Glancing-incidence focussed ion beam milling: A coherent X-ray diffraction study of 3D nano-scale lattice strains and crystal defects

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

Hofmann, Felix; Harder, Ross J.; Liu, Wenjun

Here, this study presents a detailed examination of the lattice distortions introduced by glancing incidence Focussed Ion Beam (FIB) milling. Using non-destructive multi-reflection Bragg coherent X-ray diffraction we probe damage formation in an initially pristine gold micro-crystal following several stages of FIB milling. These experiments allow access to the full lattice strain tensor in the micro-crystal with ~25 nm 3D spatial resolution, enabling a nano-scale analysis of residual lattice strains and defects formed. Our results show that 30 keV glancing incidence milling produces fewer large defects than normal incidence milling at the same energy. However the resulting residual lattice strainsmore » have similar magnitude and extend up to ~50 nm into the sample. At the edges of the milled surface, where the ion-beam tails impact the sample at near-normal incidence, large dislocation loops with a range of Burgers vectors are formed. Further glancing incidence FIB polishing with 5 keV ion energy removes these dislocation loops and reduces the lattice strains caused by higher energy FIB milling. However, even at the lower ion energy, damage-induced lattice strains are present within a ~20 nm thick surface layer. These results highlight the need for careful consideration and management of FIB damage. They also show that low-energy FIB-milling is an effective tool for removing FIB-milling induced lattice strains. This is important for the preparation of micro-mechanical test specimens and strain microscopy samples.« less

Micro structural analysis and magnetic characteristics of rare earth substituted cobalt ferrite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tapdiya, Swati; Singh, Sarika; Kulshrestha, Shobha; Shrivastava, A. K.

2018-05-01

A series of ultrafine nanoparticles of Gd3+ doped Co-ferrites CoGdxFe2-xO4 (x=0.0, 0.05 and 0.10) were prepared by wet chemical co-precipitation method using nitrates of respective metal ions. Structural and morphology studies were performed using XRD, SEM and EDAX. Indexed XRD patterns confirm the formation of cubic spinel phase. Average crystallite sizes found to be decreases with trivalent rare earth ion substitution. Lattice constant (a) and lattice strain increases with increase in Gd3+ concentration due to large ionic radii (0.94nm) of Gd3+ replacing Fe3+ (0.64nm). SEM images show the spherical morphology and uniform growth of nanoparticles. Magnetic studies show that magnetization (Ms), decreases with increase in Gd3+ concentration from 50.16 emu/gm to 31.26 emu/gm.

Confocal Raman imaging of optical waveguides in LiNbO3 fabricated by ultrafast high-repetition rate laser-writing.

PubMed

Ródenas, Airán; Nejadmalayeri, Amir H; Jaque, Daniel; Herman, Peter

2008-09-01

We report on the confocal Raman characterization of the micro-structural lattice changes induced during the high-repetition rate ultrafast laser writing of buried optical waveguides in lithium niobate (LiNbO(3)) crystals. While the laser beam focal volume is characterized by a significant lattice expansion together with a high defect concentration, the adjacent waveguide zone is largely free of defects, undergoing only slight rearrangement of the oxygen octahedron in the LiNbO(3) lattice. The close proximity of these two zones has been found responsible for the propagation losses of the guided light. Subjacent laser-induced periodic micro-structures have been also observed inside the laser focal volume, and identified with a strong periodic distribution of lattice defects.

Structural ordering of casein micelles on silicon nitride micro-sieves during filtration.

PubMed

Gebhardt, Ronald; Holzmüller, Wolfgang; Zhong, Qi; Müller-Buschbaum, Peter; Kulozik, Ulrich

2011-11-01

The paper reports on the structure and formation of casein micelle deposits on silicon nitride micro-sieves during the frontal filtration. The most frequent radius of the fractionated casein micelles we use is R=60 nm as detected by static light scattering (SLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). We estimate the size and size distribution of the casein micelles which pass through the micro-sieve during the filtration process. A sharpening of the size distribution at the beginning of the filtration process (t=40s) is followed by a broadening and a shift of the most frequent radii towards smaller sizes at later times (t=840 s). The size distribution of the micelles deposited on the micro-sieve during filtration is bimodal and consists of the largest and smallest micelles. At larger filtration times, we observe a shift of both deposited size classes towards smaller sizes. The atomic force micrographs of the reference sample reveal a tendency of the casein micelles to order in a hexagonal lattice when deposited on the micro-sieves by solution casting. The deposition of two size classes can be explained by a formation of a mixed hexagonal lattice with large micelles building up the basis lattice and smaller sizes filling octahedral and tetrahedral holes of the lattice. The accompanied compression with increasing thickness of the casein layer could result from preferential deposition of smaller sizes in the course of the filtration. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Optical increase of photo-integrated micro- and nano-periodic susceptibility lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smirnov, Vitaly A.; Vostrikova, Liubov I.

2015-03-01

It is demonstrated that the nonlinear photo-integrated micro- and nano-periodic second-order susceptibility lattices with very small amplitudes which were preliminarily recorded using bi-chromatic powerful laser light in amorphous glass materials can be increased up to some orders of magnitude under the action of a simple coherent monochromatic radiation. The optical increase of the small lattices takes place independent of the polarization and direction of propagation of the optical amplifying radiation and is achieved at various wavelengths. The observed phenomenon is not be explained only by nonlinear wave interaction in medium and also may be related to the microscopic asymmetry processes of the optical transitions between local centers in an isotropic medium that leads to the appearance and growth of the all-optically induced small micro- and nano-periodic electrical charges separations inside the sample. Possible mechanisms that may be responsible for the observed effects in the studied phosphate glasses are discussed.

Spontaneous assembly of chemically encoded two-dimensional coacervate droplet arrays by acoustic wave patterning

PubMed Central

Tian, Liangfei; Martin, Nicolas; Bassindale, Philip G.; Patil, Avinash J.; Li, Mei; Barnes, Adrian; Drinkwater, Bruce W.; Mann, Stephen

2016-01-01

The spontaneous assembly of chemically encoded, molecularly crowded, water-rich micro-droplets into periodic defect-free two-dimensional arrays is achieved in aqueous media by a combination of an acoustic standing wave pressure field and in situ complex coacervation. Acoustically mediated coalescence of primary droplets generates single-droplet per node micro-arrays that exhibit variable surface-attachment properties, spontaneously uptake dyes, enzymes and particles, and display spatial and time-dependent fluorescence outputs when exposed to a reactant diffusion gradient. In addition, coacervate droplet arrays exhibiting dynamical behaviour and exchange of matter are prepared by inhibiting coalescence to produce acoustically trapped lattices of droplet clusters that display fast and reversible changes in shape and spatial configuration in direct response to modulations in the acoustic frequencies and fields. Our results offer a novel route to the design and construction of ‘water-in-water' micro-droplet arrays with controllable spatial organization, programmable signalling pathways and higher order collective behaviour. PMID:27708286

Direct periodic patterning of GaN-based light-emitting diodes by three-beam interference laser ablation

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

Kim, Jeomoh; Ji, Mi-Hee; Detchprohm, Theeradetch

2014-04-07

We report on the direct patterning of two-dimensional periodic structures in GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) through laser interference ablation for the fast and reliable fabrication of periodic micro- and nano-structures aimed at enhancing light output. Holes arranged in a two-dimensional hexagonal lattice array having an opening size of 500 nm, depth of 50 nm, and a periodicity of 1 μm were directly formed by three-beam laser interference without photolithography or electron-beam lithography processes. The laser-patterned LEDs exhibit an enhancement in light output power of 20% compared to conventional LEDs having a flat top surface without degradation of electrical and optical properties of themore » top p-GaN layer and the active region, respectively.« less

X-ray absorption microtomography (microCT) and small beam diffraction mapping of sea urchin teeth.

PubMed

Stock, S R; Barss, J; Dahl, T; Veis, A; Almer, J D

2002-07-01

Two noninvasive X-ray techniques, laboratory X-ray absorption microtomography (microCT) and X-ray diffraction mapping, were used to study teeth of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. MicroCT revealed low attenuation regions at near the tooth's stone part and along the carinar process-central prism boundary; this latter observation appears to be novel. The expected variation of Mg fraction x in the mineral phase (calcite, Ca(1-x)Mg(x)CO(3)) cannot account for all of the linear attenuation coefficient decrease in the two zones: this suggested that soft tissue is localized there. Transmission diffraction mapping (synchrotron X-radiation, 80.8 keV, 0.1 x 0.1mm(2) beam area, 0.1mm translation grid, image plate area detector) simultaneously probed variations in 3-D and showed that the crystal elements of the "T"-shaped tooth were very highly aligned. Diffraction patterns from the keel (adaxial web) and from the abaxial flange (containing primary plates and the stone part) differed markedly. The flange contained two populations of identically oriented crystal elements with lattice parameters corresponding to x=0.13 and x=0.32. The keel produced one set of diffraction spots corresponding to the lower x. The compositions were more or less equivalent to those determined by others for camarodont teeth, and the high Mg phase is expected to be disks of secondary mineral epitaxially related to the underlying primary mineral element. Lattice parameter gradients were not noted in the keel or flange. Taken together, the microCT and diffraction results indicated that there was a band of relatively high protein content, of up to approximately 0.25 volume fraction, in the central part of the flange and paralleling its adaxial and abaxial faces. X-ray microCT and microdiffraction data used in conjunction with protein distribution data will be crucial for understanding the properties of various biocomposites and their mechanical functions.

Directed nucleation assembly of DNA tile complexes for barcode-patterned lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Hao; Labean, Thomas H.; Feng, Liping; Reif, John H.

2003-07-01

The programmed self-assembly of patterned aperiodic molecular structures is a major challenge in nanotechnology and has numerous potential applications for nanofabrication of complex structures and useful devices. Here we report the construction of an aperiodic patterned DNA lattice (barcode lattice) by a self-assembly process of directed nucleation of DNA tiles around a scaffold DNA strand. The input DNA scaffold strand, constructed by ligation of shorter synthetic oligonucleotides, provides layers of the DNA lattice with barcode patterning information represented by the presence or absence of DNA hairpin loops protruding out of the lattice plane. Self-assembly of multiple DNA tiles around the scaffold strand was shown to result in a patterned lattice containing barcode information of 01101. We have also demonstrated the reprogramming of the system to another patterning. An inverted barcode pattern of 10010 was achieved by modifying the scaffold strands and one of the strands composing each tile. A ribbon lattice, consisting of repetitions of the barcode pattern with expected periodicity, was also constructed by the addition of sticky ends. The patterning of both classes of lattices was clearly observable via atomic force microscopy. These results represent a step toward implementation of a visual readout system capable of converting information encoded on a 1D DNA strand into a 2D form readable by advanced microscopic techniques. A functioning visual output method would not only increase the readout speed of DNA-based computers, but may also find use in other sequence identification techniques such as mutation or allele mapping.

Directed nucleation assembly of DNA tile complexes for barcode-patterned lattices.

PubMed

Yan, Hao; LaBean, Thomas H; Feng, Liping; Reif, John H

2003-07-08

The programmed self-assembly of patterned aperiodic molecular structures is a major challenge in nanotechnology and has numerous potential applications for nanofabrication of complex structures and useful devices. Here we report the construction of an aperiodic patterned DNA lattice (barcode lattice) by a self-assembly process of directed nucleation of DNA tiles around a scaffold DNA strand. The input DNA scaffold strand, constructed by ligation of shorter synthetic oligonucleotides, provides layers of the DNA lattice with barcode patterning information represented by the presence or absence of DNA hairpin loops protruding out of the lattice plane. Self-assembly of multiple DNA tiles around the scaffold strand was shown to result in a patterned lattice containing barcode information of 01101. We have also demonstrated the reprogramming of the system to another patterning. An inverted barcode pattern of 10010 was achieved by modifying the scaffold strands and one of the strands composing each tile. A ribbon lattice, consisting of repetitions of the barcode pattern with expected periodicity, was also constructed by the addition of sticky ends. The patterning of both classes of lattices was clearly observable via atomic force microscopy. These results represent a step toward implementation of a visual readout system capable of converting information encoded on a 1D DNA strand into a 2D form readable by advanced microscopic techniques. A functioning visual output method would not only increase the readout speed of DNA-based computers, but may also find use in other sequence identification techniques such as mutation or allele mapping.

Cost-effective SU-8 micro-structures by DUV excimer laser lithography for label-free biosensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanza, F. J.; Laguna, M. F.; Casquel, R.; Holgado, M.; Barrios, C. A.; Ortega, F. J.; López-Romero, D.; García-Ballesteros, J. J.; Bañuls, M. J.; Maquieira, A.; Puchades, R.

2011-04-01

Cost-effective SU-8 micro-structures on a silicon substrate were developed using 248 nm excimer laser KrF projection, studying the influence of the different variables on the final pattern geometry, finding out that the most critical are exposure dose and post-bake condition. Also a novel and cost effective type of photomask based on commercial polyimide Kapton produced by 355 nm DPSS laser microprocessing was developed, studying the influence of the cutting conditions on the photomask. Finally, as a likely application the biosensing capability with a standard BSA/antiBSA immunoassay over a 10 × 10 micro-plates square lattice of around 10 μm in diameter, 15 μm of spacing and 400 nm in height was demonstrated, finding a limit of detection (LOD) of 33.4 ng/ml which is in the order of magnitude of bioapplications such as detection of cortisol hormone or insulin-like growth factor. Low cost fabrication and vertical interrogation characterization techniques lead to a promising future in the biosensing technology field.

Directed nucleation assembly of DNA tile complexes for barcode-patterned lattices

PubMed Central

Yan, Hao; LaBean, Thomas H.; Feng, Liping; Reif, John H.

2003-01-01

The programmed self-assembly of patterned aperiodic molecular structures is a major challenge in nanotechnology and has numerous potential applications for nanofabrication of complex structures and useful devices. Here we report the construction of an aperiodic patterned DNA lattice (barcode lattice) by a self-assembly process of directed nucleation of DNA tiles around a scaffold DNA strand. The input DNA scaffold strand, constructed by ligation of shorter synthetic oligonucleotides, provides layers of the DNA lattice with barcode patterning information represented by the presence or absence of DNA hairpin loops protruding out of the lattice plane. Self-assembly of multiple DNA tiles around the scaffold strand was shown to result in a patterned lattice containing barcode information of 01101. We have also demonstrated the reprogramming of the system to another patterning. An inverted barcode pattern of 10010 was achieved by modifying the scaffold strands and one of the strands composing each tile. A ribbon lattice, consisting of repetitions of the barcode pattern with expected periodicity, was also constructed by the addition of sticky ends. The patterning of both classes of lattices was clearly observable via atomic force microscopy. These results represent a step toward implementation of a visual readout system capable of converting information encoded on a 1D DNA strand into a 2D form readable by advanced microscopic techniques. A functioning visual output method would not only increase the readout speed of DNA-based computers, but may also find use in other sequence identification techniques such as mutation or allele mapping. PMID:12821776

Microscopic full-field three-dimensional strain measurement during the mechanical testing of additively manufactured porous biomaterials.

PubMed

Genovese, Katia; Leeflang, Sander; Zadpoor, Amir A

2017-05-01

A custom-designed micro-digital image correlation system was used to track the evolution of the full-surface three-dimensional strain field of Ti6Al4V additively manufactured lattice samples under mechanical loading. The high-magnification capabilities of the method allowed to resolve the strain distribution down to the strut level and disclosed a highly heterogeneous mechanical response of the lattice structure with local strain concentrations well above the nominal global strain level. In particular, we quantified that strain heterogeneity appears at a very early stage of the deformation process and increases with load, showing a strain accumulation pattern with a clear correlation to the later onset of the fracture. The obtained results suggest that the unique opportunities offered by the proposed experimental method, in conjunction with analytical and computational models, could serve to provide novel important information for the rational design of additively manufactured porous biomaterials. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Numerical analysis of mixing enhancement for micro-electroosmotic flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, G. H.; He, Y. L.; Tao, W. Q.

2010-05-01

Micro-electroosmotic flow is usually slow with negligible inertial effects and diffusion-based mixing can be problematic. To gain an improved understanding of electroosmotic mixing in microchannels, a numerical study has been carried out for channels patterned with wall blocks, and channels patterned with heterogeneous surfaces. The lattice Boltzmann method has been employed to obtain the external electric field, electric potential distribution in the electrolyte, the flow field, and the species concentration distribution within the same framework. The simulation results show that wall blocks and heterogeneous surfaces can significantly disturb the streamlines by fluid folding and stretching leading to apparently substantial improvements in mixing. However, the results show that the introduction of such features can substantially reduce the mass flow rate and thus effectively prolongs the available mixing time when the flow passes through the channel. This is a non-negligible factor on the effectiveness of the observed improvements in mixing efficiency. Compared with the heterogeneous surface distribution, the wall block cases can achieve more effective enhancement in the same mixing time. In addition, the field synergy theory is extended to analyze the mixing enhancement in electroosmotic flow. The distribution of the local synergy angle in the channel aids to evaluate the effectiveness of enhancement method.

Size dependence of 13C nuclear spin-lattice relaxation in micro- and nanodiamonds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panich, A. M.; Sergeev, N. A.; Shames, A. I.; Osipov, V. Yu; Boudou, J.-P.; Goren, S. D.

2015-02-01

Size dependence of physical properties of nanodiamond particles is of crucial importance for various applications in which defect density and location as well as relaxation processes play a significant role. In this work, the impact of defects induced by milling of micron-sized synthetic diamonds was studied by magnetic resonance techniques as a function of the particle size. EPR and 13C NMR studies of highly purified commercial synthetic micro- and nanodiamonds were done for various fractions separated by sizes. Noticeable acceleration of 13C nuclear spin-lattice relaxation with decreasing particle size was found. We showed that this effect is caused by the contribution to relaxation coming from the surface paramagnetic centers induced by sample milling. The developed theory of the spin-lattice relaxation for such a case shows good compliance with the experiment.

Mapping local deformation behavior in single cell metal lattice structures

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

Carlton, Holly D.; Lind, Jonathan; Messner, Mark C.

The deformation behavior of metal lattice structures is extremely complex and challenging to predict, especially since strain is not uniformly distributed throughout the structure. Understanding and predicting the failure behavior for these types of light-weighting structures is of great interest due to the excellent scaling of stiffness- and strength-to weight ratios they display. Therefore, there is a need to perform simplified experiments that probe unit cell mechanisms. This study reports on high resolution mapping of the heterogeneous structural response of single unit cells to the macro-scale loading condition. Two types of structures, known to show different stress-strain responses, were evaluatedmore » using synchrotron radiation micro-tomography while performing in-situ uniaxial compression tests to capture the local micro-strain deformation. These structures included the octet-truss, a stretch-dominated lattice, and the rhombic-dodecahedron, a bend-dominated lattice. The tomographic analysis showed that the stretch- and bend-dominated lattices exhibit different failure mechanisms and that the defects built into the structure cause a heterogeneous localized deformation response. Also shown here is a change in failure mode for stretch-dominated lattices, where there appears to be a transition from buckling to plastic yielding for samples with a relative density between 10 and 20%. In conclusion, the experimental results were also used to inform computational studies designed to predict the mesoscale deformation behavior of lattice structures. Here an equivalent continuum model and a finite element model were used to predict both local strain fields and mechanical behavior of lattices with different topologies.« less

Mapping local deformation behavior in single cell metal lattice structures

DOE PAGES

Carlton, Holly D.; Lind, Jonathan; Messner, Mark C.; ...

2017-02-08

The deformation behavior of metal lattice structures is extremely complex and challenging to predict, especially since strain is not uniformly distributed throughout the structure. Understanding and predicting the failure behavior for these types of light-weighting structures is of great interest due to the excellent scaling of stiffness- and strength-to weight ratios they display. Therefore, there is a need to perform simplified experiments that probe unit cell mechanisms. This study reports on high resolution mapping of the heterogeneous structural response of single unit cells to the macro-scale loading condition. Two types of structures, known to show different stress-strain responses, were evaluatedmore » using synchrotron radiation micro-tomography while performing in-situ uniaxial compression tests to capture the local micro-strain deformation. These structures included the octet-truss, a stretch-dominated lattice, and the rhombic-dodecahedron, a bend-dominated lattice. The tomographic analysis showed that the stretch- and bend-dominated lattices exhibit different failure mechanisms and that the defects built into the structure cause a heterogeneous localized deformation response. Also shown here is a change in failure mode for stretch-dominated lattices, where there appears to be a transition from buckling to plastic yielding for samples with a relative density between 10 and 20%. In conclusion, the experimental results were also used to inform computational studies designed to predict the mesoscale deformation behavior of lattice structures. Here an equivalent continuum model and a finite element model were used to predict both local strain fields and mechanical behavior of lattices with different topologies.« less

Rapid Prototyping of Patterned Multifunctional Nanostructures

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

FAN,HONGYOU; LU,YUNFENG; LOPEZ,GABRIEL P.

2000-07-18

The ability to engineer ordered arrays of objects on multiple length scales has potential for applications such as microelectronics, sensors, wave guides, and photonic lattices with tunable band gaps. Since the invention of surfactant templated mesoporous sieves in 1992, great progress has been made in controlling different mesophases in the form of powders, particles, fibers, and films. To date, although there have been several reports of patterned mesostructures, materials prepared have been limited to metal oxides with no specific functionality. For many of the envisioned applications of hierarchical materials in micro-systems, sensors, waveguides, photonics, and electronics, it is necessary tomore » define both form and function on several length scales. In addition, the patterning strategies utilized so far require hours or even days for completion. Such slow processes are inherently difficult to implement in commercial environments. The authors present a series of new methods of producing patterns within seconds. Combining sol-gel chemistry, Evaporation-Induced Self-Assembly (EISA), and rapid prototyping techniques like pen lithography, ink-jet printing, and dip-coating on micro-contact printed substrates, they form hierarchically organized silica structures that exhibit order and function on multiple scales: on the molecular scale, functional organic moieties are positioned on pore surfaces, on the mesoscale, mono-sized pores are organized into 1-, 2-, or 3-dimensional networks, providing size-selective accessibility from the gas or liquid phase, and on the macroscale, 2-dimensional arrays and fluidic or photonic systems may be defined. These rapid patterning techniques establish for the first time a link between computer-aided design and rapid processing of self-assembled nanostructures.« less

Symbol Recognition Using a Concept Lattice of Graphical Patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rusiñol, Marçal; Bertet, Karell; Ogier, Jean-Marc; Lladós, Josep

In this paper we propose a new approach to recognize symbols by the use of a concept lattice. We propose to build a concept lattice in terms of graphical patterns. Each model symbol is decomposed in a set of composing graphical patterns taken as primitives. Each one of these primitives is described by boundary moment invariants. The obtained concept lattice relates which symbolic patterns compose a given graphical symbol. A Hasse diagram is derived from the context and is used to recognize symbols affected by noise. We present some preliminary results over a variation of the dataset of symbols from the GREC 2005 symbol recognition contest.

GMAG PhD Dissertation Research Award Talk: Dynamic Magnetic Traps for Particle Self-Assembly and Lab-on-Chip Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Aaron

2013-03-01

Micro-patterned Permalloy thin films serve as an excellent means to architect the spatial profile of magnetic fields with the tunable, high gradients required to manipulate objects with weak induced magnetic moments. In this presentation, I will highlight two projects carried out during my PhD studies. These findings demonstrate the functionalities achieved through carefully designed patterns of different sizes and shapes (e.g. circular, triangular, octagonal profiles): (i) By tuning a precessing magnetic field in conjunction with such Permalloy patterns, microsphere (i.e. dipole) cluster structures ranging from closely packed to frustrated and to plum-pudding-like planar lattices are stabilized. Such self-assembly of components at the micro to nanometer range not only support a rich variety of physical phenomena, but also have applications, for example, as filters or force probes and field-tunable photonic crystals. (ii) Mobile magnetic trap arrays consisting of Permalloy disks have enabled rapid transport of magnetic beads or immunomagnetically labeled cells across surfaces. Integration of these arrays with microfluidic droplet technology allows separation of labeled cells and their subsequent encapsulation into picoliter-sized droplets. The droplets serve as isolated containers for individual cells to be probed without cross-contamination. The separation-encapsulation function could become a critical component in point-of-care single-cell analysis platforms.

Direct growth of single-crystalline III–V semiconductors on amorphous substrates

DOE PAGES

Chen, Kevin; Kapadia, Rehan; Harker, Audrey; ...

2016-01-27

The III–V compound semiconductors exhibit superb electronic and optoelectronic properties. Traditionally, closely lattice-matched epitaxial substrates have been required for the growth of high-quality single-crystal III–V thin films and patterned microstructures. To remove this materials constraint, here we introduce a growth mode that enables direct writing of single-crystalline III–V’s on amorphous substrates, thus further expanding their utility for various applications. The process utilizes templated liquid-phase crystal growth that results in user-tunable, patterned micro and nanostructures of single-crystalline III–V’s of up to tens of micrometres in lateral dimensions. InP is chosen as a model material system owing to its technological importance. Themore » patterned InP single crystals are configured as high-performance transistors and photodetectors directly on amorphous SiO 2 growth substrates, with performance matching state-of-the-art epitaxially grown devices. In conclusion, the work presents an important advance towards universal integration of III–V’s on application-specific substrates by direct growth.« less

Direct growth of single-crystalline III–V semiconductors on amorphous substrates

PubMed Central

Chen, Kevin; Kapadia, Rehan; Harker, Audrey; Desai, Sujay; Seuk Kang, Jeong; Chuang, Steven; Tosun, Mahmut; Sutter-Fella, Carolin M.; Tsang, Michael; Zeng, Yuping; Kiriya, Daisuke; Hazra, Jubin; Madhvapathy, Surabhi Rao; Hettick, Mark; Chen, Yu-Ze; Mastandrea, James; Amani, Matin; Cabrini, Stefano; Chueh, Yu-Lun; Ager III, Joel W.; Chrzan, Daryl C.; Javey, Ali

2016-01-01

The III–V compound semiconductors exhibit superb electronic and optoelectronic properties. Traditionally, closely lattice-matched epitaxial substrates have been required for the growth of high-quality single-crystal III–V thin films and patterned microstructures. To remove this materials constraint, here we introduce a growth mode that enables direct writing of single-crystalline III–V's on amorphous substrates, thus further expanding their utility for various applications. The process utilizes templated liquid-phase crystal growth that results in user-tunable, patterned micro and nanostructures of single-crystalline III–V's of up to tens of micrometres in lateral dimensions. InP is chosen as a model material system owing to its technological importance. The patterned InP single crystals are configured as high-performance transistors and photodetectors directly on amorphous SiO2 growth substrates, with performance matching state-of-the-art epitaxially grown devices. The work presents an important advance towards universal integration of III–V's on application-specific substrates by direct growth. PMID:26813257

Viscous dissipation effects on MHD slip flow and heat transfer in porous micro duct with LTNE assumptions using modified lattice Boltzmann method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rabhi, R.; Amami, B.; Dhahri, H.; Mhimid, A.

2017-11-01

This paper deals with heat transfer and fluid flow in a porous micro duct under local thermal non equilibrium conditions subjected to an external oriented magnetic field. The considered sample is a micro duct filled with porous media assumed to be homogenous, isotropic and saturated. The slip velocity and the temperature jump were uniformly imposed to the wall. In modeling the flow, the Brinkmann-Forchheimer extended Darcy model was incorporated into the momentum equations. In the energy equation, the local thermal non equilibrium between the two phases was adopted. A modified axisymmetric lattice Boltzmann method was used to solve the obtained governing equation system. Attention was focused on the influence of the emerging parameters such as Knudsen number, Kn, Hartmann number, Ha, Eckert number, Ec, Biot number, Bi and the magnetic field inclination γ on flow and heat transfer throughout this paper.

Experiments and theory of undulatory locomotion in a simple structured medium

PubMed Central

Majmudar, Trushant; Keaveny, Eric E.; Zhang, Jun; Shelley, Michael J.

2012-01-01

Undulatory locomotion of micro-organisms through geometrically complex, fluidic environments is ubiquitous in nature and requires the organism to negotiate both hydrodynamic effects and geometrical constraints. To understand locomotion through such media, we experimentally investigate swimming of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans through fluid-filled arrays of micro-pillars and conduct numerical simulations based on a mechanical model of the worm that incorporates hydrodynamic and contact interactions with the lattice. We show that the nematode's path, speed and gait are significantly altered by the presence of the obstacles and depend strongly on lattice spacing. These changes and their dependence on lattice spacing are captured, both qualitatively and quantitatively, by our purely mechanical model. Using the model, we demonstrate that purely mechanical interactions between the swimmer and obstacles can produce complex trajectories, gait changes and velocity fluctuations, yielding some of the life-like dynamics exhibited by the real nematode. Our results show that mechanics, rather than biological sensing and behaviour, can explain some of the observed changes in the worm's locomotory dynamics. PMID:22319110

Quality Assurance of NCI Thesaurus by Mining Structural-Lexical Patterns

PubMed Central

Abeysinghe, Rashmie; Brooks, Michael A.; Talbert, Jeffery; Licong, Cui

2017-01-01

Quality assurance of biomedical terminologies such as the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Thesaurus is an essential part of the terminology management lifecycle. We investigate a structural-lexical approach based on non-lattice subgraphs to automatically identify missing hierarchical relations and missing concepts in the NCI Thesaurus. We mine six structural-lexical patterns exhibiting in non-lattice subgraphs: containment, union, intersection, union-intersection, inference-contradiction, and inference union. Each pattern indicates a potential specific type of error and suggests a potential type of remediation. We found 809 non-lattice subgraphs with these patterns in the NCI Thesaurus (version 16.12d). Domain experts evaluated a random sample of 50 small non-lattice subgraphs, of which 33 were confirmed to contain errors and make correct suggestions (33/50 = 66%). Of the 25 evaluated subgraphs revealing multiple patterns, 22 were verified correct (22/25 = 88%). This shows the effectiveness of our structurallexical-pattern-based approach in detecting errors and suggesting remediations in the NCI Thesaurus. PMID:29854100

Effect of lattice defects on Hele-Shaw flow over an etched lattice

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

Decker, E.L.; Ignes-Mullol, J.; Baratt, A.

We examine the patterns formed by injecting nitrogen gas into the center of a horizontal, radial Hele-Shaw cell filled with paraffin oil. We use smooth plates and etched plates with lattices having different amounts of defects (0{endash}10&hthinsp;{percent}). In all cases, a quantitative measure of the pattern ramification shows a regular trend with injection rate and cell gap, such that the dimensionless perimeter scales with the dimensionless time. By adding defects to the lattice, we observe increased branching in the pattern morphologies. However, even in this case, the scaling behavior persists. Only the prefactor of the scaling function shows a dependencemore » on the defect density. For different lattice defect densities, we examine the nature of the different morphology phases. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}« less

Lattice-patterned LC-polymer composites containing various nanoparticles as additives

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

In this study, we show the effect of various nanoparticle additives on phase separation behavior of a lattice-patterned liquid crystal [LC]-polymer composite system and on interfacial properties between the LC and polymer. Lattice-patterned LC-polymer composites were fabricated by exposing to UV light a mixture of a prepolymer, an LC, and SiO2 nanoparticles positioned under a patterned photomask. This resulted in the formation of an LC and prepolymer region through phase separation. We found that the incorporation of SiO2 nanoparticles significantly affected the electro-optical properties of the lattice-patterned LC-polymer composites. This effect is a fundamental characteristic of flexible displays. The electro-optical properties depend on the size and surface functional groups of the SiO2 nanoparticles. Compared with untreated pristine SiO2 nanoparticles, which adversely affect the performance of LC molecules surrounded by polymer walls, SiO2 nanoparticles with surface functional groups were found to improve the electro-optical properties of the lattice-patterned LC-polymer composites by increasing the quantity of SiO2 nanoparticles. The surface functional groups of the SiO2 nanoparticles were closely related to the distribution of SiO2 nanoparticles in the LC-polymer composites, and they influenced the electro-optical properties of the LC molecules. It is clear from our work that the introduction of nanoparticles into a lattice-patterned LC-polymer composite provides a method for controlling and improving the composite's electro-optical properties. This technique can be used to produce flexible substrates for various flexible electronic devices. PMID:22222011

Disconnected-Sea Quarks Contribution to Nucleon Electromagnetic Form Factors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sufian, Raza Sabbir

We present comprehensive analysis of the light and strange disconnected-sea quarks contribution to the nucleon electric and magnetic form factors. The lattice QCD estimates of strange quark magnetic moment GsM (0) = -0.064(14)(09) microN and the mean squared charge radius E = -0.0043(16)(14) fm2 are more precise than any existing experimental measurements and other lattice calculations. The lattice QCD calculation includes ensembles across several lattice volumes and lattice spacings with one of the ensembles at the physical pion mass. We have performed a simultaneous chiral, infinite volume, and continuum extrapolation in a global fit to calculate results in the continuum limit. We find that the combined light-sea and strange quarks contribution to the nucleon magnetic moment is -0.022(11)(09) microN and to the nucleon mean square charge radius is -0.019(05)(05) fm 2. The most important outcome of this lattice QCD calculation is that while the combined light-sea and strange quarks contribution to the nucleon magnetic moment is small at about 1%, a negative 2.5(9)% contribution to the proton charge radius and a relatively larger positive 16.3(6.1)% contribution to the neutron charge radius come from the sea quarks in the nucleon. For the first time, by performing global fits, we also give predictions of the light-sea and strange quarks contributions to the nucleon electric and magnetic form factors at the physical point and in the continuum and infinite volume limits in the momentum transfer range of 0 ≤ Q2 ≤ 0.5 GeV2.

Geometrical study of phyllotactic patterns by Bernoulli spiral lattices.

PubMed

Sushida, Takamichi; Yamagishi, Yoshikazu

2017-06-01

Geometrical studies of phyllotactic patterns deal with the centric or cylindrical models produced by ideal lattices. van Iterson (Mathematische und mikroskopisch - anatomische Studien über Blattstellungen nebst Betrachtungen über den Schalenbau der Miliolinen, Verlag von Gustav Fischer, Jena, 1907) suggested a centric model representing ideal phyllotactic patterns as disk packings of Bernoulli spiral lattices and presented a phase diagram now called Van Iterson's diagram explaining the bifurcation processes of their combinatorial structures. Geometrical properties on disk packings were shown by Rothen & Koch (J. Phys France, 50(13), 1603-1621, 1989). In contrast, as another centric model, we organized a mathematical framework of Voronoi tilings of Bernoulli spiral lattices and showed mathematically that the phase diagram of a Voronoi tiling is graph-theoretically dual to Van Iterson's diagram. This paper gives a review of two centric models for disk packings and Voronoi tilings of Bernoulli spiral lattices. © 2017 Japanese Society of Developmental Biologists.

Vortex circulation patterns in planar microdisk arrays

DOE PAGES

Velten, Sven; Streubel, Robert; Farhan, Alan; ...

2017-06-26

We report a magnetic X-ray microscopy study of the pattern formation of circulation in arrays of magnetic vortices ordered in a hexagonal and a honeycomb lattice. In the honeycomb lattice, we observe at remanence an ordered phase of alternating circulations, whereas in the hexagonal lattice, small regions of alternating lines form. A variation in the edge-to-edge distance shows that the size of those regions scales with the magnetostatic interaction. Micromagnetic simulations reveal that the patterns result from the formation of flux closure states during the nucleation process.

Simulation of gas flow in micro-porous media with the regularized lattice Boltzmann method

DOE PAGES

Wang, Junjian; Kang, Qinjun; Wang, Yuzhu; ...

2017-06-01

One primary challenge for prediction of gas flow in the unconventional gas reservoir at the pore-scale such as shale and tight gas reservoirs is the geometric complexity of the micro-porous media. In this paper, a regularized multiple-relaxation-time (MRT) lattice Boltzmann (LB) model is applied to analyze gas flow in 2-dimensional micro-porous medium reconstructed by quartet structure generation set (QSGS) on pore-scale. In this paper, the velocity distribution inside the porous structure is presented and analyzed, and the effects of the porosity and specific surface area on the rarefied gas flow and apparent permeability are examined and investigated. The simulation resultsmore » indicate that the gas exhibits different flow behaviours at various pressure conditions and the gas permeability is strongly related to the pressure. Finally, the increased porosity or the decreased specific surface area leads to the increase of the gas apparent permeability, and the gas flow is more sensitive to the pore morphological properties at low-pressure conditions.« less

Simulation of gas flow in micro-porous media with the regularized lattice Boltzmann method

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

Wang, Junjian; Kang, Qinjun; Wang, Yuzhu

One primary challenge for prediction of gas flow in the unconventional gas reservoir at the pore-scale such as shale and tight gas reservoirs is the geometric complexity of the micro-porous media. In this paper, a regularized multiple-relaxation-time (MRT) lattice Boltzmann (LB) model is applied to analyze gas flow in 2-dimensional micro-porous medium reconstructed by quartet structure generation set (QSGS) on pore-scale. In this paper, the velocity distribution inside the porous structure is presented and analyzed, and the effects of the porosity and specific surface area on the rarefied gas flow and apparent permeability are examined and investigated. The simulation resultsmore » indicate that the gas exhibits different flow behaviours at various pressure conditions and the gas permeability is strongly related to the pressure. Finally, the increased porosity or the decreased specific surface area leads to the increase of the gas apparent permeability, and the gas flow is more sensitive to the pore morphological properties at low-pressure conditions.« less

Micro-Structured Two-Component 3D Metamaterials with Negative Thermal-Expansion Coefficient from Positive Constituents

PubMed Central

Qu, Jingyuan; Kadic, Muamer; Naber, Andreas; Wegener, Martin

2017-01-01

Controlling the thermal expansion of materials is of great technological importance. Uncontrolled thermal expansion can lead to failure or irreversible destruction of structures and devices. In ordinary crystals, thermal expansion is governed by the asymmetry of the microscopic binding potential, which cannot be adjusted easily. In artificial crystals called metamaterials, thermal expansion can be controlled by structure. Here, following previous theoretical work, we fabricate three-dimensional (3D) two-component polymer micro-lattices by using gray-tone laser lithography. We perform cross-correlation analysis of optical microscopy images taken at different sample temperatures. The derived displacement-vector field reveals that the thermal expansion and resulting bending of the bi-material beams leads to a rotation of the 3D chiral crosses arranged onto a 3D checkerboard pattern within one metamaterial unit cell. These rotations can compensate the expansion of the all positive constituents, leading to an effectively near-zero thermal length-expansion coefficient, or over-compensate the expansion, leading to an effectively negative thermal length-expansion coefficient. This evidences a striking level of thermal-expansion control. PMID:28079161

Study of Cycling Air-Cooling System with a Cold Accumulator for Micro Gas-Turbine Installations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ochkov, V. F.; Stepanova, T. A.; Katenev, G. M.; Tumanovskii, V. A.; Borisova, P. N.

2018-05-01

Using the cycling air-cooling systems of the CTIC type (Combustion Turbine Inlet Cooling) with a cold accumulator in a micro gas-turbine installation (micro-GTI) to preserve its capacity under the seasonal temperature rise of outside air is described. Water ice is used as the body-storage in the accumulators, and ice water (water at 0.5-1.0°C) is used as the body that cools air. The ice water circulates between the accumulator and the air-water heat exchanger. The cold accumulator model with renewable ice resources is considered. The model contains the heat-exchanging tube lattice-evaporator covered with ice. The lattice is cross-flowed with water. The criterion heat exchange equation that describes the process in the cold accumulator under consideration is presented. The calculations of duration of its active operation were performed. The dependence of cold accumulator service life on water circulation rate was evaluated. The adequacy of the design model was confirmed experimentally in the mock-up of the cold accumulator with a refrigerating machine periodically creating a 200 kg ice reserve in the reservoir-storage. The design model makes it possible to determine the weight of ice reserve of the discharged cold accumulator for cooling the cycle air in the operation of a C-30 type micro- GTI produced by the Capstone Company or micro-GTIs of other capacities. Recommendations for increasing the working capacity of cold accumulators of CTIC-systems of a micro-GTI were made.

Higher Order Thermal Lattice Boltzmann Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sorathiya, Shahajhan; Ansumali, Santosh

2013-03-01

Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) modelling of thermal flows, compressible and micro flows requires an accurate velocity space discretization. The sub optimality of Gauss-Hermite quadrature in this regard is well known. Most of the thermal LBM in the past have suffered from instability due to lack of proper H-theorem and accuracy. Motivated from these issues, the present work develops along the two works and and imposes an eighth higher order moment to get correct thermal physics. We show that this can be done by adding just 6 more velocities to D3Q27 model and obtain a ``multi-speed on lattice thermal LBM'' with 33 velocities in 3D and calO (u4) and calO (T4) accurate fieq with a consistent H-theorem and inherent numerical stability. Simulations for Rayleigh-Bernard as well as velocity and temperature slip in micro flows matches with analytical results. Lid driven cavity set up for grid convergence is studied. Finally, a novel data structure is developed for HPC. The authors express their gratitude for computational resources and financial support provide by Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore, India.

Quantitative Characterization of the Nanoscale Local Lattice Strain Induced by Sr Dopants in La1.92Sr0.08CuO4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, J. Q.; Liu, X.; Blackburn, E.; Wakimoto, S.; Ding, H.; Islam, Z.; Sinha, S. K.

2018-05-01

The nanometer scale lattice deformation brought about by the dopants in the high temperature superconducting cuprate La2 -xSrx CuO4 (x =0.08 ) was investigated by measuring the associated x-ray diffuse scattering around multiple Bragg peaks. A characteristic diffuse scattering pattern was observed, which can be well described by continuum elastic theory. With the fitted dipole force parameters, the acoustic-type lattice deformation pattern was reconstructed and found to be of similar size to lattice thermal vibration at 7 K. Our results address the long-term concern of dopant introduced local lattice inhomogeneity, and show that the associated nanometer scale lattice deformation is marginal and cannot, alone, be responsible for the patched variation in the spectral gaps observed with scanning tunneling microscopy in the cuprates.

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

Patel, J. R.

We synthesized hexagonal-disc-shaped MgB{sub 2} single crystals under high-pressure conditions and analyzed the microstructure and pinning properties. The lattice constants and the Laue pattern of the crystals from X-ray micro-diffraction showed the crystal symmetry of MgB{sub 2}. A thorough crystallographic mapping within a single crystal showed that the edge and c-axis of hexagonal-disc shape exactly matched the (10-10) and the (0001) directions of the MgB{sub 2} phase. Thus, these well-shaped single crystals may be the best candidates for studying the direction dependences of the physical properties. The magnetization curve and the magnetic hysteresis for these single crystals showed the existencemore » of a wide reversible region and weak pinning properties, which supported our single crystals being very clean.« less

Generation of localized patterns in anharmonic lattices with cubic-quintic nonlinearities and fourth-order dispersion via a variational approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wamba, Etienne; Tchakoutio Nguetcho, Aurélien S.

2018-05-01

We use the time-dependent variational method to examine the formation of localized patterns in dynamically unstable anharmonic lattices with cubic-quintic nonlinearities and fourth-order dispersion. The governing equation is an extended nonlinear Schrödinger equation known for modified Frankel-Kontorova models of atomic lattices and here derived from an extended Bose-Hubbard model of bosonic lattices with local three-body interactions. In presence of modulated waves, we derive and investigate the ordinary differential equations for the time evolution of the amplitude and phase of dynamical perturbation. Through an effective potential, we find the modulationally unstable domains of the lattice and discuss the effect of the fourth-order dispersion in the dynamics. Direct numerical simulations are performed to support our analytical results, and a good agreement is found. Various types of localized patterns, including breathers and solitonic chirped-like pulses, form in the system as a result of interplay between the cubic-quintic nonlinearities and the second- and fourth-order dispersions.

Americium alloys with gold and copper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radchenko, V. M.; Ryabinin, M. A.; Chernakova, T. A.; Tomilin, S. V.

2010-03-01

Presented are results of the production and X-ray examination of micro-samples of americium-241 compounds with gold and copper produced by high-temperature condensation of metal americium vapor onto corresponding substrates. No mutual solubility of the investigated system components was revealed at room temperature. The following three intermetallic compounds were revealed in the Am-Au system: Au6Am with tetragonal lattice of the Au6Sm structural type, AuAm with orthorhombic lattice of the CuCe structural type and AuAm with cubic lattice. The Am-Cu system showed the intermetallic compound Cu5Am (Cu7Am) with a hexagonal lattice of the Cu5Ca(Cu7Tb) structure type. An effect of the 241Am nuclide alpha-activity on the crystal structure of the produced intermetallide was studied.

Stability of micro-Cassie states on rough substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Zhenjiang; Liu, Yawei; Lohse, Detlef; Zhang, Xuehua; Zhang, Xianren

2015-06-01

We numerically study different forms of nanoscale gaseous domains on a model for rough surfaces. Our calculations based on the constrained lattice density functional theory show that the inter-connectivity of pores surrounded by neighboring nanoposts, which model the surface roughness, leads to the formation of stable microscopic Cassie states. We investigate the dependence of the stability of the micro-Cassie states on substrate roughness, fluid-solid interaction, and chemical potential and then address the differences between the origin of the micro-Cassie states and that of surface nanobubbles within similar models. Finally, we show that the micro-Cassie states share some features with experimentally observed micropancakes at solid-water interfaces.

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.

Optical ferris wheel for ultracold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franke-Arnold, S.; Leach, J.; Padgett, M. J.; Lembessis, V. E.; Ellinas, D.; Wright, A. J.; Girkin, J. M.; Ohberg, P.; Arnold, A. S.

2007-07-01

We propose a versatile optical ring lattice suitable for trapping cold and quantum degenerate atomic samples. We demonstrate the realisation of intensity patterns from pairs of Laguerre-Gauss (exp(iℓө) modes with different ℓ indices. These patterns can be rotated by introducing a frequency shift between the modes. We can generate bright ring lattices for trapping atoms in red-detuned light, and dark ring lattices suitable for trapping atoms with minimal heating in the optical vortices of blue-detuned light. The lattice sites can be joined to form a uniform ring trap, making it ideal for studying persistent currents and the Mott insulator transition in a ring geometry.

Micro Dot Patterning on the Light Guide Panel Using Powder Blasting

PubMed Central

Jang, Ho Su; Cho, Myeong Woo; Park, Dong Sam

2008-01-01

This study is to develop a micromachining technology for a light guide panel(LGP) mold, whereby micro dot patterns are formed on a LGP surface by a single injection process instead of existing screen printing processes. The micro powder blasting technique is applied to form micro dot patterns on the LGP mold surface. The optimal conditions for masking, laminating, exposure, and developing processes to form the micro dot patterns are first experimentally investigated. A LGP mold with masked micro patterns is then machined using the micro powder blasting method and the machinability of the micro dot patterns is verified. A prototype LGP is test- injected using the developed LGP mold and a shape analysis of the patterns and performance testing of the injected LGP are carried out. As an additional approach, matte finishing, a special surface treatment method, is applied to the mold surface to improve the light diffusion characteristics, uniformity and brightness of the LGP. The results of this study show that the applied powder blasting method can be successfully used to manufacture LGPs with micro patterns by just single injection using the developed mold and thereby replace existing screen printing methods. PMID:27879740

Comparison of competing segmentation standards for X-ray computed topographic imaging using Lattice Boltzmann techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larsen, J. D.; Schaap, M. G.

2013-12-01

Recent advances in computing technology and experimental techniques have made it possible to observe and characterize fluid dynamics at the micro-scale. Many computational methods exist that can adequately simulate fluid flow in porous media. Lattice Boltzmann methods provide the distinct advantage of tracking particles at the microscopic level and returning macroscopic observations. While experimental methods can accurately measure macroscopic fluid dynamics, computational efforts can be used to predict and gain insight into fluid dynamics by utilizing thin sections or computed micro-tomography (CMT) images of core sections. Although substantial effort have been made to advance non-invasive imaging methods such as CMT, fluid dynamics simulations, and microscale analysis, a true three dimensional image segmentation technique has not been developed until recently. Many competing segmentation techniques are utilized in industry and research settings with varying results. In this study lattice Boltzmann method is used to simulate stokes flow in a macroporous soil column. Two dimensional CMT images were used to reconstruct a three dimensional representation of the original sample. Six competing segmentation standards were used to binarize the CMT volumes which provide distinction between solid phase and pore space. The permeability of the reconstructed samples was calculated, with Darcy's Law, from lattice Boltzmann simulations of fluid flow in the samples. We compare simulated permeability from differing segmentation algorithms to experimental findings.

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

Velten, Sven; Streubel, Robert; Farhan, Alan

We report a magnetic X-ray microscopy study of the pattern formation of circulation in arrays of magnetic vortices ordered in a hexagonal and a honeycomb lattice. In the honeycomb lattice, we observe at remanence an ordered phase of alternating circulations, whereas in the hexagonal lattice, small regions of alternating lines form. A variation in the edge-to-edge distance shows that the size of those regions scales with the magnetostatic interaction. Micromagnetic simulations reveal that the patterns result from the formation of flux closure states during the nucleation process.

IB-LBM simulation on blood cell sorting with a micro-fence structure.

PubMed

Wei, Qiang; Xu, Yuan-Qing; Tian, Fang-bao; Gao, Tian-xin; Tang, Xiao-ying; Zu, Wen-Hong

2014-01-01

A size-based blood cell sorting model with a micro-fence structure is proposed in the frame of immersed boundary and lattice Boltzmann method (IB-LBM). The fluid dynamics is obtained by solving the discrete lattice Boltzmann equation, and the cells motion and deformation are handled by the immersed boundary method. A micro-fence consists of two parallel slope post rows which are adopted to separate red blood cells (RBCs) from white blood cells (WBCs), in which the cells to be separated are transported one after another by the flow into the passageway between the two post rows. Effected by the cross flow, RBCs are schemed to get through the pores of the nether post row since they are smaller and more deformable compared with WBCs. WBCs are required to move along the nether post row till they get out the micro-fence. Simulation results indicate that for a fix width of pores, the slope angle of the post row plays an important role in cell sorting. The cells mixture can not be separated properly in a small slope angle, while obvious blockages by WBCs will take place to disturb the continuous cell sorting in a big slope angle. As an optimal result, an adaptive slope angle is found to sort RBCs form WBCs correctly and continuously.

A micro-kinematic framework for vorticity analysis in polyphase shear zones using integrated field, microstructural and crystallographic orientation-dispersion methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kruckenberg, S. C.; Michels, Z. D.; Parsons, M. M.

2017-12-01

We present results from integrated field, microstructural and textural analysis in the Burlington mylonite zone (BMZ) of eastern Massachusetts to establish a unified micro-kinematic framework for vorticity analysis in polyphase shear zones. Specifically, we define the vorticity-normal surface based on lattice-scale rotation axes calculated from electron backscatter diffraction data using orientation statistics. In doing so, we objectively identify a suitable reference frame for rigid grain methods of vorticity analysis that can be used in concert with textural studies to constrain field- to plate-scale deformation geometries without assumptions that may bias tectonic interpretations, such as relationships between kinematic axes and fabric forming elements or the nature of the deforming zone (e.g., monoclinic vs. triclinic shear zones). Rocks within the BMZ comprise a heterogeneous mix of quartzofeldspathic ± hornblende-bearing mylonitic gneisses and quartzites. Vorticity axes inferred from lattice rotations lie within the plane of mylonitic foliation perpendicular to lineation - a pattern consistent with monoclinic deformation geometries involving simple shear and/or wrench-dominated transpression. The kinematic vorticity number (Wk) is calculated using Rigid Grain Net analysis and ranges from 0.25-0.55, indicating dominant general shear. Using the calculated Wk values and the dominant geographic fabric orientation, we constrain the angle of paleotectonic convergence between the Nashoba and Avalon terranes to 56-75º with the convergence vector trending 142-160° and plunging 3-10°. Application of the quartz recrystallized grain size piezometer suggests differential stresses in the BMZ mylonites ranging from 44 to 92 MPa; quartz CPO patterns are consistent with deformation at greenschist- to amphibolite-facies conditions. We conclude that crustal strain localization in the BMZ involved a combination of pure and simple shear in a sinistral reverse transpressional shear zone formed at or near the brittle-ductile transition under relatively high stress conditions. Moreover, we demonstrate the utility of combined crystallographic and rigid grain methods of vorticity analysis for deducing deformation geometries, kinematics, and tectonic histories in polyphase shear zones.

Pattern Recognition by Retina-Like Devices.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weiman, Carl F. R.; Rothstein, Jerome

This study has investigated some pattern recognition capabilities of devices consisting of arrays of cooperating elements acting in parallel. The problem of recognizing straight lines in general position on the quadratic lattice has been completely solved by applying parallel acting algorithms to a special code for lines on the lattice. The…

Pattern Recognition of Adsorbing HP Lattice Proteins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, Matthew S.; Shi, Guangjie; Wüst, Thomas; Landau, David P.; Schmid, Friederike

2015-03-01

Protein adsorption is relevant in fields ranging from medicine to industry, and the qualitative behavior exhibited by course-grained models could shed insight for further research in such fields. Our study on the selective adsorption of lattice proteins utilizes the Wang-Landau algorithm to simulate the Hydrophobic-Polar (H-P) model with an efficient set of Monte Carlo moves. Each substrate is modeled as a square pattern of 9 lattice sites which attract either H or P monomers, and are located on an otherwise neutral surface. The fully enumerated set of 102 unique surfaces is simulated with each protein sequence. A collection of 27-monomer sequences is used- each of which is non-degenerate and protein-like. Thermodynamic quantities such as the specific heat and free energy are calculated from the density of states, and are used to investigate the adsorption of lattice proteins on patterned substrates. Research supported by NSF.

Mixing enhancement of low-Reynolds electro-osmotic flows in microchannels with temperature-patterned walls.

PubMed

Alizadeh, A; Zhang, L; Wang, M

2014-10-01

Mixing becomes challenging in microchannels because of the low Reynolds number. This study aims to present a mixing enhancement method for electro-osmotic flows in microchannels using vortices caused by temperature-patterned walls. Since the fluid is non-isothermal, the conventional form of Nernst-Planck equation is modified by adding a new migration term which is dependent on both temperature and internal electric potential gradient. This term results in the so-called thermo-electrochemical migration phenomenon. The coupled Navier-Stokes, Poisson, modified Nernst-Planck, energy and advection-diffusion equations are iteratively solved by multiple lattice Boltzmann methods to obtain the velocity, internal electric potential, ion distribution, temperature and species concentration fields, respectively. To enhance the mixing, three schemes of temperature-patterned walls have been considered with symmetrical or asymmetrical arrangements of blocks with surface charge and temperature. Modeling results show that the asymmetric arrangement scheme is the most efficient scheme and enhances the mixing of species by 39% when the Reynolds number is on the order of 10(-3). Current results may help improve the design of micro-mixers at low Reynolds number. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Indirect Fabrication of Lattice Metals with Thin Sections Using Centrifugal Casting

PubMed Central

Mun, Jiwon; Ju, Jaehyung; Thurman, James

2016-01-01

One of the typical methods to manufacture 3D lattice metals is the direct-metal additive manufacturing (AM) process such as Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Electron Beam Melting (EBM). In spite of its potential processing capability, the direct AM method has several disadvantages such as high cost, poor surface finish of final products, limitation in material selection, high thermal stress, and anisotropic properties of parts. We propose a cost-effective method to manufacture 3D lattice metals. The objective of this study is to provide a detailed protocol on fabrication of 3D lattice metals having a complex shape and a thin wall thickness; e.g., octet truss made of Al and Cu alloys having a unit cell length of 5 mm and a cell wall thickness of 0.5 mm. An overall experimental procedure is divided into eight sections: (a) 3D printing of sacrificial patterns (b) melt-out of support materials (c) removal of residue of support materials (d) pattern assembly (e) investment (f) burn-out of sacrificial patterns (g) centrifugal casting (h) post-processing for final products. The suggested indirect AM technique provides the potential to manufacture ultra-lightweight lattice metals; e.g., lattice structures with Al alloys. It appears that the process parameters should be properly controlled depending on materials and lattice geometry, observing the final products of octet truss metals by the indirect AM technique. PMID:27214495

Indirect Fabrication of Lattice Metals with Thin Sections Using Centrifugal Casting.

PubMed

Mun, Jiwon; Ju, Jaehyung; Thurman, James

2016-05-14

One of the typical methods to manufacture 3D lattice metals is the direct-metal additive manufacturing (AM) process such as Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Electron Beam Melting (EBM). In spite of its potential processing capability, the direct AM method has several disadvantages such as high cost, poor surface finish of final products, limitation in material selection, high thermal stress, and anisotropic properties of parts. We propose a cost-effective method to manufacture 3D lattice metals. The objective of this study is to provide a detailed protocol on fabrication of 3D lattice metals having a complex shape and a thin wall thickness; e.g., octet truss made of Al and Cu alloys having a unit cell length of 5 mm and a cell wall thickness of 0.5 mm. An overall experimental procedure is divided into eight sections: (a) 3D printing of sacrificial patterns (b) melt-out of support materials (c) removal of residue of support materials (d) pattern assembly (e) investment (f) burn-out of sacrificial patterns (g) centrifugal casting (h) post-processing for final products. The suggested indirect AM technique provides the potential to manufacture ultra-lightweight lattice metals; e.g., lattice structures with Al alloys. It appears that the process parameters should be properly controlled depending on materials and lattice geometry, observing the final products of octet truss metals by the indirect AM technique.

Antiferromagnetic order in the Hubbard model on the Penrose lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koga, Akihisa; Tsunetsugu, Hirokazu

2017-12-01

We study an antiferromagnetic order in the ground state of the half-filled Hubbard model on the Penrose lattice and investigate the effects of quasiperiodic lattice structure. In the limit of infinitesimal Coulomb repulsion U →+0 , the staggered magnetizations persist to be finite, and their values are determined by confined states, which are strictly localized with thermodynamics degeneracy. The magnetizations exhibit an exotic spatial pattern, and have the same sign in each of cluster regions, the size of which ranges from 31 sites to infinity. With increasing U , they continuously evolve to those of the corresponding spin model in the U =∞ limit. In both limits of U , local magnetizations exhibit a fairly intricate spatial pattern that reflects the quasiperiodic structure, but the pattern differs between the two limits. We have analyzed this pattern change by a mode analysis by the singular value decomposition method for the fractal-like magnetization pattern projected into the perpendicular space.

Singlemode 1.1 μm InGaAs quantum well microstructured photonic crystal VCSEL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stevens, Renaud; Gilet, Philippe; Larrue, Alexandre; Grenouillet, Laurent; Olivier, Nicolas; Grosse, Philippe; Gilbert, Karen; Teysseyre, Raphael; Chelnokov, Alexei

2008-02-01

In this article, we present our results on long wavelength (1.1 μm) single-mode micro-structured photonic crystal strained InGaAs quantum wells VCSELs for optical interconnection applications. Single fundamental mode roomtemperature continuous-wave lasing operation was demonstrated for devices designed and processed with a number of different two-dimensional etched patterns. The conventional epitaxial structure was grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) and contains fully doped GaAs/AlGaAs DBRs, one oxidation layer and three strained InGaAs quantum wells. The holes were etched half-way through the top-mirror following various designs (triangular and square lattices) and with varying hole's diameters and pitches. At room temperature and in continuous wave operation, micro-structured 50 µm diameter mesa VCSELs with 10 μm oxidation aperture exhibited more than 1 mW optical power, 2 to 5 mA threshold currents and more than 30 dB side mode suppression ratio at a wavelength of 1090 nm. These structures show slight power reduction but similar electrical performances than unstructured devices. Systematic static electrical, optical and spectral characterization was performed on wafer using an automated probe station. Numerical modeling using the MIT Photonic-Bands (MPB [1]) package of the transverse modal behaviors in the photonic crystal was performed using the plane wave method in order to understand the index-guiding effects of the chosen patterns, and to further optimize the design structures for mode selection at extended wavelength range.

Polymorphic Nature of Iron and Degree of Lattice Preferred Orientation Beneath the Earth's Inner Core Boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mattesini, Maurizio; Belonoshko, Anatoly B.; Tkalčić, Hrvoje

2018-01-01

Deciphering the polymorphic nature and the degree of iron lattice-preferred orientation in the Earth's inner core holds a key to understanding the present status and evolution of the inner core. A multiphase lattice-preferred orientation pattern is obtained for the top 350 km of the inner core by means of the ab initio based Candy Wrapper Velocity Model coupled to a Monte Carlo phase discrimination scheme. The achieved geographic distribution of lattice alignment is characterized by two regions of freezing, namely within South America and the Western Central Pacific, that exhibit an uncommon high degree of lattice orientation. In contrast, widespread regions of melting of relatively weak lattice ordering permeate the rest of the inner core. The obtained multiphase lattice-preferred orientation pattern is in line with mantle-constrained geodynamo simulations and allows to setup an ad hoc mineral physics scenario for the complex Earth's inner core. It is found that the cubic phase of iron is the dominating iron polymorph in the outermost part of the inner core.

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

Microstructure and pinning properties of hexagonal-disc shaped single crystalline MgB2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, C. U.; Kim, J. Y.; Chowdhury, P.; Kim, Kijoon H.; Lee, Sung-Ik; Koh, D. S.; Tamura, N.; Caldwell, W. A.; Patel, J. R.

2002-11-01

We synthesized hexagonal-disc-shaped MgB2 single crystals under high-pressure conditions and analyzed the microstructure and pinning properties. The lattice constants and the Laue pattern of the crystals from x-ray micro-diffraction showed the crystal symmetry of MgB2. A thorough crystallographic mapping within a single crystal showed that the edge and c axis of hexagonal-disc shape exactly matched the [101¯0] and the [0001] directions of the MgB2 phase. Thus, these well-shaped single crystals may be the best candidates for studying the direction dependences of the physical properties. The magnetization curve and the magnetic hysteresis curve for these single crystals showed the existence of a wide reversible region and weak pinning properties, which supported our single crystals being very clean.

Micro-Raman study on the softening and stiffening of phonons in rutile titanium dioxide film: Competing effects of structural defects, crystallite size, and lattice strain

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

Gautam, Subodh K.; Singh, Fouran, E-mail: fouran@gmail.com; Sulania, I.

2014-04-14

Softening and stiffening of phonons in rutile titanium dioxide films are investigated by in situ micro-Raman studies during energetic ion irradiation. The in situ study minimized other possible mechanisms of phonon dynamics. Initial softening and broadening of Raman shift are attributed to the phonon confinement by structural defects and loss of stoichiometry. The stiffening of A{sub 1g} mode is ascribed to large distortion of TiO{sub 6} octahedra under the influence of lattice strain in the (110) plane, which gives rise to lengthening of equatorial Ti-O bond and shortening of apical Ti-O bond. The shortening of apical Ti-O bond induces stiffeningmore » of A{sub 1g} mode in the framework of the bond-order-length-strength correlation mechanism.« less

Micro-navigation in complex periodic environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chamolly, Alexander; Ishikawa, Takuji; Lauga, Eric

2017-11-01

Natural and artificial small-scale swimmers may often self-propel in environments subject to complex geometrical constraints. While most past theoretical work on low-Reynolds number locomotion addressed idealised geometrical situations, not much is known on the motion of swimmers in heterogeneous environments. We investigate theoretically and numerically the behaviour of a single spherical micro-swimmer located in an infinite, periodic body-centred cubic lattice consisting of rigid inert spheres of the same size as the swimmer. We uncover a surprising and complex phase diagram of qualitatively different trajectories depending on the lattice packing density and swimming actuation strength. These results are then rationalised using hydrodynamic theory. In particular we show that the far-field nature of the swimmer (pusher vs. puller) governs the behaviour even at high volume fractions. ERC Grant PhyMeBa (682754, EL); JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) (17H00853, TI).

Delay-induced patterns in a two-dimensional lattice of coupled oscillators

PubMed Central

Kantner, Markus; Schöll, Eckehard; Yanchuk, Serhiy

2015-01-01

We show how a variety of stable spatio-temporal periodic patterns can be created in 2D-lattices of coupled oscillators with non-homogeneous coupling delays. The results are illustrated using the FitzHugh-Nagumo coupled neurons as well as coupled limit cycle (Stuart-Landau) oscillators. A “hybrid dispersion relation” is introduced, which describes the stability of the patterns in spatially extended systems with large time-delay. PMID:25687789

Robust image retrieval from noisy inputs using lattice associative memories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urcid, Gonzalo; Nieves-V., José Angel; García-A., Anmi; Valdiviezo-N., Juan Carlos

2009-02-01

Lattice associative memories also known as morphological associative memories are fully connected feedforward neural networks with no hidden layers, whose computation at each node is carried out with lattice algebra operations. These networks are a relatively recent development in the field of associative memories that has proven to be an alternative way to work with sets of pattern pairs for which the storage and retrieval stages use minimax algebra. Different associative memory models have been proposed to cope with the problem of pattern recall under input degradations, such as occlusions or random noise, where input patterns can be composed of binary or real valued entries. In comparison to these and other artificial neural network memories, lattice algebra based memories display better performance for storage and recall capability; however, the computational techniques devised to achieve that purpose require additional processing or provide partial success when inputs are presented with undetermined noise levels. Robust retrieval capability of an associative memory model is usually expressed by a high percentage of perfect recalls from non-perfect input. The procedure described here uses noise masking defined by simple lattice operations together with appropriate metrics, such as the normalized mean squared error or signal to noise ratio, to boost the recall performance of either the min or max lattice auto-associative memories. Using a single lattice associative memory, illustrative examples are given that demonstrate the enhanced retrieval of correct gray-scale image associations from inputs corrupted with random noise.

Experimentally observed evolution between dynamic patterns and intrinsic localized modes in a driven nonlinear electrical cyclic lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shige, S.; Miyasaka, K.; Shi, W.; Soga, Y.; Sato, M.; Sievers, A. J.

2018-02-01

Locked intrinsic localized modes (ILMs) and large amplitude lattice spatial modes (LSMs) have been experimentally measured for a driven 1-D nonlinear cyclic electric transmission line, where the nonlinear element is a saturable capacitor. Depending on the number of cells and electrical lattice damping an LSM of fixed shape can be tuned across the modal spectrum. Interestingly, by tuning the driver frequency away from this spectrum the LSM can be continuously converted into ILMs and vice versa. The differences in pattern formation between simulations and experimental findings are due to a low concentration of impurities. Through this novel nonlinear excitation and switching channel in cyclic lattices either energy balanced or unbalanced LSMs and ILMs may occur. Because of the general nature of these dynamical results for nonintegrable lattices applications are to be expected. The ultimate stability of driven aero machinery containing nonlinear periodic structures may be one example.

Lattice distortions in GaN on sapphire using the CBED-HOLZ technique.

PubMed

Sridhara Rao, D V; McLaughlin, K; Kappers, M J; Humphreys, C J

2009-09-01

The convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) methodology was developed to investigate the lattice distortions in wurtzite gallium nitride (GaN) from a single zone-axis pattern. The methodology enabled quantitative measurements of lattice distortions (alpha, beta, gamma and c) in transmission electron microscope (TEM) specimens of a GaN film grown on (0,0,0,1) sapphire by metal-organic vapour-phase epitaxy. The CBED patterns were obtained at different distances from the GaN/sapphire interface. The results show that GaN is triclinic above the interface with an increased lattice parameter c. At 0.85 microm from the interface, alpha=90 degrees , beta=8905 degrees and gamma=11966 degrees . The GaN lattice relaxes steadily back to hexagonal further away from the sapphire substrate. The GaN distortions are mainly confined to the initial stages of growth involving the growth and the coalescence of 3D GaN islands.

Instability mechanisms in microfluidics and nanomaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thamida, Sunil Kumar

Recent scientific advances in chemical engineering are leading to synthesis of micro-scale and nano-scale functional devices and materials. However, optimal design and performance of these devices and materials requires a fundamental under standing of the interfacial phenomena at micro-scale and nano-scale. Due to new physical forces unique to small scales, new phenomena appear that are unexpected at large scales. A study of new interfacial patterns that arise from various interfacial instabilities at these scales is carried out in this dissertation. Nevertheless, interfacial patterns ranging from micro to macro scale are ubiquitous in multiphase systems and material synthesis involving a surface reaction. Fractal break up of a thin viscous oil film dewetting between two separating plates is studied experimentally. Unlike the classical patterns of pores and dendrites, it forms a fractal pattern like a branching tree with its origin at the center of the circular film. Lubrication theory is extended to such a fractal geometry, which is unlike the circular geometry of a classical dewetting problem. A power law scaling is obtained for the radial air finger length distribution to construct an idealized Cayley fractal structure. Our theory yields a result that the plate detach time decreases by half in the limit of a fully fractal pattern that is confirmed experimentally. Nanopore formation in anodized alumina is also found to bear similarities to the interfacial pattern formation of the dewetting film between two separating plates. The oxide layer formed on the aluminum during the initial stages of anodizing is found to be unstable to perturbations on the scale of a few nanometers and hence it leads to the nanopore formation. A linear stability analysis of the dual interfacial dynamics followed by a leading mode projection produces a single evolution equation for the pores. Numerical simulations of the nonlinear model reveals the hexagonal packing and self-organization dynamics of the pores. In microfluidic devices, electrokinetic flow produces spiral vortices and corner aggregation of particles and proteins at an inner corner of a channel turn that is unexplained by the short ranged DLVO forces. Field leakage effect due to the non perfectly insulating wall reveals a nonlinear singular and ejecting slip velocity condition at an acute angled sharp corner. The complete flow streamlines, vortices and the corner entrainment are revealed by conformal mapping, harmonic analysis and numerical simulation using Lattice-Boltzmann-Method (LBM). The method of hodograph transform developed for the earlier projects to solve the Laplace equation is also applied to find optimum shapes of dispersion free turns for electro-osmotic microfluidic channels.

Design and fabrication of semi-transparent screen based on micro-patterns for direct-view type head-up display in automobiles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Jae-Yong; Kim, Hyo-Jun; Kim, Young-Joo

2016-02-01

A semi-transparent screen with hemisphere micro-patterns was proposed and designed to enhance the brightness uniformity of the display image toward the driver for a direct-view type head-up display. The hemisphere micro-patterns were designed to consider the inclined angle of the windshield for efficient reflection and scattering toward to the driver. The density and radius of the hemisphere micro-patterns were adjusted as a function of position on the screen based on the geometrical calculation and analyzed by the commercial optical simulation tool based on a ray-tracing method. The designed hemisphere micro-patterns was fabricated by the thermal reflow method and evaluated to confirm the uniform illumination. From the results, the semi-transparent screen with variable micro-patterns shows the 91.9 % of brightness uniformity with the enhanced luminance compare to a screen without micro-patterns. A luminance of fabricated screen also shows good agreement with the simulation result to reflect the clear and bright driving information to the driver.

Micro Dot Patterning on the Light Guide Panel Using Powder Blasting.

PubMed

Jang, Ho Su; Cho, Myeong Woo; Park, Dong Sam

2008-02-08

This study is to develop a micromachining technology for a light guidepanel(LGP) mold, whereby micro dot patterns are formed on a LGP surface by a singleinjection process instead of existing screen printing processes. The micro powder blastingtechnique is applied to form micro dot patterns on the LGP mold surface. The optimalconditions for masking, laminating, exposure, and developing processes to form the microdot patterns are first experimentally investigated. A LGP mold with masked micro patternsis then machined using the micro powder blasting method and the machinability of themicro dot patterns is verified. A prototype LGP is test- injected using the developed LGPmold and a shape analysis of the patterns and performance testing of the injected LGP arecarried out. As an additional approach, matte finishing, a special surface treatment method,is applied to the mold surface to improve the light diffusion characteristics, uniformity andbrightness of the LGP. The results of this study show that the applied powder blastingmethod can be successfully used to manufacture LGPs with micro patterns by just singleinjection using the developed mold and thereby replace existing screen printing methods.

Strain and lattice orientation distribution in SiN/Ge complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor compatible light emitting microstructures by quick x-ray nano-diffraction microscopy

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

Chahine, G. A.; Schülli, T. U.; Zoellner, M. H.

2015-02-16

This paper presents a study of the spatial distribution of strain and lattice orientation in CMOS-fabricated strained Ge microstripes using high resolution x-ray micro-diffraction. The recently developed model-free characterization tool, based on a quick scanning x-ray diffraction microscopy technique can image strain down to levels of 10{sup −5} (Δa/a) with a spatial resolution of ∼0.5 μm. Strain and lattice tilt are extracted using the strain and orientation calculation software package X-SOCS. The obtained results are compared with the biaxial strain distribution obtained by lattice parameter-sensitive μ-Raman and μ-photoluminescence measurements. The experimental data are interpreted with the help of finite element modelingmore » of the strain relaxation dynamics in the investigated structures.« less

Coupling Graphene Sheets with Magnetic Nanoparticles for Energy Storage and Microelectronics

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-08-13

sheets obtained from three different synthetic methods: (i) electrochemical exfoliation of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite ( HOPG ) [8], (ii...Figure 8d, the characteristic lattice fringes of ɤ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles in graphene sheet is shown. Typical X-ray diffraction ( XRD ) patterns of the HOPG ...pattern in honey comb crystal lattice, (c) TEM (d) HRTEM image of graphene- PyDop1-MNP hybrid, (e) XRD pattern of the HOPG , exfoliated graphene, PyDop1

Wave Propagation Measurements on Two-Dimensional Lattice.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-09-15

of boundaries, lattice member connectivities, and structural defects on these parameters. Perhaps, statistical energy analysis or pattern recognition techniques would also be of benefit in such efforts.

Direct writing of micro/nano-scale patterns by means of particle lens arrays scanned by a focused diode pumped Nd:YVO4 laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pena, Ana; Wang, Zengbo; Whitehead, David; Li, Lin

2010-11-01

A practical approach to a well-known technique of laser micro/nano-patterning by optical near fields is presented. It is based on surface patterning by scanning a Gaussian laser beam through a self-assembled monolayer of silica micro-spheres on a single-crystalline silicon (Si) substrate. So far, the outcome of this kind of near-field patterning has been related to the simultaneous, parallel surface-structuring of large areas either by top hat or Gaussian laser intensity distributions. We attempt to explore the possibility of using the same technique in order to produce single, direct writing of features. This could be of advantage for applications in which only some areas need to be patterned (i.e. local area selective patterning) or single lines are required (e.g. a particular micro/nano-fluidic channel). A diode pumped Nd:YVO4 laser system (wavelength of 532 nm, pulse duration of 8 ns, repetition rate of 30 kHz) with a computer-controlled 3 axis galvanometer beam scanner was employed to write user-defined patterns through the particle lens array on the Si substrate. After laser irradiation, the obtained patterns which are in the micro-scale were composed of sub-micro/micro-holes or bumps. The micro-pattern resolution depends on the dimension of both the micro-sphere’s diameter and the beam’s spot size. The developed technique could potentially be employed to fabricate photonic crystal structures mimicking nature’s butterfly wings and anti-reflective “moth eye” arrays for photovoltaic cells.

Equivalence classes of Fibonacci lattices and their similarity properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lo Gullo, N.; Vittadello, L.; Bazzan, M.; Dell'Anna, L.

2016-08-01

We investigate, theoretically and experimentally, the properties of Fibonacci lattices with arbitrary spacings. Different from periodic structures, the reciprocal lattice and the dynamical properties of Fibonacci lattices depend strongly on the lengths of their lattice parameters, even if the sequence of long and short segment, the Fibonacci string, is the same. In this work we show that by exploiting a self-similarity property of Fibonacci strings under a suitable composition rule, it is possible to define equivalence classes of Fibonacci lattices. We show that the diffraction patterns generated by Fibonacci lattices belonging to the same equivalence class can be rescaled to a common pattern of strong diffraction peaks thus giving to this classification a precise meaning. Furthermore we show that, through the gap labeling theorem, gaps in the energy spectra of Fibonacci crystals belonging to the same class can be labeled by the same momenta (up to a proper rescaling) and that the larger gaps correspond to the strong peaks of the diffraction spectra. This observation makes the definition of equivalence classes meaningful also for the spectral and therefore dynamical and thermodynamical properties of quasicrystals. Our results apply to the more general class of quasiperiodic lattices for which similarity under a suitable deflation rule is in order.

Flexible Micro-and Nano-Patterning Tools for Photonics

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-10

AFRL-AFOSR-VA-TR-2016-0125 Flexible Micro- and Nano -Patterning Tools for Photonics Henry Smith LUMARRAY INC. 15 WARD ST. SOMERVILLE, MA 21434228 03...14-01-2015 4.  TITLE AND SUBTITLE Flexible Micro- and Nano -Patterning Tools for Photonics - OSD STTR Phase 2 5a.  CONTRACT NUMBER FA9550-12-C-0082 5b...2016https://livelink.ebs.afrl.af.mil/livelink/llisapi.dll DISTRIBUTION A: Distribution approved for public release. FLEXIBLE MICRO- AND NANO - PATTERNING

Photoinduced Domain Pattern Transformation in Ferroelectric-Dielectric Superlattices

DOE PAGES

Ahn, Youngjun; Park, Joonkyu; Pateras, Anastasios; ...

2017-07-31

The nanodomain pattern in ferroelectric/dielectric superlattices transforms to a uniform polarization state under above-bandgap optical excitation. X-ray scattering reveals a disappearance of domain diffuse scattering and an expansion of the lattice. Furthermore, the reappearance of the domain pattern occurs over a period of seconds at room temperature, suggesting a transformation mechanism in which charge carriers in long-lived trap states screen the depolarization field. A Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire model predicts changes in lattice parameter and a critical carrier concentration for the transformation.

Photoinduced Domain Pattern Transformation in Ferroelectric-Dielectric Superlattices

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

Ahn, Youngjun; Park, Joonkyu; Pateras, Anastasios

2017-07-01

The nanodomain pattern in ferroelectric/dielectric superlattices transforms to a uniform polarization state under above-bandgap optical excitation. X-ray scattering reveals a disappearance of domain diffuse scattering and an expansion of the lattice. The reappearance of the domain pattern occurs over a period of seconds at room temperature, suggesting a transformation mechanism in which charge carriers in long-lived trap states screen the depolarization field. A Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire model predicts changes in lattice parameter and a critical carrier concentration for the transformation.

Microstructural and surface modifications and hydroxyapatite coating of Ti-6Al-4V triply periodic minimal surface lattices fabricated by selective laser melting.

PubMed

Yan, Chunze; Hao, Liang; Hussein, Ahmed; Wei, Qingsong; Shi, Yusheng

2017-06-01

Ti-6Al-4V Gyroid triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) lattices were manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM). The as-built Ti-6Al-4V lattices exhibit an out-of-equilibrium microstructure with very fine α' martensitic laths. When subjected to the heat treatment of 1050°C for 4h followed by furnace cooling, the lattices show a homogenous and equilibrium lamellar α+β microstructure with less dislocation and crystallographic defects compared with the as-built α' martensite. The as-built lattices present very rough strut surfaces bonded with plenty of partially melted metal particles. The sand blasting nearly removed all the bonded metal particles, but created many tiny cracks. The HCl etching eliminated these tiny cracks, and subsequent NaOH etching resulted in many small and shallow micro-pits and develops a sodium titanate hydrogel layer on the surfaces of the lattices. When soaked in simulated body fluid (SBF), the Ti-6Al-4V TPMS lattices were covered with a compact and homogeneous biomimetic hydroxyapatite (HA) layer. This work proposes a new method for making Ti-6Al-4V TPMS lattices with a homogenous and equilibrium microstructure and biomimetic HA coating, which show both tough and bioactive characteristics and can be promising materials usable as bone substitutes. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

CFD modeling of catheter-based Chemofilter device for filtering chemotherapy drugs from venous flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maani, Nazanin; Yee, Daryl; Nosonovsky, Michael; Greer, Julia; Hetts, Steven; Rayz, Vitaliy

2017-11-01

Purpose: Intra-arterial chemotherapy, a procedure where drugs are injected into arteries supplying a tumor, may cause systemic toxicity. The Chemofilter device, deployed in a vein downstream of the tumor, can chemically filter the excessive drugs from the circulation. In our study, CFD modeling of blood flow through the Chemofilter is used to optimize its hemodynamic performance. Methods:The Chemofilter consists of a porous membrane attached to a stent-like frame of the RX Accunet distal protection filters used for capturing blood clots. The membrane is formed by a lattice of symmetric micro-cells. This design provides a large surface area for the drug binding, and allows blood cells to pass through the lattice. A two-scale modeling approach is used, where the flow through individual micro-cells is simulated to determine the lattice permeability and then the entire device is modeled as a porous membrane. Results: The simulations detected regions of flow stagnation and recirculation caused by the membrane and its supporting frame. The effect of the membrane's leading angle on the velocity and pressure fields was determined. The device optimization will help the efficacy of drug absorption, while the risk of blood clotting reduces. NIH NCI R01CA194533.

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

de Hatten, Xavier; Cournia, Zoe; Huc, Ivan

The increasing importance of hydrogenase enzymes in the new energy research field has led us to examine the structure and dynamics of potential hydrogenase mimics, based on a ferrocene-peptide scaffold, using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. To enable this MD study, a molecular mechanics force field for ferrocene-bearing peptides was developed and implemented in the CHARMM simulation package, thus extending the usefulness of the package into peptide-bioorganometallic chemistry. Using the automated frequency-matching method (AFMM), optimized intramolecular force-field parameters were generated through quantum chemical reference normal modes. The partial charges for ferrocene were derived by fitting point charges to quantum-chemically computed electrostaticmore » potentials. The force field was tested against experimental X-ray crystal structures of dipeptide derivatives of ferrocene-1,1'-dicarboxylic acid. The calculations reproduce accurately the molecular geometries, including the characteristic C{sub 2}-symmetrical intramolecular hydrogen-bonding pattern, that were stable over 0.1 {micro}s MD simulations. The crystal packing properties of ferrocene-1-(D)alanine-(D)proline-1'-(D)alanine-(D)proline were also accurately reproduced. The lattice parameters of this crystal were conserved during a 0.1 {micro}s MD simulation and match the experimental values almost exactly. Simulations of the peptides in dichloromethane are also in good agreement with experimental NMR and circular dichroism (CD) data in solution. The developed force field was used to perform MD simulations on novel, as yet unsynthesized peptide fragments that surround the active site of [Ni-Fe] hydrogenase. The results of this simulation lead us to propose an improved design for synthetic peptide-based hydrogenase models. The presented MD simulation results of metallocenes thereby provide a convincing validation of our proposal to use ferrocene-peptides as minimal enzyme mimics.« less

Adhesive micro-line periodicity determines guidance of axonal outgrowth†

PubMed Central

Huang, Yu; Fothergill, Thomas; Lumbard, Derek C.; Dent, Erik W.; Williams, Justin C.

2014-01-01

Adhesive micro-lines of various sub-cellular geometries were created using a non-traditional micro stamping technique. This technique employed the use of commercially available diffraction gratings as the molds for the micro stamps, a method which is quick and inexpensive, and which could easily be adopted as a patterning tool in a variety of research efforts. The atypical saw-tooth profile of the micro stamps enabled a unique degree of control and flexibility over patterned line and gap widths. Cortical neurons cultured on patterned poly-lysine micro-lines on PDMS exhibit a startling transition in axonal guidance: From the expected parallel guidance to an unexpected perpendicular guidance that becomes dominant as patterned lines and gaps become sufficiently narrow. This transition is most obvious when the lines are narrow relative to gaps, while the periodicity of the pattern is reduced. Axons growing perpendicular to micro-lines exhibited ‘vinculated’ growth, a unique morphological phenotype consisting of periodic orthogonal extensions along the axon. PMID:23250489

Substrate temperature effect on structural and optical properties of Bi2Te3 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jariwala, B. S.; Shah, D. V.; Kheraj, Vipul

2012-06-01

Structural and optical properties of Bi2Te3 thin films, thermally evaporated on well-cleaned glass substrates at different substrate temperatures, are reported here. X-ray diffraction was carried out for the structural characterization. XRD patterns of the films exhibit preferential orientation along the [0 1 5] direction for the films deposited at all the substrate temperatures together with other supported planes [2 0 5] & [1 1 0]. All other deposition conditions like thickness, deposition rate and pressure were maintained same throughout the experiment. X-ray diffraction lines confirm that the grown films are polycrystalline in nature with hexagonal crystal structure. The effect of substrate temperature on lattice constants, grain size, micro strain, number of crystallites and dislocation density have been investigated and reported in this paper. Also the substrate temperature effect on the optical property has been also investigated using the FTIR spectroscopy.

High Pressure X-Ray Diffraction Studies of Nanocrystalline Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Palosz, B.; Stel'makh, S.; Grzanka, E.; Gierlotka, S.; Palosz, W.

2004-01-01

Experimental evidence obtained for a variety of nanocrystalline materials suggest that the crystallographic structure of a very small size particle deviates from that in the bulk crystals. In this paper we show the effect of the surface of nanocrystals on their structure by the analysis of generation and distribution of macro- and micro-strains at high pressures and their dependence on the grain size in nanocrystalline powders of Sic. We studied the structure of Sic nanocrystals by in-situ high-pressure powder diffraction technique using synchrotron and neutron sources and hydrostatic or isostatic pressure conditions. The diffraction measurements were done in HASYLAB at DESY using a Diamond Anvil Cell (DAC) in the energy dispersive geometry in the diffraction vector range up to 3.5 - 4/A and under pressures up to 50 GPa at room temperature. In-situ high pressure neutron diffraction measurements were done at LANSCE in Los Alamos National Laboratory using the HIPD and HIPPO diffractometers with the Paris-Edinburgh and TAP-98 cells, respectively, in the diffraction vector range up to 26 Examination of the response of the material to external stresses requires nonstandard methodology of the materials characterization and description. Although every diffraction pattern contains a complete information on macro- and micro-strains, a high pressure experiment can reveal only those factors which contribute to the characteristic diffraction patterns of the crystalline phases present in the sample. The elastic properties of powders with the grain size from several nm to micrometers were examined using three methodologies: (l), the analysis of positions and widths of individual Bragg reflections (used for calculating macro- and micro-strains generated during densification) [I], (2). the analysis of the dependence of the experimental apparent lattice parameter, alp, on the diffraction vector Q [2], and (3), the atomic Pair Distribution Function (PDF) technique [3]. The results of our studies show, that Sic nanocrystals have the features of two phases, each with its distinct elastic properties. and under pressures up to 8 GPa.

Noise tolerant dendritic lattice associative memories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritter, Gerhard X.; Schmalz, Mark S.; Hayden, Eric; Tucker, Marc

2011-09-01

Linear classifiers based on computation over the real numbers R (e.g., with operations of addition and multiplication) denoted by (R, +, x), have been represented extensively in the literature of pattern recognition. However, a different approach to pattern classification involves the use of addition, maximum, and minimum operations over the reals in the algebra (R, +, maximum, minimum) These pattern classifiers, based on lattice algebra, have been shown to exhibit superior information storage capacity, fast training and short convergence times, high pattern classification accuracy, and low computational cost. Such attributes are not always found, for example, in classical neural nets based on the linear inner product. In a special type of lattice associative memory (LAM), called a dendritic LAM or DLAM, it is possible to achieve noise-tolerant pattern classification by varying the design of noise or error acceptance bounds. This paper presents theory and algorithmic approaches for the computation of noise-tolerant lattice associative memories (LAMs) under a variety of input constraints. Of particular interest are the classification of nonergodic data in noise regimes with time-varying statistics. DLAMs, which are a specialization of LAMs derived from concepts of biological neural networks, have successfully been applied to pattern classification from hyperspectral remote sensing data, as well as spatial object recognition from digital imagery. The authors' recent research in the development of DLAMs is overviewed, with experimental results that show utility for a wide variety of pattern classification applications. Performance results are presented in terms of measured computational cost, noise tolerance, classification accuracy, and throughput for a variety of input data and noise levels.

Invariant patterns in crystal lattices: Implications for protein folding algorithms

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

HART,WILLIAM E.; ISTRAIL,SORIN

2000-06-01

Crystal lattices are infinite periodic graphs that occur naturally in a variety of geometries and which are of fundamental importance in polymer science. Discrete models of protein folding use crystal lattices to define the space of protein conformations. Because various crystal lattices provide discretizations of the same physical phenomenon, it is reasonable to expect that there will exist invariants across lattices related to fundamental properties of the protein folding process. This paper considers whether performance-guaranteed approximability is such an invariant for HP lattice models. The authors define a master approximation algorithm that has provable performance guarantees provided that a specificmore » sublattice exists within a given lattice. They describe a broad class of crystal lattices that are approximable, which further suggests that approximability is a general property of HP lattice models.« less

A lattice model for influenza spreading.

PubMed

Liccardo, Antonella; Fierro, Annalisa

2013-01-01

We construct a stochastic SIR model for influenza spreading on a D-dimensional lattice, which represents the dynamic contact network of individuals. An age distributed population is placed on the lattice and moves on it. The displacement from a site to a nearest neighbor empty site, allows individuals to change the number and identities of their contacts. The dynamics on the lattice is governed by an attractive interaction between individuals belonging to the same age-class. The parameters, which regulate the pattern dynamics, are fixed fitting the data on the age-dependent daily contact numbers, furnished by the Polymod survey. A simple SIR transmission model with a nearest neighbors interaction and some very basic adaptive mobility restrictions complete the model. The model is validated against the age-distributed Italian epidemiological data for the influenza A(H1N1) during the [Formula: see text] season, with sensible predictions for the epidemiological parameters. For an appropriate topology of the lattice, we find that, whenever the accordance between the contact patterns of the model and the Polymod data is satisfactory, there is a good agreement between the numerical and the experimental epidemiological data. This result shows how rich is the information encoded in the average contact patterns of individuals, with respect to the analysis of the epidemic spreading of an infectious disease.

Sho-saiko-to, a traditional herbal medicine, regulates gene expression and biological function by way of microRNAs in primary mouse hepatocytes

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Sho-saiko-to (SST) (also known as so-shi-ho-tang or xiao-chai-hu-tang) has been widely prescribed for chronic liver diseases in traditional Oriental medicine. Despite the substantial amount of clinical evidence for SST, its molecular mechanism has not been clearly identified at a genome-wide level. Methods By using a microarray, we analyzed the temporal changes of messenger RNA (mRNA) and microRNA expression in primary mouse hepatocytes after SST treatment. The pattern of genes regulated by SST was identified by using time-series microarray analysis. The biological function of genes was measured by pathway analysis. For the identification of the exact targets of the microRNAs, a permutation-based correlation method was implemented in which the temporal expression of mRNAs and microRNAs were integrated. The similarity of the promoter structure between temporally regulated genes was measured by analyzing the transcription factor binding sites in the promoter region. Results The SST-regulated gene expression had two major patterns: (1) a temporally up-regulated pattern (463 genes) and (2) a temporally down-regulated pattern (177 genes). The integration of the genes and microRNA demonstrated that 155 genes could be the targets of microRNAs from the temporally up-regulated pattern and 19 genes could be the targets of microRNAs from the temporally down-regulated pattern. The temporally up-regulated pattern by SST was associated with signaling pathways such as the cell cycle pathway, whereas the temporally down-regulated pattern included drug metabolism-related pathways and immune-related pathways. All these pathways could be possibly associated with liver regenerative activity of SST. Genes targeted by microRNA were moreover associated with different biological pathways from the genes not targeted by microRNA. An analysis of promoter similarity indicated that co-expressed genes after SST treatment were clustered into subgroups, depending on the temporal expression patterns. Conclusions We are the first to identify that SST regulates temporal gene expression by way of microRNA. MicroRNA targets and non-microRNA targets moreover have different biological roles. This functional segregation by microRNA would be critical for the elucidation of the molecular activities of SST. PMID:24410935

Sho-saiko-to, a traditional herbal medicine, regulates gene expression and biological function by way of microRNAs in primary mouse hepatocytes.

PubMed

Song, Kwang Hoon; Kim, Yun Hee; Kim, Bu-Yeo

2014-01-11

Sho-saiko-to (SST) (also known as so-shi-ho-tang or xiao-chai-hu-tang) has been widely prescribed for chronic liver diseases in traditional Oriental medicine. Despite the substantial amount of clinical evidence for SST, its molecular mechanism has not been clearly identified at a genome-wide level. By using a microarray, we analyzed the temporal changes of messenger RNA (mRNA) and microRNA expression in primary mouse hepatocytes after SST treatment. The pattern of genes regulated by SST was identified by using time-series microarray analysis. The biological function of genes was measured by pathway analysis. For the identification of the exact targets of the microRNAs, a permutation-based correlation method was implemented in which the temporal expression of mRNAs and microRNAs were integrated. The similarity of the promoter structure between temporally regulated genes was measured by analyzing the transcription factor binding sites in the promoter region. The SST-regulated gene expression had two major patterns: (1) a temporally up-regulated pattern (463 genes) and (2) a temporally down-regulated pattern (177 genes). The integration of the genes and microRNA demonstrated that 155 genes could be the targets of microRNAs from the temporally up-regulated pattern and 19 genes could be the targets of microRNAs from the temporally down-regulated pattern. The temporally up-regulated pattern by SST was associated with signaling pathways such as the cell cycle pathway, whereas the temporally down-regulated pattern included drug metabolism-related pathways and immune-related pathways. All these pathways could be possibly associated with liver regenerative activity of SST. Genes targeted by microRNA were moreover associated with different biological pathways from the genes not targeted by microRNA. An analysis of promoter similarity indicated that co-expressed genes after SST treatment were clustered into subgroups, depending on the temporal expression patterns. We are the first to identify that SST regulates temporal gene expression by way of microRNA. MicroRNA targets and non-microRNA targets moreover have different biological roles. This functional segregation by microRNA would be critical for the elucidation of the molecular activities of SST.

Annealing a magnetic cactus into phyllotaxis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nisoli, Cristiano; Gabor, Nathaniel M.; Lammert, Paul E.; Maynard, J. D.; Crespi, Vincent H.

2010-04-01

The appearance of mathematical regularities in the disposition of leaves on a stem, scales on a pine-cone, and spines on a cactus has puzzled scholars for millennia; similar so-called phyllotactic patterns are seen in self-organized growth, polypeptides, convection, magnetic flux lattices and ion beams. Levitov showed that a cylindrical lattice of repulsive particles can reproduce phyllotaxis under the (unproved) assumption that minimum of energy would be achieved by two-dimensional Bravais lattices. Here we provide experimental and numerical evidence that the Phyllotactic lattice is actually a ground state. When mechanically annealed, our experimental “magnetic cactus” precisely reproduces botanical phyllotaxis, along with domain boundaries (called transitions in Botany) between different phyllotactic patterns. We employ a structural genetic algorithm to explore the more general axially unconstrained case, which reveals multijugate (multiple spirals) as well as monojugate (single-spiral) phyllotaxis.

Simulation of condensation and liquid break-up on a micro-object with upper and lower movable walls using Lattice Boltzmann Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asadollahi, Arash; Esmaeeli, Asghar

2018-05-01

In this paper, two-dimensional condensation, liquid behavior on the micro-object with moving walls, and breaking up have been investigated by the Shan and Chen multiphase Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM), which has the ability to incorporate interactions such as fluid-fluid, and also fluid-solid. Four test cases with low, medium, high, and very high Weber numbers are investigated considering the velocity control of walls in detail. Vertical spread fraction n / h (where n is the minimum liquid thickness after deformation and h is the maximum length of liquid deformation in each time) decreases quickly indicating the liquid tendency to breakup in all cases. Except for the case of a very high Weber number, the separation will not happen and finally after fluctuation the fixed bulk of condensed liquid will be placed on the side of the micro-object. The maximum value of reaction parameter h / d becomes larger as the Weber number increases. It is shown that an increase in the Weber number leads to liquid breakup and this mechanism provides an effective way for removing the condensed liquid from micro-devices surfaces. The results by LBM reveal the liquid evolutionary behavior and breaking up over time and show that it is a controllable situation by manipulating the walls velocity. Moreover, it can be used in order to centralize and aggregate all the liquid to a specific direction.

Band-gap analysis of a novel lattice with a hierarchical periodicity using the spectral element method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Zhijing; Li, Fengming; Zhang, Chuanzeng

2018-05-01

Inspired by the hierarchical structures of butterfly wing surfaces, a new kind of lattice structures with a two-order hierarchical periodicity is proposed and designed, and the band-gap properties are investigated by the spectral element method (SEM). The equations of motion of the whole structure are established considering the macro and micro periodicities of the system. The efficiency of the SEM is exploited in the modeling process and validated by comparing the results with that of the finite element method (FEM). Based on the highly accurate results in the frequency domain, the dynamic behaviors of the proposed two-order hierarchical structures are analyzed. An original and interesting finding is the existence of the distinct macro and micro stop-bands in the given frequency domain. The mechanisms for these two types of band-gaps are also explored. Finally, the relations between the hierarchical periodicities and the different types of the stop-bands are investigated by analyzing the parametrical influences.

Parasol cell mosaics are unlikely to drive the formation of structured orientation maps in primary visual cortex.

PubMed

Hore, Victoria R A; Troy, John B; Eglen, Stephen J

2012-11-01

The receptive fields of on- and off-center parasol cell mosaics independently tile the retina to ensure efficient sampling of visual space. A recent theoretical model represented the on- and off-center mosaics by noisy hexagonal lattices of slightly different density. When the two lattices are overlaid, long-range Moiré interference patterns are generated. These Moiré interference patterns have been suggested to drive the formation of highly structured orientation maps in visual cortex. Here, we show that noisy hexagonal lattices do not capture the spatial statistics of parasol cell mosaics. An alternative model based upon local exclusion zones, termed as the pairwise interaction point process (PIPP) model, generates patterns that are statistically indistinguishable from parasol cell mosaics. A key difference between the PIPP model and the hexagonal lattice model is that the PIPP model does not generate Moiré interference patterns, and hence stimulated orientation maps do not show any hexagonal structure. Finally, we estimate the spatial extent of spatial correlations in parasol cell mosaics to be only 200-350 μm, far less than that required to generate Moiré interference. We conclude that parasol cell mosaics are too disordered to drive the formation of highly structured orientation maps in visual cortex.

Micro Blowing Simulations Using a Coupled Finite-Volume Lattice-Boltzman n L ES Approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Menon, S.; Feiz, H.

1990-01-01

Three dimensional large-eddy simulations (LES) of single and multiple jet-in-cross-flow (JICF) are conducted using the 19-bit Lattice Boltzmann Equation (LBE) method coupled with a conventional finite-volume (FV) scheme. In this coupled LBE-FV approach, the LBE-LES is employed to simulate the flow inside the jet nozzles while the FV-LES is used to simulate the crossflow. The key application area is the use of this technique is to study the micro blowing technique (MBT) for drag control similar to the recent experiments at NASA/GRC. It is necessary to resolve the flow inside the micro-blowing and suction holes with high resolution without being restricted by the FV time-step restriction. The coupled LBE-FV-LES approach achieves this objectives in a computationally efficient manner. A single jet in crossflow case is used for validation purpose and the results are compared with experimental data and full LBE-LES simulation. Good agreement with data is obtained. Subsequently, MBT over a flat plate with porosity of 25% is simulated using 9 jets in a compressible cross flow at a Mach number of 0.4. It is shown that MBT suppresses the near-wall vortices and reduces the skin friction by up to 50 percent. This is in good agreement with experimental data.

Diamond For Optical Material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clay, Robert D.; Clay, John P.

1984-12-01

Clay Engineering Inc. currently has a proposal before DARPA to manufacture large optical quality diamond for use as optical material. The manufactured diamond will be approximately 100 mm in diameter by 100 mm long. The cost of producing the diamond is expected to be three dollars per carat. It is expected that total impurities of a few parts per billion can readily be obtained. A study of diamond is a study of the effects of impurities. The elements boron and nitrogen can replace carbon atoms in the lattice structure, making diamond a "P" or "N" type semiconductor. Diamonds which are not semiconductors are classified as type IIa. The presence of B or N in the lattice causes diamond to photoconduct in ultraviolet light. All type I and III) and most type IIa diamonds photoconduct. The manufactured diamond will not photoconduct and will have an electrical resistivity greater than 1018 ohm*m. All non-lattice impurities are in the form of inclusions which dramatically affect the mechanical properties of diamond. High purity diamond has a coefficient of absorption of order 10-3 cm-1 at wavelengths of 8 to 12 micro metres, which makes it useful for infrared applications. It also has a low coefficient of absorption at wavelengths greater than 12 micro metres. For missile and aircraft applications, diamond is relatively immune to erosion or pitting damage by sand and rain. Diamond will readily withstand the stagnation temperature of Mach 3 flight and will go to Mach 4.8 with an anti-reflective coating to protect it from oxygen attack. Diamond is highly resistant to thermal shock, which makes it valuable for high energy laser applications. Using R = St (1-)) k/Ea as a measure of thermal shock resistance, diamond is 107 w/m vs "sapphire" and Zerodur at 104 and fused quartz at 1.45x103. Diamond does not perform well in the 2.5-7.5 micro metres and less than 0.4 micro metres wavelengths. Intense beams of less than 0.4 micro metres energy can create color centers in diamond. For laser pulses of such short duration that thermal shock is not a problem, diamond will take less peak power than some competing materials, such as quartz. One could take advantage of the superior strength of diamond and use a thinner slice to obtain equal peak power capacity.

Parenchymal texture analysis in digital mammography: A fully automated pipeline for breast cancer risk assessment.

PubMed

Zheng, Yuanjie; Keller, Brad M; Ray, Shonket; Wang, Yan; Conant, Emily F; Gee, James C; Kontos, Despina

2015-07-01

Mammographic percent density (PD%) is known to be a strong risk factor for breast cancer. Recent studies also suggest that parenchymal texture features, which are more granular descriptors of the parenchymal pattern, can provide additional information about breast cancer risk. To date, most studies have measured mammographic texture within selected regions of interest (ROIs) in the breast, which cannot adequately capture the complexity of the parenchymal pattern throughout the whole breast. To better characterize patterns of the parenchymal tissue, the authors have developed a fully automated software pipeline based on a novel lattice-based strategy to extract a range of parenchymal texture features from the entire breast region. Digital mammograms from 106 cases with 318 age-matched controls were retrospectively analyzed. The lattice-based approach is based on a regular grid virtually overlaid on each mammographic image. Texture features are computed from the intersection (i.e., lattice) points of the grid lines within the breast, using a local window centered at each lattice point. Using this strategy, a range of statistical (gray-level histogram, co-occurrence, and run-length) and structural (edge-enhancing, local binary pattern, and fractal dimension) features are extracted. To cover the entire breast, the size of the local window for feature extraction is set equal to the lattice grid spacing and optimized experimentally by evaluating different windows sizes. The association between their lattice-based texture features and breast cancer was evaluated using logistic regression with leave-one-out cross validation and further compared to that of breast PD% and commonly used single-ROI texture features extracted from the retroareolar or the central breast region. Classification performance was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC). DeLong's test was used to compare the different ROCs in terms of AUC performance. The average univariate performance of the lattice-based features is higher when extracted from smaller than larger window sizes. While not every individual texture feature is superior to breast PD% (AUC: 0.59, STD: 0.03), their combination in multivariate analysis has significantly better performance (AUC: 0.85, STD: 0.02, p < 0.001). The lattice-based texture features also outperform the single-ROI texture features when extracted from the retroareolar or the central breast region (AUC: 0.60-0.74, STD: 0.03). Adding breast PD% does not make a significant performance improvement to the lattice-based texture features or the single-ROI features (p > 0.05). The proposed lattice-based strategy for mammographic texture analysis enables to characterize the parenchymal pattern over the entire breast. As such, these features provide richer information compared to currently used descriptors and may ultimately improve breast cancer risk assessment. Larger studies are warranted to validate these findings and also compare to standard demographic and reproductive risk factors.

Chern Insulator Phase in a Lattice of an Organic Dirac Semimetal with Intracellular Potential and Magnetic Modulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osada, Toshihito

2017-12-01

We demonstrate that a Chern insulator can be realized on an actual two-dimensional lattice of an organic Dirac semimetal, α-(BEDT-TTF)2I3, by introducing potential and magnetic modulations in a unit cell. It is a topologically-nontrivial insulator that exhibits the quantum Hall effect even at zero magnetic field. We assume a pattern of site potential and staggered plaquette magnetic flux on the lattice to imitate the observed stripe charge ordering pattern. When magnetic modulation is sufficiently large, the system becomes a Chern insulator, where the Berry curvatures around two gapped Dirac cones have the same sign on each band, and one chiral edge state connects the conduction and valence bands at each crystal edge. The present model is an organic version of Haldane's model, which discusses the Chern insulator on a honeycomb lattice with second nearest neighbor couplings.

Lattice-Matched Epitaxial Graphene Grown on Boron Nitride.

PubMed

Davies, Andrew; Albar, Juan D; Summerfield, Alex; Thomas, James C; Cheng, Tin S; Korolkov, Vladimir V; Stapleton, Emily; Wrigley, James; Goodey, Nathan L; Mellor, Christopher J; Khlobystov, Andrei N; Watanabe, Kenji; Taniguchi, Takashi; Foxon, C Thomas; Eaves, Laurence; Novikov, Sergei V; Beton, Peter H

2018-01-10

Lattice-matched graphene on hexagonal boron nitride is expected to lead to the formation of a band gap but requires the formation of highly strained material and has not hitherto been realized. We demonstrate that aligned, lattice-matched graphene can be grown by molecular beam epitaxy using substrate temperatures in the range 1600-1710 °C and coexists with a topologically modified moiré pattern with regions of strained graphene which have giant moiré periods up to ∼80 nm. Raman spectra reveal narrow red-shifted peaks due to isotropic strain, while the giant moiré patterns result in complex splitting of Raman peaks due to strain variations across the moiré unit cell. The lattice-matched graphene has a lower conductance than both the Frenkel-Kontorova-type domain walls and also the topological defects where they terminate. We relate these results to theoretical models of band gap formation in graphene/boron nitride heterostructures.

Spatial patterns and biodiversity in off-lattice simulations of a cyclic three-species Lotka-Volterra model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avelino, P. P.; Bazeia, D.; Losano, L.; Menezes, J.; de Oliveira, B. F.

2018-02-01

Stochastic simulations of cyclic three-species spatial predator-prey models are usually performed in square lattices with nearest-neighbour interactions starting from random initial conditions. In this letter we describe the results of off-lattice Lotka-Volterra stochastic simulations, showing that the emergence of spiral patterns does occur for sufficiently high values of the (conserved) total density of individuals. We also investigate the dynamics in our simulations, finding an empirical relation characterizing the dependence of the characteristic peak frequency and amplitude on the total density. Finally, we study the impact of the total density on the extinction probability, showing how a low population density may jeopardize biodiversity.

Understanding deformation with high angular resolution electron backscatter diffraction (HR-EBSD)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Britton, T. B.; Hickey, J. L. R.

2018-01-01

High angular resolution electron backscatter diffraction (HR-EBSD) affords an increase in angular resolution, as compared to ‘conventional’ Hough transform based EBSD, of two orders of magnitude, enabling measurements of relative misorientations of 1 x 10-4 rads (~ 0.006°) and changes in (deviatoric) lattice strain with a precision of 1 x 10-4. This is achieved through direct comparison of two or more diffraction patterns using sophisticated cross-correlation based image analysis routines. Image shifts between zone axes in the two-correlated diffraction pattern are measured with sub-pixel precision and this realises the ability to measure changes in interplanar angles and lattice orientation with a high degree of sensitivity. These shifts are linked to strains and lattice rotations through simple geometry. In this manuscript, we outline the basis of the technique and two case studies that highlight its potential to tackle real materials science challenges, such as deformation patterning in polycrystalline alloys.

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.

Limitation of optical properties through porous silicon photonic crystals influenced by porosity and lattice dynamic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amedome Min-Dianey, Kossi Aniya; Zhang, Hao-Chun; M'Bouana, Noé Landry Privace; Kougblenou, Komi; Xia, Xinlin

2018-01-01

Finite differential time domain (FDTD) tools were applied to simulate the optical properties characteristics' through square and triangular lattices of porous silicon (pSi) photonic crystals (PhCs); which consisted of periodical patterns of circular air holes built into the pSi material. This was used to investigate the influence of porosity and lattice dynamic on the reflection, transmission and absorption characteristics through unit cell pSi PhC in the visible wavelength domain (400 nm - 700 nm). The numerical simulation was achieved using FDTD Lumerical solutions with periodic boundary conditions (PBC) and perfectly matched layers (PML) as the appropriate boundary conditions. The results revealed that the limitation of optical properties is dependent on porosity and the lattice dynamic in pSi PhC. This was presented by the trend; the higher the reflection the higher the porosity and a decrease in porosity led to an increase in absorption in both lattice considerations. It was discovered that attaining optimum properties for triangular lattice will entail considering porosities less than 50% and hole radius r to the lattice constant a ratio (r / a) above 0.3 for the absorption characteristic and below 0.3 for the transmission characteristic. Triangular lattice can be adapted to improve the optical pattern through the PhC. In addition, the optimisation of these properties through pSi PhCs was achieved by controlling porosity and the ratio r / a .

Coupled numerical approach combining finite volume and lattice Boltzmann methods for multi-scale multi-physicochemical processes

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

Chen, Li; He, Ya-Ling; Kang, Qinjun

2013-12-15

A coupled (hybrid) simulation strategy spatially combining the finite volume method (FVM) and the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM), called CFVLBM, is developed to simulate coupled multi-scale multi-physicochemical processes. In the CFVLBM, computational domain of multi-scale problems is divided into two sub-domains, i.e., an open, free fluid region and a region filled with porous materials. The FVM and LBM are used for these two regions, respectively, with information exchanged at the interface between the two sub-domains. A general reconstruction operator (RO) is proposed to derive the distribution functions in the LBM from the corresponding macro scalar, the governing equation of whichmore » obeys the convection–diffusion equation. The CFVLBM and the RO are validated in several typical physicochemical problems and then are applied to simulate complex multi-scale coupled fluid flow, heat transfer, mass transport, and chemical reaction in a wall-coated micro reactor. The maximum ratio of the grid size between the FVM and LBM regions is explored and discussed. -- Highlights: •A coupled simulation strategy for simulating multi-scale phenomena is developed. •Finite volume method and lattice Boltzmann method are coupled. •A reconstruction operator is derived to transfer information at the sub-domains interface. •Coupled multi-scale multiple physicochemical processes in micro reactor are simulated. •Techniques to save computational resources and improve the efficiency are discussed.« less

Effect of lattice strain on structural and magnetic properties of Ca substituted barium hexaferrite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Sunil; Supriya, Sweety; Pandey, Rabichandra; Pradhan, Lagen Kumar; Singh, Rakesh Kumar; Kar, Manoranjan

2018-07-01

The calcium (Ca2+) substituted M-type barium hexaferrite (Ba1-xCaxFe12O19) for Ca2+ (x = 0.00, 0.025, 0.050, 0.075, 0.100, 0.150, and 0.200) have been synthesized by the citrate sol-gel method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns with Rietveld refinement reveal the formation of hexagonal crystal structure with P63/mmc space group. The lattice parameters a = b and c decrease, whereas lattice strain found to increase with the increase in Ca concentration in the samples. The analysis of Raman spectra well supports the XRD patterns analysis. The average particle size is obtained from the FE-SEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy) micrographs and these are similar to that of crystallite size obtained from the XRD pattern analysis. The saturation magnetization and magnetocrystalline anisotropy have been obtained by employing the "Law of Approach (LA) to Saturation magnetization" technique at room temperature. The saturation magnetization and magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant are maximum for 5% Ca substitution in barium hexaferrite. It could be due to lattice strain mediated magnetism. However, these magnetic properties decrease for more than the 5% Ca substitution in barium hexaferrite. It could be due to decrease of magnetic exchange interaction (Fe-O-Fe) in the sample. A correlation between magnetic interaction and lattice strain has been observed in Ca2+ substituted M-type barium hexaferrite.

Micro-flock patterns and macro-clusters in chiral active Brownian disks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levis, Demian; Liebchen, Benno

2018-02-01

Chiral active particles (or self-propelled circle swimmers) feature a rich collective behavior, comprising rotating macro-clusters and micro-flock patterns which consist of phase-synchronized rotating clusters with a characteristic self-limited size. These patterns emerge from the competition of alignment interactions and rotations suggesting that they might occur generically in many chiral active matter systems. However, although excluded volume interactions occur naturally among typical circle swimmers, it is not yet clear if macro-clusters and micro-flock patterns survive their presence. The present work shows that both types of pattern do survive but feature strongly enhance fluctuations regarding the size and shape of the individual clusters. Despite these fluctuations, we find that the average micro-flock size still follows the same characteristic scaling law as in the absence of excluded volume interactions, i.e. micro-flock sizes scale linearly with the single-swimmer radius.

Microstructural analysis in the depth direction of a heteroepitaxial AlN thick film grown on a trench-patterned template by nanobeam X-ray diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shida, K.; Takeuchi, S.; Tohei, T.; Miyake, H.; Hiramatsu, K.; Sumitani, K.; Imai, Y.; Kimura, S.; Sakai, A.

2018-04-01

This work quantitatively assessed the three-dimensional distribution of crystal lattice distortions in an epitaxial AlN thick film grown on a trench-patterned template, using nanobeam X-ray diffraction. Position-dependent ω-2θ-φ mapping clearly demonstrated local tilting, spacing and twisting of lattice planes as well as fluctuations in these phenomena on a sub-micrometer scale comparable to the pitch of the trench-and-terrace patterning. Analysis of the crystal lattice distortion in the depth direction was performed using a newly developed method in which the X-ray nanobeam diffracted from the sample surface to specific depths can be selectively detected by employing a Pt wire profiler. This technique generated depth-resolved ω-2θ-φ maps confirming that fluctuations in lattice plane tilting and spacing greatly depend on the dislocation distribution and the history of the AlN epitaxial growth on the trench-patterned structure. It was also found that both fluctuations were reduced on approaching the AlN surface and, in particular, were sharply reduced at specific depths in the terrace regions. These sharp reductions are attributed to the formation of sacrificial zones with degraded crystal quality around the trenches and possibly lead to raising the crystal quality near the surface of the AlN film.

Indium arsenide-on-SOI MOSFETs with extreme lattice mismatch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Bin

Both molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) have been used to explore the growth of InAs on Si. Despite 11.6% lattice mismatch, planar InAs structures have been observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) when nucleating using MBE on patterned submicron Si-on-insulator (SOI) islands. Planar structures of size as large as 500 x 500 nm 2 and lines of width 200 nm and length a few microns have been observed. MOCVD growth of InAs also generates single grain structures on Si islands when the size is reduced to 100 x 100 nm2. By choosing SOI as the growth template, selective growth is enabled by MOCVD. Post-growth pattern-then-anneal process, in which MOCVD InAs is deposited onto unpatterned SOI followed with patterning and annealing of InAs-on-Si structure, is found to change the relative lattice parameters of encapsulated 17/5 nm InAs/Si island. Observed from transmission electron diffraction (TED) patterns, the lattice mismatch of 17/5 nm InAs/Si island reduces from 11.2 to 4.2% after being annealed at 800°C for 30 minutes. High-k Al2O3 dielectrics have been deposited by both electron-beam-enabled physical vapor deposition (PVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD). Films from both techniques show leakage currents on the order of 10-9A/cm2, at ˜1 MV/cm electric field, breakdown field > ˜6 MV/cm, and dielectric constant > 6, comparable to those of reported ALD prior arts by Groner. The first MOSFETs with extreme lattice mismatch InAs-on-SOI channels using PVD Al2O3 as the gate dielectric are characterized. Channel recess was used to improve the gate control of the drain current.

Mechanical Properties of Photovoltaic Silicon in Relation to Wafer Breakage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulshreshtha, Prashant Kumar

This thesis focuses on the fundamental understanding of stress-modified crack-propagation in photovoltaic (PV) silicon in relation to the critical issue of PV silicon "wafer breakage". The interactions between a propagating crack and impurities/defects/residual stresses have been evaluated for consequential fracture path in a thin PV Si wafer. To investigate the mechanism of brittle fracture in silicon, the phase transformations induced by elastic energy released at a propagating crack-tip have been evaluated by locally stressing the diamond cubic Si lattice using a rigid Berkovich nanoindenter tip (radius ≈50 nm). Unique pressure induced phase transformations and hardness variations have been then related to the distribution of precipitates (O, Cu, Fe etc.), and the local stresses in the wafer. This research demonstrates for the first time the "ductile-like fracture" in almost circular crack path that significantly deviates from its energetically favorable crystallographic [110](111) system. These large diameter (≈ 200 mm) Si wafers were sliced to less than 180 microm thickness from a Czochralski (CZ) ingot that was grown at faster than normal growth rates. The vacancy (vSi) driven precipitation of oxygen at enhanced thermal gradients in the wafer core develops large localized stresses (upto 100 MPa) which we evaluated using Raman spectral analysis. Additional micro-FTIR mapping and microscopic etch pit measurements in the wafer core have related the observed crack path deviations to the presence of concentric ring-like distributions of oxygen precipitates (OPs). To replicate these "real-world" breakage scenarios and provide better insight on crack-propagation, several new and innovative tools/devices/methods have been developed in this study. An accurate quantitative profiling of local stress, phase changes and load-carrying ability of Si lattice has been performed in the vicinity of the controlled micro-cracks created using micro-indentations to represent the surface/edge micro-cracks (i.e. sources of crack initiation). The low load (<10mN) nanoindentations using Hysitron Triboindenter RTM have been applied to estimate the zone of crack-propagation related plastic deformation and amorphization around the radial or the lateral cracks. The gradual reduction in hardness due to local stress field and phase change around the crack has been established using electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy, respectively, at nano- and micro-scale. The load (P) vs. displacement (h) curves depict characteristic phase transformation events (eg. elbow or pop-out) depending on the sign of residual stress in the silicon lattice. The formation of Si-XII/III phases (elastic phases) in large volumes during indentation of compressed Si lattice have been discussed as an option to eliminate the edge micro-cracks formed during wafer sawing by ductile flow. The stress gradient at an interface, which can be a grain-boundary (GB), twin or a interface between silicon and precipitate, has been evaluated for crack path modification. An direct-silicon-bonded (DSB) based ideal [110]/[100] interface has been examined to study the effect of crystallographic orientation variation across a planar silicon 2D boundary. Using constant source diffusion/annealing process, Fe and Cu impurities have been incorporated in model [110]/[100]GB to provide equivalence to a real decorated multi-crystalline grain boundary. We found that Fe precipitates harden the undecorated GB structure, whereas Cu precipitates introduce dislocation-induced plasticity to soften it. Aluminum Schottky diodes have been evaporated on the DSB samples to sensitively detect the instantaneous current response from the phase-transformed Si under nanoindenter tip. The impact of metallic impurity and their precipitates on characteristic phase transformations (i.e. pop-in or pop-out) demonstrate that scattered distribution of large Cu-precipitates (upto 50 nm) compresses Si-lattice to facilitate Si-XII/III formations, i.e. high pressure ductile phases. Sweeping voltage measurements at a given load determine that Si lattice has to be stressed beyond 1 mN to complete the Si-I (semiconducting) to Si-II (ohmic) phase changes. Above 1 mN load DSB sample has a varistor-like behavior due to higher grain-boundary resistance from interfacial states. The precipitate defect structure stimulated stresses at the bulk Si lattice or grain boundary modify the rate of elastic energy release at the crack-tip and associated phase change and hardness values in response to external loading. The systematic approach in this thesis elucidates that the interfacial surface area between Si-lattice and precipitate plays pivotal role in defining extent of stresses in the silicon, i.e. smaller precipitates in higher densities are severe than few larger volume precipitates. The finding of high-pressure ductile phase formation during loading of compressed silicon structure has been suggested to PV industry as a prospective candidate for reducing the wafer breakage and allowing larger handling stresses.

Loading mode dependent effective properties of octet-truss lattice structures using 3D-printing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Challapalli, Adithya

Cellular materials, often called lattice materials, are increasingly receiving attention for their ultralight structures with high specific strength, excellent impact absorption, acoustic insulation, heat dissipation media and compact heat exchangers. In alignment with emerging additive manufacturing (AM) technology, realization of the structural applications of the lattice materials appears to be becoming faster. Considering the direction dependent material properties of the products with AM, by directionally dependent printing resolution, effective moduli of lattice structures appear to be directionally dependent. In this paper, a constitutive model of a lattice structure, which is an octet-truss with a base material having an orthotropic material property considering AM is developed. In a case study, polyjet based 3D printing material having an orthotropic property with a 9% difference in the principal direction provides difference in the axial and shear moduli in the octet-truss by 2.3 and 4.6%. Experimental validation for the effective properties of a 3D printed octet-truss is done for uniaxial tension and compression test. The theoretical value based on the micro-buckling of truss member are used to estimate the failure strength. Modulus value appears a little overestimate compared with the experiment. Finite element (FE) simulations for uniaxial compression and tension of octettruss lattice materials are conducted. New effective properties for the octet-truss lattice structure are developed considering the observed behavior of the octet-truss structure under macroscopic compression and tension trough simulations.

Modeling Political Populations with Bacteria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cleveland, Chris; Liao, David

2011-03-01

Results from lattice-based simulations of micro-environments with heterogeneous nutrient resources reveal that competition between wild-type and GASP rpoS819 strains of E. Coli offers mutual benefit, particularly in nutrient deprived regions. Our computational model spatially maps bacteria populations and energy sources onto a set of 3D lattices that collectively resemble the topology of North America. By implementing Wright-Fishcer re- production into a probabilistic leap-frog scheme, we observe populations of wild-type and GASP rpoS819 cells compete for resources and, yet, aid each other's long term survival. The connection to how spatial political ideologies map in a similar way is discussed.

Microwave (EPR) measurements of the penetration depth measurements of high-Tc superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dalal, N. S.; Rakvin, B.; Mahl, T. A.; Bhalla, A. S.; Sheng, Z. Z.

1991-01-01

The use is discussed of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) as a quick and easily accessible method for measuring the London penetration depth, lambda for the high T sub c superconductors. The method uses the broadening of the EPR signal, due to the emergence of the magnetic flux lattice, of a free radical adsorbed on the surface of the sample. The second moment, of the EPR signal below T sub c is fitted to the Brandt equation for a simple triangular lattice. The precision of this method compares quite favorably with those of the more standard methods such as micro sup(+)SR, neutron scattering, and magnetic susceptibility.

An EPR methodology for measuring the London penetration depth for the ceramic superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rakvin, B.; Mahl, T. A.; Dalal, N. S.

1990-01-01

The use is discussed of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) as a quick and easily accessible method for measuring the London penetration depth, lambda for the high T(sub c) superconductors. The method utilizes the broadening of the EPR signal, due to the emergence of the magnetic flux lattice, of a free radical adsorbed on the surface of the sample. The second moment, of the EPR signal below T(sub c) is fitted to the Brandt equation for a simple triangular lattice. The precision of this method compares quite favorably with those of the more standard methods such as micro sup(+)SR, Neutron scattering, and magnetic susceptibility.

Micro-pixelation and color mixing in biological photonic structures (presentation video)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartl, Michael H.; Nagi, Ramneet K.

2014-03-01

The world of insects displays myriad hues of coloration effects produced by elaborate nano-scale architectures built into wings and exoskeleton. For example, we have recently found many weevils possess photonic architectures with cubic lattices. In this talk, we will present high-resolution three-dimensional reconstructions of weevil photonic structures with diamond and gyroid lattices. Moreover, by reconstructing entire scales we found arrays of single-crystalline domains, each oriented such that only selected crystal faces are visible to an observer. This pixel-like arrangement is key to the angle-independent coloration typical of weevils—a strategy that could enable a new generation of coating technologies.

Angular dependant micro-ESR characterization of a locally doped Gd3+:Al2O3 hybrid system for quantum applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wisby, I. S.; de Graaf, S. E.; Gwilliam, R.; Adamyan, A.; Kubatkin, S. E.; Meeson, P. J.; Tzalenchuk, A. Ya.; Lindstrom, T.

Rare-earth doped crystals interfaced with superconducting quantum circuitry are an attractive platform for quantum memory and transducer applications. Here we present a detailed characterization of a locally implanted Gd3+ in Al2O3 system coupled to a superconducting micro-resonator, by performing angular dependent micro-electron-spin-resonance (micro-ESR) measurements at mK temperatures. The device is fabricated using a hard Si3N4 mask to facilitate a local ion-implantation technique for precision control of the dopant location. The technique is found not to degrade the internal quality factor of the resonators which remains above 105 (1). We find the measured angular dependence of the micro-ESR spectra to be in excellent agreement with the modelled Hamiltonian, supporting the conclusion that the dopant ions are successfully integrated into their relevant lattice sites whilst maintaining crystalline symmetries. Furthermore, we observe clear contributions from individual microwave field components of our micro-resonator, emphasising the need for controllable local implantation. 1 Wisby et al. Appl. Phys. Lett. 105, 102601 (2014)

Fast, externally triggered, digital phase controller for an optical lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sadgrove, Mark; Nakagawa, Ken'ichi

2011-11-01

We present a method to control the phase of an optical lattice according to an external trigger signal. The method has a latency of less than 30 μs. Two phase locked digital synthesizers provide the driving signal for two acousto-optic modulators which control the frequency and phase of the counter-propagating beams which form a standing wave (optical lattice). A micro-controller with an external interrupt function is connected to the desired external signal, and updates the phase register of one of the synthesizers when the external signal changes. The standing wave (period λ/2 = 390 nm) can be moved by units of 49 nm with a mean jitter of 28 nm. The phase change is well known due to the digital nature of the synthesizer, and does not need calibration. The uses of the scheme include coherent control of atomic matter-wave dynamics.

Uncertainty quantification and validation of 3D lattice scaffolds for computer-aided biomedical applications.

PubMed

Gorguluarslan, Recep M; Choi, Seung-Kyum; Saldana, Christopher J

2017-07-01

A methodology is proposed for uncertainty quantification and validation to accurately predict the mechanical response of lattice structures used in the design of scaffolds. Effective structural properties of the scaffolds are characterized using a developed multi-level stochastic upscaling process that propagates the quantified uncertainties at strut level to the lattice structure level. To obtain realistic simulation models for the stochastic upscaling process and minimize the experimental cost, high-resolution finite element models of individual struts were reconstructed from the micro-CT scan images of lattice structures which are fabricated by selective laser melting. The upscaling method facilitates the process of determining homogenized strut properties to reduce the computational cost of the detailed simulation model for the scaffold. Bayesian Information Criterion is utilized to quantify the uncertainties with parametric distributions based on the statistical data obtained from the reconstructed strut models. A systematic validation approach that can minimize the experimental cost is also developed to assess the predictive capability of the stochastic upscaling method used at the strut level and lattice structure level. In comparison with physical compression test results, the proposed methodology of linking the uncertainty quantification with the multi-level stochastic upscaling method enabled an accurate prediction of the elastic behavior of the lattice structure with minimal experimental cost by accounting for the uncertainties induced by the additive manufacturing process. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Diagnostic and Prognostic Role of microRNA in Colorectal Cancer - a Comprehensive review.

PubMed

Mazeh, Haggi; Mizrahi, Ido; Ilyayev, Nadia; Halle, David; Brücher, Bjoern; Bilchik, Anton; Protic, Mladjan; Daumer, Martin; Stojadinovic, Alexander; Itzhak, Avital; Nissan, Aviram

2013-01-01

The discovery of microRNA, a group of regulatory short RNA fragments, has added a new dimension to the diagnosis and management of neoplastic diseases. Differential expression of microRNA in a unique pattern in a wide range of tumor types enables researches to develop a microRNA-based assay for source identification of metastatic disease of unknown origin. This is just one example of many microRNA-based cancer diagnostic and prognostic assays in various phases of clinical research.Since colorectal cancer (CRC) is a phenotypic expression of multiple molecular pathways including chromosomal instability (CIN), micro-satellite instability (MIS) and CpG islands promoter hypermethylation (CIMP), there is no one-unique pattern of microRNA expression expected in this disease and indeed, there are multiple reports published, describing different patterns of microRNA expression in CRC.The scope of this manuscript is to provide a comprehensive review of the scientific literature describing the dysregulation of and the potential role for microRNA in the management of CRC. A Pubmed search was conducted using the following MeSH terms, "microRNA" and "colorectal cancer". Of the 493 publications screened, there were 57 papers describing dysregulation of microRNA in CRC.

In Situ Investigation of the Evolution of Lattice Strain and Stresses in Austenite and Martensite During Quenching and Tempering of Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Villa, M.; Niessen, F.; Somers, M. A. J.

2018-01-01

Energy dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction was applied to investigate in situ the evolution of lattice strains and stresses in austenite and martensite during quenching and tempering of a soft martensitic stainless steel. In one experiment, lattice strains in austenite and martensite were measured in situ in the direction perpendicular to the sample surface during an austenitization, quenching, and tempering cycle. In a second experiment, the sin2 ψ method was applied in situ during the austenite-to-martensite transformation to distinguish between macro- and phase-specific micro-stresses and to follow the evolution of these stresses during transformation. Martensite formation evokes compressive stress in austenite that is balanced by tensile stress in martensite. Tempering to 748 K (475 °C) leads to partial relaxation of these stresses. Additionally, data reveal that (elastic) lattice strain in austenite is not hydrostatic but hkl dependent, which is ascribed to plastic deformation of this phase during martensite formation and is considered responsible for anomalous behavior of the 200 γ reflection.

Robust calibration of an optical-lattice depth based on a phase shift

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cabrera-Gutiérrez, C.; Michon, E.; Brunaud, V.; Kawalec, T.; Fortun, A.; Arnal, M.; Billy, J.; Guéry-Odelin, D.

2018-04-01

We report on a method to calibrate the depth of an optical lattice. It consists of triggering the intrasite dipole mode of the cloud by a sudden phase shift. The corresponding oscillatory motion is directly related to the interband frequencies on a large range of lattice depths. Remarkably, for a moderate displacement, a single frequency dominates the oscillation of the zeroth and first orders of the interference pattern observed after a sufficiently long time of flight. The method is robust against atom-atom interactions and the exact value of the extra weak external confinement superimposed to the optical lattice.

Coercivity scaling in antidot lattices in Fe, Ni, and NiFe thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gräfe, Joachim; Schütz, Gisela; Goering, Eberhard J.

2016-12-01

Antidot lattices can be used to artificially engineer magnetic properties in thin films, however, a conclusive model that describes the coercivity enhancement in this class of magnetic nano-structures has so far not been found. We prepared Fe, Ni, and NiFe thin films and patterned each with 21 square antidot lattices with different geometric parameters and measured their hysteretic behavior. On the basis of this extensive dataset we are able to provide a model that can describe both the coercivity scaling over a wide range of geometric lattice parameters and the influence of different materials.

Multilattice sampling strategies for region of interest dynamic MRI.

PubMed

Rilling, Gabriel; Tao, Yuehui; Marshall, Ian; Davies, Mike E

2013-08-01

A multilattice sampling approach is proposed for dynamic MRI with Cartesian trajectories. It relies on the use of sampling patterns composed of several different lattices and exploits an image model where only some parts of the image are dynamic, whereas the rest is assumed static. Given the parameters of such an image model, the methodology followed for the design of a multilattice sampling pattern adapted to the model is described. The multi-lattice approach is compared to single-lattice sampling, as used by traditional acceleration methods such as UNFOLD (UNaliasing by Fourier-Encoding the Overlaps using the temporal Dimension) or k-t BLAST, and random sampling used by modern compressed sensing-based methods. On the considered image model, it allows more flexibility and higher accelerations than lattice sampling and better performance than random sampling. The method is illustrated on a phase-contrast carotid blood velocity mapping MR experiment. Combining the multilattice approach with the KEYHOLE technique allows up to 12× acceleration factors. Simulation and in vivo undersampling results validate the method. Compared to lattice and random sampling, multilattice sampling provides significant gains at high acceleration factors. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Permutation approach, high frequency trading and variety of micro patterns in financial time series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aghamohammadi, Cina; Ebrahimian, Mehran; Tahmooresi, Hamed

2014-11-01

Permutation approach is suggested as a method to investigate financial time series in micro scales. The method is used to see how high frequency trading in recent years has affected the micro patterns which may be seen in financial time series. Tick to tick exchange rates are considered as examples. It is seen that variety of patterns evolve through time; and that the scale over which the target markets have no dominant patterns, have decreased steadily over time with the emergence of higher frequency trading.

Single-shot full strain tensor determination with microbeam X-ray Laue diffraction and a two-dimensional energy-dispersive detector.

PubMed

Abboud, A; Kirchlechner, C; Keckes, J; Conka Nurdan, T; Send, S; Micha, J S; Ulrich, O; Hartmann, R; Strüder, L; Pietsch, U

2017-06-01

The full strain and stress tensor determination in a triaxially stressed single crystal using X-ray diffraction requires a series of lattice spacing measurements at different crystal orientations. This can be achieved using a tunable X-ray source. This article reports on a novel experimental procedure for single-shot full strain tensor determination using polychromatic synchrotron radiation with an energy range from 5 to 23 keV. Microbeam X-ray Laue diffraction patterns were collected from a copper micro-bending beam along the central axis (centroid of the cross section). Taking advantage of a two-dimensional energy-dispersive X-ray detector (pnCCD), the position and energy of the collected Laue spots were measured for multiple positions on the sample, allowing the measurement of variations in the local microstructure. At the same time, both the deviatoric and hydrostatic components of the elastic strain and stress tensors were calculated.

Self-arraying of charged levitating droplets.

PubMed

Kauffmann, Paul; Nussbaumer, Jérémie; Masse, Alain; Jeandey, Christian; Grateau, Henri; Pham, Pascale; Reyne, Gilbert; Haguet, Vincent

2011-06-01

Diamagnetic levitation of water droplets in air is a promising phenomenon to achieve contactless manipulation of chemical or biochemical samples. This noncontact handling technique prevents contaminations of samples as well as provides measurements of interaction forces between levitating reactors. Under a nonuniform magnetic field, diamagnetic bodies such as water droplets experience a repulsive force which may lead to diamagnetic levitation of a single or few micro-objects. The levitation of several repulsively charged picoliter droplets was successfully performed in a ~1 mm(2) adjustable flat magnetic well provided by a centimeter-sized cylindrical permanent magnet structure. Each droplet position results from the balance between the centripetal diamagnetic force and the repulsive Coulombian forces. Levitating water droplets self-organize into satellite patterns or thin clouds, according to their charge and size. Small triangular lattices of identical droplets reproduce magneto-Wigner crystals. Repulsive forces and inner charges can be measured in the piconewton and the femtocoulomb ranges, respectively. Evolution of interaction forces is accurately followed up over time during droplet evaporation.

Modeling cooperating micro-organisms in antibiotic environment.

PubMed

Book, Gilad; Ingham, Colin; Ariel, Gil

2017-01-01

Recent experiments with the bacteria Paenibacillus vortex reveal a remarkable strategy enabling it to cope with antibiotics by cooperating with a different bacterium-Escherichia coli. While P. vortex is a highly effective swarmer, it is sensitive to the antibiotic ampicillin. On the other hand, E. coli can degrade ampicillin but is non-motile when grown on high agar percentages. The two bacterial species form a shared colony in which E. coli is transported by P. vortex and E. coli detoxifies the ampicillin. The paper presents a simplified model, consisting of coupled reaction-diffusion equations, describing the development of ring patterns in the shared colony. Our results demonstrate some of the possible cooperative movement strategies bacteria utilize in order to survive harsh conditions. In addition, we explore the behavior of mixed colonies under new conditions such as antibiotic gradients, synchronization between colonies and possible dynamics of a 3-species system including P. vortex, E. coli and a carbon producing algae that provides nutrients under illuminated, nutrient poor conditions. The derived model was able to simulate an asymmetric relationship between two or three micro-organisms where cooperation is required for survival. Computationally, in order to avoid numerical artifacts due to symmetries within the discretizing grid, the model was solved using a second order Vectorizable Random Lattices method, which is developed as a finite volume scheme on a random grid.

Modeling cooperating micro-organisms in antibiotic environment

PubMed Central

Book, Gilad; Ingham, Colin; Ariel, Gil

2017-01-01

Recent experiments with the bacteria Paenibacillus vortex reveal a remarkable strategy enabling it to cope with antibiotics by cooperating with a different bacterium—Escherichia coli. While P. vortex is a highly effective swarmer, it is sensitive to the antibiotic ampicillin. On the other hand, E. coli can degrade ampicillin but is non-motile when grown on high agar percentages. The two bacterial species form a shared colony in which E. coli is transported by P. vortex and E. coli detoxifies the ampicillin. The paper presents a simplified model, consisting of coupled reaction-diffusion equations, describing the development of ring patterns in the shared colony. Our results demonstrate some of the possible cooperative movement strategies bacteria utilize in order to survive harsh conditions. In addition, we explore the behavior of mixed colonies under new conditions such as antibiotic gradients, synchronization between colonies and possible dynamics of a 3-species system including P. vortex, E. coli and a carbon producing algae that provides nutrients under illuminated, nutrient poor conditions. The derived model was able to simulate an asymmetric relationship between two or three micro-organisms where cooperation is required for survival. Computationally, in order to avoid numerical artifacts due to symmetries within the discretizing grid, the model was solved using a second order Vectorizable Random Lattices method, which is developed as a finite volume scheme on a random grid. PMID:29284016

Effects of friction reduction of micro-patterned array of rough slider bearing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, M.; Lee, D. W.; Jeong, J. H.; Chung, W. S.; Park, J. K.

2017-08-01

Complex micro-scale patterns have attracted interest because of the functionality that can be created using this type of patterning. This study evaluates the frictional reduction effects of various micro patterns on a slider bearing surface which is operating under mixed lubrication. Due to the rapid growth of contact area under mixed lubrication, it has become important to study the phenomenon of asperity contact in bearings with a heavy load. New analysis using the modified Reynolds equation with both the average flow model and the contact model of asperities is conducted for the rough slider bearing. A numerical analysis is performed to determine the effects of surface roughness on a lubricated bearing. Several dented patterns such as, dot pattern, dashed line patterns are used to evaluate frictional reduction effects. To verify the analytical results, friction test for the micro-patterned samples are performed. From comparing the frictional reduction effects of patterned arrays, the design of them can control the frictional loss of bearings. Our results showed that the design of pattern array on the bearing surface was important to the friction reduction of bearings. To reduce frictional loss, the longitudinal direction of them was better than the transverse direction.

Low laser power micro-Raman study of Co{sub (1−x)}Mn{sub (x)}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} prepared by flash combustion method

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

Baraliya, J. D.

2016-05-23

Manganese substituted Cobalt ferrites of composition with nominal formula Co{sub (1−x)}Mn{sub (x)}Fe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) prepared by the Flash Combustion Method(FCM). The single phase spinel formation of nano ferrites was confirmed by X-ray diffraction techniques and micro - Raman spectroscopy. The particle size calculated from the Scherrer formula varied within 13 to 17 nm. Lattice parameter, nano particle size, and cation distribution were quantified as a function of the Mn-content in the range x = 0.0 to 1.0. Micro-Raman spectroscopic studies yielded convincing evidence for a transformation of the structure.

The Diagnostic and Prognostic Role of microRNA in Colorectal Cancer - a Comprehensive review

PubMed Central

Mazeh, Haggi; Mizrahi, Ido; Ilyayev, Nadia; Halle, David; Brücher, Björn LDM; Bilchik, Anton; Protic, Mladjan; Daumer, Martin; Stojadinovic, Alexander; Avital, Itzhak; Nissan, Aviram

2013-01-01

The discovery of microRNA, a group of regulatory short RNA fragments, has added a new dimension to the diagnosis and management of neoplastic diseases. Differential expression of microRNA in a unique pattern in a wide range of tumor types enables researches to develop a microRNA-based assay for source identification of metastatic disease of unknown origin. This is just one example of many microRNA-based cancer diagnostic and prognostic assays in various phases of clinical research. Since colorectal cancer (CRC) is a phenotypic expression of multiple molecular pathways including chromosomal instability (CIN), micro-satellite instability (MIS) and CpG islands promoter hypermethylation (CIMP), there is no one-unique pattern of microRNA expression expected in this disease and indeed, there are multiple reports published, describing different patterns of microRNA expression in CRC. The scope of this manuscript is to provide a comprehensive review of the scientific literature describing the dysregulation of and the potential role for microRNA in the management of CRC. A Pubmed search was conducted using the following MeSH terms, "microRNA" and "colorectal cancer". Of the 493 publications screened, there were 57 papers describing dysregulation of microRNA in CRC. PMID:23459799

Monte Carlo Study of the Fish-like Patterns of Anthracenes on Cu(111)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Kwangmoo; Einstein, T. L.; Sun, Dezheng; Kim, Dae-Ho; Bartels, Ludwig

2011-03-01

Using Monte Carlo calculations of the two-dimensional triangular lattice with a 2-component 3-state Potts model, we demonstrate a mechanism for the spontaneous formation of fish-like patterns of anthracene (AC) molecules on Cu(111) by sputtering and annealing, then cooling to ~ 80 K. The two components are an AC on a hollow site and another on a bridge site of Cu(111). The liquid crystal model with two separate parts, positional and orientational, only explains a part of the fish-like pattern, not the whole regular pattern. Our model fixes the positional order of AC's into the triangular lattice and the orientational order into three angles as observed in the experiments. The variation of the coverages of AC's is reflected in the change of the ratio of two components in our model. We also try to understand the compression of AC's with the introduction of Gaussian dispersion of AC's about their triangular lattice sites. Supported primarily by NSF Grants CHE 07-50334 with a secondary support from NSF-MRSEC at the University of Maryland, DMR05-20471. Work at UCR supported primarily by NSF CHE 07-49949.

Grid cells on steeply sloping terrain: evidence for planar rather than volumetric encoding

PubMed Central

Hayman, Robin M. A.; Casali, Giulio; Wilson, Jonathan J.; Jeffery, Kate J.

2015-01-01

Neural encoding of navigable space involves a network of structures centered on the hippocampus, whose neurons –place cells – encode current location. Input to the place cells includes afferents from the entorhinal cortex, which contains grid cells. These are neurons expressing spatially localized activity patches, or firing fields, that are evenly spaced across the floor in a hexagonal close-packed array called a grid. It is thought that grids function to enable the calculation of distances. The question arises as to whether this odometry process operates in three dimensions, and so we queried whether grids permeate three-dimensional (3D) space – that is, form a lattice – or whether they simply follow the environment surface. If grids form a 3D lattice then this lattice would ordinarily be aligned horizontally (to explain the usual hexagonal pattern observed). A tilted floor would transect several layers of this putative lattice, resulting in interruption of the hexagonal pattern. We model this prediction with simulated grid lattices, and show that the firing of a grid cell on a 40°-tilted surface should cover proportionally less of the surface, with smaller field size, fewer fields, and reduced hexagonal symmetry. However, recording of real grid cells as animals foraged on a 40°-tilted surface found that firing of grid cells was almost indistinguishable, in pattern or rate, from that on the horizontal surface, with if anything increased coverage and field number, and preserved field size. It thus appears unlikely that the sloping surface transected a lattice. However, grid cells on the slope displayed slightly degraded firing patterns, with reduced coherence and slightly reduced symmetry. These findings collectively suggest that the grid cell component of the metric representation of space is not fixed in absolute 3D space but is influenced both by the surface the animal is on and by the relationship of this surface to the horizontal, supporting the hypothesis that the neural map of space is “multi-planar” rather than fully volumetric. PMID:26236245

Depth Profiling of SiC Lattice Damage Using Micro-Raman Spectroscopy

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-01-01

can significantly change the electric behavior. Techniques like Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy [5,6] and Rutherford Backscattering/Channeling... Semiconductor Materials for Optoelectronic Applications Symposium held in Boston, Massachusetts on November 26-29, 2001. To order the complete compilation... Spectroscopy DISTRIBUTION: Approved for public release, distribution unlimited This paper is part of the following report: TITLE: Progress in

Engineering topological defect patterns of Bose condensates in shaken optical lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Lei; Clark, Logan W.; Gaj, Anita; Chin, Cheng

2017-04-01

Topological defects emerge and play an essential role in the dynamics of systems undergoing continuous, symmetry-breaking phase transitions. Here, we study the topological defects (domain walls) which form when a Bose condensate in a shaken optical lattice undergoes a quantum phase transition and separates into domains of superfluid with finite momentum. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the ability to control the pattern of domain walls using a digital micromirror device. We further explore implementations of this technique to study dynamics near the phase transition and the evolution of topological defects.

A new computational approach to simulate pattern formation in Paenibacillus dendritiformis bacterial colonies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tucker, Laura Jane

Under the harsh conditions of limited nutrient and hard growth surface, Paenibacillus dendritiformis in agar plates form two classes of patterns (morphotypes). The first class, called the dendritic morphotype, has radially directed branches. The second class, called the chiral morphotype, exhibits uniform handedness. The dendritic morphotype has been modeled successfully using a continuum model on a regular lattice; however, a suitable computational approach was not known to solve a continuum chiral model. This work details a new computational approach to solving the chiral continuum model of pattern formation in P. dendritiformis. The approach utilizes a random computational lattice and new methods for calculating certain derivative terms found in the model.

Toward the human cellular microRNAome.

PubMed

McCall, Matthew N; Kim, Min-Sik; Adil, Mohammed; Patil, Arun H; Lu, Yin; Mitchell, Christopher J; Leal-Rojas, Pamela; Xu, Jinchong; Kumar, Manoj; Dawson, Valina L; Dawson, Ted M; Baras, Alexander S; Rosenberg, Avi Z; Arking, Dan E; Burns, Kathleen H; Pandey, Akhilesh; Halushka, Marc K

2017-10-01

MicroRNAs are short RNAs that serve as regulators of gene expression and are essential components of normal development as well as modulators of disease. MicroRNAs generally act cell-autonomously, and thus their localization to specific cell types is needed to guide our understanding of microRNA activity. Current tissue-level data have caused considerable confusion, and comprehensive cell-level data do not yet exist. Here, we establish the landscape of human cell-specific microRNA expression. This project evaluated 8 billion small RNA-seq reads from 46 primary cell types, 42 cancer or immortalized cell lines, and 26 tissues. It identified both specific and ubiquitous patterns of expression that strongly correlate with adjacent superenhancer activity. Analysis of unaligned RNA reads uncovered 207 unknown minor strand (passenger) microRNAs of known microRNA loci and 495 novel putative microRNA loci. Although cancer cell lines generally recapitulated the expression patterns of matched primary cells, their isomiR sequence families exhibited increased disorder, suggesting DROSHA- and DICER1-dependent microRNA processing variability. Cell-specific patterns of microRNA expression were used to de-convolute variable cellular composition of colon and adipose tissue samples, highlighting one use of these cell-specific microRNA expression data. Characterization of cellular microRNA expression across a wide variety of cell types provides a new understanding of this critical regulatory RNA species. © 2017 McCall et al.; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

Method of producing buried porous silicon-geramanium layers in monocrystalline silicon lattices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fathauer, Robert W. (Inventor); George, Thomas (Inventor); Jones, Eric W. (Inventor)

1997-01-01

Lattices of alternating layers of monocrystalline silicon and porous silicon-germanium have been produced. These single crystal lattices have been fabricated by epitaxial growth of Si and Si--Ge layers followed by patterning into mesa structures. The mesa structures are stain etched resulting in porosification of the Si--Ge layers with a minor amount of porosification of the monocrystalline Si layers. Thicker Si--Ge layers produced in a similar manner emitted visible light at room temperature.

The Harper–Hofstadter Hamiltonian and conical diffraction in photonic lattices with grating assisted tunneling

DOE PAGES

Dubček, Tena; Lelas, Karlo; Jukić, Dario; ...

2015-12-07

Here we propose the realization of a grating assisted tunneling scheme for tunable synthetic magnetic fields in optically induced one- and two-dimensional dielectric photonic lattices. As a signature of the synthetic magnetic fields, we demonstrate conical diffraction patterns in particular realization of these lattices, which possess Dirac points in k-space. Lastly, we compare the light propagation in these realistic (continuous) systems with the evolution in discrete models representing the Harper-Hofstadter Hamiltonian, and obtain excellent agreement.

Graphene Nanoribbons Fabricated by Helium Ion microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pickard, D.; Oezyilmaz, B.; Thong, J.; Loh, K. P.; Viswanathan, V.; Zhongkai, A.; Mathew, S.; Kundu, T.; Park, C.; Yi, Z.; Xu, X.; Zhang, K.; Tat, T. C.; Wang, H.; Venkatesan, T.; Botton, G.; Couillard, M.

2010-03-01

Graphene, a monolayer graphitic lattice of carbon atoms has tremendous promise for a variety of applications on account of the zero mass of electrons, high mobility and the sensitivity of transport to perturbations at the interface. Patterning graphene is an obvious challenge and mesoscopic devices based on graphene require high spatial resolution patterning that will induce as little damage as possible. We use a helium ion microscope with its 0.4nm spot size beam to directly write patterns on free standing graphene films. TEM images of the patterns reveal holes as small as 4 nm and ribbons with line widths as narrow as 3 nm. The images show recovery of the graphene lattice at a distance of about a nm from the patterned edge. The linewidths of the ribbon can be varied considerably in a controllable fashion over ribbon lengths of the order of microns. . .

Micro-patterned ZnO semiconductors for high performance thin film transistors via chemical imprinting with a PDMS stamp.

PubMed

Seong, Kieun; Kim, Kyongjun; Park, Si Yun; Kim, Youn Sang

2013-04-07

Chemical imprinting was conducted on ZnO semiconductor films via a chemical reaction at the contact regions between a micro-patterned PDMS stamp and ZnO films. In addition, we applied the chemical imprinting on Li doped ZnO thin films for high performance TFTs fabrication. The representative micro-patterned Li doped ZnO TFTs showed a field effect mobility of 4.2 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) after sintering at 300 °C.

3D Experimental Measurement of Lattice Strain and Fracture Behavior of Sand Particles Using Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction and Tomography

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

Cil, Mehmet B.; Alshibli, Khalid A.; Kenesei, Peter

3D synchrotron X-ray diffraction (3DXRD) and synchrotron micro-computed tomography (SMT) techniques were used to measure and monitor the lattice strain evolution and fracture behavior of natural Ottawa sand particles subjected to 1D compression loading. The particle-averaged lattice strain within sand particles was measured using 3DXRD and then was used to calculate the corresponding lattice stress tensor. In addition, the evolution and mode of fracture of sand particles was investigated using high-resolution 3D SMT images. The results of diffraction data analyses revealed that the major principal component of the lattice strain or stress tensor increased in most of the particles asmore » the global applied compressive load increased until the onset of fracture. Particle fracture and subsequent rearrangements caused significant variation and fluctuations in measured lattice strain/stress values from one particle to another and from one load step to the next one. SMT image analysis at the particle-scale showed that cracks in fractured sand particles generally initiate and propagate along the plane that connects the two contact points. Fractured particles initially split into two or three major fragments followed by disintegration into multiple smaller fragments in some cases. In conclusion, microscale analysis of fractured particles showed that particle position, morphology, the number and location of contact points play a major role in the occurrence of particle fracture in confined comminution of the sand assembly.« less

3D Experimental Measurement of Lattice Strain and Fracture Behavior of Sand Particles Using Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction and Tomography

DOE PAGES

Cil, Mehmet B.; Alshibli, Khalid A.; Kenesei, Peter

2017-05-27

3D synchrotron X-ray diffraction (3DXRD) and synchrotron micro-computed tomography (SMT) techniques were used to measure and monitor the lattice strain evolution and fracture behavior of natural Ottawa sand particles subjected to 1D compression loading. The particle-averaged lattice strain within sand particles was measured using 3DXRD and then was used to calculate the corresponding lattice stress tensor. In addition, the evolution and mode of fracture of sand particles was investigated using high-resolution 3D SMT images. The results of diffraction data analyses revealed that the major principal component of the lattice strain or stress tensor increased in most of the particles asmore » the global applied compressive load increased until the onset of fracture. Particle fracture and subsequent rearrangements caused significant variation and fluctuations in measured lattice strain/stress values from one particle to another and from one load step to the next one. SMT image analysis at the particle-scale showed that cracks in fractured sand particles generally initiate and propagate along the plane that connects the two contact points. Fractured particles initially split into two or three major fragments followed by disintegration into multiple smaller fragments in some cases. In conclusion, microscale analysis of fractured particles showed that particle position, morphology, the number and location of contact points play a major role in the occurrence of particle fracture in confined comminution of the sand assembly.« less

Deterministic composite nanophotonic lattices in large area for broadband applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xavier, Jolly; Probst, Jürgen; Becker, Christiane

2016-12-01

Exotic manipulation of the flow of photons in nanoengineered materials with an aperiodic distribution of nanostructures plays a key role in efficiency-enhanced broadband photonic and plasmonic technologies for spectrally tailorable integrated biosensing, nanostructured thin film solarcells, white light emitting diodes, novel plasmonic ensembles etc. Through a generic deterministic nanotechnological route here we show subwavelength-scale silicon (Si) nanostructures on nanoimprinted glass substrate in large area (4 cm2) with advanced functional features of aperiodic composite nanophotonic lattices. These nanophotonic aperiodic lattices have easily tailorable supercell tiles with well-defined and discrete lattice basis elements and they show rich Fourier spectra. The presented nanophotonic lattices are designed functionally akin to two-dimensional aperiodic composite lattices with unconventional flexibility- comprising periodic photonic crystals and/or in-plane photonic quasicrystals as pattern design subsystems. The fabricated composite lattice-structured Si nanostructures are comparatively analyzed with a range of nanophotonic structures with conventional lattice geometries of periodic, disordered random as well as in-plane quasicrystalline photonic lattices with comparable lattice parameters. As a proof of concept of compatibility with advanced bottom-up liquid phase crystallized (LPC) Si thin film fabrication, the experimental structural analysis is further extended to double-side-textured deterministic aperiodic lattice-structured 10 μm thick large area LPC Si film on nanoimprinted substrates.

Deterministic composite nanophotonic lattices in large area for broadband applications

PubMed Central

Xavier, Jolly; Probst, Jürgen; Becker, Christiane

2016-01-01

Exotic manipulation of the flow of photons in nanoengineered materials with an aperiodic distribution of nanostructures plays a key role in efficiency-enhanced broadband photonic and plasmonic technologies for spectrally tailorable integrated biosensing, nanostructured thin film solarcells, white light emitting diodes, novel plasmonic ensembles etc. Through a generic deterministic nanotechnological route here we show subwavelength-scale silicon (Si) nanostructures on nanoimprinted glass substrate in large area (4 cm2) with advanced functional features of aperiodic composite nanophotonic lattices. These nanophotonic aperiodic lattices have easily tailorable supercell tiles with well-defined and discrete lattice basis elements and they show rich Fourier spectra. The presented nanophotonic lattices are designed functionally akin to two-dimensional aperiodic composite lattices with unconventional flexibility- comprising periodic photonic crystals and/or in-plane photonic quasicrystals as pattern design subsystems. The fabricated composite lattice-structured Si nanostructures are comparatively analyzed with a range of nanophotonic structures with conventional lattice geometries of periodic, disordered random as well as in-plane quasicrystalline photonic lattices with comparable lattice parameters. As a proof of concept of compatibility with advanced bottom-up liquid phase crystallized (LPC) Si thin film fabrication, the experimental structural analysis is further extended to double-side-textured deterministic aperiodic lattice-structured 10 μm thick large area LPC Si film on nanoimprinted substrates. PMID:27941869

New insight in magnetic saturation behavior of nickel hierarchical structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Ji; Zhang, Jianxing; Liu, Chunting; Chen, Kezheng

2017-09-01

It is unanimously accepted that non-ferromagnetic inclusions in a ferromagnetic system will lower down total saturation magnetization in unit of emu/g. In this study, ;lattice strain; was found to be another key factor to have critical impact on magnetic saturation behavior of the system. The lattice strain determined assembling patterns of primary nanoparticles in hierarchical structures and was intimately related with the formation process of these architectures. Therefore, flower-necklace-like and cauliflower-like nickel hierarchical structures were used as prototype systems to evidence the relationship between assembling patterns of primary nanoparticles and magnetic saturation behaviors of these architectures. It was found that the influence of lattice strain on saturation magnetization outperformed that of non-ferromagnetic inclusions in these hierarchical structures. This will enable new insights into fundamental understanding of related magnetic effects.

Conformational flexibility and packing plausibility of repaglinide polymorphs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rani, Dimpy; Goyal, Parnika; Chadha, Renu

2018-04-01

The present manuscript highlights the structural insight into the repaglinide polymorphs. The experimental screening for the possible crystal forms were carried out using various solvents, which generated three forms. The crystal structure of Form II and III was determined using PXRD pattern whereas structural analysis of Form I has already been reported. Form I, II and II was found to exist in P212121, PNA21 and P21/c space groups respectively. Conformational analysis was performed to account the conformational flexibility of RPG. The obtained conformers were further utilized to obtain the information about the crystal packing pattern of RPG polymorphs by polymorph prediction module. The lattice energy landscape, depicting the relationship between lattice energy and density of the polymorphs has been obtained for various possible polymorphs. The experimentally isolated polymorphs were successfully fitted into lattice energy landscape.

Experimental analysis for fabrication of high-aspect-ratio piezoelectric ceramic structure by micro-powder injection molding process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Jun Sae; Gal, Chang Woo; Park, Jae Man; Kim, Jong Hyun; Park, Seong Jin

2018-04-01

Aspect ratio effects in the micro-powder injection molding process were experimentally analyzed for fabrication of high-aspect-ratio piezoelectric ceramic structure. The mechanisms of critical defects have been studied according to individual manufacturing steps. In the molding process, incomplete filling phenomenon determines the critical aspect ratios of a micro pattern. According to mold temperature, an incomplete filling phenomenon has been analyzed with respect to different pattern sizes and aspect ratio. In demolding and drying process, the capillary behavior of sacrificial polymeric mold insert determines the critical aspect ratio of a micro pattern. With respect to pattern dimensions, slumping behavior has been analyzed. Based on our current systems, micro PZT feature has stability when it has lower aspect ratio than 5. Under optimized processing conditions, 20 μm and 40 μm ceramic rod array feature which has 5 of aspect ratio were successfully fabricated by the developed process. Further modification points to fabricate the smaller and higher feature were specifically addressed.

MicroRNA Expression Profiles as Biomarkers of Minor Salivary Gland Inflammation and Dysfunction in Sjögren's Syndrome

PubMed Central

Alevizos, Ilias; Alexander, Stefanie; Turner, R. James; Illei, Gabor G.

2013-01-01

Objective MicroRNA reflect physiologic and pathologic processes and may be used as biomarkers of concurrent pathophysiologic events in complex settings such as autoimmune diseases. We generated microRNA microarray profiles from the minor salivary glands of control subjects without Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and patients with SS who had low-grade or high-grade inflammation and impaired or normal saliva production, to identify microRNA patterns specific to salivary gland inflammation or dysfunction. Methods MicroRNA expression profiles were generated by Agilent microRNA arrays. We developed a novel method for data normalization by identifying housekeeping microRNA. MicroRNA profiles were compared by unsupervised mathematical methods to test how well they distinguish between control subjects and various subsets of patients with SS. Several bioinformatics methods were used to predict the messenger RNA targets of the differentially expressed microRNA. Results MicroRNA expression patterns accurately distinguished salivary glands from control subjects and patients with SS who had low-degree or high-degree inflammation. Using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we validated 2 microRNA as markers of inflammation in an independent cohort. Comparing microRNA from patients with preserved or low salivary flow identified a set of differentially expressed microRNA, most of which were up-regulated in the group with decreased salivary gland function, suggesting that the targets of microRNA may have a protective effect on epithelial cells. The predicted biologic targets of microRNA associated with inflammation or salivary gland dysfunction identified both overlapping and distinct biologic pathways and processes. Conclusion Distinct microRNA expression patterns are associated with salivary gland inflammation and dysfunction in patients with SS, and microRNA represent a novel group of potential biomarkers. PMID:21280008

Self-assembly of bimodal particles inside emulsion droplets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, Young-Sang; Yi, Gi-Ra; Yang, Seung-Man; Kim, Young-Kuk; Choi, Chul-Jin

2010-08-01

Colloidal dispersion of bimodal particles were self-organized inside water-in-oil emulsion droplets by evaporationdriven self-assembly method. After droplet shrinkage by heating the complex fluid system, small numbers of microspheres were packed into minimal second moment clusters, which are partially coated with silica nanospheres, resulting in the generation of patchy particles. The patchy particles in this study possess potential applications for selfassembly of non-isotropic particles such as dimmers or tetramers for colloidal photonic crystals with diamond lattice structures. The composite micro-clusters of amidine polystyrene microspheres and titania nanoparticles were also generated by evaporation-driven self-assembly to fabricate nonspherical hollow micro-particles made of titania shell.

Hybrid Systems: Cold Atoms Coupled to Micro Mechanical Oscillators =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montoya Monge, Cris A.

Micro mechanical oscillators can serve as probes in precision measurements, as transducers to mediate photon-phonon interactions, and when functionalized with magnetic material, as tools to manipulate spins in quantum systems. This dissertation includes two projects where the interactions between cold atoms and mechanical oscillators are studied. In one of the experiments, we have manipulated the Zeeman state of magnetically trapped Rubidium atoms with a magnetic micro cantilever. The results show a spatially localized effect produced by the cantilever that agrees with Landau-Zener theory. In the future, such a scalable system with highly localized interactions and the potential for single-spin sensitivity could be useful for applications in quantum information science or quantum simulation. In a second experiment, work is in progress to couple a sample of optically trapped Rubidium atoms to a levitated nanosphere via an optical lattice. This coupling enables the cooling of the center-of-mass motion of the nanosphere by laser cooling the atoms. In this system, the atoms are trapped in the optical lattice while the sphere is levitated in a separate vacuum chamber by a single-beam optical tweezer. Theoretical analysis of such a system has determined that cooling the center-of-mass motion of the sphere to its quantum ground state is possible, even when starting at room temperature, due to the excellent environmental decoupling achievable in this setup. Nanospheres cooled to the quantum regime can provide new tests of quantum behavior at mesoscopic scales and have novel applications in precision sensing.

Surface modification of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) induced proliferation and neural-like cells differentiation of umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

PubMed

Kim, Sun-Jung; Lee, Jae Kyoo; Kim, Jin Won; Jung, Ji-Won; Seo, Kwangwon; Park, Sang-Bum; Roh, Kyung-Hwan; Lee, Sae-Rom; Hong, Yun Hwa; Kim, Sang Jeong; Lee, Yong-Soon; Kim, Sung June; Kang, Kyung-Sun

2008-08-01

Stem cell-based therapy has recently emerged for use in novel therapeutics for incurable diseases. For successful recovery from neurologic diseases, the most pivotal factor is differentiation and directed neuronal cell growth. In this study, we fabricated three different widths of a micro-pattern on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS; 1, 2, and 4 microm). Surface modification of the PDMS was investigated for its capacity to manage proliferation and differentiation of neural-like cells from umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs). Among the micro-patterned PDMS fabrications, the 1 microm-patterned PDMS significantly increased cell proliferation and most of the cells differentiated into neuronal cells. In addition, the 1 microm-patterned PDMS induced an increase in cytosolic calcium, while the differentiated cells on the flat and 4 microm-patterned PDMS had no response. PDMS with a 1 microm pattern was also aligned to direct orientation within 10 degrees angles. Taken together, micro-patterned PDMS supported UCB-MSC proliferation and induced neural like-cell differentiation. Our data suggest that micro-patterned PDMS might be a guiding method for stem cell therapy that would improve its therapeutic action in neurological diseases.

Charge-regulation phase transition on surface lattices of titratable sites adjacent to electrolyte solutions: An analog of the Ising antiferromagnet in a magnetic field

PubMed Central

Shore, Joel D.; Thurston, George M.

2018-01-01

We report a charge-patterning phase transition on two-dimensional square lattices of titratable sites, here regarded as protonation sites, placed in a low-dielectric medium just below the planar interface between this medium and a salt solution. We calculate the work-of-charging matrix of the lattice with use of a linear Debye-Hückel model, as input to a grand-canonical partition function for the distribution of occupancy patterns. For a large range of parameter values, this model exhibits an approximate inverse cubic power-law decrease of the voltage produced by an individual charge, as a function of its in-lattice separation from neighboring titratable sites. Thus, the charge coupling voltage biases the local probabilities of proton binding as a function of the occupancy of sites for many neighbors beyond the nearest ones. We find that even in the presence of these longer-range interactions, the site couplings give rise to a phase transition in which the site occupancies exhibit an alternating, checkerboard pattern that is an analog of antiferromagnetic ordering. The overall strength W of this canonical charge coupling voltage, per unit charge, is a function of the Debye length, the charge depth, the Bjerrum length, and the dielectric coefficients of the medium and the solvent. The alternating occupancy transition occurs above a curve of thermodynamic critical points in the (pH-pK,W) plane, the curve representing a charge-regulation analog of variation of the Néel temperature of an Ising antiferromagnet as a function of an applied, uniform magnetic field. The analog of a uniform magnetic field in the antiferromagnet problem is a combination of pH-pK and W, and 1/W is the analog of the temperature in the antiferromagnet problem. We use Monte Carlo simulations to study the occupancy patterns of the titratable sites, including interactions out to the 37th nearest-neighbor category (a distance of 74 lattice constants), first validating simulations through comparison with exact and approximate results for the nearest-neighbor case. We then use the simulations to map the charge-patterning phase boundary in the (pH-pK,W) plane. The physical parameters that determine W provide a framework for identifying and designing real surfaces that could exhibit charge-patterning phase transitions. PMID:26764648

Charge-regulation phase transition on surface lattices of titratable sites adjacent to electrolyte solutions: An analog of the Ising antiferromagnet in a magnetic field.

PubMed

Shore, Joel D; Thurston, George M

2015-12-01

We report a charge-patterning phase transition on two-dimensional square lattices of titratable sites, here regarded as protonation sites, placed in a low-dielectric medium just below the planar interface between this medium and a salt solution. We calculate the work-of-charging matrix of the lattice with use of a linear Debye-Hückel model, as input to a grand-canonical partition function for the distribution of occupancy patterns. For a large range of parameter values, this model exhibits an approximate inverse cubic power-law decrease of the voltage produced by an individual charge, as a function of its in-lattice separation from neighboring titratable sites. Thus, the charge coupling voltage biases the local probabilities of proton binding as a function of the occupancy of sites for many neighbors beyond the nearest ones. We find that even in the presence of these longer-range interactions, the site couplings give rise to a phase transition in which the site occupancies exhibit an alternating, checkerboard pattern that is an analog of antiferromagnetic ordering. The overall strength W of this canonical charge coupling voltage, per unit charge, is a function of the Debye length, the charge depth, the Bjerrum length, and the dielectric coefficients of the medium and the solvent. The alternating occupancy transition occurs above a curve of thermodynamic critical points in the (pH-pK,W) plane, the curve representing a charge-regulation analog of variation of the Néel temperature of an Ising antiferromagnet as a function of an applied, uniform magnetic field. The analog of a uniform magnetic field in the antiferromagnet problem is a combination of pH-pK and W, and 1/W is the analog of the temperature in the antiferromagnet problem. We use Monte Carlo simulations to study the occupancy patterns of the titratable sites, including interactions out to the 37th nearest-neighbor category (a distance of √74 lattice constants), first validating simulations through comparison with exact and approximate results for the nearest-neighbor case. We then use the simulations to map the charge-patterning phase boundary in the (pH-pK,W) plane. The physical parameters that determine W provide a framework for identifying and designing real surfaces that could exhibit charge-patterning phase transitions.

Charge-regulation phase transition on surface lattices of titratable sites adjacent to electrolyte solutions: An analog of the Ising antiferromagnet in a magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shore, Joel D.; Thurston, George M.

2015-12-01

We report a charge-patterning phase transition on two-dimensional square lattices of titratable sites, here regarded as protonation sites, placed in a low-dielectric medium just below the planar interface between this medium and a salt solution. We calculate the work-of-charging matrix of the lattice with use of a linear Debye-Hückel model, as input to a grand-canonical partition function for the distribution of occupancy patterns. For a large range of parameter values, this model exhibits an approximate inverse cubic power-law decrease of the voltage produced by an individual charge, as a function of its in-lattice separation from neighboring titratable sites. Thus, the charge coupling voltage biases the local probabilities of proton binding as a function of the occupancy of sites for many neighbors beyond the nearest ones. We find that even in the presence of these longer-range interactions, the site couplings give rise to a phase transition in which the site occupancies exhibit an alternating, checkerboard pattern that is an analog of antiferromagnetic ordering. The overall strength W of this canonical charge coupling voltage, per unit charge, is a function of the Debye length, the charge depth, the Bjerrum length, and the dielectric coefficients of the medium and the solvent. The alternating occupancy transition occurs above a curve of thermodynamic critical points in the (p H-p K ,W ) plane, the curve representing a charge-regulation analog of variation of the Néel temperature of an Ising antiferromagnet as a function of an applied, uniform magnetic field. The analog of a uniform magnetic field in the antiferromagnet problem is a combination of p H-p K and W , and 1 /W is the analog of the temperature in the antiferromagnet problem. We use Monte Carlo simulations to study the occupancy patterns of the titratable sites, including interactions out to the 37th nearest-neighbor category (a distance of √{74 } lattice constants), first validating simulations through comparison with exact and approximate results for the nearest-neighbor case. We then use the simulations to map the charge-patterning phase boundary in the (p H-p K ,W ) plane. The physical parameters that determine W provide a framework for identifying and designing real surfaces that could exhibit charge-patterning phase transitions.

A non-asymptotic model of dynamics of honeycomb lattice-type plates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cielecka, Iwona; Jędrysiak, Jarosław

2006-09-01

Lightweight structures, consisted of special composite material systems like sandwich plates, are often used in aerospace or naval engineering. In composite sandwich plates, the intermediate core is usually made of cellular structures, e.g. honeycomb micro-frames, reinforcing static and dynamic properties of these plates. Here, a new non-asymptotic continuum model of honeycomb lattice-type plates is shown and applied to the analysis of dynamic problems. The general formulation of the model for periodic lattice-type plates of an arbitrary lay-out was presented by Cielecka and Jędrysiak [Journal of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics 40 (2002) 23-46]. This model, partly based on the tolerance averaging method developed for periodic composite solids by Woźniak and Wierzbicki [Averaging techniques in thermomechanics of composite solids, Wydawnictwo Politechniki Częstochowskiej, Częstochowa, 2000], takes into account the effect of the length microstructure size on the dynamic plate behaviour. The shown method leads to the model equations describing the above effect for honeycomb lattice-type plates. These equations have the form similar to equations for isotropic cases. The dynamic analysis of such plates exemplifies this effect, which is significant and cannot be neglected. The physical correctness of the obtained results is also discussed.

Iodine doping effects on the lattice thermal conductivity of oxidized polyacetylene nanofibers

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

Bi, Kedong, E-mail: lishi@mail.utexas.edu, E-mail: kedongbi@seu.edu.cn; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712; Weathers, Annie

2013-11-21

Thermal transport in oxidized polyacetylene (PA) nanofibers with diameters in the range between 74 and 126 nm is measured with the use of a suspended micro heater device. With the error due to both radiation and contact thermal resistance corrected via a differential measurement procedure, the obtained thermal conductivity of oxidized PA nanofibers varies in the range between 0.84 and 1.24 W m{sup −1} K{sup −1} near room temperature, and decreases by 40%–70% after iodine doping. It is also found that the thermal conductivity of oxidized PA nanofibers increases with temperature between 100 and 350 K. Because of exposure to oxygen during sample preparation, themore » PA nanofibers are oxidized to be electrically insulating before and after iodine doping. The measurement results reveal that iodine doping can result in enhanced lattice disorder and reduced lattice thermal conductivity of PA nanofibers. If the oxidation issue can be addressed via further research to increase the electrical conductivity via doping, the observed suppressed lattice thermal conductivity in doped polymer nanofibers can be useful for the development of such conducting polymer nanostructures for thermoelectric energy conversion.« less

Micro-patterning and characterization of PHEMA-co-PAM-based optical chemical sensors for lab-on-a-chip applications.

PubMed

Zhu, Haixin; Zhou, Xianfeng; Su, Fengyu; Tian, Yanqing; Ashili, Shashanka; Holl, Mark R; Meldrum, Deirdre R

2012-10-01

We report a novel method for wafer level, high throughput optical chemical sensor patterning, with precise control of the sensor volume and capability of producing arbitrary microscale patterns. Monomeric oxygen (O(2)) and pH optical probes were polymerized with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and acrylamide (AM) to form spin-coatable and further crosslinkable polymers. A micro-patterning method based on micro-fabrication techniques (photolithography, wet chemical process and reactive ion etch) was developed to miniaturize the sensor film onto glass substrates in arbitrary sizes and shapes. The sensitivity of fabricated micro-patterns was characterized under various oxygen concentrations and pH values. The process for spatially integration of two sensors (Oxygen and pH) on the same substrate surface was also developed, and preliminary fabrication and characterization results were presented. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time that poly (2-hydroxylethyl methacrylate)-co-poly (acrylamide) (PHEMA-co-PAM)-based sensors had been patterned and integrated at the wafer level with micron scale precision control using microfabrication techniques. The developed methods can provide a feasible way to miniaturize and integrate the optical chemical sensor system and can be applied to any lab-on-a-chip system, especially the biological micro-systems requiring optical sensing of single or multiple analytes.

Charge-patterning phase transition on a surface lattice of titratable sites adjacent to an electrolyte solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shore, Joel; Thurston, George

We discuss a model for a charge-patterning phase transition on a two-dimensional square lattice of titratable sites, here regarded as protonation sites, placed on a square lattice in a dielectric medium just below the planar interface between this medium and an aqueous salt solution. Within Debye-Huckel theory, the analytical form of the electrostatic repulsion between protonated sites exhibits an approximate inverse cubic power-law decrease beyond short distances. The problem can thus be mapped onto the two-dimensional antiferromagnetic Ising model with this longer-range interaction, which we study with Monte Carlo simulations. As we increase pH, the occupation probability of a site decreases from 1 at low pH to 0 at high pH. For sufficiently-strong interaction strengths, a phase transition occurs as the occupation probability of 1/2 is approached: the charges arrange themselves into a checkerboard pattern. This ordered phase persists over a range of pH until a transition occurs back to a disordered state. This state is the analogue of the Neel state in the antiferromagnetic Ising spin model. More complicated ordered phases are expected for sufficiently strong interactions (with occupation probabilities of 1/4 and 3/4) and if the lattice is triangular rather than square. This work was supported by NIH EY018249 (GMT).

Ferro-Lattice-Distortions and Charge Fluctuations in Superconducting LaO 1- x F x BiS 2

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

Athauda, Anushika; Hoffmann, Christina; Aswartham, Saicharan

2017-05-15

Competing ferroelectric and charge density wave states have been proposed to exist in the electron–phonon coupled LaO1-xFxBiS2 superconductor. The lattice instability is proposed to arise from unstable phonon modes that can break the crystal symmetry. Using single crystal diffraction, a superlattice pattern is observed, that arises from coherent in-plane displacements of the sulfur atoms in the BiS2 superconducting planes. The distortions morph into coordinated ferrodistortive patterns with displacements in the x- and y-directions, that alternate along the c-axis. Diffuse scattering is observed along the (H0L) plane due to stacking faults but not along the (HH0) plane. The ferro-distortive pattern remainsmore » in the superconducting state upon fluorine doping, but the displacements are diminished in magnitude. Moreover, we find that the in-plane distortions give rise to disorder where the (00L) reflections become quite broad. It is possible that charge carriers can get trapped in the lattice deformations reducing the effective number of carriers available for pairing.« less

High Power Picosecond Laser Surface Micro-texturing of H13 Tool Steel and Pattern Replication onto ABS Plastics via Injection Moulding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Otanocha, Omonigho B.; Li, Lin; Zhong, Shan; Liu, Zhu

2016-03-01

H13 tool steels are often used as dies and moulds for injection moulding of plastic components. Certain injection moulded components require micro-patterns on their surfaces in order to modify the physical properties of the components or for better mould release to reduce mould contamination. With these applications it is necessary to study micro-patterning to moulds and to ensure effective pattern transfer and replication onto the plastic component during moulding. In this paper, we report an investigation into high average powered (100 W) picosecond laser interactions with H13 tool steel during surface micro-patterning (texturing) and the subsequent pattern replication on ABS plastic material through injection moulding. Design of experiments and statistical modelling were used to understand the influences of laser pulse repetition rate, laser fluence, scanning velocity, and number of scans on the depth of cut, kerf width and heat affected zones (HAZ) size. The characteristics of the surface patterns are analysed. The process parameter interactions and significance of process parameters on the processing quality and efficiency are characterised. An optimum operating window is recommended. The transferred geometry is compared with the patterns generated on the dies. A discussion is made to explain the characteristics of laser texturing and pattern replication on plastics.

Crystal structure and texture changes during thermal cycling of TATB

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

Vogel, Sven C.; Yeager, John David

2015-02-20

Goals: Understand crystal structure and micro-structure changes during thermal cycling, understand reasons for ratcheting of TATB during thermal cycling, and Support of B61 LEP. Deliverables achieved: Completed in situ thermal cycling of loose powder and pressed pellet TATB on HIPPO, Quantified preferred orientation of pressed pellet, and quantified relative change of each of the six lattic parameters.

X-Ray Micro-CT Observations of Hydrate Pore Habit and Lattice Boltzmann Simulations on Permeability Evolution in Hydrate Bearing Sediments (HBS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, X.; Espinoza, N.; Verma, R.; Prodanovic, M.

2017-12-01

We use X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) to observe xenon hydrate growth. During xenon hydrate formation in a single pore and a sandpack, we observe heterogeneous (patchy) hydrate distribution at both pore (10 μm) and core scales (10 cm). These results present similarities with earlier observations on naturally occurring and synthetic hydrate-bearing sediment (HBS). Based on image analyses of xenon hydrate in the single pore, we find that, under the quasi-isothermal condition, the xenon volumetric growth rate versus overpressurization curve fits an Arrhenius type equation. Using the μCT images of HBS, we are able to calculate the permeability of HBS using a lattice Boltzmann method. We find the reduced permeability versus hydrate saturation curve fits a simple Corey-type model as suggested by earlier studies. However, patchy distribution of hydrate does not permit a straightforward interpretation of the saturation exponent. This work provides fundamental observations of hydrate growth and pore habit in sediments and how hydrate habit affects the hydraulic conductivity of HBS. Further implications can be extended to the strength, seismic velocities and electrical properties of HBS.

Linearized lattice Boltzmann method for micro- and nanoscale flow and heat transfer.

PubMed

Shi, Yong; Yap, Ying Wan; Sader, John E

2015-07-01

Ability to characterize the heat transfer in flowing gases is important for a wide range of applications involving micro- and nanoscale devices. Gas flows away from the continuum limit can be captured using the Boltzmann equation, whose analytical solution poses a formidable challenge. An efficient and accurate numerical simulation of the Boltzmann equation is thus highly desirable. In this article, the linearized Boltzmann Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook equation is used to develop a hierarchy of thermal lattice Boltzmann (LB) models based on half-space Gaussian-Hermite (GH) quadrature ranging from low to high algebraic precision, using double distribution functions. Simplified versions of the LB models in the continuum limit are also derived, and are shown to be consistent with existing thermal LB models for noncontinuum heat transfer reported in the literature. Accuracy of the proposed LB hierarchy is assessed by simulating thermal Couette flows for a wide range of Knudsen numbers. Effects of the underlying quadrature schemes (half-space GH vs full-space GH) and continuum-limit simplifications on computational accuracy are also elaborated. The numerical findings in this article provide direct evidence of improved computational capability of the proposed LB models for modeling noncontinuum flows and heat transfer at small length scales.

Electron Beam Pattern Rotation as a Method of Tunable Bunch Train Generation

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

Halavanau, A.; Piot, P.

Transversely modulated electron beams can be formed in photo injectors via microlens array (MLA) UV laser shap- ing technique. Microlenses can be arranged in polygonal lattices, with resulting transverse electron beam modula- tion mimicking the lenses pattern. Conventionally, square MLAs are used for UV laser beam shaping, and generated electron beam patterns form square beamlet arrays. The MLA setup can be placed on a rotational mount, thereby rotating electron beam distribution. In combination with transverse-to-longitudinal emittance exchange (EEX) beam line, it allows to vary beamlets horizontal projection and tune electron bunch train. In this paper, we extend the technique tomore » the case of different MLA lattice arrangements and explore the benefits of its rotational symmetries.« less

Near integrability of kink lattice with higher order interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Yun-Guo; Liu, Jia-Zhen; He, Song

2017-11-01

We make use of Manton’s analytical method to investigate the force between kinks and anti-kinks at large distances in 1+1 dimensional field theory. The related potential has infinite order corrections of exponential pattern, and the coefficients for each order are determined. These coefficients can also be obtained by solving the equation of the fluctuations around the vacuum. At the lowest order, the kink lattice represents the Toda lattice. With higher order correction terms, the kink lattice can represent one kind of generic Toda lattice. With only two sites, the kink lattice is classically integrable. If the number of sites of the lattice is larger than two, the kink lattice is not integrable but is a near integrable system. We make use of Flaschka’s variables to study the Lax pair of the kink lattice. These Flaschka’s variables have interesting algebraic relations and non-integrability can be manifested. We also discuss the higher Hamiltonians for the deformed open Toda lattice, which has a similar result to the ordinary deformed Toda. Supported by Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation (ZR2014AQ007), National Natural Science Foundation of China (11403015, U1531105), S. He is supported by Max-Planck fellowship in Germany and National Natural Science Foundation of China (11305235)

Detection of viability of micro-algae cells by optofluidic hologram pattern.

PubMed

Wang, Junsheng; Yu, Xiaomei; Wang, Yanjuan; Pan, Xinxiang; Li, Dongqing

2018-03-01

A rapid detection of micro-algae activity is critical for analysis of ship ballast water. A new method for detecting micro-algae activity based on lens-free optofluidic holographic imaging is presented in this paper. A compact lens-free optofluidic holographic imaging device was developed. This device is mainly composed of a light source, a small through-hole, a light propagation module, a microfluidic chip, and an image acquisition and processing module. The excited light from the light source passes through a small hole to reach the surface of the micro-algae cells in the microfluidic chip, and a holographic image is formed by the diffraction light of surface of micro-algae cells. The relation between the characteristics in the hologram pattern and the activity of micro-algae cells was investigated by using this device. The characteristics of the hologram pattern were extracted to represent the activity of micro-algae cells. To demonstrate the accuracy of the presented method and device, four species of micro-algae cells were employed as the test samples and the comparison experiments between the alive and dead cells of four species of micro-algae were conducted. The results show that the developed method and device can determine live/dead microalgae cells accurately.

Buried Porous Silicon-Germanium Layers in Monocrystalline Silicon Lattices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fathauer, Robert W. (Inventor); George, Thomas (Inventor); Jones, Eric W. (Inventor)

1998-01-01

Monocrystalline semiconductor lattices with a buried porous semiconductor layer having different chemical composition is discussed and monocrystalline semiconductor superlattices with a buried porous semiconductor layers having different chemical composition than that of its monocrystalline semiconductor superlattice are discussed. Lattices of alternating layers of monocrystalline silicon and porous silicon-germanium have been produced. These single crystal lattices have been fabricated by epitaxial growth of Si and Si-Ge layers followed by patterning into mesa structures. The mesa structures are strain etched resulting in porosification of the Si-Ge layers with a minor amount of porosification of the monocrystalline Si layers. Thicker Si-Ge layers produced in a similar manner emitted visible light at room temperature.

Simple Analysis of Lipid Inhibition Activity on an Adipocyte Micro-Cell Pattern Chip.

PubMed

Kim, Gi Yong; Yeom, Su-Jin; Jang, Sung-Chan; Lee, Chang-Soo; Roh, Changhyun; Jeong, Heon-Ho

2018-06-04

Polydimethyl-siloxane (PDMS) is often applied to fabricate cell chips. In this study, we fabricated an adipocyte microcell pattern chips using PDMS to analyze the inhibition activity of lipid droplets in mouse embryo fibroblast cells (3T3-L1) with anti-obesity agents. To form the PDMS based micropattern, we applied the micro-contact printing technique using PDMS micro-stamps that had been fabricated by conventional soft lithography. This PDMS micro-pattern enabled the selective growth of 3T3-L1 cells onto the specific region by preventing cell adhesion on the PDMS region. It then allowed growth of the 3T3-L1 cells in the chip for 10 days and confirmed that lipid droplets were formed in the 3T3-L1 cells. After treatment of orlistat and quercetin were treated in an adipocyte micro-cell pattern chip with 3T3-L1 cells for six days, we found that orlistat and quercetin exhibited fat inhibition capacities of 19.3% and 24.4% from 0.2 μM of lipid droplets in 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, we conducted a direct quantitative analysis of 3T3-L1 cell differentiation using Oil Red O staining. In conclusion, PDMS-based adipocyte micro-cell pattern chips may contribute to the development of novel bioactive compounds.

Mastering multi-depth bio-chip patterns with DVD LBRs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carson, Doug

2017-08-01

Bio chip and bio disc are rapidly growing technologies used in medical, health and other industries. While there are numerous unique designs and features, these products all rely on precise three-dimensional micro-fluidic channels or arrays to move, separate and combine samples under test. These bio chip and bio disc consumables are typically manufactured by molding these parts to a precise three-dimensional pattern on a negative metal stamper, or they can be made in smaller quantities using an appropriate curable resin and a negative mold/stamper. Stampers required for bio chips have been traditionally made using either micro machining or XY stepping lithography. Both of these technologies have their advantages as well as limitations when it comes to creating micro-fluidic patterns. Significant breakthroughs in continuous maskless lithography have enabled accurate and efficient manufacturing of micro-fluidic masters using LBRs (Laser Beam Recorders) and DRIE (Deep Reactive Ion Etching). The important advantages of LBR continuous lithography vs. XY stepping lithography and micro machining are speed and cost. LBR based continuous lithography is >100x faster than XY stepping lithography and more accurate than micro machining. Several innovations were required in order to create multi-depth patterns with sub micron accuracy. By combining proven industrial LBRs with DCA's G3-VIA pattern generator and DRIE, three-dimensional bio chip masters and stampers are being manufactured efficiently and accurately.

Complex Patterns of Altered MicroRNA Expression during the Adenoma-Adenocarcinoma Sequence for Microsatellite-Stable Colorectal Cancer

PubMed Central

Bartley, Angela N.; Yao, Hui; Barkoh, Bedia A.; Ivan, Cristina; Mishra, Bal M.; Rashid, Asif; Calin, George A.; Luthra, Rajyalakshmi; Hamilton, Stanley R.

2012-01-01

Purpose MicroRNAs are short noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression and are over- or under-expressed in most tumors, including colorectal adenocarcinoma. MicroRNAs are potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets and agents, but limited information on microRNAome alterations during progression in the well-known adenoma-adenocarcinoma sequence is available to guide their usage. Experimental Design We profiled 866 human microRNAs by microarray analysis in 69 matched specimens of microsatellite-stable adenocarcinomas, adjoining precursor adenomas including areas of high- and low-grade dysplasia, and nonneoplastic mucosa. Results We found 230 microRNAs that were significantly differentially expressed during progression, including 19 not reported previously. Altered microRNAs clustered into two major patterns of early (type I) and late (type II) differential expression. The largest number (n = 108) was altered at the earliest step from mucosa to low-grade dysplasia (subtype IA) prior to major nuclear localization of β-catenin, including 36 microRNAs that had persistent differential expression throughout the entire sequence to adenocarcinoma. Twenty microRNAs were intermittently altered (subtype IB), and six were transiently altered (subtype IC). In contrast, 33 microRNAs were altered late in high-grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma (subtype IIA), and 63 in adenocarcinoma only (subtype IIB). Predicted targets in 12 molecular pathways were identified for highly altered microRNAs, including the Wnt signaling pathway leading to low-grade dysplasia. β-catenin expression correlated with downregulated microRNAs. Conclusions Our findings suggest that numerous microRNAs play roles in the sequence of molecular events, especially early events, resulting in colorectal adenocarcinoma. The temporal patterns and complexity of microRNAome alterations during progression will influence the efficacy of microRNAs for clinical purposes. PMID:21948089

Pattern transfer from nanoparticle arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hogg, Charles R., III

This project contributes to the long-term extensibility of bit-patterned media (BPM), by removing obstacles to using a new and smaller class of self-assembling materials: surfactant-coated nanoparticles. Self-assembly rapidly produces regular patterns of small features over large areas. If these patterns can be used as templates for magnetic bits, the resulting media would have both high capacity and high bit density. The data storage industry has identified block copolymers (BCP) as the self-assembling technology for the first generation of BPM. Arrays of surfactant-coated nanoparticles have long shown higher feature densities than BCP, but their patterns could not previously be transferred into underlying substrates. I identify one key obstacle that has prevented this pattern transfer: the particles undergo a disordering transition during etching which I have called "cracking". I compare several approaches to measuring the degree of cracking, and I develop two novel techniques for preventing it and allowing pattern transfer. I demonstrate two different kinds of pattern transfer: positive (dots) and negative (antidots). To make dots, I etch the substrate between the particles with a directional CF4-based reactive ion etch (RIE). I find the ultrasmall gaps (just 2 nm) cause a tremendous slowdown in the etch rate, by a factor of 10 or more---an observation of fundamental significance for any pattern transfer at ultrahigh bit densities. Antidots are made by depositing material in the interstices, then removing the particles to leave behind a contiguous inorganic lattice. This lattice can itself be used as an etch mask for CF4-based RIE, in order to increase the height contrast. The antidot process promises great generality in choice of materials, both for the antidot lattice and the particles themselves; here, I present lattices of Al and Cr, ternplated from arrays of 13.7 nm-diameter Fe3O4 or 30 nm-diameter MnO nanoparticles. The fidelity of transfer is also noticeably better for antidots than for dots, making antidots the more promising technique for industrial applications. The smallest period for which I have shown pattern transfer (15.7 nm) is comparable to (but slightly smaller than) the smallest period currently shown for pattern transfer from block copolymers (17 nm); hence, my results compare favorably with the state of the art. Ultimately, by demonstrating that surfactant-coated nanoparticles can be used as pattern masks, this work increases their viability as an option to continue the exponential growth of bit density in magnetic storage media.

Lattice distortion and strain relaxation in epitaxial thin films of multiferroic TbMnO3 probed by X-ray diffractometry and micro-Raman spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Y.; Stender, D.; Medarde, M.; Lippert, T.; Wokaun, A.; Schneider, C. W.

2013-08-01

A detailed structural XRD analysis of (1 1 0)-oriented TbMnO3 thin films grown on (1 1 0)-YAlO3 substrates shows the co-existence of a strained and relaxed "sublayer" within the films due to strain relaxation during epitaxial growth by pulsed laser deposition. The substrate-film lattice mismatch yields a compressive strain anisotropy along the two in-plane directions, i.e. [1 -1 0] and [0 0 1] and a monoclinic distortion. A further manifestation of the growth-induced strain is the hardening of Raman active modes as a result of changed atomic motions along the [1 -1 0] and [0 0 1] directions.

Signature of phase singularities in diffusive regimes in disordered waveguide lattices: interplay and qualitative analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghosh, Somnath

2018-05-01

Co-existence and interplay between mesoscopic light dynamics with singular optics in spatially random but temporally coherent disordered waveguide lattices is reported. Two CW light beams of 1.55 micron operating wavelength are launched as inputs to 1D waveguide lattices with controllable weak disorder in refractive index profile. Direct observation of phase singularities in the speckle pattern along the length is numerically demonstrated. Quantitative analysis of onset of such singular behavior and diffusive wave propagation is analyzed for the first time.

Exciton Polaritons in a Two-Dimensional Lieb Lattice with Spin-Orbit Coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whittaker, C. E.; Cancellieri, E.; Walker, P. M.; Gulevich, D. R.; Schomerus, H.; Vaitiekus, D.; Royall, B.; Whittaker, D. M.; Clarke, E.; Iorsh, I. V.; Shelykh, I. A.; Skolnick, M. S.; Krizhanovskii, D. N.

2018-03-01

We study exciton polaritons in a two-dimensional Lieb lattice of micropillars. The energy spectrum of the system features two flat bands formed from S and Px ,y photonic orbitals, into which we trigger bosonic condensation under high power excitation. The symmetry of the orbital wave functions combined with photonic spin-orbit coupling gives rise to emission patterns with pseudospin texture in the flat band condensates. Our Letter shows the potential of polariton lattices for emulating flat band Hamiltonians with spin-orbit coupling, orbital degrees of freedom, and interactions.

Exciton Polaritons in a Two-Dimensional Lieb Lattice with Spin-Orbit Coupling.

PubMed

Whittaker, C E; Cancellieri, E; Walker, P M; Gulevich, D R; Schomerus, H; Vaitiekus, D; Royall, B; Whittaker, D M; Clarke, E; Iorsh, I V; Shelykh, I A; Skolnick, M S; Krizhanovskii, D N

2018-03-02

We study exciton polaritons in a two-dimensional Lieb lattice of micropillars. The energy spectrum of the system features two flat bands formed from S and P_{x,y} photonic orbitals, into which we trigger bosonic condensation under high power excitation. The symmetry of the orbital wave functions combined with photonic spin-orbit coupling gives rise to emission patterns with pseudospin texture in the flat band condensates. Our Letter shows the potential of polariton lattices for emulating flat band Hamiltonians with spin-orbit coupling, orbital degrees of freedom, and interactions.

Maskless micro-ion-beam reduction lithography system

DOEpatents

Leung, Ka-Ngo; Barletta, William A.; Patterson, David O.; Gough, Richard A.

2005-05-03

A maskless micro-ion-beam reduction lithography system is a system for projecting patterns onto a resist layer on a wafer with feature size down to below 100 nm. The MMRL system operates without a stencil mask. The patterns are generated by switching beamlets on and off from a two electrode blanking system or pattern generator. The pattern generator controllably extracts the beamlet pattern from an ion source and is followed by a beam reduction and acceleration column.

Friction enhancement via micro-patterned wet elastomer adhesives on small intestinal surfaces.

PubMed

Kwon, Jiwoon; Cheung, Eugene; Park, Sukho; Sitti, Metin

2006-12-01

A micro-pillar-based silicone rubber adhesive coated with a thin silicone oil layer is investigated in this paper for developing friction-based clamping mechanisms for robotic endoscopic microcapsules. These adhesives are shown to enhance the frictional force between the capsule and the intestinal wall by a factor of about seven over a non-patterned flat elastomer material. In this study, tests performed on fresh samples of pig small intestine are used to optimize the diameter of the micro-pillars to maximize the frictional forces. In addition, the effects of other factors such as the oil viscosity and applied normal forces are investigated. It is demonstrated that the proposed micro-pillar pattern based elastomer adhesive exhibits a maximal frictional force when the pillar diameter is 140 microm and coated silicon oil has a very high viscosity (10,000 cSt). It is also found that the frictional force of the micro-patterned adhesive increases nonlinearly in proportion to the applied normal force. These adhesives would be used as a robust attachment material for developing robotic capsule endoscopes inside intestines with clamping capability.

Friction enhancement via micro-patterned wet elastomer adhesives on small intestinal surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwon, Jiwoon; Cheung, Eugene; Park, Sukho; Sitti, Metin

2006-12-01

A micro-pillar-based silicone rubber adhesive coated with a thin silicone oil layer is investigated in this paper for developing friction-based clamping mechanisms for robotic endoscopic microcapsules. These adhesives are shown to enhance the frictional force between the capsule and the intestinal wall by a factor of about seven over a non-patterned flat elastomer material. In this study, tests performed on fresh samples of pig small intestine are used to optimize the diameter of the micro-pillars to maximize the frictional forces. In addition, the effects of other factors such as the oil viscosity and applied normal forces are investigated. It is demonstrated that the proposed micro-pillar pattern based elastomer adhesive exhibits a maximal frictional force when the pillar diameter is 140 µm and coated silicon oil has a very high viscosity (10 000 cSt). It is also found that the frictional force of the micro-patterned adhesive increases nonlinearly in proportion to the applied normal force. These adhesives would be used as a robust attachment material for developing robotic capsule endoscopes inside intestines with clamping capability.

Dirac Sea and its Evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Volfson, Boris

2013-09-01

The hypothesis of transition from a chaotic Dirac Sea, via highly unstable positronium, into a Simhony Model of stable face-centered cubic lattice structure of electrons and positrons securely bound in vacuum space, is considered. 13.75 Billion years ago, the new lattice, which, unlike a Dirac Sea, is permeable by photons and phonons, made the Universe detectable. Many electrons and positrons ended up annihilating each other producing energy quanta and neutrino-antineutrino pairs. The weak force of the electron-positron crystal lattice, bombarded by the chirality-changing neutrinos, may have started capturing these neutrinos thus transforming from cubic crystals into a quasicrystal lattice. Unlike cubic crystal lattice, clusters of quasicrystals are "slippery" allowing the formation of centers of local torsion, where gravity condenses matter into galaxies, stars and planets. In the presence of quanta, in a quasicrystal lattice, the Majorana neutrinos' rotation flips to the opposite direction causing natural transformations in a category comprised of three components; two others being positron and electron. In other words, each particle-antiparticle pair "e-" and "e+", in an individual crystal unit, could become either a quasi- component "e- ve e+", or a quasi- component "e+ - ve e-". Five-to-six six billion years ago, a continuous stimulation of the quasicrystal aetherial lattice by the same, similar, or different, astronomical events, could have triggered Hebbian and anti-Hebbian learning processes. The Universe may have started writing script into its own aether in a code most appropriate for the quasicrystal aether "hardware": Eight three-dimensional "alphabet" characters, each corresponding to the individual quasi-crystal unit shape. They could be expressed as quantum Turing machine qubits, or, alternatively, in a binary code. The code numerals could contain terminal and nonterminal symbols of the Chomsky's hierarchy, wherein, the showers of quanta, forming the cosmic microwave background radiation, may re-script a quasi-component "e- ve e+" (in the binary code case, same as numeral "0") into a quasi-component "e+ -ve e-" (numeral "1"), or vice versa. According to both, the Chomsky"s logic, and the rules applicable to Majorana particles, terminals "e-" and "e+" cannot be changed using the rules of grammar, while nonterminals "ve" and "-ve" can. Under "quantum" showers, the quasi- unit cells re-shape, resulting in re-combination of the clusters that they form, with the affected pattern become same as, similar to, or different from, other pattern(s). The process of self-learning may have occurred as a natural response to various astronomical events and cosmic cataclysms: The same astronomical activity in two different areas resulted in the emission of the same energy forming the same secondary quasicrystal pattern. Different but similar astronomical activity resulted in the emission of a similar amount of energy forming a similar secondary quasicrystal pattern. Different astronomical activity resulted in the emission of a different amount of energy forming a different secondary quasicrystal pattern. Since quasicrystals conduct energy in one direction and don't conduct energy in the other, the control over quanta flows allows aether to scribe a script onto itself through changing its own quasi- patterns. The paper, as published below, is a lecture summary. The full text is published on website: www.borisvolfson.org

Micro-patterning and characterization of PHEMA-co-PAM-based optical chemical sensors for lab-on-a-chip applications

PubMed Central

Zhu, Haixin; Zhou, Xianfeng; Su, Fengyu; Tian, Yanqing; Ashili, Shashanka; Holl, Mark R.; Meldrum, Deirdre R.

2012-01-01

We report a novel method for wafer level, high throughput optical chemical sensor patterning, with precise control of the sensor volume and capability of producing arbitrary microscale patterns. Monomeric oxygen (O2) and pH optical probes were polymerized with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and acrylamide (AM) to form spin-coatable and further crosslinkable polymers. A micro-patterning method based on micro-fabrication techniques (photolithography, wet chemical process and reactive ion etch) was developed to miniaturize the sensor film onto glass substrates in arbitrary sizes and shapes. The sensitivity of fabricated micro-patterns was characterized under various oxygen concentrations and pH values. The process for spatially integration of two sensors (Oxygen and pH) on the same substrate surface was also developed, and preliminary fabrication and characterization results were presented. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time that poly (2-hydroxylethyl methacrylate)-co-poly (acrylamide) (PHEMA-co-PAM)-based sensors had been patterned and integrated at the wafer level with micron scale precision control using microfabrication techniques. The developed methods can provide a feasible way to miniaturize and integrate the optical chemical sensor system and can be applied to any lab-on-a-chip system, especially the biological micro-systems requiring optical sensing of single or multiple analytes. PMID:23175599

Study on Light Extraction from GaN-based Green Light-Emitting Diodes Using Anodic Aluminum Oxide Pattern and Nanoimprint Lithography

PubMed Central

Jiang, Shengxiang; Feng, Yulong; Chen, Zhizhong; Zhang, Lisheng; Jiang, Xianzhe; Jiao, Qianqian; Li, Junze; Chen, Yifan; Li, Dongsan; Liu, Lijian; Yu, Tongjun; Shen, Bo; Zhang, Guoyi

2016-01-01

An anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) patterned sapphire substrate, with the lattice constant of 520 ± 40 nm, pore dimension of 375 ± 50 nm, and height of 450 ± 25 nm was firstly used as a nanoimprint lithography (NIL) stamp and imprinted onto the surface of the green light-emitting diode (LED). A significant light extraction efficiency (LEE) was improved by 116% in comparison to that of the planar LED. A uniform broad protrusion in the central area and some sharp lobes were also obtained in the angular resolution photoluminescence (ARPL) for the AAO patterned LED. The mechanism of the enhancement was correlated to the fluctuations of the lattice constant and domain orientation of the AAO-pattern, which enabled the extraction of more guided modes from the LED device. PMID:26902178

Pattern formation in three-dimensional reaction-diffusion systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Callahan, T. K.; Knobloch, E.

1999-08-01

Existing group theoretic analysis of pattern formation in three dimensions [T.K. Callahan, E. Knobloch, Symmetry-breaking bifurcations on cubic lattices, Nonlinearity 10 (1997) 1179-1216] is used to make specific predictions about the formation of three-dimensional patterns in two models of the Turing instability, the Brusselator model and the Lengyel-Epstein model. Spatially periodic patterns having the periodicity of the simple cubic (SC), face-centered cubic (FCC) or body-centered cubic (BCC) lattices are considered. An efficient center manifold reduction is described and used to identify parameter regimes permitting stable lamellæ, SC, FCC, double-diamond, hexagonal prism, BCC and BCCI states. Both models possess a special wavenumber k* at which the normal form coefficients take on fixed model-independent ratios and both are described by identical bifurcation diagrams. This property is generic for two-species chemical reaction-diffusion models with a single activator and inhibitor.

Characterization of the calcification of cardiac valve bioprostheses by environmental scanning electron microscopy and vibrational spectroscopy.

PubMed

Delogne, Christophe; Lawford, Patricia V; Habesch, Steven M; Carolan, Vikki A

2007-10-01

Bioprosthetic heart valve tissue and associated calcification were studied in their natural state, using environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). Energy dispersive X-ray micro-analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the various calcific deposits observed with ESEM. The major elements present in calcified valves were also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. To better understand the precursor formation of the calcific deposits, results from the elemental analyses were statistically correlated. ESEM revealed the presence of four broad types of calcium phosphate crystal morphology. In addition, two main patterns of organization of calcific deposits were observed associated with the collagen fibres. Energy dispersive X-ray micro-analysis identified the crystals observed by ESEM as salts containing mainly calcium and phosphate with ratios from 1.340 (possibly octacalcium phosphate, which has a Ca/P ratio of 1.336) to 2.045 (possibly hydroxyapatite with incorporation of carbonate and metal ion contaminants, such as silicon and magnesium, in the crystal lattice). Raman and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy also identified the presence of carbonate and the analyses showed spectral features very similar to a crystalline hydroxyapatite spectrum, also refuting the presence of precursor phases such as beta-tricalcium phosphate, octacalcium phosphate and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate. The results of this study raised the possibility of the presence of precursor phases associated with the early stages of calcification.

Laser Fabrication of Two-Dimensional Rotating-Lattice Single Crystal

DOE PAGES

Savytskii, Dmytro; Au-Yeung, Courtney; Dierolf, Volkmar; ...

2017-03-09

A rotating lattice single (RLS) crystal is a unique form of solid, which was fabricated recently as one-dimensional architecture in glass via solid state transformation induced by laser irradiation. In these objects, the lattice rotates gradually and predictably about an axis that lies in the plane of the crystal and is normal to the laser scanning direction. This paper reports on the fabrication of Sb 2S 3 two-dimensional (2D) RLS crystals on the surface of 16SbI 3-84Sb 2S 3 glass, as a model example: individual RLS crystal lines are joined together using "stitching" or "rastering" as two successful protocols. Themore » electron back scattered diffraction mapping and scanning Laue X-ray microdiffraction of the 2D RLS crystals show gradual rotation of lattice comprising of two components, one along the length of each line and another normal to this direction. The former component is determined by the rotation of the first line of the 2D pattern, but the relative contribution of the last component depends on the extent of overlap between two successive lines. By the appropriate choice of initial seed orientation and the direction of scanning, it is possible to control the lattice rotation, and even to reduce it down to 5 for a 50 × 50 μm 2 2D pattern of Sb 2S 3 crystal.« less

Micro Machining of Injection Mold Inserts for Fluidic Channel of Polymeric Biochips

PubMed Central

Jung, Woo-Chul; Heo, Young-Moo; Yoon, Gil-Sang; Shin, Kwang-Ho; Chang, Sung-Ho; Kim, Gun-Hee; Cho, Myeong-Woo

2007-01-01

Recently, the polymeric micro-fluidic biochip, often called LOC (lab-on-a-chip), has been focused as a cheap, rapid and simplified method to replace the existing biochemical laboratory works. It becomes possible to form miniaturized lab functionalities on a chip with the development of MEMS technologies. The micro-fluidic chips contain many micro-channels for the flow of sample and reagents, mixing, and detection tasks. Typical substrate materials for the chip are glass and polymers. Typical techniques for microfluidic chip fabrication are utilizing various micro pattern forming methods, such as wet-etching, micro-contact printing, and hot-embossing, micro injection molding, LIGA, and micro powder blasting processes, etc. In this study, to establish the basis of the micro pattern fabrication and mass production of polymeric micro-fluidic chips using injection molding process, micro machining method was applied to form micro-channels on the LOC molds. In the research, a series of machining experiments using micro end-mills were performed to determine optimum machining conditions to improve surface roughness and shape accuracy of designed simplified micro-channels. Obtained conditions were used to machine required mold inserts for micro-channels using micro end-mills. Test injection processes using machined molds and COC polymer were performed, and then the results were investigated.

Combined micro and macro geodynamic modelling of mantle flow: methods, potentialities and limits.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faccenda, M.

2015-12-01

Over the last few years, geodynamic simulations aiming at reconstructing the Earth's internal dynamics have increasingly attempted to link processes occurring at the micro (i.e., strain-induced lattice preferred orientation (LPO) of crystal aggregates) and macro scale (2D/3D mantle convection). As a major outcome, such a combined approach results in the prediction of the modelled region's elastic properties that, in turn, can be used to perform seismological synthetic experiments. By comparison with observables, the geodynamic simulations can then be considered as a good numerical analogue of specific tectonic settings, constraining their deep structure and recent tectonic evolution. In this contribution, I will discuss the recent methodologies, potentialities and current limits of combined micro- and macro-flow simulations, with particular attention to convergent margins whose dynamics and deep structure is still the object of extensive studies.

A study on micro-structural and optical parameters of InxSe1-x thin film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patel, P. B.; Desai, H. N.; Dhimmar, J. M.; Modi, B. P.

2018-04-01

Thin film of Indium Selenide (InSe) has been deposited by thermal evaporation technique onto pre cleaned glass substrate under high vacuum condition. The micro-structural and optical properties of InxSe1-x (x = 0.6, 1-x = 0.4) thin film have been characterized by X-ray diffractrometer (XRD) and UV-Visible spectrophotometer. The XRD spectra showed that InSe thin film has single phase hexagonal structure with preferred orientation along (1 1 0) direction. The micro-structural parameters (crystallite size, lattice strain, dislocation density, domain population) for InSe thin film have been calculated using XRD spectra. The optical parameters (absorption, transmittance, reflectance, energy band gap, Urbach energy) of InSe thin film have been evaluated from absorption spectra. The direct energy band gap and Urbach energy of InSe thin film is found to be 1.90 eV and 235 meV respectively.

Nucleon transverse momentum-dependent parton distributions in lattice QCD: Renormalization patterns and discretization effects

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

Yoon, Boram; Engelhardt, Michael; Gupta, Rajan

Lattice QCD calculations of transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs) in nucleons are presented in this paper, based on the evaluation of nucleon matrix elements of quark bilocal operators with a staple-shaped gauge connection. Both time-reversal odd effects, namely, the generalized Sivers and Boer-Mulders transverse momentum shifts, as well as time-reversal even effects, namely, the generalized transversity and one of the generalized worm-gear shifts, are studied. Results are obtained on two different n f = 2 + 1 flavor ensembles with approximately matching pion masses but very different discretization schemes: domain-wall fermions (DWF) with lattice spacing a = 0.084 fmmore » and pion mass 297 MeV, and Wilson-clover fermions with a = 0.114 fm and pion mass 317 MeV. Comparison of the results on the two ensembles yields insight into the length scales at which lattice discretization errors are small, and into the extent to which the renormalization pattern obeyed by the continuum QCD TMD operator continues to apply in the lattice formulation. For the studied TMD observables, the results are found to be consistent between the two ensembles at sufficiently large separation of the quark fields within the operator, whereas deviations are observed in the local limit and in the case of a straight link gauge connection, which is relevant to the studies of parton distribution functions. Finally and furthermore, the lattice estimates of the generalized Sivers shift obtained here are confronted with, and are seen to tend towards, a phenomenological estimate extracted from experimental data.« less

Nucleon transverse momentum-dependent parton distributions in lattice QCD: Renormalization patterns and discretization effects

DOE PAGES

Yoon, Boram; Engelhardt, Michael; Gupta, Rajan; ...

2017-11-21

Lattice QCD calculations of transverse momentum-dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs) in nucleons are presented in this paper, based on the evaluation of nucleon matrix elements of quark bilocal operators with a staple-shaped gauge connection. Both time-reversal odd effects, namely, the generalized Sivers and Boer-Mulders transverse momentum shifts, as well as time-reversal even effects, namely, the generalized transversity and one of the generalized worm-gear shifts, are studied. Results are obtained on two different n f = 2 + 1 flavor ensembles with approximately matching pion masses but very different discretization schemes: domain-wall fermions (DWF) with lattice spacing a = 0.084 fmmore » and pion mass 297 MeV, and Wilson-clover fermions with a = 0.114 fm and pion mass 317 MeV. Comparison of the results on the two ensembles yields insight into the length scales at which lattice discretization errors are small, and into the extent to which the renormalization pattern obeyed by the continuum QCD TMD operator continues to apply in the lattice formulation. For the studied TMD observables, the results are found to be consistent between the two ensembles at sufficiently large separation of the quark fields within the operator, whereas deviations are observed in the local limit and in the case of a straight link gauge connection, which is relevant to the studies of parton distribution functions. Finally and furthermore, the lattice estimates of the generalized Sivers shift obtained here are confronted with, and are seen to tend towards, a phenomenological estimate extracted from experimental data.« less

Elastic properties of aspirin in its crystalline and glassy phases studied by micro-Brillouin scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ko, Jae-Hyeon; Lee, Kwang-Sei; Ike, Yuji; Kojima, Seiji

2008-11-01

The acoustic waves propagating along the direction perpendicular to the (1 0 0) cleavage plane of aspirin crystal were investigated using micro-Brillouin spectroscopy from which C11, C55 and C66 were obtained. The temperature dependence of the longitudinal acoustic waves could be explained by normal anharmonic lattice models, while the transverse acoustic waves showed an abnormal increase in the hypersonic attenuation at low temperatures indicating their coupling to local remnant dynamics. The sound velocity as well as the attenuation of the longitudinal acoustic waves of glassy aspirin showed a substantial change at ˜235 K confirming a transition from glassy to supercooled liquid state in vitreous aspirin.

How can we probe the atom mass currents induced by synthetic gauge fields?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paramekanti, Arun; Killi, Matthew; Trotzky, Stefan

2013-05-01

Ultracold atomic fermions and bosons in an optical lattice can have quantum ground states which support equilibrium currents in the presence of synthetic magnetic fields or spin orbit coupling. As a tool to uncover these mass currents, we propose using an anisotropic quantum quench of the optical lattice which dynamically converts the current patterns into measurable density patterns. Using analytical calculations and numerical simulations, we show that this scheme can probe diverse equilibrium bulk current patterns in Bose superfluids and Fermi fluids induced by synthetic magnetic fields, as well as detect the chiral edge currents in topological states of atomic matter such as quantum Hall and quantum spin Hall insulators. This work is supported by NSERC of Canada and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research.

Concentric superlattice pattern in dielectric barrier discharge

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

Feng, Jianyu; Dong, Lifang, E-mail: donglfhbu@163.com; Wei, Lingyan

2016-09-15

The concentric superlattice pattern with three sub-lattices is observed in the dielectric barrier discharge in air/argon for the first time. Its spatiotemporal structure investigated by an intensified charge-coupled device shows that it is an interleaving of three different sub-lattices, which are concentric-ring, concentric-framework, and concentric-dot, respectively. The images of single-frame indicate that the concentric-ring and concentric-framework are composed of individual filaments. By using the optical emission spectrum method, it is found that plasma parameters of the concentric-dot are different from those of the concentric-ring and concentric-framework. The spatiotemporal dynamics of the concentric superlattice pattern is dependent upon the effective fieldmore » of the distribution of the wall charges field and the applied field.« less

A novel approach to fabricate dye-encapsulated polymeric micro- and nanoparticles by thin film dewetting technique.

PubMed

Chatterjee, Manosree; Hens, Abhiram; Mahato, Kuldeep; Jaiswal, Namita; Mahato, Nivedita; Nagahanumaiah; Chanda, Nripen

2017-11-15

A new method is reported for fabrication of polymeric micro- and nanoparticles from an intermediate patterned surface originated by dewetting of a polymeric thin film. Poly (d, l-lactide-co-glycolide) or PLGA, a biocompatible polymer is used to develop a thin film over a clean glass substrate which dewets spontaneously in the micro-/nano-patterned surface of size range 50nm to 3.5µm. Since another water-soluble polymer, poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) is coated on the same glass substrate before PLGA thin film formation, developed micro-/nano-patterns are easily extracted in water in the form of micro- and nanoparticle mixture of size range 50nm to 3.0µm. This simplified method is also used to effectively encapsulate a dye molecule, rhodamine B inside the PLGA micro-/nanoparticles. The developed dye-encapsulated nanoparticles, PLGA-rhodamine are separated from the mixture and tested for in-vitro delivery application of external molecules inside human lung cancer cells. For the first time, the use of thin film dewetting technique is reported as a potential route for the synthesis of polymeric micro-/nanoparticles and effective encapsulation of external species therein. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Adhesion and proliferation of OCT-1 osteoblast-like cells on micro- and nano-scale topography structured poly(L-lactide).

PubMed

Wan, Yuqing; Wang, Yong; Liu, Zhimin; Qu, Xue; Han, Buxing; Bei, Jianzhong; Wang, Shenguo

2005-07-01

The impact of the surface topography of polylactone-type polymer on cell adhesion was to be concerned because the micro-scale texture of a surface can provide a significant effect on the adhesion behavior of cells on the surface. Especially for the application of tissue engineering scaffold, the pore size could have an influence on cell in-growth and subsequent proliferation. Micro-fabrication technology was used to generate specific topography to investigate the relationship between the cells and surface. In this study the pits-patterned surfaces of polystyrene (PS) film with diameters 2.2 and 0.45 microm were prepared by phase-separation, and the corresponding scale islands-patterned PLLA surface was prepared by a molding technique using the pits-patterned PS as a template. The adhesion and proliferation behavior of OCT-1 osteoblast-like cells morphology on the pits- and islands-patterned surface were characterized by SEM observation, cell attachment efficiency measurement and MTT assay. The results showed that the cell adhesion could be enhanced on PLLA and PS surface with nano-scale and micro-scale roughness compared to the smooth surfaces of the PLLA and PS. The OCT-1 osteoblast-like cells could grow along the surface with two different size islands of PLLA and grow inside the micro-scale pits of the PS. However, the proliferation of cells on the micro- and nano-scale patterned surface has not been enhanced compared with the controlled smooth surface.

Self-assembled DNA Structures for Nanoconstruction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Hao; Yin, Peng; Park, Sung Ha; Li, Hanying; Feng, Liping; Guan, Xiaoju; Liu, Dage; Reif, John H.; LaBean, Thomas H.

2004-09-01

In recent years, a number of research groups have begun developing nanofabrication methods based on DNA self-assembly. Here we review our recent experimental progress to utilize novel DNA nanostructures for self-assembly as well as for templates in the fabrication of functional nano-patterned materials. We have prototyped a new DNA nanostructure known as a cross structure. This nanostructure has a 4-fold symmetry which promotes its self-assembly into tetragonal 2D lattices. We have utilized the tetragonal 2D lattices as templates for highly conductive metallic nanowires and periodic 2D protein nano-arrays. We have constructed and characterized a DNA nanotube, a new self-assembling superstructure composed of DNA tiles. We have also demonstrated an aperiodic DNA lattice composed of DNA tiles assembled around a long scaffold strand; the system translates information encoded in the scaffold strand into a specific and reprogrammable barcode pattern. We have achieved metallic nanoparticle linear arrays templated on self-assembled 1D DNA arrays. We have designed and demonstrated a 2-state DNA lattice, which displays expand/contract motion switched by DNA nanoactuators. We have also achieved an autonomous DNA motor executing unidirectional motion along a linear DNA track.

From lattice Hamiltonians to tunable band structures by lithographic design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tadjine, Athmane; Allan, Guy; Delerue, Christophe

2016-08-01

Recently, new materials exhibiting exotic band structures characterized by Dirac cones, nontrivial flat bands, and band crossing points have been proposed on the basis of effective two-dimensional lattice Hamiltonians. Here, we show using atomistic tight-binding calculations that these theoretical predictions could be experimentally realized in the conduction band of superlattices nanolithographed in III-V and II-VI semiconductor ultrathin films. The lithographed patterns consist of periodic lattices of etched cylindrical holes that form potential barriers for the electrons in the quantum well. In the case of honeycomb lattices, the conduction minibands of the resulting artificial graphene host several Dirac cones and nontrivial flat bands. Similar features, but organized in different ways, in energy or in k -space are found in kagome, distorted honeycomb, and Lieb superlattices. Dirac cones extending over tens of meV could be obtained in superlattices with reasonable sizes of the lithographic patterns, for instance in InAs/AlSb heterostructures. Bilayer artificial graphene could be also realized by lithography of a double quantum-well heterostructure. These new materials should be interesting for the experimental exploration of Dirac-based quantum systems, for both fundamental and applied physics.

Matter-wave solitons supported by quadrupole-quadrupole interactions and anisotropic discrete lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, Rong-Xuan; Huang, Nan; Li, Huang-Wu; He, He-Xiang; Lü, Jian-Tao; Huang, Chun-Qing; Chen, Zhao-Pin

2018-04-01

We numerically and analytically investigate the formations and features of two-dimensional discrete Bose-Einstein condensate solitons, which are constructed by quadrupole-quadrupole interactional particles trapped in the tunable anisotropic discrete optical lattices. The square optical lattices in the model can be formed by two pairs of interfering plane waves with different intensities. Two hopping rates of the particles in the orthogonal directions are different, which gives rise to a linear anisotropic system. We find that if all of the pairs of dipole and anti-dipole are perpendicular to the lattice panel and the line connecting the dipole and anti-dipole which compose the quadrupole is parallel to horizontal direction, both the linear anisotropy and the nonlocal nonlinear one can strongly influence the formations of the solitons. There exist three patterns of stable solitons, namely horizontal elongation quasi-one-dimensional discrete solitons, disk-shape isotropic pattern solitons and vertical elongation quasi-continuous solitons. We systematically demonstrate the relationships of chemical potential, size and shape of the soliton with its total norm and vertical hopping rate and analytically reveal the linear dispersion relation for quasi-one-dimensional discrete solitons.

Universal Sign Control of Coupling in Tight-Binding Lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keil, Robert; Poli, Charles; Heinrich, Matthias; Arkinstall, Jake; Weihs, Gregor; Schomerus, Henning; Szameit, Alexander

2016-05-01

We present a method of locally inverting the sign of the coupling term in tight-binding systems, by means of inserting a judiciously designed ancillary site and eigenmode matching of the resulting vertex triplet. Our technique can be universally applied to all lattice configurations, as long as the individual sites can be detuned. We experimentally verify this method in laser-written photonic lattices and confirm both the magnitude and the sign of the coupling by interferometric measurements. Based on these findings, we demonstrate how such universal sign-flipped coupling links can be embedded into extended lattice structures to impose a Z2-gauge transformation. This opens a new avenue for investigations on topological effects arising from magnetic fields with aperiodic flux patterns or in disordered systems.

Realization of ground-state artificial skyrmion lattices at room temperature

DOE PAGES

Gilbert, Dustin A.; Maranville, Brian B.; Balk, Andrew L.; ...

2015-10-08

We report that the topological nature of magnetic skyrmions leads to extraordinary properties that provide new insights into fundamental problems of magnetism and exciting potentials for novel magnetic technologies. Prerequisite are systems exhibiting skyrmion lattices at ambient conditions, which have been elusive so far. We demonstrate the realization of artificial Bloch skyrmion lattices over extended areas in their ground state at room temperature by patterning asymmetric magnetic nanodots with controlled circularity on an underlayer with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). Polarity is controlled by a tailored magnetic field sequence and demonstrated in magnetometry measurements. The vortex structure is imprinted from themore » dots into the interfacial region of the underlayer via suppression of the PMA by a critical ion-irradiation step. In conclusion, the imprinted skyrmion lattices are identified directly with polarized neutron reflectometry and confirmed by magnetoresistance measurements. Our results demonstrate an exciting platform to explore room-temperature ground-state skyrmion lattices.« less

The 2-D lattice theory of Flower Constellations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avendaño, Martín E.; Davis, Jeremy J.; Mortari, Daniele

2013-08-01

The 2-D lattice theory of Flower Constellations, generalizing Harmonic Flower Constellations (the symmetric subset of Flower Constellations) as well as the Walker/ Mozhaev constellations, is presented here. This theory is a new general framework to design symmetric constellations using a 2× 2 lattice matrix of integers or by its minimal representation, the Hermite normal form. From a geometrical point of view, the phasing of satellites is represented by a regular pattern (lattice) on a two-Dimensional torus. The 2-D lattice theory of Flower Constellations does not require any compatibility condition and uses a minimum set of integer parameters whose meaning are explored throughout the paper. This general minimum-parametrization framework allows us to obtain all symmetric distribution of satellites. Due to the J_2 effect this design framework is meant for circular orbits and for elliptical orbits at critical inclination, or to design elliptical constellations for the unperturbed Keplerian case.

Forensic microradiology: micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) and analysis of patterned injuries inside of bone.

PubMed

Thali, Michael J; Taubenreuther, Ulrike; Karolczak, Marek; Braun, Marcel; Brueschweiler, Walter; Kalender, Willi A; Dirnhofer, Richard

2003-11-01

When a knife is stabbed in bone, it leaves an impression in the bone. The characteristics (shape, size, etc.) may indicate the type of tool used to produce the patterned injury in bone. Until now it has been impossible in forensic sciences to document such damage precisely and non-destructively. Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) offers an opportunity to analyze patterned injuries of tool marks made in bone. Using high-resolution Micro-CT and computer software, detailed analysis of three-dimensional (3D) architecture has recently become feasible and allows microstructural 3D bone information to be collected. With adequate viewing software, data from 2D slice of an arbitrary plane can be extracted from 3D datasets. Using such software as a "digital virtual knife," the examiner can interactively section and analyze the 3D sample. Analysis of the bone injury revealed that Micro-CT provides an opportunity to correlate a bone injury to an injury-causing instrument. Even broken knife tips can be graphically and non-destructively assigned to a suspect weapon.

Fabrication of multi-scale periodic surface structures on Ti-6Al-4V by direct laser writing and direct laser interference patterning for modified wettability applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huerta-Murillo, D.; Aguilar-Morales, A. I.; Alamri, S.; Cardoso, J. T.; Jagdheesh, R.; Lasagni, A. F.; Ocaña, J. L.

2017-11-01

In this work, hierarchical surface patterns fabricated on Ti-6Al-4V alloy combining two laser micro-machining techniques are presented. The used technologies are based on nanosecond Direct Laser Writing and picosecond Direct Laser Interference Patterning. Squared shape micro-cells with different hatch distances were produced by Direct Laser Writing with depths values in the micro-scale, forming a well-defined closed packet. Subsequently, cross-like periodic patterns were fabricated by means of Direct Laser Interference Patterning using a two-beam configuration, generating a dual-scale periodic surface structure in both micro- and nano-scale due to the formation of Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structure after the picosecond process. As a result a triple hierarchical periodic surface structure was generated. The surface morphology of the irradiated area was characterized with scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. Additionally, static contact angle measurements were made to analyze the wettability behavior of the structures, showing a hydrophobic behavior for the hierarchical structures.

Effect of the Chemical State of the Surface on the Relaxation of the Surface Shell Atoms in SiC and GaN Nanocrystals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Palosz, B.; Grzanka, E.; Stelmakh, S.; Pielaszek, R.; Bismayer, U.; Weber, H. P.; Janik, J. F.; Palosz, W.; Curreri, Peter A. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The effect of the chemical state of the surface of nanoparticles on the relaxation in the near-surface layer was examined using the concept of the apparent lattice parameter (alp) determined for different diffraction vectors Q. The apparent lattice parameter is a lattice parameter determined either from an individual Bragg reflection, or from a selected region of the diffraction pattern. At low diffraction vectors the Bragg peak positions are affected mainly by the structure of the near-surface layer, while at high Q-values only the interior of the nano-grain contributes to the diffraction pattern. Following the measurements on raw (as prepared) powders we investigated powders cleaned by annealing at 400C under vacuum, and the same powders wetted with water. Theoretical alp-Q plots showed that the structure of the surface layer depends on the sample treatment. Semi-quantitative analysis based on the comparison of the experimental and theoretical alp-Q plots was performed. Theoretical alp-Q relations were obtained from the diffraction patterns calculated for models of nanocrystals with a strained surface layer using the Debye functions.

Radial carpet beams: A class of nondiffracting, accelerating, and self-healing beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rasouli, Saifollah; Khazaei, Ali Mohammad; Hebri, Davud

2018-03-01

Self-accelerating shape-invariant beams are attracting major attention, presenting applications in many areas such as laser manipulation and patterning, light-sheet microscopy, and plasma channels. Moreover, optical lattices are offering many applications, including quantum computation, quantum phase transition, spin-exchange interaction, and realization of magnetic fields. We report observation of a class of accelerating and self-healing beams which covers the features required by all the aforementioned applications. These beams are accelerating, shape invariant, and self-healing for more than several tens of meters, have numerous phase anomalies and unprecedented patterns, and can be feasibly tuned. Diffraction of a plane wave from radial phase gratings generates such beams, and due to their beauty and structural complexity we have called them "carpet" beams. By tuning the value of phase variations over the grating, the resulting carpet patterns are converted into two-dimensional optical lattices with polar symmetry. Furthermore, the number of spokes in the radial grating, phase variation amplitude, and wavelength of the impinging light beam can also be adjusted to obtain additional features. We believe that radial carpet beams and lattices might find more applications in optical micromanipulation, optical lithography, super-resolution imaging, lighting design, optical communication through atmosphere, etc.

Ferroelastic switching in a layered-perovskite thin film

PubMed Central

Wang, Chuanshou; Ke, Xiaoxing; Wang, Jianjun; Liang, Renrong; Luo, Zhenlin; Tian, Yu; Yi, Di; Zhang, Qintong; Wang, Jing; Han, Xiu-Feng; Van Tendeloo, Gustaaf; Chen, Long-Qing; Nan, Ce-Wen; Ramesh, Ramamoorthy; Zhang, Jinxing

2016-01-01

A controllable ferroelastic switching in ferroelectric/multiferroic oxides is highly desirable due to the non-volatile strain and possible coupling between lattice and other order parameter in heterostructures. However, a substrate clamping usually inhibits their elastic deformation in thin films without micro/nano-patterned structure so that the integration of the non-volatile strain with thin film devices is challenging. Here, we report that reversible in-plane elastic switching with a non-volatile strain of approximately 0.4% can be achieved in layered-perovskite Bi2WO6 thin films, where the ferroelectric polarization rotates by 90° within four in-plane preferred orientations. Phase-field simulation indicates that the energy barrier of ferroelastic switching in orthorhombic Bi2WO6 film is ten times lower than the one in PbTiO3 films, revealing the origin of the switching with negligible substrate constraint. The reversible control of the in-plane strain in this layered-perovskite thin film demonstrates a new pathway to integrate mechanical deformation with nanoscale electronic and/or magnetoelectronic applications. PMID:26838483

Ferroelastic switching in a layered-perovskite thin film

DOE PAGES

Wang, Chuanshou; Ke, Xiaoxing; Wang, Jianjun; ...

2016-02-03

Here, a controllable ferroelastic switching in ferroelectric/multiferroic oxides is highly desirable due to the non-volatile strain and possible coupling between lattice and other order parameter in heterostructures. However, a substrate clamping usually inhibits their elastic deformation in thin films without micro/nano-patterned structure so that the integration of the non-volatile strain with thin film devices is challenging. Here, we report that reversible in-plane elastic switching with a non-volatile strain of approximately 0.4% can be achieved in layered-perovskite Bi 2WO 6 thin films, where the ferroelectric polarization rotates by 90° within four in-plane preferred orientations. Phase-field simulation indicates that the energy barriermore » of ferroelastic switching in orthorhombic Bi 2WO 6 film is ten times lower than the one in PbTiO 3 films, revealing the origin of the switching with negligible substrate constraint. The reversible control of the in-plane strain in this layered-perovskite thin film demonstrates a new pathway to integrate mechanical deformation with nanoscale electronic and/or magnetoelectronic applications.« less

Functional patterned coatings by thin polymer film dewetting.

PubMed

Telford, Andrew M; Thickett, Stuart C; Neto, Chiara

2017-12-01

An approach for the fabrication of functional polymer surface coatings is introduced, where micro-scale structure and surface functionality are obtained by means of self-assembly mechanisms. We illustrate two main applications of micro-patterned polymer surfaces obtained through dewetting of bilayers of thin polymer films. By tuning the physical and chemical properties of the polymer bilayers, micro-patterned surface coatings could be produced that have applications both for the selective attachment and patterning of proteins and cells, with potential applications as biomaterials, and for the collection of water from the atmosphere. In all cases, the aim is to achieve functional coatings using approaches that are simple to realize, use low cost materials and are potentially scalable. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Tribological behavior of micro/nano-patterned surfaces in contact with AFM colloidal probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xiaoliang; Wang, Xiu; Kong, Wen; Yi, Gewen; Jia, Junhong

2011-10-01

In effort to investigate the influence of the micro/nano-patterning or surface texturing on the nanotribological properties of patterned surfaces, the patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces with pillars were fabricated by replica molding technique. The surface morphologies of patterned PDMS surfaces with varying pillar sizes and spacing between pillars were characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The AFM/FFM was used to acquire the friction force images of micro/nano-patterned surfaces using a colloidal probe. A difference in friction force produced a contrast on the friction force images when the colloidal probe slid over different regions of the patterned polymer surfaces. The average friction force of patterned surface was related to the spacing between the pillars and their size. It decreased with the decreasing of spacing between the pillars and the increasing of pillar size. A reduction in friction force was attributed to the reduced area of contact between patterned surface and colloidal probe. Additionally, the average friction force increased with increasing applied load and sliding velocity.

Lieb polariton topological insulators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chunyan; Ye, Fangwei; Chen, Xianfeng; Kartashov, Yaroslav V.; Ferrando, Albert; Torner, Lluis; Skryabin, Dmitry V.

2018-02-01

We predict that the interplay between the spin-orbit coupling, stemming from the transverse electric-transverse magnetic energy splitting, and the Zeeman effect in semiconductor microcavities supporting exciton-polariton quasiparticles, results in the appearance of unidirectional linear topological edge states when the top microcavity mirror is patterned to form a truncated dislocated Lieb lattice of cylindrical pillars. Periodic nonlinear edge states are found to emerge from the linear ones. They are strongly localized across the interface and they are remarkably robust in comparison to their counterparts in honeycomb lattices. Such robustness makes possible the existence of nested unidirectional dark solitons that move steadily along the lattice edge.

Signature of phase singularities in diffusive regimes in disordered waveguide lattices: interplay and qualitative analysis.

PubMed

Ghosh, Somnath

2018-05-10

Coexistence and interplay between mesoscopic light dynamics with singular optics in spatially disordered waveguide lattices are reported. Two CW light beams of a 1.55 μm operating wavelength are launched as inputs to 1D waveguide lattices with controllable weak disorder in a complex refractive index profile. Direct observation of phase singularities in the speckle pattern along the length is numerically demonstrated. Quantitative analysis of the onset of such singular behavior and diffusive wave propagation is analyzed for the first time, to the best of our knowledge.

Dark optical lattice of ring traps for cold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Courtade, Emmanuel; Houde, Olivier; Clément, Jean-François; Verkerk, Philippe; Hennequin, Daniel

2006-09-01

We propose an optical lattice for cold atoms made of a one-dimensional stack of dark ring traps. It is obtained through the interference pattern of a standard Gaussian beam with a counterpropagating hollow beam obtained using a setup with two conical lenses. The traps of the resulting lattice are characterized by a high confinement and a filling rate much larger than unity, even if loaded with cold atoms from a magneto-optical trap. We have implemented this system experimentally, and demonstrated its feasibility. Applications in statistical physics, quantum computing, and Bose-Einstein condensate dynamics are conceivable.

Robust light transport in non-Hermitian photonic lattices

PubMed Central

Longhi, Stefano; Gatti, Davide; Valle, Giuseppe Della

2015-01-01

Combating the effects of disorder on light transport in micro- and nano-integrated photonic devices is of major importance from both fundamental and applied viewpoints. In ordinary waveguides, imperfections and disorder cause unwanted back-reflections, which hinder large-scale optical integration. Topological photonic structures, a new class of optical systems inspired by quantum Hall effect and topological insulators, can realize robust transport via topologically-protected unidirectional edge modes. Such waveguides are realized by the introduction of synthetic gauge fields for photons in a two-dimensional structure, which break time reversal symmetry and enable one-way guiding at the edge of the medium. Here we suggest a different route toward robust transport of light in lower-dimensional (1D) photonic lattices, in which time reversal symmetry is broken because of the non-Hermitian nature of transport. While a forward propagating mode in the lattice is amplified, the corresponding backward propagating mode is damped, thus resulting in an asymmetric transport insensitive to disorder or imperfections in the structure. Non-Hermitian asymmetric transport can occur in tight-binding lattices with an imaginary gauge field via a non-Hermitian delocalization transition, and in periodically-driven superlattices. The possibility to observe non-Hermitian delocalization is suggested using an engineered coupled-resonator optical waveguide (CROW) structure. PMID:26314932

Robust light transport in non-Hermitian photonic lattices.

PubMed

Longhi, Stefano; Gatti, Davide; Della Valle, Giuseppe

2015-08-28

Combating the effects of disorder on light transport in micro- and nano-integrated photonic devices is of major importance from both fundamental and applied viewpoints. In ordinary waveguides, imperfections and disorder cause unwanted back-reflections, which hinder large-scale optical integration. Topological photonic structures, a new class of optical systems inspired by quantum Hall effect and topological insulators, can realize robust transport via topologically-protected unidirectional edge modes. Such waveguides are realized by the introduction of synthetic gauge fields for photons in a two-dimensional structure, which break time reversal symmetry and enable one-way guiding at the edge of the medium. Here we suggest a different route toward robust transport of light in lower-dimensional (1D) photonic lattices, in which time reversal symmetry is broken because of the non-Hermitian nature of transport. While a forward propagating mode in the lattice is amplified, the corresponding backward propagating mode is damped, thus resulting in an asymmetric transport insensitive to disorder or imperfections in the structure. Non-Hermitian asymmetric transport can occur in tight-binding lattices with an imaginary gauge field via a non-Hermitian delocalization transition, and in periodically-driven superlattices. The possibility to observe non-Hermitian delocalization is suggested using an engineered coupled-resonator optical waveguide (CROW) structure.

Benchtop Nanoscale Patterning Using Soft Lithography

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meenakshi, Viswanathan; Babayan, Yelizaveta; Odom, Teri W.

2007-01-01

This paper outlines several benchtop nanoscale patterning experiments that can be incorporated into undergraduate laboratories or advanced high school chemistry curricula. The experiments, supplemented by an online video lab manual, are based on soft lithographic techniques such as replica molding, micro-molding in capillaries, and micro-contact…

Biomimetic patterned surfaces for controllable friction in micro- and nanoscale devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Arvind; Suh, Kahp-Yang

2013-12-01

Biomimetics is the study and simulation of biological systems for desired functional properties. It involves the transformation of underlying principles discovered in nature into man-made technologies. In this context, natural surfaces have significantly inspired and motivated new solutions for micro- and nano-scale devices (e.g., Micro/Nano-Electro-Mechanical Systems, MEMS/NEMS) towards controllable friction, during their operation. As a generic solution to reduce friction at small scale, various thin films/coatings have been employed in the last few decades. In recent years, inspiration from `Lotus Effect' has initiated a new research direction for controllable friction with biomimetic patterned surfaces. By exploiting the intrinsic hydrophobicity and ability to reduce contact area, such micro- or nano-patterned surfaces have demonstrated great strength and potential for applications in MEMS/NEMS devices. This review highlights recent advancements on the design, development and performance of these biomimetic patterned surfaces. Also, we present some hybrid approaches to tackle current challenges in biomimetic tribological applications for MEMS/NEMS devices.

Dry etch challenges for CD shrinkage in memory process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsushita, Takaya; Matsumoto, Takanori; Mukai, Hidefumi; Kyoh, Suigen; Hashimoto, Kohji

2015-03-01

Line pattern collapse attracts attention as a new problem of the L&S formation in sub-20nm H.P feature. Line pattern collapse that occurs in a slight non-uniformity of adjacent CD (Critical dimension) space using double patterning process has been studied with focus on micro-loading effect in Si etching. Bias RF pulsing plasma etching process using low duty cycle helped increase of selectivity Si to SiO2. In addition to the effect of Bias RF pulsing process, the thin mask obtained from improvement of selectivity has greatly suppressed micro-loading in Si etching. However it was found that micro-loading effect worsen again in sub-20nm space width. It has been confirmed that by using cycle etch process to remove deposition with CFx based etching micro-loading effect could be suppressed. Finally, Si etching process condition using combination of results above could provide finer line and space without "line pattern collapse" in sub-20nm.

Luminescence mechanism and energy transfer in doubly-doped BaY2F8:Tm,Nd VUV scintillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pejchal, J.; Nikl, M.; Moretti, F.; Vedda, A.; Fukuda, K.; Kawaguchi, N.; Yanagida, T.; Yokota, Y.; Yoshikawa, A.

2010-11-01

Doubly-doped BaY2F8:Tm,Nd scintillation crystals were grown by modified micro-pulling-down method. Nd co-doping was chosen to enhance the energy transfer from the host lattice to the Nd3+ luminescence center via the 5d-levels of Tm3+, due to the overlap of Tm3+ 5d-4f emission spectrum with the Nd3+ 4f-5d absorption. The energy transfer was clearly evidenced in the BaY2F8:Tm,Nd. This process is not complicated by an energy migration to killer centers and/or cross-relaxation. The radioluminescence process is complicated by an energy transfer from the host lattice exciton states to the lower f-levels of Tm3+ ion.

Novel anti-reflection technology for GaAs single-junction solar cells using surface patterning and Au nanoparticles.

PubMed

Kim, Youngjo; Lam, Nguyen Dinh; Kim, Kangho; Kim, Sangin; Rotermund, Fabian; Lim, Hanjo; Lee, Jaejin

2012-07-01

Single-junction GaAs solar cell structures were grown by low-pressure MOCVD on GaAs (100) substrates. Micro-rod arrays with diameters of 2 microm, 5 microm, and 10 microm were fabricated on the surfaces of the GaAs solar cells via photolithography and wet chemical etching. The patterned surfaces were coated with Au nanoparticles using an Au colloidal solution. Characteristics of the GaAs solar cells with and without the micro-rod arrays and Au nanoparticles were investigated. The short-circuit current density of the GaAs solar cell with 2 microm rod arrays and Au nanoparticles increased up to 34.9% compared to that of the reference cell without micro-rod arrays and Au nanoparticles. The conversion efficiency of the GaAs solar cell that was coated with Au nanoparticles on the patterned surface with micro-rod arrays can be improved from 14.1% to 19.9% under 1 sun AM 1.5G illumination. These results show that micro-rod arrays and Au nanoparticle coating can be applied together in surface patterning to achieve a novel cost-effective anti-reflection technology.

Large scale ZnTe nanostructures on polymer micro patterns via capillary force photolithography

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

Florence, S. Sasi, E-mail: sshanmugaraj@jazanu.edu.sa; Can, N.; Adam, H.

2016-06-10

A novel approach to prepare micro patterns ZnTe nanostructures on Si (100) substrate using thermal evaporation is proposed by capillary Force Lithography (CFL) technique on a self-assembled sacrificial Polystyrene mask. Polystyrene thin films on Si substrates are used to fabricate surface micro-relief patterns. ZnTe nanoparticles have been deposited by thermal evaporation method. The deposited ZnTe nanoparticles properties were assessed by Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). SEM studies indicated that the particles are uniform in size and shape, well dispersed and spherical in shape. This study reports the micro-arrays of ZnTe nanoparticles on a self-assembled sacrificial PS maskmore » using a capillary flow photolithography process which showed excellent, morphological properties which can be used in photovoltaic devices for anti-reflection applications.« less

Performance of Transuranic-Loaded Fully Ceramic Micro-Encapsulated Fuel in LWRs Final Report, Including Void Reactivity Evaluation

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

Michael A. Pope; R. Sonat Sen; Brian Boer

2011-09-01

The current focus of the Deep Burn Project is on once-through burning of transuranics (TRU) in light-water reactors (LWRs). The fuel form is called Fully-Ceramic Micro-encapsulated (FCM) fuel, a concept that borrows the tri-isotropic (TRISO) fuel particle design from high-temperature reactor technology. In the Deep Burn LWR (DB-LWR) concept, these fuel particles are pressed into compacts using SiC matrix material and loaded into fuel pins for use in conventional LWRs. The TRU loading comes from the spent fuel of a conventional LWR after 5 years of cooling. Unit cell and assembly calculations have been performed using the DRAGON-4 code tomore » assess the physics attributes of TRU-only FCM fuel in an LWR lattice. Depletion calculations assuming an infinite lattice condition were performed with calculations of various reactivity coefficients performed at each step. Unit cells and assemblies containing typical UO2 and mixed oxide (MOX) fuel were analyzed in the same way to provide a baseline against which to compare the TRU-only FCM fuel. Then, assembly calculations were performed evaluating the performance of heterogeneous arrangements of TRU-only FCM fuel pins along with UO2 pins.« less

Simulation of the spreading of a gas-propelled micro-droplet upon impact on a dry surface using a lattice-Boltzmann approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebrahim, Mahsa; Ortega, Alfonso; Delbosc, Nicolas; Wilson, Mark C. T.; Summers, Jonathan L.

2017-07-01

Spray cooling is one of the most promising methods of cooling high heat flux electronics. Depending on the type of the nozzle, spray cooling can be categorized as single-phase or two-phase. In the latter, which is known to be more effective, a secondary gas is used to further pressurize the liquid and form smaller droplets at higher velocities. The gas is also assumed to assist the spreading phase by imposing normal and tangential forces on the droplet free surface which adds to the complicated hydrodynamics of the droplet impact. Moreover, the order of magnitude of droplet size in spray cooling is 10-6 m, thereby introducing a low Weber and Reynolds numbers' impact regime which heretofore has not been well understood. A 3D lattice Boltzmann method was implemented to simulate the impact of a single micro-droplet on a dry surface both in ambient air and under a stagnation gas flow. Two cases were closely compared and correlations were proposed for the instantaneous spreading diameter. Contrary to recent findings at higher impact Weber and Reynolds numbers, it was found that a stagnation flow only significantly affects the spreading phase for Ca* ≥ 0.35 but has little influence on the receding physics.

In situ contact angle measurements of liquid CO 2, brine, and Mount Simon sandstone core using micro X-ray CT imaging, sessile drop, and Lattice Boltzmann modeling

DOE PAGES

Tudek, John; Crandall, Dustin; Fuchs, Samantha; ...

2017-01-30

Three techniques to measure and understand the contact angle, θ, of a CO 2/brine/rock system relevant to geologic carbon storage were performed with Mount Simon sandstone. Traditional sessile drop measurements of CO 2/brine on the sample were conducted and a water-wet system was observed, as is expected. A novel series of measurements inside of a Mount Simon core, using a micro X-ray computed tomography imaging system with the ability to scan samples at elevated pressures, was used to examine the θ of residual bubbles of CO 2. Within the sandstone core the matrix appeared to be neutrally wetting, with anmore » average θ around 90°. A large standard deviation of θ (20.8°) within the core was also observed. To resolve this discrepancy between experimental measurements, a series of Lattice Boltzmann model simulations were performed with differing intrinsic θ values. The model results with a θ = 80° were shown to match the core measurements closely, in both magnitude and variation. The small volume and complex geometry of the pore spaces that CO 2 was trapped in is the most likely explanation of this discrepancy between measured values, though further work is warranted.« less

A lattice Boltzmann model for substrates with regularly structured surface roughness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yagub, A.; Farhat, H.; Kondaraju, S.; Singh, T.

2015-11-01

Superhydrophobic surface characteristics are important in many industrial applications, ranging from the textile to the military. It was observed that surfaces fabricated with nano/micro roughness can manipulate the droplet contact angle, thus providing an opportunity to control the droplet wetting characteristics. The Shan and Chen (SC) lattice Boltzmann model (LBM) is a good numerical tool, which holds strong potentials to qualify for simulating droplets wettability. This is due to its realistic nature of droplet contact angle (CA) prediction on flat smooth surfaces. But SC-LBM was not able to replicate the CA on rough surfaces because it lacks a real representation of the physics at work under these conditions. By using a correction factor to influence the interfacial tension within the asperities, the physical forces acting on the droplet at its contact lines were mimicked. This approach allowed the model to replicate some experimentally confirmed Wenzel and Cassie wetting cases. Regular roughness structures with different spacing were used to validate the study using the classical Wenzel and Cassie equations. The present work highlights the strength and weakness of the SC model and attempts to qualitatively conform it to the fundamental physics, which causes a change in the droplet apparent contact angle, when placed on nano/micro structured surfaces.

MicroRNA expression patterns in indeterminate inflammatory bowel disease.

PubMed

Lin, Jingmei; Cao, Qi; Zhang, Jianjun; Li, Yong; Shen, Bo; Zhao, Zijin; Chinnaiyan, Arul M; Bronner, Mary P

2013-01-01

A diagnosis of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease requires synthesis of clinical, radiographic, endoscopic, surgical, and histologic data. While most cases of inflammatory bowel disease can be specifically classified as either ulcerative colitis or Crohns disease, 5-10% of patients have equivocal features placing them into the indeterminate colitis category. This study examines whether microRNA biomarkers assist in the classification of classically diagnosed indeterminate inflammatory bowel disease. Fresh frozen colonic mucosa from the distal-most part of the colectomy from 53 patients was used (16 indeterminate colitis, 14 Crohns disease, 12 ulcerative colitis, and 11 diverticular disease controls). Total RNA extraction and quantitative reverse-transcription-PCR was performed using five pairs of microRNA primers (miR-19b, miR-23b, miR-106a, miR-191, and miR-629). Analysis of variance was performed assessing differences among the groups. A significant difference in expressions of miR-19b, miR-106a, and miR-629 was detected between ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease groups (P<0.05). The average expression level of all five microRNAs was statistically different between indeterminate colitis and Crohns disease groups (P<0.05); no significant difference was present between indeterminate and ulcerative colitis groups. Among the 16 indeterminate colitis patients, 15 showed ulcerative colitis-like and one Crohns disease-like microRNA pattern. MicroRNA expression patterns in indeterminate colitis are far more similar to those of ulcerative colitis than Crohns disease. MicroRNA expression patterns of indeterminate colitis provide molecular evidence indicating that most cases are probably ulcerative colitis-similar to the data from long-term clinical follow-up studies. Validation of microRNA results by additional long-term outcome data is needed, but the data presented show promise for improved classification of indeterminate inflammatory bowel disease.

A study of the dynamics of seizure propagation across micro domains in the vicinity of the seizure onset zone.

PubMed

Basu, Ishita; Kudela, Pawel; Korzeniewska, Anna; Franaszczuk, Piotr J; Anderson, William S

2015-08-01

The use of micro-electrode arrays to measure electrical activity from the surface of the brain is increasingly being investigated as a means to improve seizure onset zone (SOZ) localization. In this work, we used a multivariate autoregressive model to determine the evolution of seizure dynamics in the [Formula: see text] Hz high frequency band across micro-domains sampled by such micro-electrode arrays. We showed that a directed transfer function (DTF) can be used to estimate the flow of seizure activity in a set of simulated micro-electrode data with known propagation pattern. We used seven complex partial seizures recorded from four patients undergoing intracranial monitoring for surgical evaluation to reconstruct the seizure propagation pattern over sliding windows using a DTF measure. We showed that a DTF can be used to estimate the flow of seizure activity in a set of simulated micro-electrode data with a known propagation pattern. In general, depending on the location of the micro-electrode grid with respect to the clinical SOZ and the time from seizure onset, ictal propagation changed in directional characteristics over a 2-10 s time scale, with gross directionality limited to spatial dimensions of approximately [Formula: see text]. It was also seen that the strongest seizure patterns in the high frequency band and their sources over such micro-domains are more stable over time and across seizures bordering the clinically determined SOZ than inside. This type of propagation analysis might in future provide an additional tool to epileptologists for characterizing epileptogenic tissue. This will potentially help narrowing down resection zones without compromising essential brain functions as well as provide important information about targeting anti-epileptic stimulation devices.

A study of the dynamics of seizure propagation across micro domains in the vicinity of the seizure onset zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basu, Ishita; Kudela, Pawel; Korzeniewska, Anna; Franaszczuk, Piotr J.; Anderson, William S.

2015-08-01

Objective. The use of micro-electrode arrays to measure electrical activity from the surface of the brain is increasingly being investigated as a means to improve seizure onset zone (SOZ) localization. In this work, we used a multivariate autoregressive model to determine the evolution of seizure dynamics in the 70-110 Hz high frequency band across micro-domains sampled by such micro-electrode arrays. We showed that a directed transfer function (DTF) can be used to estimate the flow of seizure activity in a set of simulated micro-electrode data with known propagation pattern. Approach. We used seven complex partial seizures recorded from four patients undergoing intracranial monitoring for surgical evaluation to reconstruct the seizure propagation pattern over sliding windows using a DTF measure. Main results. We showed that a DTF can be used to estimate the flow of seizure activity in a set of simulated micro-electrode data with a known propagation pattern. In general, depending on the location of the micro-electrode grid with respect to the clinical SOZ and the time from seizure onset, ictal propagation changed in directional characteristics over a 2-10 s time scale, with gross directionality limited to spatial dimensions of approximately 9 m{{m}2}. It was also seen that the strongest seizure patterns in the high frequency band and their sources over such micro-domains are more stable over time and across seizures bordering the clinically determined SOZ than inside. Significance. This type of propagation analysis might in future provide an additional tool to epileptologists for characterizing epileptogenic tissue. This will potentially help narrowing down resection zones without compromising essential brain functions as well as provide important information about targeting anti-epileptic stimulation devices.

Artificially Structured Semiconductors to Model Novel Quantum Phenomena

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

Pinczuk, Aron; Wind, Shalom J.

Award Period: September 1st, 2013 through February 15th, 2017 Submitted to the USDOE Office of Basic Energy Sciences By Aron Pinczuk and Shalom J. Wind Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics Columbia University New York, NY 10027 January 2017 Award # DE-SC0010695 ABSTRACT Research in this project seeks to design, create and study a class of tunable artificial quantum structures in order to extend the range and scope of new and exciting physical phenomena and to explore the potential for new applications. Advanced nanofabrication was used to create an external potential landscape that acts as a lattice of confinementmore » sites for electrons (and/or holes) in a two-dimensional electron gas in a high perfection semiconductor in such a manner that quantum interactions between different sites dictate the significant physics. Our current focus is on ‘artificial graphene’ (AG) in which a set of quantum dots (or sites) are patterned in a honeycomb lattice. The combination of leading edge nanofabrication with ultra-pure semiconductor materials in this project extends the frontier for small period, low-disorder AG systems, enabling the exploration of graphene physics in a semiconductor platform. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION Contemporary condensed matter science has entered an era of discovery of new low-dimensional materials, such as graphene and other atomically thin materials, that exhibit exciting new physical phenomena that were previously inaccessible. Concurrent with the discovery and development of these new materials are impressive advancements in nanofabrication, which offer an ever-expanding toolbox for creating a myriad of high quality patterns at nanoscale dimensions. This project started about four years ago. Among its major achievements are the realizations of very small period artificial lattices with honeycomb topology in GaAs quantum wells. In our most recent work the periods of the ‘artificial graphene’ (AG) lattices extend down to 40 nm. These small periods are about three times smaller than previously reported in GaAs quantum wells. This milestone establishes a new state-of-the-art in fields of research and nanofabrication. In experiments using optical scattering methods we uncovered evidence that free electrons in the small period AG lattices display novel features that arise from the symmetry of the honeycomb lattice. These achievements create semiconductor platforms for explorations of novel states and effects that offer opportunities to create quasiparticles with tunable character. The quest for the discovery of novel quantum physics by nanofabrication of ‘artificial structures’ in semiconductor quantum structures overlaps with the development of quantum simulators. Nanopatterns were created at Columbia University by the group of co-PI Shalom Wind using a 100keV e-beam nanolithography instrument (along with associated processing) that is part of the Columbia Nano Initiative. Optical experiments were carried out in the group of PI Aron Pinczuk. GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells(QWs) of world-class perfection that serve as electron hosts are the starting material grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) by our partners Dr. Loren Pfeiffer (Princeton Univ.) and Prof. Michael Manfra (Purdue Univ.). The inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching (ICP-RIE) was carried out at the PRISM Micro/Nano Fabrication Laboratory of Princeton University. Dr. Vittorio Pellegrini (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy) has contributed critical insight on this research. Two graduate students in this project Sheng Wang and Diego Scarabelli, graduated in the summer/fall of 2016. Dr. Yuliya Kuznetsova has been a postdoc in the group. The current work is led by Dr. Lingjie Du, a postdoctoral scientist that joined the group of the PI on October 15th, 2016. Since the start of this project we have focused primarily on developing protocols towards the fabrication of the artificial lattices and in the implementation of characterization methods to identify the new electron states that are created. A major milestone has been the realization of the Dirac cones that emerge in honeycomb lattices. In the next phases of this project, and as we achieve milestones, we wish to expand our experimental platform so that we will be better positioned to access emergent novel quantum behavior and phases of electrons in artificial lattices designed and fabricated with ‘exquisite’ precision. The AG lattices with greatly reduced disorder from nano-processing that we have already created demonstrate that we are poised for the next stage exploration of graphene physics and applications in semiconductor quantum structures.« less

Nucleon, $$\\Delta$$ and $$\\Omega$$ excited states in $$N_f=2+1$$ lattice QCD

DOE PAGES

John Bulava; Edwards, Robert G.; Engelson, Eric; ...

2010-07-22

The energies of the excited states of the Nucleon,more » $$\\Delta$$ and $$\\Omega$$ are computed in lattice QCD, using two light quarks and one strange quark on anisotropic lattices. The calculation is performed at three values of the light quark mass, corresponding to pion masses $$m_{\\pi}$$ = 392(4), 438(3) and 521(3) MeV. We employ the variational method with a large basis of interpolating operators enabling six energies in each irreducible representation of the lattice to be distinguished clearly. We compare our calculation with the low-lying experimental spectrum, with which we find reasonable agreement in the pattern of states. In addition, the need to include operators that couple to the expected multi-hadron states in the spectrum is clearly identified.« less

Investigation of the layout and optical proximity correction effects to control the trench etching process on 4H-SiC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kyoung, Sinsu; Jung, Eun-Sik; Sung, Man Young

2017-07-01

Although trench gate and super-junction technology have micro-trench problems when applied to the SiC process due to the material characteristics. In this paper, area effects are analyzed from the test element group with various patterns and optical proximity correction (OPC) methods are proposed and analyzed to reduce micro-trenches in the SiC trench etching process. First, the loading effects were analyzed from pattern samples with various trench widths (Wt). From experiments, the area must limited under a proper size for a uniform etching profile and reduced micro-trenches because a wider area accelerates the etch rate. Second, the area effects were more severely unbalanced at corner patterns because the corner pattern necessarily has an in-corner and out-corner that have different etching areas to each other. We can balance areas using OPC patterns to overcome this. Experiments with OPC represented improved micro-trench profile from when comparing differences of trench depth (Δdt) at out corner and in corner. As a result, the area effects can be used to improve the trench profile with optimized etching process conditions. Therefore, the trench gate and super-junction pillar of the SiC power MOSFET can have an improved uniform profile without micro-trenches using proper design and OPC.[Figure not available: see fulltext.

Human wound photogrammetry with low-cost hardware based on automatic calibration of geometry and color

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jose, Abin; Haak, Daniel; Jonas, Stephan; Brandenburg, Vincent; Deserno, Thomas M.

2015-03-01

Photographic documentation and image-based wound assessment is frequently performed in medical diagnostics, patient care, and clinical research. To support quantitative assessment, photographic imaging is based on expensive and high-quality hardware and still needs appropriate registration and calibration. Using inexpensive consumer hardware such as smartphone-integrated cameras, calibration of geometry, color, and contrast is challenging. Some methods involve color calibration using a reference pattern such as a standard color card, which is located manually in the photographs. In this paper, we adopt the lattice detection algorithm by Park et al. from real world to medicine. At first, the algorithm extracts and clusters feature points according to their local intensity patterns. Groups of similar points are fed into a selection process, which tests for suitability as a lattice grid. The group which describes the largest probability of the meshes of a lattice is selected and from it a template for an initial lattice cell is extracted. Then, a Markov random field is modeled. Using the mean-shift belief propagation, the detection of the 2D lattice is solved iteratively as a spatial tracking problem. Least-squares geometric calibration of projective distortions and non-linear color calibration in RGB space is supported by 35 corner points of 24 color patches, respectively. The method is tested on 37 photographs taken from the German Calciphylaxis registry, where non-standardized photographic documentation is collected nationwide from all contributing trial sites. In all images, the reference card location is correctly identified. At least, 28 out of 35 lattice points were detected, outperforming the SIFT-based approach previously applied. Based on these coordinates, robust geometry and color registration is performed making the photographs comparable for quantitative analysis.

Dimension changing phase transitions in instanton crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaplunovsky, Vadim; Sonnenschein, Jacob

2014-04-01

We investigate lattices of instantons and the dimension-changing transitions between them. Our ultimate goal is the 3D → 4D transition, which is holographically dual to the phase transition between the baryonic and the quarkyonic phases of cold nuclear matter. However, in this paper (just as in [1]) we focus on lower dimensions — the 1D lattice of instantons in a harmonic potential V ∝ , and the zigzag-shaped lattice as a first stage of the 1D → 2D transition. We prove that in the low- and moderate-density regimes, interactions between the instantons are dominated by two-body forces. This drastically simplifies finding the ground state of the instantons' orientations, so we made a numeric scan of the whole orientation space instead of assuming any particular ansatz. We find that depending on the M 2 /M 3 /M 4 ratios, the ground state of instanton orientations can follow a wide variety of patterns. For the straight 1D lattices, we found orientations periodically running over elements of a , Klein, prismatic, or dihedral subgroup of the , as well as irrational but link-periodic patterns. For the zigzag-shaped lattices, we detected 4 distinct orientation phases — the anti-ferromagnet, another abelian phase, and two non-abelian phases. Allowing the zigzag amplitude to vary as a function of increasing compression force, we obtained the phase diagrams for the straight and zigzag-shaped lattices in the (force , M 3 /M 4), (chemical potential , M 3 /M 4), and (density , M 3 /M 4) planes. Some of the transitions between these phases are second-order while others are first-order. Our techniques can be applied to other types of non-abelian crystals.

Application of Powder Diffraction Methods to the Analysis of Short- and Long-Range Atomic Order in Nanocrystalline Diamond and SiC: The Concept of the Apparent Lattice Parameter (alp)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Palosz, B.; Grzanka, E.; Gierlotka, S.; Stelmakh, S.; Pielaszek, R.; Bismayer, U.; Weber, H.-P.; Palosz, W.

2003-01-01

Two methods of the analysis of powder diffraction patterns of diamond and SiC nanocrystals are presented: (a) examination of changes of the lattice parameters with diffraction vector Q ('apparent lattice parameter', alp) which refers to Bragg scattering, and (b), examination of changes of inter-atomic distances based on the analysis of the atomic Pair Distribution Function, PDF. Application of these methods was studied based on the theoretical diffraction patterns computed for models of nanocrystals having (i) a perfect crystal lattice, and (ii), a core-shell structure, i.e. constituting a two-phase system. The models are defined by the lattice parameter of the grain core, thickness of the surface shell, and the magnitude and distribution of the strain field in the shell. X-ray and neutron experimental diffraction data of nanocrystalline SiC and diamond powders of the grain diameter from 4 nm up to micrometers were used. The effects of the internal pressure and strain at the grain surface on the structure are discussed based on the experimentally determined dependence of the alp values on the Q-vector, and changes of the interatomic distances with the grain size determined experimentally by the atomic Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis. The experimental results lend a strong support to the concept of a two-phase, core and the surface shell structure of nanocrystalline diamond and SiC.

Fabrication of cylindrical micro-parts using synchronous rotary scan-projection lithography and chemical etching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ito, Kaiki; Suzuki, Yuta; Horiuchi, Toshiyuki

2017-07-01

Lithographical patterning on the surface of a fine pipe with a thin wall is required for fabricating three-dimensional micro-parts. For this reason, a new exposure system for printing patterns on a cylindrical pipe by synchronous rotary scan-projection exposure was developed. Using the exposure system, stent-like resist patterns with a width of 251 μm were printed on a surface of stainless-steel pipe with an outer diameter of 2 mm. The exposure time was 30 s. Next, the patterned pipe was chemically etched. As a result, a stent-like mesh pipe with a line width of 230 μm was fabricated. It was demonstrated that the new method had a potential to be applied to fabrications of stent and other cylindrical micro-parts.

Mechanical Behavior of CFRP Lattice Core Sandwich Bolted Corner Joints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Xiaolei; Liu, Yang; Wang, Yana; Lu, Xiaofeng; Zhu, Lingxue

2017-12-01

The lattice core sandwich structures have drawn more attention for the integration of load capacity and multifunctional applications. However, the connection of carbon fibers reinforced polymer composite (CFRP) lattice core sandwich structure hinders its application. In this paper, a typical connection of two lattice core sandwich panels, named as corner joint or L-joint, was investigated by experiment and finite element method (FEM). The mechanical behavior and failure mode of the corner joints were discussed. The results showed that the main deformation pattern and failure mode of the lattice core sandwich bolted corner joints structure were the deformation of metal connector and indentation of the face sheet in the bolt holes. The metal connectors played an important role in bolted corner joints structure. In order to save the calculation resource, a continuum model of pyramid lattice core was used to replace the exact structure. The computation results were consistent with experiment, and the maximum error was 19%. The FEM demonstrated the deflection process of the bolted corner joints structure visually. So the simplified FEM can be used for further analysis of the bolted corner joints structure in engineering.

The Effects of Topographical Patterns and Sizes on Neural Stem Cell Behavior

PubMed Central

Qi, Lin; Li, Ning; Huang, Rong; Song, Qin; Wang, Long; Zhang, Qi; Su, Ruigong; Kong, Tao; Tang, Mingliang; Cheng, Guosheng

2013-01-01

Engineered topographical manipulation, a paralleling approach with conventional biochemical cues, has recently attracted the growing interests in utilizations to control stem cell fate. In this study, effects of topological parameters, pattern and size are emphasized on the proliferation and differentiation of adult neural stem cells (ANSCs). We fabricate micro-scale topographical Si wafers with two different feature sizes. These topographical patterns present linear micro-pattern (LMP), circular micro-pattern (CMP) and dot micro-pattern (DMP). The results show that the three topography substrates are suitable for ANSC growth, while they all depress ANSC proliferation when compared to non-patterned substrates (control). Meanwhile, LMP and CMP with two feature sizes can both significantly enhance ANSC differentiation to neurons compared to control. The smaller the feature size is, the better upregulation applies to ANSC for the differentiated neurons. The underlying mechanisms of topography-enhanced neuronal differentiation are further revealed by directing suppression of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signaling-regulated kinase (MAPK/Erk) signaling pathway in ANSC using U0126, known to inhibit the activation of Erk. The statistical results suggest MAPK/Erk pathway is partially involved in topography-induced differentiation. These observations provide a better understanding on the different roles of topographical cues on stem cell behavior, especially on the selective differentiation, and facilitate to advance the field of stem cell therapy. PMID:23527077

A new boundary scheme for simulation of gas flow in kerogen pores with considering surface diffusion effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Lingquan; Zeng, Zhong; Zhang, Liangqi; Qiao, Long; Zhang, Yi; Lu, Yiyu

2018-04-01

Navier-Stokes (NS) equations with no-slip boundary conditions fail to realistically describe micro-flows with considering nanoscale phenomena. Particularly, in kerogen pores, slip-flow and surface diffusion are important. In this study, we propose a new slip boundary scheme for the lattice Boltzmann (LB) method through the non-equilibrium extrapolation scheme to simulate the slip-flow considering surface diffusion effect. Meanwhile, the second-order slip velocity can be taken into account. The predicted characteristics in a two-dimensional micro-flow, including slip-velocity, velocity distribution along the flow direction with/without surface diffusion are present. The results in this study are compared with available analytical and reference results, and good agreements are achieved.

Structural properties of rutile TiO2 nanoparticles accumulated in a model of gastrointestinal epithelium elucidated by micro-beam x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veronesi, G.; Brun, E.; Fayard, B.; Cotte, M.; Carrière, M.

2012-05-01

Micro-beam x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy was used to investigate rutile TiO2 nanoparticles internalized into gastrointestinal cells during their crossing of a gut model barrier. Nanoparticles diluted in culture medium tend to accumulate in cells after 48 h exposure; however, no spectral differences arise between particles in cellular and in acellular environments, as corroborated by quantitative analysis. This finding establishes that no modification of the lattice properties of the nanoparticles occurs upon interaction with the barrier. These measurements demonstrate the possibility of interrogating nanoparticles in situ within cells, suggesting a way to investigate their fate when incorporated in biological hosts.

Single-anchor support and supercritical CO2 drying enable high-precision microfabrication of three-dimensional structures.

PubMed

Maruo, Shoji; Hasegawa, Takuya; Yoshimura, Naoki

2009-11-09

In high-precision two-photon microfabrication of three-dimensional (3-D) polymeric microstructures, supercritical CO(2) drying was employed to reduce surface tension, which tends to cause the collapse of micro/nano structures. Use of supercritical drying allowed high-aspect ratio microstructures, such as micropillars and cantilevers, to be fabricated. We also propose a single-anchor supporting method to eliminate non-uniform shrinkage of polymeric structures otherwise caused by attachment to the substrate. Use of this method permitted frame models such as lattices to be produced without harmful distortion. The combination of supercritical CO(2) drying and the single-anchor supporting method offers reliable high-precision microfabrication of sophisticated, fragile 3-D micro/nano structures.

Flux lattice imaging of a patterned niobium thin film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roseman, M.; Grütter, P.; Badía, A.; Metlushko, V.

2001-06-01

Using our cryogenic magnetic force microscope, we have investigated a superconducting Nb thin film, 100 nm in thickness with Tc˜6.5 K. The film is patterned with a square array (1 μm×1 μm) of antidots, which serve as artificial pinning centers for magnetic flux. We have observed flux lattice matching as a function of applied magnetic field and temperature, for field strengths up to the third matching field, with evidence of flux dragging by the tip around the antidots. Force gradient distance curves acquired at temperatures about Tc clearly demonstrate an observable Meissner force between tip and sample, and allow for an estimation of the magnetic screening penetration depth.

Atomically resolved structural determination of graphene and its point defects via extrapolation assisted phase retrieval

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

Latychevskaia, Tatiana; Fink, Hans-Werner

Previously reported crystalline structures obtained by an iterative phase retrieval reconstruction of their diffraction patterns seem to be free from displaying any irregularities or defects in the lattice, which appears to be unrealistic. We demonstrate here that the structure of a nanocrystal including its atomic defects can unambiguously be recovered from its diffraction pattern alone by applying a direct phase retrieval procedure not relying on prior information of the object shape. Individual point defects in the atomic lattice are clearly apparent. Conventional phase retrieval routines assume isotropic scattering. We show that when dealing with electrons, the quantitatively correct transmission functionmore » of the sample cannot be retrieved due to anisotropic, strong forward scattering specific to electrons. We summarize the conditions for this phase retrieval method and show that the diffraction pattern can be extrapolated beyond the original record to even reveal formerly not visible Bragg peaks. Such extrapolated wave field pattern leads to enhanced spatial resolution in the reconstruction.« less

Magnetic method for stimulating transport in fluids

DOEpatents

Martin, James E.; Solis, Kyle J.

2016-10-18

A method for producing mass and heat transport in fluids, wherein the method does not rely on conventional convection, that is, it does not require gravity, a thermal gradient, or a magnetic field gradient. This method gives rise to a unique class of vigorous, field-controllable flow patterns termed advection lattices. The advection lattices can be used to transport heat and/or mass in any desired direction using only magnetic fields.

Lattice-Matched Semiconductor Layers on Single Crystalline Sapphire Substrate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choi, Sang; King, Glen; Park, Yeonjoon

2009-01-01

SiGe is an important semiconductor alloy for high-speed field effect transistors (FETs), high-temperature thermoelectric devices, photovoltaic solar cells, and photon detectors. The growth of SiGe layer is difficult because SiGe alloys have different lattice constants from those of the common Si wafers, which leads to a high density of defects, including dislocations, micro-twins, cracks, and delaminations. This innovation utilizes newly developed rhombohedral epitaxy of cubic semiconductors on trigonal substrates in order to solve the lattice mismatch problem of SiGe by using trigonal single crystals like sapphire (Al2O3) as substrate to give a unique growth-orientation to the SiGe layer, which is automatically controlled at the interface upon sapphire (0001). This technology is different from previous silicon on insulator (SOI) or SGOI (SiGe on insulator) technologies that use amorphous SiO2 as the growth plane. A cubic semiconductor crystal is a special case of a rhombohedron with the inter-planar angle, alpha = 90 deg. With a mathematical transformation, all rhombohedrons can be described by trigonal crystal lattice structures. Therefore, all cubic lattice constants and crystal planes (hkl) s can be transformed into those of trigonal crystal parameters. These unique alignments enable a new opportunity of perfect lattice matching conditions, which can eliminate misfit dislocations. Previously, these atomic alignments were thought to be impossible or very difficult. With the invention of a new x-ray diffraction measurement method here, growth of cubic semiconductors on trigonal crystals became possible. This epitaxy and lattice-matching condition can be applied not only to SiGe (111)/sapphire (0001) substrate relations, but also to other crystal structures and other materials, including similar crystal structures which have pointgroup rotational symmetries by 120 because the cubic (111) direction has 120 rotational symmetry. The use of slightly miscut (less than plus or minus 10 deg.) sapphire (0001) substrate can be used to improve epitaxial relationships better by providing attractive atomic steps in the epitaxial process.

Role-separating ordering in social dilemmas controlled by topological frustration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amaral, Marco A.; Perc, Matjaž; Wardil, Lucas; Szolnoki, Attila; da Silva Júnior, Elton J.; da Silva, Jafferson K. L.

2017-03-01

``Three is a crowd" is an old proverb that applies as much to social interactions as it does to frustrated configurations in statistical physics models. Accordingly, social relations within a triangle deserve special attention. With this motivation, we explore the impact of topological frustration on the evolutionary dynamics of the snowdrift game on a triangular lattice. This topology provides an irreconcilable frustration, which prevents anticoordination of competing strategies that would be needed for an optimal outcome of the game. By using different strategy updating protocols, we observe complex spatial patterns in dependence on payoff values that are reminiscent to a honeycomb-like organization, which helps to minimize the negative consequence of the topological frustration. We relate the emergence of these patterns to the microscopic dynamics of the evolutionary process, both by means of mean-field approximations and Monte Carlo simulations. For comparison, we also consider the same evolutionary dynamics on the square lattice, where of course the topological frustration is absent. However, with the deletion of diagonal links of the triangular lattice, we can gradually bridge the gap to the square lattice. Interestingly, in this case the level of cooperation in the system is a direct indicator of the level of topological frustration, thus providing a method to determine frustration levels in an arbitrary interaction network.

Interfacial Octahedral Rotation Mismatch Control of the Symmetry and Properties of SrRuO 3

DOE PAGES

Gao, Ran; Dong, Yongqi; Xu, Han; ...

2016-05-24

We can use epitaxial strain to tune the properties of complex oxides with perovskite structure. Beyond just lattice mismatch, the use of octahedral rotation mismatch at heterointerfaces could also provide a route to manipulate material properties. We examine the evolution of the lattice (i.e., parameters, symmetry, and octahedral rotations) of SrRuO 3 films grown on substrates engineered to have the same lattice parameters, but 2 different octahedral rotations. SrRuO 3 films grown on SrTiO 3 (001) (no octahedral rotations) and GdScO 3-buffered SrTiO 3 (001) (with octahedral rotations) substrates are found to exhibit monoclinic and tetragonal symmetry, respectively. Electrical transportmore » and magnetic measurements reveal that the tetragonal films exhibit higher resistivity, lower magnetic Curie temperatures, and more isotropic magnetism as compared to those with monoclinic structure. Synchrotron-based half-order Bragg peak analysis reveals that the octahedral rotation pattern in both film variants is the same (albeit with slightly different magnitudes of in-plane rotation angles). Furthermore, the abnormal rotation pattern observed in tetragonal SrRuO 3 indicates a possible decoupling between the internal octahedral rotation and lattice symmetry, which could provide new opportunities to engineer thin-film structure and properties.« less

Role-separating ordering in social dilemmas controlled by topological frustration.

PubMed

Amaral, Marco A; Perc, Matjaž; Wardil, Lucas; Szolnoki, Attila; da Silva Júnior, Elton J; da Silva, Jafferson K L

2017-03-01

''Three is a crowd" is an old proverb that applies as much to social interactions as it does to frustrated configurations in statistical physics models. Accordingly, social relations within a triangle deserve special attention. With this motivation, we explore the impact of topological frustration on the evolutionary dynamics of the snowdrift game on a triangular lattice. This topology provides an irreconcilable frustration, which prevents anticoordination of competing strategies that would be needed for an optimal outcome of the game. By using different strategy updating protocols, we observe complex spatial patterns in dependence on payoff values that are reminiscent to a honeycomb-like organization, which helps to minimize the negative consequence of the topological frustration. We relate the emergence of these patterns to the microscopic dynamics of the evolutionary process, both by means of mean-field approximations and Monte Carlo simulations. For comparison, we also consider the same evolutionary dynamics on the square lattice, where of course the topological frustration is absent. However, with the deletion of diagonal links of the triangular lattice, we can gradually bridge the gap to the square lattice. Interestingly, in this case the level of cooperation in the system is a direct indicator of the level of topological frustration, thus providing a method to determine frustration levels in an arbitrary interaction network.

Computer simulation of fibrillation threshold measurements and electrophysiologic testing procedures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grumbach, M. P.; Saxberg, B. E.; Cohen, R. J.

1987-01-01

A finite element model of cardiac conduction was used to simulate two experimental protocols: 1) fibrillation threshold measurements and 2) clinical electrophysiologic (EP) testing procedures. The model consisted of a cylindrical lattice whose properties were determined by four parameters: element length, conduction velocity, mean refractory period, and standard deviation of refractory periods. Different stimulation patterns were applied to the lattice under a given set of lattice parameter values and the response of the model was observed through a simulated electrocardiogram. The studies confirm that the model can account for observations made in experimental fibrillation threshold measurements and in clinical EP testing protocols.

Investigation of mucosal pattern of gastric antrum using magnifying narrow-band imaging in patients with chronic atrophic fundic gastritis.

PubMed

Yamasaki, Yasushi; Uedo, Noriya; Kanzaki, Hiromitsu; Kato, Minoru; Hamada, Kenta; Aoi, Kenji; Tonai, Yusuke; Matsuura, Noriko; Kanesaka, Takashi; Yamashina, Takeshi; Akasaka, Tomofumi; Hanaoka, Noboru; Takeuchi, Yoji; Higashino, Koji; Ishihara, Ryu; Tomita, Yasuhiko; Iishi, Hiroyasu

2017-01-01

Magnifying narrow-band imaging (M-NBI) can reportedly help predict the presence and distribution of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia in the gastric corpus. However, the micro-mucosal pattern of the antrum shown by M-NBI differs from that of the corpus. We studied the distribution and histology of the micro-mucosal pattern in the antrum based on magnifying endoscopy. Endoscopic images of the greater curvature of the antrum were evaluated in 50 patients with chronic atrophic fundic gastritis (CAFG). The extent of CAFG was evaluated by autofluorescence imaging. The micro-mucosal pattern was evaluated by M-NBI and classified into groove and white villiform types. The localization of white villiform type mucosa was classified into three types in relation to the areae gastricae : null, central, and segmental types. Biopsies were taken from regions showing different micro-mucosal patterns. Associations among the extent of CAFG, micro-mucosal pattern, and histology were examined. As the extent of CAFG increased, the proportion of white villiform type mucosa increased, whereas that of groove type mucosa decreased (P=0.022). In patients with extensive CAFG, most of the areae gastricae was composed of the segmental or central type of white villiform type mucosa (P=0.044). The white villiform type mucosa had significantly higher grades of atrophy (P=0.002) and intestinal metaplasia (P<0.001) than did the groove type mucosa. White villiform type mucosa is indicative of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia in the gastric antrum. It extends to the whole or central part of the areae gastricae as CAFG becomes more extensive.

Predictability of spatio-temporal patterns in a lattice of coupled FitzHugh–Nagumo oscillators

PubMed Central

Grace, Miriam; Hütt, Marc-Thorsten

2013-01-01

In many biological systems, variability of the components can be expected to outrank statistical fluctuations in the shaping of self-organized patterns. In pioneering work in the late 1990s, it was hypothesized that a drift of cellular parameters (along a ‘developmental path’), together with differences in cell properties (‘desynchronization’ of cells on the developmental path) can establish self-organized spatio-temporal patterns (in their example, spiral waves of cAMP in a colony of Dictyostelium discoideum cells) starting from a homogeneous state. Here, we embed a generic model of an excitable medium, a lattice of diffusively coupled FitzHugh–Nagumo oscillators, into a developmental-path framework. In this minimal model of spiral wave generation, we can now study the predictability of spatio-temporal patterns from cell properties as a function of desynchronization (or ‘spread’) of cells along the developmental path and the drift speed of cell properties on the path. As a function of drift speed and desynchronization, we observe systematically different routes towards fully established patterns, as well as strikingly different correlations between cell properties and pattern features. We show that the predictability of spatio-temporal patterns from cell properties contains important information on the pattern formation process as well as on the underlying dynamical system. PMID:23349439

Morphological investigations of cells that adhered to the irregular patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface without reagents.

PubMed

Chung, Sung Hee; Min, Junhong

2009-07-01

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface consisting irregular pattern was investigated to develop cell-based biochip using PDMS. PDMS surface was modified with nano- and micro-combined patterns using surface deformation technology. Hydrophobicity of nano-patterned PDMS surface was sustained. Nevertheless it has irregular patterns consisting of micro- and nano-patterns. According to atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal microscopy results by immunostaining method, human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) adhered well on irregularly patterned surface without any reagents such as gelatin and collagen, compared to commercial culture dish. It implies PDMS material can be utilized as template for cell-based biochip without any reagents.

Manganese oxide micro-supercapacitors with ultra-high areal capacitance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xu; Myers, Benjamin D.; Yan, Jian; Shekhawat, Gajendra; Dravid, Vinayak; Lee, Pooi See

2013-05-01

A symmetric micro-supercapacitor is constructed by electrochemically depositing manganese oxide onto micro-patterned current collectors. High surface-to-volume ratio of manganese oxide and short diffusion distance between electrodes give an ultra-high areal capacitance of 56.3 mF cm-2 at a current density of 27.2 μA cm-2.A symmetric micro-supercapacitor is constructed by electrochemically depositing manganese oxide onto micro-patterned current collectors. High surface-to-volume ratio of manganese oxide and short diffusion distance between electrodes give an ultra-high areal capacitance of 56.3 mF cm-2 at a current density of 27.2 μA cm-2. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental procedures; optical images of micro-supercapacitors; areal capacitances of samples M-0.3C, M-0.6C and M-0.9C; illustration of interdigital finger electrodes; Nyquist plot of Co(OH)2 deposited on micro-electrodes. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr00210a

One-loop calculations in Supersymmetric Lattice QCD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Costa, M.; Panagopoulos, H.

2017-03-01

We study the self energies of all particles which appear in a lattice regularization of supersymmetric QCD (N = 1). We compute, perturbatively to one-loop, the relevant two-point Green's functions using both the dimensional and the lattice regularizations. Our lattice formulation employs the Wilson fermion acrion for the gluino and quark fields. The gauge group that we consider is SU(Nc) while the number of colors, Nc and the number of flavors, Nf , are kept as generic parameters. We have also searched for relations among the propagators which are computed from our one-loop results. We have obtained analytic expressions for the renormalization functions of the quark field (Zψ), gluon field (Zu), gluino field (Zλ) and squark field (ZA±). We present here results from dimensional regularization, relegating to a forthcoming publication [1] our results along with a more complete list of references. Part of the lattice study regards also the renormalization of quark bilinear operators which, unlike the nonsupersymmetric case, exhibit a rich pattern of operator mixing at the quantum level.

Characteristics of solid-core square-lattice microstructured optical fibers using an analytical field model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Dinesh Kumar; Sharma, Anurag; Tripathi, Saurabh Mani

2017-11-01

The excellent propagation properties of square-lattice microstructured optical fibers (MOFs) have been widely recognized. We generalized our recently developed analytical field model (Sharma and Sharma, 2016), for index-guiding MOFs with square-lattice of circular air-holes in the photonic crystal cladding. Using the field model, we have studied the propagation properties of the fundamental mode of index-guiding square-lattice MOFs with different hole-to-hole spacing and the air-hole diameter. Results for the modal effective index, near and the far-field patterns and the group-velocity dispersion have been included. The evolution of the mode shape has been investigated in transition from the near to the far-field domain. We have also studied the splice losses between two identical square-lattice MOFs and also between an MOF and a traditional step-index single-mode fiber. Comparisons with available numerical simulation results, e.g., those based on the full-vector finite element method have also been included.

Higgs compositeness in Sp(2N) gauge theories - Determining the low-energy constants with lattice calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bennett, Ed; Ki Hong, Deog; Lee, Jong-Wan; David Lin, C.-J.; Lucini, Biagio; Piai, Maurizio; Vadacchino, Davide

2018-03-01

As a first step towards a quantitative understanding of the SU(4)/Sp(4) composite Higgs model through lattice calculations, we discuss the low energy effective field theory resulting from the SU(4) → Sp(4) global symmetry breaking pattern. We then consider an Sp(4) gauge theory with two Dirac fermion flavours in the fundamental representation on a lattice, which provides a concrete example of the microscopic realisation of the SU(4)/Sp(4) composite Higgs model. For this system, we outline a programme of numerical simulations aiming at the determination of the low-energy constants of the effective field theory and we test the method on the quenched theory. We also report early results from dynamical simulations, focussing on the phase structure of the lattice theory and a calculation of the lowest-lying meson spectrum at coarse lattice spacing. Combined contributions of B. Lucini (e-mail: b.lucini@swansea.ac.uk) and J.-W. Lee (e-mail: wlee823@pusan.ac.kr).

Tunable surface configuration of skyrmion lattices in cubic helimagnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, Xuejin; Hu, Yangfan; Wang, Biao

2018-06-01

In bulk helimagnets, the presence of magnetic skyrmion lattices is always accompanied by a periodic stress field due to the intrinsic magnetoelastic coupling. The release of this nontrivial stress field at the surface causes a periodic displacement field, which characterizes a novel particle-like property of skyrmion: its surface configuration. Here, we derive the analytical solution of this displacement field for semi-infinite cubic helimagnet with the skyrmion magnetization approximated by the triple-Q representation. For MnSi, we show that the skyrmion lattices have a bumpy surface configuration characterized by periodically arranged peaks with a characteristic height of about 10‑13 m. The pattern of the peaks can be controlled by varying the strength of the applied magnetic field. Moreover, we prove that the surface configuration varies together with the motion and deformation of the skyrmion lattices. As a result, the surface configuration can be tuned by application of electric current, mechanical loads, as well as any other effective external fields for skyrmion lattices.

Convex hull approach for determining rock representative elementary volume for multiple petrophysical parameters using pore-scale imaging and Lattice-Boltzmann modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shah, S. M.; Crawshaw, J. P.; Gray, F.; Yang, J.; Boek, E. S.

2017-06-01

In the last decade, the study of fluid flow in porous media has developed considerably due to the combination of X-ray Micro Computed Tomography (micro-CT) and advances in computational methods for solving complex fluid flow equations directly or indirectly on reconstructed three-dimensional pore space images. In this study, we calculate porosity and single phase permeability using micro-CT imaging and Lattice Boltzmann (LB) simulations for 8 different porous media: beadpacks (with bead sizes 50 μm and 350 μm), sandpacks (LV60 and HST95), sandstones (Berea, Clashach and Doddington) and a carbonate (Ketton). Combining the observed porosity and calculated single phase permeability, we shed new light on the existence and size of the Representative Element of Volume (REV) capturing the different scales of heterogeneity from the pore-scale imaging. Our study applies the concept of the 'Convex Hull' to calculate the REV by considering the two main macroscopic petrophysical parameters, porosity and single phase permeability, simultaneously. The shape of the hull can be used to identify strong correlation between the parameters or greatly differing convergence rates. To further enhance computational efficiency we note that the area of the convex hull (for well-chosen parameters such as the log of the permeability and the porosity) decays exponentially with sub-sample size so that only a few small simulations are needed to determine the system size needed to calculate the parameters to high accuracy (small convex hull area). Finally we propose using a characteristic length such as the pore size to choose an efficient absolute voxel size for the numerical rock.

Topology optimisation of micro fluidic mixers considering fluid-structure interactions with a coupled Lattice Boltzmann algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Munk, David J.; Kipouros, Timoleon; Vio, Gareth A.; Steven, Grant P.; Parks, Geoffrey T.

2017-11-01

Recently, the study of micro fluidic devices has gained much interest in various fields from biology to engineering. In the constant development cycle, the need to optimise the topology of the interior of these devices, where there are two or more optimality criteria, is always present. In this work, twin physical situations, whereby optimal fluid mixing in the form of vorticity maximisation is accompanied by the requirement that the casing in which the mixing takes place has the best structural performance in terms of the greatest specific stiffness, are considered. In the steady state of mixing this also means that the stresses in the casing are as uniform as possible, thus giving a desired operating life with minimum weight. The ultimate aim of this research is to couple two key disciplines, fluids and structures, into a topology optimisation framework, which shows fast convergence for multidisciplinary optimisation problems. This is achieved by developing a bi-directional evolutionary structural optimisation algorithm that is directly coupled to the Lattice Boltzmann method, used for simulating the flow in the micro fluidic device, for the objectives of minimum compliance and maximum vorticity. The needs for the exploration of larger design spaces and to produce innovative designs make meta-heuristic algorithms, such as genetic algorithms, particle swarms and Tabu Searches, less efficient for this task. The multidisciplinary topology optimisation framework presented in this article is shown to increase the stiffness of the structure from the datum case and produce physically acceptable designs. Furthermore, the topology optimisation method outperforms a Tabu Search algorithm in designing the baffle to maximise the mixing of the two fluids.

Synergetic topography and chemistry cues guiding osteogenic differentiation in bone marrow stromal cells through ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

PubMed

Zhang, Xinran; Li, Haotian; Lin, Chucheng; Ning, Congqin; Lin, Kaili

2018-01-30

Both the topographic surface and chemical composition modification can enhance rapid osteogenic differentiation and bone formation. Till now, the synergetic effects of topography and chemistry cues guiding biological responses have been rarely reported. Herein, the ordered micro-patterned topography and classically essential trace element of strontium (Sr) ion doping were selected to imitate topography and chemistry cues, respectively. The ordered micro-patterned topography on Sr ion-doped bioceramics was successfully duplicated using the nylon sieve as the template. Biological response results revealed that the micro-patterned topography design or Sr doping could promote cell attachment, ALP activity, and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Most importantly, the samples both with micro-patterned topography and Sr doping showed the highest promotion effects, and could synergistically activate the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. The results suggested that the grafts with both specific topography and chemistry cues have synergetic effects on osteogenic activity of BMSCs and provide an effective approach to design functional bone grafts and cell culture substrates.

The physiological correlates of Kundalini Yoga meditation: a study of a yoga master.

PubMed

Arambula, P; Peper, E; Kawakami, M; Gibney, K H

2001-06-01

This study explores the physiological correlates of a highly practiced Kundalini Yoga meditator. Thoracic and abdominal breathing patterns, heart rate (HR), occipital parietal electroencephalograph (EEG), skin conductance level (SCL), and blood volume pulse (BVP) were monitored during prebaseline, meditation, and postbaseline periods. Visual analyses of the data showed a decrease in respiration rate during the meditation from a mean of 11 breaths/min for the pre- and 13 breaths/min for the postbaseline to a mean of 5 breaths/min during the meditation, with a predominance of abdominal/diaphragmatic breathing. There was also more alpha EEG activity during the meditation (M = 1.71 microV) compared to the pre- (M = .47 microV) and postbaseline (M = .78 microV) periods, and an increase in theta EEG activity immediately following the meditation (M = .62 microV) compared to the pre-baseline and meditative periods (each with M = .26 microV). These findings suggest that a shift in breathing patterns may contribute to the development of alpha EEG, and those patterns need to be investigated further.

Rahman Prize Lecture: Lattice Boltzmann simulation of complex states of flowing matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Succi, Sauro

Over the last three decades, the Lattice Boltzmann (LB) method has gained a prominent role in the numerical simulation of complex flows across an impressively broad range of scales, from fully-developed turbulence in real-life geometries, to multiphase flows in micro-fluidic devices, all the way down to biopolymer translocation in nanopores and lately, even quark-gluon plasmas. After a brief introduction to the main ideas behind the LB method and its historical developments, we shall present a few selected applications to complex flow problems at various scales of motion. Finally, we shall discuss prospects for extreme-scale LB simulations of outstanding problems in the physics of fluids and its interfaces with material sciences and biology, such as the modelling of fluid turbulence, the optimal design of nanoporous gold catalysts and protein folding/aggregation in crowded environments.

Effect of particle size and laser power on the Raman spectra of CuAlO2 delafossite nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yassin, O. A.; Alamri, S. N.; Joraid, A. A.

2013-06-01

A transparent conductive oxide CuAlO2 delafossite is studied using x-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and micro-Raman spectroscopy measurements as a function of the particle size and laser power from 2 to 20 mW. The XRD results indicate that the lattice parameters and the cell volume expand as the particle size reduces. Large red shifts (˜60 cm-1) and line broadening (˜50 cm-1) are observed as the particle size becomes of the order of 13 nm. These huge values can only be justified if collective effects on the Raman spectra created by the lattice expansion, confinement of phonons and enhanced phonon-phonon interactions are included in the interpretations of the Raman spectra of the CuAlO2 nanoparticles.

Frequency spirals.

PubMed

Ottino-Löffler, Bertrand; Strogatz, Steven H

2016-09-01

We study the dynamics of coupled phase oscillators on a two-dimensional Kuramoto lattice with periodic boundary conditions. For coupling strengths just below the transition to global phase-locking, we find localized spatiotemporal patterns that we call "frequency spirals." These patterns cannot be seen under time averaging; they become visible only when we examine the spatial variation of the oscillators' instantaneous frequencies, where they manifest themselves as two-armed rotating spirals. In the more familiar phase representation, they appear as wobbly periodic patterns surrounding a phase vortex. Unlike the stationary phase vortices seen in magnetic spin systems, or the rotating spiral waves seen in reaction-diffusion systems, frequency spirals librate: the phases of the oscillators surrounding the central vortex move forward and then backward, executing a periodic motion with zero winding number. We construct the simplest frequency spiral and characterize its properties using analytical and numerical methods. Simulations show that frequency spirals in large lattices behave much like this simple prototype.

Textural Evolution During Micro Direct Metal Deposition of NiTi Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khademzadeh, Saeed; Bariani, Paolo F.; Bruschi, Stefania

2018-03-01

In this research, a micro direct metal deposition process, newly developed as a potential method for micro additive manufacturing was used to fabricate NiTi builds. The effect of scanning strategy on grain growth and textural evolution was investigated using scanning electron microscope equipped with electron backscattered diffraction detector. Investigations showed that, the angle between the successive single tracks has an important role in grain size distribution and textural evolution of NiTi phase. Unidirectional laser beam scanning pattern developed a fiber texture; conversely, a backward and forward scanning pattern developed a strong < {100} > ‖‖ RD texture on the surface of NiTi cubic samples produced by micro direct metal deposition.

Textural Evolution During Micro Direct Metal Deposition of NiTi Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khademzadeh, Saeed; Bariani, Paolo F.; Bruschi, Stefania

2018-07-01

In this research, a micro direct metal deposition process, newly developed as a potential method for micro additive manufacturing was used to fabricate NiTi builds. The effect of scanning strategy on grain growth and textural evolution was investigated using scanning electron microscope equipped with electron backscattered diffraction detector. Investigations showed that, the angle between the successive single tracks has an important role in grain size distribution and textural evolution of NiTi phase. Unidirectional laser beam scanning pattern developed a fiber texture; conversely, a backward and forward scanning pattern developed a strong < {100} > ‖‖ RD texture on the surface of NiTi cubic samples produced by micro direct metal deposition.

An integrated platform enabling optogenetic illumination of Caenorhabditis elegans neurons and muscular force measurement in microstructured environments

PubMed Central

Qiu, Zhichang; Tu, Long; Huang, Liang; Zhu, Taoyuanmin; Nock, Volker; Yu, Enchao; Liu, Xiao; Wang, Wenhui

2015-01-01

Optogenetics has been recently applied to manipulate the neural circuits of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) to investigate its mechanosensation and locomotive behavior, which is a fundamental topic in model biology. In most neuron-related research, free C. elegans moves on an open area such as agar surface. However, this simple environment is different from the soil, in which C. elegans naturally dwells. To bridge up the gap, this paper presents integration of optogenetic illumination of C. elegans neural circuits and muscular force measurement in a structured microfluidic chip mimicking the C. elegans soil habitat. The microfluidic chip is essentially a ∼1 × 1 cm2 elastomeric polydimethylsiloxane micro-pillar array, configured in either form of lattice (LC) or honeycomb (HC) to mimic the environment in which the worm dwells. The integrated system has four key modules for illumination pattern generation, pattern projection, automatic tracking of the worm, and force measurement. Specifically, two optical pathways co-exist in an inverted microscope, including built-in bright-field illumination for worm tracking and pattern generation, and added-in optogenetic illumination for pattern projection onto the worm body segment. The behavior of a freely moving worm in the chip under optogenetic manipulation can be recorded for off-line force measurements. Using wild-type N2 C. elegans, we demonstrated optical illumination of C. elegans neurons by projecting light onto its head/tail segment at 14 Hz refresh frequency. We also measured the force and observed three representative locomotion patterns of forward movement, reversal, and omega turn for LC and HC configurations. Being capable of stimulating or inhibiting worm neurons and simultaneously measuring the thrust force, this enabling platform would offer new insights into the correlation between neurons and locomotive behaviors of the nematode under a complex environment. PMID:25759756

Silicon micro-mold and method for fabrication

DOEpatents

Morales, Alfredo M.

2005-01-11

The present invention describes a method for rapidly fabricating a robust 3-dimensional silicon micro-mold for use in preparing complex metal micro-components. The process begins by depositing a conductive metal layer onto one surface of a silicon wafer. A thin photoresist and a standard lithographic mask are then used to transfer a trace image pattern onto the opposite surface of the wafer by exposing and developing the resist. The exposed portion of the silicon substrate is anisotropically etched through the wafer thickness down to conductive metal layer to provide an etched pattern consisting of a series of rectilinear channels and recesses in the silicon which serve as the silicon micro-mold. Microcomponents are prepared with this mold by first filling the mold channels and recesses with a metal deposit, typically by electroplating, and then removing the silicon micro-mold by chemical etching.

Plasma-Sprayed Titanium Patterns for Enhancing Early Cell Responses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Yunqi; Xie, Youtao; Pan, Houhua; Zheng, Xuebin; Huang, Liping; Ji, Fang; Li, Kai

2016-06-01

Titanium coating has been widely used as a biocompatible metal in biomedical applications. However, the early cell responses and long-term fixation of titanium implants are not satisfied. To obviate these defects, in this paper, micro-post arrays with various widths (150-1000 μm) and intervals (100-300 μm) were fabricated on the titanium substrate by template-assisted plasma spraying technology. In vitro cell culture experiments showed that MC3T3-E1 cells exhibited significantly higher osteogenic differentiation as well as slightly improved adhesion and proliferation on the micro-patterned coatings compared with the traditional one. The cell number on the pattern with 1000 µm width reached 130% after 6 days of incubation, and the expressions of osteopontin (OPN) as well as osteocalcin (OC) were doubled. No obvious difference was found in cell adhesion on various size patterns. The present micro-patterned coatings proposed a new modification method for the traditional plasma spraying technology to enhance the early cell responses and convenience for the bone in-growth.

Controllable Si (100) micro/nanostructures by chemical-etching-assisted femtosecond laser single-pulse irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xiaowei; Xie, Qian; Jiang, Lan; Han, Weina; Wang, Qingsong; Wang, Andong; Hu, Jie; Lu, Yongfeng

2017-05-01

In this study, silicon micro/nanostructures of controlled size and shape are fabricated by chemical-etching-assisted femtosecond laser single-pulse irradiation, which is a flexible, high-throughput method. The pulse fluence is altered to create various laser printing patterns for the etching mask, resulting in the sequential evolution of three distinct surface micro/nanostructures, namely, ring-like microstructures, flat-top pillar microstructures, and spike nanostructures. The characterized diameter of micro/nanostructures reveals that they can be flexibly tuned from the micrometer (˜2 μm) to nanometer (˜313 nm) scales by varying the laser pulse fluence in a wide range. Micro-Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy are utilized to demonstrate that the phase state changes from single-crystalline silicon (c-Si) to amorphous silicon (a-Si) after single-pulse femtosecond laser irradiation. This amorphous layer with a lower etching rate then acts as a mask in the wet etching process. Meanwhile, the on-the-fly punching technique enables the efficient fabrication of large-area patterned surfaces on the centimeter scale. This study presents a highly efficient method of controllably manufacturing silicon micro/nanostructures with different single-pulse patterns, which has promising applications in the photonic, solar cell, and sensors fields.

Improved conversion efficiency of amorphous Si solar cells using a mesoporous ZnO pattern

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

To provide a front transparent electrode for use in highly efficient hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) thin-film solar cells, porous flat layer and micro-patterns of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle (NP) layers were prepared through ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) and deposited on Al-doped ZnO (AZO) layers. Through this, it was found that a porous micro-pattern of ZnO NPs dispersed in resin can optimize the light-trapping pattern, with the efficiency of solar cells based on patterned or flat mesoporous ZnO layers increased by 27% and 12%, respectively. PMID:25276101

Evaluation of friction enhancement through soft polymer micro-patterns in active capsule endoscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buselli, Elisa; Pensabene, Virginia; Castrataro, Piero; Valdastri, Pietro; Menciassi, Arianna; Dario, Paolo

2010-10-01

Capsule endoscopy is an emerging field in medical technology. Despite very promising innovations, some critical issues are yet to be addressed, such as the management and possible exploitation of the friction in the gastrointestinal environment in order to control capsule locomotion more actively. This paper presents the fabrication and testing of bio-inspired polymeric micro-patterns, which are arrays of cylindrical pillars fabricated via soft lithography. The aim of the work is to develop structures that enhance the grip between an artificial device and the intestinal tissue, without injuring the mucosa. In fact, the patterns are intended to be mounted on microfabricated legs of a capsule robot that is able to move actively in the gastrointestinal tract, thus improving the robot's traction ability. The effect of micro-patterned surfaces on the leg-slipping behaviour on colon walls was investigated by considering both different pillar dimensions and the influence of tissue morphology. Several in vitro tests on biological samples demonstrated that micro-patterns of pillars made from a soft polymer with an aspect ratio close to 1 enhanced friction by 41.7% with regard to flat surfaces. This work presents preliminary modelling of the friction and adhesion forces in the gastrointestinal environment and some design guidelines for endoscopic devices.

Vortex lattices and defect-mediated viscosity reduction in active liquids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slomka, Jonasz; Dunkel, Jorn

2016-11-01

Generic pattern-formation and viscosity-reduction mechanisms in active fluids are investigated using a generalized Navier-Stokes model that captures the experimentally observed bulk vortex dynamics in microbial suspensions. We present exact analytical solutions including stress-free vortex lattices and introduce a computational framework that allows the efficient treatment of previously intractable higher-order shear boundary conditions. Large-scale parameter scans identify the conditions for spontaneous flow symmetry breaking, defect-mediated low-viscosity phases and negative-viscosity states amenable to energy harvesting in confined suspensions. The theory uses only generic assumptions about the symmetries and long-wavelength structure of active stress tensors, suggesting that inviscid phases may be achievable in a broad class of non-equilibrium fluids by tuning confinement geometry and pattern scale selection.

Microscopic evolution of dielectric nanoparticles at different calcination temperatures synthesized via sol-gel auto-combustion

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

Adil, Muhammad, E-mail: muhammadadil86@hotmail.com; Zaid, Hasnah Mohd, E-mail: hasnamz@petronas.com.my; Chuan, Lee Kean, E-mail: lee.kc@petronas.com.my

2015-07-22

Dielectric nano powder synthesis is carried by a simple and fast sol-gel auto-combustion method. The transformation of crystalline phases of as-synthesized nano powders is investigated through the detailed transmission electron microscopy (TEM), revealed the crystallographic alterations and morphological information even at lattice scale. From specific area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern, has specified the d-spacing and corresponding planes supported by the observed lattice fringes. The morphological characterization of nanoparticles is performed through field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), exhibiting the increment in particle size due to agglomeration with the increase in annealing temperature. Furthermore, EDX pattern has been used to verify themore » formation of nanoparticles by revealing the presence of required elements.« less

The Pandora multi-algorithm approach to automated pattern recognition of cosmic-ray muon and neutrino events in the MicroBooNE detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acciarri, R.; Adams, C.; An, R.; Anthony, J.; Asaadi, J.; Auger, M.; Bagby, L.; Balasubramanian, S.; Baller, B.; Barnes, C.; Barr, G.; Bass, M.; Bay, F.; Bishai, M.; Blake, A.; Bolton, T.; Camilleri, L.; Caratelli, D.; Carls, B.; Castillo Fernandez, R.; Cavanna, F.; Chen, H.; Church, E.; Cianci, D.; Cohen, E.; Collin, G. H.; Conrad, J. M.; Convery, M.; Crespo-Anadón, J. I.; Del Tutto, M.; Devitt, D.; Dytman, S.; Eberly, B.; Ereditato, A.; Escudero Sanchez, L.; Esquivel, J.; Fadeeva, A. A.; Fleming, B. T.; Foreman, W.; Furmanski, A. P.; Garcia-Gamez, D.; Garvey, G. T.; Genty, V.; Goeldi, D.; Gollapinni, S.; Graf, N.; Gramellini, E.; Greenlee, H.; Grosso, R.; Guenette, R.; Hackenburg, A.; Hamilton, P.; Hen, O.; Hewes, J.; Hill, C.; Ho, J.; Horton-Smith, G.; Hourlier, A.; Huang, E.-C.; James, C.; Jan de Vries, J.; Jen, C.-M.; Jiang, L.; Johnson, R. A.; Joshi, J.; Jostlein, H.; Kaleko, D.; Karagiorgi, G.; Ketchum, W.; Kirby, B.; Kirby, M.; Kobilarcik, T.; Kreslo, I.; Laube, A.; Li, Y.; Lister, A.; Littlejohn, B. R.; Lockwitz, S.; Lorca, D.; Louis, W. C.; Luethi, M.; Lundberg, B.; Luo, X.; Marchionni, A.; Mariani, C.; Marshall, J.; Martinez Caicedo, D. A.; Meddage, V.; Miceli, T.; Mills, G. B.; Moon, J.; Mooney, M.; Moore, C. D.; Mousseau, J.; Murrells, R.; Naples, D.; Nienaber, P.; Nowak, J.; Palamara, O.; Paolone, V.; Papavassiliou, V.; Pate, S. F.; Pavlovic, Z.; Piasetzky, E.; Porzio, D.; Pulliam, G.; Qian, X.; Raaf, J. L.; Rafique, A.; Rochester, L.; Rudolf von Rohr, C.; Russell, B.; Schmitz, D. W.; Schukraft, A.; Seligman, W.; Shaevitz, M. H.; Sinclair, J.; Smith, A.; Snider, E. L.; Soderberg, M.; Söldner-Rembold, S.; Soleti, S. R.; Spentzouris, P.; Spitz, J.; St. John, J.; Strauss, T.; Szelc, A. M.; Tagg, N.; Terao, K.; Thomson, M.; Toups, M.; Tsai, Y.-T.; Tufanli, S.; Usher, T.; Van De Pontseele, W.; Van de Water, R. G.; Viren, B.; Weber, M.; Wickremasinghe, D. A.; Wolbers, S.; Wongjirad, T.; Woodruff, K.; Yang, T.; Yates, L.; Zeller, G. P.; Zennamo, J.; Zhang, C.

2018-01-01

The development and operation of liquid-argon time-projection chambers for neutrino physics has created a need for new approaches to pattern recognition in order to fully exploit the imaging capabilities offered by this technology. Whereas the human brain can excel at identifying features in the recorded events, it is a significant challenge to develop an automated, algorithmic solution. The Pandora Software Development Kit provides functionality to aid the design and implementation of pattern-recognition algorithms. It promotes the use of a multi-algorithm approach to pattern recognition, in which individual algorithms each address a specific task in a particular topology. Many tens of algorithms then carefully build up a picture of the event and, together, provide a robust automated pattern-recognition solution. This paper describes details of the chain of over one hundred Pandora algorithms and tools used to reconstruct cosmic-ray muon and neutrino events in the MicroBooNE detector. Metrics that assess the current pattern-recognition performance are presented for simulated MicroBooNE events, using a selection of final-state event topologies.

Matter-wave propagation in optical lattices: geometrical and flat-band effects

DOE PAGES

Metcalf, Mekena; Chern, Gia-Wei; Di Ventra, Massimiliano; ...

2016-03-17

Here we report that the geometry of optical lattices can be engineered allowing the study of atomic transport along paths arranged in patterns that are otherwise difficult to probe in the solid state. A question feasible to atomic systems is related to the speed of propagation of matter-waves as a function of the lattice geometry. To address this issue, we have investigated theoretically the quantum transport of non-interacting and weakly-interacting ultracold fermionic atoms in several 2D optical lattice geometries. We find that the triangular lattice has a higher propagation velocity compared to the square lattice, and the cross-linked square latticemore » has an even faster propagation velocity. The increase results from the mixing of the momentum states which leads to different group velocities in quantum systems. Standard band theory provides an explanation and allows for a systematic way to search and design systems with controllable matter-wave propagation. Moreover, the presence of a flat band such as in a two-leg ladder geometry leads to a dynamical density discontinuity due to its localized atoms. Lastly, we discuss possible realizations of those dynamical phenomena.« less

Lattice model theory of the equation of state covering the gas, liquid, and solid phases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bonavito, N. L.; Tanaka, T.; Chan, E. M.; Horiguchi, T.; Foreman, J. C.

1975-01-01

The three stable states of matter and the corresponding phase transitions were obtained with a single model. Patterned after Lennard-Jones and Devonshires's theory, a simple cubic lattice model containing two fcc sublattices (alpha and beta) is adopted. The interatomic potential is taken to be the Lennard-Jones (6-12) potential. Employing the cluster variation method, the Weiss and the pair approximations on the lattice gas failed to give the correct phase diagrams. Hybrid approximations were devised to describe the lattice term in the free energy. A lattice vibration term corresponding to a free volume correction is included semi-phenomenologically. The combinations of the lattice part and the free volume part yield the three states and the proper phase diagrams. To determine the coexistence regions, the equalities of the pressure and Gibbs free energy per molecule of the coexisting phases were utilized. The ordered branch of the free energy gives rise to the solid phase while the disordered branch yields the gas and liquid phases. It is observed that the triple point and the critical point quantities, the phase diagrams and the coexistence regions plotted are in good agreement with the experimental values and graphs for argon.

Magnetic assembly and annealing of colloidal lattices and superlattices.

PubMed

Tierno, Pietro

2014-07-08

The ability to assemble mesoscopic colloidal lattices above a surface is important for fundamental studies related with nucleation and crystallization but also for a variety of technological applications in photonics and microengineering. Current techniques based on particle sedimentation above a lithographic template are limited by a slow deposition process and by the use of static templates, which make difficult to implement fast annealing procedures. Here it is demonstrated a method to realize and anneal a series of colloidal lattices displaying triangular, honeycomb, or kagome-like symmetry above a structure magnetic substrate. By using a binary mixture of particles, superlattices can be realized increasing further the variety and complexity of the colloidal patterns which can be produced.

Thermal effects in light scattering from ultracold bosons in an optical lattice

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

Lakomy, Kazimierz; Idziaszek, Zbigniew; Trippenbach, Marek

2009-10-15

We study the scattering of a weak and far-detuned light from a system of ultracold bosons in one-dimensional and three-dimensional optical lattices. We show the connection between angular distributions of the scattered light and statistical properties of a Bose gas in a periodic potential. The angular patterns are determined by the Fourier transform of the second-order correlation function, and thus they can be used to retrieve information on particle number fluctuations and correlations. We consider superfluid and Mott-insulator phases of the Bose gas in a lattice and we analyze in detail how the scattering depends on the system dimensionality, temperature,more » and atom-atom interactions.« less

Photon mass attenuation coefficients of a silicon resin loaded with WO3, PbO, and Bi2O3 Micro and Nano-particles for radiation shielding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verdipoor, Khatibeh; Alemi, Abdolali; Mesbahi, Asghar

2018-06-01

Novel shielding materials for photons based on silicon resin and WO3, PbO, and Bi2O3 Micro and Nano-particles were designed and their mass attenuation coefficients were calculated using Monte Carlo (MC) method. Using lattice cards in MCNPX code, micro and nanoparticles with sizes of 100 nm and 1 μm was designed inside a silicon resin matrix. Narrow beam geometry was simulated to calculate the attenuation coefficients of samples against mono-energetic beams of Co60 (1.17 and 1.33 MeV), Cs137 (663.8 KeV), and Ba133 (355.9 KeV). The shielding samples made of nanoparticles had higher mass attenuation coefficients, up to 17% relative to those made of microparticles. The superiority of nano-shields relative to micro-shields was dependent on the filler concentration and the energy of photons. PbO, and Bi2O3 nanoparticles showed higher attenuation compared to WO3 nanoparticles in studied energies. Fabrication of novel shielding materials using PbO, and Bi2O3 nanoparticles is recommended for application in radiation protection against photon beams.

Quantitative analysis of major elements in silicate minerals and glasses by micro-PIXE

USGS Publications Warehouse

Campbell, J.L.; Czamanske, G.K.; MacDonald, L.; Teesdale, W.J.

1997-01-01

The Guelph micro-PIXE facility has been modified to accommodate a second Si(Li) X-ray detector which records the spectrum due to light major elements (11 ??? Z ??? 20) with no deleterious effects from scattered 3 MeV protons. Spectra have been recorded from 30 well-characterized materials, including a broad range of silicate minerals and both natural and synthetic glasses. Sodium is mobile in some of the glasses, but not in the studied mineral lattices. The mean value of the instrumental constant H for each of the elements Mg, Al, and Si in these materials is systematically 6-8% lower than the H-value measured for the pure metals. Normalization factors are derived which permit the matrix corrections requisite for trace-element measurements in silicates to be based upon pure metal standards for Mg, Al and Si, supplemented by well-established, silicate mineral standards for the elements Na, K and Ca. Rigorous comparisons of electron microprobe and micro-PIXE analyses for the entire, 30-sample suite demonstrate the ability of micro-PIXE to produce accurate analysis for the light major elements in silicates. ?? 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

The influence of micro-scale dimples and nano-sized grains on the fretting characteristics generated by laser pulses.

PubMed

Amanov, Auezhan; Watabe, Tsukasa; Sasaki, Shinya

2013-12-01

The tribological characteristics of micro-scale dimpled Cu-based alloy specimen generated using a laser surface texturing (LST) were assessed and compared with that of the untextured specimen. The objective of this study is to improve the tribological characteristics of internal combustion engine (ICE) bearings and bushings made of Cu-based alloy by generating micro-scale dimples using an LST. Fretting wear tests were performed by sliding a hardened SAE52100 steel ball against the untextured and LSTed specimens at a normal load of 5 N under oil-lubricated conditions. The friction force and relative movement between the specimens were measured simultaneously during the fretting tests. The test results showed that the LSTed specimens showed a reduction in friction coefficient and an enhancement in fretting wear resistance compared to that of the untextured specimen. The friction coefficient and fretting wear volume increased with increasing frequency for both untextured and LSTed specimens. The improved tribological properties of the LSTed specimen may be attributed to the micro-scale dimples, refined grain size and high lattice strain. In addition, a model for the nanocrystallization mechanism of the LSTed specimen was proposed.

Angle-Dependent Microresonator ESR Characterization of Locally Doped Gd3 + :Al2O3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wisby, I. S.; de Graaf, S. E.; Gwilliam, R.; Adamyan, A.; Kubatkin, S. E.; Meeson, P. J.; Tzalenchuk, A. Ya.; Lindström, T.

2016-08-01

Interfacing rare-earth-doped crystals with superconducting circuit architectures provides an attractive platform for quantum memory and transducer devices. Here, we present the detailed characterization of such a hybrid system: a locally implanted rare-earth Gd3 + in Al2O3 spin system coupled to a superconducting microresonator. We investigate the properties of the implanted spin system through angular-dependent microresonator electron spin resonance (micro-ESR) spectroscopy. We find, despite the high-energy near-surface implantation, the resulting micro-ESR spectra to be in excellent agreement with the modeled Hamiltonian, supporting the integration of dopant ions into their relevant lattice sites while maintaining crystalline symmetries. Furthermore, we observe clear contributions from individual microwave field components of our microresonator, emphasizing the need for controllable local implantation.

Characterization of novel preclinical dose distributions for micro irradiator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kodra, J.; Miles, D.; Yoon, S. W.; Kirsch, D. G.; Oldham, M.

2017-05-01

This work explores and demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing new 3D printing techniques to implement advanced micro radiation therapy for pre-clinical small animal studies. 3D printed blocks and compensators were designed and printed from a strong x-ray attenuating material at sub-millimeter resolution. These techniques enable a powerful range of new preclinical treatment capabilities including grid therapy, lattice therapy, and IMRT treatment. At small scales, verification of these treatments is exceptionally challenging, and high resolution 3D dosimetry (0.5mm3) is an essential capability to characterize and verify these capabilities, Here, investigate the 2D and 3D dosimetry of several novel pre-clinical treatments using a combination of EBT film and Presage/optical-CT 3D dosimetry in rodent-morphic dosimeters.

Prototyping for LENS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rasco, B. C.

2012-03-01

The Low-Energy Neutrino Spectroscopy (LENS) experiment will precisely measure the energy spectrum of low-energy solar neutrinos via charged-current neutrino reactions on indium. The LENS detector concept applies indium-loaded scintillator in an optically-segmented lattice geometry to achieve precise time and spatial resolution with unprecedented sensitivity for low-energy neutrino events. The LENS collaboration is currently developing prototypes that aim to demonstrate the performance and selectivity of the technology and to benchmark Monte Carlo simulations that will guide scaling to the full LENS instrument. Currently a 120 liter prototype, microLENS, is operating with pure scintillator (no indium loading) in the Kimballton Underground Research Facility (KURF). We will present results from initial measurements with microLENS and plans for a 400 liter prototype, miniLENS, using indium loaded scintillator that will be installed this summer.

Antenna-coupled transition-edge hot-electron microbolometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, Shafinaz; Timbie, Peter T.; Malu, Siddharth; McCammon, Dan; Nelms, Kari L.; Pathak, Rashmi; van der Weide, Daniel W.; Allen, Christine A.; Abrahams, J.; Chervenak, James A.; Hsieh, Wen-Ting; Miller, Timothy M.; Moseley, S. H., Jr.; Stevenson, Thomas R.; Wollack, Edward J.

2004-10-01

We are developing a new type of detector for observational cosmology and astrophysical research. Incoming radiation from the sky is coupled to a superconducting microstrip transmission line that terminates in a thin film absorber. At sub-Kelvin temperature, the thermal isolation between the electrons and the lattice makes it possible for the electrons in the small absorber (100's of cubic micro-meter) and superconducting bilayer (Transition Edge Sensor) to heat up by the radiation absorbed by the electrons of the normal absorbing layer. We call this detector a Transition-edge Hot-electron Micro-bolometer (THM). THMs can be fabricated by photo lithography, so it is relatively easy to make matched detectors for a large focal plane array telescope. We report on the thermal properties of Mo/Au THMs with Bi/Au absorbers.

Analysis of Short and Long Range Atomic Order in Nanocrystalline Diamonds with Application of Powder Diffractometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Palosz, B.; Grzanka, E.; Stelmakh, S.; Pielaszek, R.; Bismayer, U.; Neuefiend, J.; Weber, H.-P.; Proffen, T.; VonDreele, R.; Palosz, W.;

Grain rotation and lattice deformation during photoinduced chemical reactions revealed by in situ X-ray nanodiffraction.

PubMed

Huang, Zhifeng; Bartels, Matthias; Xu, Rui; Osterhoff, Markus; Kalbfleisch, Sebastian; Sprung, Michael; Suzuki, Akihiro; Takahashi, Yukio; Blanton, Thomas N; Salditt, Tim; Miao, Jianwei

2015-07-01

In situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been used to investigate many physical science phenomena, ranging from phase transitions, chemical reactions and crystal growth to grain boundary dynamics. A major limitation of in situ XRD and TEM is a compromise that has to be made between spatial and temporal resolution. Here, we report the development of in situ X-ray nanodiffraction to measure high-resolution diffraction patterns from single grains with up to 5 ms temporal resolution. We observed, for the first time, grain rotation and lattice deformation in chemical reactions induced by X-ray photons: Br(-) + hv → Br + e(-) and e(-) + Ag(+) → Ag(0). The grain rotation and lattice deformation associated with the chemical reactions were quantified to be as fast as 3.25 rad s(-1) and as large as 0.5 Å, respectively. The ability to measure high-resolution diffraction patterns from individual grains with a temporal resolution of several milliseconds is expected to find broad applications in materials science, physics, chemistry and nanoscience.

Tailoring Dirac Fermions in Molecular Graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gomes, Kenjiro K.; Mar, Warren; Ko, Wonhee; Camp, Charlie D.; Rastawicki, Dominik K.; Guinea, Francisco; Manoharan, Hari C.

2012-02-01

The dynamics of electrons in solids is tied to the band structure created by a periodic atomic potential. The design of artificial lattices, assembled through atomic manipulation, opens the door to engineer electronic band structure and to create novel quantum states. We present scanning tunneling spectroscopic measurements of a nanoassembled honeycomb lattice displaying a Dirac fermion band structure. The artificial lattice is created by atomic manipulation of single CO molecules with the scanning tunneling microscope on the surface of Cu(111). The periodic potential generated by the assembled CO molecules reshapes the band structure of the two-dimensional electron gas, present as a surface state of Cu(111), into a ``molecular graphene'' system. We create local defects in the lattice to observe the quasiparticle interference patterns that unveil the underlying band structure. We present direct comparison between the tunneling data, first-principles calculations of the band structure, and tight-binding models.

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

Merkle, K. L.; Csencsits, R.; Rynes, K. L.

In the absence of high-order aberrations, the lattice fringe technique should allow measurement of grain boundary rigid-body displacements to accuracies about an order of magnitude better than the point-to-point resolution of the transmission electron microscope. The three-fold astigmatism, however, introduces shifts of the lattice fringe pattern that depend on the orientation of the lattice relative to the direction of the three-fold astigmatism and thus produces an apparent shift between the two grains bordering the grain boundary. By image simulation of grain boundary model structures, the present paper explores the effect of these extraneous shifts on grain boundary volume expansion measurements.more » It is found that the shifts depend, among others, on zone axis direction and the magnitude of the lattice parameter. For many grain boundaries of interest, three-fold astigmatism correction to better than 100 nm appears necessary to achieve the desired accuracies.« less

Fast prototyping of microtubes with embedded sensing elements made possible with an inkjet printing and rolling process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, N.; Meissner, M. V.; MacKinnon, N.; Luchnikov, V.; Mager, D.; Korvink, J. G.

2018-02-01

We present a new fabrication process to create sub-mm micro tubes with embedded conductive patterns. Based on common 2D patterning techniques and a specially designed rolling process, it achieves 3D structures featuring potentially complex, embedded electrical, mechanical and micro-fluidic functions. We demonstrate the advantage in creating freeform electrical conductors around sub-mm tubes, such as needed for a tube-integrated micro heater. The production of the 2D patterns is flexible, and we demonstrate that both additive manufacturing (fast, accessible) and conventional micro-fabrication processes (cleanroom, wafer-scale) are compatible with the rolling process. To adapt the rolling process for high frequency applications, the patterned tracks can be directly electroplated, with good adhesion, to reduce electrical resistance. For the first time, we achieve saddle-geometry NMR micro detectors. They feature 100 μm wide, 10 μm thick conductive tracks on 25 μm thick polyimide film, and were successfully tested in a 500 MHz (11.7 T) NMR spectrometer. Using a 620 μm diameter coil, we measured the single-shot SNR of deionized water sample, which corresponded to a mole sensitivity of 18.78 nmolHz-1/2 , and a water line shape of 1.52/26.8/37.3 Hz (50, 0.55, 0.11% of the maximum height) from a sample volume of only 82 nl.

Advances in single-molecule magnet surface patterning through microcontact printing.

PubMed

Mannini, Matteo; Bonacchi, Daniele; Zobbi, Laura; Piras, Federica M; Speets, Emiel A; Caneschi, Andrea; Cornia, Andrea; Magnani, Agnese; Ravoo, Bart Jan; Reinhoudt, David N; Sessoli, Roberta; Gatteschi, Dante

2005-07-01

We present an implementation of strategies to deposit single-molecule magnets (SMMs) using microcontact printing microCP). We describe different approaches of microCP to print stripes of a sulfur-functionalized dodecamanganese (III, IV) cluster on gold surfaces. Comparison by atomic force microscopy profile analysis of the patterned structures confirms the formation of a chemically stable single layer of SMMs. Images based on chemical contrast, obtained by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, confirm the patterned structure.

Structural and electromagnetic characterization of Co-Mn doped Ni-Sn ferrites fabricated via micro-emulsion route

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, Rajjab; Azhar Khan, Muhammad; Manzoor, Alina; Shahid, Muhammad; Farooq Warsi, Muhammad

2017-11-01

Ni0.5Sn0.5CoxMnxFe2-2xO4 ferrites with x = 0.0-0.8 have been prepared by the micro-emulsion method, using CTAB as a surfactant material. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and vibrational sample magnetometer (VSM) were used to investigate the effects of Co and Mn substitutions on cationic distribution, crystallite size, lattice constant, spectral, magnetic and dielectric properties. Lattice constant and crystallite size were found to increase from 7.4 to 9.25 Å and from 11.8 to 19.7 nm respectively with increasing substitution of Co and Mn ions. Saturation magnetization (MS) gradually increased from 20.5 to 47.6 emu/g with increase in the value of x. However, Coercivity increased from 152.7 to 462.4 Oe up to x = 0.4 and then it decreased thereafter. The dielectric constant, complex dielectric constant and tan loss (tanδ) were observed to decrease with increase in frequency, depicting the semiconductor behavior of the ferrites. Dc resistivity was observed to decrease considerably upon addition of Co and Mn content. The outcome for the tunable magnetic properties and achieved modification of the synthesized nanocrystallites may be chosen for tremendous applications; such as miniaturized memory devices that are based on the energy storage principles and capacitive components.

Investigation of heat transfer in cereal-based foam from a micro-scale perspective using the lattice Boltzmann method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mack, Simone; Hussein, Mohamed A.; Becker, Thomas

2011-12-01

Foam materials are multicomponent and multiphase systems, where under the influence of heat several temperature-dependent processes occur. In cereal-based foams these processes include protein denaturation, starch gelatinization, phase changes such as water evaporation, and structural changes covering bubble expansion and coalescence. This research focuses on modeling heat transfer processes in cereal foams under thermal treatment from a microstructural point of view. The complex thermo-fluidic processes inside the foam are considered for the solid and the gaseous phase, respectively. Additionally, the microstructural foam characteristics are modified to establish their effect on the overall heat transfer rate, and the micro-scale dynamics are introduced by means of lattice Boltzmann methods (LBM). The objective of this study is to deliver sophisticated insight into the impact of structural properties, due to the fact that optimized parameters would help to improve the bakery industry by means of reduction in baking time, energy, and costs. The results show that altering the porosity and/or the interconnectivity of gas pores in bread crumb influences the overall heat transfer. In comparison to foams having a porosity of 55% and discrete pores, the impact of coalescence exhibits a reduction of baking time of about 2 min. Increasing the porosity about 20% results in reducing the baking time about 7 min.

Pore-Scale Investigation on Stress-Dependent Characteristics of Granular Packs and Their Impact on Multiphase Fluid Distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torrealba, V.; Karpyn, Z.; Yoon, H.; Hart, D. B.; Klise, K. A.

2013-12-01

The pore-scale dynamics that govern multiphase flow under variable stress conditions are not well understood. This lack of fundamental understanding limits our ability to quantitatively predict multiphase flow and fluid distributions in natural geologic systems. In this research, we focus on pore-scale, single and multiphase flow properties that impact displacement mechanisms and residual trapping of non-wetting phase under varying stress conditions. X-ray micro-tomography is used to image pore structures and distribution of wetting and non-wetting fluids in water-wet synthetic granular packs, under dynamic load. Micro-tomography images are also used to determine structural features such as medial axis, surface area, and pore body and throat distribution; while the corresponding transport properties are determined from Lattice-Boltzmann simulations performed on lattice replicas of the imaged specimens. Results are used to investigate how inter-granular deformation mechanisms affect fluid displacement and residual trapping at the pore-scale. This will improve our understanding of the dynamic interaction of mechanical deformation and fluid flow during enhanced oil recovery and geologic CO2 sequestration. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

Pore-Scale Determination of Gas Relative Permeability in Hydrate-Bearing Sediments Using X-Ray Computed Micro-Tomography and Lattice Boltzmann Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiongyu; Verma, Rahul; Espinoza, D. Nicolas; Prodanović, Maša.

2018-01-01

This work uses X-ray computed micro-tomography (μCT) to monitor xenon hydrate growth in a sandpack under the excess gas condition. The μCT images give pore-scale hydrate distribution and pore habit in space and time. We use the lattice Boltzmann method to calculate gas relative permeability (krg) as a function of hydrate saturation (Shyd) in the pore structure of the experimental hydrate-bearing sand retrieved from μCT data. The results suggest the krg - Shyd data fit well a new model krg = (1-Shyd)·exp(-4.95·Shyd) rather than the simple Corey model. In addition, we calculate krg-Shyd curves using digital models of hydrate-bearing sand based on idealized grain-attaching, coarse pore-filling, and dispersed pore-filling hydrate habits. Our pore-scale measurements and modeling show that the krg-Shyd curves are similar regardless of whether hydrate crystals develop grain-attaching or coarse pore-filling habits. The dispersed pore filling habit exhibits much lower gas relative permeability than the other two, but it is not observed in the experiment and not compatible with Ostwald ripening mechanisms. We find that a single grain-shape factor can be used in the Carman-Kozeny equation to calculate krg-Shyd data with known porosity and average grain diameter, suggesting it is a useful model for hydrate-bearing sand.

Fabrication of ordered arrays of micro- and nanoscale features with control over their shape and size via templated solid-state dewetting.

PubMed

Ye, Jongpil

2015-05-08

Templated solid-state dewetting of single-crystal films has been shown to be used to produce regular patterns of various shapes. However, the materials for which this patterning method is applicable, and the size range of the patterns produced are still limited. Here, it is shown that ordered arrays of micro- and nanoscale features can be produced with control over their shape and size via solid-state dewetting of patches patterned from single-crystal palladium and nickel films of different thicknesses and orientations. The shape and size characteristics of the patterns are found to be widely controllable with varying the shape, width, thickness, and orientation of the initial patches. The morphological evolution of the patches is also dependent on the film material, with different dewetting behaviors observed in palladium and nickel films. The mechanisms underlying the pattern formation are explained in terms of the influence on Rayleigh-like instability of the patch geometry and the surface energy anisotropy of the film material. This mechanistic understanding of pattern formation can be used to design patches for the precise fabrication of micro- and nanoscale structures with the desired shapes and feature sizes.

Fabrication of ordered arrays of micro- and nanoscale features with control over their shape and size via templated solid-state dewetting

PubMed Central

Ye, Jongpil

2015-01-01

Templated solid-state dewetting of single-crystal films has been shown to be used to produce regular patterns of various shapes. However, the materials for which this patterning method is applicable, and the size range of the patterns produced are still limited. Here, it is shown that ordered arrays of micro- and nanoscale features can be produced with control over their shape and size via solid-state dewetting of patches patterned from single-crystal palladium and nickel films of different thicknesses and orientations. The shape and size characteristics of the patterns are found to be widely controllable with varying the shape, width, thickness, and orientation of the initial patches. The morphological evolution of the patches is also dependent on the film material, with different dewetting behaviors observed in palladium and nickel films. The mechanisms underlying the pattern formation are explained in terms of the influence on Rayleigh-like instability of the patch geometry and the surface energy anisotropy of the film material. This mechanistic understanding of pattern formation can be used to design patches for the precise fabrication of micro- and nanoscale structures with the desired shapes and feature sizes. PMID:25951816

Ink-jet printing technology enables self-aligned mould patterning for electroplating in a single step

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meissner, M. V.; Spengler, N.; Mager, D.; Wang, N.; Kiss, S. Z.; Höfflin, J.; While, P. T.; Korvink, J. G.

2015-06-01

We present a new self-aligned, mask-free micro-fabrication method with which to form thick-layered conductive metal micro-structures inside electroplating moulds. Seed layer patterning for electroplating was performed by ink-jet printing using a silver nano-particle ink deposited on SU-8 or Ordyl SY permanent resist. The silver ink contact angle on SU-8 was adjusted by oxygen plasma followed by a hard bake. Besides functioning as a seed layer, the printed structures further served as a shadow mask during patterning of electroplating moulds into negative photoresist. The printed silver tracks remained in strong adhesion to the substrate when exposed to the acidic chemistry of the electroplating bath. To demonstrate the process, we manufactured rectangular, low-resistivity planar micro-coils for use in magnetic resonance microscopy. MRI images of a spring onion with an in-plane resolution down to 10 µm × 10 µm were acquired using a micro-coil on an 11.7 T MRI scanner.

In Vitro Assays for Mouse Müller Cell Phenotyping Through microRNA Profiling in the Damaged Retina.

PubMed

Reyes-Aguirre, Luis I; Quintero, Heberto; Estrada-Leyva, Brenda; Lamas, Mónica

2018-01-01

microRNA profiling has identified cell-specific expression patterns that could represent molecular signatures triggering the acquisition of a specific phenotype; in other words, of cellular identity and its associated function. Several groups have hypothesized that retinal cell phenotyping could be achieved through the determination of the global pattern of miRNA expression across specific cell types in the adult retina. This is especially relevant for Müller glia in the context of retinal damage, as these cells undergo dramatic changes of gene expression in response to injury, that render them susceptible to acquire a progenitor-like phenotype and be a source of new neurons.We describe a method that combines an experimental protocol for excitotoxic-induced retinal damage through N-methyl-D-aspartate subretinal injection with magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) of Müller cells and RNA isolation for microRNA profiling. Comparison of microRNA patterns of expression should allow Müller cell phenotyping under different experimental conditions.

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.

Solid solutions of gadolinium doped zinc oxide nanorods by combined microwave-ultrasonic irradiation assisted crystallization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiani, Armin; Dastafkan, Kamran; Obeydavi, Ali; Rahimi, Mohammad

2017-12-01

Nanocrystalline solid solutions consisting of un-doped and gadolinium doped zinc oxide nanorods were fabricated by a modified sol-gel process utilizing combined ultrasonic-microwave irradiations. Polyvinylpyrrolidone, diethylene glycol, and triethylenetetramine respectively as capping, structure directing, and complexing agents were used under ultrasound dynamic aging and microwave heating to obtain crystalline nanorods. Crystalline phase monitoring, lattice parameters and variation, morphology and shape, elemental analysis, functional groups, reducibility, and the oxidation state of emerged species were examined by PXRD, FESEM, TEM, EDX, FTIR, micro Raman, H2-TPR, and EPR techniques. Results have verified that irradiation mechanism of gelation and crystallization reduces the reaction time, augments the crystal quality, and formation of hexagonal close pack structure of Wurtzite morphology. Besides, dissolution of gadolinium within host lattice involves lattice deformation, unit cell distortion, and angular position variation. Structure related shape and growth along with compositional purity were observed through microscopic and spectroscopic surveys. Furthermore, TPR and EPR studies elucidated more detailed behavior upon exposure to the exerted irradiations and subsequent air-annealing including the formed oxidation states and electron trapping centers, presence of gadolinium, zinc, and oxygen disarrays and defects, as well as alteration in the host unit cell via gadolinium addition.

In-situ characterization of highly reversible phase transformation by synchrotron X-ray Laue microdiffraction

DOE PAGES

Chen, Xian; Tamura, Nobumichi; MacDowell, Alastair; ...

2016-05-23

The alloy Cu 25 Au 30 Zn 45 undergoes a huge first-order phase transformation (6% strain) and shows a high reversibility under thermal cycling and an unusual martensitc microstructure in sharp contrast to its nearby compositions. We discovered this alloy by systematically tuning the composition so that its lattice parameters satisfy the cofactor conditions (i.e., the kinematic conditions of compatibility between phases). It was conjectured that satisfaction of these conditions is responsible for the enhanced reversibility as well as the observed unusual fluid-like microstructure during transformation, but so far, there has been no direct evidence confirming that these observed microstructuresmore » are those predicted by the cofactor conditions. In order to verify this hypothesis, we use synchrotron X-ray Laue microdiffraction to measure the orientations and structural parameters of variants and phases near the austenite/martensite interface. The areas consisting of both austenite and multi-variants of martensite are scanned by microLaue diffraction. The cofactor conditions have been examined from the kinematic relation of lattice vectors across the interface. The continuity condition of the interface is precisely verified from the correspondent lattice vectors between two phases.« less

Neutronics Studies of Uranium-bearing Fully Ceramic Micro-encapsulated Fuel for PWRs

DOE PAGES

George, Nathan M.; Maldonado, G. Ivan; Terrani, Kurt A.; ...

2014-12-01

Our study evaluated the neutronics and some of the fuel cycle characteristics of using uranium-based fully ceramic microencapsulated (FCM) fuel in a pressurized water reactor (PWR). Specific PWR lattice designs with FCM fuel have been developed that are expected to achieve higher specific burnup levels in the fuel while also increasing the tolerance to reactor accidents. The SCALE software system was the primary analysis tool used to model the lattice designs. A parametric study was performed by varying tristructural isotropic particle design features (e.g., kernel diameter, coating layer thicknesses, and packing fraction) to understand the impact on reactivity and resultingmore » operating cycle length. Moreover, to match the lifetime of an 18-month PWR cycle, the FCM particle fuel design required roughly 10% additional fissile material at beginning of life compared with that of a standard uranium dioxide (UO 2) rod. Uranium mononitride proved to be a favorable fuel for the fuel kernel due to its higher heavy metal loading density compared with UO 2. The FCM fuel designs evaluated maintain acceptable neutronics design features for fuel lifetime, lattice peaking factors, and nonproliferation figure of merit.« less

Influence of misfit stresses on dislocation glide in single crystal superalloys: A three-dimensional discrete dislocation dynamics study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Siwen; Fivel, Marc; Ma, Anxin; Hartmaier, Alexander

2015-03-01

In the characteristic γ / γ ‧ microstructure of single crystal superalloys, misfit stresses occur due to a significant lattice mismatch of those two phases. The magnitude of this lattice mismatch depends on the chemical composition of both phases as well as on temperature. Furthermore, the lattice mismatch of γ and γ ‧ phases can be either positive or negative in sign. The internal stresses caused by such lattice mismatch play a decisive role for the micromechanical processes that lead to the observed macroscopic athermal deformation behavior of these high-temperature alloys. Three-dimensional discrete dislocation dynamics (DDD) simulations are applied to investigate dislocation glide in γ matrix channels and shearing of γ ‧ precipitates by superdislocations under externally applied uniaxial stresses, by fully taking into account internal misfit stresses. Misfit stress fields are calculated by the fast Fourier transformation (FFT) method and hybridized with DDD simulations. For external loading along the crystallographic [001] direction of the single crystal, it was found that the different internal stress states for negative and positive lattice mismatch result in non-uniform dislocation movement and different dislocation patterns in horizontal and vertical γ matrix channels. Furthermore, positive lattice mismatch produces a lower deformation rate than negative lattice mismatch under the same tensile loading, but for an increasing magnitude of lattice mismatch, the deformation resistance always diminishes. Hence, the best deformation performance is expected to result from alloys with either small positive, or even better, vanishing lattice mismatch between γ and γ ‧ phase.

Differentiating Human Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Regulate microRNAs: Prediction of microRNA Regulation by PDGF During Osteogenesis

PubMed Central

Goff, Loyal A.; Boucher, Shayne; Ricupero, Christopher L.; Fenstermacher, Sara; Swerdel, Mavis; Chase, Lucas; Adams, Christopher; Chesnut, Jonathan; Lakshmipathy, Uma; Hart, Ronald P.

2009-01-01

Objective Human multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have the potential to differentiate into multiple cell types, although little is known about factors that control their fate. Differentiation-specific microRNAs may play a key role in stem cell self renewal and differentiation. We propose that specific intracellular signalling pathways modulate gene expression during differentiation by regulating microRNA expression. Methods Illumina mRNA and NCode microRNA expression analyses were performed on MSC and their differentiated progeny. A combination of bioinformatic prediction and pathway inhibition was used to identify microRNAs associated with PDGF signalling. Results The pattern of microRNA expression in MSC is distinct from that in pluripotent stem cells such as human embryonic stem cells. Specific populations of microRNAs are regulated in MSC during differentiation targeted towards specific cell types. Complementary mRNA expression analysis increases the pool of markers characteristic of MSC or differentiated progeny. To identify microRNA expression patterns affected by signalling pathways, we examined the PDGF pathway found to be regulated during osteogenesis by microarray studies. A set of microRNAs bioinformatically predicted to respond to PDGF signalling was experimentally confirmed by direct PDGF inhibition. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that a subset of microRNAs regulated during osteogenic differentiation of MSCs is responsive to perturbation of the PDGF pathway. This approach not only identifies characteristic classes of differentiation-specific mRNAs and microRNAs, but begins to link regulated molecules with specific cellular pathways. PMID:18657893

Effect of Micro-Bubbles in Water on Beam Patterns of Parametric Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hashiba, Kunio; Masuzawa, Hiroshi

2003-05-01

The improvement in efficiency of a parametric array by nonlinear oscillation of micro-bubbles in water is studied in this paper. The micro-bubble oscillation can increase the nonlinear coefficient of the acoustic medium. The amplitude of the difference-frequency wave along the longitudinal axis and its beam patterns in the field including the layer with micro-bubbles were analyzed using a Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya-Kuznetsov (KZK) equation. As a result, the largest improvement in efficiency was obtained and a narrow parametric beam was formed by forming a layer with micro-bubbles in front of a parametric sound radiator as thick as about the shock formation distance. If the layer becomes significantly thicker than the distance, the beam of the difference-frequency wave in the far-field will become broader. If the layer is significantly thinner than the distance, the intensity level of the wave in the far-field will be too low.

Superhydrophobic Surface With Shape Memory Micro/Nanostructure and Its Application in Rewritable Chip for Droplet Storage.

PubMed

Lv, Tong; Cheng, Zhongjun; Zhang, Dongjie; Zhang, Enshuang; Zhao, Qianlong; Liu, Yuyan; Jiang, Lei

2016-09-21

Recently, superhydrophobic surfaces with tunable wettability have aroused much attention. Noticeably, almost all present smart performances rely on the variation of surface chemistry on static micro/nanostructure, to obtain a surface with dynamically tunable micro/nanostructure, especially that can memorize and keep different micro/nanostructures and related wettabilities, is still a challenge. Herein, by creating micro/nanostructured arrays on shape memory polymer, a superhydrophobic surface that has shape memory ability in changing and recovering its hierarchical structures and related wettabilities was reported. Meanwhile, the surface was successfully used in the rewritable functional chip for droplet storage by designing microstructure-dependent patterns, which breaks through current research that structure patterns cannot be reprogrammed. This article advances a superhydrophobic surface with shape memory hierarchical structure and the application in rewritable functional chip, which could start some fresh ideas for the development of smart superhydrophobic surface.

A novel 3D deformation measurement method under optical microscope for micro-scale bulge-test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Dan; Xie, Huimin

2017-11-01

A micro-scale 3D deformation measurement method combined with optical microscope is proposed in this paper. The method is based on gratings and phase shifting algorithm. By recording the grating images before and after deformation from two symmetrical angles and calculating the phases of the grating patterns, the 3D deformation field of the specimen can be extracted from the phases of the grating patterns. The proposed method was applied to the micro-scale bulge test. A micro-scale thermal/mechanical coupling bulge-test apparatus matched with the super-depth microscope was exploited. With the gratings fabricated onto the film, the deformed morphology of the bulged film was measured reliably. The experimental results show that the proposed method and the exploited bulge-test apparatus can be used to characterize the thermal/mechanical properties of the films at micro-scale successfully.

Trapping and exclusion zones in complex streaming patterns around a large assembly of microfluidic bubbles under ultrasound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Combriat, Thomas; Mekki-Berrada, Flore; Thibault, Pierre; Marmottant, Philippe

2018-01-01

Pulsating bubbles have proved to be a versatile tool for trapping and sorting particles. In this article, we investigate the different streaming patterns that can be obtained with a group of bubbles in a confined geometry under ultrasound. In the presence of an external flow strong enough to oppose the streaming velocities but not drag the trapped bubbles, we observe either the appearance of exclusion zones near the bubbles or asymmetric streaming patterns that we interpret as the superposition of a two-dimensional (2D) streaming function and of a potential flow. When studying a lattice of several bubbles, we show that the streaming pattern can be accurately predicted by superimposing the contributions of every pair of bubbles present in the lattice, thus allowing one to predict the sizes and the shapes of exclusion zones created by a group of bubbles under acoustic excitation. We suggest that such systems could be used to enhance mixing at a small scale or to catch and release chemical species initially trapped in vortices created around bubble pairs.

Formation mechanism of dot-line square superlattice pattern in dielectric barrier discharge

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

Liu, Weibo; Dong, Lifang, E-mail: donglfhbu@163.com, E-mail: pyy1616@163.com; Wang, Yongjie

We investigate the formation mechanism of the dot-line square superlattice pattern (DLSSP) in dielectric barrier discharge. The spatio-temporal structure studied by using the intensified-charge coupled device camera shows that the DLSSP is an interleaving of three different subpatterns in one half voltage cycle. The dot square lattice discharges first and, then, the two kinds of line square lattices, which form square grid structures discharge twice. When the gas pressure is varied, DLSSP can transform from square superlattice pattern (SSP). The spectral line profile method is used to compare the electron densities, which represent the amounts of surface charges qualitatively. Itmore » is found that the amount of surface charges accumulated by the first discharge of DLSSP is less than that of SSP, leading to a bigger discharge area of the following discharge (lines of DLSSP instead of halos of SSP). The spatial distribution of the electric field of the surface charges is simulated to explain the formation of DLSSP. This paper may provide a deeper understanding for the formation mechanism of complex superlattice patterns in DBD.« less

Study on hexagonal super-lattice pattern with surface discharges in dielectric barrier discharge

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

Liu, Ying; Dong, Lifang, E-mail: donglfhbu@163.com; Niu, Xuejiao

2015-10-15

The hexagonal super-lattice pattern with surface discharges (SDs) in dielectric barrier discharge is investigated by intensified charge-coupled device. The pattern is composed of the bright spot and the dim spot which is located at the centroid of surrounding other three bright spots. The phase diagram of the pattern as a function of the gas pressure and the argon concentration is given. The instantaneous images indicate that the bright spot emerging at the front of the current pulse is formed by the volume discharge (VD), and dim spot occurring at the tail of the current pulse is formed by the SD.more » The above result shows that the SD is induced by the VD. The simulation of the electric fields of wall charges accumulated by VDs confirms that the dim spot is formed by the confluences of the SDs of surrounding other three bright spots. By using optical emission spectrum method, both the molecule vibration temperature and electron density of the SD are larger than that of the VD.« less

Numerical modelling of effective thermal conductivity for modified geomaterial using lattice element method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rizvi, Zarghaam Haider; Shrestha, Dinesh; Sattari, Amir S.; Wuttke, Frank

2018-02-01

Macroscopic parameters such as effective thermal conductivity (ETC) is an important parameter which is affected by micro and meso level behaviour of particulate materials, and has been extensively examined in the past decades. In this paper, a new lattice based numerical model is developed to predict the ETC of sand and modified high thermal backfill material for energy transportation used for underground power cables. 2D and 3D simulations are performed to analyse and detect differences resulting from model simplification. The thermal conductivity of the granular mixture is determined numerically considering the volume and the shape of the each constituting portion. The new numerical method is validated with transient needle measurements and the existing theoretical and semi empirical models for thermal conductivity prediction sand and the modified backfill material for dry condition. The numerical prediction and the measured values are in agreement to a large extent.

Laboratory investigation on the role of tubular shaped micro resonators phononic crystal insertion on the absorption coefficient of profiled sound absorber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yahya, I.; Kusuma, J. I.; Harjana; Kristiani, R.; Hanina, R.

2016-02-01

This paper emphasizes the influence of tubular shaped microresonators phononic crystal insertion on the sound absorption coefficient of profiled sound absorber. A simple cubic and two different bodies centered cubic phononic crystal lattice model were analyzed in a laboratory test procedure. The experiment was conducted by using transfer function based two microphone impedance tube method refer to ASTM E-1050-98. The results show that sound absorption coefficient increase significantly at the mid and high-frequency band (600 - 700 Hz) and (1 - 1.6 kHz) when tubular shaped microresonator phononic crystal inserted into the tested sound absorber element. The increment phenomena related to multi-resonance effect that occurs when sound waves propagate through the phononic crystal lattice model that produce multiple reflections and scattering in mid and high-frequency band which increases the sound absorption coefficient accordingly

Topological quantization of energy transport in micromechanical and nanomechanical lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chien, Chih-Chun; Velizhanin, Kirill A.; Dubi, Yonatan; Ilic, B. Robert; Zwolak, Michael

2018-03-01

Topological effects typically discussed in the context of quantum physics are emerging as one of the central paradigms of physics. Here, we demonstrate the role of topology in energy transport through dimerized micro- and nanomechanical lattices in the classical regime, i.e., essentially "masses and springs." We show that the thermal conductance factorizes into topological and nontopological components. The former takes on three discrete values and arises due to the appearance of edge modes that prevent good contact between the heat reservoirs and the bulk, giving a length-independent reduction of the conductance. In essence, energy input at the boundary mostly stays there, an effect robust against disorder and nonlinearity. These results bridge two seemingly disconnected disciplines of physics, namely topology and thermal transport, and suggest ways to engineer thermal contacts, opening a direction to explore the ramifications of topological properties on nanoscale technology.

All-solid-state flexible ultrathin micro-supercapacitors based on graphene.

PubMed

Niu, Zhiqiang; Zhang, Li; Liu, Lili; Zhu, Bowen; Dong, Haibo; Chen, Xiaodong

2013-08-07

Flexible, compact, ultrathin and all-solid-state micro-supercapacitors are prepared by coating H₃PO₄/PVA gel electrolyte onto micro-patterned rGO interdigitated electrodes prepared by combining photolithography with selective electrophoretic deposition. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Shaping plasmon beams via the controlled illumination of finite-size plasmonic crystals

PubMed Central

Bouillard, J.-S.; Segovia, P.; Dickson, W.; Wurtz, G. A.; Zayats, A. V.

2014-01-01

Plasmonic crystals provide many passive and active optical functionalities, including enhanced sensing, optical nonlinearities, light extraction from LEDs and coupling to and from subwavelength waveguides. Here we study, both experimentally and numerically, the coherent control of SPP beam excitation in finite size plasmonic crystals under focussed illumination. The correct combination of the illuminating spot size, its position relative to the plasmonic crystal, wavelength and polarisation enables the efficient shaping and directionality of SPP beam launching. We show that under strongly focussed illumination, the illuminated part of the crystal acts as an antenna, launching surface plasmon waves which are subsequently filtered by the surrounding periodic lattice. Changing the illumination conditions provides rich opportunities to engineer the SPP emission pattern. This offers an alternative technique to actively modulate and control plasmonic signals, either via micro- and nano-electromechanical switches or with electro- and all-optical beam steering which have direct implications for the development of new integrated nanophotonic devices, such as plasmonic couplers and switches and on-chip signal demultiplexing. This approach can be generalised to all kinds of surface waves, either for the coupling and discrimination of light in planar dielectric waveguides or the generation and control of non-diffractive SPP beams. PMID:25429786

Structural defects in cubic semiconductors characterized by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy.

PubMed

Arroyo Rojas Dasilva, Yadira; Kozak, Roksolana; Erni, Rolf; Rossell, Marta D

2017-05-01

The development of new electro-optical devices and the realization of novel types of transistors require a profound understanding of the structural characteristics of new semiconductor heterostructures. This article provides a concise review about structural defects which occur in semiconductor heterostructures on the basis of micro-patterned Si substrates. In particular, one- and two-dimensional crystal defects are being discussed which are due to the plastic relaxation of epitaxial strain caused by the misfit of crystal lattices. Besides a few selected examples from literature, we treat in particular crystal defects occurring in GaAs/Si, Ge/Si and β-SiC/Si structures which are studied by high-resolution annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy. The relevance of this article is twofold; firstly, it should provide a collection of data which are of help for the identification and characterization of defects in cubic semiconductors by means of atomic-resolution imaging, and secondly, the experimental data shall provide a basis for advancing the understanding of device characteristics with the aid of theoretical modelling by considering the defective nature of strained semiconductor heterostructures. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Rhombic organization of microvilli domains found in a cell model of the human intestine

PubMed Central

Grünebaum, Jonas; Schäfer, Marcus; Mulac, Dennis; Rehfeldt, Florian; Langer, Klaus; Kramer, Armin; Riethmüller, Christoph

2018-01-01

Symmetry is rarely found on cellular surfaces. An exception is the brush border of microvilli, which are essential for the proper function of transport epithelia. In a healthy intestine, they appear densely packed as a 2D-hexagonal lattice. For in vitro testing of intestinal transport the cell line Caco-2 has been established. As reported by electron microscopy, their microvilli arrange primarily in clusters developing secondly into a 2D-hexagonal lattice. Here, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed under aqueous buffer conditions on Caco-2 cells, which were cultivated on permeable filter membranes for optimum differentiation. For analysis, the exact position of each microvillus was detected by computer vision; subsequent Fourier transformation yielded the type of 2D-lattice. It was confirmed, that Caco-2 cells can build a hexagonal lattice of microvilli and form clusters. Moreover, a second type of arrangement was discovered, namely a rhombic lattice, which appeared at sub-maximal densities of microvilli with (29 ± 4) microvilli / μm2. Altogether, the findings indicate the existence of a yet undescribed pattern in cellular organization. PMID:29320535

Simulating dispersion in porous media and the influence of segmentation on stagnancy in carbonates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gray, F.; Cen, J.; Shah, S. M.; Crawshaw, J. P.; Boek, E. S.

2016-11-01

Understanding the transport of chemical components in porous media is fundamentally important to many reservoir processes such as contaminant transport and reactive flows involved in CO2 sequestration. Carbonate rocks in particular present difficulties for pore-scale simulations because they contain large amounts of sub-micron porosity. In this work, we introduce a new hybrid simulation model to calculate hydrodynamic dispersion in pore-scale images of real porous media and use this to elucidate the origins and behaviour of stagnant zones arising in transport simulations using micro-CT images of carbonates. For this purpose a stochastic particle model for simulating the transport of a solute is coupled to a Lattice-Boltzmann algorithm to calculate the flow field. The particle method incorporates second order spatial and temporal resolution to resolve finer features of the domain. We demonstrate how dispersion coefficients can be accurately obtained in capillaries, where corresponding analytical solutions are available, even when these are resolved to just a few lattice units. Then we compute molecular displacement distributions for pore-spaces of varying complexity: a pack of beads; a Bentheimer sandstone; and a Portland carbonate. Our calculated propagator distributions are compared directly with recent experimental PFG-NMR propagator distributions (Scheven et al., 2005; Mitchell et al., 2008), the latter excluding spin relaxation mechanisms. We observe that the calculated transport propagators can be quantitatively compared with the experimental distribution, provided that spin relaxations in the experiment are excluded, and good agreement is found for both the sandstone and the carbonate. However, due to the absence of explicit micro-porosity from the carbonate pore space image used for flow field simulations we note that there are fundamental differences in the physical origins of the stagnant zones for micro-porous rocks between simulation and experiment. We show that for a given micro-CT image of a carbonate, small variations in the parameters chosen for the segmentation process lead to different amounts of stagnancy which diffuse away at different rates. Finally, we use a filtering method to show that this is due to the presence of spurious isolated pores which arise from the segmentation process and suggest an approach to overcome this limitation.

Computationally designed lattices with tuned properties for tissue engineering using 3D printing

PubMed Central

Gonella, Veronica C.; Engensperger, Max; Ferguson, Stephen J.; Shea, Kristina

2017-01-01

Tissue scaffolds provide structural support while facilitating tissue growth, but are challenging to design due to diverse property trade-offs. Here, a computational approach was developed for modeling scaffolds with lattice structures of eight different topologies and assessing properties relevant to bone tissue engineering applications. Evaluated properties include porosity, pore size, surface-volume ratio, elastic modulus, shear modulus, and permeability. Lattice topologies were generated by patterning beam-based unit cells, with design parameters for beam diameter and unit cell length. Finite element simulations were conducted for each topology and quantified how elastic modulus and shear modulus scale with porosity, and how permeability scales with porosity cubed over surface-volume ratio squared. Lattices were compared with controlled properties related to porosity and pore size. Relative comparisons suggest that lattice topology leads to specializations in achievable properties. For instance, Cube topologies tend to have high elastic and low shear moduli while Octet topologies have high shear moduli and surface-volume ratios but low permeability. The developed method was utilized to analyze property trade-offs as beam diameter was altered for a given topology, and used to prototype a 3D printed lattice embedded in an interbody cage for spinal fusion treatments. Findings provide a basis for modeling and understanding relative differences among beam-based lattices designed to facilitate bone tissue growth. PMID:28797066

Computationally designed lattices with tuned properties for tissue engineering using 3D printing.

PubMed

Egan, Paul F; Gonella, Veronica C; Engensperger, Max; Ferguson, Stephen J; Shea, Kristina

2017-01-01

Tissue scaffolds provide structural support while facilitating tissue growth, but are challenging to design due to diverse property trade-offs. Here, a computational approach was developed for modeling scaffolds with lattice structures of eight different topologies and assessing properties relevant to bone tissue engineering applications. Evaluated properties include porosity, pore size, surface-volume ratio, elastic modulus, shear modulus, and permeability. Lattice topologies were generated by patterning beam-based unit cells, with design parameters for beam diameter and unit cell length. Finite element simulations were conducted for each topology and quantified how elastic modulus and shear modulus scale with porosity, and how permeability scales with porosity cubed over surface-volume ratio squared. Lattices were compared with controlled properties related to porosity and pore size. Relative comparisons suggest that lattice topology leads to specializations in achievable properties. For instance, Cube topologies tend to have high elastic and low shear moduli while Octet topologies have high shear moduli and surface-volume ratios but low permeability. The developed method was utilized to analyze property trade-offs as beam diameter was altered for a given topology, and used to prototype a 3D printed lattice embedded in an interbody cage for spinal fusion treatments. Findings provide a basis for modeling and understanding relative differences among beam-based lattices designed to facilitate bone tissue growth.

Synchrotron Radiation Lithography for Manufacturing Integrated Circuits Beyond 100 nm.

PubMed

Kinoshita, H; Watanabe, T; Niibe, M

1998-05-01

Extreme ultraviolet lithography is a powerful tool for printing features of 0.1 micro m and below; in Japan and the USA there is a growing tendency to view it as the wave of the future. With Schwarzschild optics, replication of a 0.05 micro m pattern has been demonstrated in a 25 micro m square area. With a two-aspherical-mirror system, a 0.15 micro m pattern has been replicated in a ring slit area of 20 mm x 0.4 mm; a combination of this system with illumination optics and synchronized mask and wafer stages has enabled the replication of a 0.15 micro m pattern in an area of 10 mm x 12.5 mm. Furthermore, in the USA, the Sandia National Laboratory has succeeded in fabricating a fully operational NMOS transistor with a gate length of 0.1 micro m. The most challenging problem is the fabrication of mirrors with the required figure error of 0.28 nm. However, owing to advances in measurement technology, mirrors can now be made to a precision that almost satisfies this requirement. Therefore, it is time to move into a rapid development phase in order to obtain a system ready for practical use by the year 2004. In this paper the status of individual technologies is discussed in light of this situation, and future requirements for developing a practical system are considered.

Regular Deployment of Wireless Sensors to Achieve Connectivity and Information Coverage

PubMed Central

Cheng, Wei; Li, Yong; Jiang, Yi; Yin, Xipeng

2016-01-01

Coverage and connectivity are two of the most critical research subjects in WSNs, while regular deterministic deployment is an important deployment strategy and results in some pattern-based lattice WSNs. Some studies of optimal regular deployment for generic values of rc/rs were shown recently. However, most of these deployments are subject to a disk sensing model, and cannot take advantage of data fusion. Meanwhile some other studies adapt detection techniques and data fusion to sensing coverage to enhance the deployment scheme. In this paper, we provide some results on optimal regular deployment patterns to achieve information coverage and connectivity as a variety of rc/rs, which are all based on data fusion by sensor collaboration, and propose a novel data fusion strategy for deployment patterns. At first the relation between variety of rc/rs and density of sensors needed to achieve information coverage and connectivity is derived in closed form for regular pattern-based lattice WSNs. Then a dual triangular pattern deployment based on our novel data fusion strategy is proposed, which can utilize collaborative data fusion more efficiently. The strip-based deployment is also extended to a new pattern to achieve information coverage and connectivity, and its characteristics are deduced in closed form. Some discussions and simulations are given to show the efficiency of all deployment patterns, including previous patterns and the proposed patterns, to help developers make more impactful WSN deployment decisions. PMID:27529246

[Osteoclasts and early bone remodeling after orthodontic micro-implant placement].

PubMed

Zhang, Wei; Guo, Jia-jia; Zhu, Wen-qian; Tang, Guo-hua

2013-08-01

To observe the incidence of osteoclasts during early bone remodeling after orthodontic micro-implant placement. Twenty New Zealand rabbits were randomly allotted into 4 groups. One micro-implant was implanted proximal to the epiphyseal plate of the tibia. Animals were sacrificed on day 3, 7, 14 and 28 (n=5). The sequence of histological changes around the micro-implants were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Osteoclasts were identified by TRAP staining. The differences of the number of the osteoclasts among each time point were analyzed by one way ANOVA with SPSS 19.0 software package. After 3 days of implantation, a large number of erythrocytes, inflammatory cells, mesenchymal cells and bone debris were seen at the implant bone interfaces. Few osteoclasts were observed. On day 7, granular woven bone was formed and some osteoclasts were found in the Howship's lacunae. New bone formation and mineralization were apparent on day 14. Meanwhile, large amounts of osteoclasts were found in the latticed woven bone. On day 28, woven trabeculae with lamellate structures connected to lamellar bone and fewer osteoclasts were identified. Semi-quantitative analysis showed that the number of the osteoclasts was at peak on day 14. There were significant differences among each time point (P<0.01). Osteoclast activity is closely related to bone formation and remodeling after micro-implant insertion.

Birefringence and incipient plastic deformation in elastically overdriven [100] CaF2 under shock compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Y.; Zhou, X. M.; Cai, Y.; Liu, C. L.; Luo, S. N.

2018-04-01

[100] CaF2 single crystals are shock-compressed via symmetric planar impact, and the flyer plate-target interface velocity histories are measured with a laser displacement interferometry. The shock loading is slightly above the Hugoniot elastic limit to investigate incipient plasticity and its kinetics, and its effects on optical properties and deformation inhomogeneity. Fringe patterns demonstrate different features in modulation of fringe amplitude, including birefringence and complicated modulations. The birefringence is attributed to local lattice rotation accompanying incipient plasticity. Spatially resolved measurements show inhomogeneity in deformation, birefringence, and fringe pattern evolutions, most likely caused by the inhomogeneity associated with lattice rotation and dislocation slip. Transiently overdriven elastic states are observed, and the incubation time for incipient plasticity decreases inversely with increasing overdrive by the elastic shock.

The LaueUtil toolkit for Laue photocrystallography. I. Rapid orientation matrix determination for intermediate-size-unit-cell Laue data

PubMed Central

Kalinowski, Jarosław A.; Makal, Anna; Coppens, Philip

2011-01-01

A new method for determination of the orientation matrix of Laue X-ray data is presented. The method is based on matching of the experimental patterns of central reciprocal lattice rows projected on a unit sphere centered on the origin of the reciprocal lattice with the corresponding pattern of a monochromatic data set on the same material. This technique is applied to the complete data set and thus eliminates problems often encountered when single frames with a limited number of peaks are to be used for orientation matrix determination. Application of the method to a series of Laue data sets on organometallic crystals is described. The corresponding program is available under a Mozilla Public License-like open-source license. PMID:22199400

Fabrication and Design of Optical Nanomaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huntington, Mark D.

Over the past several decades, advances in nanometer scale fabrication has sparked interes in applications that take advantage of materials that are structured at these small length scales. Specifically, metallic optical nanomaterials have emerged as a new way to control light at length scales that are smaller than the wavelength of light and have optical properties that are distinctly different from their macroscale counterparts. Although there have been may advances in nanofabrication, the performance and widespread use of optical nanomaterials is still limited by fabrication and design challenges. This dissertation describes advances in the fabrication, characterization, and design of optical nanomaterials. First we demonstrate how a portable and compact photolithography system can be made using a light source composed of UV LEDs. Our solid-state photolithography (SSP) system brings the capabilities of one of the most important yet workhorse tools of micro- and nanotechnology--the mask aligner--to the benchtop. The two main highlights of chapter 2 include: (i) portable, low-cost photolithography and (ii) high quality patterning. We replace the mask aligner with a system composed of UV LEDs and a diffuser that can be built for as little as $30. The design of the SSP system alleviates the need for dedicated power supplies, vacuum lines and cooling systems, which makes it a true benchtop photolithography system. We further show that sub-wavelength features can be fabricated across 4-in wafers and that these patterns are of high quality such that they can be easily transferred into functional materials. Chapter 3 describes a parallel method to create nanometer scale textures over large areas with unprecedented control over wrinkle wavelength. The main points of this chapter include: (i) a new material system for nanowrinkles, (ii) wrinkles with tunable wavelengths, and (iii) a method for measuring the skin thickness. First, we show that RIE treatment of PS with fluorinated molecules can be used to create nanometer-scale wrinkles. Next, we found that wrinkle wavelength could be controlled by either (i) changing the gas used during RIE treatment or (ii) by changing the plasma exposure time for a specific gas. We fabricated wrinkles with wavelengths ranging from 250 nm to 50 nm by chemically treating PS thermoplastic films with RIE gases SF6, CF4, CHF3 or Ar. Unique to the CHF3 gas, the wrinkle wavelength could be continuously tuned from several microns down to as small as 30 nm simply by decreasing the RIE exposure time. Finally, in previous work on polymeric wrinkle systems it was not possible to measure the thickness of the skin layer using ellipsometry because there was not enough refractive difference contrast between the skin and substrate layer. Therefore, more complicated and destructive techniques were used such as secondary ion mass spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Here we showed that the fluorination of the top layer causes a significant shift in the refractive index of the top layer, so that ellipsometry could be used measure the thickness of the modified layer. The thickness of the skin layer was used to determine the Young's moduli of the skin and substrate. We continue the discussion of nanowrinkles in chapter 4, which shows unprecedented control the amplitude and the complex hierarchical wrinkle structures and nanofolds that form at high strains. The three main highlights of this paper are: (i) wrinkles with nanometer wavelengths with large amplitudes, (ii) modulation of type of secondary structure with macroscale strain distribution, and (iii) patterning strain to control the orientation of nanowrinkles and nanofolds. Typically, nonlinear strain between the skin and substrate limit the amplitude of nanowrinkles (lambda < 100 nm) to less than 10 nm. Because of the unique mechanical properties of the PS substrate, we could increase the amplitude of the nanowrinkles approximately 10 times greater than the previously reported limit. Next we describe the two types of secondary structures that form at high strain (i) self-similar hierarchical wrinkles, and (ii) folds. Previous studies have focused on changes in material properties to explain the type of secondary structure that will emerge at high strains. Here we show that the macroscale strain distribution (1D or 2D) can be used to regulate the type of structure that forms. Furthermore, we found that we could pattern strain distribution in the skin layer by fabricating strain relief features using inverse solvent assisted nanoscale embossing (inSANE). These strain relief features can be used to direct the orientation of wrinkles with sub-200 nm wavelengths. Furthermore, by carefully engineering the ratio between periodicity of the pattern and the wavelength of the wrinkles, we could induce folds to align along the edges of the directions of least strain. In chapters 5 and 6, we focus on the design of optical nanomaterials. These chapters introduce a new type of artificially structured material--lattice opto-materials--that can achieve arbitrary light profiles with deep subwavelength accuracy in three dimensions. The driving innovation is the nexus of a computational approach to obtain a nano-optics genome and a paradigm shift in how to achieve structured optics that can operate at visible wavelengths based on different configurations of discrete units. We believe that lattice opto-materials represent a new class of engineered materials that have the potential to revolutionize micro and nano-optics. The development of new optics has a long history of driving key scientific discoveries, and we expect that lattice opto-materials could have a similarly transformative impact. For example, substrates with multiple focal points and in different planes could resolve different spatial locations in a cell simultaneously. Polarization-sensitive lattice opto-materials could also be used to prepare dynamic nano-optical traps for nanoparticles or even single atoms. We expect that lattice opto-materials designed by algorithmic approaches will open a wide range of new and unexpected applications.

Coherent manipulation of spin correlations in the Hubbard model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wurz, N.; Chan, C. F.; Gall, M.; Drewes, J. H.; Cocchi, E.; Miller, L. A.; Pertot, D.; Brennecke, F.; Köhl, M.

2018-05-01

We coherently manipulate spin correlations in a two-component atomic Fermi gas loaded into an optical lattice using spatially and time-resolved Ramsey spectroscopy combined with high-resolution in situ imaging. This technique allows us not only to imprint spin patterns but also to probe the static magnetic structure factor at an arbitrary wave vector, in particular, the staggered structure factor. From a measurement along the diagonal of the first Brillouin zone of the optical lattice, we determine the magnetic correlation length and the individual spatial spin correlators. At half filling, the staggered magnetic structure factor serves as a sensitive thermometer, which we employ to study the equilibration in the spin and density sector during a slow quench of the lattice depth.

Using Lattice Topology Information to Investigate Persistent Scatterers at Facades in Urban Areas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schack, L.; Soergel, U.

2013-05-01

Modern spaceborne SAR sensors like TerraSAR-X offer ground resolution of up to one meter in range and azimuth direction. Buildings, roads, bridges, and other man-made structures appear in such data often as regular patterns of strong and temporally stable points (Persistent Scatterer, PS). As one step in the process of unveiling what object structure actually causes the PS (i.e., physical nature) we compare those regular structures in SAR data to their correspondences in optical imagery. We use lattices as a common data representation for visible facades. By exploiting the topology information given by the lattices we can complete gaps in the structures which is one step towards the understanding of the complex scattering characteristics of distinct facade objects.

Using Micro-Molding and Stamping to Fabricate Conductive Polydimethylsiloxane-Based Flexible High-Sensitivity Strain Gauges.

PubMed

Han, Chi-Jui; Chiang, Hsuan-Ping; Cheng, Yun-Chien

2018-02-18

In this study, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and conductive carbon nanoparticles were combined to fabricate a conductive elastomer PDMS (CPDMS). A high sensitive and flexible CPDMS strain sensor is fabricated by using stamping-process based micro patterning. Compared with conventional sensors, flexible strain sensors are more suitable for medical applications but are usually fabricated by photolithography, which suffers from a large number of steps and difficult mass production. Hence, we fabricated flexible strain sensors using a stamping-process with fewer processes than photolithography. The piezoresistive coefficient and sensitivity of the flexible strain sensor were improved by sensor pattern design and thickness change. Micro-patterning is used to fabricate various CPDMS microstructure patterns. The effect of gauge pattern was evaluated with ANSYS simulations. The piezoresistance of the strain gauges was measured and the gauge factor determined. Experimental results show that the piezoresistive coefficient of CPDMS is approximately linear. Gauge factor measurement results show that the gauge factor of a 140.0 μm thick strain gauge with five grids is the highest.

The Pandora multi-algorithm approach to automated pattern recognition of cosmic-ray muon and neutrino events in the MicroBooNE detector

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

Acciarri, R.; Adams, C.; An, R.

The development and operation of Liquid-Argon Time-Projection Chambers for neutrino physics has created a need for new approaches to pattern recognition in order to fully exploit the imaging capabilities offered by this technology. Whereas the human brain can excel at identifying features in the recorded events, it is a significant challenge to develop an automated, algorithmic solution. The Pandora Software Development Kit provides functionality to aid the design and implementation of pattern-recognition algorithms. It promotes the use of a multi-algorithm approach to pattern recognition, in which individual algorithms each address a specific task in a particular topology. Many tens ofmore » algorithms then carefully build up a picture of the event and, together, provide a robust automated pattern-recognition solution. This paper describes details of the chain of over one hundred Pandora algorithms and tools used to reconstruct cosmic-ray muon and neutrino events in the MicroBooNE detector. Metrics that assess the current pattern-recognition performance are presented for simulated MicroBooNE events, using a selection of final-state event topologies.« less

The Pandora multi-algorithm approach to automated pattern recognition of cosmic-ray muon and neutrino events in the MicroBooNE detector

DOE PAGES

Acciarri, R.; Adams, C.; An, R.; ...

2018-01-29

The development and operation of Liquid-Argon Time-Projection Chambers for neutrino physics has created a need for new approaches to pattern recognition in order to fully exploit the imaging capabilities offered by this technology. Whereas the human brain can excel at identifying features in the recorded events, it is a significant challenge to develop an automated, algorithmic solution. The Pandora Software Development Kit provides functionality to aid the design and implementation of pattern-recognition algorithms. It promotes the use of a multi-algorithm approach to pattern recognition, in which individual algorithms each address a specific task in a particular topology. Many tens ofmore » algorithms then carefully build up a picture of the event and, together, provide a robust automated pattern-recognition solution. This paper describes details of the chain of over one hundred Pandora algorithms and tools used to reconstruct cosmic-ray muon and neutrino events in the MicroBooNE detector. Metrics that assess the current pattern-recognition performance are presented for simulated MicroBooNE events, using a selection of final-state event topologies.« less

Focused electron beam based direct-write fabrication of graphene and amorphous carbon from oxo-functionalized graphene on silicon dioxide.

PubMed

Schindler, Severin; Vollnhals, Florian; Halbig, Christian E; Marbach, Hubertus; Steinrück, Hans-Peter; Papp, Christian; Eigler, Siegfried

2017-01-25

Controlled patterning of graphene is an important task towards device fabrication and thus is the focus of current research activities. Graphene oxide (GO) is a solution-processible precursor of graphene. It can be patterned by thermal processing. However, thermal processing of GO leads to decomposition and CO 2 formation. Alternatively, focused electron beam induced processing (FEBIP) techniques can be used to pattern graphene with high spatial resolution. Based on this approach, we explore FEBIP of GO deposited on SiO 2 . Using oxo-functionalized graphene (oxo-G) with an in-plane lattice defect density of 1% we are able to image the electron beam-induced effects by scanning Raman microscopy for the first time. Depending on electron energy (2-30 keV) and doses (50-800 mC m -2 ) either reduction of GO or formation of permanent lattice defects occurs. This result reflects a step towards controlled FEBIP processing of oxo-G.

Signatures of a staggered-flux phase in the t-J model with two holes on a 32-site lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leung, P. W.

2000-09-01

We study the relevance of the staggered-flux phase in the t-J model using a system with two holes on a 32-site lattice with periodic boundary conditions. We find a staggered-flux pattern in the current-current correlation in the lowest energy d-wave state where there is mutual attraction between the holes. This staggered correlation decays faster with distance when the hole binding becomes stronger. This is in complete agreement with a recent study by Ivanov, Lee, and Wen [Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 3958 (2000)] based on the SU(2) theory, and strongly suggests that the staggered-flux phase is a key ingredient in the t-J model. We further show that this staggered-flux pattern does not exist in a state where the holes repel each other. Correlations of the chirality operator S1.(S2×S3) show that the staggered pattern of the chirality is closely tied to the holes.

Probing the anisotropic vortex lattice in the Fe-based superconductor KFe2As2 using small angle neutron scattering

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

Debeer-Schmitt, Lisa M; Dewhurst, Charles; Kikuchi, Hiroko

Using small angle neutron scattering, the anisotropy of the magnetic vortex lattice (VL), in the heavily hole-doped pnictide superconductor, KFe2As2, was studied. Well-ordered VL scattering patterns were measured with elds applied in directions between B k c and the basal plane, rotating either towards [100] or [110]. Slightly distorted hexagonal patterns were observed when B k c. However, the scattering pattern distorted strongly as the eld was rotated away from the c- axis. At low eld, the arrangement of vortices is strongly aected by the anisotropy of penetration depth in the plane perpendicular to the eld. By tting the distortionmore » with the anisotropic London model, we obtained an estimate of 3:4 for the anisotropy factor, , between the in-plane and c-axis penetration depths at the lowest temperature studied. The results further reveal VL phase transitions as a function of eld direction. We discuss these transitions using the "Hairy Ball" theorem.« less

Frequency spirals

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

Ottino-Löffler, Bertrand; Strogatz, Steven H., E-mail: strogatz@cornell.edu

2016-09-15

We study the dynamics of coupled phase oscillators on a two-dimensional Kuramoto lattice with periodic boundary conditions. For coupling strengths just below the transition to global phase-locking, we find localized spatiotemporal patterns that we call “frequency spirals.” These patterns cannot be seen under time averaging; they become visible only when we examine the spatial variation of the oscillators' instantaneous frequencies, where they manifest themselves as two-armed rotating spirals. In the more familiar phase representation, they appear as wobbly periodic patterns surrounding a phase vortex. Unlike the stationary phase vortices seen in magnetic spin systems, or the rotating spiral waves seenmore » in reaction-diffusion systems, frequency spirals librate: the phases of the oscillators surrounding the central vortex move forward and then backward, executing a periodic motion with zero winding number. We construct the simplest frequency spiral and characterize its properties using analytical and numerical methods. Simulations show that frequency spirals in large lattices behave much like this simple prototype.« less

Silicon vertical microstructure fabrication by catalytic etching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Mao-Jung; Yang, Chii-Rong; Chang, Chun-Ming; Chu, Nien-Nan; Shiao, Ming-Hua

2012-08-01

This study presents an effective, simple and inexpensive process for forming micro-scale vertical structures on a (1 0 0) silicon wafer. Several modified etchants and micro-patterns including rectangular, snake-like, circular and comb patterns were employed to determine the optimum etching process. We found that an etchant solution consisting of 4.6 M hydrofluoric acid, 0.44 M hydrogen peroxide and isopropyl alcohol produces microstructures at an etching rate of 0.47 µm min-1 and surface roughness of 17.4 nm. All the patterns were transferred faithfully to the silicon substrate.

A Novel Technique for Micro-patterning Proteins and Cells on Polyacrylamide Gels

PubMed Central

Tang, Xin; Ali, M. Yakut; Saif, M. Taher A.

2012-01-01

Spatial patterning of proteins (extracellular matrix, ECM) for living cells on polyacrylamide (PA) hydrogels has been technically challenging due to the compliant nature of the hydrogels and their aqueous environment. Traditional micro-fabrication process is not applicable. Here we report a simple, novel and general method to pattern a variety of commonly used cell adhesion molecules, i.e. Fibronectin (FN), Laminin (LN) and Collagen I (CN), etc. on PA gels. The pattern is first printed on a hydrophilic glass using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamp and micro-contact printing (μCP). Pre-polymerization solution is applied on the patterned glass and is then sandwiched by a functionalized glass slide, which covalently binds to the gel. The hydrophilic glass slide is then peeled off from the gel when the protein patterns detach from the glass, but remain intact with the gel. The pattern is thus transferred to the gel. The mechanism of pattern transfer is studied in light of interfacial mechanics. It is found that hydrophilic glass offers strong enough adhesion with ECM proteins such that a pattern can be printed, but weak enough adhesion such that they can be completely peeled off by the polymerized gel. This balance is essential for successful pattern transfer. As a demonstration, lines of FN, LN and CN with widths varying from 5–400 μm are patterned on PA gels. Normal fibroblasts (MKF) are cultured on the gel surfaces. The cell attachment and proliferation are confined within these patterns. The method avoids the use of any toxic chemistry often used to pattern different proteins on gel surfaces. PMID:23002394

Flipping Triangles!

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zucker, Marc

2009-01-01

We introduce a simple game made up of a board of coins on a triangular lattice. We then study the possibility of turning the board from one pattern of heads and tails to some other pattern. Given that a solution exists we find a precise answer to the number of solutions possible. We then generalize this to more complex boards with coins of many…

Acoustic vibrations contribute to the diffuse scatter produced by ribosome crystals

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

Polikanov, Yury S.; Moore, Peter B.

2015-09-26

The diffuse scattering pattern produced by frozen crystals of the 70S ribosome fromThermus thermophilusis as highly structured as it would be if it resulted entirely from domain-scale motions within these particles. However, the qualitative properties of the scattering pattern suggest that acoustic displacements of the crystal lattice make a major contribution to it.

Genome-wide sequencing and quantification of circulating microRNAs for dogs with congestive heart failure secondary to myxomatous mitral valve degeneration.

PubMed

Jung, SeungWoo; Bohan, Amy

2018-02-01

OBJECTIVE To characterize expression profiles of circulating microRNAs via genome-wide sequencing for dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (MMVD). ANIMALS 9 healthy client-owned dogs and 8 age-matched client-owned dogs with CHF secondary to MMVD. PROCEDURES Blood samples were collected before administering cardiac medications for the management of CHF. Isolated microRNAs from plasma were classified into microRNA libraries and subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS) for genome-wide sequencing analysis and quantification of circulating microRNAs. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) assays were used to validate expression profiles of differentially expressed circulating microRNAs identified from NGS analysis of dogs with CHF. RESULTS 326 microRNAs were identified with NGS analysis. Hierarchical analysis revealed distinct expression patterns of circulating microRNAs between healthy dogs and dogs with CHF. Results of qRT-PCR assays confirmed upregulation of 4 microRNAs (miR-133, miR-1, miR-let-7e, and miR-125) and downregulation of 4 selected microRNAs (miR-30c, miR-128, miR-142, and miR-423). Results of qRT-PCR assays were highly correlated with NGS data and supported the specificity of circulating microRNA expression profiles in dogs with CHF secondary to MMVD. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE These results suggested that circulating microRNA expression patterns were unique and could serve as molecular biomarkers of CHF in dogs with MMVD.

Direct numerical simulation of turbulent pipe flow using the lattice Boltzmann method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Cheng; Geneva, Nicholas; Guo, Zhaoli; Wang, Lian-Ping

2018-03-01

In this paper, we present a first direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a turbulent pipe flow using the mesoscopic lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) on both a D3Q19 lattice grid and a D3Q27 lattice grid. DNS of turbulent pipe flows using LBM has never been reported previously, perhaps due to inaccuracy and numerical stability associated with the previous implementations of LBM in the presence of a curved solid surface. In fact, it was even speculated that the D3Q19 lattice might be inappropriate as a DNS tool for turbulent pipe flows. In this paper, we show, through careful implementation, accurate turbulent statistics can be obtained using both D3Q19 and D3Q27 lattice grids. In the simulation with D3Q19 lattice, a few problems related to the numerical stability of the simulation are exposed. Discussions and solutions for those problems are provided. The simulation with D3Q27 lattice, on the other hand, is found to be more stable than its D3Q19 counterpart. The resulting turbulent flow statistics at a friction Reynolds number of Reτ = 180 are compared systematically with both published experimental and other DNS results based on solving the Navier-Stokes equations. The comparisons cover the mean-flow profile, the r.m.s. velocity and vorticity profiles, the mean and r.m.s. pressure profiles, the velocity skewness and flatness, and spatial correlations and energy spectra of velocity and vorticity. Overall, we conclude that both D3Q19 and D3Q27 simulations yield accurate turbulent flow statistics. The use of the D3Q27 lattice is shown to suppress the weak secondary flow pattern in the mean flow due to numerical artifacts.

Chemical resistivity of self-assembled monolayer covalently attached to silicon substrate to hydrofluoric acid and ammonium fluoride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saito, N.; Youda, S.; Hayashi, K.; Sugimura, H.; Takai, O.

2003-06-01

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) were prepared on hydrogen-terminated silicon substrates through chemical vapor deposition using 1-hexadecene (HD) as a precursor. The HD-SAMs prepared in an atmosphere under a reduced pressure (≈50 Pa) showed better chemical resistivities to hydrofluoric acid and ammonium fluoride (NH 4F) solutions than that of an organosilane SAM formed on oxide-covered silicon substrates. The surface covered with the HD-SAM was micro-patterned by vacuum ultraviolet photolithography and consequently divided into two areas terminated with HD-SAM or silicon dioxide. This micro-patterned sample was immersed in a 40 vol.% NH 4F aqueous solution. Surface images obtained by an optical microscopy clearly show that the micro-patterns of HD-SAM/silicon dioxide were successfully transferred into the silicon substrate.

SPATIALLY EXPLICIT MICRO-LEVEL MODELLING OF LAND USE CHANGE AT THE RURAL-URBAN INTERFACE. (R828012)

EPA Science Inventory

This paper describes micro-economic models of land use change applicable to the rural–urban interface in the US. Use of a spatially explicit micro-level modelling approach permits the analysis of regional patterns of land use as the aggregate outcomes of many, disparate...

Lattice Boltzmann simulations of liquid CO2 displacing water in a 2D heterogeneous micromodel at reservoir pressure conditions.

PubMed

Chen, Yu; Li, Yaofa; Valocchi, Albert J; Christensen, Kenneth T

2018-05-01

We employed the color-fluid lattice Boltzmann multiphase model to simulate liquid CO 2 displacing water documented in experiments in a 2D heterogeneous micromodel at reservoir pressure conditions. The main purpose is to investigate whether lattice Boltzmann simulation can reproduce the CO 2 invasion patterns observed in these experiments for a range of capillary numbers. Although the viscosity ratio used in the simulation matches the experimental conditions, the viscosity of the fluids in the simulation is higher than that of the actual fluids used in the experiments. Doing so is required to enhance numerical stability, and is a common strategy employed in the literature when using the lattice Boltzmann method to simulate CO 2 displacing water. The simulations reproduce qualitatively similar trends of changes in invasion patterns as the capillary number is increased. However, the development of secondary CO 2 pathways, a key feature of the invasion patterns in the simulations and experiments, is found to occur at a much higher capillary number in the simulations compared with the experiments. Additional numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the effect of the absolute value of viscosity on the invasion patterns while maintaining the viscosity ratio and capillary number fixed. These results indicate that the use of a high viscosity (which significantly reduces the inertial effect in the simulations) suppresses the development of secondary CO 2 pathways, leading to a different fluid distribution compared with corresponding experiments at the same capillary number. Therefore, inertial effects are not negligible in drainage process with liquid CO 2 and water despite the low Reynolds number based on the average velocity, as the local velocity can be much higher due to Haines jump events. These higher velocities, coupled with the low viscosity of CO 2 , further amplifies the inertial effect. Therefore, we conclude that caution should be taken when using proxy fluids that only rely on the capillary number and viscosity ratio in both experiment and simulation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The taming of the screw: Or how I learned to stop worrying and love elliptic functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsumoto, Elisabetta A.

2011-12-01

Nonlinear elastic phenomena appear time and again in the world around us. This work considers two separate soft matter systems, instabilities in an elastic membrane perforated by a lattice of circular holes and defect textures in smectic liquid crystals. By studying the set of singularities characterizing each system, not only do the analytics become tractable, we gain intuition and insight into complex structures. Under hydrostatic compression, the holes decorating an elastic sheet undergo a buckling instability and collapse. By modeling each of the buckled holes as a pair of dislocation singularities, linear elasticity theory accurately captures the interactions between holes and predicts the pattern transformation they undergo. The diamond plate pattern generated by a square lattice of holes achieves long ranged order due to the broken symmetry of the underlying lattice. The limited number of two dimensional lattices restricts the classes of patterns that can be produced by a at sheet. By changing the topology of the membrane to a cylinder the types of accessible patterns vastly increases, from a chiral wrapped cylinder to pairs of holes alternating orientations to even more complex structures. Equally spaced layered smectics introduce a plethora of geometric constraints yielding novel textures based upon topological defects. The frustration due to the incompatibility of molecular chirality and layers drives the formation of both the venerable twist-grain-boundary phase and the newly discovered helical nanofilament (HN) phase. The HN phase is a newly found solution of the chiral Landau-de Gennes free energy. Finally, we consider two limiting cases of the achiral Landau-de Gennes free energy, bending energy dominated allows defects in the layers and compression energy dominated enforces equally spaced layers. In order to minimize bending energy, smectic layers assume the morphology of minimal surfaces. Riemann's minimal surface is composed of a nonlinear sum of two oppositely handed screw dislocations and has the morphology of a pore. Likewise, focal conic domains result from enforcing the equal spacing condition. We develop an approach to the study of focal sets in smectics which exploits a hidden Poincare symmetry revealed only by viewing the smectic layers as projections from one-higher dimension.

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

De Hatten, Xavier; Cournia, Zoe; Smith, Jeremy C

The increasing importance of hydrogenase enzymes in the new energy research field has led us to examine the structure and dynamics of potential hydrogenase mimics, based on a ferrocene-peptide scaffold, using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. To enable this MD study, a molecular mechanics force field for ferrocene-bearing peptides was developed and implemented in the CHARMM simulation package, thus extending the usefulness of the package into peptide-bioorganometallic chemistry. Using the automated frequency-matching method (AFMM), optimized intramolecular force-field parameters were generated through quantum chemical reference normal modes. The partial charges for ferrocene were derived by fitting point charges to quantum-chemically computed electrostaticmore » potentials. The force field was tested against experimental X-ray crystal structures of dipeptide derivatives of ferrocene-1,1{prime}-dicarboxylic acid. The calculations reproduce accurately the molecular geometries, including the characteristic C2-symmetrical intramolecular hydrogen-bonding pattern, that were stable over 0.1{micro}s MD simulations. The crystal packing properties of ferrocene-1-(D)alanine-(D)proline{prime}-1-(D)alanine-(D)proline were also accurately reproduced. The lattice parameters of this crystal were conserved during a 0.1 s MD simulation and match the experimental values almost exactly. Simulations of the peptides in dichloromethane are also in good agreement with experimental NMR and circular dichroism (CD) data in solution. The developed force field was used to perform MD simulations on novel, as yet unsynthesized peptide fragments that surround the active site of [Ni-Fe] hydrogenase. The results of this simulation lead us to propose an improved design for synthetic peptide-based hydrogenase models. The presented MD simulation results of metallocenes thereby provide a convincing validation of our proposal to use ferrocene-peptides as minimal enzyme mimics.« less

Expression patterns of micro-RNAs 146a, 181a, and 155 in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

PubMed

Yiş, Uluç; Tüfekçi, Uğur Kemal; Genç, Şermin; Çarman, Kürşat Bora; Bayram, Erhan; Topçu, Yasemin; Kurul, Semra Hız

2015-01-01

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is caused by persistent brain infection of mutated virus, showing inflammation, neurodegeneration, and demyelination. Although many factors are emphasized in the pathogenesis of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, the exact mechanism of neurodegeneration remains unknown. Micro-RNAs are small, noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional levels. Micro-RNAs are essential for normal immune system development; besides they are also implicated in the pathogenesis of many chronic inflammatory disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression patterns of micro-RNAs 146a, 181a, and 155 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. We enrolled 39 patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and 41 healthy controls. Quantitative analysis of micro-RNAs 146a, 181a, and 155 were performed using specific stem-loop primers followed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. All of 3 micro-RNAs were upregulated in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients. In addition, the level of micro-RNA 155 expression was higher in stage 3 patients. But, micro-RNA 146a and 181a expression levels showed no association or correlation with clinically relevant data. Alteration of peripheral blood mononuclear cell micro-RNAs in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis may shed new light on the pathogenesis of disease and may contribute to the aberrant systemic rise in mRNA levels in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. © The Author(s) 2014.

Soft Lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Younan; Whitesides, George M.

1998-08-01

Soft lithography represents a non-photolithographic strategy based on selfassembly and replica molding for carrying out micro- and nanofabrication. It provides a convenient, effective, and low-cost method for the formation and manufacturing of micro- and nanostructures. In soft lithography, an elastomeric stamp with patterned relief structures on its surface is used to generate patterns and structures with feature sizes ranging from 30 nm to 100 mum. Five techniques have been demonstrated: microcontact printing (muCP), replica molding (REM), microtransfer molding (muTM), micromolding in capillaries (MIMIC), and solvent-assisted micromolding (SAMIM). In this chapter we discuss the procedures for these techniques and their applications in micro- and nanofabrication, surface chemistry, materials science, optics, MEMS, and microelectronics.

X-ray Polarimetry with a Micro-Pattern Gas Detector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hill, Joe

2005-01-01

Topics covered include: Science drivers for X-ray polarimetry; Previous X-ray polarimetry designs; The photoelectric effect and imaging tracks; Micro-pattern gas polarimeter design concept. Further work includes: Verify results against simulator; Optimize pressure and characterize different gases for a given energy band; Optimize voltages for resolution and sensitivity; Test meshes with 80 micron pitch; Characterize ASIC operation; and Quantify quantum efficiency for optimum polarization sensitivity.

Reprogramming hMSCs morphology with silicon/porous silicon geometric micro-patterns.

PubMed

Ynsa, M D; Dang, Z Y; Manso-Silvan, M; Song, J; Azimi, S; Wu, J F; Liang, H D; Torres-Costa, V; Punzon-Quijorna, E; Breese, M B H; Garcia-Ruiz, J P

2014-04-01

Geometric micro-patterned surfaces of silicon combined with porous silicon (Si/PSi) have been manufactured to study the behaviour of human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs). These micro-patterns consist of regular silicon hexagons surrounded by spaced columns of silicon equilateral triangles separated by PSi. The results show that, at an early culture stage, the hMSCs resemble quiescent cells on the central hexagons with centered nuclei and actin/β-catenin and a microtubules network denoting cell adhesion. After 2 days, hMSCs adapted their morphology and cytoskeleton proteins from cell-cell dominant interactions at the center of the hexagonal surface. This was followed by an intermediate zone with some external actin fibres/β-catenin interactions and an outer zone where the dominant interactions are cell-silicon. Cells move into silicon columns to divide, migrate and communicate. Furthermore, results show that Runx2 and vitamin D receptors, both specific transcription factors for skeleton-derived cells, are expressed in cells grown on micropatterned silicon under all observed circumstances. On the other hand, non-phenotypic alterations are under cell growth and migration on Si/PSi substrates. The former consideration strongly supports the use of micro-patterned silicon surfaces to address pending questions about the mechanisms of human bone biogenesis/pathogenesis and the study of bone scaffolds.

Optically Clear and Resilient Free-Form µ-Optics 3D-Printed via Ultrafast Laser Lithography.

PubMed

Jonušauskas, Linas; Gailevičius, Darius; Mikoliūnaitė, Lina; Sakalauskas, Danas; Šakirzanovas, Simas; Juodkazis, Saulius; Malinauskas, Mangirdas

2017-01-02

We introduce optically clear and resilient free-form micro-optical components of pure (non-photosensitized) organic-inorganic SZ2080 material made by femtosecond 3D laser lithography (3DLL). This is advantageous for rapid printing of 3D micro-/nano-optics, including their integration directly onto optical fibers. A systematic study of the fabrication peculiarities and quality of resultant structures is performed. Comparison of microlens resiliency to continuous wave (CW) and femtosecond pulsed exposure is determined. Experimental results prove that pure SZ2080 is ∼20 fold more resistant to high irradiance as compared with standard lithographic material (SU8) and can sustain up to 1.91 GW/cm² intensity. 3DLL is a promising manufacturing approach for high-intensity micro-optics for emerging fields in astro-photonics and atto-second pulse generation. Additionally, pyrolysis is employed to homogeneously shrink structures up to 40% by removing organic SZ2080 constituents. This opens a promising route towards downscaling photonic lattices and the creation of mechanically robust glass-ceramic microstructures.

Quantitative magnetic resonance micro-imaging methods for pharmaceutical research.

PubMed

Mantle, M D

2011-09-30

The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a tool in pharmaceutical research is now well established and the current literature covers a multitude of different pharmaceutically relevant research areas. This review focuses on the use of quantitative magnetic resonance micro-imaging techniques and how they have been exploited to extract information that is of direct relevance to the pharmaceutical industry. The article is divided into two main areas. The first half outlines the theoretical aspects of magnetic resonance and deals with basic magnetic resonance theory, the effects of nuclear spin-lattice (T(1)), spin-spin (T(2)) relaxation and molecular diffusion upon image quantitation, and discusses the applications of rapid magnetic resonance imaging techniques. In addition to the theory, the review aims to provide some practical guidelines for the pharmaceutical researcher with an interest in MRI as to which MRI pulse sequences/protocols should be used and when. The second half of the article reviews the recent advances and developments that have appeared in the literature concerning the use of quantitative micro-imaging methods to pharmaceutically relevant research. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Optically Clear and Resilient Free-Form μ-Optics 3D-Printed via Ultrafast Laser Lithography

PubMed Central

Jonušauskas, Linas; Gailevičius, Darius; Mikoliūnaitė, Lina; Sakalauskas, Danas; Šakirzanovas, Simas; Juodkazis, Saulius; Malinauskas, Mangirdas

2017-01-01

We introduce optically clear and resilient free-form micro-optical components of pure (non-photosensitized) organic-inorganic SZ2080 material made by femtosecond 3D laser lithography (3DLL). This is advantageous for rapid printing of 3D micro-/nano-optics, including their integration directly onto optical fibers. A systematic study of the fabrication peculiarities and quality of resultant structures is performed. Comparison of microlens resiliency to continuous wave (CW) and femtosecond pulsed exposure is determined. Experimental results prove that pure SZ2080 is ∼20 fold more resistant to high irradiance as compared with standard lithographic material (SU8) and can sustain up to 1.91 GW/cm2 intensity. 3DLL is a promising manufacturing approach for high-intensity micro-optics for emerging fields in astro-photonics and atto-second pulse generation. Additionally, pyrolysis is employed to homogeneously shrink structures up to 40% by removing organic SZ2080 constituents. This opens a promising route towards downscaling photonic lattices and the creation of mechanically robust glass-ceramic microstructures. PMID:28772389

Micro-patterned agarose gel devices for single-cell high-throughput microscopy of E. coli cells.

PubMed

Priest, David G; Tanaka, Nobuyuki; Tanaka, Yo; Taniguchi, Yuichi

2017-12-21

High-throughput microscopy of bacterial cells elucidated fundamental cellular processes including cellular heterogeneity and cell division homeostasis. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidic devices provide advantages including precise positioning of cells and throughput, however device fabrication is time-consuming and requires specialised skills. Agarose pads are a popular alternative, however cells often clump together, which hinders single cell quantitation. Here, we imprint agarose pads with micro-patterned 'capsules', to trap individual cells and 'lines', to direct cellular growth outwards in a straight line. We implement this micro-patterning into multi-pad devices called CapsuleHotel and LineHotel for high-throughput imaging. CapsuleHotel provides ~65,000 capsule structures per mm 2 that isolate individual Escherichia coli cells. In contrast, LineHotel provides ~300 line structures per mm that direct growth of micro-colonies. With CapsuleHotel, a quantitative single cell dataset of ~10,000 cells across 24 samples can be acquired and analysed in under 1 hour. LineHotel allows tracking growth of > 10 micro-colonies across 24 samples simultaneously for up to 4 generations. These easy-to-use devices can be provided in kit format, and will accelerate discoveries in diverse fields ranging from microbiology to systems and synthetic biology.

Fibrous dosage forms by wet 3D-micro-patterning: process design, manufacture, and drug release rate.

PubMed

Blaesi, Aron H; Saka, Nannaji

2018-06-19

Recently, we have introduced fibrous dosage forms prepared by 3D-micro-patterning of drug-laden viscous melts. Such dosage forms enable predictable microstructures and increased drug release rates, and they can be manufactured continuously. However, melt processing is not applicable if the melting temperature of the formulation is greater than the degradation temperature of the drug or of the excipient. In this work, therefore, a continuous wet micro-patterning process that operates at ambient temperature is presented. The excipient is plasticized by a solvent and the patterned dosage form is solidified by air drying. Process models show that the micro-patterning time is the ratio of the fiber length in the dosage form and the velocity of the fiber stream. It was 1.3 minutes in the experiments, but can be reduced further. The drying time is limited by the diffusive flux of solvent through the fibers: it was about 3 minutes for the experimental conditions. Furthermore, models are developed to illustrate the effects of fiber radius, inter-fiber spacing, viscosity of the drug-excipient-solvent mixture, and drying conditions on the microstructure of the dosage form. Models and experimental results show that for a viscosity of the wet fibers of the order 10 3 Pa·s, both the patterned microstructure is well preserved and the crossed fibers are well bonded. Finally, the drug release rate by the dosage forms is experimentally determined and theoretically modeled. The results of the experiments validate the models fairly. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Coordinated dysregulation of mRNAs and microRNAs in the rat medial prefrontal cortex following a history of alcohol dependence

PubMed Central

Tapocik, Jenica D.; Solomon, Matthew; Flanigan, Meghan; Meinhardt, Marcus; Barbier, Estelle; Schank, Jesse; Schwandt, Melanie; Sommer, Wolfgang H.; Heilig, Markus

2012-01-01

Long-term changes in brain gene expression have been identified in alcohol dependence, but underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we examined the potential role of microRNAs for persistent gene expression changes in the rat medial prefrontal cortex after a history of alcohol dependence. Two-bottle free-choice alcohol consumption increased following 7-week exposure to intermittent alcohol intoxication. A bioinformatic approach using microarray analysis, qPCR, bioinformatic analysis, and microRNA-mRNA integrative analysis identified expression patterns indicative of a disruption in synaptic processes and neuroplasticity. 41 rat-microRNAs and 165 mRNAs in the medial prefrontal cortex were significantly altered after chronic alcohol exposure. A subset of the microRNAs and mRNAs was confirmed by qPCR. Gene ontology categories of differential expression pointed to functional processes commonly associated with neurotransmission, neuroadaptation, and synaptic plasticity. microRNA-mRNA expression pairing identified 33 microRNAs putatively targeting 89 mRNAs suggesting transcriptional networks involved in axonal guidance and neurotransmitter signaling. Our results demonstrate a significant shift in microRNA expression patterns in the medial prefrontal cortex following a history of dependence. Due to their global regulation of multiple downstream target transcripts, microRNAs may play a pivotal role in the reorganization of synaptic connections and long term neuroadaptations in alcohol dependence. microRNA-mediated alterations of transcriptional networks may be involved in disrupted prefrontal control over alcohol-drinking observed in alcoholic patients. PMID:22614244

Quantitative shock stage assessment in olivine and pyroxene bearing meteorites via in situ micro-XRD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCausland, P. J.; Flemming, R. L.; Izawa, M. R.

2010-12-01

Shock metamorphism is observed in most meteorites and impact structures [1]. Qualitative petrographic observations underpin a shock classification system [1-3] based on the deformation features in common silicates and on textural relations such as the development of maskelynite from feldspars, mobility of sulphides and metal in veins and local Fe-reduction in silicates. Shock deformation of minerals produces streaks (mosaicity) rather than discrete spots in 2D X-ray diffraction patterns, representing the progressive disruption of the crystal lattice into a mosaic of rotated domains [4,5]. Here we use in situ micro-XRD [5,6] to measure the mosaicity of olivine and pyroxene in ordinary chondrites of increasing shock stages S1 to S5 and then apply the method to achondrites with qualitatively low to high shock. X-ray diffraction data were collected in situ on polished thin sections and slab cut surfaces using a Bruker D8 Discover micro X-ray diffractometer [5], operated using CuKα radiation generated at 40 kV and 40 mA with a beam diameter of 500 μm. Diffracted X-rays were recorded with a 2D detector, giving images with information in both the 2-theta and chi dimensions, in which each lattice plane (hkl) will have a diffraction spot or streak lying along an arc in chi of radius 2-theta (hkl). Individual reflections can be indexed and then integrated as a function of chi angle, allowing examination of the peak shape and quantitative analysis of the mosaic peak FWHM along chi. We find that both forsterite and enstatite exhibit greater mosaicity in chi with increasing shock stage: Forsterite chi ranges from <1° for S1 to >6° for S5. Enstatite chi values from the same meteorites show a more subdued growth of streak length with shock state, from ~1° to ~4°. A slab of the olivine shergottite DaG 476 exhibits forsterite mosaicity of 6.9°+/-1.1°, indicating that it has experienced shock stage S5, with shock pressures 30-45 GPa [1,4], consistent with the 40-45 GPa shock pressure estimated for DaG 476 by plagioclase refractive index [7]. These observations show that shock classification -and potentially shock pressure calibration- can be done using in situ XRD mineral data. [1] Stoffler, D. et al., (1991) GCA 55, 3845-3867. [2] Scott, E.R.D. et al., (1992) GCA 56, 4281-4293. [3] Rubin, A.E. et al., (1997) GCA 61, 847-858. [4] Horz, F. and Quiade, W.I. (1973) The Moon 6, 45-86. [5] Flemming, R.L. (2007) Can. Jour. Earth Sci. 44, 1333-1346. [6] Izawa, M.R.M. et al., (2009) LPSC XV. [7] Fritz, J. et al., (2005) MAPS 40, 1393-1411.

Processing of IN-718 Lattice Block Castings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hebsur, Mohan G.

2002-01-01

Recently a low cost casting method known as lattice block casting has been developed by JAM Corporation, Wilmington, Massachusetts for engineering materials such as aluminum and stainless steels that has shown to provide very high stiffness and strength with only a fraction of density of the alloy. NASA Glenn Research Center has initiated research to investigate lattice block castings of high temperature Ni-base superalloys such as the model system Inconel-718 (IN-718) for lightweight nozzle applications. Although difficulties were encountered throughout the manufacturing process , a successful investment casting procedure was eventually developed. Wax formulation and pattern assembly, shell mold processing, and counter gravity casting techniques were developed. Ten IN-718 lattice block castings (each measuring 15-cm wide by 30-cm long by 1.2-cm thick) have been successfully produced by Hitchiner Gas Turbine Division, Milford, New Hampshire, using their patented counter gravity casting techniques. Details of the processing and resulting microstructures are discussed in this paper. Post casting processing and evaluation of system specific mechanical properties of these specimens are in progress.

All-electrical detection of spin dynamics in magnetic antidot lattices by the inverse spin Hall effect

DOE PAGES

Jungfleisch, Matthias B.; Zhang, Wei; Ding, Junjia; ...

2016-02-03

The understanding of spin dynamics in laterally confined structures on sub-micron length scales has become a significant aspect of the development of novel magnetic storage technologies. Numerous ferromagnetic resonance measurements, optical characterization by Kerr microscopy and Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy and x-ray studies were carried out to detect the dynamics in patterned magnetic antidot lattices. Here, we investigate Oersted-field driven spin dynamics in rectangular Ni80Fe20/Pt antidot lattices with different lattice parameters by electrical means. When the system is driven to resonance, a dc voltage across the length of the sample is detected that changes its sign upon field reversal, whichmore » is in agreement with a rectification mechanism based on the inverse spin Hall effect. Furthermore, we show that the voltage output scales linearly with the applied microwave drive in the investigated range of powers. Lastly, our findings have direct implications on the development of engineered magnonics applications and devices.« less

Internally resonating lattices for bandgap generation and low-frequency vibration control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baravelli, Emanuele; Ruzzene, Massimo

2013-12-01

The paper reports on a structural concept for high stiffness and high damping performance. A stiff external frame and an internal resonating lattice are combined in a beam-like assembly which is characterized by high frequency bandgaps and tuned vibration attenuation at low frequencies. The resonating lattice consists of an elastomeric material arranged according to a chiral topology which is designed to resonate at selected frequencies. The concept achieves high damping performance by combining the frequency-selective properties of internally resonating structures, with the energy dissipation characteristics of their constituent material. The flexible ligaments, the circular nodes and the non-central interactions of the chiral topology lead to dynamic deformation patterns which are beneficial to energy dissipation. Furthermore, tuning and grading of the elements of the lattice allows for tailoring of the resonating properties so that vibration attenuation is obtained over desired frequency ranges. Numerical and experimental results demonstrate the tuning flexibility of this concept and suggest its potential application for load-carrying structural members parts of vibration and shock prone systems.

Study on micro fabricated stainless steel surface to anti-biofouling using electrochemical fabrication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, Byeong Jun; Lee, Sung Ho

2017-12-01

Biofilm formed on the surface of the object by the microorganism resulting in fouling organisms. This has led to many problems in daily life, medicine, health and industrial community. In this study, we tried to prevent biofilm formation on the stainless steel (SS304) sheet surface with micro fabricated structure. After then forming the microscale colloid patterns on the surface of stainless steel by using an electrochemical etching forming a pattern by using a FeCl3 etching was further increase the surface roughness. Culturing the Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the stainless steel fabricated with a micro structure on the surface was observed a relationship between the surface roughness and the biological fouling of the micro structure. As a result, the stainless steel surface with a micro structure was confirmed to be the biological fouling occurs less. We expect to be able to solve the problems caused by biological fouling in various fields such as medicine, engineering, using this research.

Macromolecular diffractive imaging using imperfect crystals

PubMed Central

Ayyer, Kartik; Yefanov, Oleksandr; Oberthür, Dominik; Roy-Chowdhury, Shatabdi; Galli, Lorenzo; Mariani, Valerio; Basu, Shibom; Coe, Jesse; Conrad, Chelsie E.; Fromme, Raimund; Schaffer, Alexander; Dörner, Katerina; James, Daniel; Kupitz, Christopher; Metz, Markus; Nelson, Garrett; Lourdu Xavier, Paulraj; Beyerlein, Kenneth R.; Schmidt, Marius; Sarrou, Iosifina; Spence, John C. H.; Weierstall, Uwe; White, Thomas A.; Yang, Jay-How; Zhao, Yun; Liang, Mengning; Aquila, Andrew; Hunter, Mark S.; Robinson, Joseph S.; Koglin, Jason E.; Boutet, Sébastien; Fromme, Petra; Barty, Anton; Chapman, Henry N.

2016-01-01

The three-dimensional structures of macromolecules and their complexes are predominantly elucidated by X-ray protein crystallography. A major limitation is access to high-quality crystals, to ensure X-ray diffraction extends to sufficiently large scattering angles and hence yields sufficiently high-resolution information that the crystal structure can be solved. The observation that crystals with shrunken unit-cell volumes and tighter macromolecular packing often produce higher-resolution Bragg peaks1,2 hints that crystallographic resolution for some macromolecules may be limited not by their heterogeneity but rather by a deviation of strict positional ordering of the crystalline lattice. Such displacements of molecules from the ideal lattice give rise to a continuous diffraction pattern, equal to the incoherent sum of diffraction from rigid single molecular complexes aligned along several discrete crystallographic orientations and hence with an increased information content3. Although such continuous diffraction patterns have long been observed—and are of interest as a source of information about the dynamics of proteins4 —they have not been used for structure determination. Here we show for crystals of the integral membrane protein complex photosystem II that lattice disorder increases the information content and the resolution of the diffraction pattern well beyond the 4.5 Å limit of measurable Bragg peaks, which allows us to directly phase5 the pattern. With the molecular envelope conventionally determined at 4.5 Å as a constraint, we then obtain a static image of the photosystem II dimer at 3.5 Å resolution. This result shows that continuous diffraction can be used to overcome long-supposed resolution limits of macromolecular crystallography, with a method that puts great value in commonly encountered imperfect crystals and opens up the possibility for model-free phasing6,7. PMID:26863980

Silicon micro-mold

DOEpatents

Morales, Alfredo M [Livermore, CA

2006-10-24

The present invention describes a method for rapidly fabricating a robust 3-dimensional silicon-mold for use in preparing complex metal micro-components. The process begins by depositing a conductive metal layer onto one surface of a silicon wafer. A thin photoresist and a standard lithographic mask are then used to transfer a trace image pattern onto the opposite surface of the wafer by exposing and developing the resist. The exposed portion of the silicon substrate is anisotropically etched through the wafer thickness down to conductive metal layer to provide an etched pattern consisting of a series of rectilinear channels and recesses in the silicon which serve as the silicon micro-mold. Microcomponents are prepared with this mold by first filling the mold channels and recesses with a metal deposit, typically by electroplating, and then removing the silicon micro-mold by chemical etching.

Hyperuniformity Length in Experimental Foam and Simulated Point Patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chieco, Anthony; Roth, Adam; Dreyfus, Remi; Torquato, Salvatore; Durian, Douglas

2015-03-01

Systems without long-wavelength number density fluctuations are called hyperuniform (HU). The degree to which a point pattern is HU may be tested in terms of the variance in the number of points inside randomly placed boxes of side length L. If HU then the variance is due solely to fluctuations near the boundary rather than throughout the entire volume of the box. To make this concrete we introduce a hyperuniformity length h, equal to the width of the boundary where number fluctuations occur. Thus h helps characterize the disorder. We show how to deduce h from the number variance, and we do so for Poisson and Einstein patterns plus those made by the vertices and bubble centroids in 2d foams. A Poisson pattern is one where points are totally random. These are not HU and h equals L/2. We coin ``Einstein patterns'' to be where points in a lattice are independently displaced from their site by a normally distributed amount. These are HU and h equals the RMS displacement from the lattice sites. Bubble centroids and vertices are both HU. For these, h is less than L/2 and increases slower than linear in L. The centroids are more HU than the vertices, in that h that increases more slowly.

Superalloy Lattice Block Developed for Use in Lightweight, High-Temperature Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hebsur, Mohan G.; Whittenberger, J. Daniel; Krause, David L.

2003-01-01

Successful development of advanced gas turbine engines for aircraft will require lightweight, high-temperature components. Currently titanium-aluminum- (TiAl) based alloys are envisioned for such applications because of their lower density (4 g/cm3) in comparison to superalloys (8.5 g/cm3), which have been utilized for hot turbine engine parts for over 50 years. However, a recently developed concept (lattice block) by JAMCORP, Inc., of Willmington, Massachusetts, would allow lightweight, high-temperature structures to be directly fabricated from superalloys and, thus, take advantage of their well-known, characterized properties. In its simplest state, lattice block is composed of thin ligaments arranged in a three dimensional triangulated trusslike configuration that forms a structurally rigid panel. Because lattice block can be fabricated by casting, correctly sized hardware is produced with little or no machining; thus very low cost manufacturing is possible. Together, the NASA Glenn Research Center and JAMCORP have extended their lattice block methodology for lower melting materials, such as Al alloys, to demonstrate that investment casting of superalloy lattice block is possible. This effort required advances in lattice block pattern design and assembly, higher temperature mold materials and mold fabrication technology, and foundry practice suitable for superalloys (ref. 1). Lattice block panels have been cast from two different Ni-base superalloys: IN 718, which is the most commonly utilized superalloy and retains its strength up to 650 C; and MAR M247, which possesses excellent mechanical properties to at least 1100 C. In addition to the open-cell lattice block geometry, same-sized lattice block panels containing a thin (1-mm-thick) solid face on one side have also been cast from both superalloys. The elevated-temperature mechanical properties of the open cell and face-sheeted superalloy lattice block panels are currently being examined, and the microstructure is being characterized in terms of casting defects. In addition, a small study (ref. 3) is being undertaken with GE Aircraft Engines to determine the suitability of superalloy lattice block for engine components.

Holographic method for site-resolved detection of a 2D array of ultracold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoffmann, Daniel Kai; Deissler, Benjamin; Limmer, Wolfgang; Hecker Denschlag, Johannes

2016-08-01

We propose a novel approach to site-resolved detection of a 2D gas of ultracold atoms in an optical lattice. A near-resonant laser beam is coherently scattered by the atomic array, and after passing a lens its interference pattern is holographically recorded by superimposing it with a reference laser beam on a CCD chip. Fourier transformation of the recorded intensity pattern reconstructs the atomic distribution in the lattice with single-site resolution. The holographic detection method requires only about two hundred scattered photons per atom in order to achieve a high reconstruction fidelity of 99.9 %. Therefore, additional cooling during detection might not be necessary even for light atomic elements such as lithium. Furthermore, first investigations suggest that small aberrations of the lens can be post-corrected in imaging processing.

Fluid synthesis and structure of a new polymorphic modification of boron nitride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pokropivny, V. V.; Smolyar, A. S.; Ovsiannikova, L. I.; Pokropivny, A. V.; Kuts, V. A.; Lyashenko, V. I.; Nesterenko, Yu. V.

2013-04-01

A new previously unknown phase of boron nitride with a hardness of 0.41-0.63 GPa has been pre-pared by the supercritical fluid synthesis. The presence of a new phase is confirmed by the X-ray spectra and IR absorption spectra, where new reflections and bands are distinguished. The fundamental reflection of the X-ray diffraction pattern is d = 0.286-0.291 nm, and the characteristic band in the infrared absorption spectrum is observed at 704 cm-1. The X-ray diffraction pattern and the experimental and theoretical infrared absorption spectra show that a new synthesized boron nitride phase can be a cluster crystal (space group 211) with a simple cubic lattice. Cage clusters of a fullerene-like morphology B24N24 with point symmetry O are arranged in lattice sites.

The tymbal muscle of cicada has flight muscle-type sarcomeric architecture and protein expression.

PubMed

Iwamoto, Hiroyuki

2017-01-01

The structural and biochemical features of the tymbal (sound-producing) muscle of cicadas were studied by X-ray diffraction and immunochemistry, and compared with those of flight muscles from the same species. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the tymbal muscle was very similar to that of the dorsal longitudinal flight muscle: In both muscles, the 2,0 equatorial reflection is much more intense than the 1,1, indicating that both muscles have a flight muscle-type myofilament lattice. In rigor, the first myosin/actin layer line reflection was finely lattice-sampled, indicating that the contractile proteins are arranged with a crystalline regularity as in asynchronous flight muscles. In contrast, the diffraction pattern from the tensor muscle, which modulates the sound by stressing the tymbal, did not show signs of such high regularity or flight muscle-type filament lattice. Electrophoretic patterns of myofibrillar proteins were also very similar in the tymbal muscle and flight muscles, but distinct from those from the tensor or leg muscles. The antibody raised against the flight muscle-specific troponin-I isoform reacted with an 80-kDa band from both tymbal and flight muscles, but with none of the bands from the tensor or leg muscles. The close similarities of the structural and biochemical profiles between the tymbal and the flight muscles suggest the possibility that a set of flight muscle-specific proteins is diverted to the tymbal muscle to meet its demand for fast, repetitive contractions.

Study on dynamic deformation synchronized measurement technology of double-layer liquid surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Huiying; Dong, Huimin; Liu, Zhanwei

2017-11-01

Accurate measurement of the dynamic deformation of double-layer liquid surfaces plays an important role in many fields, such as fluid mechanics, biomechanics, petrochemical industry and aerospace engineering. It is difficult to measure dynamic deformation of double-layer liquid surfaces synchronously for traditional methods. In this paper, a novel and effective method for full-field static and dynamic deformation measurement of double-layer liquid surfaces has been developed, that is wavefront distortion of double-wavelength transmission light with geometric phase analysis (GPA) method. Double wavelength lattice patterns used here are produced by two techniques, one is by double wavelength laser, and the other is by liquid crystal display (LCD). The techniques combine the characteristics such as high transparency, low reflectivity and fluidity of liquid. Two color lattice patterns produced by laser and LCD were adjusted at a certain angle through the tested double-layer liquid surfaces simultaneously. On the basis of the refractive indexes difference of two transmitted lights, the double-layer liquid surfaces were decoupled with GPA method. Combined with the derived relationship between phase variation of transmission-lattice patterns and out-of plane heights of two surfaces, as well as considering the height curves of the liquid level, the double-layer liquid surfaces can be reconstructed successfully. Compared with the traditional measurement method, the developed method not only has the common advantages of the optical measurement methods, such as high-precision, full-field and non-contact, but also simple, low cost and easy to set up.

Digital Image Correlation of 2D X-ray Powder Diffraction Data for Lattice Strain Evaluation

PubMed Central

Zhang, Hongjia; Sui, Tan; Daisenberger, Dominik; Fong, Kai Soon

2018-01-01

High energy 2D X-ray powder diffraction experiments are widely used for lattice strain measurement. The 2D to 1D conversion of diffraction patterns is a necessary step used to prepare the data for full pattern refinement, but is inefficient when only peak centre position information is required for lattice strain evaluation. The multi-step conversion process is likely to lead to increased errors associated with the ‘caking’ (radial binning) or fitting procedures. A new method is proposed here that relies on direct Digital Image Correlation analysis of 2D X-ray powder diffraction patterns (XRD-DIC, for short). As an example of using XRD-DIC, residual strain values along the central line in a Mg AZ31B alloy bar after 3-point bending are calculated by using both XRD-DIC and the conventional ‘caking’ with fitting procedures. Comparison of the results for strain values in different azimuthal angles demonstrates excellent agreement between the two methods. The principal strains and directions are calculated using multiple direction strain data, leading to full in-plane strain evaluation. It is therefore concluded that XRD-DIC provides a reliable and robust method for strain evaluation from 2D powder diffraction data. The XRD-DIC approach simplifies the analysis process by skipping 2D to 1D conversion, and opens new possibilities for robust 2D powder diffraction data analysis for full in-plane strain evaluation. PMID:29543728

Demonstration of a chamber for strain mapping of steel specimens under mechanical load in a hydrogen environment by synchrotron radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Connolly, Matthew; Park, Jun-Sang; Bradley, Peter; Lauria, Damian; Slifka, Andrew; Drexler, Elizabeth

2018-06-01

We demonstrate a hydrogen gas chamber suitable for lattice strain measurements and capturing radiographs of a steel specimen under a mechanical load using high energy synchrotron x-rays. The chamber is suitable for static and cyclic mechanical loading. Experiments were conducted at the 1-ID-E end station of the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory. Diffraction patterns show a high signal-to-noise ratio suitable for lattice strain measurements for the specimen and with minimal scattering and overlap from the gas chamber manufactured from aluminum. In situ radiographs of a specimen in the hydrogen chamber show the ability to track a growing crack and to map the lattice strain around the crack with high spatial and strain resolution.

Transparent lattice characterization with gated turn-by-turn data of diagnostic bunch train

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yongjun; Cheng, Weixing; Ha, Kiman; Rainer, Robert

2017-11-01

Methods of characterization of a storage ring's lattice have traditionally been intrusive to routine operations. More importantly, the lattice seen by particles can drift with the beam current due to collective effects. To circumvent this, we have developed a novel approach for dynamically characterizing a storage ring's lattice that is transparent to operations. Our approach adopts a dedicated filling pattern which has a short, separate diagnostic bunch train (DBT). Through the use of a bunch-by-bunch feedback system, the DBT can be selectively excited on demand. Gated functionality of a beam position monitor system is capable of collecting turn-by-turn data of the DBT, from which the lattice can then be characterized after excitation. As the DBT comprises only about one percent of the total operational bunches, the effects of its excitation are negligible to users. This approach allows us to localize the distributed quadrupolar wakefields generated in the storage ring vacuum chamber during beam accumulation. While effectively transparent to operations, our approach enables us to dynamically control the beta beat and phase beat, and unobtrusively optimize performance of the National Synchrotron Light Source-II accelerator during routine operations.

Transparent lattice characterization with gated turn-by-turn data of diagnostic bunch train

DOE PAGES

Li, Yongjun; Cheng, Weixing; Ha, Kiman; ...

2017-11-21

Methods of characterization of a storage ring's lattice have traditionally been intrusive to routine operations. More importantly, the lattice seen by particles can drift with the beam current due to collective effects. To circumvent this, we have developed a novel approach for dynamically characterizing a storage ring's lattice that is transparent to operations. Our approach adopts a dedicated filling pattern which has a short, separate Diagnostic Bunch-Train (DBT). Through the use of a bunch-by-bunch feedback system, the DBT can be selectively excited on-demand. Gated functionality of a beam position monitor system is capable of collecting turn-by-turn data of the DBT,more » from which the lattice can then be characterized after excitation. As the DBT comprises only about one percent of the total operational bunches, the effects of its excitation are negligible to users. Therefore, this approach allows us to localize the distributed quadrupolar wake fields generated in the storage ring vacuum chamber during beam accumulation. While effectively transparent to operations, our approach enables us to dynamically control the beta-beat and phase-beat, and unobtrusively optimize performance of National Synchrotron Light Source-II accelerator during routine operations.« less

Self-learning kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of Al diffusion in Mg

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

Nandipati, Giridhar; Govind, Niranjan; Andersen, Amity

2016-03-16

Atomistic on-lattice self-learning kinetic Monte Carlo (SLKMC) method was used to examine the vacancy-mediated diffusion of an Al atom in pure hcp Mg. Local atomic environment dependent activation barriers for vacancy-atom exchange processes were calculated on-the-fly using climbing image nudged-elastic band method (CI-NEB) and using a Mg-Al binary modified embedded-atom method (MEAM) interatomic potential. Diffusivities of vacancy and Al atom in pure Mg were obtained from SLKMC simulations and are compared with values available in the literature that are obtained from experiments and first-principle calculations. Al Diffusivities obtained from SLKMC simulations are lower, due to larger activation barriers and lowermore » diffusivity prefactors, than those available in the literature but have same order of magnitude. We present all vacancy-Mg and vacancy-Al atom exchange processes and their activation barriers that were identified in SLKMC simulations. We will describe a simple mapping scheme to map a hcp lattice on to a simple cubic lattice that would enable hcp lattices to be simulated in an on-lattice KMC framework. We also present the pattern recognition scheme used in SLKMC simulations.« less

Difference magnitude is not measured by discrimination steps for order of point patterns.

PubMed

Protonotarios, Emmanouil D; Johnston, Alan; Griffin, Lewis D

2016-07-01

We have shown in previous work that the perception of order in point patterns is consistent with an interval scale structure (Protonotarios, Baum, Johnston, Hunter, & Griffin, 2014). The psychophysical scaling method used relies on the confusion between stimuli with similar levels of order, and the resulting discrimination scale is expressed in just-noticeable differences (jnds). As with other perceptual dimensions, an interesting question is whether suprathreshold (perceptual) differences are consistent with distances between stimuli on the discrimination scale. To test that, we collected discrimination data, and data based on comparison of perceptual differences. The stimuli were jittered square lattices of dots, covering the range from total disorder (Poisson) to perfect order (square lattice), roughly equally spaced on the discrimination scale. Observers picked the most ordered pattern from a pair, and the pair of patterns with the greatest difference in order from two pairs. Although the judgments of perceptual difference were found to be consistent with an interval scale, like the discrimination judgments, no common interval scale that could predict both sets of data was possible. In particular, the midpattern of the perceptual scale is 11 jnds away from the ordered end, and 5 jnds from the disordered end of the discrimination scale.

Incommensurate growth of Co thin film on close-packed Ag(111) surface

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

Barman, Sukanta, E-mail: sukanta.ac@gmail.com; Menon, Krishna Kumar S. R., E-mail: krishna.menon@saha.ac.in

2016-05-06

Growth of ultrathin Co layers on close-packed Ag(111)were investigated by means of Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Angle-resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy(ARPES) techniques. The close-packed hexagonal face of Co(0001), exhibits a lattice misfit about 13% with Ag(111) surface which manipulates the growth to be incommensurate up to a certain thickness. The strain field causes aperiodic height undulation in the sub-angstrom regime of the film which was confirmed by p(1 × 1) LEED pattern along with a 6-fold moiré reconstruction pattern in the lower film thickness (up to ∼2ML). The evolution of the LEED pattern was studied withmore » increasing film coverage. Lattice strain was measured with respect to the relative positions of these double spots as a functionof film thickness. Almost a constant strain (∼13%) in the full range of film thickness explains the moiré pattern formation in order to stabilize the incommensurate growth. For higher film coverages, an epitaxial well-ordered commensurate growth was observed. Core level and valance band electronic structures of these films were studied by XPS and ARPES techniques.« less

Position control of desiccation cracks by memory effect and Faraday waves.

PubMed

Nakayama, Hiroshi; Matsuo, Yousuke; Takeshi, Ooshida; Nakahara, Akio

2013-01-01

Pattern formation of desiccation cracks on a layer of a calcium carbonate paste is studied experimentally. This paste is known to exhibit a memory effect, which means that a short-time application of horizontal vibration to the fresh paste predetermines the direction of the cracks that are formed after the paste is dried. While the position of the cracks (as opposed to their direction) is still stochastic in the case of horizontal vibration, the present work reports that their positioning is also controllable, at least to some extent, by applying vertical vibration to the paste and imprinting the pattern of Faraday waves, thus breaking the translational symmetry of the system. The experiments show that the cracks tend to appear in the node zones of the Faraday waves: in the case of stripe-patterned Faraday waves, the cracks are formed twice more frequently in the node zones than in the anti-node zones, presumably due to the localized horizontal motion. As a result of this preference of the cracks to the node zones, the memory of the square lattice pattern of Faraday waves makes the cracks run in the oblique direction differing by 45 degrees from the intuitive lattice direction of the Faraday waves.

Biopatterning of Silk Proteins for Soft Micro-optics.

PubMed

Pal, Ramendra K; Kurland, Nicholas E; Wang, Congzhou; Kundu, Subhas C; Yadavalli, Vamsi K

2015-04-29

Silk proteins from spiders and silkworms have been proposed as outstanding candidates for soft micro-optic and photonic applications because of their optical transparency, unique biological properties, and mechanical robustness. Here, we present a method to form microstructures of the two constituent silk proteins, fibroin and sericin for use as an optical biomaterial. Using photolithography, chemically modified silk protein photoresists are patterned in 2D arrays of periodic patterns and Fresnel zone plates. Angle-dependent iridescent colors are produced in these periodic micropatterns because of the Bragg diffraction. Silk protein photolithography can used to form patterns on different substrates including flexible sheets with features of any shape with high fidelity and resolution over large areas. Finally, we show that these mechanically stable and transparent iridescent architectures are also completely biodegradable. This versatile and scalable technique can therefore be used to develop biocompatible, soft micro-optic devices that can be degraded in a controlled manner.

Fine lattice lines on the corneal surface after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

PubMed

Carpel, E F; Carlson, K H; Shannon, S

2000-03-01

To present an example of a pattern of lines resembling fine lattice on the corneal surface subsequent to laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). This subtle phenomenon may be relatively common and may affect visual outcome. Case report. A 41-year-old year old man with high myopia and best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 +2 in each eye underwent laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). No operative or postoperative complications occurred. No striae were evident on slit-lamp examination with direct illumination and retroillumination at the time of surgery or in the postoperative period. Postoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 20/25 with a best-corrected spectacle correction of 20/25 in both eyes. Fine lines in a lattice pattern were seen only with fluorescein dye in the precorneal tear film as areas of "negative stain" within the LASIK flap. With tear film supplementation, the lines were less evident and visual acuity improved. One year postoperatively, his uncorrected visual acuity was 20/25 in both eyes. The best-corrected spectacle visual acuity was RE: 20/20 -2, LE: 20/25. The fine lines were still present within the flap. A soft contact lens improved visual acuity to 20/20 in both eyes. Although all four puncta were occluded, he had no epiphora. Fine lines in a lattice pattern that may represent folds in the epithelium or Bowman layer may be present within the flap after LASIK and may adversely affect visual acuity. They may be visible as areas of negative stain with fluorescein dye in the precorneal tear film in the absence of any striae visible in the flap. These superficial lines have been seen more in patients with high degrees of correction and in patients with dry eye. If visual acuity is affected, it may be improved with punctal occlusion, tear supplements, or a contact lens.

Large-Eddy/Lattice Boltzmann Simulations of Micro-blowing Strategies for Subsonic and Supersonic Drag Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Menon, Suresh

2003-01-01

This report summarizes the progress made in the first 8 to 9 months of this research. The Lattice Boltzmann Equation (LBE) methodology for Large-eddy Simulations (LES) of microblowing has been validated using a jet-in-crossflow test configuration. In this study, the flow intake is also simulated to allow the interaction to occur naturally. The Lattice Boltzmann Equation Large-eddy Simulations (LBELES) approach is capable of capturing not only the flow features associated with the flow, such as hairpin vortices and recirculation behind the jet, but also is able to show better agreement with experiments when compared to previous RANS predictions. The LBELES is shown to be computationally very efficient and therefore, a viable method for simulating the injection process. Two strategies have been developed to simulate multi-hole injection process as in the experiment. In order to allow natural interaction between the injected fluid and the primary stream, the flow intakes for all the holes have to be simulated. The LBE method is computationally efficient but is still 3D in nature and therefore, there may be some computational penalty. In order to study a large number or holes, a new 1D subgrid model has been developed that will simulate a reduced form of the Navier-Stokes equation in these holes.

The Control of Anisotropic Transport in Manganites by Stripy Domains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ju, Changcheng; Lu, Xiaomei; Chu, Yinghao

2014-03-01

Epitaxial thin film acts as a significant tool to investigate novel phenomena of complex oxide systems. Extrinsic constraint1 of uniform or certain designed buffer layer strain could be easily implanted to these materials. However, the strain distribution might be quite complicated by involving micro- or nano-lattice distortions which could partially relax the strain and determine the complex phase diagrams of thin film, meanwhile introducing structural and physical inhomogeneities. In this work , we report 71° striped ferroelectric domains created in BFO can also epitaxially lock the perovskite manganites leading to the emerge of ordered structural domain. LSMO/BFO hetero-epitaxial samples are deposited by PLD. The 71° periodic striped domains and coherent growth are demonstrated by PFM and X-ray analysis. Plan-view TEM and X-ray RSM have been used to confirm the epitaxial relationships of the functional layers and IP lattice constant. Both the simulation and structural analysis demonstrate we can create a periodic ordered stripe structural domain in LSMO. And this will leave an anisotropic distribution of structural domain walls which makes it possible to capture the anisotropic tunneling for strong electron-lattice coupling in manganites. Temperature-dependent resistivity measurements reveal a substantial anisotropic resistivities and a remarkable shift of the MI transition between the perpendicular and parallel to the stripe domain directions.

Cracking the barcode of fullerene-like cortical microcolumns.

PubMed

Tozzi, Arturo; Peters, James F; Ori, Ottorino

2017-03-22

Artificial neural systems and nervous graph theoretical analysis rely upon the stance that the neural code is embodied in logic circuits, e.g., spatio-temporal sequences of ON/OFF spiking neurons. Nevertheless, this assumption does not fully explain complex brain functions. Here we show how nervous activity, other than logic circuits, could instead depend on topological transformations and symmetry constraints occurring at the micro-level of the cortical microcolumn, i.e., the embryological, anatomical and functional basic unit of the brain. Tubular microcolumns can be flattened in fullerene-like two-dimensional lattices, equipped with about 80 nodes standing for pyramidal neurons where neural computations take place. We show how the countless possible combinations of activated neurons embedded in the lattice resemble a barcode. Despite the fact that further experimental verification is required in order to validate our claim, different assemblies of firing neurons might have the appearance of diverse codes, each one responsible for a single mental activity. A two-dimensional fullerene-like lattice, grounded on simple topological changes standing for pyramidal neurons' activation, not just displays analogies with the real microcolumn's microcircuitry and the neural connectome, but also the potential for the manufacture of plastic, robust and fast artificial networks in robotic forms of full-fledged neural systems. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Structural and Morphological Evaluation of Nano-Sized MoSi2 Powder Produced by Mechanical Milling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sameezadeh, Mahmood; Farhangi, Hassan; Emamy, Masoud

Nano-sized intermetallic powders have received great attention owing to their property advantages over conventional micro-sized counterparts. In the present study nano-sized MoSi2 powder has been produced successfully from commercially available MoSi2 (3 μm) by a mechanical milling process carried out for a period of 100 hours. The effects of milling time on size and morphology of the powders were studied by SEM and TEM and image analyzing system. The results indicate that the as-received micrometric powder with a wide size distribution of irregular shaped morphology changes to a narrow size distribution of nearly equiaxed particles with the progress of attrition milling up to 100 h, reaching an average particle size of 71 nm. Structural evolution of milled samples was characterized by XRD to determine the crystallite size and lattice microstrain using Williamson-Hall method. According to the results, the crystallite size of the powders decreases continuously down to 23 nm with increasing milling time up to 100 h and this size refinement is more rapid at the early stages of the milling process. On the other hand, the lattice strain increases considerably with milling up to 65 h and further milling causes no significant changes of lattice strain.

Defect-suppressed atomic crystals in an optical lattice.

PubMed

Rabl, P; Daley, A J; Fedichev, P O; Cirac, J I; Zoller, P

2003-09-12

We present a coherent filtering scheme which dramatically reduces the site occupation number defects for atoms in an optical lattice by transferring a chosen number of atoms to a different internal state via adiabatic passage. With the addition of superlattices it is possible to engineer states with a specific number of atoms per site (atomic crystals), which are required for quantum computation and the realization of models from condensed matter physics, including doping and spatial patterns. The same techniques can be used to measure two-body spatial correlation functions.

Structure functions in decomposing CuRh systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prem, M.; Blaschko, O.; Rosta, L.

1997-02-01

The time evolution of a CuRh alloy quenched within the miscibility gap is investigated by small and wide angle neutron scattering techniques. Near fundamental Bragg reflections diffuse satellites arising from a lattice parameter modulation induced by the precipitation pattern are investigated. The results show that in CuRh the precipitation morphology and its time evolution are quite different from decomposition characteristics recently observed in the system AuPt. The results are discussed and related to the larger lattice misfit present in CuRh in comparison to AuPt.

A study of the dynamics of seizure propagation across micro domains in the vicinity of the seizure onset zone

PubMed Central

Basu, Ishita; Kudela, Pawel; Korzeniewska, Anna; Franaszczuk, Piotr J.; Anderson, William S.

2015-01-01

Objective The use of micro-electrode arrays to measure electrical activity from the surface of the brain is increasingly being investigated as a means to improve seizure onset zone localization. In this work, we used a multivariate autoregressive model to determine the evolution of seizure dynamics in the 70 – 110 Hz high frequency band across micro-domains sampled by such micro-electrode arrays. Approach We used 7 complex partial seizures recorded from 4 patients undergoing intracranial monitoring for surgical evaluation to reconstruct the seizure propagation pattern over sliding windows using a directed transfer function measure. Main results We showed that a directed transfer function can be used to estimate the flow of seizure activity in a set of simulated micro-electrode data with known propagation pattern. In general, depending on the location of the micro-electrode grid with respect to the clinical seizure onset zone and the time from seizure onset, ictal propagation changed in directional characteristics over a 2 to 10 seconds time scale, with gross directionality limited to spatial dimensions of approximately 9mm2. It was also seen that the strongest seizure patterns in the high frequency band and their sources over such micro-domains are more stable over time and across seizures bordering the clinically determined seizure onset zone than inside. Significance This type of propagation analysis might in future provide an additional tool to epileptologists for characterizing epileptogenic tissue. This will potentially help narrowing down resection zones without compromising essential brain functions as well as provide important information about targeting anti-epileptic stimulation devices. PMID:26061006

Silver nanowires as the current collector for a flexible in-plane micro-supercapacitor via a one-step, mask-free patterning strategy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Lang; Li, Han-Yu; Yu, Yao; Liu, Lin; Wu, Yue

2018-02-01

The fabrication of a current collector-contained in-plane micro-supercapacitor (MSC) usually requires the patterning of the current collector first and then subsequent patterning of the active material with the assistance of a photoresist and mask. However, this two-step patterning process is too complicated and the photoresist used is harmful to the properties of nanomaterials. Here, we demonstrate a one-step, mask-free strategy to pattern the current collector and the active material at the same time, for the fabrication of an all-solid-state flexible in-plane MSC. Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are used as the current collector. An atmospheric pressure pulsed cold micro-plasma-jet is used to realize the one-step, mask-free production of interdigitated multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/AgNW electrodes. Remarkably, the fabricated MWCNT/AgNW-based MSC shows good flexibility and excellent rate capability. Moreover, the performance of properties including cyclic stability, equivalent series resistance, relaxation time and energy/power densities of the MWCNT/AgNW-based MSC are significantly enhanced by the presence of the AgNW current collector.

Structure of catalase determined by MicroED

PubMed Central

Nannenga, Brent L; Shi, Dan; Hattne, Johan; Reyes, Francis E; Gonen, Tamir

2014-01-01

MicroED is a recently developed method that uses electron diffraction for structure determination from very small three-dimensional crystals of biological material. Previously we used a series of still diffraction patterns to determine the structure of lysozyme at 2.9 Å resolution with MicroED (Shi et al., 2013). Here we present the structure of bovine liver catalase determined from a single crystal at 3.2 Å resolution by MicroED. The data were collected by continuous rotation of the sample under constant exposure and were processed and refined using standard programs for X-ray crystallography. The ability of MicroED to determine the structure of bovine liver catalase, a protein that has long resisted atomic analysis by traditional electron crystallography, demonstrates the potential of this method for structure determination. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.03600.001 PMID:25303172

Micro- and nanotechnology in cardiovascular tissue engineering.

PubMed

Zhang, Boyang; Xiao, Yun; Hsieh, Anne; Thavandiran, Nimalan; Radisic, Milica

2011-12-09

While in nature the formation of complex tissues is gradually shaped by the long journey of development, in tissue engineering constructing complex tissues relies heavily on our ability to directly manipulate and control the micro-cellular environment in vitro. Not surprisingly, advancements in both microfabrication and nanofabrication have powered the field of tissue engineering in many aspects. Focusing on cardiac tissue engineering, this paper highlights the applications of fabrication techniques in various aspects of tissue engineering research: (1) cell responses to micro- and nanopatterned topographical cues, (2) cell responses to patterned biochemical cues, (3) controlled 3D scaffolds, (4) patterned tissue vascularization and (5) electromechanical regulation of tissue assembly and function.

Phylogeny and micro-habitats utilized by lizards determine the composition of their endoparasites in the semiarid Caatinga of Northeast Brazil.

PubMed

Brito, S V; Corso, G; Almeida, A M; Ferreira, F S; Almeida, W O; Anjos, L A; Mesquita, D O; Vasconcellos, A

2014-11-01

Trophic networks can have architectonic configurations influenced by historical and ecological factors. The objective of this study was to analyze the architecture of networks between lizards, their endoparasites, diet, and micro-habitat, aiming to understand which factors exert an influence on the composition of the species of parasites. All networks showed a compartmentalized pattern. There was a positive relation between diet and the diversity of endoparasites. Our analyses also demonstrated that phylogeny and the use of micro-habitat influenced the composition of species of endoparasites and diet pattern of lizards. The principal factor that explained the modularity of the network was the foraging strategy, with segregation between the "active foragers" and "sit-and-wait" lizards. Our analyses also demonstrated that historical (phylogeny) and ecological factors (use of micro-habitat by the lizards) influenced the composition of parasite communities. These results corroborate other studies with ectoparasites, which indicate phylogeny and micro-habitat as determinants in the composition of parasitic fauna. The influence of phylogeny can be the result of coevolution between parasites and lizards in the Caatinga, and the influence of micro-habitat should be a result of adaptations of species of parasites to occupy the same categories of micro-habitats as hosts, thus favoring contagion.

Colloidal crystal based plasma polymer patterning to control Pseudomonas aeruginosa attachment to surfaces.

PubMed

Pingle, Hitesh; Wang, Peng-Yuan; Thissen, Helmut; McArthur, Sally; Kingshott, Peter

2015-12-02

Biofilm formation on medical implants and subsequent infections are a global problem. A great deal of effort has focused on developing chemical contrasts based on micro- and nanopatterning for studying and controlling cells and bacteria at surfaces. It has been known that micro- and nanopatterns on surfaces can influence biomolecule adsorption, and subsequent cell and bacterial adhesion. However, less focus has been on precisely controlling patterns to study the initial bacterial attachment mechanisms and subsequently how the patterning influences the role played by biomolecular adsorption on biofilm formation. In this work, the authors have used colloidal self-assembly in a confined area to pattern surfaces with colloidal crystals and used them as masks during allylamine plasma polymer (AAMpp) deposition to generate highly ordered patterns from the micro- to the nanoscale. Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-aldehyde was grafted to the plasma regions via "cloud point" grafting to prevent the attachment of bacteria on the plasma patterned surface regions, thereby controlling the adhesive sites by choice of the colloidal crystal morphology. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was chosen to study the bacterial interactions with these chemically patterned surfaces. Scanning electron microscope, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy, and epifluorescence microscopy were used for pattern characterization, surface chemical analysis, and imaging of attached bacteria. The AAMpp influenced bacterial attachment because of the amine groups displaying a positive charge. XPS results confirm the successful grafting of PEG on the AAMpp surfaces. The results showed that PEG patterns can be used as a surface for bacterial patterning including investigating the role of biomolecular patterning on bacterial attachment. These types of patterns are easy to fabricate and could be useful in further applications in biomedical research.

A Lattice Boltzmann Framework for the simulation of boiling hydrodynamics in BWRs.

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

Jain, P. K.; Tentner, A.; Uddin, R.

2008-01-01

Multi phase and multi component flows are ubiquitous in nature as well as in many man-made processes. A specific example is the Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) core, in which the coolant enters the core as liquid, undergoes a phase change as it traverses the core and exits as a high quality two-phase mixture. Two-phase flows in BWRs typically manifest a wide variety of geometrical patterns of the co-existing phases depending on the local system conditions. Modeling of such flows currently relies on empirical correlations (for example, in the simulation of bubble nucleation, bubble growth and coalescence, and inter-phase surface topologymore » transitions) that hinder the accurate simulation of two-phase phenomena using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approaches. The Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) is in rapid development as a modeling tool to understand these macro-phenomena by coupling them with their underlying micro-dynamics. This paper presents a consistent LBM formulation for the simulation of a two-phase water-steam system. Results of initial model validation in a range of thermodynamic conditions typical for BWRs are also shown. The interface between the two coexisting phases is captured from the dynamics of the model itself, i.e., no interface tracking is needed. The model is based on the Peng-Robinson (P-R) non-ideal equation of state and can quantitatively approximate the phase-coexistence curve for water at different temperatures ranging from 125 to 325 oC. Consequently, coexisting phases with large density ratios (up to {approx}1000) may be simulated. Two-phase models in the 200-300 C temperature range are of significant importance to nuclear engineers since most BWRs operate under similar thermodynamic conditions. Simulation of bubbles and droplets in a gravity-free environment of the corresponding coexisting phase until steady state is reached satisfies Laplace law at different temperatures and thus, yield the surface tension of the fluid. Comparing the LBM surface tension thus calculated using the LBM to the corresponding experimental values for water, the LBM lattice unit (lu) can be scaled to the physical units. Using this approach, spatial scaling of the LBM emerges from the model itself and is not imposed externally.« less

Facile morphology-controlled synthesis and luminescence properties of BaMoO4:Eu3+ microparticles and micro-rods obtained by a molten-salt reaction route.

PubMed

Xia, Zhiguo; Jin, Shuai; Sun, Jiayue; Du, Haiyan; Du, Peng; Liao, Libing

2011-11-01

This work focuses on the synthesis of morphology-controlled BaMoO4:Eu3+ micro-crystals such as microparticles and micro-rods using a facile molten salt method, and their morphology, structural characterization, and luminescent properties were comparatively investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and fluorescence spectra. The molten salt method synthesized products from a reaction of BaMoO4 precursor obtained by a co-precipitation method of BaCl2 and Na2MoO4 with an eutectic salt mixture of NaCl-KCl at 700 degrees C. Detailed studies revealed that the formation of the different morphologies of the micro-crystals was strongly dependent on the weight ratio of the salt (NaCl-KCl) to the BaMoO4 precursor, and the formation mechanism of the products in the present molten salt system was also investigated. Based on the investigations of the photoluminescence properties, the samples with different morphologies prepared by the molten salt method had the strongest red emission at 615 nm, corresponding to the Eu3+ 5D0-7F2 transition in the BaMoO4 host lattice, and the emission intensity of BaMoO4:Eu3+ microparticles was stronger than that of BaMoO4:Eu3+ micro-rods.

Tracking microbial colonization patterns associated with micro-environments of rice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmidt, Hannes; Eickhorst, Thilo

2015-04-01

The interface between soil and roots (i.e. the rhizosphere) represents a highly dynamic micro-environment for microbial populations. Root-derived compounds are released into the rhizosphere and may attract, stimulate, or inhibit native soil microorganisms. Microbes associated with the rhizosphere, in turn, may have deleterious, neutral, or promoting effects on the plant. Such influences of microbial populations on the plant and vice versa are likely to be greatest in close vicinity to the root surface. It is therefore essential to detect and visualize preferential micro-sites of microbial root colonization to identify potential areas of microbe-plant interaction. We present a single-cell based approach allowing for the localization, quantification, and visualization of native microbial populations in the rhizosphere and on the rhizoplane of soil-grown roots in situ. Catalyzed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization (CARD-FISH) in combination with confocal laser scanning microscopy was applied to observe colonization densities and patterns of microbial populations associated with wetland rice. Hybridizations with domain- and phylum-specific oligonucleotide probes showed that the growth stage of the rice plant as well as the distance to the root surface had a strong influence on microbial colonization patterns. Three-dimensional visualizations of root-associated microbes revealed micro-sites of preferential colonization. Highest cell numbers of archaea and bacteria were found at flowering stage of rice plant development. Irregular distribution patterns of microbiota observed at early growth stages shifted towards more uniform colonization with plant age. Accordingly, the highest colonization densities shifted from the tip to more mature regions of rice roots. Methanogenic archaea and methanotrophic bacteria were found to be co-localized at basal regions of lateral roots. Beneficial effects of a close association with root surfaces were indicated by proportionally higher numbers of methane-oxidizing bacteria on the rhizoplane compared to the rhizosphere. Such spatial effects could not be observed for methanogenic archaea. As a consequence, the detection and visualization of microbial colonization patterns on a micro-scale via CARD-FISH represents an instrumental approach in revealing potential sites of interaction between microbes and plants in soil micro-environments.

Micro-X-ray diffraction assessment of shock stage in enstatite chondrites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Izawa, Matthew R. M.; Flemming, Roberta L.; Banerjee, Neil R.; McCausland, Philip J. A.

2011-05-01

A new method for assessing the shock stage of enstatite chondrites has been developed, using in situ micro-X-ray diffraction (μXRD) to measure the full width at half maximum (FWHMχ) of peak intensity distributed along the direction of the Debye rings, or chi angle (χ), corresponding to individual lattice reflections in two-dimensional XRD patterns. This μXRD technique differs from previous XRD shock characterization methods: it does not require single crystals or powders. In situ μXRD has been applied to polished thin sections and whole-rock meteorite samples. Three frequently observed orthoenstatite reflections were measured: (020), (610), and (131); these were selected as they did not overlap with diffraction lines from other phases. Enstatite chondrites are commonly fine grained, stained or darkened by weathering, shock-induced oxidation, and metal/sulfide inclusions; furthermore, most E chondrites have little olivine or plagioclase. These characteristics inhibit transmitted-light petrography, nevertheless, shock stages have been assigned MacAlpine Hills (MAC) 02837 (EL3) S3, Pecora Escarpment (PCA) 91020 (EL3) S5, MAC 02747 (EL4) S4, Thiel Mountains (TIL) 91714 (EL5) S2, Allan Hills (ALHA) 81021 (EL6) S2, Elephant Moraine (EET) 87746 (EH3) S3, Meteorite Hills (MET) 00783 (EH4) S4, EET 96135 (EH4-5) S2, Lewis Cliff (LEW) 88180 (EH5) S2, Queen Alexandra Range (QUE) 94204 (EH7) S2, LaPaz Icefield (LAP) 02225 (EH impact melt) S1; for the six with published shock stages, there is agreement with the published classification. FWHMχ plotted against petrographic shock stage demonstrates positive linear correlation. FWHMχ ranges corresponding to shock stages were assigned as follows: S1 < 0.7°, S2 = 0.7-1.2°, S3 = 1.2-2.3°, S4 = 2.3-3.5°, S5 > 3.5°, S6—not measured. Slabs of Abee (EH impact-melt breccia), and Northwest Africa (NWA) 2212 (EL6) were examined using μXRD alone; FWHMχ values place both in the S2 range, consistent with literature values. Micro-XRD analysis may be applicable to other shocked orthopyroxene-bearing rocks.

WE-F-16A-02: Design, Fabrication, and Validation of a 3D-Printed Proton Filter for Range Spreading

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

Remmes, N; Courneyea, L; Corner, S

2014-06-15

Purpose: To design, fabricate and test a 3D-printed filter for proton range spreading in scanned proton beams. The narrow Bragg peak in lower-energy synchrotron-based scanned proton beams can result in longer treatment times for shallow targets due to energy switching time and plan quality degradation due to minimum monitor unit limitations. A filter with variable thicknesses patterned on the same scale as the beam's lateral spot size will widen the Bragg peak. Methods: The filter consists of pyramids dimensioned to have a Gaussian distribution in thickness. The pyramids are 2.5mm wide at the base, 0.6 mm wide at the peak,more » 5mm tall, and are repeated in a 2.5mm pseudo-hexagonal lattice. Monte Carlo simulations of the filter in a proton beam were run using TOPAS to assess the change in depth profiles and lateral beam profiles. The prototypes were constrained to a 2.5cm diameter disk to allow for micro-CT imaging of promising prototypes. Three different 3D printers were tested. Depth-doses with and without the prototype filter were then measured in a ~70MeV proton beam using a multilayer ion chamber. Results: The simulation results were consistent with design expectations. Prototypes printed on one printer were clearly unacceptable on visual inspection. Prototypes on a second printer looked acceptable, but the micro-CT image showed unacceptable voids within the pyramids. Prototypes from the third printer appeared acceptable visually and on micro-CT imaging. Depth dose scans using the prototype from the third printer were consistent with simulation results. Bragg peak width increased by about 3x. Conclusions: A prototype 3D printer pyramid filter for range spreading was successfully designed, fabricated and tested. The filter has greater design flexibility and lower prototyping and production costs compared to traditional ridge filters. Printer and material selection played a large role in the successful development of the filter.« less

Electrothermal energy conversion using electron gas volumetric change inside semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yazawa, K.; Shakouri, A.

2016-07-01

We propose and analyze an electrothermal energy converter using volumetric changes in non-equilibrium electron gas inside semiconductors. The geometric concentration of electron gas under an electric field increases the effective pressure of the electrons, and then a barrier filters out cold electrons, acting like a valve. Nano- and micro-scale features enable hot electrons to arrive at the contact in a short enough time to avoid thermalization with the lattice. Key length and time scales, preliminary device geometry, and anticipated efficiency are estimated for electronic analogs of Otto and Brayton power generators and Joule-Thomson micro refrigerators on a chip. The power generators convert the energy of incident photons from the heat source to electrical current, and the refrigerator can reduce the temperature of electrons in a semiconductor device. The analytic calculations show that a large energy conversion efficiency or coefficient of performance may be possible.

Using evaporation to control capillary instabilities in micro-systems.

PubMed

Ledesma-Aguilar, Rodrigo; Laghezza, Gianluca; Yeomans, Julia M; Vella, Dominic

2017-12-06

The instabilities of fluid interfaces represent both a limitation and an opportunity for the fabrication of small-scale devices. Just as non-uniform capillary pressures can destroy micro-electrical mechanical systems (MEMS), so they can guide the assembly of novel solid and fluid structures. In many such applications the interface appears during an evaporation process and is therefore only present temporarily. It is commonly assumed that this evaporation simply guides the interface through a sequence of equilibrium configurations, and that the rate of evaporation only sets the timescale of this sequence. Here, we use Lattice-Boltzmann simulations and a theoretical analysis to show that, in fact, the rate of evaporation can be a factor in determining the onset and form of dynamical capillary instabilities. Our results shed light on the role of evaporation in previous experiments, and open the possibility of exploiting diffusive mass transfer to directly control capillary flows in MEMS applications.

Micro Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy of nano-porous n and p type GaN/sapphire(0001).

PubMed

Ingale, Alka; Pal, Suparna; Dixit, V K; Tiwari, Pragya

2007-06-01

Variation of depth within a single etching spot (3 mm circular diameter) was observed in nanoporous GaN epilayer obtained on photo-assisted electrochemical etching of n and p-type GaN. The different etching depth regions were studied using microRaman and PL(yellow region) for both n-type and p-type GaN. From Raman spectroscopy, we observed that increase in disorder is accompanied by stress relaxation, as depth of etching increases for n-type GaN epilayer. This is well corroborated with scanning electron microscopy results. Contrarily, for p-type GaN epilayer we found that for minimum etching depth, stress in epilayer increases with increase in disorder. This is understood with the fact that as grown p-type GaN is more disordered compared to n-type GaN due to heavy Mg doping and further disorder leads to lattice distortion leading to increase in stress.

Electrothermal energy conversion using electron gas volumetric change inside semiconductors

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

Yazawa, K.; Shakouri, A.

2016-07-25

We propose and analyze an electrothermal energy converter using volumetric changes in non-equilibrium electron gas inside semiconductors. The geometric concentration of electron gas under an electric field increases the effective pressure of the electrons, and then a barrier filters out cold electrons, acting like a valve. Nano- and micro-scale features enable hot electrons to arrive at the contact in a short enough time to avoid thermalization with the lattice. Key length and time scales, preliminary device geometry, and anticipated efficiency are estimated for electronic analogs of Otto and Brayton power generators and Joule-Thomson micro refrigerators on a chip. The powermore » generators convert the energy of incident photons from the heat source to electrical current, and the refrigerator can reduce the temperature of electrons in a semiconductor device. The analytic calculations show that a large energy conversion efficiency or coefficient of performance may be possible.« less

ZnO nanoparticles obtained by ball milling technique: Structural, micro-structure, optical and photo-catalytic properties

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

Balamurugan, S., E-mail: scandium.chemistry@gmail.com; Joy, Josny; Godwin, M. Anto

The ZnO nanoparticles were obtained by ball milling of commercial grade ZnO powder at 250 rpm for 20 h and studied their structural, micro-structure, optical and photo-catalytic properties. Due to ball milling significant decrease in lattice parameters and average crystalline size is noticed for the as-milled ZnO nano powder. The HRSEM images of the as-milled powder consist of agglomerated fine spherical nanoparticles in the range of ~10-20 nm. The room temperature PL spectrum of as-milled ZnO nano powder excited under 320 nm reveals two emission bands at ~406 nm (violet emission) and ~639 nm (green emission). Interestingly about 98 % of photo degradation of methylene (MB)more » by the ZnO catalyst is achieved at 100 minutes of solar light irradiation.« less

QR-on-a-chip: a computer-recognizable micro-pattern engraved microfluidic device for high-throughput image acquisition.

PubMed

Yun, Kyungwon; Lee, Hyunjae; Bang, Hyunwoo; Jeon, Noo Li

2016-02-21

This study proposes a novel way to achieve high-throughput image acquisition based on a computer-recognizable micro-pattern implemented on a microfluidic device. We integrated the QR code, a two-dimensional barcode system, onto the microfluidic device to simplify imaging of multiple ROIs (regions of interest). A standard QR code pattern was modified to arrays of cylindrical structures of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Utilizing the recognition of the micro-pattern, the proposed system enables: (1) device identification, which allows referencing additional information of the device, such as device imaging sequences or the ROIs and (2) composing a coordinate system for an arbitrarily located microfluidic device with respect to the stage. Based on these functionalities, the proposed method performs one-step high-throughput imaging for data acquisition in microfluidic devices without further manual exploration and locating of the desired ROIs. In our experience, the proposed method significantly reduced the time for the preparation of an acquisition. We expect that the method will innovatively improve the prototype device data acquisition and analysis.

Self-organized microstructures induced by MeV ion beam on silicon surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmad, Muthanna

2017-02-01

Micro patterning of self organized structure on silicon surface is induced by ion implantation of energetic (MeV) copper ions. This work reports for the first time the ability of using energetic ions for producing highly ordered ripples and dots of micro sizes. The experiments are realized at the Tandem ion beam accelerator (3 MV) at the IBA laboratory of the Atomic Energy Commission of Syria. Similarly to nano patterning formed by slow ions, the formation of micro patterned structures dots and ripples is observed to be depending on the angle of ion beam incidence, energy and ion fluence. The observation of such microstructures formation is limited to a range of ion energies (few MeV) at fluence higher than 1.75 × 1017 ion cm-2. The patterned surface layer is completely amorphousized by the ion implantation. Shadowing effect is observed in the formation of microripples and superstructures in the top of ripples. The superstructure develops new morphology that is not observed before. This morphology has butterfly shape with symmetry in its structure.

A facile and low-cost micro fabrication material: flash foam.

PubMed

He, Yong; Xiao, Xiao; Wu, Yan; Fu, Jian-zhong

2015-08-28

Although many microfabrication methods have been reported, the preliminary replication templates used in most microfabrication still depend on the expensive and long-period photolithography. This paper explores an alternative replication templates based on a daily used material, flash foam (FF), and proposes a facile microfabrication method, flash foam stamp lithography (FFSL). When FF is exposed with a desired pattern mask, the negative of the pattern is transferred to its surface and micro structures are formed due to the shrinkage of the exposed area. As FF is commonly used in personal stamps, FFSL is very simple and cost-effective. In this paper, we demonstrated that FF is a good and low-cost template for many micro fabrication methods, such as micro casting and soft lithography. Thus, designing and fabricating micro structures at personal office immediately become possible with FFSL. Furthermore, we demonstrated that multi-scale micro structures can be easily fabricated by double exposure with FFSL. Skin textures is used as another case to demonstrate that FFSL can fabricate structures with different depth in a single exposure. As a result, FF shows a promising future in biology, and analytical chemistry, such as rapid fabrication of point of care diagnostics and microfluidic analytical devices with low cost.

Synchronized femtosecond laser pulse switching system based nano-patterning technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sohn, Ik-Bu; Choi, Hun-Kook; Yoo, Dongyoon; Noh, Young-Chul; Sung, Jae-Hee; Lee, Seong-Ku; Ahsan, Md. Shamim; Lee, Ho

2017-07-01

This paper demonstrates the design and development of a synchronized femtosecond laser pulse switching system and its applications in nano-patterning of transparent materials. Due to synchronization, we are able to control the location of each irradiated laser pulse in any kind of substrate. The control over the scanning speed and scanning step of the laser beam enables us to pattern periodic micro/nano-metric holes, voids, and/or lines in various materials. Using the synchronized laser system, we pattern synchronized nano-holes on the surface of and inside various transparent materials including fused silica glass and polymethyl methacrylate to replicate any image or pattern on the surface of or inside (transparent) materials. We also investigate the application areas of the proposed synchronized femtosecond laser pulse switching system in a diverse field of science and technology, especially in optical memory, color marking, and synchronized micro/nano-scale patterning of materials.

Electrodeposition in capillaries: bottom-up micro- and nanopatterning of functional materials on conductive substrates.

PubMed

George, Antony; Maijenburg, A Wouter; Maas, Michiel G; Blank, Dave H A; Ten Elshof, Johan E

2011-09-01

A cost-effective and versatile methodology for bottom-up patterned growth of inorganic and metallic materials on the micro- and nanoscale is presented. Pulsed electrodeposition was employed to deposit arbitrary patterns of Ni, ZnO, and FeO(OH) of high quality, with lateral feature sizes down to 200-290 nm. The pattern was defined by an oxygen plasma-treated patterned PDMS mold in conformal contact with a conducting substrate and immersed in an electrolyte solution, so that the solid phases were deposited from the solution in the channels of the patterned mold. It is important that the distance between the entrance of the channels, and the location where deposition is needed, is kept limited. The as-formed patterns were characterized by high resolution scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray diffraction.

Multiwavelength ultralow-threshold lasing in quantum dot photonic crystal microcavities.

PubMed

Chakravarty, S; Bhattacharya, P; Chakrabarti, S; Mi, Z

2007-05-15

We demonstrate multiwavelength lasing of resonant modes in linear (L3) microcavities in a triangular-lattice 2D photonic crystal (PC) slab. The broad spontaneous emission spectrum from coupled quantum dots, modified by the PC microcavity, is studied as a function of the intensity of incident optical excitation. We observe lasing with an ultralow-threshold power of approximately 600 nW and an output efficiency of approximately 3% at threshold. Two other resonant modes exhibit weaker turnon characteristics and thresholds of approximately 2.5 and 200 microW, respectively.

Fabrication of 3D polymer photonic crystals for near-IR applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Peng; Qiu, Liang; Shi, Shouyuan; Schneider, Garrett J.; Prather, Dennis W.; Sharkawy, Ahmed; Kelmelis, Eric

2008-02-01

Photonic crystals[1, 2] have stirred enormous research interest and became a growing enterprise in the last 15 years. Generally, PhCs consist of periodic structures that possess periodicity comparable with the wavelength that the PhCs are designed to modulate. If material and periodic pattern are properly selected, PhCs can be applied to many applications based on their unique properties, including photonic band gaps (PBG)[3], self-collimation[4], super prism[5], etc. Strictly speaking, PhCs need to possess periodicity in three dimensions to maximize their advantageous capabilities. However, many current research is based on scaled two-dimensional PhCs, mainly due to the difficulty of fabrication such three-dimensional PhCs. Many approaches have been explored for the fabrication of 3D photonic crystals, including layer-by-layer surface micromachining[6], glancing angle deposition[7], 3D micro-sculpture method[8], self-assembly[9] and lithographical methods[10-12]. Among them, lithographic methods became increasingly accepted due to low costs and precise control over the photonic crystal structure. There are three mostly developed lithographical methods, namely X-ray lithography[10], holographic lithography[11] and two-photon polymerization[12]. Although significant progress has been made in developing these lithography-based technologies, these approaches still suffer from significant disadvantages. X-ray lithography relies on an expensive radiation source. Holographic lithography lacks the flexibility to create engineered defects, and multi-photon polymerization is not suitable for parallel fabrication. In our previous work, we developed a multi-layer photolithography processes[13, 14] that is based on multiple resist application and enhanced absorption upon exposure. Using a negative lift-off resist (LOR) and 254nm DUV source, we have demonstrated fabrication of 3D arbitrary structures with feature size of several microns. However, severe intermixing problem occurred as we reduced the lattice constant for near-IR applications. In this work, we address this problem by employing SU8. The exposure is vertically confined by using a mismatched 220nm DUV source. Intermixing problem is eliminated due to more densely crosslinked resist molecules. Using this method, we have demonstrated 3D "woodpile" structure with 1.55μm lattice constant and a 2mm-by-2mm pattern area.

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

Sankar, M. S. Ravi, E-mail: rameshg.phy@pondiuni.edu; Gangineni, Ramesh Babu, E-mail: rameshg.phy@pondiuni.edu

The present work reveals soft lithography strategy based on self assembly and replica molding for carrying out micro and nanofabrication. It provides a convenient, effective and very low cost method for the formation and manufacturing of micro and nano structures. Al-layer of compact disc (sony CD-R) used as a stamp with patterned relief structures to generate patterns and structures with pattern size of 100nm height, 1.7 μm wide. In literature, PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) solution is widely used to get negative copy of the Al-layer. In this work, we have used inexpensive white glue (Polyvinylacetate + water), 15gm (□5) and PVDF (Polyvinylidenemore » difluoride) spin coated films and successfully transferred the nano patterns of Al layer on to white glue and PVDF films.« less

Spatial distribution of enzyme driven reactions at micro-scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kandeler, Ellen; Boeddinghaus, Runa; Nassal, Dinah; Preusser, Sebastian; Marhan, Sven; Poll, Christian

2017-04-01

Studies of microbial biogeography can often provide key insights into the physiologies, environmental tolerances, and ecological strategies of soil microorganisms that dominate in natural environments. In comparison with aquatic systems, soils are particularly heterogeneous. Soil heterogeneity results from the interaction of a hierarchical series of interrelated variables that fluctuate at many different spatial and temporal scales. Whereas spatial dependence of chemical and physical soil properties is well known at scales ranging from decimetres to several hundred metres, the spatial structure of soil enzymes is less clear. Previous work has primarily focused on spatial heterogeneity at a single analytical scale using the distribution of individual cells, specific types of organisms or collective parameters such as bacterial abundance or total microbial biomass. There are fewer studies that have considered variations in community function and soil enzyme activities. This presentation will give an overview about recent studies focusing on spatial pattern of different soil enzymes in the terrestrial environment. Whereas zymography allows the visualization of enzyme pattern in the close vicinity of roots, micro-sampling strategies followed by MUF analyses clarify micro-scale pattern of enzymes associated to specific microhabitats (micro-aggregates, organo-mineral complexes, subsoil compartments).

Colloidal diffusion over a quasicrystalline-patterned substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Yun; Lai, Pik-Yin; Ackerson, Bruce; Tong, Penger

We report a systematic study of colloidal diffusion over a quasicrystalline-patterned substrate. The sample substrate is made of a flat thin layer of photoresist and contains identical cylindrical holes of diameter dh, which are arranged on a quasicrystal lattice. A monolayer of silica spheres of diameter comparable to dh diffuse over the rugged quasicrystalline-patterned substrate and experience a gravitational potential U (x , y) . With optical microscopy and the particle tracking method, we measure U (x , y) and particle's diffusion trajectories, which are found to undergo two distinct states: a trapped state when the particles are inside the holes and a free diffusion state when they are over the flat portion of the substrate. The dynamic properties of the diffusing particle, such as its mean dwell time, mean square displacement, and long-time diffusion coefficient DL are obtained from the particle trajectories. The measured DL is found to be in good agreement with the prediction of two theoretical models proposed for diffusion over a quasicrystal lattice. The experiment demonstrates the applications of this newly constructed colloidal potential landscape. This work was supported by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong SAR.

Capping spheres with scarry crystals: Organizing principles of multi-dislocation, ground-state patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azadi, Amir; Grason, Gregory M.

2014-03-01

Predicting the ground state ordering of curved crystals remains an unsolved, century-old challenge, beginning with the classic Thomson problem to more recent studies of particle-coated droplets. We study the structural features and underlying principles of multi-dislocation ground states of a crystalline cap adhered to a spherical substrate. In the continuum limit, vanishing lattice spacing, a --> 0 , dislocations proliferate and we show that ground states approach a characteristic sequence of patterns of n-fold radial grain boundary ``scars,'' extending from the boundary and terminating in the bulk. A combination of numerical and asymptotic analysis reveals that energetic hierarchy gives rise to a structural hierarchy, whereby the number of dislocation and scars diverge as a --> 0 while the scar length and number of dislocations per scar become remarkably independent of lattice spacing. We show the that structural hierarchy remains intact when n-fold symmetry becomes unstable to polydispersed forked-scar morphologies. We expect this analysis to resolve previously open questions about the optimal symmetries of dislocation patterns in Thomson-like problems, both with and without excess 5-fold defects.

Lattice diffusion and vapor solid growths forming nanoarchitectures on ZnO nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sombrio, Guilherme; Rivaldo-Gómez, C. M.; Pomar, Cesar A. D.; Souza, Jose A.

2017-12-01

We report hierarchical nanoarchitectures formed on the tips and sidewalls of ZnO nanowires which is formed on the top of microtubes. The whole growth process of these micro/nanostructures during thermal oxidation combines lattice/grain/surface ionic diffusion along with vapor solid mechanism. All the process takes place along with the presence of an electric current, which plays an important role forming the ZnO molecules due to Zn metal evaporation and attracting them to condense into nanostructures of several morphologies. The observation of a very long needle-like nanowire reveals the stack nature of the growth. These nanoarchitectures are rarely observed experimentally. Raman scattering confirms phonon confinement in the nanostructures. Photoluminescence measurements indicate a route for engineering defects on the surface of ZnO microtubes after the complete coalescence of the nanostructures through heat treatment. This experiment would be useful for improving nanostructure organization which could provide an impact in the manufacturability of nanostructure-based systems.

A correlative imaging based methodology for accurate quantitative assessment of bone formation in additive manufactured implants.

PubMed

Geng, Hua; Todd, Naomi M; Devlin-Mullin, Aine; Poologasundarampillai, Gowsihan; Kim, Taek Bo; Madi, Kamel; Cartmell, Sarah; Mitchell, Christopher A; Jones, Julian R; Lee, Peter D

2016-06-01

A correlative imaging methodology was developed to accurately quantify bone formation in the complex lattice structure of additive manufactured implants. Micro computed tomography (μCT) and histomorphometry were combined, integrating the best features from both, while demonstrating the limitations of each imaging modality. This semi-automatic methodology registered each modality using a coarse graining technique to speed the registration of 2D histology sections to high resolution 3D μCT datasets. Once registered, histomorphometric qualitative and quantitative bone descriptors were directly correlated to 3D quantitative bone descriptors, such as bone ingrowth and bone contact. The correlative imaging allowed the significant volumetric shrinkage of histology sections to be quantified for the first time (~15 %). This technique demonstrated the importance of location of the histological section, demonstrating that up to a 30 % offset can be introduced. The results were used to quantitatively demonstrate the effectiveness of 3D printed titanium lattice implants.

Flow and dispersion in anisotropic porous media: A lattice-Boltzmann study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maggiolo, D.; Picano, F.; Guarnieri, M.

2016-10-01

Given their capability of spreading active chemical species and collecting electricity, porous media made of carbon fibers are extensively used as diffusion layers in energy storage systems, such as redox flow batteries. In spite of this, the dispersion dynamics of species inside porous media is still not well understood and often lends itself to different interpretations. Actually, the microscopic design of efficient porous media, which can potentially and effectively improve the performances of flow batteries, is still an open challenge. The present study aims to investigate the effect of fibrous media micro-structure on dispersion, in particular the effect of fiber orientation on drag and dispersion dynamics. Several lattice-Boltzmann simulations of flows through differently oriented fibrous media coupled with Lagrangian simulations of particle tracers have been performed. Results show that orienting fibers preferentially along the streamwise direction minimizes the drag and maximizes the dispersion, which is the most desirable condition for diffusion layers in flow batteries' applications.

Crystallographic features related to a van der Waals coupling in the layered chalcogenide FePS{sub 3}

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

Murayama, Chisato; Okabe, Momoko; Fukuda, Koichiro

We investigated the crystallographic structure of FePS{sub 3} with a layered structure using transmission electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. We found that FePS{sub 3} forms a rotational twin structure with the common axis along the c*-axis. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images revealed that the twin boundaries were positioned at the van der Waals gaps between the layers. The narrow bands of dark contrast were observed in the bright-field transmission electron microscopy images below the antiferromagnetic transition temperature, T{sub N} ≈ 120 K. Low-temperature X-ray diffraction showed a lattice distortion; the a- and b-axes shortened and lengthened, respectively, as the temperature decreasedmore » below T{sub N.} We propose that the narrow bands of dark contrast observed in the bright-field transmission electron microscopy images are caused by the directional lattice distortion with respect to each micro-twin variant in the antiferromagnetic phase.« less

Self-Organized Lattices of Nonlinear Optochemical Waves in Photopolymerizable Fluids: The Spontaneous Emergence of 3-D Order in a Weakly Correlated System.

PubMed

Ponte, Matthew R; Hudson, Alexander D; Saravanamuttu, Kalaichelvi

2018-03-01

Many of the extraordinary three-dimensional architectures that pattern our physical world emerge from complex nonlinear systems or dynamic populations whose individual constituents are only weakly correlated to each other. Shoals of fish, murmuration behaviors in birds, congestion patterns in traffic, and even networks of social conventions are examples of spontaneous pattern formation, which cannot be predicted from the properties of individual elements alone. Pattern formation at a different scale has been observed or predicted in weakly correlated systems including superconductors, atomic gases near Bose Einstein condensation, and incoherent optical fields. Understanding pattern formation in nonlinear weakly correlated systems, which are often unified through mathematical expression, could pave intelligent self-organizing pathways to functional materials, architectures, and computing technologies. However, it is experimentally difficult to directly visualize the nonlinear dynamics of pattern formation in most populations-especially in three dimensions. Here, we describe the collective behavior of large populations of nonlinear optochemical waves, which are poorly correlated in both space and time. The optochemical waves-microscopic filaments of white light entrapped within polymer channels-originate from the modulation instability of incandescent light traveling in photopolymerizable fluids. By tracing the three-dimensional distribution of optical intensity in the nascent polymerizing system, we find that populations of randomly distributed, optochemical waves synergistically and collectively shift in space to form highly ordered lattices of specific symmetries. These, to our knowledge, are the first three-dimensionally periodic structures to emerge from a system of weakly correlated waves. Their spontaneous formation in an incoherent and effectively chaotic field is counterintuitive, but the apparent contradiction of known behaviors of light including the laws of optical interference can be explained through the soliton-like interactions of optochemical waves with nearest neighbors. Critically, this work casts fundamentally new insight into the collective behaviors of poorly correlated nonlinear waves in higher dimensions and provides a rare, accessible platform for further experimental studies of these previously unexplored behaviors. Furthermore, it defines a self-organization paradigm that, unlike conventional counterparts, could generate polymer microstructures with symmetries spanning all the Bravais lattices.

Micro-Organ Device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sun, Wei (Inventor); Chang, Robert C. (Inventor); Starly, Binil (Inventor); Holtorf, Heidi L. (Inventor); Leslie, Julia (Inventor); Culbertson, Christopher (Inventor); Gonda, Steve R. (Inventor)

2013-01-01

A method for fabricating a micro-organ device comprises providing a microscale support having one or more microfluidic channels and one or more micro-chambers for housing a micro-organ and printing a micro-organ on the microscale support using a cell suspension in a syringe controlled by a computer-aided tissue engineering system, wherein the cell suspension comprises cells suspended in a solution containing a material that functions as a three-dimensional scaffold. The printing is performed with the computer-aided tissue engineering system according to a particular pattern. The micro-organ device comprises at least one micro-chamber each housing a micro-organ; and at least one microfluidic channel connected to the micro-chamber, wherein the micro-organ comprises cells arranged in a configuration that includes microscale spacing between portions of the cells to facilitate diffusion exchange between the cells and a medium supplied from the at least one microfluidic channel.

Micro-organ device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

von Gustedt-Gonda, legal representative, Iris (Inventor); Holtorf, Heidi L. (Inventor); Gonda, Steve R. (Inventor); Leslie, Julia (Inventor); Chang, Robert C. (Inventor); Sun, Wei (Inventor); Starly, Binil (Inventor); Culbertson, Christopher (Inventor)

2013-01-01

A method for fabricating a micro-organ device comprises providing a microscale support having one or more microfluidic channels and one or more micro-chambers for housing a micro-organ and printing a micro-organ on the microscale support using a cell suspension in a syringe controlled by a computer-aided tissue engineering system, wherein the cell suspension comprises cells suspended in a solution containing a material that functions as a three-dimensional scaffold. The printing is performed with the computer-aided tissue engineering system according to a particular pattern. The micro-organ device comprises at least one micro-chamber each housing a micro-organ; and at least one microfluidic channel connected to the micro-chamber, wherein the micro-organ comprises cells arranged in a configuration that includes microscale spacing between portions of the cells to facilitate diffusion exchange between the cells and a medium supplied from the at least one microfluidic channel.

6. DETAIL OF GUSSET WITH CURVE ANGLE IRON AND TWISTED ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

6. DETAIL OF GUSSET WITH CURVE ANGLE IRON AND TWISTED STRIPS, FORMING SUN RAY PATTERN. LATTICE RAILING AT LOWER RIGHT. - River Road Bridge, Spanning Spring Creek in Spring Creek Township, Hallton, Elk County, PA

14. DETAIL OF GUSSET WITH CURVE ANGLE IRON AND TWISTED ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

14. DETAIL OF GUSSET WITH CURVE ANGLE IRON AND TWISTED STRIPS, FORMING SUN RAY PATTERN. LATTICE RAILING AT LOWER RIGHT. - River Road Bridge, Spanning Spring Creek in Spring Creek Township, Hallton, Elk County, PA

Evidence of benzenoid domains in nanographenes.

PubMed

Baldoni, Matteo; Mercuri, Francesco

2015-01-21

Calculations based on density functional theory demonstrate the occurrence of local deformations of the perfect honeycomb lattice in nanographenes to form arrangements, with triangular symmetry, composed of six-membered ring patterns. The formation of these locally regular superstructures, which can be considered as benzenoid-like domains on the 2D graphene lattice, is ascribed to the gain in resonance energy deriving from aromaticity. The relationship between the atomic morphology of nanographenes and details of the relaxed structure is rationalized in terms of Clar's theory of the aromatic sextet and by extending concepts borrowed from valence bond theory to 2D carbon nanostructures. Namely, two regular arrangements can be evidenced, defined as Clar (fully benzenoid) and Kekulé domains, which correspond to two different regular bond patterns in sets of adjacent six-membered rings. Our findings are compatible with recent experiments and have potentially relevant consequences in the development of novel electronic devices based on graphene materials.

Use of reciprocal lattice layer spacing in electron backscatter diffraction pattern analysis

PubMed

Michael; Eades

2000-03-01

In the scanning electron microscope using electron backscattered diffraction, it is possible to measure the spacing of the layers in the reciprocal lattice. These values are of great use in confirming the identification of phases. The technique derives the layer spacing from the higher-order Laue zone rings which appear in patterns from many materials. The method adapts results from convergent-beam electron diffraction in the transmission electron microscope. For many materials the measured layer spacing compares well with the calculated layer spacing. A noted exception is for higher atomic number materials. In these cases an extrapolation procedure is described that requires layer spacing measurements at a range of accelerating voltages. This procedure is shown to improve the accuracy of the technique significantly. The application of layer spacing measurements in EBSD is shown to be of use for the analysis of two polytypes of SiC.

Patterns and partners for chiral symmetry restoration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gómez Nicola, A.; Ruiz de Elvira, J.

2018-04-01

We present and analyze a new set of Ward Identities which shed light on the distinction between different patterns of chiral symmetry restoration in QCD, namely O (4 ) vs O (4 )×U (1 )A. The degeneracy of chiral partners for all scalar and pseudoscalar meson nonet members is studied through their corresponding correlators. Around chiral symmetry degeneration of O (4 ) partners, our analysis predicts that U (1 )A partners are also degenerated. Our analysis also leads to I =1 /2 scalar-pseudoscalar partner degeneration at exact chiral restoration and supports ideal mixing between the η - η' and the f0(500 )- f0(980 ) mesons at O (4 )×U (1 )A restoration, with a possible range where the pseudoscalar mixing vanishes if the two transitions are well separated. We test our results with lattice data and provide further relevant observables regarding chiral and U (1 )A restoration for future lattice and model analyses.

Determination of Microstructural Parameters of Nanocrystalline Hydroxyapatite Prepared by Mechanical Alloying Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joughehdoust, Sedigheh; Manafi, Sahebali

2011-12-01

Hydroxyapatite [HA, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2] is chemically similar to the mineral component of bones and hard tissues. HA can support bone ingrowth and osseointegration when used in orthopaedic, dental and maxillofacial applications. In this research, HA nanostructure was synthesized by mechanical alloying method. Phase development, particle size and morphology of HA were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, zetasizer instrument, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. XRD pattern has been used to determination of the microstructural parameters (crystallite size, lattice parameters and crystallinity percent) by Williamson-Hall equation, Nelson-Riley method and calculating the areas under the peaks, respectively. The crystallite size and particle size of HA powders were in nanometric scales. SEM images showed that some parts of HA particles have agglomerates. The ratio of lattice parameters of synthetic hydroxyapatite (c/a = 0.73) was determined in this study is the same as natural hydroxyapatite structure.

Phase stability in the two-dimensional anisotropic boson Hubbard Hamiltonian

DOE PAGES

Ying, T.; Batrouni, G. G.; Rousseau, V. G.; ...

2013-05-15

The two dimensional square lattice hard-core boson Hubbard model with near neighbor interactions has a ‘checkerboard’ charge density wave insulating phase at half-filling and sufficiently large intersite repulsion. When doped, rather than forming a supersolid phase in which long range charge density wave correlations coexist with a condensation of superfluid defects, the system instead phase separates. However, it is known that there are other lattice geometries and interaction patterns for which such coexistence takes place. In this paper we explore the possibility that anisotropic hopping or anisotropic near neighbor repulsion might similarly stabilize the square lattice supersolid. Lastly, by consideringmore » the charge density wave structure factor and superfluid density for different ratios of interaction strength and hybridization in the ˆx and ˆy directions, we conclude that phase separation still occurs.« less

Calculation of Energy Diagram of Asymmetric Graded-Band-Gap Semiconductor Superlattices.

PubMed

Monastyrskii, Liubomyr S; Sokolovskii, Bogdan S; Alekseichyk, Mariya P

2017-12-01

The paper theoretically investigates the peculiarities of energy diagram of asymmetric graded-band-gap superlattices with linear coordinate dependences of band gap and electron affinity. For calculating the energy diagram of asymmetric graded-band-gap superlattices, linearized Poisson's equation has been solved for the two layers forming a period of the superlattice. The obtained coordinate dependences of edges of the conduction and valence bands demonstrate substantial transformation of the shape of the energy diagram at changing the period of the lattice and the ratio of width of the adjacent layers. The most marked changes in the energy diagram take place when the period of lattice is comparable with the Debye screening length. In the case when the lattice period is much smaller that the Debye screening length, the energy diagram has the shape of a sawtooth-like pattern.

Stabilization of active matter by flow-vortex lattices and defect ordering

PubMed Central

Doostmohammadi, Amin; Adamer, Michael F.; Thampi, Sumesh P.; Yeomans, Julia M.

2016-01-01

Active systems, from bacterial suspensions to cellular monolayers, are continuously driven out of equilibrium by local injection of energy from their constituent elements and exhibit turbulent-like and chaotic patterns. Here we demonstrate both theoretically and through numerical simulations, that the crossover between wet active systems, whose behaviour is dominated by hydrodynamics, and dry active matter where any flow is screened, can be achieved by using friction as a control parameter. Moreover, we discover unexpected vortex ordering at this wet–dry crossover. We show that the self organization of vortices into lattices is accompanied by the spatial ordering of topological defects leading to active crystal-like structures. The emergence of vortex lattices, which leads to the positional ordering of topological defects, suggests potential applications in the design and control of active materials. PMID:26837846

High-definition micropatterning method for hard, stiff and brittle polymers.

PubMed

Zhao, Yiping; Truckenmuller, Roman; Levers, Marloes; Hua, Wei-Shu; de Boer, Jan; Papenburg, Bernke

2017-02-01

Polystyrene (PS) is the most commonly used material in cell culture devices, such as Petri dishes, culture flasks and well plates. Micropatterning of cell culture substrates can significantly affect cell-material interactions leading to an increasing interest in the fabrication of topographically micro-structured PS surfaces. However, the high stiffness combined with brittleness of PS (elastic modulus 3-3.5GPa) makes high-quality patterning into PS difficult when standard hard molds, e.g. silicon and nickel, are used as templates. A new and robust scheme for easy processing of large-area high-density micro-patterning into PS film is established using nanoimprinting lithography and standard hot embossing techniques. Including an extra step through an intermediate PDMS mold alone does not result in faithful replication of the large area, high-density micropattern into PS. Here, we developed an approach using an additional intermediate mold out of OrmoStamp, which allows for high-quality and large-area micro-patterning into PS. OrmoStamp was originally developed for UV nanoimprint applications; this work demonstrates for the first time that OrmoStamp is a highly adequate material for micro-patterning of PS through hot embossing. Our proposed processing method achieves high-quality replication of micropatterns in PS, incorporating features with high aspect ratio (4:1, height:width), high density, and over a large pattern area. The proposed scheme can easily be adapted for other large-area and high-density micropatterns of PS, as well as other stiff and brittle polymers. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Laser Embossing of Micro-and Submicrometer Surface Structures in Copper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ehrhardt, Martin; Lorenz, Pierre; Frost, Frank; Zimmer, Klaus

Micro- and submicrometer structures have been transferred from nickel foils into solid copper surfaces by laser microembossing. The developed arrangement for laser microembossing allows a large-area replication using multi- pulse laser scanning scheme, guaranties a low contamination of the embossed surface and enables the utilization of thick workpieces. In the micrometer range the replicated patterns feature a high accuracy regarding the shape. A significant difference between the master and the replication pattern could be observed for the laser embossing of submicrometer patterns. In conclusion, the results show that the proposed laser embossing process is a promising method with a number of applications in microengineering.

Geometry of ‘standoffs’ in lattice models of the spatial Prisoner’s Dilemma and Snowdrift games

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laird, Robert A.; Goyal, Dipankar; Yazdani, Soroosh

2013-09-01

The Prisoner’s Dilemma and Snowdrift games are the main theoretical constructs used to study the evolutionary dynamics of cooperation. In large, well-mixed populations, mean-field models predict a stable equilibrium abundance of all defectors in the Prisoner’s Dilemma and a stable mixed-equilibrium of cooperators and defectors in the Snowdrift game. In the spatial extensions of these games, which can greatly modify the fates of populations (including allowing cooperators to persist in the Prisoner’s Dilemma, for example), lattice models are typically used to represent space, individuals play only with their nearest neighbours, and strategy replacement is a function of the differences in payoffs between neighbours. Interestingly, certain values of the cost-benefit ratio of cooperation, coupled with particular spatial configurations of cooperators and defectors, can lead to ‘global standoffs’, a situation in which all cooperator-defector neighbours have identical payoffs, leading to the development of static spatial patterns. We start by investigating the conditions that can lead to ‘local standoffs’ (i.e., in which isolated pairs of neighbouring cooperators and defectors cannot overtake one another), and then use exhaustive searches of small square lattices (4×4 and 6×6) of degree k=3,k=4, and k=6, to show that two main types of global standoff patterns-‘periodic’ and ‘aperiodic’-are possible by tiling local standoffs across entire spatially structured populations. Of these two types, we argue that only aperiodic global standoffs are likely to be potentially attracting, i.e., capable of emerging spontaneously from non-standoff conditions. Finally, we use stochastic simulation models with comparatively large lattices (100×100) to show that global standoffs in the Prisoner’s Dilemma and Snowdrift games do indeed only (but not always) emerge under the conditions predicted by the small-lattice analysis.

Ti-6Al-4V triply periodic minimal surface structures for bone implants fabricated via selective laser melting.

PubMed

Yan, Chunze; Hao, Liang; Hussein, Ahmed; Young, Philippe

2015-11-01

Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures have already been shown to be a versatile source of biomorphic scaffold designs. Therefore, in this work, Ti-6Al-4V Gyroid and Diamond TPMS lattices having an interconnected high porosity of 80-95% and pore sizes in the range of 560-1600 μm and 480-1450 μm respectively were manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) for bone implants. The manufacturability, microstructure and mechanical properties of the Ti-6Al-4V TPMS lattices were evaluated. Comparison between 3D micro-CT reconstructed models and original CAD models of the Ti-6Al-4V TPMS lattices shows excellent reproduction of the designs. The as-built Ti-6Al-4V struts exhibit the microstructure of columnar grains filled with very fine and orthogonally oriented α' martensitic laths with the width of 100-300 nm and have the microhardness of 4.01 ± 0.34 GPa. After heat treatment at 680°C for 4h, the α' martensite was converted to a mixture of α and β, in which the α phase being the dominant fraction is present as fine laths with the width of 500-800 nm and separated by a small amount of narrow, interphase regions of dark β phase. Also, the microhardness is decreased to 3.71 ± 0.35 GPa due to the coarsening of the microstructure. The 80-95% porosity TPMS lattices exhibit a comparable porosity with trabecular bone, and the modulus is in the range of 0.12-1.25 GPa and thus can be adjusted to the modulus of trabecular bone. At the same range of porosity of 5-10%, the moduli of cortical bone and of the Ti-6Al-4V TPMS lattices are in a similar range. Therefore, the modulus and porosity of Ti-6Al-4V TPMS lattices can be tailored to the levels of human bones and thus reduce or avoid "stress shielding" and increase longevity of implants. Due to the biomorphic designs, and high interconnected porosity and stiffness comparable to human bones, SLM-made Ti-6Al-4V TPMS lattices can be a promising material for load bearing bone implants. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Micro Fluidic Channel Machining on Fused Silica Glass Using Powder Blasting

PubMed Central

Jang, Ho-Su; Cho, Myeong-Woo; Park, Dong-Sam

2008-01-01

In this study, micro fluid channels are machined on fused silica glass via powder blasting, a mechanical etching process, and the machining characteristics of the channels are experimentally evaluated. In the process, material removal is performed by the collision of micro abrasives injected by highly compressed air on to the target surface. This approach can be characterized as an integration of brittle mode machining based on micro crack propagation. Fused silica glass, a high purity synthetic amorphous silicon dioxide, is selected as a workpiece material. It has a very low thermal expansion coefficient and excellent optical qualities and exceptional transmittance over a wide spectral range, especially in the ultraviolet range. The powder blasting process parameters affecting the machined results are injection pressure, abrasive particle size and density, stand-off distance, number of nozzle scanning, and shape/size of the required patterns. In this study, the influence of the number of nozzle scanning, abrasive particle size, and pattern size on the formation of micro channels is investigated. Machined shapes and surface roughness are measured using a 3-dimensional vision profiler and the results are discussed. PMID:27879730

Collective Intelligence: Aggregation of Information from Neighbors in a Guessing Game.

PubMed

Pérez, Toni; Zamora, Jordi; Eguíluz, Víctor M

2016-01-01

Complex systems show the capacity to aggregate information and to display coordinated activity. In the case of social systems the interaction of different individuals leads to the emergence of norms, trends in political positions, opinions, cultural traits, and even scientific progress. Examples of collective behavior can be observed in activities like the Wikipedia and Linux, where individuals aggregate their knowledge for the benefit of the community, and citizen science, where the potential of collectives to solve complex problems is exploited. Here, we conducted an online experiment to investigate the performance of a collective when solving a guessing problem in which each actor is endowed with partial information and placed as the nodes of an interaction network. We measure the performance of the collective in terms of the temporal evolution of the accuracy, finding no statistical difference in the performance for two classes of networks, regular lattices and random networks. We also determine that a Bayesian description captures the behavior pattern the individuals follow in aggregating information from neighbors to make decisions. In comparison with other simple decision models, the strategy followed by the players reveals a suboptimal performance of the collective. Our contribution provides the basis for the micro-macro connection between individual based descriptions and collective phenomena.

Collective Intelligence: Aggregation of Information from Neighbors in a Guessing Game

PubMed Central

Pérez, Toni; Zamora, Jordi; Eguíluz, Víctor M.

2016-01-01

Complex systems show the capacity to aggregate information and to display coordinated activity. In the case of social systems the interaction of different individuals leads to the emergence of norms, trends in political positions, opinions, cultural traits, and even scientific progress. Examples of collective behavior can be observed in activities like the Wikipedia and Linux, where individuals aggregate their knowledge for the benefit of the community, and citizen science, where the potential of collectives to solve complex problems is exploited. Here, we conducted an online experiment to investigate the performance of a collective when solving a guessing problem in which each actor is endowed with partial information and placed as the nodes of an interaction network. We measure the performance of the collective in terms of the temporal evolution of the accuracy, finding no statistical difference in the performance for two classes of networks, regular lattices and random networks. We also determine that a Bayesian description captures the behavior pattern the individuals follow in aggregating information from neighbors to make decisions. In comparison with other simple decision models, the strategy followed by the players reveals a suboptimal performance of the collective. Our contribution provides the basis for the micro-macro connection between individual based descriptions and collective phenomena. PMID:27093274

Micro-Scale Regenerative Heat Exchanger

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moran, Matthew E.; Stelter, Stephan; Stelter, Manfred

2004-01-01

A micro-scale regenerative heat exchanger has been designed, optimized and fabricated for use in a micro-Stirling device. Novel design and fabrication techniques enabled the minimization of axial heat conduction losses and pressure drop, while maximizing thermal regenerative performance. The fabricated prototype is comprised of ten separate assembled layers of alternating metal-dielectric composite. Each layer is offset to minimize conduction losses and maximize heat transfer by boundary layer disruption. A grating pattern of 100 micron square non-contiguous flow passages were formed with a nominal 20 micron wall thickness, and an overall assembled ten-layer thickness of 900 microns. Application of the micro heat exchanger is envisioned in the areas of micro-refrigerators/coolers, micropower devices, and micro-fluidic devices.

Biological and Computational Modeling of Mammographic Density and Stromal Patterning

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-07-01

clumping Score Monolayer Absent Many Absent Absent Absent 1 Nucl. overlap Mild Moderate Mild Micro- nucleoli Rare 2 Clustering Moderate...Few Moderate Micro- nucleoli Occasional 3 Loss cohesion Conspicuous Absent Frequent Macro- nucleoli Frequent 4 We performed serial RPFNA

Spin flip statistics and spin wave interference patterns in Ising ferromagnetic films: A Monte Carlo study.

PubMed

Acharyya, Muktish

2017-07-01

The spin wave interference is studied in two dimensional Ising ferromagnet driven by two coherent spherical magnetic field waves by Monte Carlo simulation. The spin waves are found to propagate and interfere according to the classic rule of interference pattern generated by two point sources. The interference pattern of spin wave is observed in one boundary of the lattice. The interference pattern is detected and studied by spin flip statistics at high and low temperatures. The destructive interference is manifested as the large number of spin flips and vice versa.

The expansion of neighborhood and pattern formation on spatial prisoner's dilemma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qian, Xiaolan; Xu, Fangqian; Yang, Junzhong; Kurths, Jürgen

2015-04-01

The prisoner's dilemma (PD), in which players can either cooperate or defect, is considered a paradigm for studying the evolution of cooperation in spatially structured populations. There the compact cooperator cluster is identified as a characteristic pattern and the probability of forming such pattern in turn depends on the features of the networks. In this paper, we investigate the influence of expansion of neighborhood on pattern formation by taking a weak PD game with one free parameter T, the temptation to defect. Two different expansion methods of neighborhood are considered. One is based on a square lattice and expanses along four directions generating networks with degree increasing with K = 4 m . The other is based on a lattice with Moore neighborhood and expanses along eight directions, generating networks with degree of K = 8 m . Individuals are placed on the nodes of the networks, interact with their neighbors and learn from the better one. We find that cooperator can survive for a broad degree 4 ≤ K ≤ 70 by taking a loose type of cooperator clusters. The former simple corresponding relationship between macroscopic patterns and the microscopic PD interactions is broken. Under a condition that is unfavorable for cooperators such as large T and K, systems prefer to evolve to a loose type of cooperator clusters to support cooperation. However, compared to the well-known compact pattern, it is a suboptimal strategy because it cannot help cooperators dominating the population and always corresponding to a low cooperation level.

A Cancer-Indicative microRNA Pattern in Normal Prostate Tissue

PubMed Central

Hellwinkel, Olaf J. C.; Sellier, Christina; Sylvester, Yu-Mi Jessica; Brase, Jan C.; Isbarn, Hendrik; Erbersdobler, Andreas; Steuber, Thomas; Sültmann, Holger; Schlomm, Thorsten; Wagner, Christina

2013-01-01

We analyzed the levels of selected micro-RNAs in normal prostate tissue to assess their potential to indicate tumor foci elsewhere in the prostate. Histologically normal prostate tissue samples from 31 prostate cancer patients and two cancer negative control groups with either unsuspicious or elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels (14 and 17 individuals, respectively) were analyzed. Based on the expression analysis of 157 microRNAs in a pool of prostate tissue samples and information from data bases/literature, we selected eight microRNAs for quantification by real-time polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCRs). Selected miRNAs were analyzed in histologically tumor-free biopsy samples from patients and healthy controls. We identified seven microRNAs (miR-124a, miR-146a & b, miR-185, miR-16 and let-7a & b), which displayed significant differential expression in normal prostate tissue from men with prostate cancer compared to both cancer negative control groups. Four microRNAs (miR-185, miR-16 and let-7a and let-7b) remained to significantly discriminate normal tissues from prostate cancer patients from those of the cancer negative control group with elevated PSA levels. The transcript levels of these microRNAs were highly indicative for the presence of cancer in the prostates, independently of the PSA level. Our results suggest a microRNA-pattern in histologically normal prostate tissue, indicating prostate cancer elsewhere in the organ. PMID:23459235

[Comparative study of root canal morphology of mandibular first premolar by micro-CT and radio visio graphy].

PubMed

Li, Xiangjie; Liu, Na; Liu, Rui; Dong, Zhengmou; Liu, Luchuan; Deng, Manjing

2012-02-01

To compare the consistency of root canal configuration types of mandibular first premolar by using micro-CT and radio visio graphy (RVG). One hundred extracted mandibular first premolars with complete dental root and apex which received no endodontic treatment were randomly selected. Each tooth was radiographed with RVG through a buccolingual and mesiodistal direction, and then scanned with micro-CT and reconstructed. The classifications of the root canal types according to Vertucci's type with the two methods were compared. The canal patterns were classified as type I (67%), type III (3%), type V (18%), type VII (2%), additional type (10%) with micro-CT and canal patterns as type I (71%), type III (2%), type V (23%), type VII (1%), additional type (3%) with RVG. 63% of teeth showed one canal in both micro-CT and RVG. Only 25% of teeth were diagnosed as complex canal by the same canal type in both micro-CT and RVG. The Kappa value between micro-CT and RVG was 0.541 which suggested that the two kinds of methods had intermediate consistency. 82.8% of the premolars with root groove had two or more than two canals. Although RVG can basically reflect the root canal system type of the mandibular first premolars in vitro, it offers poor accuracy images to complex root canals. Micro-CT three-dimensional images could clearly and precisely display the root canal system morphology of the mandibular first pre-molars in vitro.

Influence of lattice orientation on growth and structure of graphene on Cu(001)

DOE PAGES

Wofford, Joseph M.; Nie, Shu; Thürmer, Konrad; ...

2015-03-31

We have used low-energy electron microscopy (LEEM) and diffraction (LEED) to examine the significance of lattice orientation in graphene growth on Cu(0 0 1). Individual graphene domains undergo anisotropic growth on the Cu surface, and develop into lens shapes with their long axes roughly aligned with Cu <1 0 0> in-plane directions. Furthermore, the long axis of a lens-shaped domain is only rarely oriented along a C <1 1> direction, suggesting that carbon attachment at “zigzag” graphene island edges is unfavorable. A kink-mediated adatom attachment process is consistent with the behavior observed here and reported in the literature. Likewise, themore » details of the ridged moiré pattern formed by the superposition of the graphene lattice on the (0 0 1) Cu surface also evolve with the graphene lattice orientation, and are predicted well by a simple geometric model. Managing the kink-mediated growth mode of graphene on Cu(0 0 1) will be necessary for the continued improvement of this graphene synthesis technique.« less

Role of cooperative structural distortions in the metal--insulator transitions of perovskite ferrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cammarata, Antonio; Rondinelli, James

2012-02-01

Transition-metal oxides within the perovskite crystal family exhibit strong electron--electron correlation effects that coexist with complex structural distortions, leading to metal-insulator (MI) transitions. Using first-principles density functional calculations, we investigate the effects of cooperative octahedral rotations and dilations/contractions on the charge-ordering MI-transition in CaFeO3. By calculating the evolution in the lattice phonons, which describe the different octahedral distortions present in the low-symmetry monoclinic phase of CaFeO3 with increasing electron correlation, we show that the MI-transition results from a complex interplay between these modes and correlation effects. We combine this study with group theoretical tools to disentangle the electron--lattice interactions by computing the evolution in the low-energy electronic band structure with the lattice phonons, demonstrating the MI-transition in CaFeO3 proceeds through a symmetry-lowering transition driven by a cooperative three-dimensional octahedral dilation/contraction pattern. Finally, we suggest a possible route by which to control the charge ordering by fine-tuning the electron--lattice coupling.

The adsorption of oleate on powellite and fluorapatite: A joint experimental and theoretical simulation study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhen, Wang

2017-07-01

Flotation and adsorption performance of sodium oleate(NaOl)on powellite and fluorapatite were investigated in this work through micro-flotation tests, work of adhesion calculations, molecular dynamics simulation, micro-topography studies and FTIR measurements. The micro-flotation results show a similar flotation behaviors of powellite and fluorapatite under alkaline conditions, but a considerable difference in mineral recoveries in the pH range 2-7, which demonstrates the possibilities for separating powillite from fluorapatite under acidic conditions. The great difference in mineral recovery displays a good accordance with the obvious difference in the work of adhesion of powellite and fluorapatite at NaOl dosage range of 40-80 mg/L, obtained from flotation and contact angle measurements, respectively. The more negative interaction energy (ΔE) between NaOl and powellite/water interface from molecular dynamics simulation reveals a more easily adsorption of NaOl onto powellite than onto fluorapatite, which excellently matches with the results of flotation and work of adhesion. The results of micro-topography study shows that the adsorption of NaOl on powellite is mainly ascribed to the chemisorption of oleate ions with Ca2+ on powellite lattice or the precipitation of calcium dioleate agglomerates on powellite surface when it was in the solution without or with Ca2+, respectively. The FTIR measurements further confirm the chemisorption of oleate ions with Ca2+ active sites on powellite surface.

Directional photofluidization lithography: micro/nanostructural evolution by photofluidic motions of azobenzene materials.

PubMed

Lee, Seungwoo; Kang, Hong Suk; Park, Jung-Ki

2012-04-24

This review demonstrates directional photofluidization lithography (DPL), which makes it possible to fabricate a generic and sophisticated micro/nanoarchitecture that would be difficult or impossible to attain with other methods. In particular, DPL differs from many of the existing micro/nanofabrication methods in that the post-treatment (i.e., photofluidization), after the preliminary fabrication process of the original micro/nanostructures, plays a pivotal role in the various micro/nanostructural evolutions including the deterministic reshaping of architectures, the reduction of structural roughness, and the dramatic enhancement of pattern resolution. Also, DPL techniques are directly compatible with a parallel and scalable micro/nanofabrication. Thus, DPL with such extraordinary advantages in micro/nanofabrication could provide compelling opportunities for basic micro/nanoscale science as well as for general technology applications. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Spatial-pattern-induced evolution of a self-replicating loop network.

PubMed

Suzuki, Keisuke; Ikegami, Takashi

2006-01-01

We study a system of self-replicating loops in which interaction rules between individuals allow competition that leads to the formation of a hypercycle-like network. The main feature of the model is the multiple layers of interaction between loops, which lead to both global spatial patterns and local replication. The network of loops manifests itself as a spiral structure from which new kinds of self-replicating loops emerge at the boundaries between different species. In these regions, larger and more complex self-replicating loops live for longer periods of time, managing to self-replicate in spite of their slower replication. Of particular interest is how micro-scale interactions between replicators lead to macro-scale spatial pattern formation, and how these macro-scale patterns in turn perturb the micro-scale replication dynamics.

Infrared face recognition based on LBP histogram and KW feature selection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Zhihua

2014-07-01

The conventional LBP-based feature as represented by the local binary pattern (LBP) histogram still has room for performance improvements. This paper focuses on the dimension reduction of LBP micro-patterns and proposes an improved infrared face recognition method based on LBP histogram representation. To extract the local robust features in infrared face images, LBP is chosen to get the composition of micro-patterns of sub-blocks. Based on statistical test theory, Kruskal-Wallis (KW) feature selection method is proposed to get the LBP patterns which are suitable for infrared face recognition. The experimental results show combination of LBP and KW features selection improves the performance of infrared face recognition, the proposed method outperforms the traditional methods based on LBP histogram, discrete cosine transform(DCT) or principal component analysis(PCA).

Lattice Rotation Patterns and Strain Gradient Effects in Face-Centered-Cubic Single Crystals Under Spherical Indentation

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

Gao, Y. F.; Larson, B. C.; Lee, J. H.

Strain gradient effects are commonly modeled as the origin of the size dependence of material strength, such as the dependence of indentation hardness on contact depth and spherical indenter radius. However, studies on the microstructural comparisons of experiments and theories are limited. First, we have extended a strain gradient Mises-plasticity model to its crystal plasticity version and implemented a finite element method to simulate the load-displacement response and the lattice rotation field of Cu single crystals under spherical indentation. The strain gradient simulations demonstrate that the forming of distinct sectors of positive and negative angles in the lattice rotation fieldmore » is governed primarily by the slip geometry and crystallographic orientations, depending only weakly on strain gradient effects, although hardness depends strongly on strain gradients. Second, the lattice rotation simulations are compared quantitatively with micron resolution, three-dimensional X-ray microscopy (3DXM) measurements of the lattice rotation fields under 100mN force, 100 mu m radius spherical indentations in < 111 >, < 110 >, and < 001 > oriented Cu single crystals. Third, noting the limitation of continuum strain gradient crystal plasticity models, two-dimensional discrete dislocation simulation results suggest that the hardness in the nanocontact regime is governed synergistically by a combination of strain gradients and source-limited plasticity. However, the lattice rotation field in the discrete dislocation simulations is found to be insensitive to these two factors but to depend critically on dislocation obstacle densities and strengths.« less

A facile and low-cost micro fabrication material: flash foam

PubMed Central

He, Yong; Xiao, Xiao; Wu, Yan; Fu, Jian-zhong

2015-01-01

Although many microfabrication methods have been reported, the preliminary replication templates used in most microfabrication still depend on the expensive and long-period photolithography. This paper explores an alternative replication templates based on a daily used material, flash foam (FF), and proposes a facile microfabrication method, flash foam stamp lithography (FFSL). When FF is exposed with a desired pattern mask, the negative of the pattern is transferred to its surface and micro structures are formed due to the shrinkage of the exposed area. As FF is commonly used in personal stamps, FFSL is very simple and cost-effective. In this paper, we demonstrated that FF is a good and low-cost template for many micro fabrication methods, such as micro casting and soft lithography. Thus, designing and fabricating micro structures at personal office immediately become possible with FFSL. Furthermore, we demonstrated that multi-scale micro structures can be easily fabricated by double exposure with FFSL. Skin textures is used as another case to demonstrate that FFSL can fabricate structures with different depth in a single exposure. As a result, FF shows a promising future in biology, and analytical chemistry, such as rapid fabrication of point of care diagnostics and microfluidic analytical devices with low cost. PMID:26314247

Lattice field theory study of magnetic catalysis in graphene

DOE PAGES

DeTar, Carleton; Winterowd, Christopher; Zafeiropoulos, Savvas

2017-04-15

We discuss the simulation of the low-energy effective field theory (EFT) for graphene in the presence of an external magnetic field. Our fully nonperturbative calculation uses methods of lattice gauge theory to study the theory using a hybrid Monte Carlo approach. We investigate the phenomenon of magnetic catalysis in the context of graphene by studying the chiral condensate which is the order parameter characterizing the spontaneous breaking of chiral symmetry. In the EFT, the symmetry breaking pattern is given bymore » $$U(4) \\to U(2) \\times U(2)$$. We also comment on the difficulty, in this lattice formalism, of studying the time-reversal-odd condensate characterizing the ground state in the presence of a magnetic field. Lastly, we study the mass spectrum of the theory, in particular the Nambu-Goldstone (NG) mode as well as the Dirac quasiparticle, which is predicted to obtain a dynamical mass.« less

Focusing behavior of the fractal vector optical fields designed by fractal lattice growth model.

PubMed

Gao, Xu-Zhen; Pan, Yue; Zhao, Meng-Dan; Zhang, Guan-Lin; Zhang, Yu; Tu, Chenghou; Li, Yongnan; Wang, Hui-Tian

2018-01-22

We introduce a general fractal lattice growth model, significantly expanding the application scope of the fractal in the realm of optics. This model can be applied to construct various kinds of fractal "lattices" and then to achieve the design of a great diversity of fractal vector optical fields (F-VOFs) combinating with various "bases". We also experimentally generate the F-VOFs and explore their universal focusing behaviors. Multiple focal spots can be flexibly enginnered, and the optical tweezers experiment validates the simulated tight focusing fields, which means that this model allows the diversity of the focal patterns to flexibly trap and manipulate micrometer-sized particles. Furthermore, the recovery performance of the F-VOFs is also studied when the input fields and spatial frequency spectrum are obstructed, and the results confirm the robustness of the F-VOFs in both focusing and imaging processes, which is very useful in information transmission.

Application of Powder Diffraction Methods to the Analysis of the Atomic Structure of Nanocrystals: The Concept of the Apparent Lattice Parameter (ALP)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Palosz, B.; Grzanka, E.; Gierlotka, S.; Stelmakh, S.; Pielaszek, R.; Bismayer, U.; Weber, H.-P.; Palosz, W.; Curreri, Peter A. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The applicability of standard methods of elaboration of powder diffraction data for determination of the structure of nano-size crystallites is analysed. Based on our theoretical calculations of powder diffraction data we show, that the assumption of the infinite crystal lattice for nanocrystals smaller than 20 nm in size is not justified. Application of conventional tools developed for elaboration of powder diffraction data, like the Rietveld method, may lead to erroneous interpretation of the experimental results. An alternate evaluation of diffraction data of nanoparticles, based on the so-called 'apparent lattice parameter' (alp) is introduced. We assume a model of nanocrystal having a grain core with well-defined crystal structure, surrounded by a surface shell with the atomic structure similar to that of the core but being under a strain (compressive or tensile). The two structural components, the core and the shell, form essentially a composite crystal with interfering, inseparable diffraction properties. Because the structure of such a nanocrystal is not uniform, it defies the basic definitions of an unambiguous crystallographic phase. Consequently, a set of lattice parameters used for characterization of simple crystal phases is insufficient for a proper description of the complex structure of nanocrystals. We developed a method of evaluation of powder diffraction data of nanocrystals, which refers to a core-shell model and is based on the 'apparent lattice parameter' methodology. For a given diffraction pattem, the alp values are calculated for every individual Bragg reflection. For nanocrystals the alp values depend on the diffraction vector Q. By modeling different a0tomic structures of nanocrystals and calculating theoretically corresponding diffraction patterns using the Debye functions we showed, that alp-Q plots show characteristic shapes which can be used for evaluation of the atomic structure of the core-shell system. We show, that using a simple model of a nanocrystal with spherical shape and centro-symmetric strain at the surface shell we obtain theoretical alp-Q values which match very well the alp-Q plots determined experimentally for Sic, GaN, and diamond nanopowders. The theoretical models are defined by the lattice parameter of the grain core, thickness of the surface shell, and the magnitude and distribution of the strain field in the surface shell. According to our calculations, the part of the diffraction pattern measured at relatively low diffraction vectors Q (below 10/angstrom) provides information on the surface strain, whle determination of the lattice parameters in the grain core requires measurements at large Q-values (above 15 - 20/angstrom).

Combination process of diamond machining and roll-to-roll UV-replication for thin film micro- and nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Väyrynen, J.; Mönkkönen, K.; Siitonen, S.

2016-09-01

Roll-to-roll (R2R) ultraviolet (UV) curable embossing replication process is a highly accurate and cost effective way to replicate large quantities of thin film polymer parts. These structures can be used for microfluidics, LED-optics, light guides, displays, cameras, diffusers, decorative, laser sensing and measuring devices. In the R2R UV-process, plastic thin film coated with UV-curable lacquer, passes through an imprinting embossing drum and is then hardened by an UV-lamp. One key element for mastering this process is the ability to manufacture a rotating drum containing micro- and nanostructures. Depending on the pattern shapes, the drum can be directly machined by diamond machining or it can be done through wafer level lithographical process. Due to the shrinkage of UV-curable lacquer, the R2R drum pattern process needs to be prototyped few times, in order to get the desired performance and shape from the R2R produced part. To speed up the prototyping and overall process we have developed a combination process where planar diamond machining patterns are being turned into a drum roller. Initially diamond machined patterns from a planar surface are replicated on a polymer sheet using UV-replication. Secondly, a nickel stamper shim is grown form the polymer sheet and at the end the stamper is turned into a roller and used in the R2R process. This process allows various micro milled, turned, grooved and ruled structures to be made at thin film products through the R2R process. In this paper, the process flow and examples of fabricating R2R embossed UVcurable thin film micro- and nanostructures from planar diamond machined patterns, is reported.

Two-phase flow characteristics of liquid nitrogen in vertically upward 0.5 and 1.0 mm micro-tubes: Visualization studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, P.; Fu, X.

2009-10-01

Application of liquid nitrogen to cooling is widely employed in many fields, such as cooling of the high temperature superconducting devices, cryosurgery and so on, in which liquid nitrogen is generally forced to flow inside very small passages to maintain good thermal performance and stability. In order to have a full understanding of the flow and heat transfer characteristics of liquid nitrogen in micro-tube, high-speed digital photography was employed to acquire the typical two-phase flow patterns of liquid nitrogen in vertically upward micro-tubes of 0.531 and 1.042 mm inner diameters. It was found from the experimental results that the flow patterns were mainly bubbly flow, slug flow, churn flow and annular flow. And the confined bubble flow, mist flow, bubble condensation and flow oscillation were also observed. These flow patterns were characterized in different types of flow regime maps. The surface tension force and the size of the diameter were revealed to be the major factors affecting the flow pattern transitions. It was found that the transition boundaries of the slug/churn flow and churn/annular flow of the present experiment shifted to lower superficial vapor velocity; while the transition boundary of the bubbly/slug flow shifted to higher superficial vapor velocity compared to the results of the room-temperature fluids in the tubes with the similar hydraulic diameters. The corresponding transition boundaries moved to lower superficial velocity when reducing the inner diameter of the micro-tubes. Time-averaged void fraction and heat transfer characteristics for individual flow patterns were presented and special attention was paid to the effect of the diameter on the variation of void fraction.

Coupling Graphene Sheets with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Energy Storage and Microelectronics

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-08-13

of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite ( HOPG ) flake. Two electrode system containing platinum as counter electrode and HOPG as working electrode is... XRD ) patterns of the HOPG , exfoliated graphene, PyDop1-ɤ-Fe2O3 and PyDop1-ɤ-Fe2O3-graphene are given in Figure 1e. HOPG show a very sharp diffraction...atoms arranged in hexagonal pattern in honey comb crystal lattice, (c) TEM (d) HRTEM image of graphene- PyDop1-MNP hybrid, (e) XRD pattern of the HOPG

Fine-scale Patterns in Thaw Depth, Micro-relief, and Ground Cover on Non-sorted Circles and Small Patterned Ground Features Along a Climatic Gradient From Low to High Arctic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okie, J.; Gould, W. A.; González, G.

2006-12-01

Patterned ground is a ubiquitous feature in the Arctic and the related variation in microtopographic relief strongly affects biotic and abiotic patterns and processes. Patterned ground features are polygenic in origin and are often found superimposed in a complex pattern of multiple features. We investigated the relationship between thaw depth, micro-relief, the cover of vascular, bryophyte, cryptogamic crust and bare ground along transects traversing non-sorted circles and small non-sorted polygons at 8 research sites along a climatic gradient in bioclimatic subzones A-E in the North American Arctic. Non-sorted circles are the result of differential frost heave with circle centers typically showing greater heave during freezing than inter circle areas. Differential heave is a function of climate, soil texture, soil moisture, and vegetation cover. Differential heave and subsidence creates fine-scale gradients in microtopography that affect soil moisture, exposure to winds, and development of vegetation and soils. Non-sorted circles typically range from 20 to 200 cm in diameter and are most common in subzones C-E. Often superimposed on these features are the development of small non-sorted polygons 10-30 cm in diameter, and fine-scale desiccation cracking at a scale of less than 10 cm. These are most common in subzones A-C. We established three 20 m transects in zonal vegetation at each site. Thaw depth, micro-relief, and ground cover were measured at 10 cm intervals along each transect. Additionally, we measured vascular plant beta diversity in a set of 25 x 25 cm quadrates on 15 circles and 15 inter circles at each site. The resulting pattern of thaw depth and micro-relief is correlated with both summer temperatures and vegetation cover. The variability and degree of micro-relief decrease from the Low to the High Arctic. Non-sorted circle centers had deeper active layer than inter circle areas along the gradient. Thaw depths increase linearly with the degree of bare ground and nonlinearly with summer warmth. This unimodal pattern of shallower active layer at the warmest and coldest sites is due to the interaction of climate and the insulating vegetation layer. Greatest thaw depths are found on bare non-sorted circles in subzone C. Beta diversity is greatest in subzone D, where vegetated inter circle areas differ markedly from more barren non- sorted circles.

InGaAs monolithic interconnected modules (MIMs)

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

Fatemi, N.S.; Jenkins, P.P.; Weizer, V.G.

1997-12-31

A monolithic interconnected module (MIM) structure has been developed for thermophotovoltaic (TPV) applications. The MIM device consists of many individual InGaAs cells series-connected on a single semi-insulating (S.I.) InP substrate. An infrared (IR) back surface reflector (BSR), placed on the rear surface of the substrate, returns the unused portion of the TPV radiator output spectrum back to the radiator for recuperation, thereby providing for high system efficiencies. Also, the use of a BSR reduces the requirements imposed on a front surface interference filter and may lead to using only an anti-reflection coating. As a result, MIMs are exposed to themore » entire radiator output, and with increasing output power density. MIMs were fabricated with an active area of 0.9 x 1 cm, and with 15 cells monolithically connected in series. Both lattice-matched and lattice-mismatched InGaAs/InP devices were fabricated, with bandgaps of 0.74 and 0.55 eV, respectively. The 0.74 eV MIMs demonstrated an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 6.16 V and a fill factor of 74.2% at a short-circuit current (Jsc) of 0.84 A/cm{sup 2}, under flashlamp testing. The 0.55 eV modules demonstrated a Voc of 4.85 V and a fill factor of 57.8% at a Jsc of 3.87 A/cm{sup 2}. The near IR reflectance (2--4 {micro}m) for both lattice-matched and lattice-mismatched structures was measured to be in the range of 80--85%. Latest electrical and optical performance results for these MIMs is presented.« less

Mechanical behavior of regular open-cell porous biomaterials made of diamond lattice unit cells.

PubMed

Ahmadi, S M; Campoli, G; Amin Yavari, S; Sajadi, B; Wauthle, R; Schrooten, J; Weinans, H; Zadpoor, A A

2014-06-01

Cellular structures with highly controlled micro-architectures are promising materials for orthopedic applications that require bone-substituting biomaterials or implants. The availability of additive manufacturing techniques has enabled manufacturing of biomaterials made of one or multiple types of unit cells. The diamond lattice unit cell is one of the relatively new types of unit cells that are used in manufacturing of regular porous biomaterials. As opposed to many other types of unit cells, there is currently no analytical solution that could be used for prediction of the mechanical properties of cellular structures made of the diamond lattice unit cells. In this paper, we present new analytical solutions and closed-form relationships for predicting the elastic modulus, Poisson׳s ratio, critical buckling load, and yield (plateau) stress of cellular structures made of the diamond lattice unit cell. The mechanical properties predicted using the analytical solutions are compared with those obtained using finite element models. A number of solid and porous titanium (Ti6Al4V) specimens were manufactured using selective laser melting. A series of experiments were then performed to determine the mechanical properties of the matrix material and cellular structures. The experimentally measured mechanical properties were compared with those obtained using analytical solutions and finite element (FE) models. It has been shown that, for small apparent density values, the mechanical properties obtained using analytical and numerical solutions are in agreement with each other and with experimental observations. The properties estimated using an analytical solution based on the Euler-Bernoulli theory markedly deviated from experimental results for large apparent density values. The mechanical properties estimated using FE models and another analytical solution based on the Timoshenko beam theory better matched the experimental observations. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Study of nanometer-level precise phase-shift system used in electronic speckle shearography and phase-shift pattern interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jing, Chao; Liu, Zhongling; Zhou, Ge; Zhang, Yimo

2011-11-01

The nanometer-level precise phase-shift system is designed to realize the phase-shift interferometry in electronic speckle shearography pattern interferometry. The PZT is used as driving component of phase-shift system and translation component of flexure hinge is developed to realize micro displacement of non-friction and non-clearance. Closed-loop control system is designed for high-precision micro displacement, in which embedded digital control system is developed for completing control algorithm and capacitive sensor is used as feedback part for measuring micro displacement in real time. Dynamic model and control model of the nanometer-level precise phase-shift system is analyzed, and high-precision micro displacement is realized with digital PID control algorithm on this basis. It is proved with experiments that the location precision of the precise phase-shift system to step signal of displacement is less than 2nm and the location precision to continuous signal of displacement is less than 5nm, which is satisfied with the request of the electronic speckle shearography and phase-shift pattern interferometry. The stripe images of four-step phase-shift interferometry and the final phase distributed image correlated with distortion of objects are listed in this paper to prove the validity of nanometer-level precise phase-shift system.

Characterization of synthetic nanocrystalline mackinawite: crystal structure, particle size, and specific surface area

PubMed Central

Jeong, Hoon Y.; Lee, Jun H.; Hayes, Kim F.

2010-01-01

Iron sulfide was synthesized by reacting aqueous solutions of sodium sulfide and ferrous chloride for 3 days. By X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), the resultant phase was determined to be primarily nanocrystalline mackinawite (space group: P4/nmm) with unit cell parameters a = b = 3.67 Å and c = 5.20 Å. Iron K-edge XAS analysis also indicated the dominance of mackinawite. Lattice expansion of synthetic mackinawite was observed along the c-axis relative to well-crystalline mackinawite. Compared with relatively short-aged phase, the mackinawite prepared here was composed of larger crystallites with less elongated lattice spacings. The direct observation of lattice fringes by HR-TEM verified the applicability of Bragg diffraction in determining the lattice parameters of nanocrystalline mackinawite from XRPD patterns. Estimated particle size and external specific surface area (SSAext) of nanocrystalline mackinawite varied significantly with the methods used. The use of Scherrer equation for measuring crystallite size based on XRPD patterns is limited by uncertainty of the Scherrer constant (K) due to the presence of polydisperse particles. The presence of polycrystalline particles may also lead to inaccurate particle size estimation by Scherrer equation, given that crystallite and particle sizes are not equivalent. The TEM observation yielded the smallest SSAext of 103 m2/g. This measurement was not representative of dispersed particles due to particle aggregation from drying during sample preparation. In contrast, EGME method and PCS measurement yielded higher SSAext (276–345 m2/g by EGME and 424 ± 130 m2/g by PCS). These were in reasonable agreement with those previously measured by the methods insensitive to particle aggregation. PMID:21085620

Diffusion-driven self-assembly of rodlike particles: Monte Carlo simulation on a square lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lebovka, Nikolai I.; Tarasevich, Yuri Yu.; Gigiberiya, Volodymyr A.; Vygornitskii, Nikolai V.

2017-05-01

The diffusion-driven self-assembly of rodlike particles was studied by means of Monte Carlo simulation. The rods were represented as linear k -mers (i.e., particles occupying k adjacent sites). In the initial state, they were deposited onto a two-dimensional square lattice of size L ×L up to the jamming concentration using a random sequential adsorption algorithm. The size of the lattice, L , was varied from 128 to 2048, and periodic boundary conditions were applied along both x and y axes, while the length of the k -mers (determining the aspect ratio) was varied from 2 to 12. The k -mers oriented along the x and y directions (kx-mers and ky-mers, respectively) were deposited equiprobably. In the course of the simulation, the numbers of intraspecific and interspecific contacts between the same sort and between different sorts of k -mers, respectively, were calculated. Both the shift ratio of the actual number of shifts along the longitudinal or transverse axes of the k -mers and the electrical conductivity of the system were also examined. For the initial random configuration, quite different self-organization behavior was observed for short and long k -mers. For long k -mers (k ≥6 ), three main stages of diffusion-driven spatial segregation (self-assembly) were identified: the initial stage, reflecting destruction of the jamming state; the intermediate stage, reflecting continuous cluster coarsening and labyrinth pattern formation; and the final stage, reflecting the formation of diagonal stripe domains. Additional examination of two artificially constructed initial configurations showed that this pattern of diagonal stripe domains is an attractor, i.e., any spatial distribution of k -mers tends to transform into diagonal stripes. Nevertheless, the time for relaxation to the steady state essentially increases as the lattice size growth.

Size-dependent magnetic properties of FeGaB/Al2O3 multilayer micro-islands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, X.; Gao, Y.; Chen, H.; Chen, Y.; Liang, X.; Lin, W.; Sun, N. X.

2018-06-01

Recently, micrometer-size patterned magnetic materials have been widely used in MEMS devices. However, the self-demagnetizing action is significantly influencing the performance of the magnetic materials in many MEMS devices. Here, we report an experimental study on the magnetic properties of the patterned micro-scale FeGaB/Al2O3 multilayers. Ferromagnetic hysteresis loop, ferromagnetic resonance (FMR), permeability and domain behavior have been demonstrated by complementary techniques. Magnetic annealing was used to enhance the performance of magnetic multilayers. The comparisons among micro-islands with different sizes in the range of 200 μm ∼ 500 μm as well as full film show a marked influence of size-effect, the exchange coupling effect, and the different domain structures inside the islands.

Topology for Dominance for Network of Multi-Agent System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szeto, K. Y.

2007-05-01

The resource allocation problem in evolving two-dimensional point patterns is investigated for the existence of good strategies for the construction of initial configuration that leads to fast dominance of the pattern by one single species, which can be interpreted as market dominance by a company in the context of multi-agent systems in econophysics. For hexagonal lattice, certain special topological arrangements of the resource in two-dimensions, such as rings, lines and clusters have higher probability of dominance, compared to random pattern. For more complex networks, a systematic way to search for a stable and dominant strategy of resource allocation in the changing environment is found by means of genetic algorithm. Five typical features can be summarized by means of the distribution function for the local neighborhood of friends and enemies as well as the local clustering coefficients: (1) The winner has more triangles than the loser has. (2) The winner likes to form clusters as the winner tends to connect with other winner rather than with losers; while the loser tends to connect with winners rather than losers. (3) The distribution function of friends as well as enemies for the winner is broader than the corresponding distribution function for the loser. (4) The connectivity at which the peak of the distribution of friends for the winner occurs is larger than that of the loser; while the peak values for friends for winners is lower. (5) The connectivity at which the peak of the distribution of enemies for the winner occurs is smaller than that of the loser; while the peak values for enemies for winners is lower. These five features appear to be general, at least in the context of two-dimensional hexagonal lattices of various sizes, hierarchical lattice, Voronoi diagrams, as well as high-dimensional random networks. These general local topological properties of networks are relevant to strategists aiming at dominance in evolving patterns when the interaction between the agents is local.

Comparative MicroRNA Expression Patterns in Fibroblasts after Low and High Doses of Low-LET Radiation Exposure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maes, Olivier C.; Xu, Suying; Hada, Megumi; Wu, Honglu; Wang, Eugenia

2007-01-01

Exposure to ionizing radiation causes DNA damage to cells, and provokes a plethora of cellular responses controlled by unique gene-directed signaling pathways. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (22-nucleotide), non-coding RNAs which functionally silence gene expression by either degrading the messages or inhibiting translation. Here we investigate radiation-dependent changes in these negative regulators by comparing the expression patterns of all 462 known human miRNAs in fibroblasts, after exposure to low (0.1 Gy) or high (2 Gy) doses of X-rays at 30 min, 2, 6 and 24 hrs post-treatment. The expression patterns of microRNAs after low and high doses of radiation show a similar qualitative down-regulation trend at early (0.5 hr) and late (24 hr) time points, with a quantitatively steeper slope following the 2 Gy exposures. Interestingly, an interruption of this downward trend is observed after the 2 Gy exposure, i.e. a significant up-regulation of microRNAs at 2 hrs, then reverting to the downward trend by 6 hrs; this interruption at the intermediate time point was not observed with the 0.1 Gy exposure. At the early time point (0.5 hr), candidate gene targets of selected down-regulated microRNAs, common to both 0.1 and 2 Gy exposures, were those functioning in chromatin remodeling. Candidate target genes of unique up-regulated microRNAs seen at a 2 hr intermediate time point, after the 2 Gy exposure only, are those involved in cell death signaling. Finally, putative target genes of down-regulated microRNAs seen at the late (24 hr) time point after either doses of radiation are those involved in the up-regulation of DNA repair, cell signaling and homeostasis. Thus we hypothesize that after radiation exposure, microRNAs acting as hub negative regulators for unique signaling pathways needed to be down-regulated so as to de-repress their target genes for the proper cellular responses, including DNA repair and cell maintenance. The unique microRNAs up-regulated at 2 hr after 2 Gy suggest the cellular response to functionally suppress the apoptotic death signaling reflex after exposure to high dose radiation. Further analyses with transcriptome and global proteomic profiling will validate the reciprocal expression of signature microRNAs selected in our radiation-exposed cells, and their candidate target gene families, and test our hypothesis that unique radiation-specific microRNAs are keys in governing signaling responses for damage control of this environmental hazard.

Micro-optic lens for data storage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Milster, T. D.; Trusty, R. M.; Wang, M. S.; Froehlich, F. F.; Erwin, J. Kevin

1991-01-01

A new type of microlens for data storage applications that has improved off-axis performance is described. The lens consists of a micro Fresnel pattern on a curved substrate. The radius of the substrate is equal to the focal length of the lens. If the pattern and substrate are thin, the combination satisfies the Abbe sine condition. Therefore, the lens is free of coma. We analyze a 0.5 numerical aperture, 0.50 mm focal length lens in detail. A 0.16 numerical aperture lens was fabricated holographically, and results are presented.

The fabrication and hydrophobic property of micro-nano patterned surface on magnesium alloy using combined sparking sculpture and etching route

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yunfeng; Wang, Yaming; Liu, Hao; Liu, Yan; Guo, Lixin; Jia, Dechang; Ouyang, Jiahu; Zhou, Yu

2016-12-01

Magnesium alloy with micro-nano structure roughness surface, can serve as the loading reservoirs of medicine capsule and industrial lubricating oil, or mimic 'lotus leaf' hydrophobic surface, having the potential applications in medical implants, automobile, aerospace and electronic products, etc. Herein, we propose a novel strategy to design a micro-nano structure roughness surface on magnesium alloy using combined microarc sparking sculpture and etching in CrO3 aqueous solution. A hydrophobic surface (as an applied example) was further fabricated by chemical decorating on the obtained patterned magnesium alloy surface to enhance the corrosion resistance. The results show that the combined micro-nano structure of 7-9 μm diameter big pores insetting with nano-scale fine pores was duplicated after etched the sparking sculptured 'over growth' oxide regions towards the magnesium substrate. The micro-nano structure surface was chemically decorated using AgNO3 and stearic acid, which enables the contact angle increased from 60° to 146.8°. The increasing contact angle is mainly attributed to the micro-nano structure and the chemical composition. The hydrophobic surface of magnesium alloy improved the corrosion potential from -1.521 V of the bare magnesium to -1.274 V. Generally, the sparking sculpture and then etching route demonstrates a low-cost, high-efficacy method to fabricate a micro-nano structure hydrophobic surface on magnesium alloy. Furthermore, our research on the creating of micro-nano structure roughness surface and the hydrophobic treatment can be easily extended to the other metal materials.

MicroRNA Profile in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: Analysis of miR-9-5p and miR-598 in Raw and Exosome Enriched Cerebrospinal Fluid Samples.

PubMed

Riancho, Javier; Vázquez-Higuera, José Luis; Pozueta, Ana; Lage, Carmen; Kazimierczak, Martha; Bravo, María; Calero, Miguel; Gonalezález, Andrea; Rodríguez, Eloy; Lleó, Alberto; Sánchez-Juan, Pascual

2017-01-01

MicroRNAs have been postulated as potential biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Exosomes are nanovesicles which transport microRNAs, proteins, and other cargos. It has been hypothesized that the exosome traffic might be increased in neurodegenerative disorders. i) To assess the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) microRNA profile in a group of AD patients and control subjects and to validate a group of microRNAs previously reported by other authors. ii) To compare microRNA levels in whole CSF and in the exosome-enriched fraction in AD patients. A panel of 760 microRNAs was analyzed in the CSF of 10 AD patients and 10 healthy subjects. Among microRNAs differently expressed, we selected those that had been previously reported by other authors. Candidates were validated in a larger group by individual qPCR assays. MicroRNA expression was also evaluated in exosome-enriched CSF samples of patients with AD and controls. Fifteen microRNAs were differently expressed in AD. MiR-9-5p, miR-134, and miR-598 were selected as candidates for further analysis. MiR-9-5p and miR-598 were detected in 50 and 75% of control CSF samples, respectively, while they were not detected in any AD CSF samples. We observed an opposite pattern when we evaluated the microRNA expression in the exosome-enriched CSF AD samples. No pattern variations were noted among healthy subjects. These data propose miR-9-5p and miR-598 as potential biomarkers for AD. Further studies in plasma and other body fluids will confirm their potential role as easily accessible biomarkers. In addition, our data suggest that exosome trafficking is different between AD and control subjects raising the need to take this phenomenon into consideration in future studies of AD biomarkers.

Quasi-random array imaging collimator

DOEpatents

Fenimore, E.E.

1980-08-20

A hexagonally shaped quasi-random no-two-holes-touching imaging collimator. The quasi-random array imaging collimator eliminates contamination from small angle off-axis rays by using a no-two-holes-touching pattern which simultaneously provides for a self-supporting array increasing throughput by elimination of a substrate. The present invention also provides maximum throughput using hexagonally shaped holes in a hexagonal lattice pattern for diffraction limited applications. Mosaicking is also disclosed for reducing fabrication effort.

Random array grid collimator

DOEpatents

Fenimore, E.E.

1980-08-22

A hexagonally shaped quasi-random no-two-holes touching grid collimator. The quasi-random array grid collimator eliminates contamination from small angle off-axis rays by using a no-two-holes-touching pattern which simultaneously provides for a self-supporting array increasng throughput by elimination of a substrate. The presentation invention also provides maximum throughput using hexagonally shaped holes in a hexagonal lattice pattern for diffraction limited applications. Mosaicking is also disclosed for reducing fabrication effort.

Protein and cell micropatterning and its integration with micro/nanoparticles assembly.

PubMed

Yap, F L; Zhang, Y

2007-01-15

Micropatterning of proteins and cells has become very popular over the past decade due to its importance in the development of biosensors, microarrays, tissue engineering and cellular studies. This article reviews the techniques developed for protein and cell micropatterning and its biomedical applications. The prospect of integrating micro and nanoparticles with protein and cell micropatterning is discussed. The micro/nanoparticles are assembled into patterns and form the substrate for proteins and cell attachment. The assembled particles create a micro or nanotopography, depending on the size of the particles employed. The nonplanar structure can increase the surface area for biomolecules attachment and therefore enhance the sensitivity for detection in biosensors. Furthermore, a nanostructured substrate can influence the conformation and functionality of protein attached to it, while cellular response in terms of morphology, adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, etc. can be affected by a surface expressing micro or nanoscale structures. Proteins and cells tend to lose their normal functions upon attachment to substrate. By recognizing the types of topography that are favourable for preserving proteins and cell behaviour, and integrating it with micropattering will lead to the development of functional protein and cell patterns.

Differential MicroRNA Profiles of Spontaneous and Induced Hepatocellular Carcinomas in Male B6C3F1 Mice.

EPA Science Inventory

Epigenetic processes have key roles in regulating transcriptional patterns and cellular functions related to chemical carcinogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are attractive epigenetic biomarkers given their mechanistic roles in tumorigenesis, tissue-specificity, and small size, whi...

Advances in modelling of biomimetic fluid flow at different scales

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

The biomimetic flow at different scales has been discussed at length. The need of looking into the biological surfaces and morphologies and both geometrical and physical similarities to imitate the technological products and processes has been emphasized. The complex fluid flow and heat transfer problems, the fluid-interface and the physics involved at multiscale and macro-, meso-, micro- and nano-scales have been discussed. The flow and heat transfer simulation is done by various CFD solvers including Navier-Stokes and energy equations, lattice Boltzmann method and molecular dynamics method. Combined continuum-molecular dynamics method is also reviewed. PMID:21711847

Characterization of CuCl quantum dots grown in NaCl single crystals via optical measurements, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyajima, Kensuke; Akatsu, Tatsuro; Itoh, Ken

2018-05-01

We evaluated the crystal size, shape, and alignment of the lattice planes of CuCl quantum dots (QDs) embedded in NaCl single crystals by optical measurements, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We obtained, for the first time, an XRD pattern and TEM images for CuCl QDs in NaCl crystals. The XRD pattern showed that the lattice planes of the CuCl QDs were parallel to those of the NaCl crystals. In addition, the size of the QDs was estimated from the diffraction width. It was apparent from the TEM images that almost all CuCl QDs were polygonal, although some cubic QDs were present. The mean size and size distribution of the QDs were also obtained. The dot size obtained from optical measurements, XRD, and TEM image were almost consistent. Our new findings can help to reveal the growth mechanism of semiconductor QDs embedded in a crystallite matrix. In addition, this work will play an important role in progressing the study of optical phenomena originating from assembled semiconductor QDs.

[Distribution pattern of meso-micro soil fauna in Eucalyptus grandis plantation].

PubMed

Huang, Yumei; Zhang, Jian; Yang, Wanqin

2006-12-01

In this paper, meso-micro soil fauna were extracted and collected by Baermann's and Tullgren' s method, and their distribution pattern in the Eucalyptus grandis plantation of Hongya County, Sichuan Province was studied. A total of 13 550 specimens were collected, belonging to 6 phyla, 13 classes, and 26 orders. Acarina, Nematoda, Collembola were the dominant groups, and Enchytraeidae was the frequent one. The group and individual numbers of meso-micro soil fauna varied with seasons, being the maximum in autumn or winter, fewer in summer, and the minimum in spring. The density of meso-micro soil fauna in soil profile decreased rapidly with increasing soil depth, but a converse distribution was observed from time to time in 5 - 10 cm and 10 - 15 cm soil layers. The meso-micro soil fauna collected by Baermann's and Tullgren's method had a density of 3. 333 x 10(3) - 2. 533 x 10(5) ind x m(-2) and 1.670 x 10(2) - 2.393 x 10(5) ind x m(-2), respectively, and the decreasing rate of the density with the increase of soil depth was higher for those collected by Tullgren's method. The density-group index of meso-micro soil fauna in the E. grandis plantation was the lowest in spring, but the highest in autumn or summer. There were no significant differences in the density of meso-micro soil fauna and in the density-group index between E. grandis plantation and Quercus acutissima secondary forest.

Diffractive elements for generating microscale laser beam patterns: a Y2K problem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teiwes, Stephan; Krueger, Sven; Wernicke, Guenther K.; Ferstl, Margit

2000-03-01

Lasers are widely used in industrial fabrication for engraving, cutting and many other purposes. However, material processing at very small scales is still a matter of concern. Advances in diffractive optics could provide for laser systems that could be used for engraving or cutting of micro-scale patterns at high speeds. In our paper we focus on the design of diffractive elements which can be used for this special application. It is a common desire in material processing to apply 'discrete' as well as 'continuous' beam patterns. Especially, the latter case is difficult to handle as typical micro-scale patterns are characterized by bad band-limitation properties, and as speckles can easily occur in beam patterns. It is shown in this paper that a standard iterative design method usually fails to obtain diffractive elements that generate diffraction patterns with acceptable quality. Insights gained from an analysis of the design problems are used to optimize the iterative design method. We demonstrate applicability and success of our approach by the design of diffractive phase elements that generate a discrete and a continuous 'Y2K' pattern.

Optimal eye movement strategies: a comparison of neurosurgeons gaze patterns when using a surgical microscope.

PubMed

Eivazi, Shahram; Hafez, Ahmad; Fuhl, Wolfgang; Afkari, Hoorieh; Kasneci, Enkelejda; Lehecka, Martin; Bednarik, Roman

2017-06-01

Previous studies have consistently demonstrated gaze behaviour differences related to expertise during various surgical procedures. In micro-neurosurgery, however, there is a lack of evidence of empirically demonstrated individual differences associated with visual attention. It is unknown exactly how neurosurgeons see a stereoscopic magnified view in the context of micro-neurosurgery and what this implies for medical training. We report on an investigation of the eye movement patterns in micro-neurosurgery using a state-of-the-art eye tracker. We studied the eye movements of nine neurosurgeons while performing cutting and suturing tasks under a surgical microscope. Eye-movement characteristics, such as fixation (focus level) and saccade (visual search pattern), were analysed. The results show a strong relationship between the level of microsurgical skill and the gaze pattern, whereas more expertise is associated with greater eye control, stability, and focusing in eye behaviour. For example, in the cutting task, well-trained surgeons increased their fixation durations on the operating field twice as much as the novices (expert, 848 ms; novice, 402 ms). Maintaining steady visual attention on the target (fixation), as well as being able to quickly make eye jumps from one target to another (saccades) are two important elements for the success of neurosurgery. The captured gaze patterns can be used to improve medical education, as part of an assessment system or in a gaze-training application.

X-ray line profile analysis of BaTiO3 thin film prepared by sol-gel deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ooi, Zeen Vee; Saif, Ala'eddin A.; Wahab, Yufridin; Jamal, Zul Azhar Zahid

2017-04-01

Barium titanate (BaTiO3) thin film was prepared using sol-gel method and spun-coated on SiO2/Si substrate. The phase and crystallinity of the synthesized film were identified using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), which scanned at the range of 20° to 60°. The phase and lattice parameters of the fabricated film were extracted from the recorded XRD patterns using lattice geometry equations. The crystallite size and lattice strain were determined using X-ray line profile analysis (XLPA) with various approaches. The Scherrer equation was applied to the perovskite peaks of the film to explore the size contribution on the peak broadening. Meanwhile, the Williamson-Hall and size-strain plot (SSP) methods were used to review two main independent contributions, i.e. crystallite sizes and lattice strain, on the X-ray line broadening. From the analysis, it is found that Scherrer method gives smallest crystallite size value by ignoring the strain-induced broadening effect. On the other hand, Williamson-Hall and SSP graphs revealed the existence of the lattice strain within the film, which contributes to the broadening in the Bragg peak. The results that analyzed via both techniques show a linear trend with all data points fitted. However, result obtained from SSP method gives better settlement due to the best fit of the data.

Recall of patterns using binary and gray-scale autoassociative morphological memories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sussner, Peter

2005-08-01

Morphological associative memories (MAM's) belong to a class of artificial neural networks that perform the operations erosion or dilation of mathematical morphology at each node. Therefore we speak of morphological neural networks. Alternatively, the total input effect on a morphological neuron can be expressed in terms of lattice induced matrix operations in the mathematical theory of minimax algebra. Neural models of associative memories are usually concerned with the storage and the retrieval of binary or bipolar patterns. Thus far, the emphasis in research on morphological associative memory systems has been on binary models, although a number of notable features of autoassociative morphological memories (AMM's) such as optimal absolute storage capacity and one-step convergence have been shown to hold in the general, gray-scale setting. In previous papers, we gained valuable insight into the storage and recall phases of AMM's by analyzing their fixed points and basins of attraction. We have shown in particular that the fixed points of binary AMM's correspond to the lattice polynomials in the original patterns. This paper extends these results in the following ways. In the first place, we provide an exact characterization of the fixed points of gray-scale AMM's in terms of combinations of the original patterns. Secondly, we present an exact expression for the fixed point attractor that represents the output of either a binary or a gray-scale AMM upon presentation of a certain input. The results of this paper are confirmed in several experiments using binary patterns and gray-scale images.

Orthorhombic Zr2Co11 phase revisited

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

Li, X. -Z.; Zhang, W. Y.; Sellmyer, D. J.

2014-10-01

The structure of the orthorhombic Zr2Co11 phase was revisited in the present work. Selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) and high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) techniques were used to investigate the structure. They show the orthorhombic Zr2Co11 phase has a 1-D incommensurate modulated structure. The structure can be approximately described as a B-centered orthorhombic lattice. The lattice parameters of the orthorhombic Zr2Co11 phase have been determined by a tilt series of SAED patterns. A hexagonal network with a modulation wave has been observed in the HREM image and the hexagonal motif is considered as the basic structural unit.

Biologic and Computational Modeling of Mammographic Density and Stromal Patterning

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-07-01

Moderate Mild Micro- nucleoli Rare 2 Clustering Moderate Few Moderate Micro- nucleoli Occasional 3 Loss cohesion Conspicuous Absent Frequent Macro... nucleoli Frequent 4 M asood scores: 6-10 Normal; 11-13 Hyperplasia; 14-15 Atypia; 16-17 High-grade atypia; >17 Suspicious for cancer. 4 We

Self-Assembly of Coherently Dynamic, Auxetic Two-Dimensional Protein Crystals

PubMed Central

Suzuki, Yuta; Cardone, Giovanni; Restrepo, David; Zavattieri, Pablo D.; Baker, Timothy S.; Tezcan, F. Akif

2016-01-01

Two-dimensional (2D) crystalline materials possess unique structural, mechanical, and electronic properties1,2, which have rendered them highly attractive in many applications3-5. Although there have been advances in preparing 2D materials that consist of one or few atomic/molecular layers6,7, bottom-up assembly of 2D crystalline materials remains a considerable challenge and an active area of development8-10. Even more challenging is the design of dynamic 2D lattices that can undergo large-scale motions without loss of crystallinity. Dynamicity in porous 3D crystalline solids has been exploited for stimuli-responsive functions and adaptive behavior11-13. As in the case of such 3D materials, integrating flexibility/adaptiveness into crystalline 2D lattices would greatly broaden the functional scope of 2D materials. Here we report the self-assembly of unsupported, 2D protein lattices with precise spatial arrangements and patterns through a readily accessible design strategy. Three single- or double-point mutants of the C4 symmetric protein RhuA were designed to assemble via different modes of intermolecular interactions (single disulfide, double disulfide and metal coordination) into crystalline 2D arrays. Owing to the flexibility of the single disulfide interactions, the lattices of one of the variants (C98RhuA) are essentially defect-free and undergo substantial but fully correlated changes in molecular arrangement, giving coherently dynamic 2D molecular lattices. Notably, C98RhuA lattices possess a Poisson's ratio of −1, the lowest thermodynamically possible value for an isotropic material. PMID:27135928

Business Pattern of Distributed Energy in Electric Power System Reformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, YUE; Zhuochu, LIU; Jun, LI; Siwei, LI

2017-05-01

Under the trend of the electric power system revolution, the operation mode of micro power grid that including distributed power will be more diversified. User’s demand response and different strategies on electricity all have great influence on the operation of distributed power grid. This paper will not only research sensitive factors of micro power grid operation, but also analyze and calculate the cost and benefit of micro power grid operation upon different types. Then it will build a tech-economic calculation model, which applies to different types of micro power grid under the reformation of electric power system.

Numerical studies of temperature effect on the extrusion fracture and swell of plastic micro-pipe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Zhong; Huang, Xingyuan; Xiong, Zhihua

2018-03-01

Temperature is a key factor that impacts extrusion forming quality of plastic micro-pipe. In this study, the effect of temperature on extrusion fracture and swell of plastic micro-pipe was investigated by numerical method. Under a certain of the melt’s flow volume, the extrusion pattern, extrusion swelling ratio of melt are obtained under different temperatures. Results show that the extrusion swelling ratio of plastic micro-pipe decreases with increasing of temperature. In order to study the reason of temperature effect, the physical distributions of plastic micro-pipe are gotten. Numerical results show that the viscosity, pressure, stress value of melt are all decreased with the increasing of temperature, which leads to decrease the extrusion swell and fracture phenomenon for the plastic micro-pipe.

Weakly coupled map lattice models for multicellular patterning and collective normalization of abnormal single-cell states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

García-Morales, Vladimir; Manzanares, José A.; Mafe, Salvador

2017-04-01

We present a weakly coupled map lattice model for patterning that explores the effects exerted by weakening the local dynamic rules on model biological and artificial networks composed of two-state building blocks (cells). To this end, we use two cellular automata models based on (i) a smooth majority rule (model I) and (ii) a set of rules similar to those of Conway's Game of Life (model II). The normal and abnormal cell states evolve according to local rules that are modulated by a parameter κ . This parameter quantifies the effective weakening of the prescribed rules due to the limited coupling of each cell to its neighborhood and can be experimentally controlled by appropriate external agents. The emergent spatiotemporal maps of single-cell states should be of significance for positional information processes as well as for intercellular communication in tumorigenesis, where the collective normalization of abnormal single-cell states by a predominantly normal neighborhood may be crucial.

Adsorbate-induced lattice deformation in IRMOF-74 series

DOE PAGES

Jawahery, Sudi; Simon, Cory M.; Braun, Efrem; ...

2017-01-09

Here, IRMOF-74 analogues are among the most widely studied metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for adsorption applications because of their one-dimensional channels and high metal density. Most studies involving the IRMOF-74 series assume that the crystal lattice is rigid. This assumption guides the interpretation of experimental data, as changes in the crystal symmetry have so far been ignored as a possibility in the literature. Here, we report a deformation pattern, induced by the adsorption of argon, for IRMOF-74-V. This work has two main implications. First, we use molecular simulations to demonstrate that the IRMOF-74 series undergoes a deformation that is similar tomore » the mechanism behind breathing MOFs, but is unique because the deformation pattern extends beyond a single unit cell of the original structure. Second, we provide an alternative interpretation of experimental small-angle X-ray scattering profiles of these systems, which changes how we view the fundamentals of adsorption in this MOF series.« less

Directed Assembly of Molecules on Graphene/Ru(0001)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, L. Z.; Zhang, H. G.; Sun, J. T.; Pan, Y.; Liu, Q.; Mao, J. H.; Zhou, H. T.; Low, T.; Guo, H. M.; Du, S. X.; Gao, H.-J.

2012-02-01

Recently, the graphene monolayers have been seen to adopt a superstructure - moir'e pattern - on Ru(0001). By using low temperature scanning tunneling spectroscopy, we identified the laterally localized electronic states on this system. The individual states are separated by 3 nm and comprise regions of about 90 carbon atoms. This constitutes a highly regular quantum dot-array with molecular precision. It is evidenced by quantum well resonances with energies that relate to the corrugation of the graphene layer. By using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy, we demonstrate the selective adsorption and formation of ordered molecular arrays of FePc and pentacene molecules on the graphene/Ru(0001) templates. With in-depth investigations of the molecular adsorption and assembly processes we reveal the existence lateral electric dipoles in the epitaxial graphene monolayers and the capability of the dipoles in directing and driving the molecular adsorption and assembly. When increasing the molecular coverage, we observed the formation of regular Kagome lattices that duplicate the lattice of the moir'e pattern of monolayer graphene.