications running on the CGRA is no longer restricted by the size of the on-chip context memory. Data preloading is the most frequently used approach to hide input data latency and speed up the data transmission process for the data bandwidth issue. Rather than fundamentally reducing the amount of input data, the transferred data and computations are processed in parallel. However, the data preloading method cannot work efficiently because data transmission becomes the critical path as the reconfigurable array scale increases. This paper also presents a Hierarchical Data Memory (HDM) architecture as a solution to the efficiency problem. In this architecture, high internal bandwidth is provided to buffer both reused input data and intermediate data. The HDM architecture relieves the external memory from the data transfer burden so that the performance is significantly improved. As a result of using PCC and HDM, experiments running mainstream video decoding programs achieved performance improvements of 13.57%-19.48% when there was a reasonable memory size. Therefore, 1080p@35.7fps for H.264 high profile video decoding can be achieved on PCC and HDM architecture when utilizing a 200 MHz working frequency. Further, the size of the on-chip context memory no longer restricted complex applications, which were efficiently executed on the PCC and HDM architecture.

Quantum interference in heterogeneous superconducting-photonic circuits on a silicon chip.

PubMed

Schuck, C; Guo, X; Fan, L; Ma, X; Poot, M; Tang, H X

2016-01-21

Quantum information processing holds great promise for communicating and computing data efficiently. However, scaling current photonic implementation approaches to larger system size remains an outstanding challenge for realizing disruptive quantum technology. Two main ingredients of quantum information processors are quantum interference and single-photon detectors. Here we develop a hybrid superconducting-photonic circuit system to show how these elements can be combined in a scalable fashion on a silicon chip. We demonstrate the suitability of this approach for integrated quantum optics by interfering and detecting photon pairs directly on the chip with waveguide-coupled single-photon detectors. Using a directional coupler implemented with silicon nitride nanophotonic waveguides, we observe 97% interference visibility when measuring photon statistics with two monolithically integrated superconducting single-photon detectors. The photonic circuit and detector fabrication processes are compatible with standard semiconductor thin-film technology, making it possible to implement more complex and larger scale quantum photonic circuits on silicon chips.

Inherent polarization entanglement generated from a monolithic semiconductor chip

PubMed Central

Horn, Rolf T.; Kolenderski, Piotr; Kang, Dongpeng; Abolghasem, Payam; Scarcella, Carmelo; Frera, Adriano Della; Tosi, Alberto; Helt, Lukas G.; Zhukovsky, Sergei V.; Sipe, J. E.; Weihs, Gregor; Helmy, Amr S.; Jennewein, Thomas

2013-01-01

Creating miniature chip scale implementations of optical quantum information protocols is a dream for many in the quantum optics community. This is largely because of the promise of stability and scalability. Here we present a monolithically integratable chip architecture upon which is built a photonic device primitive called a Bragg reflection waveguide (BRW). Implemented in gallium arsenide, we show that, via the process of spontaneous parametric down conversion, the BRW is capable of directly producing polarization entangled photons without additional path difference compensation, spectral filtering or post-selection. After splitting the twin-photons immediately after they emerge from the chip, we perform a variety of correlation tests on the photon pairs and show non-classical behaviour in their polarization. Combined with the BRW's versatile architecture our results signify the BRW design as a serious contender on which to build large scale implementations of optical quantum processing devices. PMID:23896982

Broadband and scalable optical coupling for silicon photonics using polymer waveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

La Porta, Antonio; Weiss, Jonas; Dangel, Roger; Jubin, Daniel; Meier, Norbert; Horst, Folkert; Offrein, Bert Jan

2018-04-01

We present optical coupling schemes for silicon integrated photonics circuits that account for the challenges in large-scale data processing systems such as those used for emerging big data workloads. Our waveguide based approach allows to optimally exploit the on-chip optical feature size, and chip- and package real-estate. It further scales well to high numbers of channels and is compatible with state-of-the-art flip-chip die packaging. We demonstrate silicon waveguide to polymer waveguide coupling losses below 1.5 dB for both the O- and C-bands with a polarisation dependent loss of <1 dB. Over 100 optical silicon waveguide to polymer waveguide interfaces were assembled within a single alignment step, resulting in a physical I/O channel density of up to 13 waveguides per millimetre along the chip-edge, with an average coupling loss of below 3.4 dB measured at 1310 nm.

Design and characterization of a hybrid-integrated MEMS scanning grating spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grüger, Heinrich; Knobbe, Jens; Pügner, Tino; Schenk, Harald

2013-03-01

Grating spectrometer, like the well-established Czerny-Turner, are based on an optical design consisting of several components. Typically at least two slits, two mirrors, the grating stage and a detector are required. There has been much work to reduce this effort, setups using only one mirror (Ebert - Fastie) or the replacement of the entrance slit through the use of thin optical fibers as well as integrated electronic detector arrays instead of a moving grating and an exit slit and single detector device have been applied. Reduced effort comes along with performance limitations: Either the optical resolution or throughput is affected or the use of the system is limited to the availability of detectors arrays with reasonable price. Components in micro opto electro mechanical systems (MOEMS-) technology and spectroscopic systems based thereon have been developed to improve this situation. Miniaturized scanning gratings fabricated on bonded silicon on insulator (BSOI-) wafers were used to design grating spectrometer for the near infrared requiring single detectors only. Discrete components offer flexibility but also need for adjustment of two mirrors, grating stage, fiber mount and the detector with its slit and optionally a second slit in the entrance area. Further development leads towards the integration of the slits into the MOEMS chip, thus less effort for adjustment. Flexibility might be reduced as adjustments of the optical design or grating spacing would require a new chip with own set of masks. Nevertheless if extreme miniaturization is desired this approach seems to be promising. Besides this, high volume production might be able for a comparable low price. A new chip was developed offering grating, two slits and a cavity for the detector chip. The optical design was adjusted to a planar arrangement of grating and slits. A detector buried in a chip cavity required a new mounting strategy. Other optical components were optimized and fabricated then the systems was assembled with electronics and software adjusted to the new design including some new features like integrated position sensors. A first test of systems to grant function of all components is presented. Further work will be aimed at improved performance like higher resolution and lower SNR.

Flexible fabrication of multi-scale integrated 3D periodic nanostructures with phase mask

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Liang Leon

Top-down fabrication of artificial nanostructures, especially three-dimensional (3D) periodic nanostructures, that forms uniform and defect-free structures over large area with the advantages of high throughput and rapid processing and in a manner that can further monolithically integrate into multi-scale and multi-functional devices is long-desired but remains a considerable challenge. This thesis study advances diffractive optical element (DOE) based 3D laser holographic nanofabrication of 3D periodic nanostructures and develops new kinds of DOEs for advanced diffracted-beam control during the fabrication. Phase masks, as one particular kind of DOE, are a promising direction for simple and rapid fabrication of 3D periodic nanostructures by means of Fresnel diffraction interference lithography. When incident with a coherent beam of light, a suitable phase mask (e.g. with 2D nano-grating) can create multiple diffraction orders that are inherently phase-locked and overlap to form a 3D light interference pattern in the proximity of the DOE. This light pattern is typically recorded in photosensitive materials including photoresist to develop into 3D photonic crystal nanostructure templates. Two kinds of advanced phase masks were developed that enable delicate phase control of multiple diffraction beams. The first exploits femtosecond laser direct writing inside fused silica to assemble multiple (up to nine) orthogonally crossed (2D) grating layers, spaced on Talbot planes to overcome the inherent weak diffraction efficiency otherwise found in low-contrast volume gratings. A systematic offsetting of orthogonal grating layers to establish phase offsets over 0 to pi/2 range provided precise means for controlling the 3D photonic crystal structure symmetry between body centered tetragonal (BCT) and woodpile-like tetragonal (wTTR). The second phase mask consisted of two-layered nanogratings with small sub-wavelength grating periods and phase offset control. That was designed with isotropic properties attractive for generating a complete photonic band gap (PBG). An isolation layer was used between adjacent polymer layers to offer a reversal coating for sample preparation of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and top surface planarization. Electron beam lithography has been employed to fabricate a multi-level nano-grating phase mask that produces a diamond-like 3D nanostructure via phase mask lithography, promising for creating photonic crystal (PC) templates that can be inverted with high-index materials and form a complete PBG at telecommunication wavelengths. A laser scanning holographic method for 3D exposure in thick photoresist is introduced that combines the unique advantages of large area 3D holographic interference lithography (HIL) with the flexible patterning of laser direct writing to form both micro- and nano-structures in a single exposure step. Phase mask interference patterns accumulated over multiple overlapping scans are shown to stitch seamlessly and form highly uniform 3D nanostructure with beam size scaled to small 200 microm diameter. Further direct-write holography demonstrates monolithical writing of multi-scale lab-on-a-chip with multiple functionalities including on-chip integrated fluorescence. Various 3D periodic nanostructures are demonstrated over a 15 mmx15 mm area, through full 40 microm photoresist thickness and with uniform structural and optical properties revealed by focused ion beam (FIB) milling, SEM imaging and stopband measures. The lateral and axial periods scale from respective 1500 nm to 570 nm and 9.2 microm to 1.2 microm to offer a Gamma-Z stopband at 1.5 microm. Overall, laser scanning is presented as a facile means to embed 3D PC nanostructure within microfluidic channels for integration into an optofluidic lab-on-chip, demonstrating a new laser HIL writing approach for creating multi-scale integrated microsystems.

RF-Trapped Chip Scale Helium Ion Pump (RFT-CHIP)

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-04-06

14. ABSTRACT A miniaturized (~1 cc) magnet -less RF electron trap for a helium ion pump is studied, addressing challenges associated with active...pump, ion pump, electron trap, magnet -less, MEMS, radiofrequency 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT 18. NUMBER OF PAGES 19a...scale ion pumps. The Penning cell structure consists of three electrodes (an anode and two cathodes) and a magnet . Planar titanium cathodes are

Fabrication and Characterization of Bi2Te3-Based Chip-Scale Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting Devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cornett, Jane; Chen, Baoxing; Haidar, Samer; Berney, Helen; McGuinness, Pat; Lane, Bill; Gao, Yuan; He, Yifan; Sun, Nian; Dunham, Marc; Asheghi, Mehdi; Goodson, Ken; Yuan, Yi; Najafi, Khalil

2017-05-01

Thermoelectric energy harvesters convert otherwise wasted heat into electrical energy. As a result, they have the potential to play a critical role in the autonomous wireless sensor network signal chain. In this paper, we present work carried out on the development of Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric chip-scale energy harvesting devices. Process flow, device demonstration and characterization are highlighted.

Array Receivers and Sound Sources for Three Dimensional Shallow Water Acoustic Field Experiments

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-12-06

upgrade included improving the SHRU clocks by utilizing chip- scale atomic clocks (CSAC), enlarging battery packs to extend the operation duration, and...instrument upgrade included improving the SHRU clocks by utilizing chip-scale atomic clocks (CSAC), enlarging battery packs to extend the operation...Changing the deployment configuration to use dual pressure housings to augment the alkaline primary battery payload to achieve the one-year duration

A Programmable and Configurable Mixed-Mode FPAA SoC

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-17

A Programmable and Configurable Mixed-Mode FPAA SoC Sahil Shah, Sihwan Kim, Farhan Adil, Jennifer Hasler, Suma George, Michelle Collins, Richard...Abstract: The authors present a Floating-Gate based, System-On-Chip large-scale Field- Programmable Analog Array IC that integrates divergent concepts...Floating-Gate, SoC, Command Word Classification This paper presents a Floating-Gate (FG) based, System- On-Chip (SoC) large-scale Field- Programmable

On-chip infrared sensors: redefining the benefits of scaling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kita, Derek; Lin, Hongtao; Agarwal, Anu; Yadav, Anupama; Richardson, Kathleen; Luzinov, Igor; Gu, Tian; Hu, Juejun

2017-03-01

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is widely recognized as a gold standard technique for chemical and biological analysis. Traditional IR spectroscopy relies on fragile bench-top instruments located in dedicated laboratory settings, and is thus not suitable for emerging field-deployed applications such as in-line industrial process control, environmental monitoring, and point-of-care diagnosis. Recent strides in photonic integration technologies provide a promising route towards enabling miniaturized, rugged platforms for IR spectroscopic analysis. It is therefore attempting to simply replace the bulky discrete optical elements used in conventional IR spectroscopy with their on-chip counterparts. This size down-scaling approach, however, cripples the system performance as both the sensitivity of spectroscopic sensors and spectral resolution of spectrometers scale with optical path length. In light of this challenge, we will discuss two novel photonic device designs uniquely capable of reaping performance benefits from microphotonic scaling. We leverage strong optical and thermal confinement in judiciously designed micro-cavities to circumvent the thermal diffusion and optical diffraction limits in conventional photothermal sensors and achieve a record 104 photothermal sensitivity enhancement. In the second example, an on-chip spectrometer design with the Fellgett's advantage is analyzed. The design enables sub-nm spectral resolution on a millimeter-sized, fully packaged chip without moving parts.

Impact of Data Transmission over 10 Gbps on High-Density and Low-Cost Optoelectronic Module with Polynorbornene Waveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ito, Yuka; Terada, Shinsuke; Arai, Shinya; Fujiwara, Makoto; Mori, Tetsuya; Choki, Koji; Fukushima, Takafumi; Koyanagi, Mitsumasa

2012-04-01

We proposed a rigid/flex optoelectronic (O/E) module with 48-channel polymeric waveguides for short-distance board-level optical interconnection. A flexible O/E test module was fabricated in the following two steps by using standard packaging processes. First, two vertical cavity surface emitting laser diodes (VCSELs) and one VCSEL driver (VD) were flip-chip bonded to a completed flexible printed circuit board (PCB), and two photodiodes (PDs) and one transimpedance amplifier/limiting amplifier (TIA/LA) to another flexible PCB. Second, the two flexible PCBs were attached with a polynorbornene (PNB) sheet in which high-density PNB waveguides were formed by UV exposure. Active areas of VCSELs and PDs on the flexible PCBs were aligned to micromirrors of the waveguides with -6 µm offset toward the signal propagation direction. We successfully demonstrated data transmission over 10 Gbps and low inter-channel crosstalk of less than -20 dB was achieved in the flexible O/E test module with 120-mm-long and 62.5-µm-pitch waveguides.

Design, processing and testing of LSI arrays, hybrid microelectronics task

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Himmel, R. P.; Stuhlbarg, S. M.; Ravetti, R. G.; Zulueta, P. J.; Rothrock, C. W.

1979-01-01

Mathematical cost models previously developed for hybrid microelectronic subsystems were refined and expanded. Rework terms related to substrate fabrication, nonrecurring developmental and manufacturing operations, and prototype production are included. Sample computer programs were written to demonstrate hybrid microelectric applications of these cost models. Computer programs were generated to calculate and analyze values for the total microelectronics costs. Large scale integrated (LST) chips utilizing tape chip carrier technology were studied. The feasibility of interconnecting arrays of LSU chips utilizing tape chip carrier and semiautomatic wire bonding technology was demonstrated.

Multi-layer topological transmissions of spoof surface plasmon polaritons.

PubMed

Pan, Bai Cao; Zhao, Jie; Liao, Zhen; Zhang, Hao Chi; Cui, Tie Jun

2016-03-04

Spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in microwave frequency provide a high field confinement in subwavelength scale and low-loss and flexible transmissions, which have been widely used in novel transmission waveguides and functional devices. To play more important roles in modern integrated circuits and systems, it is necessary and helpful for the SPP modes to propagate among different layers of devices and chips. Owing to the highly confined property and organized near-field distribution, we show that the spoof SPPs could be easily transmitted from one layer into another layer via metallic holes and arc-shaped transitions. Such designs are suitable for both the ultrathin and flexible single-strip SPP waveguide and double-strip SPP waveguide for active SPP devices. Numerical simulations and experimental results demonstrate the broadband and high-efficiency multi-layer topological transmissions with controllable absorption that is related to the superposition area of corrugated metallic strips. The transmission coefficient of single-strip SPP waveguide is no worse than -0.8 dB within frequency band from 2.67 GHz to 10.2 GHz while the transmission of double-strip SPP waveguide keeps above -1 dB within frequency band from 2.26 GHz to 11.8 GHz. The proposed method will enhance the realizations of highly complicated plasmonic integrated circuits.

Microfluidic valve array control system integrating a fluid demultiplexer circuit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawai, Kentaro; Arima, Kenta; Morita, Mizuho; Shoji, Shuichi

2015-06-01

This paper proposes an efficient control method for the large-scale integration of microvalves in microfluidic systems. The proposed method can control 2n individual microvalves with 2n + 2 control lines (where n is an integer). The on-chip valves are closed by applying pressure to a control line, similar to conventional pneumatic microvalves. Another control line closes gate valves between the control line to the on-chip valves and the on-chip valves themselves, to preserve the state of the on-chip valves. The remaining control lines select an activated gate valve. While the addressed gate valve is selected by the other control lines, the corresponding on-chip valve is actuated by applying input pressure to the control line to the on-chip valves. Using this method would substantially reduce the number of world-to-chip connectors and off-chip valve controllers. Experiments conducted using a fabricated 28 microvalve array device, comprising 256 individual on-chip valves controlled with 18 (2   ×   8 + 2) control lines, yielded switching speeds for the selected on-chip valve under 90 ms.

Development of low fat potato chips through microwave processing.

PubMed

Joshi, A; Rudra, S G; Sagar, V R; Raigond, P; Dutt, S; Singh, B; Singh, B P

2016-08-01

Since snacks high in fats are known to be a significant source of fat and energy intake, these have been put in high dietary restraint category. Therefore, an attempt was made to process potato chips through microwave processing without incorporation of any oil in potato chips. Microwave processing of potato chips was done using microwave power varying from 180 to 600 W using constant sample size. Among eleven different drying models, Parabolic model was found to be the best fit through non-linear regression analysis to illustrate drying kinetics of potato chips. The structural, textural and colour attributes of microwaved potato chips were similar to commercial fried potato chips. It was found that at 600 W after 2.5-3.0 min of processing, potato chips gained the fracturability and crispiness index as that of commercial fried chips. Microwave processing was found suitable for processing of potato chips with low fat content (~3.09 vs 35.5 % in commercial preparation) and with acceptable sensory scores (≥7.6 on 9.0 point on hedonic scale vs 8.0 of control preparation).

Effect of micro-scale texturing on the cutting tool performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasumathy, D.; Meena, Anil

2018-05-01

The present study is mainly focused on the cutting performance of the micro-scale textured carbide tools while turning AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel under dry cutting environment. The texture on the rake face of the carbide tools was fabricated by laser machining. The cutting performance of the textured tools was further compared with conventional tools in terms of cutting forces, tool wear, machined surface quality and chip curl radius. SEM and EDS analyses have been also performed to better understand the tool surface characteristics. Results show that the grooves help in breaking the tool-chip contact leading to a lesser tool-chip contact area which results in reduced iron (Fe) adhesion to the tool.

Fabrication of silicon nanowires based on-chip micro-supercapacitor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soam, Ankur; Arya, Nitin; Singh, Aniruddh; Dusane, Rajiv

2017-06-01

An on-chip micro-supercapacitor (μ-SC) based on Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) has been developed by Hot-wire chemical vapor process. First, finger patterned electrodes of Al were made on a silicon nitride coated Si wafer and SiNWs were then grown selectively on the Al electrodes. μ-SC performance has been tested in an ionic electrolyte and a capacitance of 13 μF/cm2 has been obtained by the μ-SC. The resulted μ-SC can be exploited to store the harvesting energy in micro-electro-mechanical-systems and coupled with battery for peak power leveling. Low temperature growth of SiNWs at 350 °C makes it suitable for prospective flexible electronics applications.

A short review on thermosonic flip chip bonding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suppiah, Sarveshvaran; Ong, Nestor Rubio; Sauli, Zaliman; Sarukunaselan, Karunavani; Alcain, Jesselyn Barro; Shahimin, Mukhzeer Mohamad; Retnasamy, Vithyacharan

2017-09-01

This review is to study the evolution and key findings, critical technical challenges, solutions and bonding equipment of thermosonic flip chip bonding. Based on the review done, it was found that ultrasonic power, bonding time and force are the three main critical parameters need to be optimized in order to achieve sound and reliable bonding between the die and substrate. A close monitoring of the ultrasonic power helped to prevent over bonding phenomena on flexible substrate. Gold stud bumping is commonly used in thermosonic bonding compared to solder due to its better reliability obtained in the LED and optoelectronic packages. The review comprised short details on the available thermosonic bonding equipment in the semiconductor industry as well.

Roll up nanowire battery from silicon chips

PubMed Central

Vlad, Alexandru; Reddy, Arava Leela Mohana; Ajayan, Anakha; Singh, Neelam; Gohy, Jean-François; Melinte, Sorin; Ajayan, Pulickel M.

2012-01-01

Here we report an approach to roll out Li-ion battery components from silicon chips by a continuous and repeatable etch-infiltrate-peel cycle. Vertically aligned silicon nanowires etched from recycled silicon wafers are captured in a polymer matrix that operates as Li+ gel-electrolyte and electrode separator and peeled off to make multiple battery devices out of a single wafer. Porous, electrically interconnected copper nanoshells are conformally deposited around the silicon nanowires to stabilize the electrodes over extended cycles and provide efficient current collection. Using the above developed process we demonstrate an operational full cell 3.4 V lithium-polymer silicon nanowire (LIPOSIL) battery which is mechanically flexible and scalable to large dimensions. PMID:22949696

3D integrated superconducting qubits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosenberg, D.; Kim, D.; Das, R.; Yost, D.; Gustavsson, S.; Hover, D.; Krantz, P.; Melville, A.; Racz, L.; Samach, G. O.; Weber, S. J.; Yan, F.; Yoder, J. L.; Kerman, A. J.; Oliver, W. D.

2017-10-01

As the field of quantum computing advances from the few-qubit stage to larger-scale processors, qubit addressability and extensibility will necessitate the use of 3D integration and packaging. While 3D integration is well-developed for commercial electronics, relatively little work has been performed to determine its compatibility with high-coherence solid-state qubits. Of particular concern, qubit coherence times can be suppressed by the requisite processing steps and close proximity of another chip. In this work, we use a flip-chip process to bond a chip with superconducting flux qubits to another chip containing structures for qubit readout and control. We demonstrate that high qubit coherence (T1, T2,echo > 20 μs) is maintained in a flip-chip geometry in the presence of galvanic, capacitive, and inductive coupling between the chips.

Pulp Chip Quality from In-woods Chippers Coupled with Chain Flail Delimbers-Debarkers: Does it Match Conventional Woodyard Quality?

Treesearch

W.F. Watson; A.A. Twaddle; B.J. Stokes

1991-01-01

Chain flail delimber-debarkers have gained a degree of acceptance in the Southern USA, especially for processing thinnings from pine plantations. TIzis Technical Release compares the quality of chips produced by in-woods chippers teamed with chain flail delimber-debarkers, with chips produced in conventional large-scale woodyards, to be a guideline as to what may occur...

Microfluidic chip integrated with flexible PDMS-based electrochemical cytosensor for dynamic analysis of drug-induced apoptosis on HeLa cells.

PubMed

Cao, Jun-Tao; Zhu, Ying-Di; Rana, Rohit Kumar; Zhu, Jun-Jie

2014-01-15

A novel microfluidic platform integrated with a flexible PDMS-based electrochemical cytosensor was developed for real-time monitoring of the proliferation and apoptosis of HeLa cells. The PDMS-gold film, which had a conductive smooth surface and was semi-transparent, facilitated electrochemical measurements and optical microscope observations. We observed distinct increases and decreases in peak current intensity, corresponding to cell proliferation in culture medium and apoptosis in the presence of an anticancer drug, respectively. This electrochemical analysis method permitted real-time, label-free monitoring of cell behavior, and the electrochemical results were confirmed with optical microscopy. The flexible microfluidic electrochemical platform presented here is suitable for on-site monitoring of cell behavior in microenvironments. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Microfluidic Synthesis of Hybrid Nanoparticles with Controlled Lipid Layers: Understanding Flexibility-Regulated Cell-Nanoparticle Interaction.

PubMed

Zhang, Lu; Feng, Qiang; Wang, Jiuling; Zhang, Shuai; Ding, Baoquan; Wei, Yujie; Dong, Mingdong; Ryu, Ji-Young; Yoon, Tae-Young; Shi, Xinghua; Sun, Jiashu; Jiang, Xingyu

2015-10-27

The functionalized lipid shell of hybrid nanoparticles plays an important role for improving their biocompatibility and in vivo stability. Yet few efforts have been made to critically examine the shell structure of nanoparticles and its effect on cell-particle interaction. Here we develop a microfluidic chip allowing for the synthesis of structurally well-defined lipid-polymer nanoparticles of the same sizes, but covered with either lipid-monolayer-shell (MPs, monolayer nanoparticles) or lipid-bilayer-shell (BPs, bilayer nanoparticles). Atomic force microscope and atomistic simulations reveal that MPs have a lower flexibility than BPs, resulting in a more efficient cellular uptake and thus anticancer effect than BPs do. This flexibility-regulated cell-particle interaction may have important implications for designing drug nanocarriers.

System on a Chip (SoC) Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

LaBel, Kenneth A.

2010-01-01

System-on-a-chip or system on chip (SoC or SOC) refers to integrating all components of a computer or other electronic system into a single integrated circuit (chip). It may contain digital, analog, mixed-signal, and often radio-frequency functions all on a single chip substrate. Complexity drives it all: Radiation tolerance and testability are challenges for fault isolation, propagation, and validation. Bigger single silicon die than flown before and technology is scaling below 90nm (new qual methods). Packages have changed and are bigger and more difficult to inspect, test, and understand. Add in embedded passives. Material interfaces are more complex (underfills, processing). New rules for board layouts. Mechanical and thermal designs, etc.

SPIDR, a general-purpose readout system for pixel ASICs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Heijden, B.; Visser, J.; van Beuzekom, M.; Boterenbrood, H.; Kulis, S.; Munneke, B.; Schreuder, F.

2017-02-01

The SPIDR (Speedy PIxel Detector Readout) system is a flexible general-purpose readout platform that can be easily adapted to test and characterize new and existing detector readout ASICs. It is originally designed for the readout of pixel ASICs from the Medipix/Timepix family, but other types of ASICs or front-end circuits can be read out as well. The SPIDR system consists of an FPGA board with memory and various communication interfaces, FPGA firmware, CPU subsystem and an API library on the PC . The FPGA firmware can be adapted to read out other ASICs by re-using IP blocks. The available IP blocks include a UDP packet builder, 1 and 10 Gigabit Ethernet MAC's and a "soft core" CPU . Currently the firmware is targeted at the Xilinx VC707 development board and at a custom board called Compact-SPIDR . The firmware can easily be ported to other Xilinx 7 series and ultra scale FPGAs. The gap between an ASIC and the data acquisition back-end is bridged by the SPIDR system. Using the high pin count VITA 57 FPGA Mezzanine Card (FMC) connector only a simple chip carrier PCB is required. A 1 and a 10 Gigabit Ethernet interface handle the connection to the back-end. These can be used simultaneously for high-speed data and configuration over separate channels. In addition to the FMC connector, configurable inputs and outputs are available for synchronization with other detectors. A high resolution (≈ 27 ps bin size) Time to Digital converter is provided for time stamping events in the detector. The SPIDR system is frequently used as readout for the Medipix3 and Timepix3 ASICs. Using the 10 Gigabit Ethernet interface it is possible to read out a single chip at full bandwidth or up to 12 chips at a reduced rate. Another recent application is the test-bed for the VeloPix ASIC, which is developed for the Vertex Detector of the LHCb experiment. In this case the SPIDR system processes the 20 Gbps scrambled data stream from the VeloPix and distributes it over four 10 Gigabit Ethernet links, and in addition provides the slow and fast control for the chip.

Transportable GPU (General Processor Units) chip set technology for standard computer architectures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fosdick, R. E.; Denison, H. C.

1982-11-01

The USAFR-developed GPU Chip Set has been utilized by Tracor to implement both USAF and Navy Standard 16-Bit Airborne Computer Architectures. Both configurations are currently being delivered into DOD full-scale development programs. Leadless Hermetic Chip Carrier packaging has facilitated implementation of both architectures on single 41/2 x 5 substrates. The CMOS and CMOS/SOS implementations of the GPU Chip Set have allowed both CPU implementations to use less than 3 watts of power each. Recent efforts by Tracor for USAF have included the definition of a next-generation GPU Chip Set that will retain the application-proven architecture of the current chip set while offering the added cost advantages of transportability across ISO-CMOS and CMOS/SOS processes and across numerous semiconductor manufacturers using a newly-defined set of common design rules. The Enhanced GPU Chip Set will increase speed by an approximate factor of 3 while significantly reducing chip counts and costs of standard CPU implementations.

A review of digital microfluidics as portable platforms for lab-on a-chip applications.

PubMed

Samiei, Ehsan; Tabrizian, Maryam; Hoorfar, Mina

2016-07-07

Following the development of microfluidic systems, there has been a high tendency towards developing lab-on-a-chip devices for biochemical applications. A great deal of effort has been devoted to improve and advance these devices with the goal of performing complete sets of biochemical assays on the device and possibly developing portable platforms for point of care applications. Among the different microfluidic systems used for such a purpose, digital microfluidics (DMF) shows high flexibility and capability of performing multiplex and parallel biochemical operations, and hence, has been considered as a suitable candidate for lab-on-a-chip applications. In this review, we discuss the most recent advances in the DMF platforms, and evaluate the feasibility of developing multifunctional packages for performing complete sets of processes of biochemical assays, particularly for point-of-care applications. The progress in the development of DMF systems is reviewed from eight different aspects, including device fabrication, basic fluidic operations, automation, manipulation of biological samples, advanced operations, detection, biological applications, and finally, packaging and portability of the DMF devices. Success in developing the lab-on-a-chip DMF devices will be concluded based on the advances achieved in each of these aspects.

A Low-Power High-Dynamic-Range Receiver System for In-Probe 3-D Ultrasonic Imaging.

PubMed

Attarzadeh, Hourieh; Xu, Ye; Ytterdal, Trond

2017-10-01

In this paper, a dual-mode low-power, high dynamic-range receiver circuit is designed for the interface with a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer. The proposed ultrasound receiver chip enables the development of an in-probe digital beamforming imaging system. The flexibility of having two operation modes offers a high dynamic range with minimum power sacrifice. A prototype of the chip containing one receive channel, with one variable transimpedance amplifier (TIA) and one analog to digital converter (ADC) circuit is implemented. Combining variable gain TIA functionality with ADC gain settings achieves an enhanced overall high dynamic range, while low power dissipation is maintained. The chip is designed and fabricated in a 65 nm standard CMOS process technology. The test chip occupies an area of 76[Formula: see text] 170 [Formula: see text]. A total average power range of 60-240 [Formula: see text] for a sampling frequency of 30 MHz, and a center frequency of 5 MHz is measured. An instantaneous dynamic range of 50.5 dB with an overall dynamic range of 72 dB is obtained from the receiver circuit.

Three-dimensional integrated circuits for lab-on-chip dielectrophoresis of nanometer scale particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dickerson, Samuel J.; Noyola, Arnaldo J.; Levitan, Steven P.; Chiarulli, Donald M.

2007-01-01

In this paper, we present a mixed-technology micro-system for electronically manipulating and optically detecting virusscale particles in fluids that is designed using 3D integrated circuit technology. During the 3D fabrication process, the top-most chip tier is assembled upside down and the substrate material is removed. This places the polysilicon layer, which is used to create geometries with the process' minimum feature size, in close proximity to a fluid channel etched into the top of the stack. By taking advantage of these processing features inherent to "3D chip-stacking" technology, we create electrode arrays that have a gap spacing of 270 nm. Using 3D CMOS technology also provides the ability to densely integrate analog and digital control circuitry for the electrodes by using the additional levels of the chip stack. We show simulations of the system with a physical model of a Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus, which has a radius of approximately 125 nm, being dielectrophoretically arranged into striped patterns. We also discuss how these striped patterns of trapped nanometer scale particles create an effective diffraction grating which can then be sensed with macro-scale optical techniques.

Digital PCR on an integrated self-priming compartmentalization chip.

PubMed

Zhu, Qiangyuan; Qiu, Lin; Yu, Bingwen; Xu, Yanan; Gao, Yibo; Pan, Tingting; Tian, Qingchang; Song, Qi; Jin, Wei; Jin, Qinhan; Mu, Ying

2014-03-21

An integrated on-chip valve-free and power-free microfluidic digital PCR device is for the first time developed by making use of a novel self-priming compartmentalization and simple dehydration control to realize 'divide and conquer' for single DNA molecule detection. The high gas solubility of PDMS is exploited to provide the built-in power of self-priming so that the sample and oil are sequentially sucked into the device to realize sample self-compartmentalization based on surface tension. The lifespan of its self-priming capability was about two weeks tested using an air-tight packaging bottle sealed with a small amount of petroleum jelly, which is significant for a practical platform. The SPC chip contains 5120 independent 5 nL microchambers, allowing the samples to be compartmentalized completely. Using this platform, three different abundances of lung cancer related genes are detected to demonstrate the feasibility and flexibility of the microchip for amplifying a single nucleic acid molecule. For maximal accuracy, within less than 5% of the measurement deviation, the optimal number of positive chambers is between 400 and 1250 evaluated by the Poisson distribution, which means one panel can detect an average of 480 to 4804 template molecules. This device without world-to-chip connections eliminates the constraint of the complex pipeline control, and is an integrated on-chip platform, which would be a significant improvement to digital PCR automation and more user-friendly.

Electrogates for stop-and-go control of liquid flow in microfluidics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arango, Y.; Temiz, Y.; Gökçe, O.; Delamarche, E.

2018-04-01

Diagnostics based on microfluidic devices necessitate specific reagents, flow conditions, and kinetics for optimal performance. Such an optimization is often achieved using assay-specific microfluidic chip designs or systems with external liquid pumps. Here, we present "electrogates" for stop-and-go control of flow of liquids in capillary-driven microfluidic chips by combining liquid pinning and electrowetting. Electrogates are simple to fabricate and efficient: a sample pipetted to a microfluidic chip flows autonomously in 15-μm-deep hydrophilic channels until the liquid meniscus is pinned at the edge of a 1.5-μm-deep trench patterned at the bottom of a rectangular microchannel. The flow can then be resumed by applying a DC voltage between the liquid and the trench via integrated electrodes. Using a trench geometry with a semicircular shape, we show that retention times longer than 30 min are achieved for various aqueous solutions such as biological buffers, artificial urine, and human serum. We studied the activation voltage and activation delay of electrogates using a chip architecture having 6 independent flow paths and experimentally showed that the flow can be resumed in less than 1 s for voltages smaller than 10 V, making this technique compatible with low-power and portable microfluidic systems. Electrogates therefore can make capillary-driven microfluidic chips very versatile by adding flow control in microfluidic channels in a flexible manner.

Low-temperature direct bonding of glass nanofluidic chips using a two-step plasma surface activation process.

PubMed

Xu, Yan; Wang, Chenxi; Dong, Yiyang; Li, Lixiao; Jang, Kihoon; Mawatari, Kazuma; Suga, Tadatomo; Kitamori, Takehiko

2012-01-01

Owing to the well-established nanochannel fabrication technology in 2D nanoscales with high resolution, reproducibility, and flexibility, glass is the leading, ideal, and unsubstitutable material for the fabrication of nanofluidic chips. However, high temperature (~1,000 °C) and a vacuum condition are usually required in the conventional fusion bonding process, unfortunately impeding the nanofluidic applications and even the development of the whole field of nanofluidics. We present a direct bonding of fused silica glass nanofluidic chips at low temperature, around 200 °C in ambient air, through a two-step plasma surface activation process which consists of an O(2) reactive ion etching plasma treatment followed by a nitrogen microwave radical activation. The low-temperature bonded glass nanofluidic chips not only had high bonding strength but also could work continuously without leakage during liquid introduction driven by air pressure even at 450 kPa, a very high pressure which can meet the requirements of most nanofluidic operations. Owing to the mild conditions required in the bonding process, the method has the potential to allow the integration of a range of functional elements into nanofluidic chips during manufacture, which is nearly impossible in the conventional high-temperature fusion bonding process. Therefore, we believe that the developed low-temperature bonding would be very useful and contribute to the field of nanofluidics.

Low temperature fluidized wood chip drying with monoterpene analysis

Treesearch

Bridget N. Bero; Alarick Reiboldt; Ward Davis; Natalie Bedard; Evan Russell

2011-01-01

This paper describes the drying of ponderosa pine wood chips at low (20°C and 50°C) temperatures using a bench-scale batch pulsed fluidizer to evaluate both volatile pine oils (monoterpenes) and moisture losses during drying.

In situ 3D nanoprinting of free-form coupling elements for hybrid photonic integration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dietrich, P.-I.; Blaicher, M.; Reuter, I.; Billah, M.; Hoose, T.; Hofmann, A.; Caer, C.; Dangel, R.; Offrein, B.; Troppenz, U.; Moehrle, M.; Freude, W.; Koos, C.

2018-04-01

Hybrid photonic integration combines complementary advantages of different material platforms, offering superior performance and flexibility compared with monolithic approaches. This applies in particular to multi-chip concepts, where components can be individually optimized and tested. The assembly of such systems, however, requires expensive high-precision alignment and adaptation of optical mode profiles. We show that these challenges can be overcome by in situ printing of facet-attached beam-shaping elements. Our approach allows precise adaptation of vastly dissimilar mode profiles and permits alignment tolerances compatible with cost-efficient passive assembly techniques. We demonstrate a selection of beam-shaping elements at chip and fibre facets, achieving coupling efficiencies of up to 88% between edge-emitting lasers and single-mode fibres. We also realize printed free-form mirrors that simultaneously adapt beam shape and propagation direction, and we explore multi-lens systems for beam expansion. The concept paves the way to automated assembly of photonic multi-chip systems with unprecedented performance and versatility.

Optimized holographic femtosecond laser patterning method towards rapid integration of high-quality functional devices in microchannels.

PubMed

Zhang, Chenchu; Hu, Yanlei; Du, Wenqiang; Wu, Peichao; Rao, Shenglong; Cai, Ze; Lao, Zhaoxin; Xu, Bing; Ni, Jincheng; Li, Jiawen; Zhao, Gang; Wu, Dong; Chu, Jiaru; Sugioka, Koji

2016-09-13

Rapid integration of high-quality functional devices in microchannels is in highly demand for miniature lab-on-a-chip applications. This paper demonstrates the embellishment of existing microfluidic devices with integrated micropatterns via femtosecond laser MRAF-based holographic patterning (MHP) microfabrication, which proves two-photon polymerization (TPP) based on spatial light modulator (SLM) to be a rapid and powerful technology for chip functionalization. Optimized mixed region amplitude freedom (MRAF) algorithm has been used to generate high-quality shaped focus field. Base on the optimized parameters, a single-exposure approach is developed to fabricate 200 × 200 μm microstructure arrays in less than 240 ms. Moreover, microtraps, QR code and letters are integrated into a microdevice by the advanced method for particles capture and device identification. These results indicate that such a holographic laser embellishment of microfluidic devices is simple, flexible and easy to access, which has great potential in lab-on-a-chip applications of biological culture, chemical analyses and optofluidic devices.

Optimized holographic femtosecond laser patterning method towards rapid integration of high-quality functional devices in microchannels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Chenchu; Hu, Yanlei; Du, Wenqiang; Wu, Peichao; Rao, Shenglong; Cai, Ze; Lao, Zhaoxin; Xu, Bing; Ni, Jincheng; Li, Jiawen; Zhao, Gang; Wu, Dong; Chu, Jiaru; Sugioka, Koji

2016-09-01

Rapid integration of high-quality functional devices in microchannels is in highly demand for miniature lab-on-a-chip applications. This paper demonstrates the embellishment of existing microfluidic devices with integrated micropatterns via femtosecond laser MRAF-based holographic patterning (MHP) microfabrication, which proves two-photon polymerization (TPP) based on spatial light modulator (SLM) to be a rapid and powerful technology for chip functionalization. Optimized mixed region amplitude freedom (MRAF) algorithm has been used to generate high-quality shaped focus field. Base on the optimized parameters, a single-exposure approach is developed to fabricate 200 × 200 μm microstructure arrays in less than 240 ms. Moreover, microtraps, QR code and letters are integrated into a microdevice by the advanced method for particles capture and device identification. These results indicate that such a holographic laser embellishment of microfluidic devices is simple, flexible and easy to access, which has great potential in lab-on-a-chip applications of biological culture, chemical analyses and optofluidic devices.

Detection of M. tuberculosis using DNA chips combined with an image analysis system.

PubMed

Huang, T-S; Liu, Y-C; Bair, C-H; Sy, C-L; Chen, Y-S; Tu, H-Z; Chen, B-C

2008-01-01

To develop a packaged DNA chip assay (the DR. MTBC Screen assay) for direct detection of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. We described a DNA chip assay based on the IS6110 gene that can be used for the detection of M. tuberculosis complex. Probes were spotted onto the polystyrene strips in the wells of 96-well microtitre plates and used for hybridisation with biotin-labelled amplicon to yield a pattern of visualised positive spots. The plate image was scanned, analysed and interpreted automatically. The results corresponded well with those obtained by conventional culture as well as clinical diagnosis, with sensitivity and specificity rates of respectively 83.8% and 94.2%, and 84.6% and 96.3%. We conclude that the DR. MTBC Screen assay can detect M. tuberculosis complex rapidly in respiratory specimens, readily adapts to routine work and provides a flexible choice to meet different cost-effectiveness and automation needs in TB-endemic countries. The cost for reagents is around US$10 per sample.

Scalable, efficient ASICS for the square kilometre array: From A/D conversion to central correlation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmatz, M. L.; Jongerius, R.; Dittmann, G.; Anghel, A.; Engbersen, T.; van Lunteren, J.; Buchmann, P.

2014-05-01

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is a future radio telescope, currently being designed by the worldwide radio-astronomy community. During the first of two construction phases, more than 250,000 antennas will be deployed, clustered in aperture-array stations. The antennas will generate 2.5 Pb/s of data, which needs to be processed in real time. For the processing stages from A/D conversion to central correlation, we propose an ASIC solution using only three chip architectures. The architecture is scalable - additional chips support additional antennas or beams - and versatile - it can relocate its receiver band within a range of a few MHz up to 4GHz. This flexibility makes it applicable to both SKA phases 1 and 2. The proposed chips implement an antenna and station processor for 289 antennas with a power consumption on the order of 600W and a correlator, including corner turn, for 911 stations on the order of 90 kW.

Multilayer based lab-on-a-chip-systems for substance testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sonntag, Frank; Grünzner, Stefan; Schmieder, Florian; Busek, Mathias; Klotzbach, Udo; Franke, Volker

2015-03-01

An integrated technology chain for laser-microstructuring and bonding of polymer foils for fast, flexible and low-cost manufacturing of multilayer lab-on-a-chip devices especially for complex cell and tissue culture applications, which provides pulsatile fluid flow within physiological ranges at low media-to-cells ratio, was developed and established. Initially the microfluidic system is constructively divided into individual layers which are formed by separate foils or plates. Based on the functional boundary conditions and the necessary properties of each layer the corresponding foils and plates are chosen. In the third step the foils and plates are laser microstructured and functionalized from both sides. In the fourth and last manufacturing step the multiple plates and foils are joined using thermal diffusion bonding. Membranes for pneumatically driven valves and micropumps where bonded via chemical surface modification. Based on the established lab-on-a-chip platform for perfused cell-based assays, a multilayer microfluidic system with two parallel connected cell culture chambers was successfully implemented.

On-Chip Fluorescence Switching System for Constructing a Rewritable Random Access Data Storage Device.

PubMed

Nguyen, Hoang Hiep; Park, Jeho; Hwang, Seungwoo; Kwon, Oh Seok; Lee, Chang-Soo; Shin, Yong-Beom; Ha, Tai Hwan; Kim, Moonil

2018-01-10

We report the development of on-chip fluorescence switching system based on DNA strand displacement and DNA hybridization for the construction of a rewritable and randomly accessible data storage device. In this study, the feasibility and potential effectiveness of our proposed system was evaluated with a series of wet experiments involving 40 bits (5 bytes) of data encoding a 5-charactered text (KRIBB). Also, a flexible data rewriting function was achieved by converting fluorescence signals between "ON" and "OFF" through DNA strand displacement and hybridization events. In addition, the proposed system was successfully validated on a microfluidic chip which could further facilitate the encoding and decoding process of data. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of DNA hybridization and DNA strand displacement in the field of data storage devices. Taken together, our results demonstrated that DNA-based fluorescence switching could be applicable to construct a rewritable and randomly accessible data storage device through controllable DNA manipulations.

FInal Technical Repot of the Project: Design and Implementation of Low-Power 10Gb/s/channel Laser/Silicon Photonics Modulator Drivers with SEU Tolerance for HL-LHC

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

Gui, Ping

During the funding period of this award from May 1, 2014 through March 30, 2016, we have accomplished the design, implementation and measurement results of two laser driver chips: LpGBLD10+ which is a low-power single-channel 10Gb/s laser driver IC, and LDQ10P, which is a 4x10Gb/s driver array chip for High Energy Physics (HEP) applications. With new circuit techniques, the driver consumes a record-low power consumption, 31 mW @10Gb/s/channel and occupies a small area of 400 µm × 1750 µm for the single-channel driver IC and 1900umx1700um for the LDQ10P chip. These characteristics allow for both the LpGBLD10+ ICs and LDQ10P suitable candidatemore » for the Versatile Link PLUS (VL+) project, offering flexibility in configuring multiple Transmitters and receivers.« less

Beam test results of a monolithic pixel sensor in the 0.18 μm tower-jazz technology with high resistivity epitaxial layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mattiazzo, S.; Aimo, I.; Baudot, J.; Bedda, C.; La Rocca, P.; Perez, A.; Riggi, F.; Spiriti, E.

2015-10-01

The ALICE experiment at CERN will undergo a major upgrade in the second Long LHC Shutdown in the years 2018-2019; this upgrade includes the full replacement of the Inner Tracking System (ITS), deploying seven layers of Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors (MAPS). For the development of the new ALICE ITS, the Tower-Jazz 0.18 μm CMOS imaging sensor process has been chosen as it is possible to use full CMOS in the pixel and different silicon wafers (including high resistivity epitaxial layers). A large test campaign has been carried out on several small prototype chips, designed to optimize the pixel sensor layout and the front-end electronics. Results match the target requirements both in terms of performance and of radiation hardness. Following this development, the first full scale chips have been designed, submitted and are currently under test, with promising results. A telescope composed of 4 planes of Mimosa-28 and 2 planes of Mimosa-18 chips is under development at the DAFNE Beam Test Facility (BTF) at the INFN Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati (LNF) in Italy with the final goal to perform a comparative test of the full scale prototypes. The telescope has been recently used to test a Mimosa-22THRb chip (a monolithic pixel sensor built in the 0.18 μm Tower-Jazz process) and we foresee to perform tests on the full scale chips for the ALICE ITS upgrade at the beginning of 2015. In this contribution we will describe some first measurements of spatial resolution, fake hit rate and detection efficiency of the Mimosa-22THRb chip obtained at the BTF facility in June 2014 with an electron beam of 500 MeV.

Recent lab-on-chip developments for novel drug discovery.

PubMed

Khalid, Nauman; Kobayashi, Isao; Nakajima, Mitsutoshi

2017-07-01

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and micro total analysis systems (μTAS) revolutionized the biochemical and electronic industries, and this miniaturization process became a key driver for many markets. Now, it is a driving force for innovations in life sciences, diagnostics, analytical sciences, and chemistry, which are called 'lab-on-a-chip, (LOC)' devices. The use of these devices allows the development of fast, portable, and easy-to-use systems with a high level of functional integration for applications such as point-of-care diagnostics, forensics, the analysis of biomolecules, environmental or food analysis, and drug development. In this review, we report on the latest developments in fabrication methods and production methodologies to tailor LOC devices. A brief overview of scale-up strategies is also presented together with their potential applications in drug delivery and discovery. The impact of LOC devices on drug development and discovery has been extensively reviewed in the past. The current research focuses on fast and accurate detection of genomics, cell mutations and analysis, drug delivery, and discovery. The current research also differentiates the LOC devices into new terminology of microengineering, like organ-on-a-chip, stem cells-on-a-chip, human-on-a-chip, and body-on-a-chip. Key challenges will be the transfer of fabricated LOC devices from lab-scale to industrial large-scale production. Moreover, extensive toxicological studies are needed to justify the use of microfabricated drug delivery vehicles in biological systems. It will also be challenging to transfer the in vitro findings to suitable and promising in vivo models. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2017, 9:e1381. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1381 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chip-scale white flip-chip light-emitting diode containing indium phosphide/zinc selenide quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Bingfeng; Yan, Linchao; Lao, Yuqin; Ma, Yanfei; Chen, Zimin; Ma, Xuejin; Zhuo, Yi; Pei, Yanli; Wang, Gang

2017-08-01

A method for preparing a quantum dot (QD)-white light-emitting diode (WLED) is reported. Holes were etched in the SiO2 layer deposited on the sapphire substrate of the flip-chip LED by inductively coupled plasma, and these holes were then filled with QDs. An ultraviolet-curable resin was then spin-coated on top of the QD-containing SiO2 layer, and the resin was cured to act as a protecting layer. The reflective sidewall structure minimized sidelight leakage. The fabrication of the QD-WLED is simple in preparation and compatible with traditional LED processes, which was the minimum size of the WLED chip-scale integrated package. InP/ZnS core-shell QDs were used as the converter in the WLED. A blue light-emitting diode with a flip-chip structure was used as the excitation source. The QD-WLED exhibited color temperatures from 5900 to 6400 K and Commission Internationale De L'Elcairage color coordinates from (0.315, 0.325) to (0.325, 0.317), under drive currents from 100 to 400 mA. The QD-WLED exhibited stable optoelectronic properties.

Quantum interference in heterogeneous superconducting-photonic circuits on a silicon chip

PubMed Central

Schuck, C.; Guo, X.; Fan, L.; Ma, X.; Poot, M.; Tang, H. X.

2016-01-01

Quantum information processing holds great promise for communicating and computing data efficiently. However, scaling current photonic implementation approaches to larger system size remains an outstanding challenge for realizing disruptive quantum technology. Two main ingredients of quantum information processors are quantum interference and single-photon detectors. Here we develop a hybrid superconducting-photonic circuit system to show how these elements can be combined in a scalable fashion on a silicon chip. We demonstrate the suitability of this approach for integrated quantum optics by interfering and detecting photon pairs directly on the chip with waveguide-coupled single-photon detectors. Using a directional coupler implemented with silicon nitride nanophotonic waveguides, we observe 97% interference visibility when measuring photon statistics with two monolithically integrated superconducting single-photon detectors. The photonic circuit and detector fabrication processes are compatible with standard semiconductor thin-film technology, making it possible to implement more complex and larger scale quantum photonic circuits on silicon chips. PMID:26792424

Low loss hollow-core waveguide on a silicon substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Weijian; Ferrara, James; Grutter, Karen; Yeh, Anthony; Chase, Chris; Yue, Yang; Willner, Alan E.; Wu, Ming C.; Chang-Hasnain, Connie J.

2012-07-01

Optical-fiber-based, hollow-core waveguides (HCWs) have opened up many new applications in laser surgery, gas sensors, and non-linear optics. Chip-scale HCWs are desirable because they are compact, light-weight and can be integrated with other devices into systems-on-a-chip. However, their progress has been hindered by the lack of a low loss waveguide architecture. Here, a completely new waveguiding concept is demonstrated using two planar, parallel, silicon-on-insulator wafers with high-contrast subwavelength gratings to reflect light in-between. We report a record low optical loss of 0.37 dB/cm for a 9-μm waveguide, mode-matched to a single mode fiber. Two-dimensional light confinement is experimentally realized without sidewalls in the HCWs, which is promising for ultrafast sensing response with nearly instantaneous flow of gases or fluids. This unique waveguide geometry establishes an entirely new scheme for low-cost chip-scale sensor arrays and lab-on-a-chip applications.

A monolithically integrated polarization entangled photon pair source on a silicon chip

PubMed Central

Matsuda, Nobuyuki; Le Jeannic, Hanna; Fukuda, Hiroshi; Tsuchizawa, Tai; Munro, William John; Shimizu, Kaoru; Yamada, Koji; Tokura, Yasuhiro; Takesue, Hiroki

2012-01-01

Integrated photonic circuits are one of the most promising platforms for large-scale photonic quantum information systems due to their small physical size and stable interferometers with near-perfect lateral-mode overlaps. Since many quantum information protocols are based on qubits defined by the polarization of photons, we must develop integrated building blocks to generate, manipulate, and measure the polarization-encoded quantum state on a chip. The generation unit is particularly important. Here we show the first integrated polarization-entangled photon pair source on a chip. We have implemented the source as a simple and stable silicon-on-insulator photonic circuit that generates an entangled state with 91 ± 2% fidelity. The source is equipped with versatile interfaces for silica-on-silicon or other types of waveguide platforms that accommodate the polarization manipulation and projection devices as well as pump light sources. Therefore, we are ready for the full-scale implementation of photonic quantum information systems on a chip. PMID:23150781

Low Voltage Electrowetting-on-Dielectric Platform using Multi-Layer Insulators

PubMed Central

Lin, Yan-You; Evans, Randall D.; Welch, Erin; Hsu, Bang-Ning; Madison, Andrew C.; Fair, Richard B.

2010-01-01

A low voltage, two-level-metal, and multi-layer insulator electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWD) platform is presented. Dispensing 300pl droplets from 140nl closed on-chip reservoirs was accomplished with as little as 11.4V solely through EWD forces, and the actuation threshold voltage was 7.2V with a 1Hz voltage switching rate between electrodes. EWD devices were fabricated with a multilayer insulator consisting of 135nm sputtered tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) and 180nm parylene C coated with 70nm of CYTOP. Furthermore, the minimum actuation threshold voltage followed a previously published scaling model for the threshold voltage, VT, which is proportional to (t/εr)1/2, where t and εr are the insulator thickness and dielectric constant respectively. Device threshold voltages are compared for several insulator thicknesses (200nm, 500nm, and 1µm), different dielectric materials (parylene C and tantalum pentoxide), and homogeneous versus heterogeneous compositions. Additionally, we used a two-level-metal fabrication process, which enables the fabrication of smaller and denser electrodes with high interconnect routing flexibility. We also have achieved low dispensing and actuation voltages for scaled devices with 30pl droplets. PMID:20953362

DNA Microarray for Rapid Detection and Identification of Food and Water Borne Bacteria: From Dry to Wet Lab.

PubMed

Ranjbar, Reza; Behzadi, Payam; Najafi, Ali; Roudi, Raheleh

2017-01-01

A rapid, accurate, flexible and reliable diagnostic method may significantly decrease the costs of diagnosis and treatment. Designing an appropriate microarray chip reduces noises and probable biases in the final result. The aim of this study was to design and construct a DNA Microarray Chip for a rapid detection and identification of 10 important bacterial agents. In the present survey, 10 unique genomic regions relating to 10 pathogenic bacterial agents including Escherichia coli (E.coli), Shigella boydii, Sh.dysenteriae, Sh.flexneri, Sh.sonnei, Salmonella typhi, S.typhimurium, Brucella sp., Legionella pneumophila, and Vibrio cholera were selected for designing specific long oligo microarray probes. For this reason, the in-silico operations including utilization of the NCBI RefSeq database, Servers of PanSeq and Gview, AlleleID 7.7 and Oligo Analyzer 3.1 was done. On the other hand, the in-vitro part of the study comprised stages of robotic microarray chip probe spotting, bacterial DNAs extraction and DNA labeling, hybridization and microarray chip scanning. In wet lab section, different tools and apparatus such as Nexterion® Slide E, Qarray mini spotter, NimbleGen kit, TrayMix TM S4, and Innoscan 710 were used. A DNA microarray chip including 10 long oligo microarray probes was designed and constructed for detection and identification of 10 pathogenic bacteria. The DNA microarray chip was capable to identify all 10 bacterial agents tested simultaneously. The presence of a professional bioinformatician as a probe designer is needed to design appropriate multifunctional microarray probes to increase the accuracy of the outcomes.

Detecting High Leadership Potential and Promoting Talent: An Example of an Evidence-Based Approach in a French Blue-Chip Company

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hicheri, Ida Gennari-El; Caroff, Xavier; Paroche, Pauline; Chemolle, Elise; Lubart, Todd

2013-01-01

In a time of economic turmoil, finding executive managers with high potential is increasingly important in the business world. Structural constraints (such as flexibility and reactivity linked to constant environmental change), and demographic trends (such as replacement of leaders who retire) are two challenges, among others, that companies have…

Chip-on-the-tip compact flexible endoscopic epifluorescence video-microscope for in-vivo imaging in medicine and biomedical research

PubMed Central

Matz, Gregor; Messerschmidt, Bernhard; Göbel, Werner; Filser, Severin; Betz, Christian S.; Kirsch, Matthias; Uckermann, Ortrud; Kunze, Marcel; Flämig, Sven; Ehrhardt, André; Irion, Klaus-Martin; Haack, Mareike; Dorostkar, Mario M.; Herms, Jochen; Gross, Herbert

2017-01-01

We demonstrate a 60 mg light video-endomicroscope with a cylindrical shape of the rigid tip of only 1.6 mm diameter and 6.7 mm length. A novel implementation method of the illumination unit in the endomicroscope is presented. It allows for the illumination of the biological sample with fiber-coupled LED light at 455 nm and the imaging of the red-shifted fluorescence light above 500 nm in epi-direction. A large numerical aperture of 0.7 leads to a sub-cellular resolution and yields to high-contrast images within a field of view of 160 μm. A miniaturized chip-on-the-tip CMOS image sensor with more than 150,000 pixels captures the multicolor images at 30 fps. Considering size, plug-and-play capability, optical performance, flexibility and weight, we hence present a probe which sets a new benchmark in the field of epifluorescence endomicroscopes. Several ex-vivo and in-vivo experiments in rodents and humans suggest future application in biomedical fields, especially in the neuroscience community, as well as in medical applications targeting optical biopsies or the detection of cellular anomalies. PMID:28717570

Self-priming compartmentalization digital LAMP for point-of-care.

PubMed

Zhu, Qiangyuan; Gao, Yibo; Yu, Bingwen; Ren, Hao; Qiu, Lin; Han, Sihai; Jin, Wei; Jin, Qinhan; Mu, Ying

2012-11-21

Digital nucleic acid amplification provides unprecedented opportunities for absolute nucleic acid quantification by counting of single molecules. This technique is useful for molecular genetic analysis in cancer, stem cell, bacterial, non-invasive prenatal diagnosis in which many biologists are interested. This paper describes a self-priming compartmentalization (SPC) microfluidic chip platform for performing digital loop-mediated amplification (LAMP). The energy for the pumping is pre-stored in the degassed bulk PDMS by exploiting the high gas solubility of PDMS; therefore, no additional structures other than channels and reservoirs are required. The sample and oil are sequentially sucked into the channels, and the pressure difference of gas dissolved in PDMS allows sample self-compartmentalization without the need for further chip manipulation such as with pneumatic microvalves and control systems, and so on. The SPC digital LAMP chip can be used like a 384-well plate, so, the world-to-chip fluidic interconnections are avoided. The microfluidic chip contains 4 separate panels, each panel contains 1200 independent 6 nL chambers and can be used to detect 4 samples simultaneously. Digital LAMP on the microfluidic chip was tested quantitatively by using β-actin DNA from humans. The self-priming compartmentalization behavior is roughly predictable using a two-dimensional model. The uniformity of compartmentalization was analyzed by fluorescent intensity and fraction of volume. The results showed that the feasibility and flexibility of the microfluidic chip platform for amplifying single nucleic acid molecules in different chambers made by diluting and distributing sample solutions. The SPC chip has the potential to meet the requirements of a general laboratory: power-free, valve-free, operating at isothermal temperature, inexpensive, sensitive, economizing labour time and reagents. The disposable analytical devices with appropriate air-tight packaging should be useful for point-of-care, and enabling it to become one of the common tools for biology research, especially, in point-of-care testing.

RAM Technology Study.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-01-03

characteristics. 4 2 Example of MOS scaling. 18 3 RAM chip area comparison. 31 4 Summary of RAM switching response. 34 5 Summary of RAM power dissipation...array to retain the data after power is removed (volatility). The level of chip complexity is that of the most complex arrays in current production and is...4) ..4 L) . C U ~~~~ -- -- t 0 -, 4 4 . . Data in the Read-Only-Memory is defined by the metallization pattern during chip fabrication. The stored

Active-matrix OLED using 150°C a-Si TFT backplane built on flexible plastic substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarma, Kalluri R.; Chanley, Charles; Dodd, Sonia R.; Roush, Jared; Schmidt, John; Srdanov, Gordana; Stevenson, Matthew; Wessel, Ralf; Innocenzo, Jeffrey; Yu, Gang; O'Regan, Marie B.; MacDonald, W. A.; Eveson, R.; Long, Ke; Gleskova, Helena; Wagner, Sigurd; Sturm, James C.

2003-09-01

Flexible displays fabricated using plastic substrates have a potential for being very thin, light weight, highly rugged with greatly minimized propensity for breakage, roll-to-roll manufacturing and lower cost. The emerging OLED display media offers the advantage of being a solid state and rugged structure for flexible displays in addition to the many potential advantages of an AM OLED over the currently dominant AM LCD. The current high level of interest in flexible displays is facilitating the development of the required enabling technologies which include development of plastic substrates, low temperature active matrix device and backplane fabrication, and display packaging. In the following we will first discuss our development efforts in the PEN based plastic substrates, active matrix backplane technology, low temperature (150°C) a-Si TFT devices and an AM OLED test chip used for evaluating various candidate designs. We will then describe the design, fabrication and successful evaluation and demonstration of a 64x64 pixel AM OLED test display using a-Si TFT backplane fabricated at 150°C on the flexible plastic substrate.

Management of Chronic Periodontitis Using Chlorhexidine Chip and Diode Laser-A Clinical Study.

PubMed

Jose, Kachapilly Arun; Ambooken, Majo; Mathew, Jayan Jacob; Issac, Annie Valayil; Kunju, Ajithkumar Parachalil; Parameshwaran, Renjith Athirkandathil

2016-04-01

The use of adjuncts like chlorhexidine local delivery and diode laser decontamination have been found to improve the clinical outcomes of scaling and root planing in non-surgical periodontal therapy in patients with chronic periodontitis. To evaluate the effects of diode laser and chlorhexidine chip as adjuncts to scaling and root planing in the management of chronic periodontitis. The objective is to evaluate the outcome of chlorhexidine chip and diode laser as adjuncts to scaling and root planing on clinical parameters like Plaque Index, Gingival Index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level. Department of Periodontics. Randomized clinical trial with split mouth design. Fifteen chronic periodontitis patients having a probing pocket depth of 5mm-7mm on at least one interproximal site in each quadrant of the mouth were included in the study. After initial treatment, four sites in each patient were randomly subjected to scaling and root planing (control), chlorhexidine chip application (CHX chip group), diode laser (810 nm) decontamination (Diode laser group) or combination of both (Diode laser and chip group). Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were assessed at baseline, one month and three months. Results were statistically analysed using paired T test, one-way ANOVA, Tukey's HSD test and repeated measure ANOVA. Post-treatment, the test and control sites showed a statistically significant reduction in PI, GI, PPD, and CAL. After three months, a mean PPD reduction of 1.47±0.52 mm in control group, 1.40±0.83 mm in diode laser group, 2.67±0.62 mm in CHX group, and 2.80± 0.77 mm in combination group was seen. The mean gain in CAL were 1.47±0.52 mm in the control group, 1.40±0.83 mm in diode laser group, 2.67± 0.49 mm in CHX group and 2.67± 0.82 mm in combination group respectively. The differences in PPD reduction and CAL gain between control group and CHX chip and combination groups were statistically significant (p<0.05) at three months, whereas, the diode laser group did not show any significant difference from the control group. Chlorhexidine local delivery alone or in combination with diode laser decontamination is effective in reducing probing pocket depth and improving clinical attachment levels when used as adjuncts to scaling and root planing in non-surgical periodontal therapy of patients with chronic periodontitis.

Management of Chronic Periodontitis Using Chlorhexidine Chip and Diode Laser-A Clinical Study

PubMed Central

Ambooken, Majo; Mathew, Jayan Jacob; Issac, Annie Valayil; Kunju, Ajithkumar Parachalil; Parameshwaran, Renjith Athirkandathil

2016-01-01

Introduction The use of adjuncts like chlorhexidine local delivery and diode laser decontamination have been found to improve the clinical outcomes of scaling and root planing in non-surgical periodontal therapy in patients with chronic periodontitis. Aim To evaluate the effects of diode laser and chlorhexidine chip as adjuncts to scaling and root planing in the management of chronic periodontitis. The objective is to evaluate the outcome of chlorhexidine chip and diode laser as adjuncts to scaling and root planing on clinical parameters like Plaque Index, Gingival Index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level. Study and Design Department of Periodontics. Randomized clinical trial with split mouth design. Materials and Methods Fifteen chronic periodontitis patients having a probing pocket depth of 5mm-7mm on at least one interproximal site in each quadrant of the mouth were included in the study. After initial treatment, four sites in each patient were randomly subjected to scaling and root planing (control), chlorhexidine chip application (CHX chip group), diode laser (810 nm) decontamination (Diode laser group) or combination of both (Diode laser and chip group). Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were assessed at baseline, one month and three months. Statistical analysis Results were statistically analysed using paired T test, one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD test and repeated measure ANOVA. Results Post-treatment, the test and control sites showed a statistically significant reduction in PI, GI, PPD, and CAL. After three months, a mean PPD reduction of 1.47±0.52 mm in control group, 1.40±0.83 mm in diode laser group, 2.67±0.62 mm in CHX group, and 2.80± 0.77 mm in combination group was seen. The mean gain in CAL were 1.47±0.52 mm in the control group, 1.40±0.83 mm in diode laser group, 2.67± 0.49 mm in CHX group and 2.67± 0.82 mm in combination group respectively. The differences in PPD reduction and CAL gain between control group and CHX chip and combination groups were statistically significant (p<0.05) at three months, whereas, the diode laser group did not show any significant difference from the control group. Conclusion Chlorhexidine local delivery alone or in combination with diode laser decontamination is effective in reducing probing pocket depth and improving clinical attachment levels when used as adjuncts to scaling and root planing in non-surgical periodontal therapy of patients with chronic periodontitis. PMID:27190958

Integrated digital printing of flexible circuits for wireless sensing (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mei, Ping; Whiting, Gregory L.; Schwartz, David E.; Ng, Tse Nga; Krusor, Brent S.; Ready, Steve E.; Daniel, George; Veres, Janos; Street, Bob

2016-09-01

Wireless sensing has broad applications in a wide variety of fields such as infrastructure monitoring, chemistry, environmental engineering and cold supply chain management. Further development of sensing systems will focus on achieving light weight, flexibility, low power consumption and low cost. Fully printed electronics provide excellent flexibility and customizability, as well as the potential for low cost and large area applications, but lack solutions for high-density, high-performance circuitry. Conventional electronics mounted on flexible printed circuit boards provide high performance but are not digitally fabricated or readily customizable. Incorporation of small silicon dies or packaged chips into a printed platform enables high performance without compromising flexibility or cost. At PARC, we combine high functionality c-Si CMOS and digitally printed components and interconnects to create an integrated platform that can read and process multiple discrete sensors. Our approach facilitates customization to a wide variety of sensors and user interfaces suitable for a broad range of applications including remote monitoring of health, structures and environment. This talk will describe several examples of printed wireless sensing systems. The technologies required for these sensor systems are a mix of novel sensors, printing processes, conventional microchips, flexible substrates and energy harvesting power solutions.

High data rate Reed-Solomon encoding and decoding using VLSI technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Warner; Morakis, James

1987-01-01

Presented as an implementation of a Reed-Solomon encode and decoder, which is 16-symbol error correcting, each symbol is 8 bits. This Reed-Solomon (RS) code is an efficient error correcting code that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will use in future space communications missions. A Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) implementation of the encoder and decoder accepts data rates up 80 Mbps. A total of seven chips are needed for the decoder (four of the seven decoding chips are customized using 3-micron Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconduction (CMOS) technology) and one chip is required for the encoder. The decoder operates with the symbol clock being the system clock for the chip set. Approximately 1.65 billion Galois Field (GF) operations per second are achieved with the decoder chip set and 640 MOPS are achieved with the encoder chip.

Biosensor system-on-a-chip including CMOS-based signal processing circuits and 64 carbon nanotube-based sensors for the detection of a neurotransmitter.

PubMed

Lee, Byung Yang; Seo, Sung Min; Lee, Dong Joon; Lee, Minbaek; Lee, Joohyung; Cheon, Jun-Ho; Cho, Eunju; Lee, Hyunjoong; Chung, In-Young; Park, Young June; Kim, Suhwan; Hong, Seunghun

2010-04-07

We developed a carbon nanotube (CNT)-based biosensor system-on-a-chip (SoC) for the detection of a neurotransmitter. Here, 64 CNT-based sensors were integrated with silicon-based signal processing circuits in a single chip, which was made possible by combining several technological breakthroughs such as efficient signal processing, uniform CNT networks, and biocompatible functionalization of CNT-based sensors. The chip was utilized to detect glutamate, a neurotransmitter, where ammonia, a byproduct of the enzymatic reaction of glutamate and glutamate oxidase on CNT-based sensors, modulated the conductance signals to the CNT-based sensors. This is a major technological advancement in the integration of CNT-based sensors with microelectronics, and this chip can be readily integrated with larger scale lab-on-a-chip (LoC) systems for various applications such as LoC systems for neural networks.

Fully Solution-Processable Fabrication of Multi-Layered Circuits on a Flexible Substrate Using Laser Processing

PubMed Central

Ji, Seok Young; Choi, Wonsuk; Jeon, Jin-Woo; Chang, Won Seok

2018-01-01

The development of printing technologies has enabled the realization of electric circuit fabrication on a flexible substrate. However, the current technique remains restricted to single-layer patterning. In this paper, we demonstrate a fully solution-processable patterning approach for multi-layer circuits using a combined method of laser sintering and ablation. Selective laser sintering of silver (Ag) nanoparticle-based ink is applied to make conductive patterns on a heat-sensitive substrate and insulating layer. The laser beam path and irradiation fluence are controlled to create circuit patterns for flexible electronics. Microvia drilling using femtosecond laser through the polyvinylphenol-film insulating layer by laser ablation, as well as sequential coating of Ag ink and laser sintering, achieves an interlayer interconnection between multi-layer circuits. The dimension of microvia is determined by a sophisticated adjustment of the laser focal position and intensity. Based on these methods, a flexible electronic circuit with chip-size-package light-emitting diodes was successfully fabricated and demonstrated to have functional operations. PMID:29425144

Smart Sensing Strip Using Monolithically Integrated Flexible Flow Sensor for Noninvasively Monitoring Respiratory Flow

PubMed Central

Jiang, Peng; Zhao, Shuai; Zhu, Rong

2015-01-01

This paper presents a smart sensing strip for noninvasively monitoring respiratory flow in real time. The monitoring system comprises a monolithically-integrated flexible hot-film flow sensor adhered on a molded flexible silicone case, where a miniaturized conditioning circuit with a Bluetooth4.0 LE module are packaged, and a personal mobile device that wirelessly acquires respiratory data transmitted from the flow sensor, executes extraction of vital signs, and performs medical diagnosis. The system serves as a wearable device to monitor comprehensive respiratory flow while avoiding use of uncomfortable nasal cannula. The respiratory sensor is a flexible flow sensor monolithically integrating four elements of a Wheatstone bridge on single chip, including a hot-film resistor, a temperature-compensating resistor, and two balancing resistors. The monitor takes merits of small size, light weight, easy operation, and low power consumption. Experiments were conducted to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of monitoring and diagnosing respiratory diseases using the proposed system. PMID:26694401

Ferrocene pixels by laser-induced forward transfer: towards flexible microelectrode printing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitu, B.; Matei, A.; Filipescu, M.; Palla Papavlu, A.; Bercea, A.; Lippert, T.; Dinescu, M.

2017-03-01

The aim of this work is to demonstrate the potential of laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) as a printing technology, alternative to standard microfabrication techniques, in the area of flexible micro-electrode fabrication. First, ferrocene thin films are deposited onto fused silica and fused silica substrates previously coated with a photodegradable polymer film (triazene polymer) by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE). The morphology and chemical structure of the ferrocene thin films deposited by MAPLE has been investigated by atomic force microscopy and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, and no structural damage occurs as a result of the laser deposition. Second, LIFT is applied to print for the first time ferrocene pixels and lines onto flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates. The ferrocene pixels and lines are flawlessly transferred onto the PDMS substrates in air at room temperature, without the need of additional conventional photolithography processes. We believe that these results are very promising for a variety of applications ranging from flexible electronics to lab-on-a-chip devices, MEMS, and medical implants.

On-chip spectroscopy with thermally tuned high-Q photonic crystal cavities

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

Liapis, Andreas C., E-mail: andreas.liapis@gmail.com; Gao, Boshen; Siddiqui, Mahmudur R.

2016-01-11

Spectroscopic methods are a sensitive way to determine the chemical composition of potentially hazardous materials. Here, we demonstrate that thermally tuned high-Q photonic crystal cavities can be used as a compact high-resolution on-chip spectrometer. We have used such a chip-scale spectrometer to measure the absorption spectra of both acetylene and hydrogen cyanide in the 1550 nm spectral band and show that we can discriminate between the two chemical species even though the two materials have spectral features in the same spectral region. Our results pave the way for the development of chip-size chemical sensors that can detect toxic substances.

Flexible diodes for radio frequency (RF) electronics: a materials perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Semple, James; Georgiadou, Dimitra G.; Wyatt-Moon, Gwenhivir; Gelinck, Gerwin; Anthopoulos, Thomas D.

2017-12-01

Over the last decade, there has been increasing interest in transferring the research advances in radiofrequency (RF) rectifiers, the quintessential element of the chip in the RF identification (RFID) tags, obtained on rigid substrates onto plastic (flexible) substrates. The growing demand for flexible RFID tags, wireless communications applications and wireless energy harvesting systems that can be produced at a low-cost is a key driver for this technology push. In this topical review, we summarise recent progress and status of flexible RF diodes and rectifying circuits, with specific focus on materials and device processing aspects. To this end, different families of materials (e.g. flexible silicon, metal oxides, organic and carbon nanomaterials), manufacturing processes (e.g. vacuum and solution processing) and device architectures (diodes and transistors) are compared. Although emphasis is placed on performance, functionality, mechanical flexibility and operating stability, the various bottlenecks associated with each technology are also addressed. Finally, we present our outlook on the commercialisation potential and on the positioning of each material class in the RF electronics landscape based on the findings summarised herein. It is beyond doubt that the field of flexible high and ultra-high frequency rectifiers and electronics as a whole will continue to be an active area of research over the coming years.

A coral-on-a-chip microfluidic platform enabling live-imaging microscopy of reef-building corals

PubMed Central

Shapiro, Orr H.; Kramarsky-Winter, Esti; Gavish, Assaf R.; Stocker, Roman; Vardi, Assaf

2016-01-01

Coral reefs, and the unique ecosystems they support, are facing severe threats by human activities and climate change. Our understanding of these threats is hampered by the lack of robust approaches for studying the micro-scale interactions between corals and their environment. Here we present an experimental platform, coral-on-a-chip, combining micropropagation and microfluidics to allow direct microscopic study of live coral polyps. The small and transparent coral micropropagates are ideally suited for live-imaging microscopy, while the microfluidic platform facilitates long-term visualization under controlled environmental conditions. We demonstrate the usefulness of this approach by imaging coral micropropagates at previously unattainable spatio-temporal resolutions, providing new insights into several micro-scale processes including coral calcification, coral–pathogen interaction and the loss of algal symbionts (coral bleaching). Coral-on-a-chip thus provides a powerful method for studying coral physiology in vivo at the micro-scale, opening new vistas in coral biology. PMID:26940983

Nanoliter-Scale Oil-Air-Droplet Chip-Based Single Cell Proteomic Analysis.

PubMed

Li, Zi-Yi; Huang, Min; Wang, Xiu-Kun; Zhu, Ying; Li, Jin-Song; Wong, Catherine C L; Fang, Qun

2018-04-17

Single cell proteomic analysis provides crucial information on cellular heterogeneity in biological systems. Herein, we describe a nanoliter-scale oil-air-droplet (OAD) chip for achieving multistep complex sample pretreatment and injection for single cell proteomic analysis in the shotgun mode. By using miniaturized stationary droplet microreaction and manipulation techniques, our system allows all sample pretreatment and injection procedures to be performed in a nanoliter-scale droplet with minimum sample loss and a high sample injection efficiency (>99%), thus substantially increasing the analytical sensitivity for single cell samples. We applied the present system in the proteomic analysis of 100 ± 10, 50 ± 5, 10, and 1 HeLa cell(s), and protein IDs of 1360, 612, 192, and 51 were identified, respectively. The OAD chip-based system was further applied in single mouse oocyte analysis, with 355 protein IDs identified at the single oocyte level, which demonstrated its special advantages of high enrichment of sequence coverage, hydrophobic proteins, and enzymatic digestion efficiency over the traditional in-tube system.

A low-frequency chip-scale optomechanical oscillator with 58 kHz mechanical stiffening and more than 100th-order stable harmonics.

PubMed

Huang, Yongjun; Flores, Jaime Gonzalo Flor; Cai, Ziqiang; Yu, Mingbin; Kwong, Dim-Lee; Wen, Guangjun; Churchill, Layne; Wong, Chee Wei

2017-06-29

For the sensitive high-resolution force- and field-sensing applications, the large-mass microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and optomechanical cavity have been proposed to realize the sub-aN/Hz 1/2 resolution levels. In view of the optomechanical cavity-based force- and field-sensors, the optomechanical coupling is the key parameter for achieving high sensitivity and resolution. Here we demonstrate a chip-scale optomechanical cavity with large mass which operates at ≈77.7 kHz fundamental mode and intrinsically exhibiting large optomechanical coupling of 44 GHz/nm or more, for both optical resonance modes. The mechanical stiffening range of ≈58 kHz and a more than 100 th -order harmonics are obtained, with which the free-running frequency instability is lower than 10 -6 at 100 ms integration time. Such results can be applied to further improve the sensing performance of the optomechanical inspired chip-scale sensors.

A coral-on-a-chip microfluidic platform enabling live-imaging microscopy of reef-building corals.

PubMed

Shapiro, Orr H; Kramarsky-Winter, Esti; Gavish, Assaf R; Stocker, Roman; Vardi, Assaf

2016-03-04

Coral reefs, and the unique ecosystems they support, are facing severe threats by human activities and climate change. Our understanding of these threats is hampered by the lack of robust approaches for studying the micro-scale interactions between corals and their environment. Here we present an experimental platform, coral-on-a-chip, combining micropropagation and microfluidics to allow direct microscopic study of live coral polyps. The small and transparent coral micropropagates are ideally suited for live-imaging microscopy, while the microfluidic platform facilitates long-term visualization under controlled environmental conditions. We demonstrate the usefulness of this approach by imaging coral micropropagates at previously unattainable spatio-temporal resolutions, providing new insights into several micro-scale processes including coral calcification, coral-pathogen interaction and the loss of algal symbionts (coral bleaching). Coral-on-a-chip thus provides a powerful method for studying coral physiology in vivo at the micro-scale, opening new vistas in coral biology.

A Fast Turn-Around Facility for Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI)

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-06-01

statistics determination, the first test mask set will use the MATRIX chip design which was recently developed here at Stanford. This chip provides...reached when the basewidth is reduced to zero. Such devices, variably known as depleted- base transistors or bipolar static-induction transitors , have been

On testing VLSI chips for the big Viterbi decoder

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hsu, I. S.

1989-01-01

A general technique that can be used in testing very large scale integrated (VLSI) chips for the Big Viterbi Decoder (BVD) system is described. The test technique is divided into functional testing and fault-coverage testing. The purpose of functional testing is to verify that the design works functionally. Functional test vectors are converted from outputs of software simulations which simulate the BVD functionally. Fault-coverage testing is used to detect and, in some cases, to locate faulty components caused by bad fabrication. This type of testing is useful in screening out bad chips. Finally, design for testability, which is included in the BVD VLSI chip design, is described in considerable detail. Both the observability and controllability of a VLSI chip are greatly enhanced by including the design for the testability feature.

Rapid analysis of protein interactions: On-chip micropurification of recombinant protein expressed in Esherichia coli.

PubMed

Natsume, Tohru; Taoka, Masato; Manki, Hiroshi; Kume, Shouen; Isobe, Toshiaki; Mikoshiba, Katsuhiko

2002-09-01

We describe a rapid analysis of interactions between antibodies and a recombinant protein present in total cell lysates. Using a surface plasmon resonance biosensor, a low concentration of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fused protein expressed in small scale Esherichia coli culture was purified on an anti-GST antibody immobilized sensor chip. The 'on-chip purification' was verified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry by measuring the molecular masses of recombinant proteins purified on the sensor chip. The specific binding of monoclonal antibodies for the on-chip micropurified recombinant proteins can then be monitored, thus enabling kinetic analysis and epitope mapping of the bound antibodies. This approach reduced time, resources and sample consumption by avoiding conventional steps related to concentration and purification.

Determination of pore-scale hydrate phase equilibria in sediments using lab-on-a-chip technology.

PubMed

Almenningen, Stian; Flatlandsmo, Josef; Kovscek, Anthony R; Ersland, Geir; Fernø, Martin A

2017-11-21

We present an experimental protocol for fast determination of hydrate stability in porous media for a range of pressure and temperature (P, T) conditions. Using a lab-on-a-chip approach, we gain direct optical access to dynamic pore-scale hydrate formation and dissociation events to study the hydrate phase equilibria in sediments. Optical pore-scale observations of phase behavior reproduce the theoretical hydrate stability line with methane gas and distilled water, and demonstrate the accuracy of the new method. The procedure is applicable for any kind of hydrate transitions in sediments, and may be used to map gas hydrate stability zones in nature.

Electron Beam/Optical Hybrid Lithography For The Production Of Gallium Arsenide Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (Mimics)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagarajan, Rao M.; Rask, Steven D.

1988-06-01

A hybrid lithography technique is described in which selected levels are fabricated by high resolution direct write electron beam lithography and all other levels are fabricated optically. This technique permits subhalf micron geometries and the site-by-site alignment for each field written by electron beam lithography while still maintaining the high throughput possible with optical lithography. The goal is to improve throughput and reduce overall cost of fabricating MIMIC GaAS chips without compromising device performance. The lithography equipment used for these experiments is the Cambridge Electron beam vector scan system EBMF 6.4 capable of achieving ultra high current densities with a beam of circular cross section and a gaussian intensity profile operated at 20 kev. The optical aligner is a Karl Suss Contact aligner. The flexibility of the Cambridge electron beam system is matched to the less flexible Karl Suss contact aligner. The lithography related factors, such as image placement, exposure and process related analyses, which influence overlay, pattern quality and performance, are discussed. A process chip containing 3.2768mm fields in an eleven by eleven array was used for alignment evaluation on a 3" semi-insulating GaAS wafer. Each test chip contained five optical verniers and four Prometrix registration marks per field along with metal bumps for alignment marks. The process parameters for these chips are identical to those of HEMT/epi-MESFET ohmic contact and gate layer processes. These layers were used to evaluate the overlay accuracy because of their critical alignment and dimensional control requirements. Two cases were examined: (1) Electron beam written gate layers aligned to optically imaged ohmic contact layers and (2) Electron beam written gate layers aligned to electron beam written ohmic contact layers. The effect of substrate charging by the electron beam is also investigated. The resulting peak overlay error accuracies are: (1) Electron beam to optical with t 0.2μm (2 sigma) and (2) Electron beam to electron beam with f 0.lμm (2 sigma). These results suggest that the electron beam/optical hybrid lithography techniques could be used for MIMIC volume production as alignment tolerances required by GaAS chips are met in both cases. These results are discussed in detail.

Apparatus And Method Of Using Flexible Printed Circuit Board In Optical Transceiver Device

DOEpatents

Anderson, Gene R.; Armendariz, Marcelino G.; Bryan, Robert P.; Carson, Richard F.; Duckett, III, Edwin B.; McCormick, Frederick B.; Peterson, David W.; Peterson, Gary D.; Reysen, Bill H.

2005-03-15

This invention relates to a flexible printed circuit board that is used in connection with an optical transmitter, receiver or transceiver module. In one embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board has flexible metal layers in between flexible insulating layers, and the circuit board comprises: (1) a main body region orientated in a first direction having at least one electrical or optoelectronic device; (2) a plurality of electrical contact pads integrated into the main body region, where the electrical contact pads function to connect the flexible printed circuit board to an external environment; (3) a buckle region extending from one end of the main body region; and (4) a head region extending from one end of the buckle region, and where the head region is orientated so that it is at an angle relative to the direction of the main body region. The electrical contact pads may be ball grid arrays, solder balls or land-grid arrays, and they function to connect the circuit board to an external environment. A driver or amplifier chip may be adapted to the head region of the flexible printed circuit board. In another embodiment, a heat spreader passes along a surface of the head region of the flexible printed circuit board, and a window is formed in the head region of the flexible printed circuit board. Optoelectronic devices are adapted to the head spreader in such a manner that they are accessible through the window in the flexible printed circuit board.

An optical fiber-based flexible readout system for micro-pattern gas detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, C.; Feng, C. Q.; Zhu, D. Y.; Liu, S. B.; An, Q.

2018-04-01

This paper presents an optical fiber-based readout system that is intended to provide a general purpose multi-channel readout solution for various Micro-Pattern Gas Detectors (MPGDs). The proposed readout system is composed of several front-end cards (FECs) and a data collection module (DCM). The FEC exploits the capability of an existing 64-channel generic TPC readout ASIC chip, named AGET, to implement 256 channels readout. AGET offers FEC a large flexibility in gain range (4 options from 120 fC to 10 pC), peaking time (16 options from 50 ns to 1 us) and sampling freqency (100 MHz max.). The DCM contains multiple 1 Gbps optical fiber serial link interfaces that allow the system scaling up to 1536 channels with 6 FECs and 1 DCM. Further scaling up is possible through cascading of multiple DCMs, by configuring one DCM as a master while other DCMs in slave mode. This design offers a rapid readout solution for different application senario. Tests indicate that the nonlinearity of each channel is less than 1%, and the equivalent input noise charge is typically around 0.7 fC in RMS (root mean square), with a noise slope of about 0.01 fC/pF. The system level trigger rate limit is about 700 Hz in all channel readout mode. When in hit channel readout mode, supposing that typically 10 percent of channels are fired, trigger rate can go up to about 7 kHz. This system has been tested with Micromegas detector and GEM detector, confirming its capability in MPGD readout. Details of hardware and FPGA firmware design, as well as system performances, are described in the paper.

New Technology for Microfabrication and Testing of a Thermoelectric Device for Generating Mobile Electrical Power

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prasad, Narashimha S.; Taylor, Patrick J.; Trivedi, Sudhir B.; Kutcher, Susan

2010-01-01

We report the results of fabrication and testing of a thermoelectric power generation module. The module was fabricated using a new "flip-chip" module assembly technique that is scalable and modular. This technique results in a low value of contact resistivity ( < or = 10(exp 5) Ohms-sq cm). It can be used to leverage new advances in thin-film and nanostructured materials for the fabrication of new miniature thermoelectric devices. It may also enable monolithic integration of large devices or tandem arrays of devices on flexible or curved surfaces. Under mild testing, a power of 22 mW/sq cm was obtained from small (<100 K) temperature differences. At higher, more realistic temperature differences, approx.500 K, where the efficiency of these materials greatly improves, this power density would scale to between 0.5 and 1 Watt/cm2. These results highlight the excellent potential for the generation and scavenging of electrical power of practical and usable magnitude for remote applications using thermoelectric power generation technologies.

Addressing surface-induced loss and decoherence in superconducting quantum circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuhrer, Andreas; Mueller, Peter; Kuhlmann, Andreas; Filipp, Stefan; Deshpande, Veeresh; Drechsler, Ute

Many of the advances in coherence and fidelity of superconducting qubits have been made possible by clever engineering of the coupling to the environment and operation at noise-insensitive sweet spots. However, this leads to a compromise in experimental flexibility and device tunability, which can become inhibitive as the system size is scaled up. Material and interface related degrees of freedoms are harder to mitigate and are expected to become increasingly important in more complex systems. They impose limits both on coherence (flux-noise) and lifetimes (surface loss) of superconducting qubits. To study and eliminate these effects we have constructed a reusable UHV-compatible sample enclosure that enables us to perform various surface passivation steps before cooling superconducting devices to cryogenic temperatures. The enclosure can accommodate large chips with up to 18 microwave ports and can be vacuum sealed at pressures below 8e-10 mbar. We discuss its operation principle and present first measurement results of superconducting CPW resonators and qubit devices with and without prior surface treatments.

On the implementation of IP protection using biometrics based information hiding and firewall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basu, Abhishek; Nandy, Kingshuk; Banerjee, Avishek; Giri, Supratick; Sarkar, Souvik; Sarkar, Subir Kumar

2016-02-01

System-on-chip-based design style creates a revolution in very large scale integration industry with design efficiency, operating speed and development time. To support this process, reuse and exchange of components are essential in electronic form called intellectual property (IP). This, however, increases the possibility of encroachment of IP of the design. So copyright protection of IP against piracy is the most important concern for IP vendors. The existing solutions for IP protection are still not secure enough with flexibility, cost, etc. This paper proposes an information-hiding-based solution for IP protection by embedding a biometric copyright information and firewall inside an IP in the form of a finite state machine with unique configuration. The scheme first introduces biometric signature-based copyright as ownership proof. Second, firewall interrupts the normal functionality of IP at the end of the user time period. The experimental outcomes of field-programmable-gate-array implementation illustrate the efficiency of the proposed method.

Concurrent heterogeneous neural model simulation on real-time neuromimetic hardware.

PubMed

Rast, Alexander; Galluppi, Francesco; Davies, Sergio; Plana, Luis; Patterson, Cameron; Sharp, Thomas; Lester, David; Furber, Steve

2011-11-01

Dedicated hardware is becoming increasingly essential to simulate emerging very-large-scale neural models. Equally, however, it needs to be able to support multiple models of the neural dynamics, possibly operating simultaneously within the same system. This may be necessary either to simulate large models with heterogeneous neural types, or to simplify simulation and analysis of detailed, complex models in a large simulation by isolating the new model to a small subpopulation of a larger overall network. The SpiNNaker neuromimetic chip is a dedicated neural processor able to support such heterogeneous simulations. Implementing these models on-chip uses an integrated library-based tool chain incorporating the emerging PyNN interface that allows a modeller to input a high-level description and use an automated process to generate an on-chip simulation. Simulations using both LIF and Izhikevich models demonstrate the ability of the SpiNNaker system to generate and simulate heterogeneous networks on-chip, while illustrating, through the network-scale effects of wavefront synchronisation and burst gating, methods that can provide effective behavioural abstractions for large-scale hardware modelling. SpiNNaker's asynchronous virtual architecture permits greater scope for model exploration, with scalable levels of functional and temporal abstraction, than conventional (or neuromorphic) computing platforms. The complete system illustrates a potential path to understanding the neural model of computation, by building (and breaking) neural models at various scales, connecting the blocks, then comparing them against the biology: computational cognitive neuroscience. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ultra-dense magnetoresistive mass memory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daughton, J. M.; Sinclair, R.; Dupuis, T.; Brown, J.

1992-01-01

This report details the progress and accomplishments of Nonvolatile Electronics (NVE), Inc., on the design of the wafer scale MRAM mass memory system during the fifth quarter of the project. NVE has made significant progress this quarter on the one megabit design in several different areas. A test chip, which will verify a working GMR bit with the dimensions required by the 1 Meg chip, has been designed, laid out, and is currently being processed in the NVE labs. This test chip will allow electrical specifications, tolerances, and processing issues to be finalized before construction of the actual chip, thus providing a greater assurance of success of the final 1 Meg design. A model has been developed to accurately simulate the parasitic effects of unselected sense lines. This model gives NVE the ability to perform accurate simulations of the array electronic and test different design concepts. Much of the circuit design for the 1 Meg chip has been completed and simulated and these designs are included. Progress has been made in the wafer scale design area to verify the reliable operation of the 16 K macrocell. This is currently being accomplished with the design and construction of two stand alone test systems which will perform life tests and gather data on reliabiliy and wearout mechanisms for analysis.

Graphene-Si heterogeneous nanotechnology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akinwande, Deji; Tao, Li

2013-05-01

It is widely envisioned that graphene, an atomic sheet of carbon that has generated very broad interest has the largest prospects for flexible smart systems and for integrated graphene-silicon (G-Si) heterogeneous very large-scale integrated (VLSI) nanoelectronics. In this work, we focus on the latter and elucidate the research progress that has been achieved for integration of graphene with Si-CMOS including: wafer-scale graphene growth by chemical vapor deposition on Cu/SiO2/Si substrates, wafer-scale graphene transfer that afforded the fabrication of over 10,000 devices, wafer-scalable mitigation strategies to restore graphene's device characteristics via fluoropolymer interaction, and demonstrations of graphene integrated with commercial Si- CMOS chips for hybrid nanoelectronics and sensors. Metrology at the wafer-scale has led to the development of custom Raman processing software (GRISP) now available on the nanohub portal. The metrology reveals that graphene grown on 4-in substrates have monolayer quality comparable to exfoliated flakes. At room temperature, the high-performance passivated graphene devices on SiO2/Si can afford average mobilities 3000cm2/V-s and gate modulation that exceeds an order of magnitude. The latest growth research has yielded graphene with high mobilities greater than 10,000cm2/V-s on oxidized silicon. Further progress requires track compatible graphene-Si integration via wafer bonding in order to translate graphene research from basic to applied research in commercial R and D laboratories to ultimately yield a viable nanotechnology.

Does cognitive behavioral therapy alter mental defeat and cognitive flexibility in patients with panic disorder?

PubMed

Nagata, Shinobu; Seki, Yoichi; Shibuya, Takayuki; Yokoo, Mizue; Murata, Tomokazu; Hiramatsu, Yoichi; Yamada, Fuminori; Ibuki, Hanae; Minamitani, Noriko; Yoshinaga, Naoki; Kusunoki, Muga; Inada, Yasushi; Kawasoe, Nobuko; Adachi, Soichiro; Oshiro, Keiko; Matsuzawa, Daisuke; Hirano, Yoshiyuki; Yoshimura, Kensuke; Nakazato, Michiko; Iyo, Masaomi; Nakagawa, Akiko; Shimizu, Eiji

2018-01-12

Mental defeat and cognitive flexibility have been studied as explanatory factors for depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. This study examined mental defeat and cognitive flexibility scores in patients with panic disorder (PD) before and after cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and compared them to those of a gender- and age-matched healthy control group. Patients with PD (n = 15) received 16 weekly individual CBT sessions, and the control group (n = 35) received no treatment. Patients completed the Mental Defeat Scale and the Cognitive Flexibility Scale before the intervention, following eight CBT sessions, and following 16 CBT sessions, while the control group did so only prior to receiving CBT (baseline). The patients' pre-CBT Mental Defeat and Cognitive Flexibility Scale scores were significantly higher on the Mental Defeat Scale and lower on the Cognitive Flexibility Scale than those of the control group participants were. In addition, the average Mental Defeat Scale scores of the patients decreased significantly, from 22.2 to 12.4, while their average Cognitive Flexibility Scale scores increased significantly, from 42.8 to 49.5. These results suggest that CBT can reduce mental defeat and increase cognitive flexibility in patients with PD Trial registration The study was registered retrospectively in the national UMIN Clinical Trials Registry on June 10, 2016 (registration ID: UMIN000022693).

The fabrication of a double-layer atom chip with through silicon vias for an ultra-high-vacuum cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuang, Ho-Chiao; Lin, Yun-Siang; Lin, Yu-Hsin; Huang, Chi-Sheng

2014-04-01

This study presents a double-layer atom chip that provides users with increased diversity in the design of the wire patterns and flexibility in the design of the magnetic field. It is more convenient for use in atomic physics experiments. A negative photoresist, SU-8, was used as the insulating layer between the upper and bottom copper wires. The electrical measurement results show that the upper and bottom wires with a width of 100 µm can sustain a 6 A current without burnout. Another focus of this study is the double-layer atom chips integrated with the through silicon via (TSV) technique, and anodically bonded to a Pyrex glass cell, which makes it a desired vacuum chamber for atomic physics experiments. Thus, the bonded glass cell not only significantly reduces the overall size of the ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) chamber but also conducts the high current from the backside to the front side of the atom chip via the TSV under UHV (9.5 × 10-10 Torr). The TSVs with a diameter of 70 µm were etched through by the inductively coupled plasma ion etching and filled by the bottom-up copper electroplating method. During the anodic bonding process, the electroplated copper wires and TSVs on atom chips also need to pass the examination of the required bonding temperature of 250 °C, under an applied voltage of 1000 V. Finally, the UHV test of the double-layer atom chips with TSVs at room temperature can be reached at 9.5 × 10-10 Torr, thus satisfying the requirements of atomic physics experiments under an UHV environment.

Graphene-based bimorphs for micron-sized, autonomous origami machines.

PubMed

Miskin, Marc Z; Dorsey, Kyle J; Bircan, Baris; Han, Yimo; Muller, David A; McEuen, Paul L; Cohen, Itai

2018-01-16

Origami-inspired fabrication presents an attractive platform for miniaturizing machines: thinner layers of folding material lead to smaller devices, provided that key functional aspects, such as conductivity, stiffness, and flexibility, are persevered. Here, we show origami fabrication at its ultimate limit by using 2D atomic membranes as a folding material. As a prototype, we bond graphene sheets to nanometer-thick layers of glass to make ultrathin bimorph actuators that bend to micrometer radii of curvature in response to small strain differentials. These strains are two orders of magnitude lower than the fracture threshold for the device, thus maintaining conductivity across the structure. By patterning 2-[Formula: see text]m-thick rigid panels on top of bimorphs, we localize bending to the unpatterned regions to produce folds. Although the graphene bimorphs are only nanometers thick, they can lift these panels, the weight equivalent of a 500-nm-thick silicon chip. Using panels and bimorphs, we can scale down existing origami patterns to produce a wide range of machines. These machines change shape in fractions of a second when crossing a tunable pH threshold, showing that they sense their environments, respond, and perform useful functions on time and length scales comparable with microscale biological organisms. With the incorporation of electronic, photonic, and chemical payloads, these basic elements will become a powerful platform for robotics at the micrometer scale.

3D printed high density, reversible, chip-to-chip microfluidic interconnects.

PubMed

Gong, Hua; Woolley, Adam T; Nordin, Gregory P

2018-02-13

Our latest developments in miniaturizing 3D printed microfluidics [Gong et al., Lab Chip, 2016, 16, 2450; Gong et al., Lab Chip, 2017, 17, 2899] offer the opportunity to fabricate highly integrated chips that measure only a few mm on a side. For such small chips, an interconnection method is needed to provide the necessary world-to-chip reagent and pneumatic connections. In this paper, we introduce simple integrated microgaskets (SIMs) and controlled-compression integrated microgaskets (CCIMs) to connect a small device chip to a larger interface chip that implements world-to-chip connections. SIMs or CCIMs are directly 3D printed as part of the device chip, and therefore no additional materials or components are required to make the connection to the larger 3D printed interface chip. We demonstrate 121 chip-to-chip interconnections in an 11 × 11 array for both SIMs and CCIMs with an areal density of 53 interconnections per mm 2 and show that they withstand fluid pressures of 50 psi. We further demonstrate their reusability by testing the devices 100 times without seal failure. Scaling experiments show that 20 × 20 interconnection arrays are feasible and that the CCIM areal density can be increased to 88 interconnections per mm 2 . We then show the utility of spatially distributed discrete CCIMs by using an interconnection chip with 28 chip-to-world interconnects to test 45 3D printed valves in a 9 × 5 array. Each valve is only 300 μm in diameter (the smallest yet reported for 3D printed valves). Every row of 5 valves is tested to at least 10 000 actuations, with one row tested to 1 000 000 actuations. In all cases, there is no sign of valve failure, and the CCIM interconnections prove an effective means of using a single interface chip to test a series of valve array chips.

Flexible High Speed Codec (FHSC)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Segallis, G. P.; Wernlund, J. V.

1991-01-01

The ongoing NASA/Harris Flexible High Speed Codec (FHSC) program is described. The program objectives are to design and build an encoder decoder that allows operation in either burst or continuous modes at data rates of up to 300 megabits per second. The decoder handles both hard and soft decision decoding and can switch between modes on a burst by burst basis. Bandspreading is low since the code rate is greater than or equal to 7/8. The encoder and a hard decision decoder fit on a single application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip. A soft decision applique is implemented using 300 K emitter coupled logic (ECL) which can be easily translated to an ECL gate array.

Contamination control in hybrid microelectronic modules. Part 3: Specifications for coating material and process controls

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Himmel, R. P.

1975-01-01

Resin systems for coating hybrids prior to hermetic sealing are described. The resin systems are a flexible silicone junction resin system and a flexible cycloaliphatic epoxy resin system. The coatings are intended for application to the hybrid after all the chips have been assembled and wire bonded, but prior to hermetic sealing of the package. The purpose of the coating is to control particulate contamination by immobilizing particles and by passivating the hybrid. Recommended process controls for the purpose of minimizing contamination in hybrid microcircuit packages are given. Emphasis is placed on those critical hybrid processing steps in which contamination is most likely to occur.

An economic evaluation of a chlorhexidine chip for treating chronic periodontitis: the CHIP (chlorhexidine in periodontitis) study.

PubMed

Henke, C J; Villa, K F; Aichelmann-Reidy, M E; Armitage, G C; Eber, R M; Genco, R J; Killoy, W J; Miller, D P; Page, R C; Polson, A M; Ryder, M I; Silva, S J; Somerman, M J; Van Dyke, T E; Wolff, L F; Evans, C J; Finkelman, R D

2001-11-01

The authors previously suggested that an adjunctive, controlled-release chlorhexidine, or CHX, chip may reduce periodontal surgical needs at little additional cost. This article presents an economic analysis of the CHX chip in general dental practice. In a one-year prospective clinical trial, 484 chronic periodontitis patients in 52 general practices across the United States were treated with either scaling and root planing, or SRP, plus any therapy prescribed by treating, unblinded dentists; or SRP plus other therapy as above but including the CHX chip. Economic data were collected from bills, case report forms and 12-month treatment recommendations from blinded periodontist evaluators. Total dental charges were higher for SRP + CHX chip patients vs. SRP patients when CHX chip costs were included (P = .027) but lower when CHX chip costs were excluded (P = .012). About one-half of the CHX chip acquisition cost was offset by savings in other charges. SRP + CHX chip patients were about 50 percent less likely to undergo surgical procedures than were SRP patients (P = .021). At the end of the trial, periodontist evaluators recommended similar additional procedures for both groups: SRP, about 46 percent; maintenance, about 37 percent; surgery, 56 percent for SRP alone and 63 percent for SRP + CHX chip. Adjunctive CHX chip use for general-practice patients with periodontitis increased costs but reduced surgeries over one year. At study's end, periodontists recommended similar additional surgical treatment for both groups. In general practice, routine use of the CHX chip suggests that costs will be partially offset by reduced surgery over at least one year.

Optical properties of flexible fluorescent films prepared by screen printing technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yan; Ke, Taiyan; Chen, Shuijin; He, Xin; Zhang, Mei; Li, Dong; Deng, Jinfeng; Zeng, Qingguang

2018-05-01

In this work, we prepared a fluorescent film comprised phosphors and silicone on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate using a screen printing technology. The effects of mesh number and weight ratio of phosphors to silicone on the optical properties of the flexible films were investigated. The results indicate that the emission intensity of the film increase as the mesh decreased from 400 to 200, but the film surface gradually becomes uneven. The fluorescent film with high emission intensity and smooth surface can be obtained when the weight ratio of phosphor to gel is 2:1, and mesh number is 300. The luminous efficiency of the fabricated LEDs combined the fluorescent films with 460 nm Ga(In)N chip module can reach 75 lm/W. The investigation indicates that the approach can be applied in the remote fluorescent film conversion and decreases the requirements of the particle size and the dispersion state of fluorescent materials.

Incorporating biopulping technology into wood yard operations

Treesearch

Gary M. Scott; Eric Horn; Masood Akhtar; Ross E. Swaney; Michael J. Lentz; David F. Shipley

1998-01-01

Biopulping is the treatment of wood chips and other lignocellulosic materials with lignin-degrading fungi prior to pulping. Ten years of industry-sponsored research has demonstrated the technical feasibility of the technology for mechanical pulping at a laboratory scale. Two 50-ton outdoor chip pile trials recently conducted at the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products...

Advanced chip designs and novel cooling techniques for brightness scaling of industrial, high power diode laser bars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heinemann, S.; McDougall, S. D.; Ryu, G.; Zhao, L.; Liu, X.; Holy, C.; Jiang, C.-L.; Modak, P.; Xiong, Y.; Vethake, T.; Strohmaier, S. G.; Schmidt, B.; Zimer, H.

2018-02-01

The advance of high power semiconductor diode laser technology is driven by the rapidly growing industrial laser market, with such high power solid state laser systems requiring ever more reliable diode sources with higher brightness and efficiency at lower cost. In this paper we report simulation and experimental data demonstrating most recent progress in high brightness semiconductor laser bars for industrial applications. The advancements are in three principle areas: vertical laser chip epitaxy design, lateral laser chip current injection control, and chip cooling technology. With such improvements, we demonstrate disk laser pump laser bars with output power over 250W with 60% efficiency at the operating current. Ion implantation was investigated for improved current confinement. Initial lifetime tests show excellent reliability. For direct diode applications <1 um smile and >96% polarization are additional requirements. Double sided cooling deploying hard solder and optimized laser design enable single emitter performance also for high fill factor bars and allow further power scaling to more than 350W with 65% peak efficiency with less than 8 degrees slow axis divergence and high polarization.

On-chip dual-comb source for spectroscopy.

PubMed

Dutt, Avik; Joshi, Chaitanya; Ji, Xingchen; Cardenas, Jaime; Okawachi, Yoshitomo; Luke, Kevin; Gaeta, Alexander L; Lipson, Michal

2018-03-01

Dual-comb spectroscopy is a powerful technique for real-time, broadband optical sampling of molecular spectra, which requires no moving components. Recent developments with microresonator-based platforms have enabled frequency combs at the chip scale. However, the need to precisely match the resonance wavelengths of distinct high quality-factor microcavities has hindered the development of on-chip dual combs. We report the simultaneous generation of two microresonator combs on the same chip from a single laser, drastically reducing experimental complexity. We demonstrate broadband optical spectra spanning 51 THz and low-noise operation of both combs by deterministically tuning into soliton mode-locked states using integrated microheaters, resulting in narrow (<10 kHz) microwave beat notes. We further use one comb as a reference to probe the formation dynamics of the other comb, thus introducing a technique to investigate comb evolution without auxiliary lasers or microwave oscillators. We demonstrate high signal-to-noise ratio absorption spectroscopy spanning 170 nm using the dual-comb source over a 20-μs acquisition time. Our device paves the way for compact and robust spectrometers at nanosecond time scales enabled by large beat-note spacings (>1 GHz).

Chip-scale fluorescence microscope based on a silo-filter complementary metal-oxide semiconductor image sensor.

PubMed

Ah Lee, Seung; Ou, Xiaoze; Lee, J Eugene; Yang, Changhuei

2013-06-01

We demonstrate a silo-filter (SF) complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor for a chip-scale fluorescence microscope. The extruded pixel design with metal walls between neighboring pixels guides fluorescence emission through the thick absorptive filter to the photodiode of a pixel. Our prototype device achieves 13 μm resolution over a wide field of view (4.8 mm × 4.4 mm). We demonstrate bright-field and fluorescence longitudinal imaging of living cells in a compact, low-cost configuration.

An innovative SNP genotyping method adapting to multiple platforms and throughputs.

PubMed

Long, Y M; Chao, W S; Ma, G J; Xu, S S; Qi, L L

2017-03-01

An innovative genotyping method designated as semi-thermal asymmetric reverse PCR (STARP) was developed for genotyping individual SNPs with improved accuracy, flexible throughputs, low operational costs, and high platform compatibility. Multiplex chip-based technology for genome-scale genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) has made great progress in the past two decades. However, PCR-based genotyping of individual SNPs still remains problematic in accuracy, throughput, simplicity, and/or operational costs as well as the compatibility with multiple platforms. Here, we report a novel SNP genotyping method designated semi-thermal asymmetric reverse PCR (STARP). In this method, genotyping assay was performed under unique PCR conditions using two universal priming element-adjustable primers (PEA-primers) and one group of three locus-specific primers: two asymmetrically modified allele-specific primers (AMAS-primers) and their common reverse primer. The two AMAS-primers each were substituted one base in different positions at their 3' regions to significantly increase the amplification specificity of the two alleles and tailed at 5' ends to provide priming sites for PEA-primers. The two PEA-primers were developed for common use in all genotyping assays to stringently target the PCR fragments generated by the two AMAS-primers with similar PCR efficiencies and for flexible detection using either gel-free fluorescence signals or gel-based size separation. The state-of-the-art primer design and unique PCR conditions endowed STARP with all the major advantages of high accuracy, flexible throughputs, simple assay design, low operational costs, and platform compatibility. In addition to SNPs, STARP can also be employed in genotyping of indels (insertion-deletion polymorphisms). As vast variations in DNA sequences are being unearthed by many genome sequencing projects and genotyping by sequencing, STARP will have wide applications across all biological organisms in agriculture, medicine, and forensics.

Optimization of a PCRAM Chip for high-speed read and highly reliable reset operations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xiaoyun; Chen, Houpeng; Li, Xi; Wang, Qian; Fan, Xi; Hu, Jiajun; Lei, Yu; Zhang, Qi; Tian, Zhen; Song, Zhitang

2016-10-01

The widely used traditional Flash memory suffers from its performance limits such as its serious crosstalk problems, and increasing complexity of floating gate scaling. Phase change random access memory (PCRAM) becomes one of the most potential nonvolatile memories among the new memory techniques. In this paper, a 1M-bit PCRAM chip is designed based on the SMIC 40nm CMOS technology. Focusing on the read and write performance, two new circuits with high-speed read operation and highly reliable reset operation are proposed. The high-speed read circuit effectively reduces the reading time from 74ns to 40ns. The double-mode reset circuit improves the chip yield. This 1M-bit PCRAM chip has been simulated on cadence. After layout design is completed, the chip will be taped out for post-test.

Wafer Scale Integration of CMOS Chips for Biomedical Applications via Self-Aligned Masking.

PubMed

Uddin, Ashfaque; Milaninia, Kaveh; Chen, Chin-Hsuan; Theogarajan, Luke

2011-12-01

This paper presents a novel technique for the integration of small CMOS chips into a large area substrate. A key component of the technique is the CMOS chip based self-aligned masking. This allows for the fabrication of sockets in wafers that are at most 5 µm larger than the chip on each side. The chip and the large area substrate are bonded onto a carrier such that the top surfaces of the two components are flush. The unique features of this technique enable the integration of macroscale components, such as leads and microfluidics. Furthermore, the integration process allows for MEMS micromachining after CMOS die-wafer integration. To demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed technology, a low-power integrated potentiostat chip for biosensing implemented in the AMI 0.5 µm CMOS technology is integrated in a silicon substrate. The horizontal gap and the vertical displacement between the chip and the large area substrate measured after the integration were 4 µm and 0.5 µm, respectively. A number of 104 interconnects are patterned with high-precision alignment. Electrical measurements have shown that the functionality of the chip is not affected by the integration process.

An analog silicon retina with multichip configuration.

PubMed

Kameda, Seiji; Yagi, Tetsuya

2006-01-01

The neuromorphic silicon retina is a novel analog very large scale integrated circuit that emulates the structure and the function of the retinal neuronal circuit. We fabricated a neuromorphic silicon retina, in which sample/hold circuits were embedded to generate fluctuation-suppressed outputs in the previous study [1]. The applications of this silicon retina, however, are limited because of a low spatial resolution and computational variability. In this paper, we have fabricated a multichip silicon retina in which the functional network circuits are divided into two chips: the photoreceptor network chip (P chip) and the horizontal cell network chip (H chip). The output images of the P chip are transferred to the H chip with analog voltages through the line-parallel transfer bus. The sample/hold circuits embedded in the P and H chips compensate for the pattern noise generated on the circuits, including the analog communication pathway. Using the multichip silicon retina together with an off-chip differential amplifier, spatial filtering of the image with an odd- and an even-symmetric orientation selective receptive fields was carried out in real time. The analog data transfer method in the present multichip silicon retina is useful to design analog neuromorphic multichip systems that mimic the hierarchical structure of neuronal networks in the visual system.

Lab-on-a-chip platforms for quantification of multicellular interactions in bone remodeling.

PubMed

George, Estee L; Truesdell, Sharon L; York, Spencer L; Saunders, Marnie M

2018-04-01

Researchers have been using lab-on-a-chip systems to isolate factors for study, simulate laboratory analysis and model cellular, tissue and organ level processes. The technology is increasing rapidly, but the bone field has been slow to keep pace. Novel models are needed that have the power and flexibility to investigate the elegant and synchronous multicellular interactions that occur in normal bone turnover and in disease states in which remodeling is implicated. By removing temporal and spatial limitations and enabling quantification of functional outcomes, the platforms should provide unique environments that are more biomimetic than single cell type systems while minimizing complex systemic effects of in vivo models. This manuscript details the development and characterization of lab-on-a-chip platforms for stimulating osteocytes and quantifying bone remodeling. Our platforms provide the foundation for a model that can be used to investigate remodeling interactions as a whole or as a standard mechanotransduction tool by which isolated activity can be quantified as a function of load. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

On-chip dynamic stress control for cancer cell evolution study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Liyu; Austin, Robert

2010-03-01

The growth and spreading of cancer in host organisms is an evolutionary process. Cells accumulate mutations that help them adapt to changing environments and to obtain survival fitness. However, all cancer--promoting mutations do not occur at once. Cancer cells face selective environmental pressures that drive their evolution in stages. In traditional cancer studies, environmental stress is usually homogenous in space and difficult to change in time. Here, we propose a microfluidic chip employing embedded dynamic traps to generate dynamic heterogeneous microenvironments for cancer cells in evolution studies. Based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) flexible diaphragms, these traps are able to enclose and shield cancer cells or expose them to external environmental stress. Digital controls for each trap determine the nutrition, antibiotics, CO2/O2 conditions, and temperatures to which trapped cells are subjected. Thus, the stress applied to cells can be varied in intensity and duration in each trap independently. The chip can also output cells from specific traps for sequencing and other biological analysis. Hence our design simultaneously monitors and analyzes cell evolution behaviors under dynamic stresses.

Optimized holographic femtosecond laser patterning method towards rapid integration of high-quality functional devices in microchannels

PubMed Central

Zhang, Chenchu; Hu, Yanlei; Du, Wenqiang; Wu, Peichao; Rao, Shenglong; Cai, Ze; Lao, Zhaoxin; Xu, Bing; Ni, Jincheng; Li, Jiawen; Zhao, Gang; Wu, Dong; Chu, Jiaru; Sugioka, Koji

2016-01-01

Rapid integration of high-quality functional devices in microchannels is in highly demand for miniature lab-on-a-chip applications. This paper demonstrates the embellishment of existing microfluidic devices with integrated micropatterns via femtosecond laser MRAF-based holographic patterning (MHP) microfabrication, which proves two-photon polymerization (TPP) based on spatial light modulator (SLM) to be a rapid and powerful technology for chip functionalization. Optimized mixed region amplitude freedom (MRAF) algorithm has been used to generate high-quality shaped focus field. Base on the optimized parameters, a single-exposure approach is developed to fabricate 200 × 200 μm microstructure arrays in less than 240 ms. Moreover, microtraps, QR code and letters are integrated into a microdevice by the advanced method for particles capture and device identification. These results indicate that such a holographic laser embellishment of microfluidic devices is simple, flexible and easy to access, which has great potential in lab-on-a-chip applications of biological culture, chemical analyses and optofluidic devices. PMID:27619690

Multilayer-based lab-on-a-chip systems for perfused cell-based assays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klotzbach, Udo; Sonntag, Frank; Grünzner, Stefan; Busek, Mathias; Schmieder, Florian; Franke, Volker

2014-12-01

A novel integrated technology chain of laser-microstructured multilayer foils for fast, flexible, and low-cost manufacturing of lab-on-a-chip devices especially for complex cell and tissue culture applications, which provides pulsatile fluid flow within physiological ranges at low media-to-cells ratio, was developed and established. Initially the microfluidic system is constructively divided into individual layers, which are formed by separate foils or plates. Based on the functional boundary conditions and the necessary properties of each layer, their corresponding foils and plates are chosen. In the third step, the foils and plates are laser microstructured and functionalized from both sides. In the fourth and last manufacturing step, the multiple plates and foils are joined using different bonding techniques like adhesive bonding, welding, etc. This multilayer technology together with pneumatically driven micropumps and valves permits the manufacturing of fluidic structures and perfusion systems, which spread out above multiple planes. Based on the established lab-on-a-chip platform for perfused cell-based assays, a multilayer microfluidic system with two parallel connected cell culture chambers was successfully implemented.

A Low Power SOC Architecture for the V2.0+EDR Bluetooth Using a Unified Verification Platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jeonghun; Kim, Suki; Baek, Kwang-Hyun

This paper presents a low-power System on Chip (SOC) architecture for the v2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) Bluetooth and its applications. Our design includes a link controller, modem, RF transceiver, Sub-Band Codec (SBC), Expanded Instruction Set Computer (ESIC) processor, and peripherals. To decrease power consumption of the proposed SOC, we reduce data transfer using a dual-port memory, including a power management unit, and a clock gated approach. We also address some of issues and benefits of reusable and unified environment on a centralized data structure and SOC verification platform. This includes flexibility in meeting the final requirements using technology-independent tools wherever possible in various processes and for projects. The other aims of this work are to minimize design efforts by avoiding the same work done twice by different people and to reuse the similar environment and platform for different projects. This chip occupies a die size of 30mm2 in 0.18µm CMOS, and the worst-case current of the total chip is 54mA.

Simultaneous analysis of seven oligopeptides in microbial fuel cell by micro-fluidic chip with reflux injection mode.

PubMed

Wang, Wei; Wang, Zijian; Lin, Xiuli; Wang, ZongWen; Fu, FengFu

2012-10-15

In this work, a reflux injection mode for the cross form micro-fluidic chip was studied. This injection mode could flexibly control the length of sample plug from less than one channel width (<83 μm) to tens of channel widths (millimeter-sized) by adjusting the injection time. Namely, the separation resolution or sample detection sensitivity could be selectively improved by changing injection time. Composed of four steps, the reflux injection mode alleviated the electrophoretic sampling bias and prevented sample leakage successfully. On a micro-fluidic chip coupled with laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detector, the injection mode was applied to separate seven oligopeptides, namely GG, GL, RPP, KPV, VKK, WYD and YWS. All analytes were completely separated and detected within 12 min with detection limits of 25-625 nmol/L. At last, the proposed method had been successfully applied to detect oligopeptides consumed by bacillus licheniformis in anode chamber of microbial fuel cell (MFC) to study the effect of oligopeptides on the MFC running. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A microfluidic thermometer: Precise temperature measurements in microliter- and nanoliter-scale volumes

PubMed Central

McKenzie, Brittney A.

2017-01-01

Measuring the temperature of a sample is a fundamental need in many biological and chemical processes. When the volume of the sample is on the microliter or nanoliter scale (e.g., cells, microorganisms, precious samples, or samples in microfluidic devices), accurate measurement of the sample temperature becomes challenging. In this work, we demonstrate a technique for accurately determining the temperature of microliter volumes using a simple 3D-printed microfluidic chip. We accomplish this by first filling “microfluidic thermometer” channels on the chip with substances with precisely known freezing/melting points. We then use a thermoelectric cooler to create a stable and linear temperature gradient along these channels within a measurement region on the chip. A custom software tool (available as online Supporting Information) is then used to find the locations of solid-liquid interfaces in the thermometer channels; these locations have known temperatures equal to the freezing/melting points of the substances in the channels. The software then uses the locations of these interfaces to calculate the temperature at any desired point within the measurement region. Using this approach, the temperature of any microliter-scale on-chip sample can be measured with an uncertainty of about a quarter of a degree Celsius. As a proof-of-concept, we use this technique to measure the unknown freezing point of a 50 microliter volume of solution and demonstrate its feasibility on a 400 nanoliter sample. Additionally, this technique can be used to measure the temperature of any on-chip sample, not just near-zero-Celsius freezing points. We demonstrate this by using an oil that solidifies near room temperature (coconut oil) in a microfluidic thermometer to measure on-chip temperatures well above zero Celsius. By providing a low-cost and simple way to accurately measure temperatures in small volumes, this technique should find applications in both research and educational laboratories. PMID:29284028

Chip-Scale Architectures for Precise Optical Frequency Synthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Jinghui

Scientists and engineers have investigated various types of stable and accurate optical synthesizers, where mode-locked laser based optical frequency comb synthesizers have been widely investigated. These frequency combs bridge the frequencies from optical domain to microwave domain with orders of magnitude difference, providing a metrological tool for various platforms. The demand for highly robust, scalable, compact and cost-effective femtosecond-laser synthesizers, however, are of great importance for applications in air- or space-borne platforms, where low cost and rugged packaging are particularly required. This has been afforded in the past several years due to breakthroughs in chip-scale nanofabrication, bringing advances in optical frequency combs down to semiconductor chips. These platforms, with significantly enhanced light-matter interaction, provide a fertile sandbox for research rich in nonlinear dynamics, and offer a reliable route towards low-phase noise photonic oscillators, broadband optical frequency synthesizers, miniaturized optical clockwork, and coherent terabit communications. The dissertation explores various types of optical frequency comb synthesizers based on nonlinear microresonators. Firstly, the fundamental mechanism of mode-locking in a high-quality factor microresonator is examined, supported by ultrafast optical characterizations, analytical closed-form solutions and numerical modeling. In the evolution of these frequency microcombs, the key nonlinear dynamical effect governing the comb state coherence is rigorously analyzed. Secondly, a prototype of chip-scale optical frequency synthesizer is demonstrated, with the laser frequency comb stabilized down to instrument-limited 50-mHz RF frequency inaccuracies and 10-16 fractional frequency inaccuracies, near the fundamental limits. Thirdly, a globally stable Turing pattern is achieved and characterized in these nonlinear resonators with high-efficiency conversion, subsequently generating coherent high-power terahertz radiation via plasmonic photomixers. Finally, a new universal modality of frequency combs is discussed, including satellite states, dynamical tunability, and high efficiency conversion towards direct chip-scale optical frequency synthesis at the precision metrology frontiers.

Digital isothermal quantification of nucleic acids via simultaneous chemical initiation of recombinase polymerase amplification reactions on SlipChip.

PubMed

Shen, Feng; Davydova, Elena K; Du, Wenbin; Kreutz, Jason E; Piepenburg, Olaf; Ismagilov, Rustem F

2011-05-01

In this paper, digital quantitative detection of nucleic acids was achieved at the single-molecule level by chemical initiation of over one thousand sequence-specific, nanoliter isothermal amplification reactions in parallel. Digital polymerase chain reaction (digital PCR), a method used for quantification of nucleic acids, counts the presence or absence of amplification of individual molecules. However, it still requires temperature cycling, which is undesirable under resource-limited conditions. This makes isothermal methods for nucleic acid amplification, such as recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), more attractive. A microfluidic digital RPA SlipChip is described here for simultaneous initiation of over one thousand nL-scale RPA reactions by adding a chemical initiator to each reaction compartment with a simple slipping step after instrument-free pipet loading. Two designs of the SlipChip, two-step slipping and one-step slipping, were validated using digital RPA. By using the digital RPA SlipChip, false-positive results from preinitiation of the RPA amplification reaction before incubation were eliminated. End point fluorescence readout was used for "yes or no" digital quantification. The performance of digital RPA in a SlipChip was validated by amplifying and counting single molecules of the target nucleic acid, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) genomic DNA. The digital RPA on SlipChip was also tolerant to fluctuations of the incubation temperature (37-42 °C), and its performance was comparable to digital PCR on the same SlipChip design. The digital RPA SlipChip provides a simple method to quantify nucleic acids without requiring thermal cycling or kinetic measurements, with potential applications in diagnostics and environmental monitoring under resource-limited settings. The ability to initiate thousands of chemical reactions in parallel on the nanoliter scale using solvent-resistant glass devices is likely to be useful for a broader range of applications.

Digital Isothermal Quantification of Nucleic Acids via Simultaneous Chemical Initiation of Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Reactions on SlipChip

PubMed Central

Shen, Feng; Davydova, Elena K.; Du, Wenbin; Kreutz, Jason E.; Piepenburg, Olaf; Ismagilov, Rustem F.

2011-01-01

In this paper, digital quantitative detection of nucleic acids was achieved at the single-molecule level by chemical initiation of over one thousand sequence-specific, nanoliter, isothermal amplification reactions in parallel. Digital polymerase chain reaction (digital PCR), a method used for quantification of nucleic acids, counts the presence or absence of amplification of individual molecules. However it still requires temperature cycling, which is undesirable under resource-limited conditions. This makes isothermal methods for nucleic acid amplification, such as recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), more attractive. A microfluidic digital RPA SlipChip is described here for simultaneous initiation of over one thousand nL-scale RPA reactions by adding a chemical initiator to each reaction compartment with a simple slipping step after instrument-free pipette loading. Two designs of the SlipChip, two-step slipping and one-step slipping, were validated using digital RPA. By using the digital RPA SlipChip, false positive results from pre-initiation of the RPA amplification reaction before incubation were eliminated. End-point fluorescence readout was used for “yes or no” digital quantification. The performance of digital RPA in a SlipChip was validated by amplifying and counting single molecules of the target nucleic acid, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) genomic DNA. The digital RPA on SlipChip was also tolerant to fluctuations of the incubation temperature (37–42 °C), and its performance was comparable to digital PCR on the same SlipChip design. The digital RPA SlipChip provides a simple method to quantify nucleic acids without requiring thermal cycling or kinetic measurements, with potential applications in diagnostics and environmental monitoring under resource-limited settings. The ability to initiate thousands of chemical reactions in parallel on the nanoliter scale using solvent-resistant glass devices is likely to be useful for a broader range of applications. PMID:21476587

Graphene paper supported MoS2 nanocrystals monolayer with Cu submicron-buds: High-performance flexible platform for sensing in sweat.

PubMed

Wang, Zhengyun; Dong, Shuang; Gui, Mengxi; Asif, Muhammad; Wang, Wei; Wang, Feng; Liu, Hongfang

2018-02-15

Flexible sweat biosensors are of considerable current interest for the development of wearable smart miniature devices. In this work, we report a novel type of flexible and electrochemical sweat platform fabricated by depositing Cu submicron buds on freestanding graphene paper (GP) carrying MoS 2 nanocrystals monolayer for bio-functional detection of glucose and lactate. Quantitative analysis of glucose and lactate was carried out by using amperometric i-t method. Linear ranges were obtained between 5 and 1775 μM for glucose and 0.01-18.4 mM for lactate, and their corresponding limits of detection were 500 nM and 0.1 μM, respectively. The platform demonstrates fast response, good selectivity, superb reproducibility and outstanding flexibility, which enable its use for monitoring glucose and lactate in human perspiration. The strategy of structurally integrating 3D transition metal, 0D transition metal sulfide and 2D graphene will provide new insight into the design of flexible electrodes for sweat glucose and lactate monitoring and a wider range of applications in biosensing, bioelectronics, and lab-on-a-chip devices. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

CHIPS. Volume 29, Issue 1, January - March 2011

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-01

services, like electricity, heating or cable television. Bank/Finance Fraud: • They may create counterfeit checks using their victim’s name or...consolidating disparate, stove- piped networks into a single, modern, cost-effective enterprise network with a high level of service that meets...Holland, NGEN program manager. “If NMCI is not the most secure network in the world, it is certainly close. There is no shortfall flexibility

Generic controller dedicated to telemetry-controlled microsystems.

PubMed

Sodagar, Amir M; Wise, Kensall D; Najafi, Khalil

2006-01-01

This paper introduces a generic controller designed for telemetry-controlled microsystems. This controller receives a data packet through a serial link carrying a command word and the associated data, and is capable of generating a variety of control/timing signals according to the definition of the received command. The flexible microprogrammed architecture of the controller allows for defining the commands functions in an on-chip mask-programmable read-only memory.

Flexible Manufacturing System Handbook. Volume IV. Appendices

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-02-01

and Acceptance Test(s)" on page 26 of this Proposal Request. 1.1.10 Options 1. Centralized Automatic Chip/Coolant Recovery System a. Scope The...viable, from manual- ly moving the pallet/fixture/part combinations from machine to machine to fully automatic , unmanned material handling systems , such...English. Where dimensions are shown in metric units, the English system (inch) equivalent will also be shown. Hydraulic, pneumatic , and electrical

Design and implementation of a programming circuit in radiation-hardened FPGA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lihua, Wu; Xiaowei, Han; Yan, Zhao; Zhongli, Liu; Fang, Yu; Chen, Stanley L.

2011-08-01

We present a novel programming circuit used in our radiation-hardened field programmable gate array (FPGA) chip. This circuit provides the ability to write user-defined configuration data into an FPGA and then read it back. The proposed circuit adopts the direct-access programming point scheme instead of the typical long token shift register chain. It not only saves area but also provides more flexible configuration operations. By configuring the proposed partial configuration control register, our smallest configuration section can be conveniently configured as a single data and a flexible partial configuration can be easily implemented. The hierarchical simulation scheme, optimization of the critical path and the elaborate layout plan make this circuit work well. Also, the radiation hardened by design programming point is introduced. This circuit has been implemented in a static random access memory (SRAM)-based FPGA fabricated by a 0.5 μm partial-depletion silicon-on-insulator CMOS process. The function test results of the fabricated chip indicate that this programming circuit successfully realizes the desired functions in the configuration and read-back. Moreover, the radiation test results indicate that the programming circuit has total dose tolerance of 1 × 105 rad(Si), dose rate survivability of 1.5 × 1011 rad(Si)/s and neutron fluence immunity of 1 × 1014 n/cm2.

High-aspect ratio magnetic nanocomposite polymer cilium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahbar, M.; Tseng, H. Y.; Gray, B. L.

2014-03-01

This paper presents a new fabrication technique to achieve ultra high-aspect ratio artificial cilia micro-patterned from flexible highly magnetic rare earth nanoparticle-doped polymers. We have developed a simple, inexpensive and scalable fabrication method to create cilia structures that can be actuated by miniature electromagnets, that are suitable to be used for lab-on-a chip (LOC) and micro-total-analysis-system (μ-TAS) applications such as mixers and flow-control elements. The magnetic cilia are fabricated and magnetically polarized directly in microfluidic channels or reaction chambers, allowing for easy integration with complex microfluidic systems. These cilia structures can be combined on a single chip with other microfluidic components employing the same permanently magnetic nano-composite polymer (MNCP), such as valves or pumps. Rare earth permanent magnetic powder, (Nd0.7Ce0.3)10.5Fe83.9B5.6, is used to dope polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), resulting in a highly flexible M-NCP of much higher magnetization and remanence [1] than ferromagnetic polymers typically employed in magnetic microfluidics. Sacrificial poly(ethylene-glycol) (PEG) is used to mold the highly magnetic polymer into ultra high-aspect ratio artificial cilia. Cilia structures with aspect ratio exceeding 8:0.13 can be easily fabricated using this technique and are actuated using miniature electromagnets to achieve a high range of motion/vibration.

Using partial reconfiguration for SoC design and implementation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krasteva, Yana E.; Portilla, Jorge; Tobajas Guerrero, Félix; de la Torre, Eduardo

2009-05-01

Most reconfigurable systems rely on FPGA technology. Among these ones, those which permit dynamic and partial reconfiguration, offer added benefits in flexibility, in-field device upgrade, improved design and manufacturing time, and even, in some cases, power consumption reductions. However, dynamic reconfiguration is a complex task, and the real benefits of its use in real applications have been often questioned. This paper presents an overview of the partial reconfiguration technique application, along with four original applications. The main goal of these applications is to test several architectures with different flexibility and, to search for the partial reconfiguration "killing application", that is, the application that better demonstrates the benefits of today reconfigurable systems based on commercial FPGAs. Therefore, the presented applications are rather a proof of concept, than fully operative and closed systems. First, a brief introduction to the partial reconfigurable systems application topic has been included. After that, the descriptions of the created reconfigurable systems are presented: first, an on-chip communications emulation framework, second, an on chip debugging system, third, a wireless sensor network reconfigurable node and finally, a remote reconfigurable client-server device. Each application is described in a separate section of the paper along with some test and results. General conclusions are included at the end of the paper.

Instrumented urethral catheter and its ex vivo validation in a sheep urethra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmadi, Mahdi; Rajamani, Rajesh; Timm, Gerald; Sezen, Serdar

2017-03-01

This paper designs and fabricates an instrumented catheter for instantaneous measurement of distributed urethral pressure profiles. Since the catheter enables a new type of urological measurement, a process for accurate ex vivo validation of the catheter is developed. A flexible sensor strip is first fabricated with nine pressure sensors and integrated electronic pads for an associated sensor IC chip. The flexible sensor strip and associated IC chip are assembled on a 7 Fr Foley catheter. A sheep bladder and urethra are extracted and used in an ex vivo set up for verification of the developed instrumented catheter. The bladder-urethra are suspended in a test rig and pressure cuffs placed to apply known static and dynamic pressures around the urethra. A significant challenge in the performance of the sensor system is the presence of parasitics that introduce large bias and drift errors in the capacitive sensor signals. An algorithm based on use of reference parasitic transducers is used to compensate for the parasitics. Extensive experimental results verify that the developed compensation method works effectively. Results on pressure variation profiles circumferentially around the urethra and longitudinally along the urethra are presented. The developed instrumented catheter will be useful in improved urodynamics to more accurately diagnose the source of urinary incontinence in patients.

Factor Structure of the Behavior Flexibility Rating Scale (BFRS)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pituch, Keenan A.; Green, Vanessa A.; Sigafoos, Jeff; Itchon, Jonathan; O'Reilly, Mark; Lancioni, Giulio E.; Didden, Robert

2007-01-01

The Behavior Flexibility Rating Scale (BFRS) is designed to assess insistence on sameness or lack of behavioral flexibility, which is often associated with autism and other developmental disabilities. This study was designed to assess the factor structure of this scale for a sample of 968 individuals with autism, Asperger's syndrome, and Down…

Small-scale, self-propagating combustion realized with on-chip porous silicon.

PubMed

Piekiel, Nicholas W; Morris, Christopher J

2015-05-13

For small-scale energy applications, energetic materials represent a high energy density source that, in certain cases, can be accessed with a very small amount of energy input. Recent advances in microprocessing techniques allow for the implementation of a porous silicon energetic material onto a crystalline silicon wafer at the microscale; however, combustion at a small length scale remains to be fully investigated, particularly with regards to the limitations of increased relative heat loss during combustion. The present study explores the critical dimensions of an on-chip porous silicon energetic material (porous silicon + sodium perchlorate (NaClO4)) required to propagate combustion. We etched ∼97 μm wide and ∼45 μm deep porous silicon channels that burned at a steady rate of 4.6 m/s, remaining steady across 90° changes in direction. In an effort to minimize the potential on-chip footprint for energetic porous silicon, we also explored the minimum spacing between porous silicon channels. We demonstrated independent burning of porous silicon channels at a spacing of <40 μm. Using this spacing, it was possible to have a flame path length of >0.5 m on a chip surface area of 1.65 cm(2). Smaller porous silicon channels of ∼28 μm wide and ∼14 μm deep were also utilized. These samples propagated combustion, but at times, did so unsteadily. This result may suggest that we are approaching a critical length scale for self-propagating combustion in a porous silicon energetic material.

The Flexibility Scale: Development and Preliminary Validation of a Cognitive Flexibility Measure in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Strang, John F.; Anthony, Laura G.; Yerys, Benjamin E.; Hardy, Kristina K.; Wallace, Gregory L.; Armour, Anna C.; Dudley, Katerina; Kenworthy, Lauren

2017-01-01

Flexibility is a key component of executive function, and is related to everyday functioning and adult outcomes. However, existing informant reports do not densely sample cognitive aspects of flexibility; the Flexibility Scale (FS) was developed to address this gap. This study investigates the validity of the FS in 221 youth with ASD and 57…

Coping with Health Problems: Developing a Reliable and Valid Multidimensional Measure.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Endler, Norman S.; Parker, James D. A.; Summerfeldt, Laura J.

1998-01-01

A self-report measure, the Coping with Health Injuries and Problems Scale (CHIP), was developed to identify basic coping dimensions for responding to health problems. The CHIP factor structure, established with samples of 532 adults and 598 adults in Canada, is cross-validated with 390 general medical patients and 286 chronic back pain patients.…

Production, Cost and Chip Characteristics of In-Woods Microchipping

Treesearch

J. Thompson; W. Sprinkle

2013-01-01

Emerging markets for biomass have increased the interest in producing microchips in the field. As a component of a large United States Department of Energy (DOE) funded project, microchipping has been trialed on a limited scale. The goal of the research was to evaluate the production, cost and chip characteristics of a mobile disc chipper configured to produce...

Estimating minimal important differences for several scales assessing function and quality of life in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

PubMed

Hodgkins, Paul; Lloyd, Andrew; Erder, M Haim; Setyawan, Juliana; Weiss, Margaret D; Sasané, Rahul; Nafees, Beenish

2017-02-01

Defining minimal important difference (MID) is critical to interpreting patient-reported outcomes data and treatment efficacy in clinical trials. This study estimates the MID for the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale-Parent Report (WFIRS-P) and the Child Health and Illness Profile-Parent Report (CHIP-CE-PRF76) among parents of young people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the UK. Parents of children (6-12 years; n=100) and adolescents (13-17 years; n=117) with ADHD completed a socio-demographic form, the CHIP-CE-PRF76, the WFIRS-P, and the Pediatric Quality of Life scale at baseline and 4 weeks later. At follow-up, a subset of parents completed anchor questions measuring change in the child/adolescent from baseline. MIDs were estimated using anchor-based and distribution-based methods, and separately for children and adolescents. The MID estimates for overall change in the WFIRS-P total score ranged from 11.31 (standard error of measurement) to 13.47 (anchor) for the total sample. The range of MID estimates for the CHIP-CE-PRF76 varied by domain: 6.80-7.41 (satisfaction), 6.18-7.34 (comfort), 5.60-6.72 (resilience), 6.06-7.57 (risk avoidance), and 4.00-5.63 (achievement) for the total sample. Overall, MID estimates for WFIRS-P MID and CHIP-CE-PRF76 were slightly higher for adolescents than for children. This study estimated MIDs for these instruments using several methods. The observed convergence of the MID estimates increases confidence in their reliability and could assist clinicians and decision makers in deriving meaningful interpretations of observed changes in the WFIRS-P and CHIP-CE in clinical trials and practice.

NMR spectroscopy of single sub-nL ova with inductive ultra-compact single-chip probes

PubMed Central

Grisi, Marco; Vincent, Franck; Volpe, Beatrice; Guidetti, Roberto; Harris, Nicola; Beck, Armin; Boero, Giovanni

2017-01-01

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy enables non-invasive chemical studies of intact living matter. However, the use of NMR at the volume scale typical of microorganisms is hindered by sensitivity limitations, and experiments on single intact organisms have so far been limited to entities having volumes larger than 5 nL. Here we show NMR spectroscopy experiments conducted on single intact ova of 0.1 and 0.5 nL (i.e. 10 to 50 times smaller than previously achieved), thereby reaching the relevant volume scale where life development begins for a broad variety of organisms, humans included. Performing experiments with inductive ultra-compact (1 mm2) single-chip NMR probes, consisting of a low noise transceiver and a multilayer 150 μm planar microcoil, we demonstrate that the achieved limit of detection (about 5 pmol of 1H nuclei) is sufficient to detect endogenous compounds. Our findings suggest that single-chip probes are promising candidates to enable NMR-based study and selection of microscopic entities at biologically relevant volume scales. PMID:28317887

Ten-channel InP-based large-scale photonic integrated transmitter fabricated by SAG technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Can; Zhu, Hongliang; Liang, Song; Cui, Xiao; Wang, Huitao; Zhao, Lingjuan; Wang, Wei

2014-12-01

A 10-channel InP-based large-scale photonic integrated transmitter was fabricated by selective area growth (SAG) technology combined with butt-joint regrowth (BJR) technology. The SAG technology was utilized to fabricate the electroabsorption modulated distributed feedback (DFB) laser (EML) arrays at the same time. The design of coplanar electrodes for electroabsorption modulator (EAM) was used for the flip-chip bonding package. The lasing wavelength of DFB laser could be tuned by the integrated micro-heater to match the ITU grids, which only needs one electrode pad. The average output power of each channel is 250 μW with an injection current of 200 mA. The static extinction ratios of the EAMs for 10 channels tested are ranged from 15 to 27 dB with a reverse bias of 6 V. The frequencies of 3 dB bandwidth of the chip for each channel are around 14 GHz. The novel design and simple fabrication process show its enormous potential in reducing the cost of large-scale photonic integrated circuit (LS-PIC) transmitter with high chip yields.

The Flexibility Scale: Development and Preliminary Validation of a Cognitive Flexibility Measure in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

PubMed

Strang, John F; Anthony, Laura G; Yerys, Benjamin E; Hardy, Kristina K; Wallace, Gregory L; Armour, Anna C; Dudley, Katerina; Kenworthy, Lauren

2017-08-01

Flexibility is a key component of executive function, and is related to everyday functioning and adult outcomes. However, existing informant reports do not densely sample cognitive aspects of flexibility; the Flexibility Scale (FS) was developed to address this gap. This study investigates the validity of the FS in 221 youth with ASD and 57 typically developing children. Exploratory factor analysis indicates a five-factor scale: Routines/rituals, transitions/change, special interests, social flexibility, and generativity. The FS demonstrated convergent and divergent validity with comparative domains of function in other measures, save for the Generativity factor. The FS discriminated participants with ASD and controls. Thus, this study suggests the FS may be a viable, comprehensive measure of flexibility in everyday settings.

ChIPpeakAnno: a Bioconductor package to annotate ChIP-seq and ChIP-chip data

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) followed by high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) or ChIP followed by genome tiling array analysis (ChIP-chip) have become standard technologies for genome-wide identification of DNA-binding protein target sites. A number of algorithms have been developed in parallel that allow identification of binding sites from ChIP-seq or ChIP-chip datasets and subsequent visualization in the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) Genome Browser as custom annotation tracks. However, summarizing these tracks can be a daunting task, particularly if there are a large number of binding sites or the binding sites are distributed widely across the genome. Results We have developed ChIPpeakAnno as a Bioconductor package within the statistical programming environment R to facilitate batch annotation of enriched peaks identified from ChIP-seq, ChIP-chip, cap analysis of gene expression (CAGE) or any experiments resulting in a large number of enriched genomic regions. The binding sites annotated with ChIPpeakAnno can be viewed easily as a table, a pie chart or plotted in histogram form, i.e., the distribution of distances to the nearest genes for each set of peaks. In addition, we have implemented functionalities for determining the significance of overlap between replicates or binding sites among transcription factors within a complex, and for drawing Venn diagrams to visualize the extent of the overlap between replicates. Furthermore, the package includes functionalities to retrieve sequences flanking putative binding sites for PCR amplification, cloning, or motif discovery, and to identify Gene Ontology (GO) terms associated with adjacent genes. Conclusions ChIPpeakAnno enables batch annotation of the binding sites identified from ChIP-seq, ChIP-chip, CAGE or any technology that results in a large number of enriched genomic regions within the statistical programming environment R. Allowing users to pass their own annotation data such as a different Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) preparation and a dataset from literature, or existing annotation packages, such as GenomicFeatures and BSgenome, provides flexibility. Tight integration to the biomaRt package enables up-to-date annotation retrieval from the BioMart database. PMID:20459804

A lab-on-chip for malaria diagnosis and surveillance

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Access to timely and accurate diagnostic tests has a significant impact in the management of diseases of global concern such as malaria. While molecular diagnostics satisfy this need effectively in developed countries, barriers in technology, reagent storage, cost and expertise have hampered the introduction of these methods in developing countries. In this study a simple, lab-on-chip PCR diagnostic was created for malaria that overcomes these challenges. Methods The platform consists of a disposable plastic chip and a low-cost, portable, real-time PCR machine. The chip contains a desiccated hydrogel with reagents needed for Plasmodium specific PCR. Chips can be stored at room temperature and used on demand by rehydrating the gel with unprocessed blood, avoiding the need for sample preparation. These chips were run on a custom-built instrument containing a Peltier element for thermal cycling and a laser/camera setup for amplicon detection. Results This diagnostic was capable of detecting all Plasmodium species with a limit of detection for Plasmodium falciparum of 2 parasites/μL of blood. This exceeds the sensitivity of microscopy, the current standard for diagnosis in the field, by ten to fifty-fold. In a blind panel of 188 patient samples from a hyper-endemic region of malaria transmission in Uganda, the diagnostic had high sensitivity (97.4%) and specificity (93.8%) versus conventional real-time PCR. The test also distinguished the two most prevalent malaria species in mixed infections, P. falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. A second blind panel of 38 patient samples was tested on a streamlined instrument with LED-based excitation, achieving a sensitivity of 96.7% and a specificity of 100%. Conclusions These results describe the development of a lab-on-chip PCR diagnostic from initial concept to ready-for-manufacture design. This platform will be useful in front-line malaria diagnosis, elimination programmes, and clinical trials. Furthermore, test chips can be adapted to detect other pathogens for a differential diagnosis in the field. The flexibility, reliability, and robustness of this technology hold much promise for its use as a novel molecular diagnostic platform in developing countries. PMID:24885206

Optical wireless link between a nanoscale antenna and a transducing rectenna.

PubMed

Dasgupta, Arindam; Mennemanteuil, Marie-Maxime; Buret, Mickaël; Cazier, Nicolas; Colas-des-Francs, Gérard; Bouhelier, Alexandre

2018-05-18

Initiated as a cable-replacement solution, short-range wireless power transfer has rapidly become ubiquitous in the development of modern high-data throughput networking in centimeter to meter accessibility range. Wireless technology is now penetrating a higher level of system integration for chip-to-chip and on-chip radiofrequency interconnects. However, standard CMOS integrated millimeter-wave antennas have typical size commensurable with the operating wavelength, and are thus an unrealistic solution for downsizing transmitters and receivers to the micrometer and nanometer scale. Herein, we demonstrate a light-in and electrical signal-out, on-chip wireless near-infrared link between a 220 nm optical antenna and a sub-nanometer rectifying antenna converting the transmitted optical energy into direct electrical current. The co-integration of subwavelength optical functional devices with electronic transduction offers a disruptive solution to interface photons and electrons at the nanoscale for on-chip wireless optical interconnects.

Laser Light-field Fusion for Wide-field Lensfree On-chip Phase Contrast Microscopy of Nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kazemzadeh, Farnoud; Wong, Alexander

2016-12-01

Wide-field lensfree on-chip microscopy, which leverages holography principles to capture interferometric light-field encodings without lenses, is an emerging imaging modality with widespread interest given the large field-of-view compared to lens-based techniques. In this study, we introduce the idea of laser light-field fusion for lensfree on-chip phase contrast microscopy for detecting nanoparticles, where interferometric laser light-field encodings acquired using a lensfree, on-chip setup with laser pulsations at different wavelengths are fused to produce marker-free phase contrast images of particles at the nanometer scale. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate, for the first time, a wide-field lensfree on-chip instrument successfully detecting 300 nm particles across a large field-of-view of ~30 mm2 without any specialized or intricate sample preparation, or the use of synthetic aperture- or shift-based techniques.

A new technique to detect antibody-antigen reaction (biological interactions) on a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) based nano ripple gold chip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saleem, Iram; Widger, William; Chu, Wei-Kan

2017-07-01

We demonstrate that the gold nano-ripple localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) chip is a low cost and a label-free method for detecting the presence of an antigen. A uniform stable layer of an antibody was coated on the surface of a nano-ripple gold pattern chip followed by the addition of different concentrations of the antigen. A red shift was observed in the LSPR spectral peak caused by the change in the local refractive index in the vicinity of the nanostructure. The LSPR chip was fabricated using oblique gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) irradiation. The plasmon-resonance intensity of the scattered light was measured by a simple optical spectroscope. The gold nano ripple chip shows monolayer scale sensitivity and high selectivity. The LSPR substrate was used to detect antibody-antigen reaction of rabbit X-DENTT antibody and DENTT blocking peptide (antigen).

Laser Light-field Fusion for Wide-field Lensfree On-chip Phase Contrast Microscopy of Nanoparticles.

PubMed

Kazemzadeh, Farnoud; Wong, Alexander

2016-12-13

Wide-field lensfree on-chip microscopy, which leverages holography principles to capture interferometric light-field encodings without lenses, is an emerging imaging modality with widespread interest given the large field-of-view compared to lens-based techniques. In this study, we introduce the idea of laser light-field fusion for lensfree on-chip phase contrast microscopy for detecting nanoparticles, where interferometric laser light-field encodings acquired using a lensfree, on-chip setup with laser pulsations at different wavelengths are fused to produce marker-free phase contrast images of particles at the nanometer scale. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate, for the first time, a wide-field lensfree on-chip instrument successfully detecting 300 nm particles across a large field-of-view of ~30 mm 2 without any specialized or intricate sample preparation, or the use of synthetic aperture- or shift-based techniques.

Qubit entanglement between ring-resonator photon-pair sources on a silicon chip

PubMed Central

Silverstone, J. W.; Santagati, R.; Bonneau, D.; Strain, M. J.; Sorel, M.; O'Brien, J. L.; Thompson, M. G.

2015-01-01

Entanglement—one of the most delicate phenomena in nature—is an essential resource for quantum information applications. Scalable photonic quantum devices must generate and control qubit entanglement on-chip, where quantum information is naturally encoded in photon path. Here we report a silicon photonic chip that uses resonant-enhanced photon-pair sources, spectral demultiplexers and reconfigurable optics to generate a path-entangled two-qubit state and analyse its entanglement. We show that ring-resonator-based spontaneous four-wave mixing photon-pair sources can be made highly indistinguishable and that their spectral correlations are small. We use on-chip frequency demultiplexers and reconfigurable optics to perform both quantum state tomography and the strict Bell-CHSH test, both of which confirm a high level of on-chip entanglement. This work demonstrates the integration of high-performance components that will be essential for building quantum devices and systems to harness photonic entanglement on the large scale. PMID:26245267

Development of the Coping Flexibility Scale: Evidence for the Coping Flexibility Hypothesis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kato, Tsukasa

2012-01-01

"Coping flexibility" was defined as the ability to discontinue an ineffective coping strategy (i.e., evaluation coping) and produce and implement an alternative coping strategy (i.e., adaptive coping). The Coping Flexibility Scale (CFS) was developed on the basis of this definition. Five studies involving approximately 4,400 Japanese…

Face classification using electronic synapses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Peng; Wu, Huaqiang; Gao, Bin; Eryilmaz, Sukru Burc; Huang, Xueyao; Zhang, Wenqiang; Zhang, Qingtian; Deng, Ning; Shi, Luping; Wong, H.-S. Philip; Qian, He

2017-05-01

Conventional hardware platforms consume huge amount of energy for cognitive learning due to the data movement between the processor and the off-chip memory. Brain-inspired device technologies using analogue weight storage allow to complete cognitive tasks more efficiently. Here we present an analogue non-volatile resistive memory (an electronic synapse) with foundry friendly materials. The device shows bidirectional continuous weight modulation behaviour. Grey-scale face classification is experimentally demonstrated using an integrated 1024-cell array with parallel online training. The energy consumption within the analogue synapses for each iteration is 1,000 × (20 ×) lower compared to an implementation using Intel Xeon Phi processor with off-chip memory (with hypothetical on-chip digital resistive random access memory). The accuracy on test sets is close to the result using a central processing unit. These experimental results consolidate the feasibility of analogue synaptic array and pave the way toward building an energy efficient and large-scale neuromorphic system.

Face classification using electronic synapses.

PubMed

Yao, Peng; Wu, Huaqiang; Gao, Bin; Eryilmaz, Sukru Burc; Huang, Xueyao; Zhang, Wenqiang; Zhang, Qingtian; Deng, Ning; Shi, Luping; Wong, H-S Philip; Qian, He

2017-05-12

Conventional hardware platforms consume huge amount of energy for cognitive learning due to the data movement between the processor and the off-chip memory. Brain-inspired device technologies using analogue weight storage allow to complete cognitive tasks more efficiently. Here we present an analogue non-volatile resistive memory (an electronic synapse) with foundry friendly materials. The device shows bidirectional continuous weight modulation behaviour. Grey-scale face classification is experimentally demonstrated using an integrated 1024-cell array with parallel online training. The energy consumption within the analogue synapses for each iteration is 1,000 × (20 ×) lower compared to an implementation using Intel Xeon Phi processor with off-chip memory (with hypothetical on-chip digital resistive random access memory). The accuracy on test sets is close to the result using a central processing unit. These experimental results consolidate the feasibility of analogue synaptic array and pave the way toward building an energy efficient and large-scale neuromorphic system.

MOBE-ChIP: Probing Cell Type-Specific Binding Through Large-Scale Chromatin Immunoprecipitation.

PubMed

Wang, Shenqi; Lau, On Sun

2018-01-01

In multicellular organisms, the initiation and maintenance of specific cell types often require the activity of cell type-specific transcriptional regulators. Understanding their roles in gene regulation is crucial but probing their DNA targets in vivo, especially in a genome-wide manner, remains a technical challenge with their limited expression. To improve the sensitivity of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) for detecting the cell type-specific signals, we have developed the Maximized Objects for Better Enrichment (MOBE)-ChIP, where ChIP is performed at a substantially larger experimental scale and under low background conditions. Here, we describe the procedure in the study of transcription factors in the model plant Arabidopsis. However, with some modifications, the technique should also be implemented in other systems. Besides cell type-specific studies, MOBE-ChIP can also be used as a general strategy to improve ChIP signals.

Highly localized distributed Brillouin scattering response in a photonic integrated circuit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zarifi, Atiyeh; Stiller, Birgit; Merklein, Moritz; Li, Neuton; Vu, Khu; Choi, Duk-Yong; Ma, Pan; Madden, Stephen J.; Eggleton, Benjamin J.

2018-03-01

The interaction of optical and acoustic waves via stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) has recently reached on-chip platforms, which has opened new fields of applications ranging from integrated microwave photonics and on-chip narrow-linewidth lasers, to phonon-based optical delay and signal processing schemes. Since SBS is an effect that scales exponentially with interaction length, on-chip implementation on a short length scale is challenging, requiring carefully designed waveguides with optimized opto-acoustic overlap. In this work, we use the principle of Brillouin optical correlation domain analysis to locally measure the SBS spectrum with high spatial resolution of 800 μm and perform a distributed measurement of the Brillouin spectrum along a spiral waveguide in a photonic integrated circuit. This approach gives access to local opto-acoustic properties of the waveguides, including the Brillouin frequency shift and linewidth, essential information for the further development of high quality photonic-phononic waveguides for SBS applications.

Monitoring CO2 invasion processes at the pore scale using geological labs on chip.

PubMed

Morais, S; Liu, N; Diouf, A; Bernard, D; Lecoutre, C; Garrabos, Y; Marre, S

2016-09-21

In order to investigate at the pore scale the mechanisms involved during CO2 injection in a water saturated pore network, a series of displacement experiments is reported using high pressure micromodels (geological labs on chip - GLoCs) working under real geological conditions (25 < T (°C) < 75 and 4.5 < p (MPa) < 8). The experiments were focused on the influence of three experimental parameters: (i) the p, T conditions, (ii) the injection flow rates and (iii) the pore network characteristics. By using on-chip optical characterization and imaging approaches, the CO2 saturation curves as a function of either time or the number of pore volume injected were determined. Three main mechanisms were observed during CO2 injection, namely, invasion, percolation and drying, which are discussed in this paper. Interestingly, besides conventional mechanisms, two counterintuitive situations were observed during the invasion and drying processes.

Wavy Architecture Thin-Film Transistor for Ultrahigh Resolution Flexible Displays.

PubMed

Hanna, Amir Nabil; Kutbee, Arwa Talal; Subedi, Ram Chandra; Ooi, Boon; Hussain, Muhammad Mustafa

2018-01-01

A novel wavy-shaped thin-film-transistor (TFT) architecture, capable of achieving 70% higher drive current per unit chip area when compared with planar conventional TFT architectures, is reported for flexible display application. The transistor, due to its atypical architecture, does not alter the turn-on voltage or the OFF current values, leading to higher performance without compromising static power consumption. The concept behind this architecture is expanding the transistor's width vertically through grooved trenches in a structural layer deposited on a flexible substrate. Operation of zinc oxide (ZnO)-based TFTs is shown down to a bending radius of 5 mm with no degradation in the electrical performance or cracks in the gate stack. Finally, flexible low-power LEDs driven by the respective currents of the novel wavy, and conventional coplanar architectures are demonstrated, where the novel architecture is able to drive the LED at 2 × the output power, 3 versus 1.5 mW, which demonstrates the potential use for ultrahigh resolution displays in an area efficient manner. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Efficacy of 10% whole Azadirachta indica (neem) chip as an adjunct to scaling and root planning in chronic periodontitis: A clinical and microbiological study.

PubMed

Vennila, K; Elanchezhiyan, S; Ilavarasu, Sugumari

2016-01-01

Anti-microbial therapy is essential along with conventional therapy in the management of periodontal disease. Instead of systemic chemical agents, herbal products could be used as antimicrobial agents. Herbal local drug delivery systems are effective alternative for systemic therapy in managing the chronic periodontal disease. In this study, 10% neem oil chip was used as a local drug delivery system to evaluate the efficacy in the periodontal disease management. Twenty otherwise healthy patients with the bilateral periodontal probing depth of 5-6 mm were included in the study. After scaling and root planning (SRP), 10% nonabsorbable neem chip was placed in the pocket in one side of the arch. Other side was done with SRP only. Clinical parameters were recorded on the baseline, 7th day, and 21st day. Plaque samples were obtained for a microbiological study on the baseline and 21st day. Porphyromonas gingivalis strains were seen using quantitative and qualitative polymerase chain reaction assay. All results were statistically evaluated. Clinical parameters showed statistically improved on the neem chip sites and presence of P. gingivalis strains were significantly reduced on the neem chip sites. Hence, 10% neem oil local delivery system delivers desired effects on P. gingivalis. Further research is needed to evaluate the neem oil efficacy on other periodontal pathogens.

A polarization converting device for an interfering enhanced CPT atomic clock.

PubMed

Wang, Kewei; Tian, Yuan; Yin, Yi; Wang, Yuanchao; Gu, Sihong

2017-11-01

With interfering enhanced coherent population trapping (CPT) signals, a CPT atomic clock with improved frequency stability performance can be realized. We explore an optical device that converts single-polarized bichromatic light to left and right circularly polarized superposed bichromatic light to generate interfering enhanced CPT resonance with atoms. We have experimentally studied a tabletop CPT atomic clock apparatus with a microfabricated 87 Rb atomic chip-scale cell, and the study results show that it is promising to realize a compact CPT atomic clock, even a chip-scale CPT atomic clock through microfabrication, with improved frequency stability performance.

The chip-scale atomic clock : prototype evaluation.

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

Mescher, Mark; Varghese, Mathew; Lutwak, Robert

2007-12-01

The authors have developed a chip-scale atomic clock (CSAC) for applications requiring atomic timing accuracy in portable battery-powered applications. At PTTI/FCS 2005, they reported on the demonstration of a prototype CSAC, with an overall size of 10 cm{sup 3}, power consumption > 150 mW, and short-term stability sy(t) < 1 x 10-9t-1/2. Since that report, they have completed the development of the CSAC, including provision for autonomous lock acquisition and a calibrated output at 10.0 MHz, in addition to modifications to the physics package and system architecture to improve performance and manufacturability.

A polarization converting device for an interfering enhanced CPT atomic clock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Kewei; Tian, Yuan; Yin, Yi; Wang, Yuanchao; Gu, Sihong

2017-11-01

With interfering enhanced coherent population trapping (CPT) signals, a CPT atomic clock with improved frequency stability performance can be realized. We explore an optical device that converts single-polarized bichromatic light to left and right circularly polarized superposed bichromatic light to generate interfering enhanced CPT resonance with atoms. We have experimentally studied a tabletop CPT atomic clock apparatus with a microfabricated 87Rb atomic chip-scale cell, and the study results show that it is promising to realize a compact CPT atomic clock, even a chip-scale CPT atomic clock through microfabrication, with improved frequency stability performance.

Chip-to-chip optical link by using optical wiring method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, In-Kui; Ahn, Seoung Ho; Jeong, Myung-Yung; Rho, Byung Sup; Park, Hyo Hoon

2008-01-01

A practical optical link system was prepared with a transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx). The optical TRx module consisted of a metal optical bench, a module printed circuit board (PCB), a driver/receiver IC, a VCSEL/PD array, and an optical link block composed of plastic optical fiber (POF). For the optical interconnection between the light-sources and detectors, an optical wiring method has been proposed to enable easy assembly. This paper provides a method for optical interconnection between an optical Tx and an optical Rx, comprising the following steps: (a) forming a light source device, an optical detection device, and an optical transmission unit on a substrate (metal optical bench (MOB)); (b) preparing a flexible optical transmission-connection medium (optical wiring link) to optically connect the light source device formed on the substrate with the optical detection device; and (c) directly connecting one end of the surface-finished optical transmission connection medium with the light source device and the other end with the optical detection device. A chip-to-chip optical link system constructed with TRx modules was fabricated and the optical characteristics were measured. The results clearly demonstrate that the use of an optical wiring method can provide robust and cost-effective assembly for vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) and photodiodes (PDs). We successfully achieved a 5 Gb/s data transmission rate with this optical link.

Autonomous Microsystems for Downhole Applications: Design Challenges, Current State, and Initial Test Results

PubMed Central

Choi, Myungjoon; Sui, Yu; Lee, In Hee; Meredith, Ryan; Ma, Yushu; Kim, Gyouho; Blaauw, David; Gianchandani, Yogesh B.; Li, Tao

2017-01-01

This paper describes two platforms for autonomous sensing microsystems that are intended for deployment in chemically corrosive environments at elevated temperatures and pressures. Following the deployment period, the microsystems are retrieved, recharged, and interrogated wirelessly at close proximity. The first platform is the Michigan Micro Mote for High Temperature (M3HT), a chip stack 2.9 × 1.1 × 1.5 mm3 in size. It uses RF communications to support pre-deployment and post-retrieval functions, and it uses customized electronics to achieve ultralow power consumption, permitting the use of a chip-scale battery. The second platform is the Environmental Logging Microsystem (ELM). This system, which is 6.5 × 6.3 × 4.5 mm3 in size, uses the smallest suitable off-the-shelf electronic and battery components that are compatible with assembly on a flexible printed circuit board. Data are stored in non-volatile memory, permitting retrieval even after total power loss. Pre-deployment and post-retrieval functions are supported by optical communication. Two types of encapsulation methods are used to withstand high pressure and corrosive environments: an epoxy filled volume is used for the M3HT, and a hollow stainless-steel shell with a sapphire lid is used for both the M3HT and ELM. The encapsulated systems were successfully tested at temperature and pressure reaching 150 °C and 10,000 psi, in environments of concentrated brine, oil, and cement slurry. At elevated temperatures, the limited lifetimes of available batteries constrain the active deployment period to several hours. PMID:28946614

Microfabrication of through holes in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) sheets using a laser plasma EUV source (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makimura, Tetsuya; Urai, Hikari; Niino, Hiroyuki

2017-03-01

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a material used for cell culture substrates / bio-chips and micro total analysis systems / lab-on-chips due to its flexibility, chemical / thermo-dynamic stability, bio-compatibility, transparency and moldability. For further development, it is inevitable to develop a technique to fabricate precise three dimensional structures on micrometer-scale at high aspect ratio. In the previous works, we reported a technique for high-quality micromachining of PDMS without chemical modification, by means of photo direct machining using laser plasma EUV sources. In the present work, we have investigated fabrication of through holes. The EUV radiations around 10 nm were generated by irradiation of Ta targets with Nd:YAG laser light (10 ns, 500 mJ/pulse). The generated EUV radiations were focused using an ellipsoidal mirror. It has a narrower incident angle than those in the previous works in order to form a EUV beam with higher directivity, so that higher aspect structures can be fabricated. The focused EUV beam was incident on PDMS sheets with a thickness of 15 micrometers, through holes in a contact mask placed on top of them. Using a contact mask with holes with a diameter of three micrometers, complete through holes with a diameter of two micrometers are fabricated in the PDMS sheet. Using a contact mask with two micrometer holes, however, ablation holes almost reaches to the back side of the PDMS sheet. The fabricated structures can be explained in terms of geometrical optics. Thus, we have developed a technique for micromachining of PDMS sheets at high aspect ratios.

Two CMOS gate arrays for the EPACT experiment

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

Winkert, G.

1992-08-01

Two semicustom CMOS digital gate arrays are described in this paper which have been developed for the Energetic Particles: Acceleration, Composition, and Transport (EPACT) experiment. The first device, the 'Event Counters: 16 by 24-bit' (EC1624), implements sixteen 24-bit ripple counters and has flexible counting and readout options. The second device, the 'Serial Transmitter/Receiver' (SXR), is a multi-personality chip that can be used at either end of a serial, synchronous communications data link. It can be configured as a master in a central control unit, or as one of many slaves within remote assemblies. Together a network of SXRs allows formore » commanding and verification of distributed control signals. Both gate arrays are radiation hardened and qualified for space flight use. The architecture of each chip is presented and the benefits to the experiment summarized.« less

Integrated electrical connector

DOEpatents

Benett, William J.; Ackler, Harold D.

2005-05-24

An electrical connector is formed from a sheet of electrically conductive material that lies in between the two layers of nonconducting material that comprise the casing of an electrical chip. The connector is electrically connected to an electrical element embedded within the chip. An opening in the sheet is concentrically aligned with a pair of larger holes respectively bored through the nonconducting layers. The opening is also smaller than the diameter of an electrically conductive contact pin. However, the sheet is composed flexible material so that the opening adapts to the diameter of the pin when the pin is inserted therethrough. The periphery of the opening applies force to the sides of the pin when the pin is inserted, and thus holds the pin within the opening and in contact with the sheet, by friction. The pin can be withdrawn from the connector by applying sufficient axial force.

Intrinsic flexibility of B-DNA: the experimental TRX scale.

PubMed

Heddi, Brahim; Oguey, Christophe; Lavelle, Christophe; Foloppe, Nicolas; Hartmann, Brigitte

2010-01-01

B-DNA flexibility, crucial for DNA-protein recognition, is sequence dependent. Free DNA in solution would in principle be the best reference state to uncover the relation between base sequences and their intrinsic flexibility; however, this has long been hampered by a lack of suitable experimental data. We investigated this relationship by compiling and analyzing a large dataset of NMR (31)P chemical shifts in solution. These measurements reflect the BI <--> BII equilibrium in DNA, intimately correlated to helicoidal descriptors of the curvature, winding and groove dimensions. Comparing the ten complementary DNA dinucleotide steps indicates that some steps are much more flexible than others. This malleability is primarily controlled at the dinucleotide level, modulated by the tetranucleotide environment. Our analyses provide an experimental scale called TRX that quantifies the intrinsic flexibility of the ten dinucleotide steps in terms of Twist, Roll, and X-disp (base pair displacement). Applying the TRX scale to DNA sequences optimized for nucleosome formation reveals a 10 base-pair periodic alternation of stiff and flexible regions. Thus, DNA flexibility captured by the TRX scale is relevant to nucleosome formation, suggesting that this scale may be of general interest to better understand protein-DNA recognition.

Advanced Liquid-Free, Piezoresistive, SOI-Based Pressure Sensors for Measurements in Harsh Environments.

PubMed

Ngo, Ha-Duong; Mukhopadhyay, Biswaijit; Ehrmann, Oswin; Lang, Klaus-Dieter

2015-08-18

In this paper we present and discuss two innovative liquid-free SOI sensors for pressure measurements in harsh environments. The sensors are capable of measuring pressures at high temperatures. In both concepts media separation is realized using a steel membrane. The two concepts represent two different strategies for packaging of devices for use in harsh environments and at high temperatures. The first one is a "one-sensor-one-packaging_technology" concept. The second one uses a standard flip-chip bonding technique. The first sensor is a "floating-concept", capable of measuring pressures at temperatures up to 400 °C (constant load) with an accuracy of 0.25% Full Scale Output (FSO). A push rod (mounted onto the steel membrane) transfers the applied pressure directly to the center-boss membrane of the SOI-chip, which is placed on a ceramic carrier. The chip membrane is realized by Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE or Bosch Process). A novel propertied chip housing employing a sliding sensor chip that is fixed during packaging by mechanical preloading via the push rod is used, thereby avoiding chip movement, and ensuring optimal push rod load transmission. The second sensor can be used up to 350 °C. The SOI chips consists of a beam with an integrated centre-boss with was realized using KOH structuring and DRIE. The SOI chip is not "floating" but bonded by using flip-chip technology. The fabricated SOI sensor chip has a bridge resistance of 3250 Ω. The realized sensor chip has a sensitivity of 18 mV/µm measured using a bridge current of 1 mA.

Automated software configuration in the MONSOON system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daly, Philip N.; Buchholz, Nick C.; Moore, Peter C.

2004-09-01

MONSOON is the next generation OUV-IR controller project being developed at NOAO. The design is flexible, emphasizing code re-use, maintainability and scalability as key factors. The software needs to support widely divergent detector systems ranging from multi-chip mosaics (for LSST, QUOTA, ODI and NEWFIRM) down to large single or multi-detector laboratory development systems. In order for this flexibility to be effective and safe, the software must be able to configure itself to the requirements of the attached detector system at startup. The basic building block of all MONSOON systems is the PAN-DHE pair which make up a single data acquisition node. In this paper we discuss the software solutions used in the automatic PAN configuration system.

Silicon-Based Thermoelectrics: Harvesting Low Quality Heat Using Economically Printed Flexible Nanostructured Stacked Thermoelectric Junctions

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

None

2010-03-01

Broad Funding Opportunity Announcement Project: UIUC is experimenting with silicon-based materials to develop flexible thermoelectric devices—which convert heat into energy—that can be mass-produced at low cost. A thermoelectric device, which resembles a computer chip, creates electricity when a different temperature is applied to each of its sides. Existing commercial thermoelectric devices contain the element tellurium, which limits production levels because tellurium has become increasingly rare. UIUC is replacing this material with microscopic silicon wires that are considerably cheaper and could be equally effective. Improvements in thermoelectric device production could return enough wasted heat to add up to 23% to ourmore » current annual electricity production.« less

On-chip dilution in nanoliter droplets.

PubMed

Thakur, Raviraj; Amin, Ahmed M; Wereley, Steve

2015-09-07

Droplet microfluidics is enabling reactions at nano- and picoliter scale, resulting in faster and cheaper biological and chemical analyses. However, varying concentrations of samples on a drop-to-drop basis is still a challenging task in droplet microfluidics, primarily limited due to lack of control over individual droplets. In this paper, we report an on-chip microfluidic droplet dilution strategy using three-valve peristaltic pumps.

On-chip dual-comb source for spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Dutt, Avik; Joshi, Chaitanya; Ji, Xingchen; Cardenas, Jaime; Okawachi, Yoshitomo; Luke, Kevin; Gaeta, Alexander L.; Lipson, Michal

2018-01-01

Dual-comb spectroscopy is a powerful technique for real-time, broadband optical sampling of molecular spectra, which requires no moving components. Recent developments with microresonator-based platforms have enabled frequency combs at the chip scale. However, the need to precisely match the resonance wavelengths of distinct high quality-factor microcavities has hindered the development of on-chip dual combs. We report the simultaneous generation of two microresonator combs on the same chip from a single laser, drastically reducing experimental complexity. We demonstrate broadband optical spectra spanning 51 THz and low-noise operation of both combs by deterministically tuning into soliton mode-locked states using integrated microheaters, resulting in narrow (<10 kHz) microwave beat notes. We further use one comb as a reference to probe the formation dynamics of the other comb, thus introducing a technique to investigate comb evolution without auxiliary lasers or microwave oscillators. We demonstrate high signal-to-noise ratio absorption spectroscopy spanning 170 nm using the dual-comb source over a 20-μs acquisition time. Our device paves the way for compact and robust spectrometers at nanosecond time scales enabled by large beat-note spacings (>1 GHz). PMID:29511733

Hybrid III/V silicon photonic source with integrated 1D free-space beam steering.

PubMed

Doylend, J K; Heck, M J R; Bovington, J T; Peters, J D; Davenport, M L; Coldren, L A; Bowers, J E

2012-10-15

A chip-scale optical source with integrated beam steering is demonstrated. The chip was fabricated using the hybrid silicon platform and incorporates an on-chip laser, waveguide splitter, amplifiers, phase modulators, and surface gratings to comprise an optical phased array with beam steering across a 12° field of view in one axis. Tuning of the phased array is used to achieve 1.8°(steered axis)×0.6°(nonsteered axis) beam width with 7 dB background suppression for arbitrary beam direction within the field of view.

DDGIPS: a general image processing system in robot vision

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Yuan; Ying, Jun; Ye, Xiuqing; Gu, Weikang

2000-10-01

Real-Time Image Processing is the key work in robot vision. With the limitation of the hardware technique, many algorithm-oriented firmware systems were designed in the past. But their architectures were not flexible enough to achieve a multi-algorithm development system. Because of the rapid development of microelectronics technique, many high performance DSP chips and high density FPGA chips have come to life, and this makes it possible to construct a more flexible architecture in real-time image processing system. In this paper, a Double DSP General Image Processing System (DDGIPS) is concerned. We try to construct a two-DSP-based FPGA-computational system with two TMS320C6201s. The TMS320C6x devices are fixed-point processors based on the advanced VLIW CPU, which has eight functional units, including two multipliers and six arithmetic logic units. These features make C6x a good candidate for a general purpose system. In our system, the two TMS320C6201s each has a local memory space, and they also have a shared system memory space which enables them to intercommunicate and exchange data efficiently. At the same time, they can be directly inter-connected in star-shaped architecture. All of these are under the control of a FPGA group. As the core of the system, FPGA plays a very important role: it takes charge of DPS control, DSP communication, memory space access arbitration and the communication between the system and the host machine. And taking advantage of reconfiguring FPGA, all of the interconnection between the two DSP or between DSP and FPGA can be changed. In this way, users can easily rebuild the real-time image processing system according to the data stream and the task of the application and gain great flexibility.

DDGIPS: a general image processing system in robot vision

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Yuan; Ying, Jun; Ye, Xiuqing; Gu, Weikang

2000-10-01

Real-Time Image Processing is the key work in robot vision. With the limitation of the hardware technique, many algorithm-oriented firmware systems were designed in the past. But their architectures were not flexible enough to achieve a multi- algorithm development system. Because of the rapid development of microelectronics technique, many high performance DSP chips and high density FPGA chips have come to life, and this makes it possible to construct a more flexible architecture in real-time image processing system. In this paper, a Double DSP General Image Processing System (DDGIPS) is concerned. We try to construct a two-DSP-based FPGA-computational system with two TMS320C6201s. The TMS320C6x devices are fixed-point processors based on the advanced VLIW CPU, which has eight functional units, including two multipliers and six arithmetic logic units. These features make C6x a good candidate for a general purpose system. In our system, the two TMS320C6210s each has a local memory space, and they also have a shared system memory space which enable them to intercommunicate and exchange data efficiently. At the same time, they can be directly interconnected in star- shaped architecture. All of these are under the control of FPGA group. As the core of the system, FPGA plays a very important role: it takes charge of DPS control, DSP communication, memory space access arbitration and the communication between the system and the host machine. And taking advantage of reconfiguring FPGA, all of the interconnection between the two DSP or between DSP and FPGA can be changed. In this way, users can easily rebuild the real-time image processing system according to the data stream and the task of the application and gain great flexibility.

Magnetic-film atom chip with 10 μm period lattices of microtraps for quantum information science with Rydberg atoms.

PubMed

Leung, V Y F; Pijn, D R M; Schlatter, H; Torralbo-Campo, L; La Rooij, A L; Mulder, G B; Naber, J; Soudijn, M L; Tauschinsky, A; Abarbanel, C; Hadad, B; Golan, E; Folman, R; Spreeuw, R J C

2014-05-01

We describe the fabrication and construction of a setup for creating lattices of magnetic microtraps for ultracold atoms on an atom chip. The lattice is defined by lithographic patterning of a permanent magnetic film. Patterned magnetic-film atom chips enable a large variety of trapping geometries over a wide range of length scales. We demonstrate an atom chip with a lattice constant of 10 μm, suitable for experiments in quantum information science employing the interaction between atoms in highly excited Rydberg energy levels. The active trapping region contains lattice regions with square and hexagonal symmetry, with the two regions joined at an interface. A structure of macroscopic wires, cutout of a silver foil, was mounted under the atom chip in order to load ultracold (87)Rb atoms into the microtraps. We demonstrate loading of atoms into the square and hexagonal lattice sections simultaneously and show resolved imaging of individual lattice sites. Magnetic-film lattices on atom chips provide a versatile platform for experiments with ultracold atoms, in particular for quantum information science and quantum simulation.

Orientation-selective aVLSI spiking neurons.

PubMed

Liu, S C; Kramer, J; Indiveri, G; Delbrück, T; Burg, T; Douglas, R

2001-01-01

We describe a programmable multi-chip VLSI neuronal system that can be used for exploring spike-based information processing models. The system consists of a silicon retina, a PIC microcontroller, and a transceiver chip whose integrate-and-fire neurons are connected in a soft winner-take-all architecture. The circuit on this multi-neuron chip approximates a cortical microcircuit. The neurons can be configured for different computational properties by the virtual connections of a selected set of pixels on the silicon retina. The virtual wiring between the different chips is effected by an event-driven communication protocol that uses asynchronous digital pulses, similar to spikes in a neuronal system. We used the multi-chip spike-based system to synthesize orientation-tuned neurons using both a feedforward model and a feedback model. The performance of our analog hardware spiking model matched the experimental observations and digital simulations of continuous-valued neurons. The multi-chip VLSI system has advantages over computer neuronal models in that it is real-time, and the computational time does not scale with the size of the neuronal network.

Lossless microwave photonic delay line using a ring resonator with an integrated semiconductor optical amplifier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Yiwei; Zhuang, Leimeng; Boller, Klaus-Jochen; Lowery, Arthur James

2017-06-01

Optical delay lines implemented in photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are essential for creating robust and low-cost optical signal processors on miniaturized chips. In particular, tunable delay lines enable a key feature of programmability for the on-chip processing functions. However, the previously investigated tunable delay lines are plagued by a severe drawback of delay-dependent loss due to the propagation loss in the constituent waveguides. In principle, a serial-connected amplifier can be used to compensate such losses or perform additional amplitude manipulation. However, this solution is generally unpractical as it introduces additional burden on chip area and power consumption, particularly for large-scale integrated PICs. Here, we report an integrated tunable delay line that overcomes the delay-dependent loss, and simultaneously allows for independent manipulation of group delay and amplitude responses. It uses a ring resonator with a tunable coupler and a semiconductor optical amplifier in the feedback path. A proof-of-concept device with a free spectral range of 11.5 GHz and a delay bandwidth in the order of 200 MHz is discussed in the context of microwave photonics and is experimentally demonstrated to be able to provide a lossless delay up to 1.1 to a 5 ns Gaussian pulse. The proposed device can be designed for different frequency scales with potential for applications across many other areas such as telecommunications, LIDAR, and spectroscopy, serving as a novel building block for creating chip-scale programmable optical signal processors.

Influence of soil structure on nutrient cycling using microfluidic techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arellano Caicedo, Carlos; Aleklett, Kristin; Ohlsson, Pelle; Hammer, Edith

2017-04-01

The rising of atmospheric CO2 levels and its effects on global warming make it necessary to understand the elements that regulate such levels and furthermore try to slow down the CO2 accumulation in the atmosphere. The exchange of carbon between soil and atmosphere plays a significant role in the atmospheric carbon budget. Soil organisms deposit organic compounds on and in soil aggregates, either as exudates or dead remains. Much of this dead organic material is quickly recycled, but a portion, however, will stay in the soil for long term. Evidence suggests that micro-scale biogeochemical interactions could play a highly significant role in degradation or persistence of organic matter in soils, thus, soil physical structure might play a decisive role in preventing accessibility of nutrients to microorganisms. For studying effects of spatial microstructure on soil nutrient cycles, we have constructed artificial habitats for microbes that simulate soil structures. Microfluidic, so called Lab-on-a-chip technologies, are one of the tools used to achieve our purpose. Such micro-habitats consist of pillar structures of difference density and surface area, tunnels with increasing depth, and mazes of increasing complexity to simulate different stages of soil aggregation. Using microscopy and analytical chemistry, we can follow the growth of microorganisms inoculated into the "soil chip" as well as the chemical degradation of organic matter compounds provided as nutrient source. In this way, we want to be able to predict how soil structure influences soil microbial activity leading to different effects on the carbon cycle. Our first results of a chip inoculated with natural soil showed a succession of organisms colonizing channels leading to dead-end arenas, starting with a high presence of bacteria inside the chip during the first days. Fungal hyphae growth gradually inside the channels until it finally occupied the big majority of the spaces isolating bacteria which dramatically decreased in number. The structure inside the soil chip changes dynamically due to the creation of biofilms. Such changes alter the spatial distribution inside the chip gradually, to the point of getting significantly different from the original structures. Fungal hyphae, bacterial biofilms, and microbial necro mass accumulation where the components altering the chip structure. These findings suggest that a considerable part of the soil structure is microbial biomass. Using Lab-on-a-chip techniques leads to the creation of a much more realistic soil and ecosystem model, resembling spatial and chemical complexity in real soil structures at a micrometer scale, the scale relevant for soil organisms. Understanding small-scale processes in the soils is crucial to predict carbon and nutrient cycling, and to enable us to give recommendations for soil management in agriculture, horticulture and nature conservation. If parameterization of soil structure as a central determinant for carbon sequestration is possible, it will allow strong argumentation for management practices that conserve and foster soil structure, such as low-tillage, support of mycorrhizal fungi, and reduction of heavy machinery usage.

A scaling law for distinct electrocaloric cooling performance in low-dimensional organic, relaxor and anti-ferroelectrics.

PubMed

Shi, Yuping; Huang, Limin; Soh, Ai Kah; Weng, George J; Liu, Shuangyi; Redfern, Simon A T

2017-09-11

Electrocaloric (EC) materials show promise in eco-friendly solid-state refrigeration and integrable on-chip thermal management. While direct measurement of EC thin-films still remains challenging, a generic theoretical framework for quantifying the cooling properties of rich EC materials including normal-, relaxor-, organic- and anti-ferroelectrics is imperative for exploiting new flexible and room-temperature cooling alternatives. Here, we present a versatile theory that combines Master equation with Maxwell relations and analytically relates the macroscopic cooling responses in EC materials with the intrinsic diffuseness of phase transitions and correlation characteristics. Under increased electric fields, both EC entropy and adiabatic temperature changes increase quadratically initially, followed by further linear growth and eventual gradual saturation. The upper bound of entropy change (∆S max ) is limited by distinct correlation volumes (V cr ) and transition diffuseness. The linearity between V cr and the transition diffuseness is emphasized, while ∆S max  = 300 kJ/(K.m 3 ) is obtained for Pb 0.8 Ba 0.2 ZrO 3 . The ∆S max in antiferroelectric Pb 0.95 Zr 0.05 TiO 3 , Pb 0.8 Ba 0.2 ZrO 3 and polymeric ferroelectrics scales proportionally with V cr -2.2 , owing to the one-dimensional structural constraint on lattice-scale depolarization dynamics; whereas ∆S max in relaxor and normal ferroelectrics scales as ∆S max ~ V cr -0.37 , which tallies with a dipolar interaction exponent of 2/3 in EC materials and the well-proven fractional dimensionality of 2.5 for ferroelectric domain walls.

Advanced Liquid-Free, Piezoresistive, SOI-Based Pressure Sensors for Measurements in Harsh Environments

PubMed Central

Ngo, Ha-Duong; Mukhopadhyay, Biswaijit; Ehrmann, Oswin; Lang, Klaus-Dieter

2015-01-01

In this paper we present and discuss two innovative liquid-free SOI sensors for pressure measurements in harsh environments. The sensors are capable of measuring pressures at high temperatures. In both concepts media separation is realized using a steel membrane. The two concepts represent two different strategies for packaging of devices for use in harsh environments and at high temperatures. The first one is a “one-sensor-one-packaging_technology” concept. The second one uses a standard flip-chip bonding technique. The first sensor is a “floating-concept”, capable of measuring pressures at temperatures up to 400 °C (constant load) with an accuracy of 0.25% Full Scale Output (FSO). A push rod (mounted onto the steel membrane) transfers the applied pressure directly to the center-boss membrane of the SOI-chip, which is placed on a ceramic carrier. The chip membrane is realized by Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE or Bosch Process). A novel propertied chip housing employing a sliding sensor chip that is fixed during packaging by mechanical preloading via the push rod is used, thereby avoiding chip movement, and ensuring optimal push rod load transmission. The second sensor can be used up to 350 °C. The SOI chips consists of a beam with an integrated centre-boss with was realized using KOH structuring and DRIE. The SOI chip is not “floating” but bonded by using flip-chip technology. The fabricated SOI sensor chip has a bridge resistance of 3250 Ω. The realized sensor chip has a sensitivity of 18 mV/µm measured using a bridge current of 1 mA. PMID:26295235

An Implantable Neural Sensing Microsystem with Fiber-Optic Data Transmission and Power Delivery

PubMed Central

Park, Sunmee; Borton, David A.; Kang, Mingyu; Nurmikko, Arto V.; Song, Yoon-Kyu

2013-01-01

We have developed a prototype cortical neural sensing microsystem for brain implantable neuroengineering applications. Its key feature is that both the transmission of broadband, multichannel neural data and power required for the embedded microelectronics are provided by optical fiber access. The fiber-optic system is aimed at enabling neural recording from rodents and primates by converting cortical signals to a digital stream of infrared light pulses. In the full microsystem whose performance is summarized in this paper, an analog-to-digital converter and a low power digital controller IC have been integrated with a low threshold, semiconductor laser to extract the digitized neural signals optically from the implantable unit. The microsystem also acquires electrical power and synchronization clocks via optical fibers from an external laser by using a highly efficient photovoltaic cell on board. The implantable unit employs a flexible polymer substrate to integrate analog and digital microelectronics and on-chip optoelectronic components, while adapting to the anatomical and physiological constraints of the environment. A low power analog CMOS chip, which includes preamplifier and multiplexing circuitry, is directly flip-chip bonded to the microelectrode array to form the cortical neurosensor device. PMID:23666130

78 FR 42159 - Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs: Essential Health Benefits in Alternative...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-15

...This final rule implements provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively referred to as the Affordable Care Act. This final rule finalizes new Medicaid eligibility provisions; finalizes changes related to electronic Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility notices and delegation of appeals; modernizes and streamlines existing Medicaid eligibility rules; revises CHIP rules relating to the substitution of coverage to improve the coordination of CHIP coverage with other coverage; and amends requirements for benchmark and benchmark- equivalent benefit packages consistent with sections 1937 of the Social Security Act (which we refer to as ``alternative benefit plans'') to ensure that these benefit packages include essential health benefits and meet certain other minimum standards. This rule also implements specific provisions including those related to authorized representatives, notices, and verification of eligibility for qualifying coverage in an eligible employer-sponsored plan for Affordable Insurance Exchanges. This rule also updates and simplifies the complex Medicaid premium and cost sharing requirements, to promote the most effective use of services, and to assist states in identifying cost sharing flexibilities. It includes transition policies for 2014 as applicable.

Novel memory architecture for video signal processor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hung, Jen-Sheng; Lin, Chia-Hsing; Jen, Chein-Wei

1993-11-01

An on-chip memory architecture for video signal processor (VSP) is proposed. This memory structure is a two-level design for the different data locality in video applications. The upper level--Memory A provides enough storage capacity to reduce the impact on the limitation of chip I/O bandwidth, and the lower level--Memory B provides enough data parallelism and flexibility to meet the requirements of multiple reconfigurable pipeline function units in a single VSP chip. The needed memory size is decided by the memory usage analysis for video algorithms and the number of function units. Both levels of memory adopted a dual-port memory scheme to sustain the simultaneous read and write operations. Especially, Memory B uses multiple one-read-one-write memory banks to emulate the real multiport memory. Therefore, one can change the configuration of Memory B to several sets of memories with variable read/write ports by adjusting the bus switches. Then the numbers of read ports and write ports in proposed memory can meet requirement of data flow patterns in different video coding algorithms. We have finished the design of a prototype memory design using 1.2- micrometers SPDM SRAM technology and will fabricated it through TSMC, in Taiwan.

Fundamental study of microelectronic chip response under laser ultrasonic-interferometric inspection using C-scan method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Lei; Gong, Jie; Ume, I. Charles

2014-02-01

In modern surface mount packaging technologies, such as flip chips, chip scale packages, and ball grid arrays(BGA), chips are attached to the substrates/printed wiring board (PWB) using solder bump interconnections. The quality of solder bumps between the chips and the substrate/board is difficult to inspect. Laser ultrasonic-interferometric technique was proved to be a promising approach for solder bump inspection because of its noncontact and nondestructive characteristics. Different indicators extracted from received signals have been used to predict the potential defects, such as correlation coefficient, error ratio, frequency shifting, etc. However, the fundamental understanding of the chip behavior under laser ultrasonic inspection is still missing. Specifically, it is not sure whether the laser interferometer detected out-of-plane displacements were due to wave propagation or structural vibration when the chip was excited by pulsed laser. Plus, it is found that the received signals are chip dependent. Both challenges impede the interpretation of acquired signals. In this paper, a C-scan method was proposed to study the underlying phenomenon during laser ultrasonic inspection. The full chip was inspected. The response of the chip under laser excitation was visualized in a movie resulted from acquired signals. Specifically, a BGA chip was investigated to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method. By characterizing signals using discrete wavelet transform(DWT), both ultrasonic wave propagation and vibration were observed. Separation of them was successfully achieved using ideal band-pass filter and visualized in resultant movies, too. The observed ultrasonic waves were characterized and their respective speeds were measured by applying 2-D FFT. The C-scan method, combined with different digital signal processing techniques, was proved to be an very effective methodology to learn the behavior of chips under laser excitation. This general procedure can be applied to any unknown chip before inspection. A wealth of information can be provided by this learning procedure, which greatly benefits the interpretation of inspection signals afterwards.

A broadband chip-scale optical frequency synthesizer at 2.7 × 10−16 relative uncertainty

PubMed Central

Huang, Shu-Wei; Yang, Jinghui; Yu, Mingbin; McGuyer, Bart H.; Kwong, Dim-Lee; Zelevinsky, Tanya; Wong, Chee Wei

2016-01-01

Optical frequency combs—coherent light sources that connect optical frequencies with microwave oscillations—have become the enabling tool for precision spectroscopy, optical clockwork, and attosecond physics over the past decades. Current benchmark systems are self-referenced femtosecond mode-locked lasers, but Kerr nonlinear dynamics in high-Q solid-state microresonators has recently demonstrated promising features as alternative platforms. The advance not only fosters studies of chip-scale frequency metrology but also extends the realm of optical frequency combs. We report the full stabilization of chip-scale optical frequency combs. The microcomb’s two degrees of freedom, one of the comb lines and the native 18-GHz comb spacing, are simultaneously phase-locked to known optical and microwave references. Active comb spacing stabilization improves long-term stability by six orders of magnitude, reaching a record instrument-limited residual instability of 3.6mHz/τ. Comparing 46 nitride frequency comb lines with a fiber laser frequency comb, we demonstrate the unprecedented microcomb tooth-to-tooth relative frequency uncertainty down to 50 mHz and 2.7 × 10−16, heralding novel solid-state applications in precision spectroscopy, coherent communications, and astronomical spectrography. PMID:27152341

A smartphone-based chip-scale microscope using ambient illumination.

PubMed

Lee, Seung Ah; Yang, Changhuei

2014-08-21

Portable chip-scale microscopy devices can potentially address various imaging needs in mobile healthcare and environmental monitoring. Here, we demonstrate the adaptation of a smartphone's camera to function as a compact lensless microscope. Unlike other chip-scale microscopy schemes, this method uses ambient illumination as its light source and does not require the incorporation of a dedicated light source. The method is based on the shadow imaging technique where the sample is placed on the surface of the image sensor, which captures direct shadow images under illumination. To improve the image resolution beyond the pixel size, we perform pixel super-resolution reconstruction with multiple images at different angles of illumination, which are captured while the user is manually tilting the device around any ambient light source, such as the sun or a lamp. The lensless imaging scheme allows for sub-micron resolution imaging over an ultra-wide field-of-view (FOV). Image acquisition and reconstruction are performed on the device using a custom-built Android application, constructing a stand-alone imaging device for field applications. We discuss the construction of the device using a commercial smartphone and demonstrate the imaging capabilities of our system.

A smartphone-based chip-scale microscope using ambient illumination

PubMed Central

Lee, Seung Ah; Yang, Changhuei

2014-01-01

Portable chip-scale microscopy devices can potentially address various imaging needs in mobile healthcare and environmental monitoring. Here, we demonstrate the adaptation of a smartphone’s camera to function as a compact lensless microscope. Unlike other chip-scale microscopy schemes, this method uses ambient illumination as its light source and does not require the incorporation of a dedicated light source. The method is based on the shadow imaging technique where the sample is placed on the surface of the image sensor, which captures direct shadow images under illumination. To improve the imaging resolution beyond the pixel size, we perform pixel super-resolution reconstruction with multiple images at different angles of illumination, which are captured while the user is manually tilting the device around any ambient light source, such as the sun or a lamp. The lensless imaging scheme allows for sub-micron resolution imaging over an ultra-wide field-of-view (FOV). Image acquisition and reconstruction is performed on the device using a custom-built android application, constructing a stand-alone imaging device for field applications. We discuss the construction of the device using a commercial smartphone and demonstrate the imaging capabilities of our system. PMID:24964209

RNA–protein binding kinetics in an automated microfluidic reactor

PubMed Central

Ridgeway, William K.; Seitaridou, Effrosyni; Phillips, Rob; Williamson, James R.

2009-01-01

Microfluidic chips can automate biochemical assays on the nanoliter scale, which is of considerable utility for RNA–protein binding reactions that would otherwise require large quantities of proteins. Unfortunately, complex reactions involving multiple reactants cannot be prepared in current microfluidic mixer designs, nor is investigation of long-time scale reactions possible. Here, a microfluidic ‘Riboreactor’ has been designed and constructed to facilitate the study of kinetics of RNA–protein complex formation over long time scales. With computer automation, the reactor can prepare binding reactions from any combination of eight reagents, and is optimized to monitor long reaction times. By integrating a two-photon microscope into the microfluidic platform, 5-nl reactions can be observed for longer than 1000 s with single-molecule sensitivity and negligible photobleaching. Using the Riboreactor, RNA–protein binding reactions with a fragment of the bacterial 30S ribosome were prepared in a fully automated fashion and binding rates were consistent with rates obtained from conventional assays. The microfluidic chip successfully combines automation, low sample consumption, ultra-sensitive fluorescence detection and a high degree of reproducibility. The chip should be able to probe complex reaction networks describing the assembly of large multicomponent RNPs such as the ribosome. PMID:19759214

GridPix detectors: Production and beam test results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koppert, W. J. C.; van Bakel, N.; Bilevych, Y.; Colas, P.; Desch, K.; Fransen, M.; van der Graaf, H.; Hartjes, F.; Hessey, N. P.; Kaminski, J.; Schmitz, J.; Schön, R.; Zappon, F.

2013-12-01

The innovative GridPix detector is a Time Projection Chamber (TPC) that is read out with a Timepix-1 pixel chip. By using wafer post-processing techniques an aluminium grid is placed on top of the chip. When operated, the electric field between the grid and the chip is sufficient to create electron induced avalanches which are detected by the pixels. The time-to-digital converter (TDC) records the drift time enabling the reconstruction of high precision 3D track segments. Recently GridPixes were produced on full wafer scale, to meet the demand for more reliable and cheaper devices in large quantities. In a recent beam test the contribution of both diffusion and time walk to the spatial and angular resolutions of a GridPix detector with a 1.2 mm drift gap are studied in detail. In addition long term tests show that in a significant fraction of the chips the protection layer successfully quenches discharges, preventing harm to the chip.

Chip level modeling of LSI devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Armstrong, J. R.

1984-01-01

The advent of Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) technology has rendered the gate level model impractical for many simulation activities critical to the design automation process. As an alternative, an approach to the modeling of VLSI devices at the chip level is described, including the specification of modeling language constructs important to the modeling process. A model structure is presented in which models of the LSI devices are constructed as single entities. The modeling structure is two layered. The functional layer in this structure is used to model the input/output response of the LSI chip. A second layer, the fault mapping layer, is added, if fault simulations are required, in order to map the effects of hardware faults onto the functional layer. Modeling examples for each layer are presented. Fault modeling at the chip level is described. Approaches to realistic functional fault selection and defining fault coverage for functional faults are given. Application of the modeling techniques to single chip and bit slice microprocessors is discussed.

Post-OPC verification using a full-chip pattern-based simulation verification method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hung, Chi-Yuan; Wang, Ching-Heng; Ma, Cliff; Zhang, Gary

2005-11-01

In this paper, we evaluated and investigated techniques for performing fast full-chip post-OPC verification using a commercial product platform. A number of databases from several technology nodes, i.e. 0.13um, 0.11um and 90nm are used in the investigation. Although it has proven that for most cases, our OPC technology is robust in general, due to the variety of tape-outs with complicated design styles and technologies, it is difficult to develop a "complete or bullet-proof" OPC algorithm that would cover every possible layout patterns. In the evaluation, among dozens of databases, some OPC databases were found errors by Model-based post-OPC checking, which could cost significantly in manufacturing - reticle, wafer process, and more importantly the production delay. From such a full-chip OPC database verification, we have learned that optimizing OPC models and recipes on a limited set of test chip designs may not provide sufficient coverage across the range of designs to be produced in the process. And, fatal errors (such as pinch or bridge) or poor CD distribution and process-sensitive patterns may still occur. As a result, more than one reticle tape-out cycle is not uncommon to prove models and recipes that approach the center of process for a range of designs. So, we will describe a full-chip pattern-based simulation verification flow serves both OPC model and recipe development as well as post OPC verification after production release of the OPC. Lastly, we will discuss the differentiation of the new pattern-based and conventional edge-based verification tools and summarize the advantages of our new tool and methodology: 1). Accuracy: Superior inspection algorithms, down to 1nm accuracy with the new "pattern based" approach 2). High speed performance: Pattern-centric algorithms to give best full-chip inspection efficiency 3). Powerful analysis capability: Flexible error distribution, grouping, interactive viewing and hierarchical pattern extraction to narrow down to unique patterns/cells.

Single-Chip CMUT-on-CMOS Front-End System for Real-Time Volumetric IVUS and ICE Imaging

PubMed Central

Gurun, Gokce; Tekes, Coskun; Zahorian, Jaime; Xu, Toby; Satir, Sarp; Karaman, Mustafa; Hasler, Jennifer; Degertekin, F. Levent

2014-01-01

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and intracardiac echography (ICE) catheters with real-time volumetric ultrasound imaging capability can provide unique benefits to many interventional procedures used in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and structural heart diseases. Integration of CMUT arrays with front-end electronics in single-chip configuration allows for implementation of such catheter probes with reduced interconnect complexity, miniaturization, and high mechanical flexibility. We implemented a single-chip forward-looking (FL) ultrasound imaging system by fabricating a 1.4-mm-diameter dual-ring CMUT array using CMUT-on-CMOS technology on a front-end IC implemented in 0.35-µm CMOS process. The dual-ring array has 56 transmit elements and 48 receive elements on two separate concentric annular rings. The IC incorporates a 25-V pulser for each transmitter and a low-noise capacitive transimpedance amplifier (TIA) for each receiver, along with digital control and smart power management. The final shape of the silicon chip is a 1.5-mm-diameter donut with a 430-µm center hole for a guide wire. The overall front-end system requires only 13 external connections and provides 4 parallel RF outputs while consuming an average power of 20 mW. We measured RF A-scans from the integrated single-chip array which show full functionality at 20.1 MHz with 43% fractional bandwidth. We also tested and demonstrated the image quality of the system on a wire phantom and an ex-vivo chicken heart sample. The measured axial and lateral point resolutions are 92 µm and 251 µm, respectively. We successfully acquired volumetric imaging data from the ex-vivo chicken heart with 60 frames per second without any signal averaging. These demonstrative results indicate that single-chip CMUT-on-CMOS systems have the potential to produce real-time volumetric images with image quality and speed suitable for catheter based clinical applications. PMID:24474131

Single-chip CMUT-on-CMOS front-end system for real-time volumetric IVUS and ICE imaging.

PubMed

Gurun, Gokce; Tekes, Coskun; Zahorian, Jaime; Xu, Toby; Satir, Sarp; Karaman, Mustafa; Hasler, Jennifer; Degertekin, F Levent

2014-02-01

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and intracardiac echography (ICE) catheters with real-time volumetric ultrasound imaging capability can provide unique benefits to many interventional procedures used in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and structural heart diseases. Integration of capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) arrays with front-end electronics in single-chip configuration allows for implementation of such catheter probes with reduced interconnect complexity, miniaturization, and high mechanical flexibility. We implemented a single-chip forward-looking (FL) ultrasound imaging system by fabricating a 1.4-mm-diameter dual-ring CMUT array using CMUT-on-CMOS technology on a front-end IC implemented in 0.35-μm CMOS process. The dual-ring array has 56 transmit elements and 48 receive elements on two separate concentric annular rings. The IC incorporates a 25-V pulser for each transmitter and a low-noise capacitive transimpedance amplifier (TIA) for each receiver, along with digital control and smart power management. The final shape of the silicon chip is a 1.5-mm-diameter donut with a 430-μm center hole for a guide wire. The overall front-end system requires only 13 external connections and provides 4 parallel RF outputs while consuming an average power of 20 mW. We measured RF A-scans from the integrated single- chip array which show full functionality at 20.1 MHz with 43% fractional bandwidth. We also tested and demonstrated the image quality of the system on a wire phantom and an ex vivo chicken heart sample. The measured axial and lateral point resolutions are 92 μm and 251 μm, respectively. We successfully acquired volumetric imaging data from the ex vivo chicken heart at 60 frames per second without any signal averaging. These demonstrative results indicate that single-chip CMUT-on-CMOS systems have the potential to produce realtime volumetric images with image quality and speed suitable for catheter-based clinical applications.

Single-bead arrays for fluorescence-based immunoassays on capillary-driven microfluidic chips

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Temiz, Yuksel; Lim, Michel; Delamarche, Emmanuel

2016-03-01

We report a concept for the simple fabrication of easy-to-use chips for immunoassays in the context of point-of-care diagnostics. The chip concept comprises mainly three features: (1) the efficient integration of reagents using beads functionalized with receptors, (2) the generation of capillary-driven liquid flows without using external pumps, and (3) a high-sensitivity detection of analytes using fluorescence microscopy. We fabricated prototype chips using dry etching of Si wafers. 4.5-μm-diameter beads were integrated into hexagonal arrays by sedimentation and removing the excess using a stream of water. We studied the effect of different parameters and showed that array occupancies from 30% to 50% can be achieved by pipetting a 250 nL droplet of 1% bead solution and allowing the beads sediment for 3 min. Chips with integrated beads were sealed using a 50-μm-thick dry-film resist laminated at 45 °C. Liquids pipetted to loading pads were autonomously pulled by capillary pumps at a rate of 0.35 nL s-1 for about 30 min. We studied ligand-receptor interactions and binding kinetics using time-lapse fluorescence microscopy and demonstrated a 5 pM limit of detection (LOD) for an anti-biotin immunoassay. As a clinically-relevant example, we implemented an immunoassay to detect prostate specific antigen (PSA) and showed an LOD of 108 fM (i.e. 3.6 pg mL-1). While a specific implementation is provided here for the detection of PSA, we believe that combining capillary-driven microfluidics with arrays of single beads and fluorescence readout to be very flexible and sufficiently sensitive for the detection of other clinically-relevant analytes.

Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yeaman, Andrew R. J.

Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI), the state-of-the-art production techniques for computer chips, promises such powerful, inexpensive computing that, in the future, people will be able to communicate with computer devices in natural language or even speech. However, before full-scale VLSI implementation can occur, certain salient factors must be…

Status of the NectarCAM camera project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glicenstein, J.-F.; Barcelo, M.; Barrio, J.-A.; Blanch, O.; Boix, J.; Bolmont, J.; Boutonnet, C.; Brun, P.; Chabanne, E.; Champion, C.; Colonges, S.; Corona, P.; Courty, B.; Delagnes, E.; Delgado, C.; Diaz, C.; Ernenwein, J.-P.; Fegan, S.; Ferreira, O.; Fesquet, M.; Fontaine, G.; Fouque, N.; Henault, F.; Gascón, D.; Giebels, B.; Herranz, D.; Hermel, R.; Hoffmann, D.; Horan, D.; Houles, J.; Jean, P.; Karkar, S.; Knödlseder, J.; Martinez, G.; Lamanna, G.; LeFlour, T.; Lévêque, A.; Lopez-Coto, R.; Louis, F.; Moudden, Y.; Moulin, E.; Nayman, P.; Nunio, F.; Olive, J.-F.; Panazol, J.-L.; Pavy, S.; Petrucci, P.-O.; Punch, M.; Prast, Julie; Ramon, P.; Rateau, S.; Ribó, M.; Rosier-Lees, S.; Sanuy, A.; Sizun, P.; Sieiro, J.; Sulanke, K.-H.; Tavernet, J.-P.; Tejedor, L. A.; Toussenel, F.; Vasileiadis, G.; Voisin, V.; Waegebert, V.; Zurbach, C.

2014-07-01

NectarCAM is a camera designed for the medium-sized telescopes of the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) covering the central energy range 100 GeV to 30 TeV. It has a modular design based on the NECTAr chip, at the heart of which is a GHz sampling Switched Capacitor Array and 12-bit Analog to Digital converter. The camera will be equipped with 265 7-photomultiplier modules, covering a field of view of 7 to 8 degrees. Each module includes the photomultiplier bases, High Voltage supply, pre-amplifier, trigger, readout and Thernet transceiver. Events recorded last between a few nanoseconds and tens of nanoseconds. A flexible trigger scheme allows to read out very long events. NectarCAM can sustain a data rate of 10 kHz. The camera concept, the design and tests of the various subcomponents and results of thermal and electrical prototypes are presented. The design includes the mechanical structure, the cooling of electronics, read-out, clock distribution, slow control, data-acquisition, trigger, monitoring and services. A 133-pixel prototype with full scale mechanics, cooling, data acquisition and slow control will be built at the end of 2014.

Materials and processing science: Limits for microelectronics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosenberg, R.

1988-09-01

The theme of this talk will be to illustrate examples of technologies that will drive materials and processing sciences to the limit and to describe some of the research being pursued to understand materials interactions which are pervasive to projected structure fabrication. It is to be expected that the future will see a progression to nanostructures where scaling laws will be tested and quantum transport will become more in evidence, to low temperature operation for tighter control and improved performance, to complex vertical profiles where 3D stacking and superlattices will produce denser packing and device flexibility, to faster communication links with optoelectronics, and to compatible packaging technologies. New low temperature processing techniques, such as epitaxy of silicon, PECVD of dielectrics, low temperature high pressure oxidation, silicon-germanium heterostructures, etc., must be combined with shallow metallurgies, new lithographic technologies, maskless patterning, rapid thermal processing (RTP) to produce needed profile control, reduce process incompatibilities and develop new device geometries. Materials interactions are of special consequence for chip substrates and illustrations of work in metal-ceramic and metal-polymer adhesion will be offered.

High Speed Imaging using Nanoprobe Arrays

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-06-23

Gotsmann and U. Dürig, Appl. Phys. Lett. 87, 194102 2005. 9 W. P. King, S. Saxena, B. A. Nelson, R. Pitchimani, and B. L. Weeks, Nano Lett. 6, 2145...microcantilevers with selective coatings has been applied as an artificial nose to recognize and characterize alcohol vapors either in a static mode...doped resistive heater. Fig. 4(c) shows a custom printed circuit board (PCB) to mount the array chip and a flexible ribbon cable for the electrical

Cascaded VLSI neural network architecture for on-line learning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thakoor, Anilkumar P. (Inventor); Duong, Tuan A. (Inventor); Daud, Taher (Inventor)

1992-01-01

High-speed, analog, fully-parallel, and asynchronous building blocks are cascaded for larger sizes and enhanced resolution. A hardware compatible algorithm permits hardware-in-the-loop learning despite limited weight resolution. A computation intensive feature classification application was demonstrated with this flexible hardware and new algorithm at high speed. This result indicates that these building block chips can be embedded as an application specific coprocessor for solving real world problems at extremely high data rates.

Coarse Grain Reconfigurable ASIC through Multiplexer Based Switches

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-15

chip area (0.5 mm2), and from simulation their power consumption is negligible (0.002% from simulation, too small to measure in physical system...performing implementation that is also flexible. REFERENCES [1] I. Kuon and J. Rose, “ Measuring the gap between FPGAs and ASICs,” IEEE Trans...A 3GPP- LTE Example," Solid-State Circuits, IEEE Journal of , vol.47, no.3, pp.757,768, March 2012. [5] Agarwal, A.; Hassanieh, H.; Abari, O

Cascaded VLSI neural network architecture for on-line learning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duong, Tuan A. (Inventor); Daud, Taher (Inventor); Thakoor, Anilkumar P. (Inventor)

1995-01-01

High-speed, analog, fully-parallel and asynchronous building blocks are cascaded for larger sizes and enhanced resolution. A hardware-compatible algorithm permits hardware-in-the-loop learning despite limited weight resolution. A comparison-intensive feature classification application has been demonstrated with this flexible hardware and new algorithm at high speed. This result indicates that these building block chips can be embedded as application-specific-coprocessors for solving real-world problems at extremely high data rates.

On-chip WDM mode-division multiplexing interconnection with optional demodulation function.

PubMed

Ye, Mengyuan; Yu, Yu; Chen, Guanyu; Luo, Yuchan; Zhang, Xinliang

2015-12-14

We propose and fabricate a wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) compatible and multi-functional mode-division-multiplexing (MDM) integrated circuit, which can perform the mode conversion and multiplexing for the incoming multipath WDM signals, avoiding the wavelength conflict. An phase-to-intensity demodulation function can be optionally applied within the circuit while performing the mode multiplexing. For demonstration, 4 × 10 Gb/s non-return-to-zero differential phase shift keying (NRZ-DPSK) signals are successfully processed, with open and clear eye diagrams. Measured bit error ratio (BER) results show less than 1 dB receive sensitivity variation for three modes and four wavelengths with demodulation. In the case without demodulation, the average power penalties at 4 wavelengths are -1.5, -3 and -3.5 dB for TE₀-TE₀, TE₀-TE₁ and TE₀-TE₂ mode conversions, respectively. The proposed flexible scheme can be used at the interface of long-haul and on-chip communication systems.

Recent Progress in Micro-Supercapacitors with In-Plane Interdigital Electrode Architecture.

PubMed

Liu, Nishuang; Gao, Yihua

2017-12-01

Due to the boom of miniaturized electronic devices in the last decade, there are great demands for ultrathin and flexible on-chip rechargeable energy storage microdevices. Supercapacitor, as one of the most hopeful appearing energy storage devices, can provide a wonderful alternative to batteries or electrolytic capacitors, owing to its fast charge and discharge rates, high power density, and long cycling stability. Especially for the recently developed micro-supercapacitors, the unique in-plane interdigital electrode architecture can fully meet the integration requirements of rapidly developed miniaturized electronic devices, and improve the power density of the unit via shortening the ionic diffusion distance between the interdigital electrodes. This concept introduces the recent advances on the design, fabrication, and application of planar micro-supercapacitors for on-chip energy storage from an overall perspective. Moreover, challenges and future development trends are discussed. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Pressure-Sensor Assembly Technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pruzan, Daniel A.

2003-01-01

Nielsen Engineering & Research (NEAR) recently developed an ultrathin data acquisition system for use in turbomachinery testing at NASA Glenn Research Center. This system integrates a microelectromechanical- systems- (MEMS-) based absolute pressure sensor [0 to 50 psia (0 to 345 kPa)], temperature sensor, signal-conditioning application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), microprocessor, and digital memory into a package which is roughly 2.8 in. (7.1 cm) long by 0.75 in. (1.9 cm) wide. Each of these components is flip-chip attached to a thin, flexible circuit board and subsequently ground and polished to achieve a total system thickness of 0.006 in. (0.15 mm). Because this instrument is so thin, it can be quickly adhered to any surface of interest where data can be collected without disrupting the flow being investigated. One issue in the development of the ultrathin data acquisition system was how to attach the MEMS pressure sensor to the circuit board in a manner which allowed the sensor s diaphragm to communicate with the ambient fluid while providing enough support for the chip to survive the grinding and polishing operations. The technique, developed by NEAR and Jabil Technology Services Group (San Jose, CA), is described below. In the approach developed, the sensor is attached to the specially designed circuit board, see Figure 1, using a modified flip-chip technique. The circular diaphragm on the left side of the sensor is used to actively measure the ambient pressure, while the diaphragm on the right is used to compensate for changes in output due to temperature variations. The circuit board is fabricated with an access hole through it so that when the completed system is installed onto a wind tunnel model (chip side down), the active diaphragm is exposed to the environment. After the sensor is flip-chip attached to the circuit board, the die is underfilled to support the chip during the subsequent grinding and polishing operations. To prevent this underfill material from getting onto the sensor s diaphragms, the circuit board is fabricated with two 25- micrometer-tall polymer rings, sized so that the diaphragms fit inside the rings once the chip is attached.

Carbonyl sulfide removal with compost and wood chip biofilters, and in the presence of hydrogen sulfide.

PubMed

Sattler, Melanie L; Garrepalli, Divya R; Nawal, Chandraprakash S

2009-12-01

Carbonyl sulfide (COS) is an odor-causing compound and hazardous air pollutant emitted frequently from wastewater treatment facilities and chemical and primary metals industries. This study examined the effectiveness of biofiltration in removing COS. Specific objectives were to compare COS removal efficiency for various biofilter media; to determine whether hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which is frequently produced along with COS under anaerobic conditions, adversely impacts COS removal; and to determine the maximum elimination capacity of COS for use in biofilter design. Three laboratory-scale polyvinyl chloride biofilter columns were filled with up to 28 in. of biofilter media (aged compost, fresh compost, wood chips, or a compost/wood chip mixture). Inlet COS ranged from 5 to 46 parts per million (ppm) (0.10-9.0 g/m3 hr). Compost and the compost/wood chip mixture produced higher COS removal efficiencies than wood chips alone. The compost and compost/wood chip mixture had a shorter stabilization times compared with wood chips alone. Fresh versus aged compost did not impact COS removal efficiency. The presence of H2S did not adversely impact COS removal for the concentration ratios tested. The maximum elimination capacity is at least 9 g/m3 hr for COS with compost media.

A multichip aVLSI system emulating orientation selectivity of primary visual cortical cells.

PubMed

Shimonomura, Kazuhiro; Yagi, Tetsuya

2005-07-01

In this paper, we designed and fabricated a multichip neuromorphic analog very large scale integrated (aVLSI) system, which emulates the orientation selective response of the simple cell in the primary visual cortex. The system consists of a silicon retina and an orientation chip. An image, which is filtered by a concentric center-surround (CS) antagonistic receptive field of the silicon retina, is transferred to the orientation chip. The image transfer from the silicon retina to the orientation chip is carried out with analog signals. The orientation chip selectively aggregates multiple pixels of the silicon retina, mimicking the feedforward model proposed by Hubel and Wiesel. The chip provides the orientation-selective (OS) outputs which are tuned to 0 degrees, 60 degrees, and 120 degrees. The feed-forward aggregation reduces the fixed pattern noise that is due to the mismatch of the transistors in the orientation chip. The spatial properties of the orientation selective response were examined in terms of the adjustable parameters of the chip, i.e., the number of aggregated pixels and size of the receptive field of the silicon retina. The multichip aVLSI architecture used in the present study can be applied to implement higher order cells such as the complex cell of the primary visual cortex.

Controlled and tunable polymer particles' production using a single microfluidic device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amoyav, Benzion; Benny, Ofra

2018-04-01

Microfluidics technology offers a new platform to control liquids under flow in small volumes. The advantage of using small-scale reactions for droplet generation along with the capacity to control the preparation parameters, making microfluidic chips an attractive technology for optimizing encapsulation formulations. However, one of the drawback in this methodology is the ability to obtain a wide range of droplet sizes, from sub-micron to microns using a single chip design. In fact, typically, droplet chips are used for micron-dimension particles, while nanoparticles' synthesis requires complex chips design (i.e., microreactors and staggered herringbone micromixer). Here, we introduce the development of a highly tunable and controlled encapsulation technique, using two polymer compositions, for generating particles ranging from microns to nano-size using the same simple single microfluidic chip design. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA 50:50) or PLGA/polyethylene glycol polymeric particles were prepared with focused-flow chip, yielding monodisperse particle batches. We show that by varying flow rate, solvent, surfactant and polymer composition, we were able to optimize particles' size and decrease polydispersity index, using simple chip designs with no further related adjustments or costs. Utilizing this platform, which offers tight tuning of particle properties, could offer an important tool for formulation development and can potentially pave the way towards a better precision nanomedicine.

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) Protocol for Low-abundance Embryonic Samples.

PubMed

Rehimi, Rizwan; Bartusel, Michaela; Solinas, Francesca; Altmüller, Janine; Rada-Iglesias, Alvaro

2017-08-29

Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is a widely-used technique for mapping the localization of post-translationally modified histones, histone variants, transcription factors, or chromatin-modifying enzymes at a given locus or on a genome-wide scale. The combination of ChIP assays with next-generation sequencing (i.e., ChIP-Seq) is a powerful approach to globally uncover gene regulatory networks and to improve the functional annotation of genomes, especially of non-coding regulatory sequences. ChIP protocols normally require large amounts of cellular material, thus precluding the applicability of this method to investigating rare cell types or small tissue biopsies. In order to make the ChIP assay compatible with the amount of biological material that can typically be obtained in vivo during early vertebrate embryogenesis, we describe here a simplified ChIP protocol in which the number of steps required to complete the assay were reduced to minimize sample loss. This ChIP protocol has been successfully used to investigate different histone modifications in various embryonic chicken and adult mouse tissues using low to medium cell numbers (5 x 10 4 - 5 x 10 5 cells). Importantly, this protocol is compatible with ChIP-seq technology using standard library preparation methods, thus providing global epigenomic maps in highly relevant embryonic tissues.

Associative Pattern Recognition In Analog VLSI Circuits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tawel, Raoul

1995-01-01

Winner-take-all circuit selects best-match stored pattern. Prototype cascadable very-large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuit chips built and tested to demonstrate concept of electronic associative pattern recognition. Based on low-power, sub-threshold analog complementary oxide/semiconductor (CMOS) VLSI circuitry, each chip can store 128 sets (vectors) of 16 analog values (vector components), vectors representing known patterns as diverse as spectra, histograms, graphs, or brightnesses of pixels in images. Chips exploit parallel nature of vector quantization architecture to implement highly parallel processing in relatively simple computational cells. Through collective action, cells classify input pattern in fraction of microsecond while consuming power of few microwatts.

Electro-optic routing of photons from a single quantum dot in photonic integrated circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Midolo, Leonardo; Hansen, Sofie L.; Zhang, Weili; Papon, Camille; Schott, Rüdiger; Ludwig, Arne; Wieck, Andreas D.; Lodahl, Peter; Stobbe, Søren

2017-12-01

Recent breakthroughs in solid-state photonic quantum technologies enable generating and detecting single photons with near-unity efficiency as required for a range of photonic quantum technologies. The lack of methods to simultaneously generate and control photons within the same chip, however, has formed a main obstacle to achieving efficient multi-qubit gates and to harness the advantages of chip-scale quantum photonics. Here we propose and demonstrate an integrated voltage-controlled phase shifter based on the electro-optic effect in suspended photonic waveguides with embedded quantum emitters. The phase control allows building a compact Mach-Zehnder interferometer with two orthogonal arms, taking advantage of the anisotropic electro-optic response in gallium arsenide. Photons emitted by single self-assembled quantum dots can be actively routed into the two outputs of the interferometer. These results, together with the observed sub-microsecond response time, constitute a significant step towards chip-scale single-photon-source de-multiplexing, fiber-loop boson sampling, and linear optical quantum computing.

OpenSoC Fabric

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

2014-08-21

Recent advancements in technology scaling have shown a trend towards greater integration with large-scale chips containing thousands of processors connected to memories and other I/O devices using non-trivial network topologies. Software simulation proves insufficient to study the tradeoffs in such complex systems due to slow execution time, whereas hardware RTL development is too time-consuming. We present OpenSoC Fabric, an on-chip network generation infrastructure which aims to provide a parameterizable and powerful on-chip network generator for evaluating future high performance computing architectures based on SoC technology. OpenSoC Fabric leverages a new hardware DSL, Chisel, which contains powerful abstractions provided by itsmore » base language, Scala, and generates both software (C++) and hardware (Verilog) models from a single code base. The OpenSoC Fabric2 infrastructure is modeled after existing state-of-the-art simulators, offers large and powerful collections of configuration options, and follows object-oriented design and functional programming to make functionality extension as easy as possible.« less

Microfluidics for producing poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)-based pharmaceutical nanoparticles.

PubMed

Li, Xuanyu; Jiang, Xingyu

2017-12-24

Microfluidic chips allow the rapid production of a library of nanoparticles (NPs) with distinct properties by changing the precursors and the flow rates, significantly decreasing the time for screening optimal formulation as carriers for drug delivery compared to conventional methods. The batch-to-batch reproducibility which is essential for clinical translation is achieved by precisely controlling the precursors and the flow rate, regardless of operators. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is the most widely used Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved biodegradable polymers. Researchers often combine PLGA with lipids or amphiphilic molecules to assemble into a core/shell structure to exploit the potential of PLGA-based NPs as powerful carriers for cancer-related drug delivery. In this review, we discuss the advantages associated with microfluidic chips for producing PLGA-based functional nanocomplexes for drug delivery. These laboratory-based methods can readily scale up to provide sufficient amount of PLGA-based NPs in microfluidic chips for clinical studies and industrial-scale production. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Fabrication of Circuit QED Quantum Processors, Part 1: Extensible Footprint for a Superconducting Surface Code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bruno, A.; Michalak, D. J.; Poletto, S.; Clarke, J. S.; Dicarlo, L.

Large-scale quantum computation hinges on the ability to preserve and process quantum information with higher fidelity by increasing redundancy in a quantum error correction code. We present the realization of a scalable footprint for superconducting surface code based on planar circuit QED. We developed a tileable unit cell for surface code with all I/O routed vertically by means of superconducting through-silicon vias (TSVs). We address some of the challenges encountered during the fabrication and assembly of these chips, such as the quality of etch of the TSV, the uniformity of the ALD TiN coating conformal to the TSV, and the reliability of superconducting indium contact between the chips and PCB. We compare measured performance to a detailed list of specifications required for the realization of quantum fault tolerance. Our demonstration using centimeter-scale chips can accommodate the 50 qubits needed to target the experimental demonstration of small-distance logical qubits. Research funded by Intel Corporation and IARPA.

Ultralow power trapping and fluorescence detection of single particles on an optofluidic chip.

PubMed

Kühn, S; Phillips, B S; Lunt, E J; Hawkins, A R; Schmidt, H

2010-01-21

The development of on-chip methods to manipulate particles is receiving rapidly increasing attention. All-optical traps offer numerous advantages, but are plagued by large required power levels on the order of hundreds of milliwatts and the inability to act exclusively on individual particles. Here, we demonstrate a fully integrated electro-optical trap for single particles with optical excitation power levels that are five orders of magnitude lower than in conventional optical force traps. The trap is based on spatio-temporal light modulation that is implemented using networks of antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides. We demonstrate the combination of on-chip trapping and fluorescence detection of single microorganisms by studying the photobleaching dynamics of stained DNA in E. coli bacteria. The favorable size scaling facilitates the trapping of single nanoparticles on integrated optofluidic chips.

Static Aeroelastic Scaling and Analysis of a Sub-Scale Flexible Wing Wind Tunnel Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ting, Eric; Lebofsky, Sonia; Nguyen, Nhan; Trinh, Khanh

2014-01-01

This paper presents an approach to the development of a scaled wind tunnel model for static aeroelastic similarity with a full-scale wing model. The full-scale aircraft model is based on the NASA Generic Transport Model (GTM) with flexible wing structures referred to as the Elastically Shaped Aircraft Concept (ESAC). The baseline stiffness of the ESAC wing represents a conventionally stiff wing model. Static aeroelastic scaling is conducted on the stiff wing configuration to develop the wind tunnel model, but additional tailoring is also conducted such that the wind tunnel model achieves a 10% wing tip deflection at the wind tunnel test condition. An aeroelastic scaling procedure and analysis is conducted, and a sub-scale flexible wind tunnel model based on the full-scale's undeformed jig-shape is developed. Optimization of the flexible wind tunnel model's undeflected twist along the span, or pre-twist or wash-out, is then conducted for the design test condition. The resulting wind tunnel model is an aeroelastic model designed for the wind tunnel test condition.

Mathematics, Information, and Life Sciences

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-05

INS • Chip -scale atomic clocks • Ad hoc networks • Polymorphic networks • Agile networks • Laser communications • Frequency-agile RF systems...FY12 BAA Bionavigation (Bio) Neuromorphic Computing (Human) Multi-scale Modeling (Math) Foundations of Information Systems (Info) BRI

On being the right size: scaling effects in designing a human-on-a-chip

PubMed Central

Moraes, Christopher; Labuz, Joseph M.; Leung, Brendan M.; Inoue, Mayumi; Chun, Tae-Hwa; Takayama, Shuichi

2013-01-01

Developing a human-on-a-chip by connecting multiple model organ systems would provide an intermediate screen for therapeutic efficacy and toxic side effects of drugs prior to conducting expensive clinical trials. However, correctly designing individual organs and scaling them relative to each other to make a functional microscale human analog is challenging, and a generalized approach has yet to be identified. In this work, we demonstrate the importance of rational design of both the individual organ and its relationship with other organs, using a simple two-compartment system simulating insulin-dependent glucose uptake in adipose tissues. We demonstrate that inter-organ scaling laws depend on both the number of cells, and on the spatial arrangement of those cells within the microfabricated construct. We then propose a simple and novel inter-organ ‘metabolically-supported functional scaling’ approach predicated on maintaining in vivo cellular basal metabolic rates, by limiting resources available to cells on the chip. This approach leverages findings from allometric scaling models in mammals that limited resources in vivo prompts cells to behave differently than in resource-rich in vitro cultures. Although applying scaling laws directly to tissues can result in systems that would be quite challenging to implement, engineering workarounds may be used to circumvent these scaling issues. Specific workarounds discussed include the limited oxygen carrying capacity of cell culture media when used as a blood substitute and the ability to engineer non-physiological structures to augment organ function, to create the transport-accessible, yet resource-limited environment necessary for cells to mimic in vivo functionality. Furthermore, designing the structure of individual tissues in each organ compartment may be a useful strategy to bypass scaling concerns at the inter-organ level. PMID:23925524

Bench-Top Fabrication of an All-PDMS Microfluidic Electrochemical Cell Sensor Integrating Micro/Nanostructured Electrodes.

PubMed

Saem, Sokunthearath; Zhu, Yujie; Luu, Helen; Moran-Mirabal, Jose

2017-03-31

In recent years, efforts in the development of lab-on-a-chip (LoC) devices for point-of-care (PoC) applications have increased to bring affordable, portable, and sensitive diagnostics to the patients' bedside. To reach this goal, research has shifted from using traditional microfabrication methods to more versatile, rapid, and low-cost options. This work focuses on the benchtop fabrication of a highly sensitive, fully transparent, and flexible poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic (μF) electrochemical cell sensor. The μF device encapsulates 3D structured gold and platinum electrodes, fabricated using a shape-memory polymer shrinking method, which are used to set up an on-chip electrochemical cell. The PDMS to PDMS-structured electrode bonding protocol to fabricate the μF chip was optimized and found to have sufficient bond strength to withstand up to 100 mL/min flow rates. The sensing capabilities of the on-chip electrochemical cell were demonstrated by using cyclic voltammetry to monitor the adhesion of murine 3T3 fibroblasts in the presence of a redox reporter. The charge transfer across the working electrode was reduced upon cell adhesion, which was used as the detection mechanism, and allowed the detection of as few as 24 cells. The effective utilization of simple and low cost bench-top fabrication methods could accelerate the prototyping and development of LoC technologies and bring PoC diagnostics and personalized medicine to the patients' bedside.

Bench-Top Fabrication of an All-PDMS Microfluidic Electrochemical Cell Sensor Integrating Micro/Nanostructured Electrodes

PubMed Central

Saem, Sokunthearath; Zhu, Yujie; Luu, Helen; Moran-Mirabal, Jose

2017-01-01

In recent years, efforts in the development of lab-on-a-chip (LoC) devices for point-of-care (PoC) applications have increased to bring affordable, portable, and sensitive diagnostics to the patients’ bedside. To reach this goal, research has shifted from using traditional microfabrication methods to more versatile, rapid, and low-cost options. This work focuses on the benchtop fabrication of a highly sensitive, fully transparent, and flexible poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic (μF) electrochemical cell sensor. The μF device encapsulates 3D structured gold and platinum electrodes, fabricated using a shape-memory polymer shrinking method, which are used to set up an on-chip electrochemical cell. The PDMS to PDMS-structured electrode bonding protocol to fabricate the μF chip was optimized and found to have sufficient bond strength to withstand up to 100 mL/min flow rates. The sensing capabilities of the on-chip electrochemical cell were demonstrated by using cyclic voltammetry to monitor the adhesion of murine 3T3 fibroblasts in the presence of a redox reporter. The charge transfer across the working electrode was reduced upon cell adhesion, which was used as the detection mechanism, and allowed the detection of as few as 24 cells. The effective utilization of simple and low cost bench-top fabrication methods could accelerate the prototyping and development of LoC technologies and bring PoC diagnostics and personalized medicine to the patients’ bedside. PMID:28362329

Numerical simulation of CTE mismatch and thermal-structural stresses in the design of interconnects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peter, Geoffrey John M.

With the ever-increasing chip complexity, interconnects have to be designed to meet the new challenges. Advances in optical lithography have made chip feature sizes available today at 70 nm dimensions. With advances in Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography, X-ray Lithography, and Ion Projection Lithography it is expected that the line width will further decrease to 20 nm or less. With the decrease in feature size, the number of active devices on the chip increases. With higher levels of circuit integration, the challenge is to dissipate the increased heat flux from the chip surface area. Thermal management considerations include coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) matching to prevent failure between the chip and the board. This in turn calls for improved system performance and reliability of the electronic structural systems. Experience has shown that in most electronic systems, failures are mostly due to CTE mismatch between the chip, board, and the solder joint (solder interconnect). The resulting high thermal-structural stress and strain due to CTE mismatch produces cracks in the solder joints with eventual failure of the electronic component. In order to reduce the thermal stress between the chip, board, and the solder joint, this dissertation examines the effect of inserting wire bundle (wire interconnect) between the chip and the board. The flexibility of the wires or fibers would reduce the stress at the rigid joints. Numerical simulations of two, and three-dimensional models of the solder and wire interconnects are examined. The numerical simulation is linear in nature and is based on linear isotropic material properties. The effect of different wire material properties is examined. The effect of varying the wire diameter is studied by changing the wire diameter. A major cause of electronic equipment failure is due to fatigue failure caused by thermal cycling, and vibrations. A two-dimensional modal and harmonic analysis was simulated for the wire interconnect and the solder interconnect. The numerical model simulated using ANSYS program was validated with the numerical/experimental results of other published researchers. In addition the results were cross-checked by IDEAS program. A prototype non-working wire interconnect is proposed to emphasize practical application. The numerical analysis, in this dissertation is based on a U.S. Patent granted to G. Peter(42).

Persistent ulnar-sided wrist pain after treatment of triquetral dorsal chip fracture: six cases related to triangular fibrocartilage complex injury.

PubMed

Lee, Seoung-joon; Rathod, Chasanal Mohan; Park, Kwang-Won; Hwang, Jin-Ho

2012-05-01

Persistent ulnar-sided wrist pain after treatment of triquetral dorsal chip fracture even after union is a matter of concern. There could be various reasons for this persistent pain like arthritis, instability, fractures and non-union. We correlate our findings of physical examination and wrist arthroscopy as triangular fibrocartilage complex injury to be one of the causes of this persistent pain. Six subjects who had persistent ulnocarpal joint pain and tenderness after triquetral dorsal chip fracture, despite 2 months of conservative treatment, were subjected to physical tests. If the physical examination yields positive results, then magnetic resonance imaging followed by arthroscopic treatment was performed. The six patients were then evaluated using the visual analogue scale, the Mayo modified wrist score, and the grip strength test. Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury was observed in all six cases and partial TFCC resection and synovectomy were performed. Analysis of the visual analogue scale, Mayo modified wrist score, and grip strength test data revealed statistically significant improvements (P < 0.05). In addition to several causes reported in the published literature, TFCC injury can be a cause of persistent ulnar pain after treatment of triquetral dorsal chip fracture. Arthroscopic partial TFCC resection can be considered to be a suitable treatment for such cases.

X-ray transparent microfluidic chips for high-throughput screening and optimization of in meso membrane protein crystallization

PubMed Central

Schieferstein, Jeremy M.; Pawate, Ashtamurthy S.; Wan, Frank; Sheraden, Paige N.; Broecker, Jana; Ernst, Oliver P.; Gennis, Robert B.

2017-01-01

Elucidating and clarifying the function of membrane proteins ultimately requires atomic resolution structures as determined most commonly by X-ray crystallography. Many high impact membrane protein structures have resulted from advanced techniques such as in meso crystallization that present technical difficulties for the set-up and scale-out of high-throughput crystallization experiments. In prior work, we designed a novel, low-throughput X-ray transparent microfluidic device that automated the mixing of protein and lipid by diffusion for in meso crystallization trials. Here, we report X-ray transparent microfluidic devices for high-throughput crystallization screening and optimization that overcome the limitations of scale and demonstrate their application to the crystallization of several membrane proteins. Two complementary chips are presented: (1) a high-throughput screening chip to test 192 crystallization conditions in parallel using as little as 8 nl of membrane protein per well and (2) a crystallization optimization chip to rapidly optimize preliminary crystallization hits through fine-gradient re-screening. We screened three membrane proteins for new in meso crystallization conditions, identifying several preliminary hits that we tested for X-ray diffraction quality. Further, we identified and optimized the crystallization condition for a photosynthetic reaction center mutant and solved its structure to a resolution of 3.5 Å. PMID:28469762

An integrated cell culture lab on a chip: modular microdevices for cultivation of mammalian cells and delivery into microfluidic microdroplets.

PubMed

Hufnagel, Hansjörg; Huebner, Ansgar; Gülch, Carina; Güse, Katharina; Abell, Chris; Hollfelder, Florian

2009-06-07

We present a modular system of microfluidic PDMS devices designed to incorporate the steps necessary for cell biological assays based on mammalian tissue culture 'on-chip'. The methods described herein include the on-chip immobilization and culturing of cells as well as their manipulation by transfection. Assessment of cell viability by flow cytrometry suggests low attrition rates (<3%) and excellent growth properties in the device for up to 7 days for CHO-K1 cells. To demonstrate that key procedures from the repertoire of cell biology are possible in this format, transfection of a reporter gene (encoding green fluorescent protein) was carried out. The modular design enables efficient detachment and recollection of cells and allows assessment of the success of transfection achieved on-chip. The transfection levels (20%) are comparable to standard large scale procedures and more than 500 cells could be transfected. Finally, cells are transferred into microfluidic microdoplets, where in principle a wide range of subsequent assays can be carried out at the single cell level in droplet compartments. The procedures developed for this modular device layout further demonstrate that commonly used methods in cell biology involving mammalian cells can be reliably scaled down to allow single cell investigations in picolitre volumes.

An optically transparent, flexible, patterned and conductive silk biopolymer film (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Umar, Muhammad; Min, Kyungtaek; Kim, Sunghwan

2017-02-01

Transparent, flexible, and conducting films are of great interest for wearable electronics. For better biotic/abiotic interface, the films to integrate the electronics components requires the patterned surface conductors with optical transparency, smoothness, good electrical conductivity, along with the biofriendly traits of films. We focus on silk fibroin, a natural biopolymer extracted from the Bombyx mori cocoons, for this bioelectronics applications. Here we report an optically transparent, flexible, and patterned surface conductor on a silk film by burying a silver nanowires (AgNW) network below the surface of the silk film. The conducting silk film reveals high optical transparency of 80% and the excellent electronic conductivity of 15 Ω/sq, along with smooth surface. The integration of light emitting diode (LED) chip on the patterned electrodes confirms that the current can flow through the transparent and patterned electrodes on the silk film, and this result shows an application for integration of functional electronic/opto-electronic devices. Additionally, we fabricate a transparent and flexible radio frequency (RF) antenna and resistor on a silk film and apply these as a food sensor by monitoring the increasing resistance by the flow of gases from the spoiled food.

Bio-Nanobattery Development and Characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

King, Glen C.; Choi, Sang H.; Chu, Sang-Hyon; Kim, Jae-Woo; Watt, Gerald D.; Lillehei, Peter T.; Park, Yeonjoon; Elliott, James R.

2005-01-01

A bio-nanobattery is an electrical energy storage device that utilizes organic materials and processes on an atomic, or nanometer-scale. The bio-nanobattery under development at NASA s Langley Research Center provides new capabilities for electrical power generation, storage, and distribution as compared to conventional power storage systems. Most currently available electronic systems and devices rely on a single, centralized power source to supply electrical power to a specified location in the circuit. As electronic devices and associated components continue to shrink in size towards the nanometer-scale, a single centralized power source becomes impractical. Small systems, such as these, will require distributed power elements to reduce Joule heating, to minimize wiring quantities, and to allow autonomous operation of the various functions performed by the circuit. Our research involves the development and characterization of a bio-nanobattery using ferritins reconstituted with both an iron core (Fe-ferritin) and a cobalt core (Co-ferritin). Synthesis and characterization of the Co-ferritin and Fe-ferritin electrodes were performed, including reducing capability and the half-cell electrical potentials. Electrical output of nearly 0.5 V for the battery cell was measured. Ferritin utilizing other metallic cores were also considered to increase the overall electrical output. Two dimensional ferritin arrays were produced on various substrates to demonstrate the feasibility of a thin-film nano-scaled power storage system for distributed power storage applications. The bio-nanobattery will be ideal for nanometerscaled electronic applications, due to the small size, high energy density, and flexible thin-film structure. A five-cell demonstration article was produced for concept verification and bio-nanobattery characterization. Challenges to be addressed include the development of a multi-layered thin-film, increasing the energy density, dry-cell bionanobattery development, and selection of ferritin core materials to allow the broadest range of applications. The potential applications for the distributed power system include autonomously-operating intelligent chips, flexible thin-film electronic circuits, nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), ultra-high density data storage devices, nanoelectromagnetics, quantum electronic devices, biochips, nanorobots for medical applications and mechanical nano-fabrication, etc.

CHIPPING FRACTURE RESISTANCE OF DENTURE TOOTH MATERIALS

PubMed Central

Quinn, G. D.; Giuseppetti, A. A.; Hoffman, K. H.

2014-01-01

Objective The applicability of the edge chipping method to denture tooth materials was assessed. These are softer materials than those usually tested by edge chipping. The edge chipping fracture resistances of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) based and two filled resin composite denture tooth materials were compared. Methods An edge chipping machine was used to chip rectangular blocks and flattened anterior denture teeth. Force versus edge distance data were collected over a broad range of forces and distances. Between 20 and 65 chips were made per condition depending upon the material, the scatter, and the indenter type. Different indenter types were used including Rockwell C, sharp conical 120°, Knoop, and Vickers. The edge toughness, Te, was evaluated for different indenter types. Results The edge chipping data collected on the blocks matched the data collected from flattened teeth. High scatter, particularly at large distances and loads, meant that many tests (up to 64) were necessary to compare the denture tooth materials and to ascertain the appropriate data trends. A linear force – distance trend analysis was adequate for comparing these materials. A power law trend might be more appropriate, but the large scatter obscured the definitive determination of the precise trend. Different indenters produce different linear trends, with the ranking of: sharp conical 120°, Rockwell C, and Knoop, from lowest to highest edge toughness. Vickers indenter data were extremely scattered and a sensible trend could not be obtained. Edge toughness was inversely correlated to hardness. Significance Edge chipping data collected either from simple laboratory scale test blocks or from actual denture teeth may be used to evaluate denture materials. The edge chipping method’s applicability has been extended to another class of restorative materials. PMID:24674342

Magnetic-film atom chip with 10 μm period lattices of microtraps for quantum information science with Rydberg atoms

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

Leung, V. Y. F.; Complex Photonic Systems; Pijn, D. R. M.

2014-05-15

We describe the fabrication and construction of a setup for creating lattices of magnetic microtraps for ultracold atoms on an atom chip. The lattice is defined by lithographic patterning of a permanent magnetic film. Patterned magnetic-film atom chips enable a large variety of trapping geometries over a wide range of length scales. We demonstrate an atom chip with a lattice constant of 10 μm, suitable for experiments in quantum information science employing the interaction between atoms in highly excited Rydberg energy levels. The active trapping region contains lattice regions with square and hexagonal symmetry, with the two regions joined atmore » an interface. A structure of macroscopic wires, cutout of a silver foil, was mounted under the atom chip in order to load ultracold {sup 87}Rb atoms into the microtraps. We demonstrate loading of atoms into the square and hexagonal lattice sections simultaneously and show resolved imaging of individual lattice sites. Magnetic-film lattices on atom chips provide a versatile platform for experiments with ultracold atoms, in particular for quantum information science and quantum simulation.« less

Chip-scale thermal management of high-brightness LED packages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arik, Mehmet; Weaver, Stanton

2004-10-01

The efficiency and reliability of the solid-state lighting devices strongly depend on successful thermal management. Light emitting diodes, LEDs, are a strong candidate for the next generation, general illumination applications. LEDs are making great strides in terms of lumen performance and reliability, however the barrier to widespread use in general illumination still remains the cost or $/Lumen. LED packaging designers are pushing the LED performance to its limits. This is resulting in increased drive currents, and thus the need for lower thermal resistance packaging designs. As the power density continues to rise, the integrity of the package electrical and thermal interconnect becomes extremely important. Experimental results with high brightness LED packages show that chip attachment defects can cause significant thermal gradients across the LED chips leading to premature failures. A numerical study was also carried out with parametric models to understand the chip active layer temperature profile variation due to the bump defects. Finite element techniques were utilized to evaluate the effects of localized hot spots at the chip active layer. The importance of "zero defects" in one of the more popular interconnect schemes; the "epi down" soldered flip chip configuration is investigated and demonstrated.

Invited Article: Terahertz microfluidic chips sensitivity-enhanced with a few arrays of meta-atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Serita, Kazunori; Matsuda, Eiki; Okada, Kosuke; Murakami, Hironaru; Kawayama, Iwao; Tonouchi, Masayoshi

2018-05-01

We present a nonlinear optical crystal (NLOC)-based terahertz (THz) microfluidic chip with a few arrays of split ring resonators (SRRs) for ultra-trace and quantitative measurements of liquid solutions. The proposed chip operates on the basis of near-field coupling between the SRRs and a local emission of point like THz source that is generated in the process of optical rectification in NLOCs on a sub-wavelength scale. The liquid solutions flowing inside the microchannel modify the resonance frequency and peak attenuation in the THz transmission spectra. In contrast to conventional bio-sensing with far/near-field THz waves, our technique can be expected to compactify the chip design as well as realize high sensitive near-field measurement of liquid solutions without any high-power optical/THz source, near-field probes, and prisms. Using this chip, we have succeeded in observing the 31.8 fmol of ion concentration in actual amount of 318 pl water solutions from the shift of the resonance frequency. The technique opens the door to microanalysis of biological samples with THz waves and accelerates development of THz lab-on-chip devices.

Development of a 750x750 pixels CMOS imager sensor for tracking applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larnaudie, Franck; Guardiola, Nicolas; Saint-Pé, Olivier; Vignon, Bruno; Tulet, Michel; Davancens, Robert; Magnan, Pierre; Corbière, Franck; Martin-Gonthier, Philippe; Estribeau, Magali

2017-11-01

Solid-state optical sensors are now commonly used in space applications (navigation cameras, astronomy imagers, tracking sensors...). Although the charge-coupled devices are still widely used, the CMOS image sensor (CIS), which performances are continuously improving, is a strong challenger for Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) systems. This paper describes a 750x750 pixels CMOS image sensor that has been specially designed and developed for star tracker and tracking sensor applications. Such detector, that is featuring smart architecture enabling very simple and powerful operations, is built using the AMIS 0.5μm CMOS technology. It contains 750x750 rectangular pixels with 20μm pitch. The geometry of the pixel sensitive zone is optimized for applications based on centroiding measurements. The main feature of this device is the on-chip control and timing function that makes the device operation easier by drastically reducing the number of clocks to be applied. This powerful function allows the user to operate the sensor with high flexibility: measurement of dark level from masked lines, direct access to the windows of interest… A temperature probe is also integrated within the CMOS chip allowing a very precise measurement through the video stream. A complete electro-optical characterization of the sensor has been performed. The major parameters have been evaluated: dark current and its uniformity, read-out noise, conversion gain, Fixed Pattern Noise, Photo Response Non Uniformity, quantum efficiency, Modulation Transfer Function, intra-pixel scanning. The characterization tests are detailed in the paper. Co60 and protons irradiation tests have been also carried out on the image sensor and the results are presented. The specific features of the 750x750 image sensor such as low power CMOS design (3.3V, power consumption<100mW), natural windowing (that allows efficient and robust tracking algorithms), simple proximity electronics (because of the on-chip control and timing function) enabling a high flexibility architecture, make this imager a good candidate for high performance tracking applications.

A Flexible Pilot-Scale Setup for Real-Time Studies in Process Systems Engineering

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Panjapornpon, Chanin; Fletcher, Nathan; Soroush, Masoud

2006-01-01

This manuscript describes a flexible, pilot-scale setup that can be used for training students and carrying out research in process systems engineering. The setup allows one to study a variety of process systems engineering concepts such as design feasibility, design flexibility, control configuration selection, parameter estimation, process and…

The Contributions of Attachment Styles, Irrational Beliefs and Psychological Symptoms to the Prediction of Cognitive Flexibility

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gunduz, Bülent

2013-01-01

In this research, the contributions of styles of attachment, irrational beliefs and psychological symptoms to the prediction of cognitive flexibility were analysed. The sample consists of 436 students studying in various departments and faculties in Mersin University. The Cognitive Flexibility Scale, Relationships Scale, Irrational Beliefs Scale…

Nanoporous Glass Integrated in Volumetric Bar-Chart Chip for Point-of-Care Diagnostics of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

PubMed

Li, Ying; Xuan, Jie; Song, Yujun; Qi, Wenjin; He, Bangshun; Wang, Ping; Qin, Lidong

2016-01-26

Point-of-care (POC) testing has the potential to enable rapid, low-cost, and large-scale screening. POC detection of a multiplexed biomarker panel can facilitate the early diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and, thus, may allow for more timely surgical intervention for life-saving treatment. Herein, we report the nanoporous glass (NPG) integrated volumetric bar-chart chip (V-Chip) for POC detection of the three NSCLC biomarkers CEA, CYFRA 21-1, and SCCA, by the naked eye. The 3D nanostructures in the NPG membrane efficiently increase the number of binding sites for antibodies and decrease the diffusion distance between antibody and antigen, enabling the low detection limit and rapid analysis time of the NPG-V-Chip. We utilized the NPG-V-Chip to test the NSCLC biomarker panel and found that the limit of detection can reach 50 pg/mL (10-fold improvement over the original V-Chip), and the total assay time can be decreased from 4 to 0.5 h. We then detected CEA in 21 serum samples from patients with common cancers, and the on-chip results showed good correlation with the clinical results. We further assayed 10 lung cancer samples using the device and confirmed the results obtained using conventional ELISA methods. In summary, the NPG-V-Chip platform has the ability of multiplex, low detection limit, low cost, lack of need for accessory equipment, and rapid analysis time, which may render the V-Chip a useful platform for quantitative POC detection in resource-limited settings and personalized diagnostics.

Chip Scale Ultra-Stable Clocks: Miniaturized Phonon Trap Timing Units for PNT of CubeSats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rais-Zadeh, Mina; Altunc, Serhat; Hunter, Roger C.; Petro, Andrew

2016-01-01

The Chip Scale Ultra-Stable Clocks (CSUSC) project aims to provide a superior alternative to current solutions for low size, weight, and power timing devices. Currently available quartz-based clocks have problems adjusting to the high temperature and extreme acceleration found in space applications, especially when scaled down to match small spacecraft size, weight, and power requirements. The CSUSC project aims to utilize dual-mode resonators on an ovenized platform to achieve the exceptional temperature stability required for these systems. The dual-mode architecture utilizes a temperature sensitive and temperature stable mode simultaneously driven on the same device volume to eliminate ovenization error while maintaining extremely high performance. Using this technology it is possible to achieve parts-per-billion (ppb) levels of temperature stability with multiple orders of magnitude smaller size, weight, and power.

Optical coupling of bare optoelectronic components and flexographically printed polymer waveguides in planar optronic systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yixiao; Wolfer, Tim; Lange, Alex; Overmeyer, Ludger

2016-05-01

Large scale, planar optronic systems allowing spatially distributed functionalities can be well used in diverse sensor networks, such as for monitoring the environment by measuring various physical quantities in medicine or aeronautics. In these systems, mechanically flexible and optically transparent polymeric foils, e.g. polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are employed as carrier materials. A benefit of using these materials is their low cost. The optical interconnections from light sources to light transmission structures in planar optronic systems occupy a pivotal position for the sensing functions. As light sources, we employ the optoelectronic components, such as edgeemitting laser diodes, in form of bare chips, since their extremely small structures facilitate a high integration compactness and ensure sufficient system flexibility. Flexographically printed polymer optical waveguides are deployed as light guiding structures for short-distance communication in planar optronic systems. Printing processes are utilized for this generation of waveguides to achieve a cost-efficient large scale and high-throughput production. In order to attain a high-functional optronic system for sensing applications, one of the most essential prerequisites is the high coupling efficiency between the light sources and the waveguides. Therefore, in this work, we focus on the multimode polymer waveguide with a parabolic cross-section and investigate its optical coupling with the bare laser diode. We establish the geometrical model of the alignment based on the previous works on the optodic bonding of bare laser diodes and the fabrication process of polymer waveguides with consideration of various parameters, such as the beam profile of the laser diode, the employed polymer properties of the waveguides as well as the carrier substrates etc. Accordingly, the optical coupling of the bare laser diodes and the polymer waveguides was simulated. Additionally, we demonstrate optical links by adopting the aforementioned processes used for defining the simulation. We verify the feasibility of the developed processes for planar optronic systems by using an active alignment and conduct discussions for further improvements of optical alignment.

Coarse-grained component concurrency in Earth system modeling: parallelizing atmospheric radiative transfer in the GFDL AM3 model using the Flexible Modeling System coupling framework

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balaji, V.; Benson, Rusty; Wyman, Bruce; Held, Isaac

2016-10-01

Climate models represent a large variety of processes on a variety of timescales and space scales, a canonical example of multi-physics multi-scale modeling. Current hardware trends, such as Graphical Processing Units (GPUs) and Many Integrated Core (MIC) chips, are based on, at best, marginal increases in clock speed, coupled with vast increases in concurrency, particularly at the fine grain. Multi-physics codes face particular challenges in achieving fine-grained concurrency, as different physics and dynamics components have different computational profiles, and universal solutions are hard to come by. We propose here one approach for multi-physics codes. These codes are typically structured as components interacting via software frameworks. The component structure of a typical Earth system model consists of a hierarchical and recursive tree of components, each representing a different climate process or dynamical system. This recursive structure generally encompasses a modest level of concurrency at the highest level (e.g., atmosphere and ocean on different processor sets) with serial organization underneath. We propose to extend concurrency much further by running more and more lower- and higher-level components in parallel with each other. Each component can further be parallelized on the fine grain, potentially offering a major increase in the scalability of Earth system models. We present here first results from this approach, called coarse-grained component concurrency, or CCC. Within the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) Flexible Modeling System (FMS), the atmospheric radiative transfer component has been configured to run in parallel with a composite component consisting of every other atmospheric component, including the atmospheric dynamics and all other atmospheric physics components. We will explore the algorithmic challenges involved in such an approach, and present results from such simulations. Plans to achieve even greater levels of coarse-grained concurrency by extending this approach within other components, such as the ocean, will be discussed.

Coping with occupational stress: the role of optimism and coping flexibility.

PubMed

Reed, Daniel J

2016-01-01

The current study aimed at measuring whether coping flexibility is a reliable and valid construct in a UK sample and subsequently investigating the association between coping flexibility, optimism, and psychological health - measured by perceived stress and life satisfaction. A UK university undergraduate student sample (N=95) completed an online questionnaire. The study is among the first to examine the validity and reliability of the English version of a scale measuring coping flexibility in a Western population and is also the first to investigate the association between optimism and coping flexibility. The results revealed that the scale had good reliability overall; however, factor analysis revealed no support for the existing two-factor structure of the scale. Coping flexibility and optimism were found to be strongly correlated, and hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the interaction between them predicted a large proportion of the variance in both perceived stress and life satisfaction. In addition, structural equation modeling revealed that optimism completely mediated the relationship between coping flexibility and both perceived stress and life satisfaction. The findings add to the occupational stress literature to further our understanding of how optimism is important in psychological health. Furthermore, given that optimism is a personality trait, and consequently relatively stable, the study also provides preliminary support for the potential of targeting coping flexibility to improve psychological health in Western populations. These findings must be replicated, and further analyses of the English version of the Coping Flexibility Scale are needed.

Composable Flexible Real-time Packet Scheduling for Networks on-Chip

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-05-16

unclassified b . ABSTRACT unclassified c. THIS PAGE unclassified Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 Copyright © 2012...words, real-time flows need to be composable. We set this as the design goal for our packet scheduling discipline developed in this paper. B . Motivating...with closest deadline is chosen to forward to the next router. B . Traffic Model We assume a traffic model for real-time flows similar to the one used

Asymmetric Multilevel Outphasing (AMO): A New Architecture for All-Silicon mm-Wave Transmitter ICs

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-12

power-amplifiers for mobile basestation infrastructure and handsets. NanoSemi Inc. designs linearization solutions for analog front-ends such as...ward flexible, multi-standard radio chips, increases the need for high-precision, high-throughput and energy-efficient backend processing. The desire...peak PAE is affected by less than 1% (46 mW/(46 mW 1.8 W/0.4)) by this 64-QAM capable AMO SCS backend . 378 IEEE JOURNAL OF SOLID-STATE CIRCUITS, VOL. 48

High-precision cutting of polyimide film using femtosecond laser for the application in flexible electronics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganin, D. V.; Lapshin, K. E.; Obidin, A. Z.; Vartapetov, S. K.

2018-01-01

The experimental results of cutting a polyimide film on the optical glass substrate by means of femtosecond lasers are given. Two modes of laser cutting of this film without damages to a glass base are determined. The first is the photo graphitization using a high repetition rate femtosecond laser. The second is ablative, under the effect of femtosecond laser pulses with high energy and low repetition rate. Cutting of semiconductor chips formed on the polyimide film surface is successfully demonstrated.

An Approach to Providing a User Interface for Military Computer-Aided- Instruction in 1980

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-11-01

commercial terminals is the use of a microprocessor unit ( MPU ) LSI chip controller. This technology is flexible and economical •nd can be expected to...various «•gmentt. By using an MPU and developing a software capability, tha vendor can quickly and economically satisfy a large spsctrum of user...the basis for an effective and economical jser interface to military CAI systems. •a. sicumrv CLAMincATioH or THIS P**;:^*— D*. K*fn4) ^vmm m m r

Binary/Analog CCD Correlator Development.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-07-01

architecture , design and performance of a general purpose, 1,024-stage, programmable transversal filter implemented in CCD/NMOS technology is described. The device features programmability of the reference signal, the filter length and weighting coefficient resolution. Off-ship circuitry is minimized by incorporating both analog and digital support circuitry, on-chip. This results in a monolithic analog signal processing system that has the flexibility to be operated in nine programmable configurations, from 1,024-stages by 1-bit, to 128-stages by 8-bits. The versatility

Recovery Act - CAREER: Sustainable Silicon -- Energy-Efficient VLSI Interconnect for Extreme-Scale Computing

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

Chiang, Patrick

2014-01-31

The research goal of this CAREER proposal is to develop energy-efficient, VLSI interconnect circuits and systems that will facilitate future massively-parallel, high-performance computing. Extreme-scale computing will exhibit massive parallelism on multiple vertical levels, from thou­ sands of computational units on a single processor to thousands of processors in a single data center. Unfortunately, the energy required to communicate between these units at every level (on­ chip, off-chip, off-rack) will be the critical limitation to energy efficiency. Therefore, the PI's career goal is to become a leading researcher in the design of energy-efficient VLSI interconnect for future computing systems.

Polymer waveguide grating sensor integrated with a thin-film photodetector

PubMed Central

Song, Fuchuan; Xiao, Jing; Xie, Antonio Jou; Seo, Sang-Woo

2014-01-01

This paper presents a planar waveguide grating sensor integrated with a photodetector (PD) for on-chip optical sensing systems which are suitable for diagnostics in the field and in-situ measurements. III–V semiconductor-based thin-film PD is integrated with a polymer based waveguide grating device on a silicon platform. The fabricated optical sensor successfully discriminates optical spectral characteristics of the polymer waveguide grating from the on-chip PD. In addition, its potential use as a refractive index sensor is demonstrated. Based on a planar waveguide structure, the demonstrated sensor chip may incorporate multiple grating waveguide sensing regions with their own optical detection PDs. In addition, the demonstrated processing is based on a post-integration process which is compatible with silicon complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) electronics. Potentially, this leads a compact, chip-scale optical sensing system which can monitor multiple physical parameters simultaneously without need for external signal processing. PMID:24466407

Generation of segmental chips in metal cutting modeled with the PFEM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez Prieto, J. M.; Carbonell, J. M.; Cante, J. C.; Oliver, J.; Jonsén, P.

2018-06-01

The Particle Finite Element Method, a lagrangian finite element method based on a continuous Delaunay re-triangulation of the domain, is used to study machining of Ti6Al4V. In this work the method is revised and applied to study the influence of the cutting speed on the cutting force and the chip formation process. A parametric methodology for the detection and treatment of the rigid tool contact is presented. The adaptive insertion and removal of particles are developed and employed in order to sidestep the difficulties associated with mesh distortion, shear localization as well as for resolving the fine-scale features of the solution. The performance of PFEM is studied with a set of different two-dimensional orthogonal cutting tests. It is shown that, despite its Lagrangian nature, the proposed combined finite element-particle method is well suited for large deformation metal cutting problems with continuous chip and serrated chip formation.

Generation of segmental chips in metal cutting modeled with the PFEM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez Prieto, J. M.; Carbonell, J. M.; Cante, J. C.; Oliver, J.; Jonsén, P.

2017-09-01

The Particle Finite Element Method, a lagrangian finite element method based on a continuous Delaunay re-triangulation of the domain, is used to study machining of Ti6Al4V. In this work the method is revised and applied to study the influence of the cutting speed on the cutting force and the chip formation process. A parametric methodology for the detection and treatment of the rigid tool contact is presented. The adaptive insertion and removal of particles are developed and employed in order to sidestep the difficulties associated with mesh distortion, shear localization as well as for resolving the fine-scale features of the solution. The performance of PFEM is studied with a set of different two-dimensional orthogonal cutting tests. It is shown that, despite its Lagrangian nature, the proposed combined finite element-particle method is well suited for large deformation metal cutting problems with continuous chip and serrated chip formation.

Chemically etched ultrahigh-Q wedge-resonator on a silicon chip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hansuek; Chen, Tong; Li, Jiang; Yang, Ki Youl; Jeon, Seokmin; Painter, Oskar; Vahala, Kerry J.

2012-06-01

Ultrahigh-Q optical resonators are being studied across a wide range of fields, including quantum information, nonlinear optics, cavity optomechanics and telecommunications. Here, we demonstrate a new resonator with a record Q-factor of 875 million for on-chip devices. The fabrication of our device avoids the requirement for a specialized processing step, which in microtoroid resonators has made it difficult to control their size and achieve millimetre- and centimetre-scale diameters. Attaining these sizes is important in applications such as microcombs and potentially also in rotation sensing. As an application of size control, stimulated Brillouin lasers incorporating our device are demonstrated. The resonators not only set a new benchmark for the Q-factor on a chip, but also provide, for the first time, full compatibility of this important device class with conventional semiconductor processing. This feature will greatly expand the range of possible `system on a chip' functions enabled by ultrahigh-Q devices.

Optofluidic analysis system for amplification-free, direct detection of Ebola infection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, H.; Parks, J. W.; Wall, T. A.; Stott, M. A.; Stambaugh, A.; Alfson, K.; Griffiths, A.; Mathies, R. A.; Carrion, R.; Patterson, J. L.; Hawkins, A. R.; Schmidt, H.

2015-09-01

The massive outbreak of highly lethal Ebola hemorrhagic fever in West Africa illustrates the urgent need for diagnostic instruments that can identify and quantify infections rapidly, accurately, and with low complexity. Here, we report on-chip sample preparation, amplification-free detection and quantification of Ebola virus on clinical samples using hybrid optofluidic integration. Sample preparation and target preconcentration are implemented on a PDMS-based microfluidic chip (automaton), followed by single nucleic acid fluorescence detection in liquid-core optical waveguides on a silicon chip in under ten minutes. We demonstrate excellent specificity, a limit of detection of 0.2 pfu/mL and a dynamic range of thirteen orders of magnitude, far outperforming other amplification-free methods. This chip-scale approach and reduced complexity compared to gold standard RT-PCR methods is ideal for portable instruments that can provide immediate diagnosis and continued monitoring of infectious diseases at the point-of-care.

Neuromorphic walking gait control.

PubMed

Still, Susanne; Hepp, Klaus; Douglas, Rodney J

2006-03-01

We present a neuromorphic pattern generator for controlling the walking gaits of four-legged robots which is inspired by central pattern generators found in the nervous system and which is implemented as a very large scale integrated (VLSI) chip. The chip contains oscillator circuits that mimic the output of motor neurons in a strongly simplified way. We show that four coupled oscillators can produce rhythmic patterns with phase relationships that are appropriate to generate all four-legged animal walking gaits. These phase relationships together with frequency and duty cycle of the oscillators determine the walking behavior of a robot driven by the chip, and they depend on a small set of stationary bias voltages. We give analytic expressions for these dependencies. This chip reduces the complex, dynamic inter-leg control problem associated with walking gait generation to the problem of setting a few stationary parameters. It provides a compact and low power solution for walking gait control in robots.

Chip-based quantum key distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sibson, P.; Erven, C.; Godfrey, M.; Miki, S.; Yamashita, T.; Fujiwara, M.; Sasaki, M.; Terai, H.; Tanner, M. G.; Natarajan, C. M.; Hadfield, R. H.; O'Brien, J. L.; Thompson, M. G.

2017-02-01

Improvement in secure transmission of information is an urgent need for governments, corporations and individuals. Quantum key distribution (QKD) promises security based on the laws of physics and has rapidly grown from proof-of-concept to robust demonstrations and deployment of commercial systems. Despite these advances, QKD has not been widely adopted, and large-scale deployment will likely require chip-based devices for improved performance, miniaturization and enhanced functionality. Here we report low error rate, GHz clocked QKD operation of an indium phosphide transmitter chip and a silicon oxynitride receiver chip--monolithically integrated devices using components and manufacturing processes from the telecommunications industry. We use the reconfigurability of these devices to demonstrate three prominent QKD protocols--BB84, Coherent One Way and Differential Phase Shift--with performance comparable to state-of-the-art. These devices, when combined with integrated single photon detectors, pave the way for successfully integrating QKD into future telecommunications networks.

Single board system for fuzzy inference

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Symon, James R.; Watanabe, Hiroyuki

1991-01-01

The very large scale integration (VLSI) implementation of a fuzzy logic inference mechanism allows the use of rule-based control and decision making in demanding real-time applications. Researchers designed a full custom VLSI inference engine. The chip was fabricated using CMOS technology. The chip consists of 688,000 transistors of which 476,000 are used for RAM memory. The fuzzy logic inference engine board system incorporates the custom designed integrated circuit into a standard VMEbus environment. The Fuzzy Logic system uses Transistor-Transistor Logic (TTL) parts to provide the interface between the Fuzzy chip and a standard, double height VMEbus backplane, allowing the chip to perform application process control through the VMEbus host. High level C language functions hide details of the hardware system interface from the applications level programmer. The first version of the board was installed on a robot at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in January of 1990.

Intelligent microchip networks: an agent-on-chip synthesis framework for the design of smart and robust sensor networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bosse, Stefan

2013-05-01

Sensorial materials consisting of high-density, miniaturized, and embedded sensor networks require new robust and reliable data processing and communication approaches. Structural health monitoring is one major field of application for sensorial materials. Each sensor node provides some kind of sensor, electronics, data processing, and communication with a strong focus on microchip-level implementation to meet the goals of miniaturization and low-power energy environments, a prerequisite for autonomous behaviour and operation. Reliability requires robustness of the entire system in the presence of node, link, data processing, and communication failures. Interaction between nodes is required to manage and distribute information. One common interaction model is the mobile agent. An agent approach provides stronger autonomy than a traditional object or remote-procedure-call based approach. Agents can decide for themselves, which actions are performed, and they are capable of flexible behaviour, reacting on the environment and other agents, providing some degree of robustness. Traditionally multi-agent systems are abstract programming models which are implemented in software and executed on program controlled computer architectures. This approach does not well scale to micro-chip level and requires full equipped computers and communication structures, and the hardware architecture does not consider and reflect the requirements for agent processing and interaction. We propose and demonstrate a novel design paradigm for reliable distributed data processing systems and a synthesis methodology and framework for multi-agent systems implementable entirely on microchip-level with resource and power constrained digital logic supporting Agent-On-Chip architectures (AoC). The agent behaviour and mobility is fully integrated on the micro-chip using pipelined communicating processes implemented with finite-state machines and register-transfer logic. The agent behaviour, interaction (communication), and mobility features are modelled and specified on a machine-independent abstract programming level using a state-based agent behaviour language (APL). With this APL a high-level agent compiler is able to synthesize a hardware model (RTL, VHDL), a software model (C, ML), or a simulation model (XML) suitable to simulate a multi-agent system using the SeSAm simulator framework. Agent communication is provided by a simple tuple-space database implemented on node level providing fault tolerant access of global data. A novel synthesis development kit (SynDK) based on a graph-structured database approach is introduced to support the rapid development of compilers and synthesis tools, used for example for the design and implementation of the APL compiler.

Read-In Integrated Circuits for Large-Format Multi-Chip Emitter Arrays

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-31

chip has been designed and fabricated using ONSEMI C5N process to verify our approach. Keywords: Large scale arrays; Tiling; Mosaic; Abutment ...required. X and y addressing is not a sustainable and easily expanded addressing architecture nor will it work well with abutted RIICs. Abutment Method... Abutting RIICs into an array is challenging because of the precise positioning required to achieve a uniform image. This problem is a new design

Micron-Scale Differential Scanning Calorimeter on a Chip

DOEpatents

Cavicchi, Richard E; Poirier, Gregory Ernest; Suehle, John S; Gaitan, Michael; Tea, Nim H

1998-06-30

A differential scanning microcalorimeter produced on a silicon chip enables microscopic scanning calorimetry measurements of small samples and thin films. The chip may be fabricated using standard CMOS processes. The microcalorimeter includes a reference zone and a sample zone. The reference and sample zones may be at opposite ends of a suspended platform or may reside on separate platforms. An integrated polysilicon heater provides heat to each zone. A thermopile consisting of a succession of thermocouple junctions generates a voltage representing the temperature difference between the reference and sample zones. Temperature differences between the zones provide information about the chemical reactions and phase transitions that occur in a sample placed in the sample zone.

Electrical Chips for Biological Point-of-Care Detection.

PubMed

Reddy, Bobby; Salm, Eric; Bashir, Rashid

2016-07-11

As the future of health care diagnostics moves toward more portable and personalized techniques, there is immense potential to harness the power of electrical signals for biological sensing and diagnostic applications at the point of care. Electrical biochips can be used to both manipulate and sense biological entities, as they can have several inherent advantages, including on-chip sample preparation, label-free detection, reduced cost and complexity, decreased sample volumes, increased portability, and large-scale multiplexing. The advantages of fully integrated electrical biochip platforms are particularly attractive for point-of-care systems. This review summarizes these electrical lab-on-a-chip technologies and highlights opportunities to accelerate the transition from academic publications to commercial success.

Ultralow-threshold microcavity Raman laser on a microelectronic chip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kippenberg, T. J.; Spillane, S. M.; Armani, D. K.; Vahala, K. J.

2004-06-01

Using ultrahigh-Q toroid microcavities on a chip, we demonstrate a monolithic microcavity Raman laser. Cavity photon lifetimes in excess of 100 ns combined with mode volumes typically of less than 1000 µm^3 significantly reduce the threshold for stimulated Raman scattering. In conjunction with the high ideality of a tapered optical fiber coupling junction, stimulated Raman lasing is observed at an ultralow threshold (as low as 74 µW of fiber-launched power at 1550 nm) with high efficiency (up to 45% at the critical coupling point) in good agreement with theoretical modeling. Equally important, the wafer-scale nature of these devices should permit integration with other photonic, mechanical, or electrical functionality on a chip.

Ultralow-threshold microcavity Raman laser on a microelectronic chip.

PubMed

Kippenberg, T J; Spillane, S M; Armani, D K; Vahala, K J

2004-06-01

Using ultrahigh-Q toroid microcavities on a chip, we demonstrate a monolithic microcavity Raman laser. Cavity photon lifetimes in excess of 100 ns combined with mode volumes typically of less than 1000 (microm)3 significantly reduce the threshold for stimulated Raman scattering. In conjunction with the high ideality of a tapered optical fiber coupling junction, stimulated Raman lasing is observed at an ultralow threshold (as low as 74 microW of fiber-launched power at 1550 nm) with high efficiency (up to 45% at the critical coupling point) in good agreement with theoretical modeling. Equally important, the wafer-scale nature of these devices should permit integration with other photonic, mechanical, or electrical functionality on a chip.

3-D integrated heterogeneous intra-chip free-space optical interconnect.

PubMed

Ciftcioglu, Berkehan; Berman, Rebecca; Wang, Shang; Hu, Jianyun; Savidis, Ioannis; Jain, Manish; Moore, Duncan; Huang, Michael; Friedman, Eby G; Wicks, Gary; Wu, Hui

2012-02-13

This paper presents the first chip-scale demonstration of an intra-chip free-space optical interconnect (FSOI) we recently proposed. This interconnect system provides point-to-point free-space optical links between any two communication nodes, and hence constructs an all-to-all intra-chip communication fabric, which can be extended for inter-chip communications as well. Unlike electrical and other waveguide-based optical interconnects, FSOI exhibits low latency, high energy efficiency, and large bandwidth density, and hence can significantly improve the performance of future many-core chips. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of the proposed FSOI interconnect, and compare it to a waveguide-based optical interconnect with wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). It shows that the FSOI system can achieve significantly lower loss and higher energy efficiency than the WDM system, even with optimistic assumptions for the latter. A 1×1-cm2 chip prototype is fabricated on a germanium substrate with integrated photodetectors. Commercial 850-nm GaAs vertical-cavity-surface-emitting-lasers (VCSELs) and fabricated fused silica microlenses are 3-D integrated on top of the substrate. At 1.4-cm distance, the measured optical transmission loss is 5 dB, the crosstalk is less than -20 dB, and the electrical-to-electrical bandwidth is 3.3 GHz. The latter is mainly limited by the 5-GHz VCSEL.

Adapting Wave-front Algorithms to Efficiently Utilize Systems with Deep Communication Hierarchies

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

Kerbyson, Darren J.; Lang, Michael; Pakin, Scott

2011-09-30

Large-scale systems increasingly exhibit a differential between intra-chip and inter-chip communication performance especially in hybrid systems using accelerators. Processorcores on the same socket are able to communicate at lower latencies, and with higher bandwidths, than cores on different sockets either within the same node or between nodes. A key challenge is to efficiently use this communication hierarchy and hence optimize performance. We consider here the class of applications that contains wavefront processing. In these applications data can only be processed after their upstream neighbors have been processed. Similar dependencies result between processors in which communication is required to pass boundarymore » data downstream and whose cost is typically impacted by the slowest communication channel in use. In this work we develop a novel hierarchical wave-front approach that reduces the use of slower communications in the hierarchy but at the cost of additional steps in the parallel computation and higher use of on-chip communications. This tradeoff is explored using a performance model. An implementation using the Reverse-acceleration programming model on the petascale Roadrunner system demonstrates a 27% performance improvement at full system-scale on a kernel application. The approach is generally applicable to large-scale multi-core and accelerated systems where a differential in system communication performance exists.« less

Adapting wave-front algorithms to efficiently utilize systems with deep communication hierarchies

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

Kerbyson, Darren J; Lang, Michael; Pakin, Scott

2009-01-01

Large-scale systems increasingly exhibit a differential between intra-chip and inter-chip communication performance. Processor-cores on the same socket are able to communicate at lower latencies, and with higher bandwidths, than cores on different sockets either within the same node or between nodes. A key challenge is to efficiently use this communication hierarchy and hence optimize performance. We consider here the class of applications that contain wave-front processing. In these applications data can only be processed after their upstream neighbors have been processed. Similar dependencies result between processors in which communication is required to pass boundary data downstream and whose cost ismore » typically impacted by the slowest communication channel in use. In this work we develop a novel hierarchical wave-front approach that reduces the use of slower communications in the hierarchy but at the cost of additional computation and higher use of on-chip communications. This tradeoff is explored using a performance model and an implementation on the Petascale Roadrunner system demonstrates a 27% performance improvement at full system-scale on a kernel application. The approach is generally applicable to large-scale multi-core and accelerated systems where a differential in system communication performance exists.« less

Meissner effect measurement of single indium particle using a customized on-chip nano-scale superconducting quantum interference device system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Long; Chen, Lei; Wang, Hao; Liu, Xiaoyu; Wang, Zhen

2017-04-01

As many emergent phenomena of superconductivity appear on a smaller scale and at lower dimension, commercial magnetic property measurement systems (MPMSs) no longer provide the sensitivity necessary to study the Meissner effect of small superconductors. The nano-scale superconducting quantum interference device (nano-SQUID) is considered one of the most sensitive magnetic sensors for the magnetic characterization of mesoscopic or microscopic samples. Here, we develop a customized on-chip nano-SQUID measurement system based on a pulsed current biasing method. The noise performance of our system is approximately 4.6 × 10-17 emu/Hz1/2, representing an improvement of 9 orders of magnitude compared with that of a commercial MPMS (~10-8 emu/Hz1/2). Furthermore, we demonstrate the measurement of the Meissner effect of a single indium (In) particle (of 47 μm in diameter) using our on-chip nano-SQUID system. The system enables the observation of the prompt superconducting transition of the Meissner effect of a single In particle, thereby providing more accurate characterization of the critical field Hc and temperature Tc. In addition, the retrapping field Hre as a function of temperature T of single In particle shows disparate behavior from that of a large ensemble.

Adiabatic shear banding and scaling laws in chip formation with application to cutting of Ti-6Al-4V

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Molinari, A.; Soldani, X.; Miguélez, M. H.

2013-11-01

The phenomenon of adiabatic shear banding is analyzed theoretically in the context of metal cutting. The mechanisms of material weakening that are accounted for are (i) thermal softening and (ii) material failure related to a critical value of the accumulated plastic strain. Orthogonal cutting is viewed as a unique configuration where adiabatic shear bands can be experimentally produced under well controlled loading conditions by individually tuning the cutting speed, the feed (uncut chip thickness) and the tool geometry. The role of cutting conditions on adiabatic shear banding and chip serration is investigated by combining finite element calculations and analytical modeling. This leads to the characterization and classification of different regimes of shear banding and the determination of scaling laws which involve dimensionless parameters representative of thermal and inertia effects. The analysis gives new insights into the physical aspects of plastic flow instability in chip formation. The originality with respect to classical works on adiabatic shear banding stems from the various facets of cutting conditions that influence shear banding and from the specific role exercised by convective flow on the evolution of shear bands. Shear bands are generated at the tool tip and propagate towards the chip free surface. They grow within the chip formation region while being convected away by chip flow. It is shown that important changes in the mechanism of shear banding take place when the characteristic time of shear band propagation becomes equal to a characteristic convection time. Application to Ti-6Al-4V titanium are considered and theoretical predictions are compared to available experimental data in a wide range of cutting speeds and feeds. The fundamental knowledge developed in this work is thought to be useful not only for the understanding of metal cutting processes but also, by analogy, to similar problems where convective flow is also interfering with adiabatic shear banding as in impact mechanics and perforation processes. In that perspective, cutting speeds higher than those usually encountered in machining operations have been also explored.

Blinded evaluation of the effects of high definition and magnification on perceived image quality in laryngeal imaging.

PubMed

Otto, Kristen J; Hapner, Edie R; Baker, Michael; Johns, Michael M

2006-02-01

Advances in commercial video technology have improved office-based laryngeal imaging. This study investigates the perceived image quality of a true high-definition (HD) video camera and the effect of magnification on laryngeal videostroboscopy. We performed a prospective, dual-armed, single-blinded analysis of a standard laryngeal videostroboscopic examination comparing 3 separate add-on camera systems: a 1-chip charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, a 3-chip CCD camera, and a true 720p (progressive scan) HD camera. Displayed images were controlled for magnification and image size (20-inch [50-cm] display, red-green-blue, and S-video cable for 1-chip and 3-chip cameras; digital visual interface cable and HD monitor for HD camera). Ten blinded observers were then asked to rate the following 5 items on a 0-to-100 visual analog scale: resolution, color, ability to see vocal fold vibration, sense of depth perception, and clarity of blood vessels. Eight unblinded observers were then asked to rate the difference in perceived resolution and clarity of laryngeal examination images when displayed on a 10-inch (25-cm) monitor versus a 42-inch (105-cm) monitor. A visual analog scale was used. These monitors were controlled for actual resolution capacity. For each item evaluated, randomized block design analysis demonstrated that the 3-chip camera scored significantly better than the 1-chip camera (p < .05). For the categories of color and blood vessel discrimination, the 3-chip camera scored significantly better than the HD camera (p < .05). For magnification alone, observers rated the 42-inch monitor statistically better than the 10-inch monitor. The expense of new medical technology must be judged against its added value. This study suggests that HD laryngeal imaging may not add significant value over currently available video systems, in perceived image quality, when a small monitor is used. Although differences in clarity between standard and HD cameras may not be readily apparent on small displays, a large display size coupled with HD technology may impart improved diagnosis of subtle vocal fold lesions and vibratory anomalies.

Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs: essential health benefits in alternative benefit plans, eligibility notices, fair hearing and appeal processes, and premiums and cost sharing; exchanges: eligibility and enrollment. Final rule.

PubMed

2013-07-15

This final rule implements provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively referred to as the Affordable Care Act. This final rule finalizes new Medicaid eligibility provisions; finalizes changes related to electronic Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility notices and delegation of appeals; modernizes and streamlines existing Medicaid eligibility rules; revises CHIP rules relating to the substitution of coverage to improve the coordination of CHIP coverage with other coverage; and amends requirements for benchmark and benchmark-equivalent benefit packages consistent with sections 1937 of the Social Security Act (which we refer to as ``alternative benefit plans'') to ensure that these benefit packages include essential health benefits and meet certain other minimum standards. This rule also implements specific provisions including those related to authorized representatives, notices, and verification of eligibility for qualifying coverage in an eligible employer-sponsored plan for Affordable Insurance Exchanges. This rule also updates and simplifies the complex Medicaid premium and cost sharing requirements, to promote the most effective use of services, and to assist states in identifying cost sharing flexibilities. It includes transition policies for 2014 as applicable.

A comparative study of bio-inspired protective scales using 3D printing and mechanical testing.

PubMed

Martini, Roberto; Balit, Yanis; Barthelat, Francois

2017-06-01

Flexible natural armors from fish, alligators or armadillo are attracting an increasing amount of attention for their unique combinations of hardness, flexibility and light weight. The extreme contrast of stiffness between hard scales and surrounding soft tissues gives rise to unusual and attractive mechanisms, which now serve as models for the design of bio-inspired armors. Despite this growing interest, there is little guideline for the choice of materials, optimum thickness, size, shape and arrangement for the protective scales. In this work, we explore how the geometry and arrangement of hard scales can be tailored to promote scale-scale interactions. We use 3D printing to fabricate arrays of scales with increasingly complex geometries and arrangements, from simple squares with no overlap to complex ganoid-scales with overlaps and interlocking features. We performed puncture tests and flexural tests on each of the 3D printed materials, and we report the puncture resistance - compliance characteristics of each design on an Ashby chart. The interactions between the scales can significantly increase the resistance to puncture, and these interactions can be maximized by tuning the geometry and arrangement of the scales. Interestingly, the designs that offer the best combinations of puncture resistance and flexural compliance are similar to the geometry and arrangement of natural teleost and ganoid scales, which suggests that natural evolution has shaped these systems to maximize flexible protection. This study yields new insights into the mechanisms of natural dermal armor, and also suggests new designs for personal protective systems. Flexible natural armors from fishes, alligators or armadillos are attracting an increasing amount of attention for their unique and attractive combinations of hardness, flexibility and low weight. Despite a growing interest in bio-inspired flexible protection, there is still little guideline for the choice of materials, optimum thickness, size, shape and arrangement of the protective scales. In this work, we explore how the geometry and arrangement of hard scales affect puncture resistance and flexural compliance, using 3D printing and mechanical testing. Our main finding is that the performance of the scaled skin in terms of puncture resistance can be significantly improved by slight changes in their geometry and arrangement. Our results also suggest that natural evolution has shaped scaled skins to maximize flexible protection. This study yields new insights into the mechanics of natural dermal armors, and also suggests new designs for personal protective systems. Copyright © 2017 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Toward giga-pixel nanoscopy on a chip: a computational wide-field look at the nano-scale without the use of lenses

PubMed Central

McLeod, Euan; Luo, Wei; Mudanyali, Onur; Greenbaum, Alon

2013-01-01

The development of lensfree on-chip microscopy in the past decade has opened up various new possibilities for biomedical imaging across ultra-large fields of view using compact, portable, and cost-effective devices. However, until recently, its ability to resolve fine features and detect ultra-small particles has not rivalled the capabilities of the more expensive and bulky laboratory-grade optical microscopes. In this Frontier Review, we highlight the developments over the last two years that have enabled computational lensfree holographic on-chip microscopy to compete with and, in some cases, surpass conventional bright-field microscopy in its ability to image nano-scale objects across large fields of view, yielding giga-pixel phase and amplitude images. Lensfree microscopy has now achieved a numerical aperture as high as 0.92, with a spatial resolution as small as 225 nm across a large field of view e.g., >20 mm2. Furthermore, the combination of lensfree microscopy with self-assembled nanolenses, forming nano-catenoid minimal surfaces around individual nanoparticles has boosted the image contrast to levels high enough to permit bright-field imaging of individual particles smaller than 100 nm. These capabilities support a number of new applications, including, for example, the detection and sizing of individual virus particles using field-portable computational on-chip microscopes. PMID:23592185

Toward giga-pixel nanoscopy on a chip: a computational wide-field look at the nano-scale without the use of lenses.

PubMed

McLeod, Euan; Luo, Wei; Mudanyali, Onur; Greenbaum, Alon; Ozcan, Aydogan

2013-06-07

The development of lensfree on-chip microscopy in the past decade has opened up various new possibilities for biomedical imaging across ultra-large fields of view using compact, portable, and cost-effective devices. However, until recently, its ability to resolve fine features and detect ultra-small particles has not rivalled the capabilities of the more expensive and bulky laboratory-grade optical microscopes. In this Frontier Review, we highlight the developments over the last two years that have enabled computational lensfree holographic on-chip microscopy to compete with and, in some cases, surpass conventional bright-field microscopy in its ability to image nano-scale objects across large fields of view, yielding giga-pixel phase and amplitude images. Lensfree microscopy has now achieved a numerical aperture as high as 0.92, with a spatial resolution as small as 225 nm across a large field of view e.g., >20 mm(2). Furthermore, the combination of lensfree microscopy with self-assembled nanolenses, forming nano-catenoid minimal surfaces around individual nanoparticles has boosted the image contrast to levels high enough to permit bright-field imaging of individual particles smaller than 100 nm. These capabilities support a number of new applications, including, for example, the detection and sizing of individual virus particles using field-portable computational on-chip microscopes.

Topological Properties of Some Integrated Circuits for Very Large Scale Integration Chip Designs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swanson, S.; Lanzerotti, M.; Vernizzi, G.; Kujawski, J.; Weatherwax, A.

2015-03-01

This talk presents topological properties of integrated circuits for Very Large Scale Integration chip designs. These circuits can be implemented in very large scale integrated circuits, such as those in high performance microprocessors. Prior work considered basic combinational logic functions and produced a mathematical framework based on algebraic topology for integrated circuits composed of logic gates. Prior work also produced an historically-equivalent interpretation of Mr. E. F. Rent's work for today's complex circuitry in modern high performance microprocessors, where a heuristic linear relationship was observed between the number of connections and number of logic gates. This talk will examine topological properties and connectivity of more complex functionally-equivalent integrated circuits. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.

Plasma micro-nanotextured polymeric micromixer for DNA purification with high efficiency and dynamic range.

PubMed

Kastania, Athina S; Tsougeni, Katerina; Papadakis, George; Gizeli, Electra; Kokkoris, George; Tserepi, Angeliki; Gogolides, Evangelos

2016-10-26

We present a polymeric microfluidic chip capable of purifying DNA through solid phase extraction. It is designed to be used as a module of an integrated Lab-on-chip platform for pathogen detection, but it can also be used as a stand-alone device. The microfluidic channels are oxygen plasma micro-nanotextured, i.e. randomly roughened in the micro-nano scale, a process creating high surface area as well as high density of carboxyl groups (COOH). The COOH groups together with a buffer that contains polyethylene glycol (PEG), NaCl and ethanol are able to bind DNA on the microchannel surface. The chip design incorporates a mixer so that sample and buffer can be efficiently mixed on chip under continuous flow. DNA is subsequently eluted in water. The chip is able to isolate DNA with high recovery efficiency (96± 11%) in an extremely large dynamic range of prepurified Salmonella DNA as well as from Salmonella cell lysates that correspond to a range of 5 to 1.9 × 10 8  cells (0.263 fg to 2 × 500 ng). The chip was evaluated via absorbance measurements, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and gel electrophoresis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nanoscale on-chip all-optical logic parity checker in integrated plasmonic circuits in optical communication range

PubMed Central

Wang, Feifan; Gong, Zibo; Hu, Xiaoyong; Yang, Xiaoyu; Yang, Hong; Gong, Qihuang

2016-01-01

The nanoscale chip-integrated all-optical logic parity checker is an essential core component for optical computing systems and ultrahigh-speed ultrawide-band information processing chips. Unfortunately, little experimental progress has been made in development of these devices to date because of material bottleneck limitations and a lack of effective realization mechanisms. Here, we report a simple and efficient strategy for direct realization of nanoscale chip-integrated all-optical logic parity checkers in integrated plasmonic circuits in the optical communication range. The proposed parity checker consists of two-level cascaded exclusive-OR (XOR) logic gates that are realized based on the linear interference of surface plasmon polaritons propagating in the plasmonic waveguides. The parity of the number of logic 1s in the incident four-bit logic signals is determined, and the output signal is given the logic state 0 for even parity (and 1 for odd parity). Compared with previous reports, the overall device feature size is reduced by more than two orders of magnitude, while ultralow energy consumption is maintained. This work raises the possibility of realization of large-scale integrated information processing chips based on integrated plasmonic circuits, and also provides a way to overcome the intrinsic limitations of serious surface plasmon polariton losses for on-chip integration applications. PMID:27073154

Nanoscale on-chip all-optical logic parity checker in integrated plasmonic circuits in optical communication range.

PubMed

Wang, Feifan; Gong, Zibo; Hu, Xiaoyong; Yang, Xiaoyu; Yang, Hong; Gong, Qihuang

2016-04-13

The nanoscale chip-integrated all-optical logic parity checker is an essential core component for optical computing systems and ultrahigh-speed ultrawide-band information processing chips. Unfortunately, little experimental progress has been made in development of these devices to date because of material bottleneck limitations and a lack of effective realization mechanisms. Here, we report a simple and efficient strategy for direct realization of nanoscale chip-integrated all-optical logic parity checkers in integrated plasmonic circuits in the optical communication range. The proposed parity checker consists of two-level cascaded exclusive-OR (XOR) logic gates that are realized based on the linear interference of surface plasmon polaritons propagating in the plasmonic waveguides. The parity of the number of logic 1s in the incident four-bit logic signals is determined, and the output signal is given the logic state 0 for even parity (and 1 for odd parity). Compared with previous reports, the overall device feature size is reduced by more than two orders of magnitude, while ultralow energy consumption is maintained. This work raises the possibility of realization of large-scale integrated information processing chips based on integrated plasmonic circuits, and also provides a way to overcome the intrinsic limitations of serious surface plasmon polariton losses for on-chip integration applications.

Few-fJ/bit data transmissions using directly modulated lambda-scale embedded active region photonic-crystal lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeda, Koji; Sato, Tomonari; Shinya, Akihiko; Nozaki, Kengo; Kobayashi, Wataru; Taniyama, Hideaki; Notomi, Masaya; Hasebe, Koichi; Kakitsuka, Takaaki; Matsuo, Shinji

2013-07-01

A low operating energy is needed for nanocavity lasers designed for on-chip photonic network applications. On-chip nanocavity lasers must be driven by current because they act as light sources driven by electronic circuits. Here, we report the high-speed direct modulation of a lambda-scale embedded active region photonic-crystal (LEAP) laser that holds three records for any type of laser operated at room temperature: a low threshold current of 4.8 µA, a modulation current efficiency of 2.0 GHz µA-0.5 and an operating energy of 4.4 fJ bit-1. Five major technologies make this performance possible: a compact buried heterostructure, a photonic-crystal nanocavity, a lateral p-n junction realized by ion implantation and thermal diffusion, an InAlAs sacrificial layer and current-blocking trenches. We believe that an output power of 2.17 µW and an operating energy of 4.4 fJ bit-1 will enable us to realize on-chip photonic networks in combination with the recently developed highly sensitive receivers.

An integrated semiconductor device enabling non-optical genome sequencing.

PubMed

Rothberg, Jonathan M; Hinz, Wolfgang; Rearick, Todd M; Schultz, Jonathan; Mileski, William; Davey, Mel; Leamon, John H; Johnson, Kim; Milgrew, Mark J; Edwards, Matthew; Hoon, Jeremy; Simons, Jan F; Marran, David; Myers, Jason W; Davidson, John F; Branting, Annika; Nobile, John R; Puc, Bernard P; Light, David; Clark, Travis A; Huber, Martin; Branciforte, Jeffrey T; Stoner, Isaac B; Cawley, Simon E; Lyons, Michael; Fu, Yutao; Homer, Nils; Sedova, Marina; Miao, Xin; Reed, Brian; Sabina, Jeffrey; Feierstein, Erika; Schorn, Michelle; Alanjary, Mohammad; Dimalanta, Eileen; Dressman, Devin; Kasinskas, Rachel; Sokolsky, Tanya; Fidanza, Jacqueline A; Namsaraev, Eugeni; McKernan, Kevin J; Williams, Alan; Roth, G Thomas; Bustillo, James

2011-07-20

The seminal importance of DNA sequencing to the life sciences, biotechnology and medicine has driven the search for more scalable and lower-cost solutions. Here we describe a DNA sequencing technology in which scalable, low-cost semiconductor manufacturing techniques are used to make an integrated circuit able to directly perform non-optical DNA sequencing of genomes. Sequence data are obtained by directly sensing the ions produced by template-directed DNA polymerase synthesis using all-natural nucleotides on this massively parallel semiconductor-sensing device or ion chip. The ion chip contains ion-sensitive, field-effect transistor-based sensors in perfect register with 1.2 million wells, which provide confinement and allow parallel, simultaneous detection of independent sequencing reactions. Use of the most widely used technology for constructing integrated circuits, the complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process, allows for low-cost, large-scale production and scaling of the device to higher densities and larger array sizes. We show the performance of the system by sequencing three bacterial genomes, its robustness and scalability by producing ion chips with up to 10 times as many sensors and sequencing a human genome.

Magnetic wire trap arrays for biomarker-based molecular detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vieira, Gregory; Mahajan, Kalpesh; Ruan, Gang; Winter, Jessica; Sooryakumar, R.

2012-02-01

Submicrometer-scale magnetic devices built on chip-based platforms have recently been shown to present opportunities for new particle trapping and manipulation technologies. Meanwhile, advances in nanoparticle fabrication allow for the building of custom-made particles with precise control of their size, composition, and other properties such as magnetism, fluorescence, and surface biomarker characteristics. In particular, carefully tailored surface biomarkers facilitate precise binding to targeted molecules, self-actuated construction of hybrid structures, and fluorescence-based detection schemes. Based on these progresses, we present an on-chip detection mechanism for molecules with known surface markers. Hybrid nanostructures consisting of micelle nanoparticles, fluorescent quantum dots, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are used to detect proteins or DNA molecules. The target is detected by the magnetic and fluorescent functionalities of the composite nanostructure, whereas in the absence of the target these signals are not present. Underlying this approach is the simultaneous manipulation via ferromagnetic zigzag nanowire arrays and imaging via quantum dot excitation. This chip-based detection technique could provide a powerful, low cost tool for ultrasensitive molecule detection with ramifications in healthcare diagnostics and small-scale chemical synthesis.

Hybrid intracerebral probe with integrated bare LED chips for optogenetic studies.

PubMed

Ayub, Suleman; Gentet, Luc J; Fiáth, Richárd; Schwaerzle, Michael; Borel, Mélodie; David, François; Barthó, Péter; Ulbert, István; Paul, Oliver; Ruther, Patrick

2017-09-01

This article reports on the development, i.e., the design, fabrication, and validation of an implantable optical neural probes designed for in vivo experiments relying on optogenetics. The probes comprise an array of ten bare light-emitting diode (LED) chips emitting at a wavelength of 460 nm and integrated along a flexible polyimide-based substrate stiffened using a micromachined ladder-like silicon structure. The resulting mechanical stiffness of the slender, 250-μm-wide, 65-μm-thick, and 5- and 8-mm-long probe shank facilitates its implantation into neural tissue. The LEDs are encapsulated by a fluropolymer coating protecting the implant against the physiological conditions in the brain. The electrical interface to the external control unit is provided by 10-μm-thick, highly flexible polyimide cables making the probes suitable for both acute and chronic in vivo experiments. Optical and electrical properties of the probes are reported, as well as their in vivo validation in acute optogenetic studies in transgenic mice. The depth-dependent optical stimulation of both excitatory and inhibitory neurons is demonstrated by altering the brain activity in the cortex and the thalamus. Local network responses elicited by 20-ms-long light pulses of different optical power (20 μW and 1 mW), as well as local modulation of single unit neuronal activity to 1-s-long light pulses with low optical intensity (17 μW) are presented. The ability to modulate neural activity makes these devices suitable for a broad variety of optogenetic experiments.

Initial effect of controlled release chlorhexidine on subgingival microorganisms.

PubMed

Daneshmand, Nazanin; Jorgensen, Michael G; Nowzari, Hessam; Morrison, John L; Slots, Jørgen

2002-10-01

Little or no data exist on the ability of subgingival application of PerioChip (2.5 mg chlorhexidine gluconate in a biodegradable chip; Astra Pharmaceuticals, Westborough, MA, USA) to suppress periodontopathic microorganisms. The present study compared the subgingival microbiota of periodontitis sites receiving the chlorhexidine chip plus scaling and root planing (Sc/Rp) or Sc/Rp alone. Seven males and six females, mean age 49 years, with moderate to advanced periodontitis participated in the study. In each patient, two bilateral pockets probing 6-7 mm were randomly assigned to treatment by chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp, or by Sc/Rp alone. Subgingival placement of chlorhexidine chips was carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions. Sc/Rp was performed with hand instruments for at least 10 min in each study tooth. Subgingival samples were collected by paper-points at baseline, at 2 weeks and at 4 weeks post-treatment. Anaerobic culture methods were used for microbial isolation and identification. The microbiologic examination was carried out blindly. Microbiological data were evaluated by a repeated measures analysis of variance. No statistical difference was found in total colony counts between subgingival sites treated with chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp and those treated with Sc/Rp alone. Also, the percentage of major periodontal pathogens (Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Bacteroides forsythus) and the percentage of total periodontal pathogens (A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, B. forsythus, Prevotella intermedia-group, Fusobacterium, Eubacterium, Campylobacter rectus, Peptostreptococcus micros, Eikenella corrodens, enteric rods) were not significantly different between the chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp group and the Sc/Rp group. At baseline, A. actinomycetemcomitans was recovered from 4 chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp sites and 2 Sc/Rp sites, P. gingivalis from 5 chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp sites and 4 Sc/Rp sites, and B. forsythus from 9 chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp and 7 Sc/Rp sites. At 4 weeks, A. actinomycetemcomitans was detected in 2 chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp sites but not in any site receiving Sc/Rp, P. gingivalis in 2 chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp sites but not in any Sc/Rp site, and B. forsythus in 1 chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp and in 2 Sc/Rp sites. The present data obtained from bilateral periodontitis lesions of 13 adults suggest that chlorhexidine chip treatment of adult periodontitis lesions provides little or no additional antimicrobial benefits compared to thorough Sc/Rp alone.

Multifunctional Polymer Nanofibers: UV Emission, Optical Gain, Anisotropic Wetting, and High Hydrophobicity for Next Flexible Excitation Sources

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

The use of UV light sources is highly relevant in many fields of science, being directly related to all those detection and diagnosis procedures that are based on fluorescence spectroscopy. Depending on the specific application, UV light-emitting materials are desired to feature a number of opto-mechanical properties, including brightness, optical gain for being used in laser devices, flexibility to conform with different lab-on-chip architectures, and tailorable wettability to control and minimize their interaction with ambient humidity and fluids. In this work, we introduce multifunctional, UV-emitting electrospun fibers with both optical gain and greatly enhanced anisotropic hydrophobicity compared to films. Fibers are described by the onset of a composite wetting state, and their arrangement in uniaxial arrays further favors liquid directional control. The low gain threshold, optical losses, plastic nature, flexibility, and stability of these UV-emitting fibers make them interesting for building light-emitting devices and microlasers. Furthermore, the anisotropic hydrophobicity found is strongly synergic with optical properties, reducing interfacial interactions with liquids and enabling smart functional surfaces for droplet microfluidic and wearable applications. PMID:26401889

Flexible and disposable plasmonic refractive index sensor using nanoimprint lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohapatra, Saswat; Moirangthem, Rakesh S.

2018-03-01

Nanostructure based plasmonic sensors are highly demanding in various areas due to their label-free and real-time detection capability. In this work, we developed an inexpensive flexible plasmonic sensor using optical disc nanograting via soft UV-nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL). The polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamp was used to transfer the nanograting structure from digital versatile discs (DVDs) to flexible and transparent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. Further, the plasmonic sensing substrate was obtained after coating a gold thin film on the top of the imprinted sample. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) modes excited on gold coated nanograting structure appeared as a dip in the reflectance spectra measured at normal incident of white light in ambient air medium. Electromagnetic simulation based on finite element method (FEM) was used to understand and analyze the excited SPR modes and it is a very close agreement with the experimental results. The bulk refractive index (RI) sensing was performed by the sensor chip using water-glycerol mixture with different concentrations. Experimentally, the bulk RI sensitivity was found to be 797+/-17 nm/RIU.

Pretreating lignocellulosic biomass by the concentrated phosphoric acid plus hydrogen peroxide (PHP) for enzymatic hydrolysis: evaluating the pretreatment flexibility on feedstocks and particle sizes.

PubMed

Wang, Qing; Wang, Zhanghong; Shen, Fei; Hu, Jinguang; Sun, Fubao; Lin, Lili; Yang, Gang; Zhang, Yanzong; Deng, Shihuai

2014-08-01

In order to seek a high-efficient pretreatment path for converting lignocellulosic feedstocks to fermentable sugars by enzymatic hydrolysis, the concentrated H₃PO₄ plus H₂O₂ (PHP) was attempted to pretreat different lignocellulosic biomass for evaluating the pretreatment flexibility on feedstocks. Meanwhile, the responses of pretreatment to particle sizes were also evaluated. When the PHP-pretreatment was employed (final H₂O₂ and H₃PO₄ concentration of 1.77% and 80.0%), 71-96% lignin and more than 95% hemicellulose in various feedstocks (agricultural residues, hardwood, softwood, bamboo, and their mixture, and garden wastes mixture) can be removed. Consequently, more than 90% glucose conversion was uniformly achieved indicating PHP greatly improved the pretreatment flexibility to different feedstocks. Moreover, when wheat straw and oak chips were PHP-pretreated with different sizes, the average glucose conversion reached 94.9% and 100% with lower coefficient of variation (7.9% and 0.0%), which implied PHP-pretreatment can significantly weaken the negative effects of feedstock sizes on subsequent conversion. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A dual-scale metal nanowire network transparent conductor for highly efficient and flexible organic light emitting diodes.

PubMed

Lee, Jinhwan; An, Kunsik; Won, Phillip; Ka, Yoonseok; Hwang, Hyejin; Moon, Hyunjin; Kwon, Yongwon; Hong, Sukjoon; Kim, Changsoon; Lee, Changhee; Ko, Seung Hwan

2017-02-02

Although solution processed metal nanowire (NW) percolation networks are a strong candidate to replace commercial indium tin oxide, their performance is limited in thin film device applications due to reduced effective electrical areas arising from the dimple structure and percolative voids that single size metal NW percolation networks inevitably possess. Here, we present a transparent electrode based on a dual-scale silver nanowire (AgNW) percolation network embedded in a flexible substrate to demonstrate a significant enhancement in the effective electrical area by filling the large percolative voids present in a long/thick AgNW network with short/thin AgNWs. As a proof of concept, the performance enhancement of a flexible phosphorescent OLED is demonstrated with the dual-scale AgNW percolation network compared to the previous mono-scale AgNWs. Moreover, we report that mechanical and oxidative robustness, which are critical for flexible OLEDs, are greatly increased by embedding the dual-scale AgNW network in a resin layer.

Chip in a lab: Microfluidics for next generation life science research

PubMed Central

Streets, Aaron M.; Huang, Yanyi

2013-01-01

Microfluidic circuits are characterized by fluidic channels and chambers with a linear dimension on the order of tens to hundreds of micrometers. Components of this size enable lab-on-a-chip technology that has much promise, for example, in the development of point-of-care diagnostics. Micro-scale fluidic circuits also yield practical, physical, and technological advantages for studying biological systems, enhancing the ability of researchers to make more precise quantitative measurements. Microfluidic technology has thus become a powerful tool in the life science research laboratory over the past decade. Here we focus on chip-in-a-lab applications of microfluidics and survey some examples of how small fluidic components have provided researchers with new tools for life science research. PMID:23460772

Flexible timing by temporal scaling of cortical responses

PubMed Central

Wang, Jing; Narain, Devika; Hosseini, Eghbal A.; Jazayeri, Mehrdad

2017-01-01

Musicians can perform at different tempos, speakers can control the cadence of their speech, and children can flexibly vary their temporal expectations of events. To understand the neural basis of such flexibility, we recorded from the medial frontal cortex of nonhuman primates trained to produce different time intervals with different effectors. Neural responses were heterogeneous, nonlinear and complex, and exhibited a remarkable form of temporal invariance: firing rate profiles were temporally scaled to match the produced intervals. Recording from downstream neurons in the caudate and thalamic neurons projecting to the medial frontal cortex indicated that this phenomenon originates within cortical networks. Recurrent neural network models trained to perform the task revealed that temporal scaling emerges from nonlinearities in the network and degree of scaling is controlled by the strength of external input. These findings demonstrate a simple and general mechanism for conferring temporal flexibility upon sensorimotor and cognitive functions. PMID:29203897

Commercialization of biopulping: an energy-saving and environmentally-friendly technology for the paper industry

Treesearch

Ross Swaney; Masood Akhtar; Eric Horn; Michael Lentz; Carl Houtman; John Klungness

2003-01-01

The biopulping process for treating wood chips prior to mechanical pulping has been scaled up through an extensive development program and has been demonstrated at 50 ton semicommercial scale. Detailed engineering analyses and design studies have been performed for full production-scale mill implementation, and the technology is ready for commercial use. This paper...

iTAR: a web server for identifying target genes of transcription factors using ChIP-seq or ChIP-chip data.

PubMed

Yang, Chia-Chun; Andrews, Erik H; Chen, Min-Hsuan; Wang, Wan-Yu; Chen, Jeremy J W; Gerstein, Mark; Liu, Chun-Chi; Cheng, Chao

2016-08-12

Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by massively parallel DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq) or microarray hybridization (ChIP-chip) has been widely used to determine the genomic occupation of transcription factors (TFs). We have previously developed a probabilistic method, called TIP (Target Identification from Profiles), to identify TF target genes using ChIP-seq/ChIP-chip data. To achieve high specificity, TIP applies a conservative method to estimate significance of target genes, with the trade-off being a relatively low sensitivity of target gene identification compared to other methods. Additionally, TIP's output does not render binding-peak locations or intensity, information highly useful for visualization and general experimental biological use, while the variability of ChIP-seq/ChIP-chip file formats has made input into TIP more difficult than desired. To improve upon these facets, here we present are fined TIP with key extensions. First, it implements a Gaussian mixture model for p-value estimation, increasing target gene identification sensitivity and more accurately capturing the shape of TF binding profile distributions. Second, it enables the incorporation of TF binding-peak data by identifying their locations in significant target gene promoter regions and quantifies their strengths. Finally, for full ease of implementation we have incorporated it into a web server ( http://syslab3.nchu.edu.tw/iTAR/ ) that enables flexibility of input file format, can be used across multiple species and genome assembly versions, and is freely available for public use. The web server additionally performs GO enrichment analysis for the identified target genes to reveal the potential function of the corresponding TF. The iTAR web server provides a user-friendly interface and supports target gene identification in seven species, ranging from yeast to human. To facilitate investigating the quality of ChIP-seq/ChIP-chip data, the web server generates the chart of the characteristic binding profiles and the density plot of normalized regulatory scores. The iTAR web server is a useful tool in identifying TF target genes from ChIP-seq/ChIP-chip data and discovering biological insights.

Precision tracking with a single gaseous pixel detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsigaridas, S.; van Bakel, N.; Bilevych, Y.; Gromov, V.; Hartjes, F.; Hessey, N. P.; de Jong, P.; Kluit, R.

2015-09-01

The importance of micro-pattern gaseous detectors has grown over the past few years after successful usage in a large number of applications in physics experiments and medicine. We develop gaseous pixel detectors using micromegas-based amplification structures on top of CMOS pixel readout chips. Using wafer post-processing we add a spark-protection layer and a grid to create an amplification region above the chip, allowing individual electrons released above the grid by the passage of ionising radiation to be recorded. The electron creation point is measured in 3D, using the pixel position for (x, y) and the drift time for z. The track can be reconstructed by fitting a straight line to these points. In this work we have used a pixel-readout-chip which is a small-scale prototype of Timepix3 chip (designed for both silicon and gaseous detection media). This prototype chip has several advantages over the existing Timepix chip, including a faster front-end (pre-amplifier and discriminator) and a faster TDC which reduce timewalk's contribution to the z position error. Although the chip is very small (sensitive area of 0.88 × 0.88mm2), we have built it into a detector with a short drift gap (1.3 mm), and measured its tracking performance in an electron beam at DESY. We present the results obtained, which lead to a significant improvement for the resolutions with respect to Timepix-based detectors.

Demonstration of the Energy Component of the Installation Master Plan Using the Net Zero Energy Planner Tool

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-07

solutions such as solar photovoltaics, solar thermal, wind energy, bio-mass ( wood chips, etc.), bio-gas, or synthetic gas are considered as part of the...Leonard Wood , MO, Fort Hunter Liggett, CA, Schofield Barracks, HI, and the Presidio of Monterey, CA. Energy planning may be conducted at varying levels...installation goals at the lowest cost. In- dustrial scale supply solutions such as solar photovoltaics, solar-thermal, wind energy, biomass ( wood chips

Reduction of Trapped-Ion Anomalous Heating by in situ Surface Plasma Cleaning

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-29

the trap chip temperature. To load ions, we initially cool 88Sr atoms into a remotely-located magneto - optical trap (MOT), then use a resonant push beam... trap heating rates [10]. Furthermore, some previous experiments have shown an improvement in the heating rates of surface-electrode ion traps after...rate when the trap chip is held at 4 K is not significantly improved by the plasma cleaning. While the observed frequency scaling is not the same in

Microfluidic PDMS on paper (POP) devices.

PubMed

Shangguan, Jin-Wen; Liu, Yu; Pan, Jian-Bin; Xu, Bi-Yi; Xu, Jing-Juan; Chen, Hong-Yuan

2016-12-20

In this paper, we propose a generalized concept of microfluidic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) on paper (POP) devices, which combines well the merits of paper chips and PDMS chips. First, we optimized the conditions for accurate PDMS spatial patterning on paper, based on screen printing and a high temperature enabled superfast curing technique, which enables PDMS patterning to an accuracy of tens of microns in less than ten seconds. This, in turn, makes it available for seamless, reversible and reliable integration of the resulting paper layer with other PDMS channel structures. The integrated POP devices allow for both porous paper and smooth channels to be spatially defined on the devices, greatly extending the flexibility for designers to be able to construct powerful functional structures. To demonstrate the versatility of this design, a prototype POP device for the colorimetric analysis of liver function markers, serum protein, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), was constructed. On this POP device, quantitative sample loading, mixing and multiplex analysis have all been realized.

Reconfigurable microfluidic hanging drop network for multi-tissue interaction and analysis.

PubMed

Frey, Olivier; Misun, Patrick M; Fluri, David A; Hengstler, Jan G; Hierlemann, Andreas

2014-06-30

Integration of multiple three-dimensional microtissues into microfluidic networks enables new insights in how different organs or tissues of an organism interact. Here, we present a platform that extends the hanging-drop technology, used for multi-cellular spheroid formation, to multifunctional complex microfluidic networks. Engineered as completely open, 'hanging' microfluidic system at the bottom of a substrate, the platform features high flexibility in microtissue arrangements and interconnections, while fabrication is simple and operation robust. Multiple spheroids of different cell types are formed in parallel on the same platform; the different tissues are then connected in physiological order for multi-tissue experiments through reconfiguration of the fluidic network. Liquid flow is precisely controlled through the hanging drops, which enable nutrient supply, substance dosage and inter-organ metabolic communication. The possibility to perform parallelized microtissue formation on the same chip that is subsequently used for complex multi-tissue experiments renders the developed platform a promising technology for 'body-on-a-chip'-related research.

An optical biosensor using MEMS-based V-grooves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Ye; Ma, Xiaodong; Zou, Xiaotian; Wu, Nan; Wang, Xingwei

2011-05-01

An optical fiber biosensor featuring miniaturization, electromagnetic interference (EMI)-immunity, and flexibility is presented. The sensor was fabricated by aligning two gold-deposited optical single-mode fiber facets inside V-grooves on a silicon chip to form a Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity. The mirrors on the fiber facets were made of deposited gold (Au) films, which provided a high finesse to produce a highly sensitivity. Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication techniques were used to precisely control the profile and angle of the V-grooves on the silicon. The biotin-terminated thiol molecule was firstly immobilized on the gold surface. Subsequently, the molecules of Neutravidin were specifically bound to the biotin-terminated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). The induced changes of cavity length and refractive index (RI) upon the gold surface lead to an optical path difference (OPD) of the FP cavity, which was detected by demodulating the transmission spectrum phase shift. By taking advantage of MEMS techniques, multiple biosensors can be integrated into one small silicon chip for detecting various biomolecule targets simultaneously.

Multi-Agent Methods for the Configuration of Random Nanocomputers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lawson, John W.

2004-01-01

As computational devices continue to shrink, the cost of manufacturing such devices is expected to grow exponentially. One alternative to the costly, detailed design and assembly of conventional computers is to place the nano-electronic components randomly on a chip. The price for such a trivial assembly process is that the resulting chip would not be programmable by conventional means. In this work, we show that such random nanocomputers can be adaptively programmed using multi-agent methods. This is accomplished through the optimization of an associated high dimensional error function. By representing each of the independent variables as a reinforcement learning agent, we are able to achieve convergence must faster than with other methods, including simulated annealing. Standard combinational logic circuits such as adders and multipliers are implemented in a straightforward manner. In addition, we show that the intrinsic flexibility of these adaptive methods allows the random computers to be reconfigured easily, making them reusable. Recovery from faults is also demonstrated.

On-chip manipulation of single microparticles, cells, and organisms using surface acoustic waves.

PubMed

Ding, Xiaoyun; Lin, Sz-Chin Steven; Kiraly, Brian; Yue, Hongjun; Li, Sixing; Chiang, I-Kao; Shi, Jinjie; Benkovic, Stephen J; Huang, Tony Jun

2012-07-10

Techniques that can dexterously manipulate single particles, cells, and organisms are invaluable for many applications in biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics. Here, we demonstrate standing surface acoustic wave based "acoustic tweezers" that can trap and manipulate single microparticles, cells, and entire organisms (i.e., Caenorhabditis elegans) in a single-layer microfluidic chip. Our acoustic tweezers utilize the wide resonance band of chirped interdigital transducers to achieve real-time control of a standing surface acoustic wave field, which enables flexible manipulation of most known microparticles. The power density required by our acoustic device is significantly lower than its optical counterparts (10,000,000 times less than optical tweezers and 100 times less than optoelectronic tweezers), which renders the technique more biocompatible and amenable to miniaturization. Cell-viability tests were conducted to verify the tweezers' compatibility with biological objects. With its advantages in biocompatibility, miniaturization, and versatility, the acoustic tweezers presented here will become a powerful tool for many disciplines of science and engineering.

Challenges and trends in magnetic sensor integration with microfluidics for biomedical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cardoso, S.; Leitao, D. C.; Dias, T. M.; Valadeiro, J.; Silva, M. D.; Chicharo, A.; Silverio, V.; Gaspar, J.; Freitas, P. P.

2017-06-01

Magnetoresistive (MR) sensors have been successfully applied in many technologies, in particular readout electronics and smart systems for multiple signal addressing and readout. When single sensors are used, the requirements relate to spatial resolution and localized field sources. The integration of MR sensors in adaptable media (e.g. flexible, stretchable substrates) offers the possibility to merge the magnetic detection with mechanical functionalities. In addition, the precision of a micrometric needle can benefit greatly from the integration of MR sensors with submicrometric resolution. In this paper, we demonstrate through several detailed examples how advanced MR sensors can be integrated with the systems described above, and also with microfluidic technologies. Here, the challenges of handling liquids over a chip combine with those for miniaturization of microelectronics for MR readout. However, when these are overcome, the result is an integrated system with added functionalities, capable of answering the demand in biomedicine and biochemistry for lab-on-a-chip devices.

Possibilities for mixed mode chip manufacturing in EUROPRACTICE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, C.

1997-02-01

EUROPRACTICE is an EC initiative under the ESPRIT programme which aims to stimulate the wider exploitation of state-of-the-art microelectronics technologies by European industry and to enhance European industrial competitiveness in the global market-place. Through EUROPRACTICE, the EC has created a range of Basic Services that offer users a cost-effective and flexible means of accessing three main microelectronics-based technologies: Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASICs), Multi-Chip Modules (MCMs) and Microsystems. EUROPRACTICE Basic Services reduce the cost and risk for companies wishing to begin using these technologies. EUROPRACTICE offers a fully supported, low cost route for companies to design and fabricate ASICs for their individual applications. Low cost is achieved by consolidating designs from many users onto a single semiconductor wafer (MPW: Multi Project Wafer). The EUROPRACTICE IC Manufacturing Service (ICMS) offers a broad range of fabrication technologies including CMOS, BiCMOS and GaAs. The Service extends from enabling users to produce prototype ASICs for testing and evaluation, through to low-volume production runs.

Intranasal topical local anesthetic and decongestant for flexible nasendoscopy in children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

PubMed

Chadha, Neil K; Lam, Gilbert O A; Ludemann, Jeffrey P; Kozak, Frederick K

2013-12-01

To our knowledge, the present study is the first double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in children to compare nasal preparation sprays administered before flexible nasendoscopy with placebo. To compare the degree of pain experienced by children undergoing flexible nasendoscopy after 1 of 3 intranasal sprays: placebo, decongestant with topical local anesthetic (TLA), or decongestant without TLA. A randomized placebo-controlled trial with blinding of participants, caregivers, observers, and otolaryngologists was conducted in a tertiary pediatric otolaryngology ambulatory clinic. Participants included a consecutive sample of children aged 3 to 12 years requiring flexible nasendoscopy. Exclusion criteria included concomitant respiratory tract infection, known allergy to a trial agent, or previous flexible nasendoscopy. One hundred fifty-one children were assessed for eligibility; 24 eligible children refused participation and 69 were included and block-randomized. All completed the study, and there were no adverse events. Nasal spray administration of placebo (normal saline); xylometazoline hydrochloride, 0.05% (decongestant); or lidocaine hydrochloride, 1%, with xylometazoline hydrochloride, 0.05% (TLA with decongestant) was performed 10 minutes before flexible nasendoscopy. Primary outcome measure was the child-reported Wong-Baker Faces Pain (WBFP) scale. Secondary outcomes included the caregiver-proxy WBFP scale; the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale; and the physician-reported Difficulty of Procedure Visual Analog Scale (DPVAS). Twenty-three children were recruited in each of the intervention arms. Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. The mean child-rated WBFP scale scores were 2.4, 1.8, and 2.2 for the placebo, decongestant, and TLA with decongestant groups, respectively (P = .45). Although the finding was statistically nonsignificant, decongestant had the lowest mean caregiver-proxy WBFP scale score, lowest observer-rated FLACC scale score, and highest physician-rated DPVAS score. Subgroup analysis did not demonstrate any correlation between the outcomes and age or sex. This study revealed no statistically significant difference in the discomfort experienced by children undergoing flexible nasendoscopy after placebo, decongestant, or TLA with decongestant. Decongestant was associated with the least discomfort (on child, caregiver, and observer-rated pain scale scores) and the lowest rating for difficulty of procedure. With these findings, the study suggests that there is no significant benefit of topical decongestant with or without TLA compared with placebo in reducing pain associated with pediatric flexible nasendoscopy. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01351298.

Scaling and systems biology for integrating multiple organs-on-a-chip.

PubMed

Wikswo, John P; Curtis, Erica L; Eagleton, Zachary E; Evans, Brian C; Kole, Ayeeshik; Hofmeister, Lucas H; Matloff, William J

2013-09-21

Coupled systems of in vitro microfabricated organs-on-a-chip containing small populations of human cells are being developed to address the formidable pharmacological and physiological gaps between monolayer cell cultures, animal models, and humans that severely limit the speed and efficiency of drug development. These gaps present challenges not only in tissue and microfluidic engineering, but also in systems biology: how does one model, test, and learn about the communication and control of biological systems with individual organs-on-chips that are one-thousandth or one-millionth of the size of adult organs, or even smaller, i.e., organs for a milliHuman (mHu) or microHuman (μHu)? Allometric scaling that describes inter-species variation of organ size and properties provides some guidance, but given the desire to utilize these systems to extend and validate human pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) models in support of drug discovery and development, it is more appropriate to scale each organ functionally to ensure that it makes the suitable physiological contribution to the coupled system. The desire to recapitulate the complex organ-organ interactions that result from factors in the blood and lymph places a severe constraint on the total circulating fluid (~5 mL for a mHu and ~5 μL for a μHu) and hence on the pumps, valves, and analytical instruments required to maintain and study these systems. Scaling arguments also provide guidance on the design of a universal cell-culture medium, typically without red blood cells. This review presents several examples of scaling arguments and discusses steps that should ensure the success of this endeavour.

Scaling the Poisson Distribution

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Farnsworth, David L.

2014-01-01

We derive the additive property of Poisson random variables directly from the probability mass function. An important application of the additive property to quality testing of computer chips is presented.

Flexibility increases lift on passive fluttering wings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tam, Daniel; Bush, John

2013-11-01

We examine the influence of flexibility on the side-to-side fluttering motion of passive wings settling under the influence of gravity. This effect is examined through an experimental investigation of deformable rectangular wings falling in a water tank. Our results demonstrate the existence of an optimal flexibility, for which flexible wings remain flying twice longer and hence settle twice slower compared to rigid wings of identical mass and geometry. Flow visualizations and measurements provide key insight to elucidate the role of flexibility in generating increased lift and wing circulation by shedding additional vorticity at the turning point. Theoretical scalings are derived from a reduced model of the flight dynamics in qualitative and quantitative agreement with experiments. These scalings rationalize the strong positive correlation between flexibility and time of flight.

Nanohole Array-directed Trapping of Mammalian Mitochondria Enabling Single Organelle Analysis

PubMed Central

Kumar, Shailabh; Wolken, Gregory G.; Wittenberg, Nathan J.; Arriaga, Edgar A.; Oh, Sang-Hyun

2016-01-01

We present periodic nanohole arrays fabricated in free-standing metal-coated nitride films as a platform for trapping and analyzing single organelles. When a microliter-scale droplet containing mitochondria is dispensed above the nanohole array, the combination of evaporation and capillary flow directs individual mitochondria to the nanoholes. Mammalian mitochondria arrays were rapidly formed on chip using this technique without any surface modification steps, microfluidic interconnects or external power sources. The trapped mitochondria were depolarized on chip using an ionophore with results showing that the organelle viability and behavior were preserved during the on-chip assembly process. Fluorescence signal related to mitochondrial membrane potential was obtained from single mitochondria trapped in individual nanoholes revealing statistical differences between the behavior of polarized vs. depolarized mammalian mitochondria. This technique provides a fast and stable route for droplet-based directed localization of organelles-on-a-chip with minimal limitations and complexity, as well as promotes integration with other optical or electrochemical detection techniques. PMID:26593329

A Survey Of Architectural Approaches for Managing Embedded DRAM and Non-volatile On-chip Caches

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

Mittal, Sparsh; Vetter, Jeffrey S; Li, Dong

Recent trends of CMOS scaling and increasing number of on-chip cores have led to a large increase in the size of on-chip caches. Since SRAM has low density and consumes large amount of leakage power, its use in designing on-chip caches has become more challenging. To address this issue, researchers are exploring the use of several emerging memory technologies, such as embedded DRAM, spin transfer torque RAM, resistive RAM, phase change RAM and domain wall memory. In this paper, we survey the architectural approaches proposed for designing memory systems and, specifically, caches with these emerging memory technologies. To highlight theirmore » similarities and differences, we present a classification of these technologies and architectural approaches based on their key characteristics. We also briefly summarize the challenges in using these technologies for architecting caches. We believe that this survey will help the readers gain insights into the emerging memory device technologies, and their potential use in designing future computing systems.« less

A Low Power, Parallel Wearable Multi-Sensor System for Human Activity Evaluation.

PubMed

Li, Yuecheng; Jia, Wenyan; Yu, Tianjian; Luan, Bo; Mao, Zhi-Hong; Zhang, Hong; Sun, Mingui

2015-04-01

In this paper, the design of a low power heterogeneous wearable multi-sensor system, built with Zynq System-on-Chip (SoC), for human activity evaluation is presented. The powerful data processing capability and flexibility of this SoC represent significant improvements over our previous ARM based system designs. The new system captures and compresses multiple color images and sensor data simultaneously. Several strategies are adopted to minimize power consumption. Our wearable system provides a new tool for the evaluation of human activity, including diet, physical activity and lifestyle.

FPGA based control system for space instrumentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Giorgio, Anna M.; Cerulli Irelli, Pasquale; Nuzzolo, Francesco; Orfei, Renato; Spinoglio, Luigi; Liu, Giovanni S.; Saraceno, Paolo

2008-07-01

The prototype for a general purpose FPGA based control system for space instrumentation is presented, with particular attention to the instrument control application software. The system HW is based on the LEON3FT processor, which gives the flexibility to configure the chip with only the necessary HW functionalities, from simple logic up to small dedicated processors. The instrument control SW is developed in ANSI C and for time critical (<10μs) commanding sequences implements an internal instructions sequencer, triggered via an interrupt service routine based on a HW high priority interrupt.

Optimization of a multi-well array SERS chip

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abell, J. L.; Driskell, J. D.; Dluhy, R. A.; Tripp, R. A.; Zhao, Y.-P.

2009-05-01

SERS-active substrates are fabricated by oblique angle deposition and patterned by a polymer-molding technique to provide a uniform array for high throughput biosensing and multiplexing. Using a conventional SERS-active molecule, 1,2-Bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (BPE), we show that this device provides a uniform Raman signal enhancement from well to well. The patterning technique employed in this study demonstrates a flexibility allowing for patterning control and customization, and performance optimization of the substrate. Avian influenza is analyzed to demonstrate the ability of this multi-well patterned SERS substrate for biosensing.

An assembler for the MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor as implemented in jolt (TM) and KIM-1 (TM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lilley, R. W.

1976-01-01

Design of low-cost, microcomputer-based navigation receivers, and the assembler are described. The development of computer software for microprocessors is materially aided by the assembler program using mnemonic variable names. The flexibility of the environment provided by the IBM's Virtual Machine Facility and the Conversational Monitor System, make possible the convenient assembler access. The implementation of the assembler for the microprocessor chip serves a part of the present need and forms a model for support of other microprocessors.

Assay development and screening of a serine/threonine kinase in an on-chip mode using caliper nanofluidics technology.

PubMed

Perrin, Dominique; Frémaux, Christèle; Scheer, Alexander

2006-06-01

Kinases are key targets for drug discovery. In the field of screening in general and especially in the kinase area, because of considerations of efficiency and cost, radioactivity-based assays tend to be replaced by alternative, mostly fluorescence-based, assays. Today, the limiting factor is rarely the number of data points that can be obtained but rather the quality of the data, enzyme availability, and cost. In this article, the authors describe the development of an assay for a kinase screen based on the electrophoretic separation of fluorescent product and substrate using a Caliper-based nanofluidics environment in on-chip incubation mode. The authors present the results of screening a focused set of 32,000 compounds together with confirmation data obtained in a filtration assay. In addition, they have made a small-scale comparison between the on-chip and off-chip nanofluidics screening modes. In their hands, the screen in on-chip mode is characterized by high precision most likely due to the absence of liquid pipetting; an excellent confirmation rate (62%) in an independent assay format, namely, filtration; and good sensitivity. This study led to the identification of 4 novel chemical series of inhibitors.

Lab-on-a-Chip Based Protein Crystallization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

vanderWoerd, Mark J.; Brasseur, Michael M.; Spearing, Scott F.; Whitaker, Ann F. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

We are developing a novel technique with which we will grow protein crystals in very small volumes, utilizing chip-based, microfluidic ("LabChip") technology. This development, which is a collaborative effort between NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and Caliper Technologies Corporation, promises a breakthrough in the field of protein crystal growth. Our initial results obtained from two model proteins, Lysozyme and Thaumatin, show that it is feasible to dispense and adequately mix protein and precipitant solutions on a nano-liter scale. The mixtures have shown crystal growth in volumes in the range of 10 nanoliters to 5 microliters. In addition, large diffraction quality crystals were obtained by this method. X-ray data from these crystals were shown to be of excellent quality. Our future efforts will include the further development of protein crystal growth with LabChip(trademark) technology for more complex systems. We will initially address the batch growth method, followed by the vapor diffusion method and the liquid-liquid diffusion method. The culmination of these chip developments is to lead to an on orbit protein crystallization facility on the International Space Station. Structural biologists will be invited to utilize the on orbit Iterative Biological Crystallization facility to grow high quality macromolecular crystals in microgravity.

Effect of the nanowire diameter on the linearity of the response of GaN-based heterostructured nanowire photodetectors.

PubMed

Spies, Maria; Polaczyński, Jakub; Ajay, Akhil; Kalita, Dipankar; Luong, Minh Anh; Lähnemann, Jonas; Gayral, Bruno; den Hertog, Martien I; Monroy, Eva

2018-06-22

Nanowire photodetectors are investigated because of their compatibility with flexible electronics, or for the implementation of on-chip optical interconnects. Such devices are characterized by ultrahigh photocurrent gain, but their photoresponse scales sublinearly with the optical power. Here, we present a study of single-nanowire photodetectors displaying a linear response to ultraviolet illumination. Their structure consists of a GaN nanowire incorporating an AlN/GaN/AlN heterostructure, which generates an internal electric field. The activity of the heterostructure is confirmed by the rectifying behavior of the current-voltage characteristics in the dark, as well as by the asymmetry of the photoresponse in magnitude and linearity. Under reverse bias (negative bias on the GaN cap segment), the detectors behave linearly with the impinging optical power when the nanowire diameter is below a certain threshold (≈80 nm), which corresponds to the total depletion of the nanowire stem due to the Fermi level pinning at the sidewalls. In the case of nanowires that are only partially depleted, their nonlinearity is explained by a nonlinear variation of the diameter of their central conducting channel under illumination.

Microfluidic Lab-on-a-Chip Platforms: Requirements, Characteristics and Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mark, D.; Haeberle, S.; Roth, G.; Von Stetten, F.; Zengerle, R.

This review summarizes recent developments in microfluidic platform approaches. In contrast to isolated application-specific solutions, a microfluidic platform provides a set of fluidic unit operations, which are designed for easy combination within a well-defined fabrication technology. This allows the implementation of different application-specific (bio-) chemical processes, automated by microfluidic process integration [1]. A brief introduction into technical advances, major market segments and promising applications is followed by a detailed characterization of different microfluidic platforms, comprising a short definition, the functional principle, microfluidic unit operations, application examples as well as strengths and limitations. The microfluidic platforms in focus are lateral flow tests, linear actuated devices, pressure driven laminar flow, microfluidic large scale integration, segmented flow microfluidics, centrifugal microfluidics, electro-kinetics, electrowetting, surface acoustic waves, and systems for massively parallel analysis. The review concludes with the attempt to provide a selection scheme for microfluidic platforms which is based on their characteristics according to key requirements of different applications and market segments. Applied selection criteria comprise portability, costs of instrument and disposable, sample throughput, number of parameters per sample, reagent consumption, precision, diversity of microfluidic unit operations and the flexibility in programming different liquid handling protocols.

Direct laser-patterned micro-supercapacitors from paintable MoS2 films.

PubMed

Cao, Liujun; Yang, Shubin; Gao, Wei; Liu, Zheng; Gong, Yongji; Ma, Lulu; Shi, Gang; Lei, Sidong; Zhang, Yunhuai; Zhang, Shengtao; Vajtai, Robert; Ajayan, Pulickel M

2013-09-09

Micrometer-sized electrochemical capacitors have recently attracted attention due to their possible applications in micro-electronic devices. Here, a new approach to large-scale fabrication of high-capacitance, two-dimensional MoS2 film-based micro-supercapacitors is demonstrated via simple and low-cost spray painting of MoS2 nanosheets on Si/SiO2 chip and subsequent laser patterning. The obtained micro-supercapacitors are well defined by ten interdigitated electrodes (five electrodes per polarity) with 4.5 mm length, 820 μm wide for each electrode, 200 μm spacing between two electrodes and the thickness of electrode is ∼0.45 μm. The optimum MoS2 -based micro-supercapacitor exhibits excellent electrochemical performance for energy storage with aqueous electrolytes, with a high area capacitance of 8 mF cm(-2) (volumetric capacitance of 178 F cm(-3) ) and excellent cyclic performance, superior to reported graphene-based micro-supercapacitors. This strategy could provide a good opportunity to develop various micro-/nanosized energy storage devices to satisfy the requirements of portable, flexible, and transparent micro-electronic devices. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Effect of the nanowire diameter on the linearity of the response of GaN-based heterostructured nanowire photodetectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spies, Maria; Polaczyński, Jakub; Ajay, Akhil; Kalita, Dipankar; Luong, Minh Anh; Lähnemann, Jonas; Gayral, Bruno; den Hertog, Martien I.; Monroy, Eva

2018-06-01

Nanowire photodetectors are investigated because of their compatibility with flexible electronics, or for the implementation of on-chip optical interconnects. Such devices are characterized by ultrahigh photocurrent gain, but their photoresponse scales sublinearly with the optical power. Here, we present a study of single-nanowire photodetectors displaying a linear response to ultraviolet illumination. Their structure consists of a GaN nanowire incorporating an AlN/GaN/AlN heterostructure, which generates an internal electric field. The activity of the heterostructure is confirmed by the rectifying behavior of the current–voltage characteristics in the dark, as well as by the asymmetry of the photoresponse in magnitude and linearity. Under reverse bias (negative bias on the GaN cap segment), the detectors behave linearly with the impinging optical power when the nanowire diameter is below a certain threshold (≈80 nm), which corresponds to the total depletion of the nanowire stem due to the Fermi level pinning at the sidewalls. In the case of nanowires that are only partially depleted, their nonlinearity is explained by a nonlinear variation of the diameter of their central conducting channel under illumination.

Switchable in-line monitor for multi-dimensional multiplexed photonic integrated circuit.

PubMed

Chen, Guanyu; Yu, Yu; Ye, Mengyuan; Zhang, Xinliang

2016-06-27

A flexible monitor suitable for the discrimination of on-chip transmitted mode division multiplexed (MDM) and wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signals is proposed and fabricated. By selectively extracting part of the incoming signals through the tunable wavelength and mode dependent drop filter, the in-line and switchable monitor can discriminate the wavelength, mode and power information of the transmitted signals. Being different from a conventional mode and wavelength demultiplexer, the monitor is specifically designed to ensure a flexible in-line monitoring. For demonstration, three mode and three wavelength multiplexed signals are successfully processed. Assisted by the integrated photodetectors (PDs), both the measured photo currents and eye diagrams validate the performance of the proposed device. The bit error ratio (BER) measurement results show less than 0.4 dB power penalty between different modes and ~2 dB power penalty for single wavelength and WDM cases under 10^-9 BER level.

Organ-on-a-chip: development and clinical prospects toward toxicity assessment with an emphasis on bone marrow.

PubMed

Kim, Jeehye; Lee, Hanna; Selimović, Šeila; Gauvin, Robert; Bae, Hojae

2015-05-01

Conventional approaches for toxicity evaluation of drugs and chemicals, such as animal tests, can be impractical due to the large experimental scale and the immunological differences between species. Organ-on-a-chip models have recently been recognized as a prominent alternative to conventional toxicity tests aiming to simulate the human in vivo physiology. This review focuses on the organ-on-a-chip applications for high-throughput screening of candidate drugs against toxicity, with a particular emphasis on bone-marrow-on-a-chip. Studies in which organ-on-a-chip models have been developed and utilized to maximize the efficiency and predictability in toxicity assessment are introduced. The potential of these devices to replace tests of acute systemic toxicity in animals, and the challenges that are inherent in simulating the human immune system are also discussed. As a promising approach to overcome the limitations, we further focus on an in-depth analysis of the development of bone-marrow-on-a-chip that is capable of simulating human immune responses against external stimuli due to the key roles of marrow in immune systems with hematopoietic activities. Owing to the complex interactions between hematopoietic stem cells and marrow microenvironments, precise control of both biochemical and physical niches that are critical in maintenance of hematopoiesis remains a key challenge. Thus, recently developed bone-marrow-on-a-chip models support immunogenicity and immunotoxicity testing in long-term cultivation with repeated antigen stimulation. In this review, we provide an overview of clinical studies that have been carried out on bone marrow transplants in patients with immune-related diseases and future aspects of clinical and pharmaceutical application of bone-marrow-on-a-chip.

MBus: An Ultra-Low Power Interconnect Bus for Next Generation Nanopower Systems

PubMed Central

Pannuto, Pat; Lee, Yoonmyung; Kuo, Ye-Sheng; Foo, ZhiYoong; Kempke, Benjamin; Kim, Gyouho; Dreslinski, Ronald G.; Blaauw, David; Dutta, Prabal

2015-01-01

As we show in this paper, I/O has become the limiting factor in scaling down size and power toward the goal of invisible computing. Achieving this goal will require composing optimized and specialized—yet reusable—components with an interconnect that permits tiny, ultra-low power systems. In contrast to today’s interconnects which are limited by power-hungry pull-ups or high-overhead chip-select lines, our approach provides a superset of common bus features but at lower power, with fixed area and pin count, using fully synthesizable logic, and with surprisingly low protocol overhead. We present MBus, a new 4-pin, 22.6 pJ/bit/chip chip-to-chip interconnect made of two “shoot-through” rings. MBus facilitates ultra-low power system operation by implementing automatic power-gating of each chip in the system, easing the integration of active, inactive, and activating circuits on a single die. In addition, we introduce a new bus primitive: power oblivious communication, which guarantees message reception regardless of the recipient’s power state when a message is sent. This disentangles power management from communication, greatly simplifying the creation of viable, modular, and heterogeneous systems that operate on the order of nanowatts. To evaluate the viability, power, performance, overhead, and scalability of our design, we build both hardware and software implementations of MBus and show its seamless operation across two FPGAs and twelve custom chips from three different semiconductor processes. A three-chip, 2.2 mm3 MBus system draws 8 nW of total system standby power and uses only 22.6 pJ/bit/chip for communication. This is the lowest power for any system bus with MBus’s feature set. PMID:26855555

MBus: An Ultra-Low Power Interconnect Bus for Next Generation Nanopower Systems.

PubMed

Pannuto, Pat; Lee, Yoonmyung; Kuo, Ye-Sheng; Foo, ZhiYoong; Kempke, Benjamin; Kim, Gyouho; Dreslinski, Ronald G; Blaauw, David; Dutta, Prabal

2015-06-01

As we show in this paper, I/O has become the limiting factor in scaling down size and power toward the goal of invisible computing. Achieving this goal will require composing optimized and specialized-yet reusable-components with an interconnect that permits tiny, ultra-low power systems. In contrast to today's interconnects which are limited by power-hungry pull-ups or high-overhead chip-select lines, our approach provides a superset of common bus features but at lower power, with fixed area and pin count, using fully synthesizable logic, and with surprisingly low protocol overhead. We present MBus , a new 4-pin, 22.6 pJ/bit/chip chip-to-chip interconnect made of two "shoot-through" rings. MBus facilitates ultra-low power system operation by implementing automatic power-gating of each chip in the system, easing the integration of active, inactive, and activating circuits on a single die. In addition, we introduce a new bus primitive: power oblivious communication, which guarantees message reception regardless of the recipient's power state when a message is sent. This disentangles power management from communication, greatly simplifying the creation of viable, modular, and heterogeneous systems that operate on the order of nanowatts. To evaluate the viability, power, performance, overhead, and scalability of our design, we build both hardware and software implementations of MBus and show its seamless operation across two FPGAs and twelve custom chips from three different semiconductor processes. A three-chip, 2.2 mm 3 MBus system draws 8 nW of total system standby power and uses only 22.6 pJ/bit/chip for communication. This is the lowest power for any system bus with MBus's feature set.

Ammonia, Total Reduced Sulfides, and Greenhouse Gases of Pine Chip and Corn Stover Bedding Packs.

PubMed

Spiehs, Mindy J; Brown-Brandl, Tami M; Parker, David B; Miller, Daniel N; Berry, Elaine D; Wells, James E

2016-03-01

Bedding materials may affect air quality in livestock facilities. Our objective in this study was to compare headspace concentrations of ammonia (NH), total reduced sulfides (TRS), carbon dioxide (CO), methane (CH), and nitrous oxide (NO) when pine wood chips ( spp.) and corn stover ( L.) were mixed in various ratios (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, and 100% pine chips) and used as bedding with manure. Air samples were collected from the headspace of laboratory-scaled bedded manure packs weekly for 42 d. Ammonia concentrations were highest for bedded packs containing 0, 10, and 20% pine chips (equivalent to 501.7, 502.3, and 502.3 mg m, respectively) in the bedding mixture and were lowest when at least 80% pine chips were used as bedding (447.3 and 431.0 mg m, respectively for 80 and 100% pine chip bedding). The highest NH concentrations were observed at Day 28. The highest concentration of TRS was observed when 100% pine chips were used as bedding (11.4 µg m), with high concentrations occurring between Days 7 and 14, and again at Day 35. Greenhouse gases were largely unaffected by bedding material but CH and CO concentrations increased as the bedded packs aged and NO concentrations were highly variable throughout the incubation. We conclude that a mixture of bedding material that contains 30 to 40% pine chips may be the ideal combination to reduce both NH and TRS emissions. All gas concentrations increased as the bedded packs aged, suggesting that frequent cleaning of facilities would improve air quality in the barn, regardless of bedding materials used. Copyright © by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America, Inc.

Sensory and Quality Evaluation of Traditional Compared with Power Ultrasound Processed Corn (Zea Mays) Tortilla Chips.

PubMed

Janve, Bhaskar; Yang, Wade; Sims, Charles

2015-06-01

Power ultrasound reduces the traditional corn steeping time from 18 to 1.5 h during tortilla chips dough (masa) processing. This study sought to examine consumer (n = 99) acceptability and quality of tortilla chips made from the masa by traditional compared with ultrasonic methods. Overall appearance, flavor, and texture acceptability scores were evaluated using a 9-point hedonic scale. The baked chips (process intermediate) before and after frying (finished product) were analyzed using a texture analyzer and machine vision. The texture values were determined using the 3-point bend test using breaking force gradient (BFG), peak breaking force (PBF), and breaking distance (BD). The fracturing properties determined by the crisp fracture support rig using fracture force gradient (FFG), peak fracture force (PFF), and fracture distance (FD). The machine vision evaluated the total surface area, lightness (L), color difference (ΔE), Hue (°h), and Chroma (C*). The results were evaluated by analysis of variance and means were separated using Tukey's test. Machine vision values of L, °h, were higher (P < 0.05) and ΔE was lower (P < 0.05) for fried and L, °h were significantly (P < 0.05) higher for baked chips produced from ultra-sonication as compare to traditional. Baked chips texture for ultra-sonication was significantly higher (P < 0.05) on BFG, BPD, PFF, and FD. Fried tortilla chips texture were higher significantly (P < 0.05) in BFG and PFF for ultra-sonication than traditional processing. However, the instrumental differences were not detected in sensory analysis, concluding possibility of power ultrasound as potential tortilla chips processing aid. © 2015 Institute of Food Technologists®

Design of a 9K illumina BeadChip for polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from RAD and transcriptome sequencing.

PubMed

Malenfant, René M; Coltman, David W; Davis, Corey S

2015-05-01

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) offer numerous advantages over anonymous markers such as microsatellites, including improved estimation of population parameters, finer-scale resolution of population structure and more precise genomic dissection of quantitative traits. However, many SNPs are needed to equal the resolution of a single microsatellite, and reliable large-scale genotyping of SNPs remains a challenge in nonmodel species. Here, we document the creation of a 9K Illumina Infinium BeadChip for polar bears (Ursus maritimus), which will be used to investigate: (i) the fine-scale population structure among Canadian polar bears and (ii) the genomic architecture of phenotypic traits in the Western Hudson Bay subpopulation. To this end, we used restriction-site associated DNA (RAD) sequencing from 38 bears across their circumpolar range, as well as blood/fat transcriptome sequencing of 10 individuals from Western Hudson Bay. Six-thousand RAD SNPs and 3000 transcriptomic SNPs were selected for the chip, based primarily on genomic spacing and gene function respectively. Of the 9000 SNPs ordered from Illumina, 8042 were successfully printed, and - after genotyping 1450 polar bears - 5441 of these SNPs were found to be well clustered and polymorphic. Using this array, we show rapid linkage disequilibrium decay among polar bears, we demonstrate that in a subsample of 78 individuals, our SNPs detect known genetic structure more clearly than 24 microsatellites genotyped for the same individuals and that these results are not driven by the SNP ascertainment scheme. Here, we present one of the first large-scale genotyping resources designed for a threatened species. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chip Scale Package Integrity Assessment by Isothermal Aging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ghaffarian, Reza

1998-01-01

Many aspects of chip scale package (CSP) technology, with focus on assembly reliability characteristics, are being investigated by the JPL-led consortia. Three types of test vehicles were considered for evaluation and currently two configurations have been built to optimize attachment processes. These test vehicles use numerous package types. To understand potential failure mechanisms of the packages, particularly solder ball attachment, the grid CSPs were subjected to environmental exposure. Package I/Os ranged from 40 to nearly 300. This paper presents both as assembled, up to 1, 000 hours of isothermal aging shear test results and photo micrographs, and tensile test results before and after 1,500 cycles in the range of -30/100 C for CSPs. Results will be compared to BGAs with the same the same isothermal aging environmental exposures.

The extended Beer-Lambert theory for ray tracing modeling of LED chip-scaled packaging application with multiple luminescence materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Cadmus C. A.

2015-12-01

Optical ray tracing modeling applied Beer-Lambert method in the single luminescence material system to model the white light pattern from blue LED light source. This paper extends such algorithm to a mixed multiple luminescence material system by introducing the equivalent excitation and emission spectrum of individual luminescence materials. The quantum efficiency numbers of individual material and self-absorption of the multiple luminescence material system are considered as well. By this combination, researchers are able to model the luminescence characteristics of LED chip-scaled packaging (CSP), which provides simple process steps and the freedom of the luminescence material geometrical dimension. The method will be first validated by the experimental results. Afterward, a further parametric investigation has been then conducted.

A chip-scale, telecommunications-band frequency conversion interface for quantum emitters.

PubMed

Agha, Imad; Ates, Serkan; Davanço, Marcelo; Srinivasan, Kartik

2013-09-09

We describe a chip-scale, telecommunications-band frequency conversion interface designed for low-noise operation at wavelengths desirable for common single photon emitters. Four-wave-mixing Bragg scattering in silicon nitride waveguides is used to demonstrate frequency upconversion and downconversion between the 980 nm and 1550 nm wavelength regions, with signal-to-background levels > 10 and conversion efficiency of ≈ -60 dB at low continuous wave input pump powers (< 50 mW). Finite element simulations and the split-step Fourier method indicate that increased input powers of ≈ 10 W (produced by amplified nanosecond pulses, for example) will result in a conversion efficiency > 25 % in existing geometries. Finally, we present waveguide designs that can be used to connect shorter wavelength (637 nm to 852 nm) quantum emitters with 1550 nm.

Silicon photonics: some remaining challenges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reed, G. T.; Topley, R.; Khokhar, A. Z.; Thompson, D. J.; Stanković, S.; Reynolds, S.; Chen, X.; Soper, N.; Mitchell, C. J.; Hu, Y.; Shen, L.; Martinez-Jimenez, G.; Healy, N.; Mailis, S.; Peacock, A. C.; Nedeljkovic, M.; Gardes, F. Y.; Soler Penades, J.; Alonso-Ramos, C.; Ortega-Monux, A.; Wanguemert-Perez, G.; Molina-Fernandez, I.; Cheben, P.; Mashanovich, G. Z.

2016-03-01

This paper discusses some of the remaining challenges for silicon photonics, and how we at Southampton University have approached some of them. Despite phenomenal advances in the field of Silicon Photonics, there are a number of areas that still require development. For short to medium reach applications, there is a need to improve the power consumption of photonic circuits such that inter-chip, and perhaps intra-chip applications are viable. This means that yet smaller devices are required as well as thermally stable devices, and multiple wavelength channels. In turn this demands smaller, more efficient modulators, athermal circuits, and improved wavelength division multiplexers. The debate continues as to whether on-chip lasers are necessary for all applications, but an efficient low cost laser would benefit many applications. Multi-layer photonics offers the possibility of increasing the complexity and effectiveness of a given area of chip real estate, but it is a demanding challenge. Low cost packaging (in particular, passive alignment of fibre to waveguide), and effective wafer scale testing strategies, are also essential for mass market applications. Whilst solutions to these challenges would enhance most applications, a derivative technology is emerging, that of Mid Infra-Red (MIR) silicon photonics. This field will build on existing developments, but will require key enhancements to facilitate functionality at longer wavelengths. In common with mainstream silicon photonics, significant developments have been made, but there is still much left to do. Here we summarise some of our recent work towards wafer scale testing, passive alignment, multiplexing, and MIR silicon photonics technology.

50-GHz-spaced comb of high-dimensional frequency-bin entangled photons from an on-chip silicon nitride microresonator

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

Imany, Poolad; Jaramillo-Villegas, Jose A.; Odele, Ogaga D.

Quantum frequency combs from chip-scale integrated sources are promising candidates for scalable and robust quantum information processing (QIP). However, to use these quantum combs for frequency domain QIP, demonstration of entanglement in the frequency basis, showing that the entangled photons are in a coherent superposition of multiple frequency bins, is required. We present a verification of qubit and qutrit frequency-bin entanglement using an on-chip quantum frequency comb with 40 mode pairs, through a two-photon interference measurement that is based on electro-optic phase modulation. Our demonstrations provide an important contribution in establishing integrated optical microresonators as a source for high-dimensional frequency-binmore » encoded quantum computing, as well as dense quantum key distribution.« less

50-GHz-spaced comb of high-dimensional frequency-bin entangled photons from an on-chip silicon nitride microresonator

DOE PAGES

Imany, Poolad; Jaramillo-Villegas, Jose A.; Odele, Ogaga D.; ...

2018-01-18

Quantum frequency combs from chip-scale integrated sources are promising candidates for scalable and robust quantum information processing (QIP). However, to use these quantum combs for frequency domain QIP, demonstration of entanglement in the frequency basis, showing that the entangled photons are in a coherent superposition of multiple frequency bins, is required. We present a verification of qubit and qutrit frequency-bin entanglement using an on-chip quantum frequency comb with 40 mode pairs, through a two-photon interference measurement that is based on electro-optic phase modulation. Our demonstrations provide an important contribution in establishing integrated optical microresonators as a source for high-dimensional frequency-binmore » encoded quantum computing, as well as dense quantum key distribution.« less

On-chip tunable optofluidic dye laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Zengyan; Shen, Zhenhua; Liu, Haigang; Yue, Huan; Zou, Yun; Chen, Xianfeng

2016-11-01

We demonstrate a chip-scale tunable optofluidic dye laser with Au-coated fibers as microcavity. The chip is fabricated by soft lithography. When the active region is pumped, a relatively low threshold of 6.7 μJ/mm2 is realized with multimode emission due to good confinement of the cavity mirrors, long active region, as well as total reflectivity. It is easy to tune the lasing emission wavelength by changing the solvent of laser dye. In addition, the various intensity ratios of multicolor lasing can be achieved by controlling flow rates of two fluid streams carried with different dye molecules. Furthermore, the convenience in fabrication and directional lasing emission outcoupled by the fiber make the tunable optofluidic dye laser a promising underlying coherent light source in the integrated optofluidic systems.

Pilot-scale demonstration of SPORL for bioconversion of lodgepole pine to bioethanol and lignosulfonate

Treesearch

Haifeng Zhou; Junyong Zhu; Roland Gleisner; Xueqing Qiu; Eric Horn; Jose Negron

2016-01-01

The process sulfite pretreatment to overcome recalcitrance of lignocelluloses (SPORL) has been the focus of this study. Pilot-scale (50 kg) pretreatment of wood chips of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon) killed by mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) were conducted at 165°C...