Magnetic interactions in anisotropic Nd-Dy-Fe-Co-B/α-Fe multilayer magnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dai, Z. M.; Liu, W.; Zhao, X. T.; Han, Z.; Kim, D.; Choi, C. J.; Zhang, Z. D.

2016-10-01

The magnetic properties and the possible interaction mechanisms of anisotropic soft- and hard-magnetic multilayers have been investigated by altering the thickness of different kinds of spacer layers. The metal Ta and the insulating oxides MgO, Cr2O3 have been chosen as spacer layers to investigate the characteristics of the interactions between soft- and hard-magnetic layers in the anisotropic Nd-Dy-Fe-Co-B/α-Fe multilayer system. The dipolar and exchange interaction between hard and soft phases are evaluated with the help of the first order reversal curve method. The onset of the nucleation field and the magnetization reversal by domain wall movement are also evident from the first-order-reversal-curve measurements. Reversible/irreversible distributions reveal the natures of the soft- and hard-magnetic components. Incoherent switching fields are observed and the calculations show the semiquantitative contributions of hard and soft components to the system. An antiferromagnetic spacer layer will weaken the interaction between ferromagnetic layers and the effective interaction length decreases. As a consequence, the dipolar magnetostatic interaction may play an important role in the long-range interaction in anisotropic multilayer magnets.

Soft lubrication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skotheim, Jan; Mahadevan, Laksminarayanan

2004-11-01

We study the lubrication of fluid-immersed soft interfaces and show that elastic deformation couples tangential and normal forces and thus generates lift. We consider materials that deform easily, due to either geometry (e.g a shell) or constitutive properties (e.g. a gel or a rubber), so that the effects of pressure and temperature on the fluid properties may be neglected. Four different system geometries are considered: a rigid cylinder moving tangentially to a soft layer coating a rigid substrate; a soft cylinder moving tangentially to a rigid substrate; a cylindrical shell moving tangentially to a rigid substrate; and finally a journal bearing coated with a thin soft layer, which being a conforming contact allows us to gauge the influence of contact geometry. In addition, for the particular case of a soft layer coating a rigid substrate we consider both elastic and poroelastic material responses. Finally, we consider the role of contact geometry in the context of the journal bearing, a conforming contact. For all these cases we find the same generic behavior: there is an optimal combination of geometric and material parameters that maximizes the dimensionless normal force as a function of the softness.

Study on the Impact Resistance of Bionic Layered Composite of TiC-TiB2/Al from Al-Ti-B4C System

PubMed Central

Zhao, Qian; Liang, Yunhong; Zhang, Zhihui; Li, Xiujuan; Ren, Luquan

2016-01-01

Mechanical property and impact resistance mechanism of bionic layered composite was investigated. Due to light weight and high strength property, white clam shell was chosen as bionic model for design of bionic layered composite. The intercoupling model between hard layer and soft layer was identical to the layered microstructure and hardness tendency of the white clam shell, which connected the bionic design and fabrication. TiC-TiB2 reinforced Al matrix composites fabricated from Al-Ti-B4C system with 40 wt. %, 50 wt. % and 30 wt. % Al contents were treated as an outer layer, middle layer and inner layer in hard layers. Pure Al matrix was regarded as a soft layer. Compared with traditional homogenous Al-Ti-B4C composite, bionic layered composite exhibited high mechanical properties including flexural strength, fracture toughness, compressive strength and impact toughness. The intercoupling effect of layered structure and combination model of hard and soft played a key role in high impact resistance of the bionic layered composite, proving the feasibility and practicability of the bionic model of a white clam shell. PMID:28773827

Atomic-layer soft plasma etching of MoS2

PubMed Central

Xiao, Shaoqing; Xiao, Peng; Zhang, Xuecheng; Yan, Dawei; Gu, Xiaofeng; Qin, Fang; Ni, Zhenhua; Han, Zhao Jun; Ostrikov, Kostya (Ken)

2016-01-01

Transition from multi-layer to monolayer and sub-monolayer thickness leads to the many exotic properties and distinctive applications of two-dimensional (2D) MoS2. This transition requires atomic-layer-precision thinning of bulk MoS2 without damaging the remaining layers, which presently remains elusive. Here we report a soft, selective and high-throughput atomic-layer-precision etching of MoS2 in SF6 + N2 plasmas with low-energy (<0.4 eV) electrons and minimized ion-bombardment-related damage. Equal numbers of MoS2 layers are removed uniformly across domains with vastly different initial thickness, without affecting the underlying SiO2 substrate and the remaining MoS2 layers. The etching rates can be tuned to achieve complete MoS2 removal and any desired number of MoS2 layers including monolayer. Layer-dependent vibrational and photoluminescence spectra of the etched MoS2 are also demonstrated. This soft plasma etching technique is versatile, scalable, compatible with the semiconductor manufacturing processes, and may be applicable for a broader range of 2D materials and intended device applications. PMID:26813335

Soft lubrication: The elastohydrodynamics of nonconforming and conforming contacts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skotheim, J. M.; Mahadevan, L.

2005-09-01

We study the lubrication of fluid-immersed soft interfaces and show that elastic deformation couples tangential and normal forces and thus generates lift. We consider materials that deform easily, due to either geometry (e.g., a shell) or constitutive properties (e.g., a gel or a rubber), so that the effects of pressure and temperature on the fluid properties may be neglected. Four different system geometries are considered: a rigid cylinder moving parallel to a soft layer coating a rigid substrate; a soft cylinder moving parallel to a rigid substrate; a cylindrical shell moving parallel to a rigid substrate; and finally a cylindrical conforming journal bearing coated with a thin soft layer. In addition, for the particular case of a soft layer coating a rigid substrate, we consider both elastic and poroelastic material responses. For all these cases, we find the same generic behavior: there is an optimal combination of geometric and material parameters that maximizes the dimensionless normal force as a function of the softness parameter η =hydrodynamicpressure/elasticstiffness=surfacedeflection/gapthickness, which characterizes the fluid-induced deformation of the interface. The corresponding cases for a spherical slider are treated using scaling concepts.

HIFiRE-5 Boundary Layer Transition and HIFiRE-1 Shock Boundary Layer Interaction

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-01

pressure calcium-fluoride window and a new wind tunnel model consisting of a steel forebody and a PEEK plastic shell. This model contained a large...wind tunnel data. These models were then applied to the supersonic 2 Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. ascent phase of the...the tuned RANS models predicted upstream influence well. These results lend confidence to the approach of calibrating RANS models with wind tunnel

In situ evaluation of density, viscosity, and thickness of adsorbed soft layers by combined surface acoustic wave and surface plasmon resonance.

PubMed

Francis, Laurent A; Friedt, Jean-Michel; Zhou, Cheng; Bertrand, Patrick

2006-06-15

We show the theoretical and experimental combination of acoustic and optical methods for the in situ quantitative evaluation of the density, the viscosity, and the thickness of soft layers adsorbed on chemically tailored metal surfaces. For the highest sensitivity and an operation in liquids, a Love mode surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor with a hydrophobized gold-coated sensing area is the acoustic method, while surface plasmon resonance (SPR) on the same gold surface as the optical method is monitored simultaneously in a single setup for the real-time and label-free measurement of the parameters of adsorbed soft layers, which means for layers with a predominant viscous behavior. A general mathematical modeling in equivalent viscoelastic transmission lines is presented to determine the correlation between experimental SAW signal shifts and the waveguide structure including the presence of the adsorbed layer and the supporting liquid from which it segregates. A methodology is presented to identify from SAW and SPR simulations the parameters representatives of the soft layer. During the absorption of a soft layer, thickness or viscosity changes are observed in the experimental ratio of the SAW signal attenuation to the SAW signal phase and are correlated with the theoretical model. As application example, the simulation method is applied to study the thermal behavior of physisorbed PNIPAAm, a polymer whose conformation is sensitive to temperature, under a cycling variation of temperature between 20 and 40 degrees C. Under the assumption of the bulk density and the bulk refractive index of PNIPAAm, thickness and viscosity of the film are obtained from simulations; the viscosity is correlated to the solvent content of the physisorbed layer.

On the thermal decay of magnetization in the presence of demagnetizing fields and a soft magnetic layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wood, R.; Monson, J.; Coughlin, T.

1999-03-01

The presence of a soft magnetic layer adjacent to a magnetic recording medium reduces the demagnetization of both perpendicular and longitudinal recording media. However, for perpendicular media, there is no reduction in the worst case, DC, demagnetizing field and no lessening of the decay. For longitudinal media, the highest demagnetizing fields occur at high densities. The soft layer or keeper can reduce these fields significantly and slow the initial decay. The soft underlayer also induces a small anisotropy field that assists the thermal stability of a perpendicular medium. A similar layer with a longitudinal medium, however, causes a small reduction in thermal stability, but only at low levels of demagnetizing field. For longitudinal recording media the overall effect of the keeper on thermal stability is quite complicated: the initial decay may be delayed significantly (a factor of ten in time) but the final decay to zero may still proceed more rapidly.

Enhancement of switching stability of tunneling magnetoresistance system with artificial ferrimagnet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

You, Chun-Yeol; Bader, Sam. D.; Scheinfein, M. R.

2002-03-01

In the study of spin dependent magnetic tunneling junctions, the switching stability of the magnetically hard layer is a crucial issue in magnetic random access memory applications[1]. After repeated cycling of the soft layer, the magnetization of the hard layer is demagnetized by the stray field from the domain wall created during the switching[2]. The magnitude of the stray field from the soft layer is large enough to switch a domain in the hard layer. Therefore, reducing this stray field is necessary to increase the switching stability. In this study, we explore an artificial ferrimagnet to replace the usual soft layer in order to reduce stray field. The ferrimagnet consists of an antiferromagnetically coupled trilayer that has two ferromagnetic layers of unequal thickness and opposite magnetization orientation. Since the sign of stray field of the two ferromagnetic layers is opposed, the total stray field is greatly reduced. [Supported by the US DOE, BES-MS, under Contract W-31-109-ENG-38.] [1] S. Gider et al. Science 281, 797 (1998). [2] L. Thomas et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 1816 (2000).

The surface properties of Shewanella putrefaciens 200 and S. oneidensis MR-1: the effect of pH and terminal electron acceptors.

PubMed

Furukawa, Yoko; Dale, Jason R

2013-04-08

We investigated the surface characteristics of two strains of Shewanella sp., S. oneidensis MR-1 and S. putrefaciens 200, that were grown under aerobic conditions as well as under anaerobic conditions with trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) as the electron acceptor. The investigation focused on the experimental determination of electrophoretic mobility (EPM) under a range of pH and ionic strength, as well as by subsequent modeling in which Shewanella cells were considered to be soft particles with water- and ion-permeable outermost layers. The soft layer of p200 is significantly more highly charged (i.e., more negative) than that of MR-1. The effect of electron acceptor on the soft particle characteristics of Shewanella sp. is complex. The fixed charge density, which is a measure of the deionized and deprotonated functional groups in the soft layer polymers, is slightly greater (i.e., more negative) for aerobically grown p200 than for p200 grown with TMAO. On the other hand, the fixed charge density of aerobically grown MR1 is slightly less than that of p200 grown with TMAO. The effect of pH on the soft particle characteristics is also complex, and does not exhibit a clear pH-dependent trend. The Shewanella surface characteristics were attributed to the nature of the outermost soft layer, the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in case of p200 and lypopolysaccharides (LPS) in case of MR1 which generally lacks EPS. The growth conditions (i.e., aerobic vs. anaerobic TMAO) have an influence on the soft layer characteristics of Shewanella sp. cells. Meanwhile, the clear pH dependency of the mechanical and morphological characteristics of EPS and LPS layers, observed in previous studies through atomic force microscopy, adhesion tests and spectroscopies, cannot be corroborated by the electrohydrodynamics-based soft particle characteristics which does not exhibited a clear pH dependency in this study. While the electrohydrodynamics-based soft-particle model is a useful tool in understanding bacteria's surface properties, it needs to be supplemented with other characterization methods and models (e.g., chemical and micromechanical) in order to comprehensively address all of the surface-related characteristics important in environmental and other aqueous processes.

Electrophoresis of a charged soft particle in a charged cavity with arbitrary double-layer thickness.

PubMed

Chen, Wei J; Keh, Huan J

2013-08-22

An analysis for the quasi-steady electrophoretic motion of a soft particle composed of a charged spherical rigid core and an adsorbed porous layer positioned at the center of a charged spherical cavity filled with an arbitrary electrolyte solution is presented. Within the porous layer, frictional segments with fixed charges are assumed to distribute uniformly. Through the use of the linearized Poisson-Boltzmann equation and the Laplace equation, the equilibrium double-layer potential distribution and its perturbation caused by the applied electric field are separately determined. The modified Stokes and Brinkman equations governing the fluid flow fields outside and inside the porous layer, respectively, are solved subsequently. An explicit formula for the electrokinetic migration velocity of the soft particle in terms of the fixed charge densities on the rigid core surface, in the porous layer, and on the cavity wall is obtained from a balance between its electrostatic and hydrodynamic forces. This formula is valid for arbitrary values of κa, λa, r0/a, and a/b, where κ is the Debye screening parameter, λ is the reciprocal of the length characterizing the extent of flow penetration inside the porous layer, a is the radius of the soft particle, r0 is the radius of the rigid core of the particle, and b is the radius of the cavity. In the limiting cases of r0 = a and r0 = 0, the migration velocity for the charged soft sphere reduces to that for a charged impermeable sphere and that for a charged porous sphere, respectively, in the charged cavity. The effect of the surface charge at the cavity wall on the particle migration can be significant, and the particle may reverse the direction of its migration.

Study of the Au-Cr bilayer system using X-ray reflectivity, GDOES, and ToF-SIMS

DOE PAGES

Jonnard, Philippe; Modi, Mohammed H.; Le Guen, Karine; ...

2018-04-17

Here, we study a Au (25 nm)/Cr (10 nm) bilayer system as a model of mirror for the soft X–ray energy range. The Au and Cr thin films are a few nanometer thick and are deposited on a float glass substrate. The sample is characterized by using 3 complementary techniques: soft X–ray reflectivity, glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GDOES), and time–of–flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF–SIMS). Soft X–ray reflectivity provides information about the thickness and roughness of the different layers, while GDOES is used to obtain the elemental depth profile of the stack and ToF–SIMS to obtain the elemental andmore » chemical depth profiles. GDOES and ToF–SIMS have both a nanometer depth resolution. A coherent description of the bilayer stack is obtained through the combination of these techniques. It consists in 5 layers namely a surface contamination layer, a principal gold layer, a Au–Cr mixed layer, a Cr layer, and another contamination layer at the top of the substrate.« less

Study of the Au-Cr bilayer system using X-ray reflectivity, GDOES, and ToF-SIMS

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

Jonnard, Philippe; Modi, Mohammed H.; Le Guen, Karine

Here, we study a Au (25 nm)/Cr (10 nm) bilayer system as a model of mirror for the soft X–ray energy range. The Au and Cr thin films are a few nanometer thick and are deposited on a float glass substrate. The sample is characterized by using 3 complementary techniques: soft X–ray reflectivity, glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GDOES), and time–of–flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF–SIMS). Soft X–ray reflectivity provides information about the thickness and roughness of the different layers, while GDOES is used to obtain the elemental depth profile of the stack and ToF–SIMS to obtain the elemental andmore » chemical depth profiles. GDOES and ToF–SIMS have both a nanometer depth resolution. A coherent description of the bilayer stack is obtained through the combination of these techniques. It consists in 5 layers namely a surface contamination layer, a principal gold layer, a Au–Cr mixed layer, a Cr layer, and another contamination layer at the top of the substrate.« less

Reversible Bending Behaviors of Photomechanical Soft Actuators Based on Graphene Nanocomposites.

PubMed

Niu, Dong; Jiang, Weitao; Liu, Hongzhong; Zhao, Tingting; Lei, Biao; Li, Yonghao; Yin, Lei; Shi, Yongsheng; Chen, Bangdao; Lu, Bingheng

2016-06-06

Photomechanical nanocomposites embedded with light-absorbing nanoparticles show promising applications in photoresponsive actuations. Near infrared (nIR)-responsive nanocomposites based photomechanical soft actuators can offer lightweight functional and underexploited entry into soft robotics, active optics, drug delivery, etc. A novel graphene-based photomechanical soft actuators, constituted by Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/graphene-nanoplatelets (GNPs) layer (PDMS/GNPs) and pristine PDMS layer, have been constructed. Due to the mismatch of coefficient of thermal expansion of two layers induced by dispersion of GNPs, controllable and reversible bendings response to nIR light irradiation are observed. Interestingly, two different bending behaviors are observed when the nIR light comes from different sides, i.e., a gradual single-step photomechanical bending towards PDMS/GNPs layer when irradiation from PDMS side, while a dual-step bending (finally bending to the PDMS/GNPs side but with an strong and fast backlash at the time of light is on/off) when irradiation from PDMS/GNPs side. The two distinctive photomechanical bending behaviors are investigated in terms of heat transfer and thermal expansion, which reveals that the distinctive bending behaviors can be attributed to the differences in temperature gradients along the thickness when irradiation from different sides. In addition, the versatile photomechanical bending properties will provide alternative way for drug-delivery, soft robotics and microswitches, etc.

Reversible Bending Behaviors of Photomechanical Soft Actuators Based on Graphene Nanocomposites

PubMed Central

Niu, Dong; Jiang, Weitao; Liu, Hongzhong; Zhao, Tingting; Lei, Biao; Li, Yonghao; Yin, Lei; Shi, Yongsheng; Chen, Bangdao; Lu, Bingheng

2016-01-01

Photomechanical nanocomposites embedded with light-absorbing nanoparticles show promising applications in photoresponsive actuations. Near infrared (nIR)-responsive nanocomposites based photomechanical soft actuators can offer lightweight functional and underexploited entry into soft robotics, active optics, drug delivery, etc. A novel graphene-based photomechanical soft actuators, constituted by Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/graphene-nanoplatelets (GNPs) layer (PDMS/GNPs) and pristine PDMS layer, have been constructed. Due to the mismatch of coefficient of thermal expansion of two layers induced by dispersion of GNPs, controllable and reversible bendings response to nIR light irradiation are observed. Interestingly, two different bending behaviors are observed when the nIR light comes from different sides, i.e., a gradual single-step photomechanical bending towards PDMS/GNPs layer when irradiation from PDMS side, while a dual-step bending (finally bending to the PDMS/GNPs side but with an strong and fast backlash at the time of light is on/off) when irradiation from PDMS/GNPs side. The two distinctive photomechanical bending behaviors are investigated in terms of heat transfer and thermal expansion, which reveals that the distinctive bending behaviors can be attributed to the differences in temperature gradients along the thickness when irradiation from different sides. In addition, the versatile photomechanical bending properties will provide alternative way for drug-delivery, soft robotics and microswitches, etc. PMID:27265380

Mechanics of an Asymmetric Hard-Soft Lamellar Nanomaterial

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

Shi, Weichao; Fredrickson, Glenn H.; Kramer, Edward J.

2016-03-24

Nanolayered lamellae are common structures in nanoscience and nanotechnology, but most are nearly symmetric in layer thickness. Here, we report on the structure and mechanics of highly asymmetric and thermodynamically stable soft–hard lamellar structures self-assembled from optimally designed PS 1-(PI-b-PS 2) 3 miktoarm star block copolymers. The remarkable mechanical properties of these strong and ductile PS (polystyrene)-based nanomaterials can be tuned over a broad range by varying the hard layer thickness while maintaining the soft layer thickness constant at 13 nm. Upon deformation, thin PS lamellae (<100 nm) exhibited kinks and predamaged/damaged grains, as well as cavitation in the softmore » layers. In contrast, deformation of thick lamellae (>100 nm) manifests cavitation in both soft and hard nanolayers. In situ tensile-SAXS experiments revealed the evolution of cavities during deformation and confirmed that the damage in such systems reflects both plastic deformation by shear and residual cavities. The aspects of the mechanics should point to universal deformation behavior in broader classes of asymmetric hard–soft lamellar materials, whose properties are just being revealed for versatile applications.« less

Impacts of papain and neuraminidase enzyme treatment on electrohydrodynamics and IgG-mediated agglutination of type A red blood cells.

PubMed

Hyono, Atsushi; Gaboriaud, Fabien; Mazda, Toshio; Takata, Youichi; Ohshima, Hiroyuki; Duval, Jérôme F L

2009-09-15

The stability of native and enzyme-treated human red blood cells of type A (Rh D positive) against agglutination is investigated under conditions where it is mediated by immunoglobuline G (IgG) anti-D antibody binding. The propensity of cells to agglutinate is related to their interphasic (electrokinetic) properties. These properties significantly depend on the concentration of proteolytic papain enzyme and protease-free neuraminidase enzyme that the cells are exposed to. The analysis is based on the interpretation of electrophoretic data of cells by means of the numerical theory for the electrokinetics of soft (bio)particles. A significant reduction of the hydrodynamic permeability of the external soft glycoprotein layer of the cells is reported under the action of papain. This reflects a significant decrease in soft surface layer thickness and a loss in cell surface integrity/rigidity, as confirmed by nanomechanical AFM analysis. Neuraminidase action leads to an important decrease in the interphase charge density by removing sialic acids from the cell soft surface layer. This is accompanied by hydrodynamic softness modulations less significant than those observed for papain-treated cells. On the basis of these electrohydrodynamic characteristics, the overall interaction potential profiles between two native cells and two enzyme-treated cells are derived as a function of the soft surface layer thickness in the Debye-Hückel limit that is valid for cell suspensions under physiological conditions (approximately 0.16 M). The thermodynamic computation of cell suspension stability against IgG-mediated agglutination then reveals that a decrease in the cell surface layer thickness is more favorable than a decrease in interphase charge density for inducing agglutination. This is experimentally confirmed by agglutination data collected for papain- and neuraminidase-treated cells.

Correlation between the outer flow and the turbulent production in a boundary layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cliff, W. C.; Sandborn, V. A.

1975-01-01

Space-time velocity correlation measurements between fluctuations occurring in the convoluting outer edge of a flat boundary layer with fluctuations occurring near the viscous subregion were made. The correlations indicate that information is propagated from the outer region to the inner region. The migration of turbulence away from the wall was previously studied in the open literature. The results presented here along with the migration results lend support to the limit cycle model for turbulence production.

Thermodynamic properties of a hard/soft-magnetic bilayer model

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

Taaev, T. A., E-mail: taaev89@mail.ru; Khizriev, K. Sh.; Murtazaev, A. K.

2016-05-15

A model for describing the thermodynamic properties of a hard/soft-magnetic bilayer is proposed and thoroughly studied using the Monte Carlo method. Temperature dependences of the heat capacity, total magnetization, magnetizations of the hard- and soft-magnetic layers, total magnetic susceptibility, and susceptibilities of the hard- and soft-magnetic layers have been calculated by this method in the framework of the proposed model. The obtained temperature dependences of the heat capacity and magnetic susceptibility display double maxima that result from the two phase transitions that take place in the system. The influence of system dimensions on the thermodynamic properties of the model hasmore » been considered.« less

In vivo soft tissue differentiation by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy: preliminary results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zam, Azhar; Stelzle, Florian; Tangermann-Gerk, Katja; Adler, Werner; Nkenke, Emeka; Neukam, Friedrich Wilhelm; Schmidt, Michael; Douplik, Alexandre

Remote laser surgery does not provide haptic feedback to operate layer by layer and preserve vulnerable anatomical structures like nerve tissue or blood vessels. The aim of this study is identification of soft tissue in vivo by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to set the base for a feedback control system to enhance nerve preservation in oral and maxillofacial laser surgery. Various soft tissues can be identified by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in vivo. The results may set the base for a feedback system to prevent nerve damage during oral and maxillofacial laser surgery.

Elastohydrodynamic Lift at a Soft Wall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davies, Heather S.; Débarre, Delphine; El Amri, Nouha; Verdier, Claude; Richter, Ralf P.; Bureau, Lionel

2018-05-01

We study experimentally the motion of nondeformable microbeads in a linear shear flow close to a wall bearing a thin and soft polymer layer. Combining microfluidics and 3D optical tracking, we demonstrate that the steady-state bead-to-surface distance increases with the flow strength. Moreover, such lift is shown to result from flow-induced deformations of the layer, in quantitative agreement with theoretical predictions from elastohydrodynamics. This study thus provides the first experimental evidence of "soft lubrication" at play at small scale, in a system relevant, for example, to the physics of blood microcirculation.

Multilayer films with sharp, stable interfaces for use in EUV and soft X-ray application

DOEpatents

Barbee, Jr., Troy W.; Bajt, Sasa

2002-01-01

The reflectivity and thermal stability of Mo/Si (molybdenum/silicon) multilayer films, used in soft x-ray and extreme ultraviolet region, is enhanced by deposition of a thin layer of boron carbide (e.g., B.sub.4 C) between alternating layers of Mo and Si. The invention is useful for reflective coatings for soft X-ray and extreme ultraviolet optics, multilayer for masks, coatings for other wavelengths and multilayers for masks that are more thermally stable than pure Mo/Si multilayers

Hydrogen Distribution in the Lunar Polar Regions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sanin, A. B.; Mitrofanov, I. G.; Litvak, M. L.; Bakhtin, B. N.; Bodnarik, J. G.; Boynton, W. V.; Chin, G.; Evans, L. G.; Harshmann, K.; Fedosov, F.;

Variable spreading layer in 4U 1608-52 during thermonuclear X-ray bursts in the soft state

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kajava, J. J. E.; Koljonen, K. I. I.; Nättilä, J.; Suleimanov, V.; Poutanen, J.

2017-11-01

Thermonuclear (type-I) X-ray bursts, observed from neutron star (NS) low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXB), provide constraints on NS masses and radii and consequently the equation of state of NS cores. In such analyses, various assumptions are made without knowing if they are justified. We have analysed X-ray burst spectra from the LMXB 4U 1608-52, with the aim of studying how the different persistent emission components react to the bursts. During some bursts in the soft spectral state we find that there are two variable components: one corresponding to the burst blackbody component and another optically thick Comptonized component. We interpret the latter as the spreading layer between the NS surface and the accretion disc, which is not present during the hard-state bursts. We propose that the spectral changes during the soft-state bursts are driven by the spreading layer that could cover almost the entire NS in the brightest phases due to the enhanced radiation pressure support provided by the burst, and that the layer subsequently returns to its original state during the burst decay. When deriving the NS mass and radius using the soft-state bursts two assumptions are therefore not met: the NS is not entirely visible and the burst emission is reprocessed in the spreading layer, causing distortions of the emitted spectrum. For these reasons, the NS mass and radius constraints using the soft-state bursts are different compared to the ones derived using the hard-state bursts.

CLEAR: Cross-Layer Exploration for Architecting Resilience

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-01

benchmark analysis, also provides cost-effective solutions (~1% additional energy cost for the same 50× improvement). This paper addresses the...core (OoO-core) [Wang 04], across 18 benchmarks . Such extensive exploration enables us to conclusively answer the above cross-layer resilience...analysis of the effects of soft errors on application benchmarks , provides a highly effective soft error resilience approach. 3. The above

Electrically Driven Microengineered Bioinspired Soft Robots.

PubMed

Shin, Su Ryon; Migliori, Bianca; Miccoli, Beatrice; Li, Yi-Chen; Mostafalu, Pooria; Seo, Jungmok; Mandla, Serena; Enrico, Alessandro; Antona, Silvia; Sabarish, Ram; Zheng, Ting; Pirrami, Lorenzo; Zhang, Kaizhen; Zhang, Yu Shrike; Wan, Kai-Tak; Demarchi, Danilo; Dokmeci, Mehmet R; Khademhosseini, Ali

2018-03-01

To create life-like movements, living muscle actuator technologies have borrowed inspiration from biomimetic concepts in developing bioinspired robots. Here, the development of a bioinspired soft robotics system, with integrated self-actuating cardiac muscles on a hierarchically structured scaffold with flexible gold microelectrodes is reported. Inspired by the movement of living organisms, a batoid-fish-shaped substrate is designed and reported, which is composed of two micropatterned hydrogel layers. The first layer is a poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel substrate, which provides a mechanically stable structure for the robot, followed by a layer of gelatin methacryloyl embedded with carbon nanotubes, which serves as a cell culture substrate, to create the actuation component for the soft body robot. In addition, flexible Au microelectrodes are embedded into the biomimetic scaffold, which not only enhance the mechanical integrity of the device, but also increase its electrical conductivity. After culturing and maturation of cardiomyocytes on the biomimetic scaffold, they show excellent myofiber organization and provide self-actuating motions aligned with the direction of the contractile force of the cells. The Au microelectrodes placed below the cell layer further provide localized electrical stimulation and control of the beating behavior of the bioinspired soft robot. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Perpendicular exchange coupling effects in ferrimagnetic TbFeCo/GdFeCo hard/soft structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Ke; Wang, Yahong; Ling, Fujin; Xu, Zhan

2018-04-01

Bilayers consisting of magnetically hard TbFeCo and soft GdFeCo alloy were fabricated. Exchange-spring and sharp switching in a step-by-step fashion were observed in the TbFeCo/GdFeCo hard/soft bilayers with increasing GdFeCo thickness. A perpendicular exchange bias field of several hundred Oersteds is observed from the shift of minor loops pinned by TbFeCo layer. The perpendicular exchange energy is derived to be in the range of 0.18-0.30 erg/cm2. The exchange energy is shown to increase with the thickness of GdFeCo layer in the bilayers, which can be attributed to the enhanced perpendicular anisotropy of GdFeCo layer in our experimental range.

Semianalytical Solution for the Deformation of an Elastic Layer under an Axisymmetrically Distributed Power-Form Load: Application to Fluid-Jet-Induced Indentation of Biological Soft Tissues.

PubMed

Lu, Minhua; Huang, Shuai; Yang, Xianglong; Yang, Lei; Mao, Rui

2017-01-01

Fluid-jet-based indentation is used as a noncontact excitation technique by systems measuring the mechanical properties of soft tissues. However, the application of these devices has been hindered by the lack of theoretical solutions. This study developed a mathematical model for testing the indentation induced by a fluid jet and determined a semianalytical solution. The soft tissue was modeled as an elastic layer bonded to a rigid base. The pressure of the fluid jet impinging on the soft tissue was assumed to have a power-form function. The semianalytical solution was verified in detail using finite-element modeling, with excellent agreement being achieved. The effects of several parameters on the solution behaviors are reported, and a method for applying the solution to determine the mechanical properties of soft tissues is suggested.

Study on algorithm of process neural network for soft sensing in sewage disposal system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Zaiwen; Xue, Hong; Wang, Xiaoyi; Yang, Bin; Lu, Siying

2006-11-01

A new method of soft sensing based on process neural network (PNN) for sewage disposal system is represented in the paper. PNN is an extension of traditional neural network, in which the inputs and outputs are time-variation. An aggregation operator is introduced to process neuron, and it makes the neuron network has the ability to deal with the information of space-time two dimensions at the same time, so the data processing enginery of biological neuron is imitated better than traditional neuron. Process neural network with the structure of three layers in which hidden layer is process neuron and input and output are common neurons for soft sensing is discussed. The intelligent soft sensing based on PNN may be used to fulfill measurement of the effluent BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) from sewage disposal system, and a good training result of soft sensing was obtained by the method.

Electro-Active Polymer Based Soft Tactile Interface for Wearable Devices.

PubMed

Mun, Seongcheol; Yun, Sungryul; Nam, Saekwang; Park, Seung Koo; Park, Suntak; Park, Bong Je; Lim, Jeong Mook; Kyung, Ki-Uk

2018-01-01

This paper reports soft actuator based tactile stimulation interfaces applicable to wearable devices. The soft actuator is prepared by multi-layered accumulation of thin electro-active polymer (EAP) films. The multi-layered actuator is designed to produce electrically-induced convex protrusive deformation, which can be dynamically programmable for wide range of tactile stimuli. The maximum vertical protrusion is and the output force is up to 255 mN. The soft actuators are embedded into the fingertip part of a glove and front part of a forearm band, respectively. We have conducted two kinds of experiments with 15 subjects. Perceived magnitudes of actuator's protrusion and vibrotactile intensity were measured with frequency of 1 Hz and 191 Hz, respectively. Analysis of the user tests shows participants perceive variation of protrusion height at the finger pad and modulation of vibration intensity through the proposed soft actuator based tactile interface.

Layer-by-layer design method for soft-X-ray multilayers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yamamoto, Masaki; Namioka, Takeshi

1992-01-01

A new design method effective for a nontransparent system has been developed for soft-X-ray multilayers with the aid of graphic representation of the complex amplitude reflectance in a Gaussian plane. The method provides an effective means of attaining the absolute maximum reflectance on a layer-by-layer basis and also gives clear insight into the evolution of the amplitude reflectance on a multilayer as it builds up. An optical criterion is derived for the selection of a proper pair of materials needed for designing a high-reflectance multilayer. Some examples are given to illustrate the usefulness of this design method.

Multi-layer robot skin with embedded sensors and muscles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomar, Ankit; Tadesse, Yonas

2016-04-01

Soft artificial skin with embedded sensors and actuators is proposed for a crosscutting study of cognitive science on a facial expressive humanoid platform. This paper focuses on artificial muscles suitable for humanoid robots and prosthetic devices for safe human-robot interactions. Novel composite artificial skin consisting of sensors and twisted polymer actuators is proposed. The artificial skin is conformable to intricate geometries and includes protective layers, sensor layers, and actuation layers. Fluidic channels are included in the elastomeric skin to inject fluids in order to control actuator response time. The skin can be used to develop facially expressive humanoid robots or other soft robots. The humanoid robot can be used by computer scientists and other behavioral science personnel to test various algorithms, and to understand and develop more perfect humanoid robots with facial expression capability. The small-scale humanoid robots can also assist ongoing therapeutic treatment research with autistic children. The multilayer skin can be used for many soft robots enabling them to detect both temperature and pressure, while actuating the entire structure.

Silver nanowire/polymer composite soft conductive film fabricated by large-area compatible coating for flexible pressure sensor array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Sujie; Li, Siying; Peng, Sai; Huang, Yukun; Zhao, Jiaqing; Tang, Wei; Guo, Xiaojun

2018-01-01

Soft conductive films composed of a silver nanowire (AgNW) network, a neutral-pH PEDOT:PSS over-coating layer and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer substrate are fabricated by large area compatible coating processes. The neutral-pH PEDOT:PSS layer is shown to be able to significantly improve the conductivity, stretchability and air stability of the conductive films. The soft conductive films are patterned using a simple maskless patterning approach to fabricate an 8 × 8 flexible pressure sensor array. It is shown that such soft conductive films can help to improve the sensitivity and reduce the signal crosstalk over the pressure sensor array. Project supported by the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (No. 16JC1400603).

A Giant Warm Baryonic Halo for the Coma Cluster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bonamente, Max; Lieu, Richard; Joy, Marshall K.; Six, N. Frank (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Several deep PSPC observations of the Coma cluster unveil a very large-scale halo of soft X-ray emission, substantially in excess of the well know radiation from the hot intra-cluster medium. The excess emission, previously reported in the central cluster regions through lower-sensitivity EUVE and ROSAT data, is now evident out to a radius of 2.5 Mpc, demonstrating that the soft excess radiation from clusters is a phenomenon of cosmological significance. The spectrum at these large radii cannot be modeled non-thermally, but is consistent with the original scenario of thermal emission at warm temperatures. The mass of this plasma is at least on par with that of the hot X-ray emitting plasma, and significantly more massive if the plasma resides in low-density filamentary structures. Thus the data lend vital support to current theories of cosmic evolution, which predict greater than 50 percent by mass of today's baryons reside in warm-hot filaments converging at clusters of galaxies.

Out-of-Plane Designed Soft Metasurface for Tunable Surface Plasmon Polariton.

PubMed

Liu, Xin; Huang, Zhao; Zhu, Chengkai; Wang, Li; Zang, Jianfeng

2018-02-14

Reliable and repeatable tunability gives functional diversity for reconfigurable plasmonics devices, while reversible and large mechanical deformation enabled by soft materials provides a new way for the global or partial regulation of metadevices. Here, we demonstrate a soft metasurface with an out-of-plane design for tuning the energy of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) bloch wave using theory, simulation, and experiments. Our metasurface is composed of two-layered gold nanoribbon arrays (2GNRs) on a soft substrate. The out-of-plane coupling mechanism is systematically analyzed in terms of separation height effect. Moreover, by harnessing mechanical deformation, continuously tunable plasmonic resonance has been achieved in the visible and near-infrared ranges. We further studied the angle-dependent reflection spectra of our metastructure. Compared with its planar counterpart, our soft and two-layered metastructure exhibits diverse tunability and significant field enhancement by out-of-plane interactions. Our approach in designing soft metasurface with out-of-plane structures can be extended to more-complex photonic devices and finds prominent applications such as biosensing, high-density plasmonic circuits, surface-enhanced luminescence, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

Ballistic impacts on an anatomically correct synthetic skull with a surrogate skin/soft tissue layer.

PubMed

Mahoney, Peter; Carr, Debra; Arm, Richard; Gibb, Iain; Hunt, Nicholas; Delaney, Russ J

2018-03-01

The aim of this work was to further develop a synthetic model of ballistic head injury by the addition of skin and soft tissue layers to an anatomically correct polyurethane skull filled with gelatine 10% by mass. Six head models were impacted with 7.62 x 39 mm full metal jacket mild steel core (FMJ MSC) bullets with a mean velocity of 652 m/s. The impact events were filmed with high-speed cameras. The models were imaged pre- and post-impact using computed tomography. The models were assessed post impact by two experienced Home Office pathologists and the images assessed by an experienced military radiologist. The findings were scored against real injuries. The entry wounds, exit wounds and fracture patterns were scored positively, but the synthetic skin and soft tissue layer was felt to be too extendable. Further work is ongoing to address this.

Softness sensor system for simultaneously measuring the mechanical properties of superficial skin layer and whole skin.

PubMed

Nakatani, Masashi; Fukuda, Toru; Arakawa, Naomi; Kawasoe, Tomoyuki; Omata, Sadao

2013-02-01

Few attempts have been made to distinguish the softness of different skin layers, though specific measurement of the superficial layer would be useful for evaluating the emollient effect of cosmetics and for diagnosis of skin diseases. We developed a sensor probe consisting of a piezoelectric tactile sensor and a load cell. To evaluate it, we firstly measured silicone rubber samples with different softness. Then, it was applied to human forearm skin before and after tape-stripping. A VapoMeter and skin-surface hygrometer were used to confirm removal of the stratum corneum. A Cutometer was used to obtain conventional softness data for comparison. Both the piezoelectric tactile sensor and the load cell could measure the softness of silicone rubber samples, but the piezoelectric tactile sensor was more sensitive than the load cell when the reaction force of the measured sample was under 100 mN in response to a 2-mm indentation. For human skin in vivo, transepidermal water loss and skin conductance were significantly changed after tape-stripping, confirming removal of the stratum corneum. The piezoelectric tactile sensor detected a significant change after tape-stripping, whereas the load cell did not. Thus, the piezoelectric tactile sensor can detect changes of mechanical properties at the skin surface. The load cell data were in agreement with Cutometer measurements, which showed no change in representative skin elasticity parameters after tape-stripping. These results indicate that our sensor can simultaneously measure the mechanical properties of the superficial skin layer and whole skin. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Three-dimensional magnetic bubble memory system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stadler, Henry L. (Inventor); Katti, Romney R. (Inventor); Wu, Jiin-Chuan (Inventor)

1994-01-01

A compact memory uses magnetic bubble technology for providing data storage. A three-dimensional arrangement, in the form of stacks of magnetic bubble layers, is used to achieve high volumetric storage density. Output tracks are used within each layer to allow data to be accessed uniquely and unambiguously. Storage can be achieved using either current access or field access magnetic bubble technology. Optical sensing via the Faraday effect is used to detect data. Optical sensing facilitates the accessing of data from within the three-dimensional package and lends itself to parallel operation for supporting high data rates and vector and parallel processing.

Monitoring of Soft Deposition Layers in Liquid-Filled Tubes with Guided Acoustic Waves Excited by Clamp-on Transducers.

PubMed

Tietze, Sabrina; Singer, Ferdinand; Lasota, Sandra; Ebert, Sandra; Landskron, Johannes; Schwuchow, Katrin; Drese, Klaus Stefan; Lindner, Gerhard

2018-02-09

The monitoring of liquid-filled tubes with respect to the formation of soft deposition layers such as biofilms on the inner walls calls for non-invasive and long-term stable sensors, which can be attached to existing pipe structures. For this task a method is developed, which uses an ultrasonic clamp-on device. This method is based on the impact of such deposition layers on the propagation of circumferential guided waves on the pipe wall. Such waves are partly converted into longitudinal compressional waves in the liquid, which are back-converted to guided waves in a circular cross section of the pipe. Validating this approach, laboratory experiments with gelatin deposition layers on steel tubes exhibited a distinguishable sensitivity of both wave branches with respect to the thickness of such layers. This allows the monitoring of the layer growth.

The Mechanical Properties of Hydrated Intermediate Filaments: Insights from Hagfish Slime Threads

PubMed Central

Fudge, Douglas S.; Gardner, Kenn H.; Forsyth, V. Trevor; Riekel, Christian; Gosline, John M.

2003-01-01

Intermediate filaments (IFs) impart mechanical integrity to cells, yet IF mechanics are poorly understood. It is assumed that IFs in cells are as stiff as hard α-keratin, F-actin, and microtubules, but the high bending flexibility of IFs and the low stiffness of soft α-keratins suggest that hydrated IFs may be quite soft. To test this hypothesis, we measured the tensile mechanics of the keratin-like threads from hagfish slime, which are an ideal model for exploring the mechanics of IF bundles and IFs because they consist of tightly packed and aligned IFs. Tensile tests suggest that hydrated IF bundles possess low initial stiffness (Ei = 6.4 MPa) and remarkable elasticity (up to strains of 0.34), which we attribute to soft elastomeric IF protein terminal domains in series with stiffer coiled coils. The high tensile strength (180 MPa) and toughness (130 MJ/m3) of IF bundles support the notion that IFs lend mechanical integrity to cells. Their long-range elasticity suggests that IFs may also allow cells to recover from large deformations. X-ray diffraction and congo-red staining indicate that post-yield deformation leads to an irreversible α→β conformational transition in IFs, which leads to plastic deformation, and may be used by cells as a mechanosensory cue. PMID:12944314

Sonography of the musculoskeletal system in dogs and cats.

PubMed

Kramer, M; Gerwing, M; Hach, V; Schimke, E

1997-01-01

Sonography of the musculoskeletal system in dogs and cats was undertaken to evaluate the application of this imaging procedure in orthopedics. In most of the patients a 7.5 MHz linear transducer was used because of its flat application surface and its resolving power. The evaluation of bone by sonography is limited, but sonography can provide addition information regarding the bone surface and surrounding soft tissue. Ultrasound is valuable for assessing joint disease. Joint effusion, thickening of the joint capsule and cartilage defects can be identified sonographically. It is also possible to detect bone destruction. Instabilities are often identified with the help of a dynamic examination. Soft tissue abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system lend themselves to sonographic evaluation. Partial or complete muscles or tendon tears are able to be differentiated and the healing process can be monitored. Most of the diseases that are in the area of the biceps or the achilles tendon, such as dislocation of the tendon, old injuries with scarification, free dissecates in the tendonsheath, tendinitis and/or tendosynovitis can be differentiated by sonography. In addition, with clinical and laboratory findings, it is often possible to make a correct diagnosis with ultrasound in patients with abscesses, foreign bodies, hematomas, soft tissue tumors and lipomas.

Topography and stratigraphy of Martian polar layered deposits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blasius, K. R.; Cutts, J. A.; Howard, A. D.

1982-01-01

The first samples of high resolution Viking Orbiter topographic and stratigraphic data for the layered polar deposits of Mars are presented, showing that these deposits are with respect to both slopes and angular relief similar to those in the south. It is also demonstrated that, in conjunction with stereophotogrammetry, photoclinometry holds promise as a tool for detailed layered deposit studies. The spring season photography, which lends itself to photoclinometric analysis, covers the entire area of the north polar deposits. Detailed tests of layered terrain evolution hypotheses will be made, upon refinement of the data by comparison with stereo data. A more promising refining technique will make use of averaging perpendicular to selected sections to enhance SNR. Local reliefs of 200-800 m, and slopes of 1-8 deg, lead to initial calculations of average layer thickness which yields results of 14-46 m, linearly correlated with slope.

Seismically-triggered soft-sediment deformation structures close to a major strike-slip fault system in the Eastern Alps (Hirlatz cave, Austria)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salomon, Martina Lan; Grasemann, Bernhard; Plan, Lukas; Gier, Susanne; Schöpfer, Martin P. J.

2018-05-01

We investigate episodic soft-sediment deformation structures cross-cut by normal faults preserved in unlithified finely laminated calcite rich sediments in the Hirlatz cave in the Northern Calcareous Alps (Austria). These sediments comprise varve-like alternations of brighter carbonate/quartz rich layers, and darker clay mineral rich layers. The deformed sediments contain abundant millimeter to centimeter-scale soft-sediment structures (load casts, ball-and-pillow structures), sheet slumps (thrust faults and folds), erosive channels filled with slides and chaotic slumps. After deposition and soft-sediment deformation normal faults developed within the entire sedimentary succession, an event that probably correlates with an offset of c. 10 cm of the passage wall above the outcrop. Our major conclusions are: (i) The sediments have a glacial origin and were deposited in the Hirlatz cave under phreatic fluvio-lacustrine conditions. The deposition and the soft-sediment deformation occurred most likely during the last glaciation (i.e. around 25 ka ago); (ii) The liquefaction and formation of the soft-sediment structures in water-saturated stratified layers was triggered by episodic seismic events; (iii) The internally deformed sediments were later displaced by normal faults; (iv) A possible source for the seismic events is the active sinistral Salzach-Ennstal-Mariazeller-Puchberger (SEMP) strike-slip fault which is located about 10 km south of the outcrop and plays a major role in accommodating the extrusion of the Eastern Alps towards the Pannonian Basin. To our knowledge, the described structures are the first report of liquefaction and seismically induced soft-sediment deformations in Quaternary sediments in the Eastern Alps.

Impact face influence on low velocity impact performance of interply laminated plates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manikandan, Periyasamy; Chai, Gin Boay

2015-03-01

Fibre Metal Laminate (FML), a metal sandwiched hybrid composite material is well-known for its enhanced impact properties and better damage tolerance and it has been successfully implemented in diverse engineering applications in aviation industry. With heterogeneous constituents, the stacking sequence of FML is believe to play a critical role to govern its overall energy absorption capability by means of controlling delamination of metal composite interface and plastic deformation of metal layers. As a precursor, low velocity impact experiments were conducted on interply configured transparent plastic plates in order to extract the significance of stacking sequence and realize the characteristics of each layer through naked eye which is not possible in FML due to opacity of metal layer. The stack configuration constitute hard acrylic (brittle) and soft polycarbonate (ductile) plates analogous to composite (brittle) and metal (ductile) layers on FML laminate and the impact event is performed on either hard or soft facing sides separately. Hard side samples resemble more protective than soft side impact sample, with large peak resistant force and expose smaller damage growth in all experimented cases.

Microscale Soft Patterning for Solution Processable Metal Oxide Thin Film Transistors.

PubMed

Jung, Sang Wook; Chae, Soo Sang; Park, Jee Ho; Oh, Jin Young; Bhang, Suk Ho; Baik, Hong Koo; Lee, Tae Il

2016-03-23

We introduce a microscale soft pattering (MSP) route utilizing contact printing of chemically inert sub-nanometer thick low molecular weight (LMW) poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) layers. These PDMS layers serve as a release agent layer between the n-type Ohmic metal and metal oxide semiconductors (MOSs) and provide a layer that protects the MOS from water in the surrounding environment. The feasibility of our MSP route was experimentally demonstrated by fabricating solution processable In2O3, IZO, and IGZO TFTs with aluminum (Al), a typical n-type Ohmic metal. We have demonstrated patterning gaps as small as 13 μm. The TFTs fabricated using MSP showed higher field-effect-mobility and lower hysteresis in comparison with those made using conventional photolithography.

The Selective Centrifugation Ensures a Better In Vitro Isolation of ASCs and Restores a Soft Tissue Regeneration In Vivo.

PubMed

De Francesco, Francesco; Guastafierro, Antonio; Nicoletti, Gianfranco; Razzano, Sergio; Riccio, Michele; Ferraro, Giuseppe A

2017-05-12

Autologous fat grafting procedures in plastic surgery have been extensively used to reinforce soft tissue in congenital or acquired tissue impairments. With this background, the aim of this study is firstly to examine the impact of a selective centrifugation on existing adipose stem cells (ASCs) in terms of stemness profile maintenance and, secondly, to investigate the effect of restoring volume in reconstruction on patients affected by soft tissue damage. After centrifugation, the fat graft products were separated into two layers and subsequently examined in vitro for the expression of CD34, CD90, CD117, CD105, CD29, CD31, CD44, CD73, CD133, CD14 and CD45 markers by flow cytometry and gene expression analyses were performed for Sox2, WNT3A, END, CD44, FUT4, COLL1, CTNNB1, hbEGF, KRTLG, MMP2 and VIM genes. The results showed that in the middle-high density (MHD) layer there was a peak concentration of ASCs, compared to another layer obtained after centrifugation. Research carried out on patients under treatment for soft tissue regeneration using cells obtained from MHD layer selection will be fundamental in comparative analysis. These studies will lead to an adequate standardization of outcomes, provided that treatment is performed through cell selection. Therefore, a unique procedure in tissue reconstruction and regeneration through fat grafting is presented here.

Airborne Observations of Enhanced Marine Boundary Layer Carbon Monoxide over Remote Tropical Oceans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campos, T. L.; Stell, M. H.; Apel, E. C.; Hornbrook, R. S.; Hills, A. J.; Weinheimer, A. J.; Montzka, D.; Kaser, L.; Aquino, J.

2014-12-01

Recent airborne observations of tropical marine boundary layer carbon monoxide included several instances of elevated MBL CO with a notable absence of corresponding enhancements in ozone. Instances were observed during the recent CONTRAST exploration of tropical Pacific marine dynamics and composition. The lack of correlation between sampled carbon monoxide and ozone is consistent with an oceanic source of CO. Carbon monoxide vertical flux will be estimated for all CONTRAST boundary layer transects, with particular focus on these events. Complementary correlative observations of trace organics lend insight into processes defining this composition. The frequency of occurrence will be presented along with comparison to similar observations within other data sets, including TORERO (2012), and HIPPO (2009-2012).

Studying the Warm Layer and the Hardening Factor in Cygnus X-1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yao, Yangsen; Zhang, Shuangnan; Zhang, Xiaoling; Feng, Yuxin

2002-01-01

As the first dynamically determined black hole X-ray binary system, Cygnus X-1 has been studied extensively. However, its broadband spectrum observed with BeppoSax is still not well understood. Besides the soft excess described by the multi-color disk model (MCD), the power-law hard component and a broad excess feature above 10 keV (a disk reflection component), there is also an additional soft component around 1 keV, whose origin is not known currently. Here we propose that the additional soft component is due to the thermal Comptonization between the soft disk photons and a warm plasma cloud just above the disk, i.e., a warm layer. We use the Monte-Carlo technique to simulate this Compton scattering process and build a table model based on our simulation results. With this table model, we study the disk structure and estimate the hardening factor to the MCD component in Cygnus X-1.

Monolithic microfabricated valves and pumps by multilayer soft lithography.

PubMed

Unger, M A; Chou, H P; Thorsen, T; Scherer, A; Quake, S R

2000-04-07

Soft lithography is an alternative to silicon-based micromachining that uses replica molding of nontraditional elastomeric materials to fabricate stamps and microfluidic channels. We describe here an extension to the soft lithography paradigm, multilayer soft lithography, with which devices consisting of multiple layers may be fabricated from soft materials. We used this technique to build active microfluidic systems containing on-off valves, switching valves, and pumps entirely out of elastomer. The softness of these materials allows the device areas to be reduced by more than two orders of magnitude compared with silicon-based devices. The other advantages of soft lithography, such as rapid prototyping, ease of fabrication, and biocompatibility, are retained.

Soft Ultraviolet (UV) Photopatterning and Metallization of Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs) Formed from the Lipoic Acid Ester of α-Hydroxy-1-acetylpyrene: The Generality of Acid-Catalyzed Removal of Thiol-on-Gold SAMs using Soft UV Light.

PubMed

Pukenas, Laurynas; Prompinit, Panida; Nishitha, Boda; Tate, Daniel J; Singh, N D Pradeep; Wälti, Christoph; Evans, Stephen D; Bushby, Richard J

2017-05-31

Under a layer of 0.1 M HCl in isopropanol, soft ultraviolet (UV) (365 nm) photolysis of the thiol-on-gold self-assembled monolayer (SAM) derived from the lipoic acid ester of α-hydroxy-1-acetylpyrene results in the expected removal of the acetylpyrene protecting group. When photolyzing through a mask, this can be used to produce a patterned surface and, at a controlled electrochemical potential, it is then possible to selectively and reversibly electrodeposit copper on the photolyzed regions. Rather surprisingly, under these photolysis conditions, there is not only the expected photodeprotection of the ester but also partial removal of the lipoic acid layer which has been formed. In further studies, it is shown that this type of acid-catalyzed photoremoval of SAM layers by soft UV is a rather general phenomenon and results in the partial removal of the thiol-on-gold SAM layers derived from other ω-thiolated carboxylic acids. However, this phenomenon is chain-length dependent. Under conditions in which there is a ∼60% reduction in the thickness of the SAM derived from dithiobutyric acid, the SAM derived from mercaptoundecanoic acid is almost unaffected. The process by which the shorter-chain SAM layers are partially removed is not fully understood because these compounds do not absorb significantly in the 365 nm region of the spectrum! Significantly, this study shows that acid catalysis photolysis of thiol-on-gold SAMs needs to be used with caution.

Oxidation preventative capping layer for deep-ultra-violet and soft x-ray multilayers

DOEpatents

Prisbrey, Shon T.

2004-07-06

The invention uses iridium and iridium compounds as a protective capping layer on multilayers having reflectivity in the deep ultra-violet to soft x-ray regime. The iridium compounds can be formed in one of two ways: by direct deposition of the iridium compound from a prepared target or by depositing a thin layer (e.g., 5-50 angstroms) of iridium directly onto an element. The deposition energy of the incoming iridium is sufficient to activate the formation of the desired iridium compound. The compounds of most interest are iridium silicide (IrSi.sub.x) and iridium molybdenide (IrMo.sub.x).

Asymmetric vibration in a two-layer vocal fold model with left-right stiffness asymmetry: Experiment and simulation

PubMed Central

Zhang, Zhaoyan; Hieu Luu, Trung

2012-01-01

Vibration characteristics of a self-oscillating two-layer vocal fold model with left-right asymmetry in body-layer stiffness were experimentally and numerically investigated. Two regimes of distinct vibratory pattern were identified as a function of left-right stiffness mismatch. In the first regime with extremely large left-right stiffness mismatch, phonation onset resulted from an eigenmode synchronization process that involved only eigenmodes of the soft fold. Vocal fold vibration in this regime was dominated by a large-amplitude vibration of the soft fold, and phonation frequency was determined by the properties of the soft fold alone. The stiff fold was only enslaved to vibrate at a much reduced amplitude. In the second regime with small left-right stiffness mismatch, eigenmodes of both folds actively participated in the eigenmode synchronization process. The two folds vibrated with comparable amplitude, but the stiff fold consistently led the soft fold in phase for all conditions. A qualitatively good agreement was obtained between experiment and simulation, although the simulations generally underestimated phonation threshold pressure and onset frequency. The clinical implications of the results of this study are also discussed. PMID:22978891

Asymmetric vibration in a two-layer vocal fold model with left-right stiffness asymmetry: experiment and simulation.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhaoyan; Luu, Trung Hieu

2012-09-01

Vibration characteristics of a self-oscillating two-layer vocal fold model with left-right asymmetry in body-layer stiffness were experimentally and numerically investigated. Two regimes of distinct vibratory pattern were identified as a function of left-right stiffness mismatch. In the first regime with extremely large left-right stiffness mismatch, phonation onset resulted from an eigenmode synchronization process that involved only eigenmodes of the soft fold. Vocal fold vibration in this regime was dominated by a large-amplitude vibration of the soft fold, and phonation frequency was determined by the properties of the soft fold alone. The stiff fold was only enslaved to vibrate at a much reduced amplitude. In the second regime with small left-right stiffness mismatch, eigenmodes of both folds actively participated in the eigenmode synchronization process. The two folds vibrated with comparable amplitude, but the stiff fold consistently led the soft fold in phase for all conditions. A qualitatively good agreement was obtained between experiment and simulation, although the simulations generally underestimated phonation threshold pressure and onset frequency. The clinical implications of the results of this study are also discussed.

Generation of organized germ layers from a single mouse embryonic stem cell.

PubMed

Poh, Yeh-Chuin; Chen, Junwei; Hong, Ying; Yi, Haiying; Zhang, Shuang; Chen, Junjian; Wu, Douglas C; Wang, Lili; Jia, Qiong; Singh, Rishi; Yao, Wenting; Tan, Youhua; Tajik, Arash; Tanaka, Tetsuya S; Wang, Ning

2014-05-30

Mammalian inner cell mass cells undergo lineage-specific differentiation into germ layers of endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm during gastrulation. It has been a long-standing challenge in developmental biology to replicate these organized germ layer patterns in culture. Here we present a method of generating organized germ layers from a single mouse embryonic stem cell cultured in a soft fibrin matrix. Spatial organization of germ layers is regulated by cortical tension of the colony, matrix dimensionality and softness, and cell-cell adhesion. Remarkably, anchorage of the embryoid colony from the 3D matrix to collagen-1-coated 2D substrates of ~1 kPa results in self-organization of all three germ layers: ectoderm on the outside layer, mesoderm in the middle and endoderm at the centre of the colony, reminiscent of generalized gastrulating chordate embryos. These results suggest that mechanical forces via cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions are crucial in spatial organization of germ layers during mammalian gastrulation. This new in vitro method could be used to gain insights on the mechanisms responsible for the regulation of germ layer formation.

Influence of boundary on the effect of double-layer polarization and the electrophoretic behavior of soft biocolloids.

PubMed

Yeh, Li-Hsien; Fang, Kuo-Ying; Hsu, Jyh-Ping; Tseng, Shiojenn

2011-12-01

The electrophoresis of a soft particle comprising a rigid core and a charged porous membrane layer in a narrow space is modeled. This simulates, for example, the capillary electrophoresis of biocolloids such as cells and microorganisms, and biosensor types of device. We show that, in addition to the boundary effect, the effects of double-layer polarization (DLP) and the electroosmotic retardation flow can be significant, yielding interesting electrophoretic behaviors. For example, if the friction coefficient of the membrane layer and/or the boundary is large, then the DLP effect can be offset by the electroosmotic retardation flow, making the particle mobility to decrease with increasing double layer thickness, which is qualitatively consistent with many experimental observations in the literature, but has not been explained clearly in previous analyses. In addition, depending upon the thickness of double layer, the friction of the membrane layer of a particle can either retard or accelerate its movement, an interesting result which has not been reported previously. This work is the first attempt to show solid evidence for the influence of a boundary on the effect of DLP and the electrophoretic behavior of soft particles. The model proposed is verified by the experimental data in the literature. The results of numerical simulation provide valuable information for the design of bio-analytical apparatus such as nanopore-based sensing applications and for the interpretation of relevant experimental data. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ternary NiFeX as soft biasing film in a magnetoresistive sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Mao-Min; Gharsallah, Neila; Gorman, Grace L.; Latimer, Jacquie

1991-04-01

The properties of NiFeX ternary films (X being Al, Au, Nb, Pd, Pt, Si, and Zr) have been studied for soft-film biasing of the magnetoresistive (MR) trilayer sensor. In general, the addition of the element X into the NiFe alloy film decreases the saturation magnetization Bs and magnetoresistance coefficient of the film, while increasing the film's electrical resistivity ρ. One of the desirable properties of a soft film for biasing is high sheet resistance for minimum current flow. A figure of merit Bsρ that takes into account both the rate of increase in Bs and the rate of decrease in ρ when adding X element was derived to compare the effectiveness of various X elements in reducing the current shunting through the soft-film layer. Using this criterion, NiFeNb and NiFeZr emerge as good soft-film materials having a maximum sheet resistance relative to the MR layer. Other critical properties such as magnetoresistance coefficient, magnetostriction, coercivity, and anisotropy field were also examined and are discussed in this paper.

Stable Liquid Jets Bouncing off Soft Gels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daniel, Dan; Yao, Xi; Aizenberg, Joanna

2018-01-01

A liquid jet can stably bounce off a sufficiently soft gel by following the contour of the dimple created upon impact. This new phenomenon is insensitive to the wetting properties of the gels and was observed for different liquids over a wide range of surface tensions, γ =24 -72 mN /m . In contrast, other jet rebound phenomena are typically sensitive to γ : only a high γ jet rebounds off a hard solid (e.g. superhydrophobic surface) and only a low γ jet bounces off a liquid bath. This is because an air layer must be stabilized between the two interfaces. For a soft gel, no air layer is necessary and the jet rebound remains stable even when there is direct liquid-gel contact.

Carbon buffer layers for smoothing superpolished glass surfaces as substrates for molybdenum /silicon multilayer soft-x-ray mirrors.

PubMed

Stock, H J; Hamelmann, F; Kleineberg, U; Menke, D; Schmiedeskamp, B; Osterried, K; Heidemann, K F; Heinzmann, U

1997-03-01

Zerodur and BK7 glass substrates (developed by Fa. Glaswerke Schott, D-55014 Mainz, Germany) from Carl Zeiss Oberkochen polished to a standard surface roughness of varsigma = 0.8 nm rms were coated with a C layer by electron-beam evaporation in the UHV. The roughness of the C-layer surfaces is reduced to 0.6 nm rms. A normal-incidence reflectance of 50% at a wavelength of 13 nm was measured for a Mo/Si multilayer soft-x-ray mirror with 30 double layers (N = 30) deposited onto the BK7/C substrate, whereas a similar Mo/Si multilayer (N = 30) evaporated directly onto the bare BK7 surface turned out to show a reflectance of only 42%.

Soft optics in intelligent optical networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shue, Chikong; Cao, Yang

2001-10-01

In addition to the recent advances in Hard-optics that pushes the optical transmission speed, distance, wave density and optical switching capacity, Soft-optics provides the necessary intelligence and control software that reduces operational costs, increase efficiency, and enhances revenue generating services by automating optimal optical circuit placement and restoration, and enabling value-added new services like Optical VPN. This paper describes the advances in 1) Overall Hard-optics and Soft-optics 2) Layered hierarchy of Soft-optics 3) Component of Soft-optics, including hard-optics drivers, Management Soft-optics, Routing Soft-optics and System Soft-optics 4) Key component of Routing and System Soft-optics, namely optical routing and signaling (including UNI/NNI and GMPLS signaling). In summary, the soft-optics on a new generation of OXC's enables Intelligent Optical Networks to provide just-in-time service delivery and fast restoration, and real-time capacity management that eliminates stranded bandwidth. It reduces operational costs and provides new revenue opportunities.

Surface coating for flame-retardant behavior of cotton fabric using a continuous layer-by-layer process

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Cotton’s exceptional softness, breathability, and absorbency have made it America’s best selling textile fiber; however, cotton textiles are generally more combustible than their synthetic counterparts. In this study, a continuous layer-by-layer self-assembly technique was used to deposit polymer-cl...

Toward soft-tissue elastography using digital holography to monitor surface acoustic waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Shiguang; Mohan, Karan D.; Sanders, William W.; Oldenburg, Amy L.

2011-11-01

Measuring the elasticity distribution inside the human body is of great interest because elastic abnormalities can serve as indicators of several diseases. We present a method for mapping elasticity inside soft tissues by imaging surface acoustic waves (SAWs) with digital holographic interferometry. With this method, we show that SAWs are consistent with Rayleigh waves, with velocities proportional to the square root of the elastic modulus greater than 2-40 kPa in homogeneous tissue phantoms. In two-layer phantoms, the SAW velocity transitions approximately from that of the lower layer to that of the upper layer as frequency is increased in agreement with the theoretical relationship between SAW dispersion and the depth-dependent stiffness profile. We also observed deformation in the propagation direction of SAWs above a stiff inclusion placed 8 mm below the surface. These findings demonstrate the potential for quantitative digital holography-based elastography of soft tissues as a noninvasive method for disease detection.

Dehomogenized Elastic Properties of Heterogeneous Layered Materials in AFM Indentation Experiments.

PubMed

Lee, Jia-Jye; Rao, Satish; Kaushik, Gaurav; Azeloglu, Evren U; Costa, Kevin D

2018-06-05

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is used to study mechanical properties of biological materials at submicron length scales. However, such samples are often structurally heterogeneous even at the local level, with different regions having distinct mechanical properties. Physical or chemical disruption can isolate individual structural elements but may alter the properties being measured. Therefore, to determine the micromechanical properties of intact heterogeneous multilayered samples indented by AFM, we propose the Hybrid Eshelby Decomposition (HED) analysis, which combines a modified homogenization theory and finite element modeling to extract layer-specific elastic moduli of composite structures from single indentations, utilizing knowledge of the component distribution to achieve solution uniqueness. Using finite element model-simulated indentation of layered samples with micron-scale thickness dimensions, biologically relevant elastic properties for incompressible soft tissues, and layer-specific heterogeneity of an order of magnitude or less, HED analysis recovered the prescribed modulus values typically within 10% error. Experimental validation using bilayer spin-coated polydimethylsiloxane samples also yielded self-consistent layer-specific modulus values whether arranged as stiff layer on soft substrate or soft layer on stiff substrate. We further examined a biophysical application by characterizing layer-specific microelastic properties of full-thickness mouse aortic wall tissue, demonstrating that the HED-extracted modulus of the tunica media was more than fivefold stiffer than the intima and not significantly different from direct indentation of exposed media tissue. Our results show that the elastic properties of surface and subsurface layers of microscale synthetic and biological samples can be simultaneously extracted from the composite material response to AFM indentation. HED analysis offers a robust approach to studying regional micromechanics of heterogeneous multilayered samples without destructively separating individual components before testing. Copyright © 2018 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dual-Use Applications of Infrared Sensitive Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-06-01

only limit to MCT-based detectors’ market potential is in price. Specialty systems for subsurface imaging (such as buried storage tanks, toxic wastes...and assessment of automotive paint damaged by rust or stone impacts. Since automotive paint is a multi-layered coating, it lends itself to subsurface ... imaging , as well as aerospace aluminum and epoxy composites. Another family of non-destructive evaluation techniques which could use infrared detectors

The Selective Centrifugation Ensures a Better In Vitro Isolation of ASCs and Restores a Soft Tissue Regeneration In Vivo

PubMed Central

De Francesco, Francesco; Guastafierro, Antonio; Nicoletti, Gianfranco; Razzano, Sergio; Riccio, Michele; Ferraro, Giuseppe A.

2017-01-01

Autologous fat grafting procedures in plastic surgery have been extensively used to reinforce soft tissue in congenital or acquired tissue impairments. With this background, the aim of this study is firstly to examine the impact of a selective centrifugation on existing adipose stem cells (ASCs) in terms of stemness profile maintenance and, secondly, to investigate the effect of restoring volume in reconstruction on patients affected by soft tissue damage. After centrifugation, the fat graft products were separated into two layers and subsequently examined in vitro for the expression of CD34, CD90, CD117, CD105, CD29, CD31, CD44, CD73, CD133, CD14 and CD45 markers by flow cytometry and gene expression analyses were performed for Sox2, WNT3A, END, CD44, FUT4, COLL1, CTNNB1, hbEGF, KRTLG, MMP2 and VIM genes. The results showed that in the middle-high density (MHD) layer there was a peak concentration of ASCs, compared to another layer obtained after centrifugation. Research carried out on patients under treatment for soft tissue regeneration using cells obtained from MHD layer selection will be fundamental in comparative analysis. These studies will lead to an adequate standardization of outcomes, provided that treatment is performed through cell selection. Therefore, a unique procedure in tissue reconstruction and regeneration through fat grafting is presented here. PMID:28498335

A Deep Near-Infrared Survey of the N 49 Region around the Soft Gamma-Ray Repeater 0526-66

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klose, S.; Henden, A. A.; Geppert, U.; Greiner, J.; Guetter, H. H.; Hartmann, D. H.; Kouveliotou, C.; Luginbuhl, C. B.; Stecklurn, B.; Vrba, F. J.

2004-01-01

We report the results of a deep near-infrared survey of the vicinity of supernova remnant N49 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), which contains the soft gamma-ray repeater (SGR) 0526-66. Two of the four confirmed SGRs are potentially associated with compact stellar clusters. We thus searched for a similar association of SGR0526-66, and find the unexplored young stellar cluster SL 463 at a projected distance of approx. 30 pc from the SGR. This constitutes the third cluster-SGR link, and lends support to scenarios in which SGR progenitors originate in young, embedded clusters. If real, the cluster-SGR association constrains the age and thus the initial mass of these stars. In addition, our high-resolution images of the super- nova remnant N49 reveal an area of excess K-band flux in the southeastern part of the SNR. This feature coincides with the maximum flux area at 8.28 microns as detected by the Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX satellite), which we identify with IRAS 052594607.

A Massive Warm Baryonic Halo in the Coma Cluster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bonamente, Massimiliano; Joy, Marshall K.; Lieu, Richard

2003-01-01

Several deep PSPC observations of the Coma Cluster reveal a very large scale halo of soft X-ray emission, substantially in excess of the well-known radiation from the hot intracluster medium. The excess emission, previously reported in the central region of the cluster using lower sensitivity Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) and ROSAT data, is now evident out to a radius of 2.6 Mpc, demonstrating that the soft excess radiation from clusters is a phenomenon of cosmological significance. The X-ray spectrum at these large radii cannot be modeled nonthermally but is consistent with the original scenario of thermal emission from warm gas at approx. 10(exp 6) K. The mass of the warm gas is on par with that of the hot X-ray-emitting plasma and significantly more massive if the warm gas resides in low-density filamentary structures. Thus, the data lend vital support to current theories of cosmic evolution, which predict that at low redshift approx. 30%-40% of the baryons reside in warm filaments converging at clusters of galaxies.

Fracture characterization of inhomogeneous wrinkled metallic films deposited on soft substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kishida, Hiroshi; Ishizaka, Satoshi; Nagakura, Takumi; Suzuki, Hiroaki; Yonezu, Akio

2017-12-01

This study investigated the fracture properties of wrinkled metallic films on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) soft substrate. In particular, the crack density of the wrinkled film during tensile deformation was examined. In order to achieve better deformability of metallic thin films, a method to fabricate a wrinkled thin film on a PDMS soft substrate was first established. The copper (Cu) nano-film fabricated in this study possessed a wrinkled geometry, which plays a critical role in determining the extent of large elastic deformation. To create the wrinkled structure, wet-etching with a polymeric sacrificial layer was used. A sacrificial layer was first deposited onto a silicone rubber sheet. During the curing process of the layer, a compressive strain was applied such that the hardened surface layer buckled, and a wrinkled form was obtained. Subsequently, a PDMS solution was used to cover the layer in order to form a wrinkled PDMS substrate. Finally, the Cu film was deposited onto the wrinkled PDMS, such that the wrinkled Cu film on a soft PDMS substrate was fabricated. The use of uni-axial tensile tests resulted in film crack generation at the stress concentration zone in the wrinkled structure of the films. When the tensile loading was increased, the number of cracks increased. It was found that the increase in crack density was strongly related to the inhomogeneous nature of the wrinkled structure. Such a trend in crack density was investigated using FEM (finite element method) computations, such that this study established a simple mechanical model that may be used to predict the increase in crack density during tensile deformation. This model was verified through several experiments using various wrinkle patterns. The proposed mechanical model may be useful to predict the crack density of a wrinkled metallic film subject to tensile loading.

Effect of exchange coupling on magnetic property in Sm-Co/α-Fe layered system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

C, X. Sang; G, P. Zhao; W, X. Xia; X, L. Wan; F, J. Morvan; X, C. Zhang; L, H. Xie; J, Zhang; J, Du; A, R. Yan; P, Liu

2016-03-01

The hysteresis loops as well as the spin distributions of Sm-Co/α-Fe bilayers have been investigated by both three-dimensional (3D) and one-dimensional (1D) micromagnetic calculations, focusing on the effect of the interface exchange coupling under various soft layer thicknesses ts. The exchange coupling coefficient Ahs between the hard and soft layers varies from 1.8 × 10-6 erg/cm to 0.45 × 10-6 erg/cm, while the soft layer thickness increases from 2 nm to 10 nm. As the exchange coupling decreases, the squareness of the loop gradually deteriorates, both pinning and coercive fields rise up monotonically, and the nucleation field goes down. On the other hand, an increment of the soft layer thickness leads to a significant drop of the nucleation field, the deterioration of the hysteresis loop squareness, and an increase of the remanence. The simulated loops based on the 3D and 1D methods are consistent with each other and in good agreement with the measured loops for Sm-Co/α-Fe multilayers. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11074179 and 10747007), the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2014CB643702), the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. LY14E010006), the Construction Plan for Scientific Research Innovation Teams of Universities in Sichuan Province, China (Grant No. 12TD008), the Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars of the Education Ministry, China, and the Program for Key Science and Technology Innovation Team of Zhejiang Province, China (Grant No. 2013TD08).

From Red Cells to Soft Porous Lubrication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gacka, T.; Nathan, R.; Wu, L.; Wu, Q.; Cbmss Laboratory Team; Chinese Academy Of Sci. Team

2011-11-01

Feng and Weinbaum (J. Fluid. Mech., 422, 282, 2000), inspired by the enhanced lift phenomena in downhill skiing, developed a new lubrication theory for highly compressible porous media where significantly increased lifting force was predicted as a planing surface glided over a soft porous layer; suggesting superior potential use of porous media for soft lubrication. In this study, we experimentally examine the lift generation phenomena by developing a novel soft porous bearing that consists of a running conveyer belt covered with a soft, 100% polyester, porous sheet, and a stationary, fully instrumented, inclined, planar, upper board. Pore pressure was generated as the upper boundary glides over the soft porous bearing and was measured by pressure sensors. One observed that the pore pressure distribution is consistent with predictions by Feng and Weinbaum (2000), and is a function of the relative velocity between the planing surface and the running belt, the mechanical properties (e.g. porosity, permeability and stiffness) and thickness of the porous layer, as well as the compression ratios at the leading and trailing edges. A load cell is used to characterize the performance of the porous bearing, by comparing pore pressure to total lifting forces. The study presented herein significantly improves our understanding of the behavior of highly compressible porous media under fast compression.

Flame retardant polymer-clay nanocoatings on cotton textile substrates using a newly developed, continuous layer-by-layer deposition process

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Cotton’s exceptional softness, breathability, and absorbency have made it America’s best selling textile fiber; however, cotton textiles are generally more combustible than most synthetic fabrics. In this study, a continuous layer-by-layer self-assembly technique was used to deposit polymer-clay nan...

Electrokinetics of diffuse soft interfaces. 1. Limit of low Donnan potentials.

PubMed

Duval, Jérôme F L; van Leeuwen, Herman P

2004-11-09

The current theoretical approaches to electrokinetics of gels or polyelectrolyte layers are based on the assumption that the position of the very interface between the aqueous medium and the gel phase is well defined. Within this assumption, spatial profiles for the volume fraction of polymer segments (phi), the density of fixed charges in the porous layer (rho fix), and the coefficient modeling the friction to hydrodynamic flow (k) follow a step-function. In reality, the "fuzzy" nature of the charged soft layer is intrinsically incompatible with the concept of a sharp interface and therefore necessarily calls for more detailed spatial representations for phi, rho fix, and k. In this paper, the notion of diffuse interface is introduced. For the sake of illustration, linear spatial distributions for phi and rho fix are considered in the interfacial zone between the bulk of the porous charged layer and the bulk electrolyte solution. The corresponding distribution for k is inferred from the Brinkman equation, which for low phi reduces to Stokes' equation. Linear electrostatics, hydrodynamics, and electroosmosis issues are analytically solved within the context of streaming current and streaming potential of charged surface layers in a thin-layer cell. The hydrodynamic analysis clearly demonstrates the physical incorrectness of the concept of a discrete slip plane for diffuse interfaces. For moderate to low electrolyte concentrations and nanoscale spatial transition of phi from zero (bulk electrolyte) to phi o (bulk gel), the electrokinetic properties of the soft layer as predicted by the theory considerably deviate from those calculated on the basis of the discontinuous approximation by Ohshima.

Effective reduction of the coercivity for Co72Pt28 thin film by exchange coupled Co81Ir19 soft layer with negative magnetocrystalline anisotropy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiao, J. Y.; Ma, T. Y.; Li, Z. W.; Qiao, L.; Wang, Y.; Wang, T.; Li, F. S.

2018-02-01

We report on the investigation of coercivity changes of the Co72Pt28/Co81Ir19 exchange-coupled composite (ECC) media with negative soft-layer (SL) magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MA). Our results show that the hard-layer (HL) of our sample exhibits a columnar type microstructure with well isolated grains and the SL with hcp-structure grows on top of the HL with the same texture. Therefore, strong coupling of the two layers have been realized as evidenced by the magnetic characterization. Importantly, we observe a more effective reduction of the coercivity of the ECC media by using SLs with negative MA when compared to the use of SLs with positive or negligible MA. The experimental results are corroborated by theoretical calculations.

Soft Ionic Electroactive Polymer Actuators with Tunable Non-Linear Angular Deformation.

PubMed

Hong, Wangyujue; Almomani, Abdallah; Chen, Yuanfen; Jamshidi, Reihaneh; Montazami, Reza

2017-06-21

The most rational approach to fabricate soft robotics is the implementation of soft actuators. Conventional soft electromechanical actuators exhibit linear or circular deformation, based on their design. This study presents the use of conjugated polymers, Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) to locally vary ion permeability of the ionic electroactive polymer actuators and manipulate ion motion through means of structural design to realize intrinsic angular deformation. Such angular deformations are closer to biomimetic systems and have potential applications in bio-robotics. Electrochemical studies reveal that the mechanism of actuation is mainly associated with the charging of electric double layer (EDL) capacitors by ion accumulation and the PEDOT:PSS layer's expansion by ion interchange and penetration. Dependence of actuator deformation on structural design is studied experimentally and conclusions are verified by analytical and finite element method modeling. The results suggest that the ion-material interactions are considerably dominated by the design of the drop-cast PEDOT:PSS on Nafion.

Computing dispersion curves of elastic/viscoelastic transversely-isotropic bone plates coupled with soft tissue and marrow using semi-analytical finite element (SAFE) method.

PubMed

Nguyen, Vu-Hieu; Tran, Tho N H T; Sacchi, Mauricio D; Naili, Salah; Le, Lawrence H

2017-08-01

We present a semi-analytical finite element (SAFE) scheme for accurately computing the velocity dispersion and attenuation in a trilayered system consisting of a transversely-isotropic (TI) cortical bone plate sandwiched between the soft tissue and marrow layers. The soft tissue and marrow are mimicked by two fluid layers of finite thickness. A Kelvin-Voigt model accounts for the absorption of all three biological domains. The simulated dispersion curves are validated by the results from the commercial software DISPERSE and published literature. Finally, the algorithm is applied to a viscoelastic trilayered TI bone model to interpret the guided modes of an ex-vivo experimental data set from a bone phantom. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cation Valence Control in La0.7Sr0.3Co0.5Mn0.5O3 Thin Films and Bilayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kane, Alex; Chopdekar, Rajesh; Arenholz, Elke; Mehta, Apurva; Takamura, Yayoi

The unique interplay between spin, orbital, charge, and lattice degrees of freedom at interfaces in perovskite oxides makes them model systems to probe and exert magnetic control at the nanoscale. Previous work revealed exchange coupling in bilayers composed of a hard ferromagnetic (FM) La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 (LSCO) layer and a soft FM La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) layer, coincident with charge transfer across the LSCO/LSMO interface. An interfacial Co2+-rich LSCO layer produced a FM superexchange interaction with Mn4+ ions in the adjacent LSMO layer, mimicking the behavior of ordered Co2+/Mn4 + ions in the double perovskite La2CoMnO6. In an attempt to manipulate the extent of charge transfer in this system, La0.7Sr0.3Co0.5Mn0.5O3 (LSCMO)/LSMO and LSCMO/LSCO bilayers were deposited by pulsed laser deposition. Bulk magnetometry and soft x-ray magnetic spectroscopy were used to investigate the Mn/Co magnetic and electronic structures, comparing the surface/interface dominant effects vs. the film average. The LSCMO/LSMO bilayer enhanced the magnetically soft Co2+ population at the interface, while the LSCMO/LSCO bilayers strongly suppressed the Co2+ state in the LSCMO layer.

Stable carbon and oxygen isotope record of central Lake Erie sediments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tevesz, M.J.S.; Spongberg, A.L.; Fuller, J.A.

1998-01-01

Stable carbon and oxygen isotope data from mollusc aragonite extracted from sediment cores provide new information on the origin and history of sedimentation in the southwestern area of the central basin of Lake Erie. Sediments infilling the Sandusky subbasin consist of three lithologic units overlying glacial deposits. The lowest of these is a soft gray mud overlain by a shell hash layer containing Sphaerium striatinum fragments. A fluid mud unit caps the shell hash layer and extends upwards to the sediment-water interface. New stable isotope data suggest that the soft gray mud unit is of postglacial, rather than proglacial, origin. These data also suggest that the shell hash layer was derived from erosional winnowing of the underlying soft gray mud layer. This winnowing event may have occurred as a result of the Nipissing flood. The Pelee-Lorain moraine, which forms the eastern boundary of the Sandusky subbasin, is an elevated area of till capped by a sand deposit that originated as a beach. The presence of both the shell hash layer and relict beach deposit strengthens the interpretation that the Nipissing flood was a critical event in the development of the southwestern area of the central basin of Lake Erie. This event, which returned drainage from the upper lakes to the Lake Erie basin, was a dominant influence on regional stratigraphy, bathymetry, and depositional setting.

12 CFR 195.22 - Lending test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Lending test. 195.22 Section 195.22 Banks and... Assessing Performance § 195.22 Lending test. (a) Scope of test. (1) The lending test evaluates a savings... lending test except the community development lending criterion. (b) Performance criteria. The appropriate...

13 CFR 307.18 - Addition of lending areas; merger of RLFs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Additional Lending Area and revise its lending strategy, as necessary; (vi) The RLF Recipient shall execute... conditions reasonably requested by EDA. (2) The New Lending Area designation shall remain in place... Lending Area(s)), its lending strategy and borrower criteria; (iv) Prior to EDA's disbursement of...

Adaptation of a MR imaging protocol into a real-time clinical biometric ultrasound protocol for persons with spinal cord injury at risk for deep tissue injury: A reliability study.

PubMed

Swaine, Jillian M; Moe, Andrew; Breidahl, William; Bader, Daniel L; Oomens, Cees W J; Lester, Leanne; O'Loughlin, Edmond; Santamaria, Nick; Stacey, Michael C

2018-02-01

High strain in soft tissues that overly bony prominences are considered a risk factor for pressure ulcers (PUs) following spinal cord impairment (SCI) and have been computed using Finite Element methods (FEM). The aim of this study was to translate a MRI protocol into ultrasound (US) and determine between-operator reliability of expert sonographers measuring diameter of the inferior curvature of the ischial tuberosity (IT) and the thickness of the overlying soft tissue layers on able-bodied (AB) and SCI using real-time ultrasound. Part 1: Fourteen AB participants with a mean age of 36.7 ± 12.09 years with 7 males and 7 females had their 3 soft tissue layers in loaded and unloaded sitting measured independently by 2 sonographers: tendon/muscle, skin/fat and total soft tissue and the diameter of the IT in its short and long axis. Part 2: Nineteen participants with SCI were screened, three were excluded due to abnormal skin signs, and eight participants (42%) were excluded for abnormal US signs with normal skin. Eight SCI participants with a mean age of 31.6 ± 13.6 years and all male with 4 paraplegics and 4 tetraplegics were measured by the same sonographers for skin, fat, tendon, muscle and total. Skin/fat and tendon/muscle were computed. AB between-operator reliability was good (ICC = 0.81-0.90) for 3 soft tissues layers in unloaded and loaded sitting and poor for both IT short and long axis (ICC = -0.028 and -0.01). SCI between-operator reliability was good in unloaded and loaded for total, muscle, fat, skin/fat, tendon/muscle (ICC = 0.75-0.97) and poor for tendon (ICC = 0.26 unloaded and ICC = -0.71 loaded) and skin (ICC = 0.37 unloaded and ICC = 0.10). A MRI protocol was successfully adapted for a reliable 3 soft tissue layer model and could be used in a 2-D FEM model designed to estimate soft tissue strain as a novel risk factor for the development of a PU. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Biocatalysis: Unmasked by stretching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kharlampieva, Eugenia; Tsukruk, Vladimir V.

2009-09-01

The biocatalytic activity of enzyme-loaded responsive layer-by-layer films can be switched on and off by simple mechanical stretching. Soft materials could thus be used to trigger biochemical reactions under mechanical action, with potential therapeutic applications.

Importance of core electrostatic properties on the electrophoresis of a soft particle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De, Simanta; Bhattacharyya, Somnath; Gopmandal, Partha P.

2016-08-01

The impact of the volumetric charged density of the dielectric rigid core on the electrophoresis of a soft particle is analyzed numerically. The volume charge density of the inner core of a soft particle can arise for a dendrimer structure or bacteriophage MS2. We consider the electrokinetic model based on the conservation principles, thus no conditions for Debye length or applied electric field is imposed. The fluid flow equations are coupled with the ion transport equations and the equation for the electric field. The occurrence of the induced nonuniform surface charge density on the outer surface of the inner core leads to a situation different from the existing analysis of a soft particle electrophoresis. The impact of this induced surface charge density together with the double-layer polarization and relaxation due to ion convection and electromigration is analyzed. The dielectric permittivity and the charge density of the core have a significant impact on the particle electrophoresis when the Debye length is in the order of the particle size. We find that by varying the ionic concentration of the electrolyte, the particle can exhibit reversal in its electrophoretic velocity. The role of the polymer layer softness parameter is addressed in the present analysis.

12 CFR 345.22 - Lending test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Lending test. 345.22 Section 345.22 Banks and... REINVESTMENT Standards for Assessing Performance § 345.22 Lending test. (a) Scope of test. (1) The lending test... consider these loans under any criterion of the lending test except the community development lending...

12 CFR 345.22 - Lending test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 5 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Lending test. 345.22 Section 345.22 Banks and... REINVESTMENT Standards for Assessing Performance § 345.22 Lending test. (a) Scope of test. (1) The lending test... consider these loans under any criterion of the lending test except the community development lending...

12 CFR 614.4351 - Computation of lending and leasing limit base.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Computation of lending and leasing limit base... POLICIES AND OPERATIONS Lending and Leasing Limits § 614.4351 Computation of lending and leasing limit base. (a) Lending and leasing limit base. An institution's lending and leasing limit base is composed of...

12 CFR 614.4351 - Computation of lending and leasing limit base.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Computation of lending and leasing limit base... POLICIES AND OPERATIONS Lending and Leasing Limits § 614.4351 Computation of lending and leasing limit base. (a) Lending and leasing limit base. An institution's lending and leasing limit base is composed of...

12 CFR 614.4351 - Computation of lending and leasing limit base.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Computation of lending and leasing limit base... POLICIES AND OPERATIONS Lending and Leasing Limits § 614.4351 Computation of lending and leasing limit base. (a) Lending and leasing limit base. An institution's lending and leasing limit base is composed of...

12 CFR 614.4351 - Computation of lending and leasing limit base.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Computation of lending and leasing limit base... POLICIES AND OPERATIONS Lending and Leasing Limits § 614.4351 Computation of lending and leasing limit base. (a) Lending and leasing limit base. An institution's lending and leasing limit base is composed of...

Estimation of soft sediment thickness in Kuala Lumpur based on microtremor observation data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chiew, Chang Chyau; Cheah, Yi Ben; Tan, Chin Guan; Lau, Tze Liang

2017-10-01

Seismic site effect is one of the major concerns in earthquake engineering. Soft ground tends to amplify the seismic wave in surficial geological layers. The determination of soft ground thickness on the surface layers of the earth is an important input for seismic hazard assessment. This paper presents an easy and convenient approach to estimate the soft sediment thickness at the site using microtremor observation technique. A total number of 133 survey points were conducted in selected sites around Kuala Lumpur area using a microtremor measuring instrument, but only 103 survey points contributed to the seismic microzonation and sediment thickness plots. The bedrock of Kuala Lumpur area is formed by Kenny Hill Formation, limestone, granite, and the Hawthornden Schist; however, the thickness of surface soft ground formed by alluvial deposits, mine tailings, and residual soils remains unknown. Hence, the predominant frequency of the ground in each site was determined based on Nakamura method. A total number of 14 sites with known depth to bedrock from the supply of geotechnical reports in the study area were determined. An empirical correlation was developed to relate the ground predominant frequency and soft ground thickness. This correlation may contribute to local soil underlying the subsurface of Kuala Lumpur area. The finding provides an important relationship for engineers to estimate the soft ground thickness in Kuala Lumpur area based on the dynamic characteristics of the ground measured from microtremor observation.

Interface influence on the properties of Co90Fe10 films on soft magnetic underlayers - Magnetostrictive and Mössbauer spectrometry studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szumiata, Tadeusz; Gzik-Szumiata, Małgorzata; Brzózka, Katarzyna; Górka, Bogumił; Gawroński, Michał; Caruana Finkel, Anastasia; Reeves-McLaren, Nik; Morley, Nicola A.

2016-03-01

The main aim of the work was to show the correlation between magnetostrictive properties and microstructure of 25 nm thick Co90Fe10 films deposited on soft magnetic underlayers. A special attention was paid to the role of the interface region. In the case of Co90Fe10 on 25 nm and 35 nm thick METGLAS underlayers one can resolve in conversion electron Mössbauer spectra two hyperfine field distributions (high-field and medium-field ones) corresponding to both constituents of bilayers. Analogical distributions describe the spectra of Co90Fe10 on 25 nm and 35 nm thick Ni81Fe19 underlayers, however an additional low-field, smeared component has been observed. It has been attributed to the interface layer (of partially disordered structure) between magnetostrictive layer and soft magnetic layer. Such interpretation is backed up by the obtained strong correlation between mean hyperfine field value and magnetostriction constant of the films. The investigated bilayers are good candidates for MRAM devices.

Development of W/C soft x-ray multilayer mirror by ion beam sputtering (IBS) system for below 50A wavelength

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

Biswas, A.; Bhattacharyya, D.

A home-made Ion Beam Sputtering (IBS) system has been developed in our laboratory. Using the IBS system single layer W and single layer C film has been deposited at 1000eV Ar ion energy and 10mA ion current. The W-film has been characterized by grazing Incidence X-ray reflectrometry (GIXR) technique and Atomic Force Microscope technique. The single layer C-film has been characterized by Spectroscopic Ellipsometric technique. At the same deposition condition 25-layer W/C multilayer film has been deposited which has been designed for using as mirror at 30 Degree-Sign grazing incidence angle around 50A wavelength. The multilayer sample has been characterizedmore » by measuring reflectivity of CuK{alpha} radiation and soft x-ray radiation around 50A wavelength.« less

Rayleigh-Taylor instability in soft elastic layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riccobelli, D.; Ciarletta, P.

2017-04-01

This work investigates the morphological stability of a soft body composed of two heavy elastic layers attached to a rigid surface and subjected only to the bulk gravity force. Using theoretical and computational tools, we characterize the selection of different patterns as well as their nonlinear evolution, unveiling the interplay between elastic and geometric effects for their formation. Unlike similar gravity-induced shape transitions in fluids, such as the Rayleigh-Taylor instability, we prove that the nonlinear elastic effects saturate the dynamic instability of the bifurcated solutions, displaying a rich morphological diagram where both digitations and stable wrinkling can emerge. The results of this work provide important guidelines for the design of novel soft systems with tunable shapes, with several applications in engineering sciences. This article is part of the themed issue 'Patterning through instabilities in complex media: theory and applications.'

A method to generate soft shadows using a layered depth image and warping.

PubMed

Im, Yeon-Ho; Han, Chang-Young; Kim, Lee-Sup

2005-01-01

We present an image-based method for propagating area light illumination through a Layered Depth Image (LDI) to generate soft shadows from opaque and nonrefractive transparent objects. In our approach, using the depth peeling technique, we render an LDI from a reference light sample on a planar light source. Light illumination of all pixels in an LDI is then determined for all the other sample points via warping, an image-based rendering technique, which approximates ray tracing in our method. We use an image-warping equation and McMillan's warp ordering algorithm to find the intersections between rays and polygons and to find the order of intersections. Experiments for opaque and nonrefractive transparent objects are presented. Results indicate our approach generates soft shadows fast and effectively. Advantages and disadvantages of the proposed method are also discussed.

Soft actuators and soft actuating devices

DOEpatents

Yang, Dian; Whitesides, George M.

2017-10-17

A soft buckling linear actuator is described, including: a plurality of substantially parallel bucklable, elastic structural components each having its longest dimension along a first axis; and a plurality of secondary structural components each disposed between and bridging two adjacent bucklable, elastic structural components; wherein every two adjacent bucklable, elastic structural components and the secondary structural components in-between define a layer comprising a plurality of cells each capable of being connected with a fluid inflation or deflation source; the secondary structural components from two adjacent layers are not aligned along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and the secondary structural components are configured not to buckle, the bucklable, elastic structural components are configured to buckle along the second axis to generate a linear force, upon the inflation or deflation of the cells. Methods of actuation using the same are also described.

Imaging performance of a normal incidence soft X-ray telescope

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Henry, J. P.; Spiller, E.; Weisskopf, M.

1982-01-01

Measurements are presented of the imaging performance of a normal incidence spherical soft X-ray mirror at BK-alpha (67.6 A). The reflector was a 124-layer coating consisting of alternating Re-W alloy and C layers with a protective C overcoat 34 A thick deposited on a Zerodur substrate. Measurements made at an angle of 1.5 deg off axis with the prototype of the Einstein Observatory high resolution imager reveal the resolution of the mirror to be about 1 arcsec FWHM, with 50% of the reflected power within the detector field of 512 arcsec contained within a diameter of 5 arcsec. The data demonstrate the practicality and potential good performance of normal-incidence soft X-ray optics, and show that the scattering performances of such devices may be as good or better than the best grazing incidence devices.

Surface protection in bio-shields via a functional soft skin layer: Lessons from the turtle shell.

PubMed

Shelef, Yaniv; Bar-On, Benny

2017-09-01

The turtle shell is a functional bio-shielding element, which has evolved naturally to provide protection against predator attacks that involve biting and clawing. The near-surface architecture of the turtle shell includes a soft bi-layer skin coating - rather than a hard exterior - which functions as a first line of defense against surface damage. This architecture represents a novel type of bio-shielding configuration, namely, an inverse structural-mechanical design, rather than the hard-coated bio-shielding elements identified so far. In the current study, we used experimentally based structural modeling and FE simulations to analyze the mechanical significance of this unconventional protection architecture in terms of resistance to surface damage upon extensive indentations. We found that the functional bi-layer skin of the turtle shell, which provides graded (soft-softer-hard) mechanical characteristics to the bio-shield exterior, serves as a bumper-buffer mechanism. This material-level adaptation protects the inner core from the highly localized indentation loads via stress delocalization and extensive near-surface plasticity. The newly revealed functional bi-layer coating architecture can potentially be adapted, using synthetic materials, to considerably enhance the surface load-bearing capabilities of various engineering configurations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Controllable liquid colour-changing lenses with microfluidic channels for vision protection, camouflage and optical filtering based on soft lithography fabrication.

PubMed

Zhang, Min; Li, Songjing

2016-01-01

In this work, liquid colour-changing lenses for vision protection, camouflage and optical filtering are developed by circulating colour liquids through microfluidic channels on the lenses manually. Soft lithography technology is applied to fabricate the silicone liquid colour-changing layers with microfluidic channels on the lenses instead of mechanical machining. To increase the hardness and abrasion resistance of the silicone colour-changing layers on the lenses, proper fabrication parameters such as 6:1 (mass ration) mixing proportion and 100 °C curing temperature for 2 h are approved for better soft lithography process of the lenses. Meanwhile, a new surface treatment for the irreversible bonding of silicone colour-changing layer with optical resin (CR39) substrate lens by using 5 % (volume ratio) 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane solution is proposed. Vision protection, camouflage and optical filtering functions of the lenses are investigated with different designs of the channels and multi-layer structures. Each application can not only well achieve their functional demands, but also shows the advantages of functional flexibility, rapid prototyping and good controllability compared with traditional ways. Besides optometry, some other designs and applications of the lenses are proposed for potential utility in the future.

Why we should care about soft tissue interfaces when applying ultrasonic diathermy: an experimental and computer simulation study.

PubMed

Omena, Thaís Pionório; Fontes-Pereira, Aldo José; Costa, Rejane Medeiros; Simões, Ricardo Jorge; von Krüger, Marco Antônio; Pereira, Wagner Coelho de Albuquerque

2017-01-01

One goal of therapeutic ultrasound is enabling heat generation in tissue. Ultrasound application protocols typically neglect these processes of absorption and backscatter/reflection at the skin/fat, fat/muscle, and muscle/bone interfaces. The aim of this study was to investigate the heating process at interfaces close to the transducer and the bone with the aid of computer simulation and tissue-mimicking materials (phantoms). The experimental setup consists of physiotherapeutic ultrasound equipment for irradiation, two layers of soft tissue-mimicking material, and one with and one without an additional layer of bone-mimicking material. Thermocouple monitoring is used in both cases. A computational model is used with the experimental parameters in a COMSOL® software platform. The experimental results show significant temperature rise (42 °C) at 10 mm depth, regardless of bone layer presence, diverging 3 °C from the simulated values. The probable causes are thermocouple and transducer heating and interface reverberations. There was no statistical difference in the experimental results with and without the cortical bone for the central thermocouple of the first interface [ t (38) = -1.52; 95% CI = -0.85, 0.12; p  = 14]. Temperature rise (>6 °C) close to the bone layer was lower than predicted (>21 °C), possibly because without the bone layer, thermocouples at 30 mm make contact with the water bath and convection intensifies heat loss; this factor was omitted in the simulation model. This work suggests that more attention should be given to soft tissue layer interfaces in ultrasound therapeutic procedures even in the absence of a close bone layer.

16 CFR 14.16 - Interpretation of Truth-in-Lending Orders consistent with amendments to the Truth-in-Lending Act...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 16 Commercial Practices 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Interpretation of Truth-in-Lending Orders consistent with amendments to the Truth-in-Lending Act and Regulation Z. 14.16 Section 14.16 Commercial...-Lending Orders consistent with amendments to the Truth-in-Lending Act and Regulation Z. Introduction The...

Precessional switching of a perpendicular anisotropy magneto-tunneling junction without a magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drobitch, Justine L.; Ahsanul Abeed, Md; Bandyopadhyay, Supriyo

2017-10-01

We describe an approach to implement precessional switching of a perpendicular-magnetic-anisotropy magneto-tunneling-junction (p-MTJ) without using any magnetic field. The switching is accomplished with voltage-controlled-magnetic-anisotropy (VCMA), spin transfer torque (STT) and mechanical strain. The soft layer of the p-MTJ is magnetostrictive and the strain acts as an effective in-plane magnetic field around which the magnetization of the soft layer precesses to complete a flip. A two-terminal energy-efficient p-MTJ based memory cell, that is compatible with crossbar architecture and high cell density, is designed.

Spin-filter spin valves with nano-oxide layers for high density recording heads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Jibouri, Abdul; Hoban, M.; Lu, Z.; Pan, G.

2002-05-01

A new spin-filter spin valve with nano-oxide specular layers with structure of Ta/NiFe/IrMn/CoFe/NOL1/CoFe/Cu/CoFetfl/CutCu/NOL2/Ta was deposited using a Nordiko 9606 physical vapor deposition system. The data clearly show that the magnetoresistive (MR) ratio has been significantly improved for spin valves with thinner free layers. The MR ratio remains larger than 12% even when the CoFe free layer is as thin as 1 nm. An optimized MR ratio of ˜15% was obtained when tfl was about 1.2 nm and tCu about 1.5 nm, and was a result of the balance between the increase in the electron mean free path difference and current shunting through the conducting layer. It is also found that the Cu enhancing layer can improve soft magnetic properties of the CoFe free layer due to the low atomic intermixing observed between Co and Cu. The CoFe free layer of 1-4 nm exhibited coercivity of ˜3 Oe after annealing in a static magnetic field. This kind of spin valve with a very thin soft CoFe free layer is particularly attractive for ultra high density read head applications.

Indirect Coupling of Magnetic Layers via Domain Wall Fringing fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parkin, Stuart

2001-03-01

Ferromagnetic films separated by thin metallic spacer layers are usually coupled through an indirect exchange interaction which oscillates in sign between ferro and antiferromagnetic coupling as a function of the spacer layer thickness^1. For both such metallic systems, and for multilayered systems in which the ferromagnetic films are separated by thin insulating layers, correlated roughness of the magnetic layers gives rise to a weak ferromagnetic coupling via dipole fields. Another type of dipolar coupling mechanism, which has largely been ignored, is that arising from domain wall fringing fields. These fields can be locally very large^2 and can result in the demagnetization of ferromagnetic films which are nominally highly coercive ("hard") in sandwiches comprised of "hard" and "soft" ferromagnetic layers. When the moment of the soft layer is reversed back and forth in small magnetic fields, much too small to affect the moment of the hard layer, substantial local fringing fields from domain walls created in the soft film gradually result in the demagnetization of the hard film. In some cases the moment of the hard layer decays in an oscillatory manner as it is successively partially demagnetized and remagnetized. This process has been observed on both macroscopic and microscopic length scales using SQUID magnetometry and high resolution photoemission electron microscopy, respectively^3. Magnetic interactions from domain wall fringing fields may be very important for magnetic devices, especially, magnetoresistance sensors and memory elements. [1] S.S.P. Parkin, N. More and K.P. Roche, Phys. Rev. Lett. 64, 2304 (1990); S.S.P. Parkin, Phys. Rev. Lett., 67, 3598 (1991). [2] L. Thomas, M. Samant and S.S.P. Parkin, Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 1816 (2000). [3] L. Thomas, J Lüning, A. Scholl, F. Nolting, S. Anders, J. Stöhr and S.S.P. Parkin, Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 3462 (2000).

Mechanical characterization of soft materials using transparent indenter testing system and finite element simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xuan, Yue

Background. Soft materials such as polymers and soft tissues have diverse applications in bioengineering, medical care, and industry. Quantitative mechanical characterization of soft materials at multiscales is required to assure that appropriate mechanical properties are presented to support the normal material function. Indentation test has been widely used to characterize soft material. However, the measurement of in situ contact area is always difficult. Method of Approach. A transparent indenter method was introduced to characterize the nonlinear behaviors of soft materials under large deformation. This approach made the direct measurement of contact area and local deformation possible. A microscope was used to capture the contact area evolution as well as the surface deformation. Based on this transparent indenter method, a novel transparent indentation measurement systems has been built and multiple soft materials including polymers and pericardial tissue have been characterized. Seven different indenters have been used to study the strain distribution on the contact surface, inner layer and vertical layer. Finite element models have been built to simulate the hyperelastic and anisotropic material behaviors. Proper material constants were obtained by fitting the experimental results. Results.Homogeneous and anisotropic silicone rubber and porcine pericardial tissue have been examined. Contact area and local deformation were measured by real time imaging the contact interface. The experimental results were compared with the predictions from the Hertzian equations. The accurate measurement of contact area results in more reliable Young's modulus, which is critical for soft materials. For the fiber reinforced anisotropic silicone rubber, the projected contact area under a hemispherical indenter exhibited elliptical shape. The local surface deformation under indenter was mapped using digital image correlation program. Punch test has been applied to thin films of silicone rubber and porcine pericardial tissue and results were analyzed using the same method. Conclusions. The transparent indenter testing system can effectively reduce the material properties measurement error by directly measuring the contact radii. The contact shape can provide valuable information for the anisotropic property of the material. Local surface deformation including contact surface, inner layer and vertical plane can be accurately tracked and mapped to study the strain distribution. The potential usage of the transparent indenter measurement system to investigate biological and biomaterials was verified. The experimental data including the real-time contact area combined with the finite element simulation would be powerful tool to study mechanical properties of soft materials and their relation to microstructure, which has potential in pathologies study such as tissue repair and surgery plan. Key words: transparent indenter, large deformation, soft material, anisotropic.

Mechanical loading regulates human MSC differentiation in a multi-layer hydrogel for osteochondral tissue engineering.

PubMed

Steinmetz, Neven J; Aisenbrey, Elizabeth A; Westbrook, Kristofer K; Qi, H Jerry; Bryant, Stephanie J

2015-07-01

A bioinspired multi-layer hydrogel was developed for the encapsulation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) as a platform for osteochondral tissue engineering. The spatial presentation of biochemical cues, via incorporation of extracellular matrix analogs, and mechanical cues, via both hydrogel crosslink density and externally applied mechanical loads, were characterized in each layer. A simple sequential photopolymerization method was employed to form stable poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels with a soft cartilage-like layer of chondroitin sulfate and low RGD concentrations, a stiff bone-like layer with high RGD concentrations, and an intermediate interfacial layer. Under a compressive load, the variation in hydrogel stiffness within each layer produced high strains in the soft cartilage-like layer, low strains in the stiff bone-like layer, and moderate strains in the interfacial layer. When hMSC-laden hydrogels were cultured statically in osteochondral differentiation media, the local biochemical and matrix stiffness cues were not sufficient to spatially guide hMSC differentiation after 21 days. However dynamic mechanical stimulation led to differentially high expression of collagens with collagen II in the cartilage-like layer, collagen X in the interfacial layer and collagen I in the bone-like layer and mineral deposits localized to the bone layer. Overall, these findings point to external mechanical stimulation as a potent regulator of hMSC differentiation toward osteochondral cellular phenotypes. Copyright © 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Remanent-magnetization decay in CoCr films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skorjanec, J.; Cottles, V.; Close, J.; Iverson, P.; Edwards, J.; Dahlberg, E. Dan

1990-05-01

The decay of the remanent magnetization of several thin films of CoCr has been studied using the extraordinary Hall effect as a probe of the component of the magnetization perpendicular to the plane of the films. Consistent with previous measurements of CoCr, the remanent magnetization decays quasilogarithmically with time after the removal of a saturating magnetic field. In the present work the effect of a magnetically soft keeper layer on the decay of the magnetization has been investigated. It is found that the keeper layer does not affect the remanent magnetization nor does it decrease the decay rate of the perpendicular magnetization. This result indicates that the soft keeper layer is not effective at screening the demagnetization field on a length scale relevant to the decay-producing fields.

Studies on high-moment soft magnetic FeCo/Co thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Yu; Yang, Zheng; Matsumoto, Mitsunori; Liu, Xiao-Xi; Morisako, Akimitsu

2006-06-01

The dependences of soft magnetic properties and microstructures of the sputtered FeCo (=Fe65Co35) films on Co underlayer thickness tCo, FeCo thickness tFeCo, substrate temperature Ts and target-substrate spacing dT-S are studied. FeCo single layer generally shows a high coercivity with no obvious magnetic anisotropy. Excellent soft magnetic properties with saturation magnetization μ0Ms of 2.35 T and hard axis coercivity Hch of 0.25 kA/m in FeCo films can be achieved by introducing a Co underlayer. It is shown that sandwiching a Co underlayer causes a change in orientation and reduction in grain size from 70 nm to about 10 nm in the FeCo layer. The magnetic softness can be explained by the Hoffmann's ripple theory due to the effect of grain size. The magnetic anisotropy can be controlled by changing dT-S and a maximum of 14.3 kA/m for anisotropic field Hk is obtained with dT-S=18.0 cm.

Liquid metals as ultra-stretchable, soft, and shape reconfigurable conductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eaker, Collin B.; Dickey, Michael D.

2015-05-01

Conventional, rigid materials remain the key building blocks of most modern electronic devices, but they are limited in their ability to conform to curvilinear surfaces. It is possible to make electronic components that are flexible and in some cases stretchable by utilizing thin films, engineered geometries, or inherently soft and stretchable materials that maintain their function during deformation. Here, we describe the properties and applications of a micromoldable liquid metal that can form conductive components that are ultra-stretchable, soft, and shape-reconfigurable. This liquid metal is a gallium-based alloy with low viscosity and high conductivity. The metal develops spontaneously a thin, passivating oxide layer on the surface that allows the metal to be molded into non-spherical shapes, including films and wires, and patterned by direct-write techniques or microfluidic injection. Furthermore, unlike mercury, the liquid metal has low toxicity and negligible vapor pressure. This paper discusses the mechanical and electrical properties of the metal in the context of electronics, and discusses how the properties of the oxide layer have been exploited for new patterning techniques that enable soft, stretchable and reconfigurable devices.

12 CFR 560.93 - Lending limitations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 5 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Lending limitations. 560.93 Section 560.93 Banks and Banking OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY LENDING AND INVESTMENT Lending and Investment Provisions Applicable to all Savings Associations § 560.93 Lending limitations. (a...

Accelerated loading evaluation of subbase layers in pavement performance : tech summary.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-04-01

The mighty Mississippi River formed and sculpted most of south Louisiana, creating large areas of alluvial : deposits consisting of soft, wet, and unconsolidated soil layers. Many Louisiana pavements were built in : these areas of naturally low shear...

Soft error rate simulation and initial design considerations of neutron intercepting silicon chip (NISC)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Celik, Cihangir

Advances in microelectronics result in sub-micrometer electronic technologies as predicted by Moore's Law, 1965, which states the number of transistors in a given space would double every two years. The most available memory architectures today have submicrometer transistor dimensions. The International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS), a continuation of Moore's Law, predicts that Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) will have an average half pitch size of 50 nm and Microprocessor Units (MPU) will have an average gate length of 30 nm over the period of 2008-2012. Decreases in the dimensions satisfy the producer and consumer requirements of low power consumption, more data storage for a given space, faster clock speed, and portability of integrated circuits (IC), particularly memories. On the other hand, these properties also lead to a higher susceptibility of IC designs to temperature, magnetic interference, power supply, and environmental noise, and radiation. Radiation can directly or indirectly affect device operation. When a single energetic particle strikes a sensitive node in the micro-electronic device, it can cause a permanent or transient malfunction in the device. This behavior is called a Single Event Effect (SEE). SEEs are mostly transient errors that generate an electric pulse which alters the state of a logic node in the memory device without having a permanent effect on the functionality of the device. This is called a Single Event Upset (SEU) or Soft Error . Contrary to SEU, Single Event Latchup (SEL), Single Event Gate Rapture (SEGR), or Single Event Burnout (SEB) they have permanent effects on the device operation and a system reset or recovery is needed to return to proper operations. The rate at which a device or system encounters soft errors is defined as Soft Error Rate (SER). The semiconductor industry has been struggling with SEEs and is taking necessary measures in order to continue to improve system designs in nano-scale technologies. Prevention of SEEs has been studied and applied in the semiconductor industry by including radiation protection precautions in the system architecture or by using corrective algorithms in the system operation. Decreasing 10B content (20%of natural boron) in the natural boron of Borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG) layers that are conventionally used in the fabrication of semiconductor devices was one of the major radiation protection approaches for the system architecture. Neutron interaction in the BPSG layer was the origin of the SEEs because of the 10B (n,alpha) 7Li reaction products. Both of the particles produced have the capability of ionization in the silicon substrate region, whose thickness is comparable to the ranges of these particles. Using the soft error phenomenon in exactly the opposite manner of the semiconductor industry can provide a new neutron detection system based on the SERs in the semiconductor memories. By investigating the soft error mechanisms in the available semiconductor memories and enhancing the soft error occurrences in these devices, one can convert all memory using intelligent systems into portable, power efficient, directiondependent neutron detectors. The Neutron Intercepting Silicon Chip (NISC) project aims to achieve this goal by introducing 10B-enriched BPSG layers to the semiconductor memory architectures. This research addresses the development of a simulation tool, the NISC Soft Error Analysis Tool (NISCSAT), for soft error modeling and analysis in the semiconductor memories to provide basic design considerations for the NISC. NISCSAT performs particle transport and calculates the soft error probabilities, or SER, depending on energy depositions of the particles in a given memory node model of the NISC. Soft error measurements were performed with commercially available, off-the-shelf semiconductor memories and microprocessors to observe soft error variations with the neutron flux and memory supply voltage. Measurement results show that soft errors in the memories increase proportionally with the neutron flux, whereas they decrease with increasing the supply voltages. NISC design considerations include the effects of device scaling, 10B content in the BPSG layer, incoming neutron energy, and critical charge of the node for this dissertation. NISCSAT simulations were performed with various memory node models to account these effects. Device scaling simulations showed that any further increase in the thickness of the BPSG layer beyond 2 mum causes self-shielding of the incoming neutrons due to the BPSG layer and results in lower detection efficiencies. Moreover, if the BPSG layer is located more than 4 mum apart from the depletion region in the node, there are no soft errors in the node due to the fact that both of the reaction products have lower ranges in the silicon or any possible node layers. Calculation results regarding the critical charge indicated that the mean charge deposition of the reaction products in the sensitive volume of the node is about 15 fC. It is evident that the NISC design should have a memory architecture with a critical charge of 15 fC or less to obtain higher detection efficiencies. Moreover, the sensitive volume should be placed in close proximity to the BPSG layers so that its location would be within the range of alpha and 7Li particles. Results showed that the distance between the BPSG layer and the sensitive volume should be less than 2 mum to increase the detection efficiency of the NISC. Incoming neutron energy was also investigated by simulations and the results obtained from these simulations showed that NISC neutron detection efficiency is related with the neutron cross-sections of 10B (n,alpha) 7Li reaction, e.g., ratio of the thermal (0.0253 eV) to fast (2 MeV) neutron detection efficiencies is approximately equal to 8000:1. Environmental conditions and their effects on the NISC performance were also studied in this research. Cosmic rays were modeled and simulated via NISCSAT to investigate detection reliability of the NISC. Simulation results show that cosmic rays account for less than 2 % of the soft errors for the thermal neutron detection. On the other hand, fast neutron detection by the NISC, which already has a poor efficiency due to the low neutron cross-sections, becomes almost impossible at higher altitudes where the cosmic ray fluxes and their energies are higher. NISCSAT simulations regarding soft error dependency of the NISC for temperature and electromagnetic fields show that there are no significant effects in the NISC detection efficiency. Furthermore, the detection efficiency of the NISC decreases with both air humidity and use of moderators since the incoming neutrons scatter away before reaching the memory surface.

Scalable solution-phase epitaxial growth of symmetry-mismatched heterostructures on two-dimensional crystal soft template.

PubMed

Lin, Zhaoyang; Yin, Anxiang; Mao, Jun; Xia, Yi; Kempf, Nicholas; He, Qiyuan; Wang, Yiliu; Chen, Chih-Yen; Zhang, Yanliang; Ozolins, Vidvuds; Ren, Zhifeng; Huang, Yu; Duan, Xiangfeng

2016-10-01

Epitaxial heterostructures with precisely controlled composition and electronic modulation are of central importance for electronics, optoelectronics, thermoelectrics, and catalysis. In general, epitaxial material growth requires identical or nearly identical crystal structures with small misfit in lattice symmetry and parameters and is typically achieved by vapor-phase depositions in vacuum. We report a scalable solution-phase growth of symmetry-mismatched PbSe/Bi 2 Se 3 epitaxial heterostructures by using two-dimensional (2D) Bi 2 Se 3 nanoplates as soft templates. The dangling bond-free surface of 2D Bi 2 Se 3 nanoplates guides the growth of PbSe crystal without requiring a one-to-one match in the atomic structure, which exerts minimal restriction on the epitaxial layer. With a layered structure and weak van der Waals interlayer interaction, the interface layer in the 2D Bi 2 Se 3 nanoplates can deform to accommodate incoming layer, thus functioning as a soft template for symmetry-mismatched epitaxial growth of cubic PbSe crystal on rhombohedral Bi 2 Se 3 nanoplates. We show that a solution chemistry approach can be readily used for the synthesis of gram-scale PbSe/Bi 2 Se 3 epitaxial heterostructures, in which the square PbSe (001) layer forms on the trigonal/hexagonal (0001) plane of Bi 2 Se 3 nanoplates. We further show that the resulted PbSe/Bi 2 Se 3 heterostructures can be readily processed into bulk pellet with considerably suppressed thermal conductivity (0.30 W/m·K at room temperature) while retaining respectable electrical conductivity, together delivering a thermoelectric figure of merit ZT three times higher than that of the pristine Bi 2 Se 3 nanoplates at 575 K. Our study demonstrates a unique epitaxy mode enabled by the 2D nanocrystal soft template via an affordable and scalable solution chemistry approach. It opens up new opportunities for the creation of diverse epitaxial heterostructures with highly disparate structures and functions.

Scalable solution-phase epitaxial growth of symmetry-mismatched heterostructures on two-dimensional crystal soft template

PubMed Central

Lin, Zhaoyang; Yin, Anxiang; Mao, Jun; Xia, Yi; Kempf, Nicholas; He, Qiyuan; Wang, Yiliu; Chen, Chih-Yen; Zhang, Yanliang; Ozolins, Vidvuds; Ren, Zhifeng; Huang, Yu; Duan, Xiangfeng

2016-01-01

Epitaxial heterostructures with precisely controlled composition and electronic modulation are of central importance for electronics, optoelectronics, thermoelectrics, and catalysis. In general, epitaxial material growth requires identical or nearly identical crystal structures with small misfit in lattice symmetry and parameters and is typically achieved by vapor-phase depositions in vacuum. We report a scalable solution-phase growth of symmetry-mismatched PbSe/Bi2Se3 epitaxial heterostructures by using two-dimensional (2D) Bi2Se3 nanoplates as soft templates. The dangling bond–free surface of 2D Bi2Se3 nanoplates guides the growth of PbSe crystal without requiring a one-to-one match in the atomic structure, which exerts minimal restriction on the epitaxial layer. With a layered structure and weak van der Waals interlayer interaction, the interface layer in the 2D Bi2Se3 nanoplates can deform to accommodate incoming layer, thus functioning as a soft template for symmetry-mismatched epitaxial growth of cubic PbSe crystal on rhombohedral Bi2Se3 nanoplates. We show that a solution chemistry approach can be readily used for the synthesis of gram-scale PbSe/Bi2Se3 epitaxial heterostructures, in which the square PbSe (001) layer forms on the trigonal/hexagonal (0001) plane of Bi2Se3 nanoplates. We further show that the resulted PbSe/Bi2Se3 heterostructures can be readily processed into bulk pellet with considerably suppressed thermal conductivity (0.30 W/m·K at room temperature) while retaining respectable electrical conductivity, together delivering a thermoelectric figure of merit ZT three times higher than that of the pristine Bi2Se3 nanoplates at 575 K. Our study demonstrates a unique epitaxy mode enabled by the 2D nanocrystal soft template via an affordable and scalable solution chemistry approach. It opens up new opportunities for the creation of diverse epitaxial heterostructures with highly disparate structures and functions. PMID:27730211

12 CFR 365.2 - Real estate lending standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Real estate lending standards. 365.2 Section... POLICY REAL ESTATE LENDING STANDARDS § 365.2 Real estate lending standards. (a) Each insured state... purpose of financing permanent improvements to real estate. (b)(1) Real estate lending policies adopted...

13 CFR 307.7 - Revolving Loan Funds established for business lending.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... for business lending. 307.7 Section 307.7 Business Credit and Assistance ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT... Revolving Loan Funds and Use of Grant Funds § 307.7 Revolving Loan Funds established for business lending... lending, but may also fund public infrastructure or other authorized lending activities. The requirements...

Clinical effectiveness of a silicone foam dressing for the prevention of heel pressure ulcers in critically ill patients: Border II Trial.

PubMed

Santamaria, N; Gerdtz, M; Liu, W; Rakis, S; Sage, S; Ng, A W; Tudor, H; McCann, J; Vassiliou, T; Morrow, F; Smith, K; Knott, J; Liew, D

2015-08-01

Critically ill patients are at high risk of developing pressure ulcers (PU), with the sacrum and heels being highly susceptible to pressure injuries. The objective of our study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a new multi-layer, self-adhesive soft silicone foam heel dressing to prevent PU development in trauma and critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). A cohort of critically ill patients were enrolled at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Each patient had the multi-layer soft silicone foam dressing applied to each heel on admission to the emergency department. The dressings were retained with a tubular bandage for the duration of the patients' stay in the ICU. The skin under the dressings was examined daily and the dressings were replaced every three days. The comparator for our cohort study was the control group from the recently completed Border Trial. Of the 191 patients in the initial cohort, excluding deaths, loss to follow-up and transfers to another ward, 150 patients were included in the final analysis. There was no difference in key demographic or physiological variables between the cohorts, apart from a longer ICU length of stay for our current cohort. No PUs developed in any of our intervention cohort patients compared with 14 patients in the control cohort (n=152; p<0.001) who developed a total of 19 heel PUs. We conclude, based on our results, that the multi-layer soft silicone foam dressing under investigation was clinically effective in reducing ICU-acquired heel PUs. The findings also support previous research on the clinical effectiveness of multi-layer soft silicone foam dressings for PU prevention in the ICU.

Large-scale fabrication of nanopatterned sapphire substrates by annealing of patterned Al thin films by soft UV-nanoimprint lithography

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Large-scale nanopatterned sapphire substrates were fabricated by annealing of patterned Al thin films. Patterned Al thin films were obtained by soft UV-nanoimprint lithography and reactive ion etching. The soft mold with 550-nm-wide lines separated by 250-nm space was composed of the toluene-diluted polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer supported by the soft PDMS. Patterned Al thin films were subsequently subjected to dual-stage annealing due to the melting temperature of Al thin films (660°C). The first comprised a low-temperature oxidation anneal at 450°C for 24 h. This was followed by a high-temperature annealing in the range of 1,000°C and 1,200°C for 1 h to induce growth of the underlying sapphire single crystal to consume the oxide layer. The SEM results indicate that the patterns were retained on sapphire substrates after high-temperature annealing at less than 1,200°C. Finally, large-scale nanopatterned sapphire substrates were successfully fabricated by annealing of patterned Al thin films for 24 h at 450°C and 1 h at 1,000°C by soft UV-nanoimprint lithography. PMID:24215718

Protection against hip fractures by energy absorption.

PubMed

Lauritzen, J B; Askegaard, V

1992-02-01

Impact lateral to the hip was noted in 37 of 60 patients with hip fracture. Women with hip fracture (n = 12) had an average 22 mm thick soft tissue cover of the hip as compared to 32 mm in healthy women (n = 27), even for the same body mass index. Experiments where a steel weight was dropped from various heights onto porcine soft tissue showed that a layer of 29 mm could absorb 60% more energy than a 20 mm thick layer before nearly metallic contact would occur, corresponding to a sharp rise in load. If the results are related to conditions in vivo, then the passive protection of soft tissue over the hip is important for the development of hip fractures, and may under certain assumptions explain the higher risk of hip fractures in thin persons. An external hip protection device might therefore prevent some hip fractures.

Elastomeric Sensing of Pressure with Liquid Metal and Wireless Inductive Coupling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dick, Jacob; Zou, Xiyue; Hogan, Ben; Tumalle, Jonathan; Etikyala, Sowmith; Fung, Diego; Charles, Watley; Gu, Tianye; Hull, Patrick V.; Mazzeo, Aaron D.

2017-01-01

This project describes resistance-based soft sensors filled with liquid metal, which permit measurements of large strains (0 percent to 110 percent), associated with small forces of less than 30 Newtons. This work also demonstrates a methodology for wireless transfer of these strain measurements without connected electrodes. These sensors allow intermittent detection of pressure on soft membranes with low force. Adapting these sensors for passive wireless pressure sensing will eliminate the need for embedded batteries, and will allow the sensors to transmit pressure data through non-conductive materials including glass and acrylic. The absence of batteries allows us to embed these sensors into materials for long-term use because the sensors only use passive analog circuit elements. We found the oxidation of the liquid metal (eutectic gallium indium) plays a role in the repeatability of the soft sensors. We investigated how the oxidation layer affected the behavior of the sensor by encapsulating materials (silicone, fluorosilicone, and PVC) with varied permeabilities to oxygen. We measured the effects of mechanical loading on the oxidation layer and the effects of wireless inductive coupling on the oxidation layer. We concluded our research by investigating the effects of embedding self-resonant circuits into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Efforts to design engineered systems with soft materials are a growing field with progress in soft robotics, epidermal electronics, and wearable electronics. In the field of soft robotics, PDMS-based grippers are capable of picking up delicate objects because their form-fitting properties allow them to conform to the shape of objects more easily than conventional robotic grippers. Epidermal devices also use PDMS as a substrate to hold electronic components such as radios, sensors, and power supply circuits. Additionally, PDMS-based soft sensors can monitor human motion with liquid metal embedded within micro-channels. Passive wireless sensors have applications in structural health monitoring and medical health monitoring. Doctors can take wireless blood pressure measurements inside arteries to monitor the progression of heart disease. Glaucoma patients can use this technology to monitor the pressure in their eyes to track the progression of the disease.

Neuroanatomical Markers of Neurological Soft Signs in Recent-Onset Schizophrenia and Asperger-Syndrome.

PubMed

Hirjak, Dusan; Wolf, Robert C; Paternoga, Isa; Kubera, Katharina M; Thomann, Anne K; Stieltjes, Bram; Maier-Hein, Klaus H; Thomann, Philipp A

2016-05-01

Neurological soft signs (NSS) are frequently found in psychiatric disorders of significant neurodevelopmental origin. Previous MRI studies in schizophrenia have shown that NSS are associated with abnormal cortical, thalamic and cerebellar structure and function. So far, however, no neuroimaging studies investigated brain correlates of NSS in individuals with Asperger-Syndrome (AS) and the question whether the two disorders exhibit common or disease-specific cortical correlates of NSS remains unresolved. High-resolution MRI data at 3 T were obtained from 48 demographically matched individuals (16 schizophrenia patients, 16 subjects with AS and 16 healthy individuals). The surface-based analysis via Freesurfer enabled calculation of cortical thickness, area and folding (local gyrification index, LGI). NSS were examined on the Heidelberg Scale and related to cortical measures. In schizophrenia, higher NSS were associated with reduced cortical thickness and LGI in fronto-temporo-parietal brain areas. In AS, higher NSS were associated with increased frontotemporal cortical thickness. This study lends further support to the hypothesis that disorder-specific mechanisms contribute to NSS expression in schizophrenia and AS. Pointing towards dissociable neural patterns may help deconstruct the complex processes underlying NSS in these neurodevelopmental disorders.

Sodium sulfur battery seal

DOEpatents

Mikkor, Mati

1981-01-01

This disclosure is directed to an improvement in a sodium sulfur battery construction in which a seal between various battery compartments is made by a structure in which a soft metal seal member is held in a sealing position by holding structure. A pressure applying structure is used to apply pressure on the soft metal seal member when it is being held in sealing relationship to a surface of a container member of the sodium sulfur battery by the holding structure. The improvement comprises including a thin, well-adhered, soft metal layer on the surface of the container member of the sodium sulfur battery to which the soft metal seal member is to be bonded.

12 CFR 34.62 - Real estate lending standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Real estate lending standards. 34.62 Section 34.62 Banks and Banking COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY REAL ESTATE LENDING AND APPRAISALS Real Estate Lending Standards § 34.62 Real estate lending standards. (a) Each national bank shall...

12 CFR 365.2 - Real estate lending standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 5 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Real estate lending standards. 365.2 Section... POLICY REAL ESTATE LENDING STANDARDS Real Estate Lending Standards § 365.2 Real estate lending standards... estate, or that are made for the purpose of financing permanent improvements to real estate. (b)(1) Real...

12 CFR 365.2 - Real estate lending standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 5 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Real estate lending standards. 365.2 Section... POLICY REAL ESTATE LENDING STANDARDS Real Estate Lending Standards § 365.2 Real estate lending standards... estate, or that are made for the purpose of financing permanent improvements to real estate. (b)(1) Real...

12 CFR 34.62 - Real estate lending standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Real estate lending standards. 34.62 Section 34.62 Banks and Banking COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY REAL ESTATE LENDING AND APPRAISALS Real Estate Lending Standards § 34.62 Real estate lending standards. (a) Each national bank shall...

12 CFR 365.2 - Real estate lending standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Real estate lending standards. 365.2 Section... POLICY REAL ESTATE LENDING STANDARDS Real Estate Lending Standards § 365.2 Real estate lending standards... estate, or that are made for the purpose of financing permanent improvements to real estate. (b)(1) Real...

12 CFR 34.62 - Real estate lending standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Real estate lending standards. 34.62 Section 34.62 Banks and Banking COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY REAL ESTATE LENDING AND APPRAISALS Real Estate Lending Standards § 34.62 Real estate lending standards. (a) Each national bank shall...

12 CFR 365.2 - Real estate lending standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 5 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Real estate lending standards. 365.2 Section... POLICY REAL ESTATE LENDING STANDARDS Real Estate Lending Standards § 365.2 Real estate lending standards... estate, or that are made for the purpose of financing permanent improvements to real estate. (b)(1) Real...

12 CFR 34.62 - Real estate lending standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Real estate lending standards. 34.62 Section 34.62 Banks and Banking COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY REAL ESTATE LENDING AND APPRAISALS Real Estate Lending Standards § 34.62 Real estate lending standards. (a) Each national bank shall...

12 CFR 614.4360 - Lending and leasing limit violations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Lending and leasing limit violations. 614.4360... OPERATIONS Lending and Leasing Limits § 614.4360 Lending and leasing limit violations. (a) Each loan, except loans that are grandfathered under the provisions of § 614.4361, shall be in compliance with the lending...

12 CFR 34.62 - Real estate lending standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Real estate lending standards. 34.62 Section 34.62 Banks and Banking COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY REAL ESTATE LENDING AND APPRAISALS Real Estate Lending Standards § 34.62 Real estate lending standards. (a) Each national bank shall...

12 CFR 560.100 - Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 5 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Real estate lending standards; purpose and... TREASURY LENDING AND INVESTMENT Lending and Investment Provisions Applicable to all Savings Associations § 560.100 Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope. This section, and § 560.101 of this subpart...

Salty popcorn in a homogeneous low-dimensional toy model of holographic QCD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elliot-Ripley, Matthew

2017-04-01

Recently, a homogeneous ansatz has been used to study cold dense nuclear matter in the Sakai-Sugimoto model of holographic QCD. To justify this homogeneous approximation we here investigate a homogeneous ansatz within a low-dimensional toy version of Sakai-Sugimoto to study finite baryon density configurations and compare it to full numerical solutions. We find the ansatz corresponds to enforcing a dyon salt arrangement in which the soliton solutions are split into half-soliton layers. Within this ansatz we find analogues of the proposed baryonic popcorn transitions, in which solutions split into multiple layers in the holographic direction. The homogeneous results are found to qualitatively match the full numerical solutions, lending confidence to the homogeneous approximations of the full Sakai-Sugimoto model. In addition, we find exact compact solutions in the high density, flat space limit which demonstrate the existence of further popcorn transitions to three layers and beyond.

Thermoacoustic and photoacoustic characterizations of few-layer graphene by pulsed excitations

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

Wang, Xiong; Department of Medical Imaging, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724; School of Information Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 200031

2016-04-04

We characterized the thermoacoustic and photoacoustic properties of large-area, few-layer graphene by pulsed microwave and optical excitations. Due to its high electric conductivity and low heat capacity per unit area, graphene lends itself to excellent microwave and optical energy absorption and acoustic signal emanation due to the thermoacoustic effect. When exposed to pulsed microwave or optical radiation, distinct thermoacoustic and photoacoustic signals generated by the few-layer graphene are obtained due to microwave and laser absorption of the graphene, respectively. Clear thermoacoustic and photoacoustic images of large-area graphene sample are achieved. A numerical model is developed and the simulated results aremore » in good accordance with the measured ones. This characterization work may find applications in ultrasound generator and detectors for microwave and optical radiation. It may also become an alternative characterization approach for graphene and other types of two-dimensional materials.« less

Fused filament 3D printing of ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carrico, James D.; Traeden, Nicklaus W.; Aureli, Matteo; Leang, Kam K.

2015-12-01

This paper describes a new three-dimensional (3D) fused filament additive manufacturing (AM) technique in which electroactive polymer filament material is used to build soft active 3D structures, layer by layer. Specifically, the unique actuation and sensing properties of ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) are exploited in 3D printing to create electroactive polymer structures for application in soft robotics and bio-inspired systems. The process begins with extruding a precursor material (non-acid Nafion precursor resin) into a thermoplastic filament for 3D printing. The filament is then used by a custom-designed 3D printer to manufacture the desired soft polymer structures, layer by layer. Since at this stage the 3D-printed samples are not yet electroactive, a chemical functionalization process follows, consisting in hydrolyzing the precursor samples in an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide and dimethyl sulfoxide. Upon functionalization, metal electrodes are applied on the samples through an electroless plating process, which enables the 3D-printed IPMC structures to be controlled by voltage signals for actuation (or to act as sensors). This innovative AM process is described in detail and the performance of 3D printed IPMC actuators is compared to an IPMC actuator fabricated from commercially available Nafion sheet material. The experimental results show comparable performance between the two types of actuators, demonstrating the potential and feasibility of creating functional 3D-printed IPMCs.

SiC/GaN Based Optically Triggered MESFET for High Power Efficiency and High Radiation Resistance Solid State Switch Application for Actuator System

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-23

somnath.chattopadhyay@csun.edu 1-818-677-7197 clean/etch. Excessively hard- baked photoresist can usually be dissolved in piranha etching solution. 48 hours of...coated onto the freshly cleaned and dried wafer at 3000RPM, then soft- baked at 180ºC for 120 seconds. This gives a PMGI layer of about 0.4µm. Then the...PR is spin coated onto the wafer at about 4000RPM and soft baked at 115ºC for 90seconds, resulting in a PR layer about 1.3µm thick. The wafer is

Microstructure and composition analysis of low-Z/low-Z multilayers by combining hard and resonant soft X-ray reflectivity

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

Rao, P. N., E-mail: pnrao@rrcat.gov.in; Rai, S. K.; Srivastava, A. K.

2016-06-28

Microstructure and composition analysis of periodic multilayer structure consisting of a low electron density contrast (EDC) material combination by grazing incidence hard X-ray reflectivity (GIXR), resonant soft X-ray reflectivity (RSXR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are presented. Measurements of reflectivity at different energies allow combining the sensitivity of GIXR data to microstructural parameters like layer thicknesses and interfacing roughness, with the layer composition sensitivity of RSXR. These aspects are shown with an example of 10-period C/B{sub 4}C multilayer. TEM observation reveals that interfaces C on B{sub 4}C and B{sub 4}C on C are symmetric. Although GIXR provides limited structural informationmore » when EDC between layers is low, measurements using a scattering technique like GIXR with a microscopic technique like TEM improve the microstructural information of low EDC combination. The optical constants of buried layers have been derived by RSXR. The derived optical constants from the measured RSXR data suggested the presence of excess carbon into the boron carbide layer.« less

12 CFR 563e.22 - Lending test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Lending test. 563e.22 Section 563e.22 Banks and... Assessing Performance § 563e.22 Lending test. (a) Scope of test. (1) The lending test evaluates a savings... section. The OTS will not consider these loans under any criterion of the lending test except the...

12 CFR 563e.22 - Lending test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 5 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Lending test. 563e.22 Section 563e.22 Banks and... Assessing Performance § 563e.22 Lending test. (a) Scope of test. (1) The lending test evaluates a savings... section. The OTS will not consider these loans under any criterion of the lending test except the...

12 CFR 563e.22 - Lending test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 5 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Lending test. 563e.22 Section 563e.22 Banks and... Assessing Performance § 563e.22 Lending test. (a) Scope of test. (1) The lending test evaluates a savings association's record of helping to meet the credit needs of its assessment area(s) through its lending...

12 CFR 345.22 - Lending test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Lending test. 345.22 Section 345.22 Banks and... REINVESTMENT Standards for Assessing Performance § 345.22 Lending test. (a) Scope of test. (1) The lending test evaluates a bank's record of helping to meet the credit needs of its assessment area(s) through its lending...

Role of “Hard” and “Soft” Confinement on Polymer Dynamics at the Nanoscale

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

Sharma, Ravi P.; Green, Peter F.

2017-08-11

We investigated the segmental dynamics of asymmetrically confined polymer films and report an unusual phenomenon in which the presence and thickness of a soft confining layer are responsible for significant changes in the segmental dynamics of the confined films. Specifically, the segmental dynamics of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) thin films asymmetrically confined between hard aluminum (Al), and soft polystyrene (PS) films are shown to shift by as much as half an order of magnitude upon changes in the thicknesses of the confining PS layer. These effects are more significant than those due to symmetric confinement between hard Al substrates or exposuremore » to a free surface. These observations, partially rationalized in terms of recent simulations and theory, implicate the role of the moduli of the confining layers.« less

Wrinkle-to-fold transition in soft layers under equi-biaxial strain: A weakly nonlinear analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ciarletta, P.

2014-12-01

Soft materials can experience a mechanical instability when subjected to a finite compression, developing wrinkles which may eventually evolve into folds or creases. The possibility to control the wrinkling network morphology has recently found several applications in many developing fields, such as scaffolds for biomaterials, stretchable electronics and surface micro-fabrication. Albeit much is known of the pattern initiation at the linear stability order, the nonlinear effects driving the pattern selection in soft materials are still unknown. This work aims at investigating the nature of the elastic bifurcation undertaken by a growing soft layer subjected to a equi-biaxial strain. Considering a skin effect at the free surface, the instability thresholds are found to be controlled by a characteristic length, defined by the ratio between capillary energy and bulk elasticity. For the first time, a weakly nonlinear analysis of the wrinkling instability is performed here using the multiple-scale perturbation method applied to the incremental theory in finite elasticity. The Ginzburg-Landau equations are derived for different superposing linear modes. This study proves that a subcritical pitchfork bifurcation drives the observed wrinkle-to-fold transition in swelling gels experiments, favoring the emergence of hexagonal creased patterns, albeit quasi-hexagonal patterns might later emerge because of an expected symmetry break. Moreover, if the surface energy is somewhat comparable to the bulk elastic energy, it has the same stabilizing effect as for fluid instabilities, driving the formation of stable wrinkles, as observed in elastic bi-layered materials.

Surface Characterization of an Organized Titanium Dioxide Layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Curtis, Travis

Soft lithographic printing techniques can be used to control the surface morphology of titanium dioxide layers on length scales of several hundred nanometers. Controlling surface morphology and volumetric organization of titanium dioxide electrodes can potentially be used in dye-sensitized solar cell devices. This thesis explores how layer-by-layer replication can lead to well defined, dimensionally controlled volumes and details how these control mechanisms influence surface characteristics of the semiconducting oxide.

Boundary layers in cataclysmic variables: The HEAO-1 X-ray constraints

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jensen, K. A.

1983-01-01

The predictions of the boundary layer model for the X-ray emission from novae are summarized. A discrepancy between observations and theory in the X-ray observations is found. Constraints on the nature of the boundary layers in novae, based on the lack of detections of novae in the HEAO-1 soft X-ray survey are provided. Temperature and column densities for optically thick boundary layers in novae are estimated.

Fully-Polymeric pH Sensor Realized by Means of a Single-Step Soft Embossing Technique

PubMed Central

Fanzio, Paola; Chang, Chi-Tung; Skolimowski, Maciej; Tanzi, Simone; Sasso, Luigi

2017-01-01

We present here an electrochemical sensor microsystem for the monitoring of pH. The all-polymeric device is comprised of a cyclic olefin copolymer substrate, a 200 nm-thin patterned layer of conductive polymer (PEDOT), and a 70 nm electropolymerized layer of a pH sensitive conductive polymer (polyaniline). The patterning of the fluidic (microfluidic channels) and conductive (wiring and electrodes) functional elements was achieved with a single soft PDMS mold via a single embossing step process. A post-processing treatment with ethylene glycol assured the functional enhancement of the electrodes, as demonstrated via an electrical and electrochemical characterization. A surface modification of the electrodes was carried out, based on voltammetric electropolymerization, to obtain a thin layer of polyaniline. The mechanism for pH sensing is based on the redox reactions of the polyaniline layer caused by protonation. The sensing performance of the microsystem was finally validated by monitoring its potentiometric response upon exposure to a relevant range of pH. PMID:28531106

Surface Modification of Dental Titanium Implant by Layer-by-Layer Electrostatic Self-Assembly

PubMed Central

Shi, Quan; Qian, Zhiyong; Liu, Donghua; Liu, Hongchen

2017-01-01

In vivo implants that are composed of titanium and titanium alloys as raw materials are widely used in the fields of biology and medicine. In the field of dental medicine, titanium is considered to be an ideal dental implant material. Good osseointegration and soft tissue closure are the foundation for the success of dental implants. Therefore, the enhancement of the osseointegration and antibacterial abilities of titanium and its alloys has been the focus of much research. With its many advantages, layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly is a self-assembly technique that is used to develop multilayer films based on complementary interactions between differently charged polyelectrolytes. The LbL approach provides new methods and applications for the surface modification of dental titanium implant. In this review, the application of the LbL technique to surface modification of titanium including promoting osteogenesis and osseointegration, promoting the formation and healing of soft tissues, improving the antibacterial properties of titanium implant, achieving local drug delivery and sustained release is summarized. PMID:28824462

Fully-Polymeric pH Sensor Realized by Means of a Single-Step Soft Embossing Technique.

PubMed

Fanzio, Paola; Chang, Chi-Tung; Skolimowski, Maciej; Tanzi, Simone; Sasso, Luigi

2017-05-20

We present here an electrochemical sensor microsystem for the monitoring of pH. The all-polymeric device is comprised of a cyclic olefin copolymer substrate, a 200 nm-thin patterned layer of conductive polymer (PEDOT), and a 70 nm electropolymerized layer of a pH sensitive conductive polymer (polyaniline). The patterning of the fluidic (microfluidic channels) and conductive (wiring and electrodes) functional elements was achieved with a single soft PDMS mold via a single embossing step process. A post-processing treatment with ethylene glycol assured the functional enhancement of the electrodes, as demonstrated via an electrical and electrochemical characterization. A surface modification of the electrodes was carried out, based on voltammetric electropolymerization, to obtain a thin layer of polyaniline. The mechanism for pH sensing is based on the redox reactions of the polyaniline layer caused by protonation. The sensing performance of the microsystem was finally validated by monitoring its potentiometric response upon exposure to a relevant range of pH.

Flexible single-layer ionic organic-inorganic frameworks towards precise nano-size separation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yue, Liang; Wang, Shan; Zhou, Ding; Zhang, Hao; Li, Bao; Wu, Lixin

2016-02-01

Consecutive two-dimensional frameworks comprised of molecular or cluster building blocks in large area represent ideal candidates for membranes sieving molecules and nano-objects, but challenges still remain in methodology and practical preparation. Here we exploit a new strategy to build soft single-layer ionic organic-inorganic frameworks via electrostatic interaction without preferential binding direction in water. Upon consideration of steric effect and additional interaction, polyanionic clusters as connection nodes and cationic pseudorotaxanes acting as bridging monomers connect with each other to form a single-layer ionic self-assembled framework with 1.4 nm layer thickness. Such soft supramolecular polymer frameworks possess uniform and adjustable ortho-tetragonal nanoporous structure in pore size of 3.4-4.1 nm and exhibit greatly convenient solution processability. The stable membranes maintaining uniform porous structure demonstrate precisely size-selective separation of semiconductor quantum dots within 0.1 nm of accuracy and may hold promise for practical applications in selective transport, molecular separation and dialysis systems.

12 CFR 160.100 - Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Real estate lending standards; purpose and... LENDING AND INVESTMENT § 160.100 Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope. This section, and § 160... Improvement Act of 1991, 12 U.S.C. 1828(o), prescribe standards for real estate lending to be used by Federal...

12 CFR 160.100 - Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Real estate lending standards; purpose and... LENDING AND INVESTMENT § 160.100 Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope. This section, and § 160... Improvement Act of 1991, 12 U.S.C. 1828(o), prescribe standards for real estate lending to be used by Federal...

12 CFR 160.100 - Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Real estate lending standards; purpose and... LENDING AND INVESTMENT § 160.100 Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope. This section, and § 160... Improvement Act of 1991, 12 U.S.C. 1828(o), prescribe standards for real estate lending to be used by Federal...

12 CFR 614.4110 - Transfer of direct lending authority to Federal land bank associations and agricultural credit...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Transfer of direct lending authority to Federal... Lending Relationship § 614.4110 Transfer of direct lending authority to Federal land bank associations and.... (c) An association to which such long-term lending authority is to be transferred shall have in place...

NMR of thin layers using a meanderline surface coil

DOEpatents

Cowgill, Donald F.

2001-01-01

A miniature meanderline sensor coil which extends the capabilities of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to provide analysis of thin planar samples and surface layer geometries. The sensor coil allows standard NMR techniques to be used to examine thin planar (or curved) layers, extending NMRs utility to many problems of modern interest. This technique can be used to examine contact layers, non-destructively depth profile into films, or image multiple layers in a 3-dimensional sense. It lends itself to high resolution NMR techniques of magic angle spinning and thus can be used to examine the bonding and electronic structure in layered materials or to observe the chemistry associated with aging coatings. Coupling this sensor coil technology with an arrangement of small magnets will produce a penetrator probe for remote in-situ chemical analysis of groundwater or contaminant sediments. Alternatively, the sensor coil can be further miniaturized to provide sub-micron depth resolution within thin films or to orthoscopically examine living tissue. This thin-layer NMR technique using a stationary meanderline coil in a series-resonant circuit has been demonstrated and it has been determined that the flat meanderline geometry has about he same detection sensitivity as a solenoidal coil, but is specifically tailored to examine planar material layers, while avoiding signals from the bulk.

Immunohistochemical demonstration of keratins in the epidermal layers of the Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica), with remarks on the evolution of the integumental scale armour.

PubMed

Meyer, W; Liumsiricharoen, M; Suprasert, A; Fleischer, L G; Hewicker-Trautwein, M

2013-09-16

Using immunohistochemistry, the study demonstrates the distribution of keratins (pan-keratin with CK1-8, 10, 14-16, 19; keratins CK1, 5, 6, 9, 10; hair keratins AE13, AE14) in the epidermis of the Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica). A varying reaction spectrum was observed for pan-keratin, with body region-dependent negative to very strong reaction intensities. The dorsolateral epidermis exhibited positive reactions only in its vital layers, whereas the abdominal epidermis showed strong positive reactions in the soft two outer strata. The single acidic and basic-to-neutral (cyto)keratins produced clear variations compared to the pan-keratin tinging. E.g., CK1 appeared in all epidermal layers of both body regions, except for the ventral stratum corneum, whereas CK5, 6, 9, 10 were restricted to the soft ventral epidermis. Here, distinctly positive reactions were confined to the stratum granulosum, except for CK6 that appeared in the soft stratum corneum. A different staining pattern was obvious for the hair keratins, i.e., positive reactions of AE13 concentrated only in the granular layer of the dorsal epidermis. In the abdominal epidermis, remarkable tinging for AE14 was visible in the stratum basale, decreasing toward the corneal layer, but was also found in the outer root sheath cells of the hair follicles in the ventral body part. Our findings are discussed related to the evolution of the horny dorsal scales of the pangolin, which may have started from the tail root, projecting forward to the head.

Passive microrheology of soft materials with atomic force microscopy: A wavelet-based spectral analysis

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

Martinez-Torres, C.; Streppa, L.; Arneodo, A.

2016-01-18

Compared to active microrheology where a known force or modulation is periodically imposed to a soft material, passive microrheology relies on the spectral analysis of the spontaneous motion of tracers inherent or external to the material. Passive microrheology studies of soft or living materials with atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilever tips are rather rare because, in the spectral densities, the rheological response of the materials is hardly distinguishable from other sources of random or periodic perturbations. To circumvent this difficulty, we propose here a wavelet-based decomposition of AFM cantilever tip fluctuations and we show that when applying this multi-scale methodmore » to soft polymer layers and to living myoblasts, the structural damping exponents of these soft materials can be retrieved.« less

Development of Functional Inorganic Materials by Soft Chemical Process Using Ion-Exchange Reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Qi

Our study on soft chemical process using the metal oxide and metal hydroxide nanosheets obtained by exfoliation their layered compounds were reviewed. Ni(OH)2⁄MnO2 sandwich layered nanostructure can be prepared by layer by-layer stacking of exfoliated manganese oxide nanosheets and nickel hydroxide layers. Manganese oxide nanotubes can be obtained by curling the manganese oxide nanosheets using the cationic surfactants as the template. The layered titanate oriented thin film can be prepared by restacking the titanate nanosheets on a polycrystalline substrate, and transformed to the oriented BaTiO3 and TiO2 thin films by the topotactic structural transformation reactions, respectively. The titanate nanosheets can be transformed anatase-type TiO2 nanocrystals under hydrothermal conditions. The TiO2 nanocrystals are formed by a topotactic structural transformation reaction. The TiO2 nanocrystals prepared by this method expose specific crystal plane on their surfaces, and show high photocatalytic activity and high dye adsorption capacity for high performance dye-sensitized solar cell. A series of layered basic metal salt (LBMS) compounds were prepared by hydrothermal reactions of transition metal hydroxides and organic acids. We succeeded in the exfoliation of these LBMS compounds in alcohol solvents, and obtained the transition metal hydroxide nanosheets for the first time.

Determination of synthetic food dyes in commercial soft drinks by TLC and ion-pair HPLC.

PubMed

de Andrade, Francisca Ivani; Florindo Guedes, Maria Izabel; Pinto Vieira, Ícaro Gusmão; Pereira Mendes, Francisca Noélia; Salmito Rodrigues, Paula Alves; Costa Maia, Carla Soraya; Marques Ávila, Maria Marlene; de Matos Ribeiro, Luzara

2014-08-15

Synthetic food colourings were analyzed on commercial carbonated orange and grape soft drinks produced in Ceará State, Brazil. Tartrazine (E102), Amaranth (E123), Sunset Yellow (E110) and Brilliant Blue (E133) were extracted from soft drinks using C18 SPE and identified by thin layer chromatography (TLC), this method was used to confirm the composition of food colouring in soft drinks stated on label. The concentration of food colouring in soft drink was determined by ion-pair high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection. The results obtained with the samples confirm that the identification and quantification methods are recommended for quality control of the synthetic colours in soft drinks, as well as to determine whether the levels and lables complies with the recommendations of food dyes legislation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A hard-soft microfluidic-based biosensor flow cell for SPR imaging application.

PubMed

Liu, Changchun; Cui, Dafu; Li, Hui

2010-09-15

An ideal microfluidic-based biosensor flow cell should have not only a "soft" interface for high strength sealing with biosensing chips, but also "hard" macro-to-micro interface for tubing connection. Since these properties are exclusive of each other, no one material can provide the advantages of both. In this paper, we explore the application of a SiO(2) thin film, deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technology, as an intermediate layer for irreversibly adhering polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to plastic substrate, and develop a hard-soft, compact, robust microfluidic-based biosensor flow cell for the multi-array immunoassay application of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging. This hard-soft biosensor flow cell consists of one rigid, computer numerically controlled (CNC)-machined poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) base coated with a 200 nm thick SiO(2) thin film, and one soft PDMS microfluidic layer. This novel microfluidic-based biosensor flow cell does not only keep the original advantage of conventional PDMS-based biosensor flow cell such as the intrinsically soft interface, easy-to-fabrication, and low cost, but also has a rigid, robust, easy-to-use interface to tubing connection and can be operated up to 185 kPa in aqueous environments without failure. Its application was successfully demonstrated with two types of experiments by coupling with SPR imaging biosensor: the real-time monitoring of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) interaction, as well as the detection of sulfamethoxazole (SMOZ) and sulfamethazine (SMZ) with the sensitivity of 3.5 and 0.6 ng/mL, respectively. This novel hard-soft microfluidic device is also useful for a variety of other biosensor flow cells. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Rotation of an immersed cylinder sliding near a thin elastic coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rallabandi, Bhargav; Saintyves, Baudouin; Jules, Theo; Salez, Thomas; Schönecker, Clarissa; Mahadevan, L.; Stone, Howard A.

2017-07-01

It is known that an object translating parallel to a soft wall in a viscous fluid produces hydrodynamic stresses that deform the wall, which in turn results in a lift force on the object. Recent experiments with cylinders sliding under gravity near a soft incline, which confirmed theoretical arguments for the lift force, also reported an unexplained steady-state rotation of the cylinders [B. Saintyves et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 113, 5847 (2016), 10.1073/pnas.1525462113]. Motivated by these observations, we show, in the lubrication limit, that an infinite cylinder that translates in a viscous fluid parallel to a soft wall at constant speed and separation distance must also rotate in order to remain free of torque. Using the Lorentz reciprocal theorem, we show analytically that for small deformations of the elastic layer, the angular velocity of the cylinder scales with the cube of the sliding speed. These predictions are confirmed numerically. We then apply the theory to the gravity-driven motion of a cylinder near a soft incline and find qualitative agreement with the experimental observations, namely, that a softer elastic layer results in a greater angular speed of the cylinder.

Layer-by-layer-assembled healable antifouling films.

PubMed

Chen, Dongdong; Wu, Mingda; Li, Bochao; Ren, Kefeng; Cheng, Zhongkai; Ji, Jian; Li, Yang; Sun, Junqi

2015-10-21

Healable antifouling films are fabricated by the exponential layer-by-layer assembly of PEGylated branched poly(ethylenimine) and hyaluronic acid followed by post-crosslinking. The antifouling function originates from the grafted PEG and the extremely soft nature of the films. The rapid and multiple healing of damaged antifouling functions caused by cuts and scratches can be readily achieved by immersing the films in normal saline solution. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

77 FR 22625 - Intermediary Lending Pilot (ILP) Program

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-16

... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Intermediary Lending Pilot (ILP) Program AGENCY: U.S. Small Business... Administration (SBA) requests that eligible organizations submit applications to become Intermediary Lending... implement an Intermediary Lending Pilot (ILP) program. Under the ILP program, SBA makes loans to selected...

Epitaxial Fe{sub 3}Pt/FePt nanocomposites on MgO and SrTiO{sub 3}

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

Casoli, F., E-mail: casoli@imem.cnr.it; Nasi, L.; Cabassi, R.

We have exploited the pseudomorphic growth of the magnetically soft Fe{sub 3}Pt phase on top of L1{sub 0}-FePt to obtain fully epitaxial soft/hard nanocomposites on both MgO(100) and SrTiO{sub 3}(100). The magnetic properties of this new nanocomposite system, driven by the soft/hard exchange-coupling, can be tailored by varying soft phase thickness, soft phase magnetic anisotropy and substrate. Coercivity is strongly reduced by the addition of the soft phase, a reduction which is definitely affected by the nominal composition of the soft phase and by the substrate choice; similarly is the magnetic phase diagram of the composite system. Coercive field decreasesmore » down to 21% of the hard layer value for Fe{sub 3}Pt(5 nm)/FePt(3.55 nm) nanocomposites on SrTiO{sub 3}; this maximum coercivity reduction was obtained with a nominal atomic content of Fe in the soft phase of 80%.« less

Spin-torque diode frequency tuning via soft exchange pinning of both magnetic layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khudorozhkov, A. A.; Skirdkov, P. N.; Zvezdin, K. A.; Vetoshko, P. M.; Popkov, A. F.

2017-12-01

A spin-torque diode, which is a magnetic tunnel junction with magnetic layers softly pinned at some tilt to each other, is proposed. The resonance operating frequency of such a dual exchange-pinned spin-torque diode can be significantly higher (up to 9.5 GHz) than that of a traditional free layer spin-torque diode, and, at the same time, the sensitivity remains rather high. Using micromagnetic modeling we show that the maximum microwave sensitivity of the considered diode is reached at the bias current densities slightly below the self-sustained oscillations initiating. The dependence of the resonance frequency and the sensitivity on the angle between pinning exchange fields is presented. Thus, a way of designing spin-torque diode with a given resonance response frequency in the microwave region in the absence of an external magnetic field is proposed.

Tailoring of the soft magnetic property and uniaxial anisotropy of magnetostrictive films by interlayer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Dandan; Bai, Feiming; Wang, Yicheng; Zhong, Zhiyong; Zhang, Huaiwu

2013-05-01

Laminated amorphous FeSiBC films with various spacer layers, including Cu, Co0.45Cu0.55, Co0.8Cu0.2, and CoFe, were prepared in order to study the effect of interface structure and magnetic exchange interaction on the magnetic softness and uniaxial anisotropy of multilayered film. It is found that laminating FeSiBC film with thin nonmagnetic or weak magnetic spacers yields much lower coercivity and higher remanent magnetization than those with magnetic spacers. Optimal films with the desired properties of Hc ˜ 1.5 Oe, Mr/Ms = 95%, and Hk ˜ 16 Oe were obtained. Therefore, it is confirmed that the exchange interaction constant of spacer layer plays a more important role than that of interface structure. Furthermore, laminating FeSiBC with nonmagnetic layers only slightly changes magnetostrictive coefficient.

An electromechanical based deformable model for soft tissue simulation.

PubMed

Zhong, Yongmin; Shirinzadeh, Bijan; Smith, Julian; Gu, Chengfan

2009-11-01

Soft tissue deformation is of great importance to surgery simulation. Although a significant amount of research efforts have been dedicated to simulating the behaviours of soft tissues, modelling of soft tissue deformation is still a challenging problem. This paper presents a new deformable model for simulation of soft tissue deformation from the electromechanical viewpoint of soft tissues. Soft tissue deformation is formulated as a reaction-diffusion process coupled with a mechanical load. The mechanical load applied to a soft tissue to cause a deformation is incorporated into the reaction-diffusion system, and consequently distributed among mass points of the soft tissue. Reaction-diffusion of mechanical load and non-rigid mechanics of motion are combined to govern the simulation dynamics of soft tissue deformation. An improved reaction-diffusion model is developed to describe the distribution of the mechanical load in soft tissues. A three-layer artificial cellular neural network is constructed to solve the reaction-diffusion model for real-time simulation of soft tissue deformation. A gradient based method is established to derive internal forces from the distribution of the mechanical load. Integration with a haptic device has also been achieved to simulate soft tissue deformation with haptic feedback. The proposed methodology does not only predict the typical behaviours of living tissues, but it also accepts both local and large-range deformations. It also accommodates isotropic, anisotropic and inhomogeneous deformations by simple modification of diffusion coefficients.

Vacuum space charge effects in sub-picosecond soft X-ray photoemission on a molecular adsorbate layer

DOE PAGES

Dell'Angela, M.; Anniyev, T.; Beye, M.; ...

2015-03-01

Vacuum space charge-induced kinetic energy shifts of O 1s and Ru 3d core levels in femtosecond soft X-ray photoemission spectra (PES) have been studied at a free electron laser (FEL) for an oxygen layer on Ru(0001). We fully reproduced the measurements by simulating the in-vacuum expansion of the photoelectrons and demonstrate the space charge contribution of the high-order harmonics in the FEL beam. Employing the same analysis for 400 nm pump-X-ray probe PES, we can disentangle the delay dependent Ru 3d energy shifts into effects induced by space charge and by lattice heating from the femtosecond pump pulse.

Importance of pH-regulated charge density on the electrophoresis of soft particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gopmandal, Partha P.; Ohshima, H.

2017-02-01

The present study deals with the electrophoresis of spherical soft particles consisting of an ion and liquid-penetrable but liquid-flow-impenetrable inner core surrounded by an ion and fluid-penetrable polyelectrolyte layer. The inner core is considered to be dielectric and bearing basic functional group coated with polyelectrolyte layer containing acidic functional group. An approximate expression for the electrophoretic mobility of such a particle is obtained under a low potential limit. The electrophoretic behaviour of the undertaken particle is investigated for a wide range of bulk pH values and electrolyte concentrations. Our study also indicates some remarkable features of the electrophoresis e.g., occurrence of zero mobility, mobility reversal etc.

Vacuum space charge effects in sub-picosecond soft X-ray photoemission on a molecular adsorbate layer.

PubMed

Dell'Angela, M; Anniyev, T; Beye, M; Coffee, R; Föhlisch, A; Gladh, J; Kaya, S; Katayama, T; Krupin, O; Nilsson, A; Nordlund, D; Schlotter, W F; Sellberg, J A; Sorgenfrei, F; Turner, J J; Öström, H; Ogasawara, H; Wolf, M; Wurth, W

2015-03-01

Vacuum space charge induced kinetic energy shifts of O 1s and Ru 3d core levels in femtosecond soft X-ray photoemission spectra (PES) have been studied at a free electron laser (FEL) for an oxygen layer on Ru(0001). We fully reproduced the measurements by simulating the in-vacuum expansion of the photoelectrons and demonstrate the space charge contribution of the high-order harmonics in the FEL beam. Employing the same analysis for 400 nm pump-X-ray probe PES, we can disentangle the delay dependent Ru 3d energy shifts into effects induced by space charge and by lattice heating from the femtosecond pump pulse.

77 FR 69738 - Truth in Lending (Regulation Z)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-21

... Lending (Regulation Z) AGENCY: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. ACTION: Final rule; official... the official interpretations for Regulation Z (Truth in Lending). The Bureau is required to adjust... Regulations, at (202) 435-7700. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Truth in Lending Act (TILA; 15 U...

From Red Cells to Soft Porous Lubrication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Qianhong; Gacka, Thomas; Nathan, Rungun; Crawford, Robert; Vucbmss Team

2014-11-01

Biological scientists have wondered, since the motion of red cells was first observed in capillaries, how the highly flexible red cell can move with so little friction in tightly fitting microvessels without being damaged or undergoing hemolysis. Theoretical studies (Feng and Weinbaum, 2000, JFM; Wu et al., 2004, PRL) attributed this frictionless motion to the dramatically enhanced hydrodynamic lifting force generated inside the soft, porous, endothelial surface layer (ESL) covering the inner surfaces of our capillaries, as a red blood cell glides over it. Herein we report the first experimental examination of this concept. The results conclusively demonstrate that significant fraction of the overall lifting force generated in a soft porous layer as a planing surface glides over it, is contributed by the pore fluid pressure, and thus frictional loss is reduced significantly. Moreover, the experimental predictions showed excellent agreement with the experimental data. This finding has the potential of dramatically changing existing lubrication approaches, and can result in substantial savings in energy consumption and thus reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Stretchable metal oxide thin film transistors on engineered substrate for electronic skin applications.

PubMed

Romeo, Alessia; Lacour, Stphanie P

2015-08-01

Electronic skins aim at providing distributed sensing and computation in a large-area and elastic membrane. Control and addressing of high-density soft sensors will be achieved when thin film transistor matrices are also integrated in the soft carrier substrate. Here, we report on the design, manufacturing and characterization of metal oxide thin film transistors on these stretchable substrates. The TFTs are integrated onto an engineered silicone substrate with embedded strain relief to protect the devices from catastrophic cracking. The TFT stack is composed of an amorphous In-Ga-Zn-O active layer, a hybrid AlxOy/Parylene dielectric film, gold electrodes and interconnects. All layers are prepared and patterned with planar, low temperature and dry processing. We demonstrate the interconnected IGZO TFTs sustain applied tensile strain up to 20% without electrical degradation and mechanical fracture. Active devices are critical for distributed sensing. The compatibility of IGZO TFTs with soft and biocompatible substrates is an encouraging step towards wearable electronic skins.

Micromagnetic simulations with periodic boundary conditions: Hard-soft nanocomposites

DOE PAGES

Wysocki, Aleksander L.; Antropov, Vladimir P.

2016-12-01

Here, we developed a micromagnetic method for modeling magnetic systems with periodic boundary conditions along an arbitrary number of dimensions. The main feature is an adaptation of the Ewald summation technique for evaluation of long-range dipolar interactions. The method was applied to investigate the hysteresis process in hard-soft magnetic nanocomposites with various geometries. The dependence of the results on different micromagnetic parameters was studied. We found that for layered structures with an out-of-plane hard phase easy axis the hysteretic properties are very sensitive to the strength of the interlayer exchange coupling, as long as the spontaneous magnetization for the hardmore » phase is significantly smaller than for the soft phase. The origin of this behavior was discussed. Additionally, we investigated the soft phase size optimizing the energy product of hard-soft nanocomposites.« less

76 FR 35723 - Truth in Lending

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-20

... FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM 12 CFR Part 226 [Regulation Z; Docket No. R-1422] Truth in Lending AGENCY... Regulation Z (Truth in Lending). The Board is required to adjust annually the dollar amount that triggers...'') only, contact (202) 263-4869. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Truth in Lending Act (TILA...

77 FR 76841 - Lending Limits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-31

...-2012-0007] RIN 1557-AD59 Lending Limits AGENCY: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is amending its lending...), includes exceptions to the lending limits for certain loans made by savings associations. These HOLA...

7 CFR 1940.401 - Truth in lending.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 13 2010-01-01 2009-01-01 true Truth in lending. 1940.401 Section 1940.401...) PROGRAM REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) GENERAL Truth in Lending-Real Estate Settlement Procedures § 1940.401 Truth in lending. (a) General. This section provides instructions for compliance with the Truth in...

77 FR 16817 - Request for Comment on Payday Lending Hearing Transcript

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-22

... Lending Hearing Transcript AGENCY: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. ACTION: Notice; request for... hearing on payday lending. The Bureau invites the public to review the transcript and provide additional..., 2012 in Birmingham, Alabama. Payday lending products are typically marketed to bridge a cash flow...

Boundary layers in cataclysmic variables - The HEAO 1 X-ray constraints

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jensen, K. A.

1984-01-01

The predictions of the boundary layer model for the X-ray emission from novae are summarized. A discrepancy between observations and theory in the X-ray observations is found. Constraints on the nature of the boundary layers in novae, based on the lack of detections of novae in the HEAO-1 soft X-ray survey are provided. Temperature and column densities for optically thick boundary layers in novae are estimated. Previously announced in STAR as N84-13046

Reinforcement of mono- and bi-layer poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels with a fibrous collagen scaffold

PubMed Central

Kinneberg, K. R. C.; Nelson, A.; Stender, M.; Aziz, A. H.; Mozdzen, L. C.; Harley, B. A. C.; Bryant, S. J.; Ferguson, V. L.

2015-01-01

Biomaterial-based tissue engineering strategies hold great promise for osteochondral tissue repair. Yet significant challenges remain in joining highly dissimilar materials to achieve a biomimetic, mechanically robust design for repairing interfaces between soft tissue and bone. This study sought to improve interfacial properties and function in a bilayer, multi-phase hydrogel interpenetrated with a fibrous collagen scaffold. ‘Soft’ 10% (w/w) and ‘stiff’ 30% (w/w) PEGDM was formed into mono- or bilayer hydrogels possessing a sharp diffusional interface. Hydrogels were evaluated as single- (hydrogel only) or multi-phase (hydrogel+fibrous scaffold penetrating throughout the stiff layer and extending >500μm into the soft layer). Including a fibrous scaffold into both soft and stiff single-phase hydrogels significantly increased tangent modulus and toughness and decreased lateral expansion under compressive loading. In multi-phase hydrogels, finite element simulations predict substantially reduced stress and strain gradients across the soft—stiff hydrogel interface. When combining two low moduli constituent material, composites theory poorly predicts the observed, large modulus increases. These results suggest material structure associated with the fibrous scaffold penetrating within the PEG hydrogel as the major contributor to improved properties and function – the hydrogel bore compressive loads and the 3D fibrous scaffold was loaded in tension thus resisting lateral expansion. PMID:26001970

Fostering intentional interdisciplinary leadership in developmental disabilities: the North Carolina LEND experience.

PubMed

Rosenberg, Angela; Margolis, Lewis H; Umble, Karl; Chewning, Linda

2015-02-01

This study describes the effects of interdisciplinary leadership training on a retrospective cohort (2001-2009) of the University of North Carolina MCH Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (UNC-CH LEND) program, including LEND graduates who were selected to participate in a focused Interdisciplinary Leadership Development Program (ILDP) in addition to their LEND training. Specifically, the study examined graduates' reports of the relationship between LEND training and their attitudes/beliefs about interdisciplinary practice, as well as their reported use of interdisciplinary skills in their post-fellowship practice settings. Using a post-test design, participants in the LEND and ILDP programs were contacted to complete an on-line survey. Using a Conceptual Model guided by EvaluLEAD, respondents were asked to rate the influence of the UNC-LEND training program on their attitudes/beliefs and skills using a 5-point Likert scale, as well as through open-ended descriptions. The 49 LEND respondents represented a 56% overall response rate from years 2001-2009. ILDP participants reported greater agreement with interdisciplinary attitudes/beliefs and more frequent use of interdisciplinary skills than did the non-participants. Graduates of LEND as well as ILDP reported the influence of training through a range of qualitative responses. Response examples highlight the influence of LEND training to promote outcomes at the individual, organizational and systems level. Findings from this study illustrate that MCHB funded LEND training has a strong influence on the future employment and interdisciplinary practices of graduates for the MCH workforce as well as services for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and systems of care.

Infrared actuation-induced simultaneous reconfiguration of surface color and morphology for soft robotics.

PubMed

Banisadr, Seyedali; Chen, Jian

2017-12-13

Cephalopods, such as cuttlefish, demonstrate remarkable adaptability to the coloration and texture of their surroundings by modulating their skin color and surface morphology simultaneously, for the purpose of adaptive camouflage and signal communication. Inspired by this unique feature of cuttlefish skins, we present a general approach to remote-controlled, smart films that undergo simultaneous changes of surface color and morphology upon infrared (IR) actuation. The smart film has a reconfigurable laminated structure that comprises an IR-responsive nanocomposite actuator layer and a mechanochromic elastomeric photonic crystal layer. Upon global or localized IR irradiation, the actuator layer exhibits fast, large, and reversible strain in the irradiated region, which causes a synergistically coupled change in the shape of the laminated film and color of the mechanochromic elastomeric photonic crystal layer in the same region. Bending and twisting deformations can be created under IR irradiation, through modulating the strain direction in the actuator layer of the laminated film. Furthermore, the laminated film has been used in a remote-controlled inchworm walker that can directly couple a color-changing skin with the robotic movements. Such remote-controlled, smart films may open up new application possibilities in soft robotics and wearable devices.

12 CFR 208.51 - Real estate lending standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Real estate lending standards. 208.51 Section... MEMBERSHIP OF STATE BANKING INSTITUTIONS IN THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM (REGULATION H) Real Estate Lending and Appraisal Standards § 208.51 Real estate lending standards. (a) Adoption of written policies. Each state...

12 CFR 208.51 - Real estate lending standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Real estate lending standards. 208.51 Section... MEMBERSHIP OF STATE BANKING INSTITUTIONS IN THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM (REGULATION H) Real Estate Lending and Appraisal Standards § 208.51 Real estate lending standards. (a) Adoption of written policies. Each state...

12 CFR 208.51 - Real estate lending standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Real estate lending standards. 208.51 Section... MEMBERSHIP OF STATE BANKING INSTITUTIONS IN THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM (REGULATION H) Real Estate Lending and Appraisal Standards § 208.51 Real estate lending standards. (a) Adoption of written policies. Each state...

12 CFR 208.51 - Real estate lending standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Real estate lending standards. 208.51 Section... MEMBERSHIP OF STATE BANKING INSTITUTIONS IN THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM (REGULATION H) Real Estate Lending and Appraisal Standards § 208.51 Real estate lending standards. (a) Adoption of written policies. Each state...

78 FR 69671 - Community Reinvestment Act; Interagency Questions and Answers Regarding Community Reinvestment...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-20

...: (1) To students or their families from a school at which the majority of students qualify for free or...). Further, strong performance in retail lending may compensate for weak performance in community development lending and, conversely, strong community development lending may compensate for weak retail lending...

12 CFR 31.2 - Insider lending restrictions and reporting requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Insider lending restrictions and reporting... EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT TO INSIDERS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES § 31.2 Insider lending restrictions and... insider lending standards and reporting requirements as they apply to national banks and their insiders. ...

12 CFR 7.4008 - Lending.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Lending. 7.4008 Section 7.4008 Banks and... § 7.4008 Lending. (a) Authority of national banks. A national bank may make, sell, purchase... authorized non-real estate lending powers are not applicable to national banks. (2) A national bank may make...

12 CFR 560.170 - Records for lending transactions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 5 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Records for lending transactions. 560.170 Section 560.170 Banks and Banking OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY LENDING AND INVESTMENT Lending and Investment Provisions Applicable to all Savings Associations § 560.170 Records for...

12 CFR 208.51 - Real estate lending standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Real estate lending standards. 208.51 Section... MEMBERSHIP OF STATE BANKING INSTITUTIONS IN THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM (REGULATION H) Real Estate Lending and Appraisal Standards § 208.51 Real estate lending standards. (a) Adoption of written policies. Each state...

75 FR 80675 - Truth in Lending

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-23

... FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM 12 CFR Part 226 [Regulation Z; Docket No. R-1394] Truth in Lending AGENCY... information. The interim final rule amends Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act, in order...- 1394), amending Regulation Z (Truth in Lending) to implement provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street...

12 CFR 613.3100 - Domestic lending.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Domestic lending. 613.3100 Section 613.3100... Financing for Banks Operating Under Title III of the Farm Credit Act § 613.3100 Domestic lending. (a... of cooperatives. A bank for cooperatives or an agricultural credit bank may lend to a cooperative...

12 CFR 614.4100 - Policies governing lending through Federal land bank associations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Policies governing lending through Federal land... SYSTEM LOAN POLICIES AND OPERATIONS Bank/Association Lending Relationship § 614.4100 Policies governing lending through Federal land bank associations. (a) Farm Credit Banks and agricultural credit banks may...

34 CFR 682.608 - Termination of a school's lending eligibility.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 34 Education 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Termination of a school's lending eligibility. 682.608..., Standards, and Payments for Participating Schools § 682.608 Termination of a school's lending eligibility... subsequent holder. (c) Exception based on hardship. The Secretary does not terminate a school's lending...

Association of Recurrent Furunculosis with Panton-Valentine Leukocidin and the Genetic Background of Staphylococcus aureus▿ †

PubMed Central

Masiuk, Helena; Kopron, Katarzyna; Grumann, Dorothee; Goerke, Christiane; Kolata, Julia; Jursa-Kulesza, Joanna; Giedrys-Kalemba, Stefania; Bröker, Barbara M.; Holtfreter, Silva

2010-01-01

Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of skin and soft tissue infections, such as furuncles, carbuncles, and abscesses, but it also frequently colonizes the human skin and mucosa without causing clinical symptoms. Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a pore-forming toxin that has been associated with soft tissue infections and necrotizing pneumonia. We have compared the genotypes, virulence gene repertoires, and phage patterns of 74 furunculosis isolates with those of 108 control strains from healthy nasal carriers. The large majority of furunculosis strains were methicillin sensitive. Clonal cluster (CC) 121 (CC121) and CC22 accounted for 70% of the furunculosis strains but for only 8% of the nasal isolates. The PVL-encoding genes luk-PV were detected in 85% of furunculosis strains, while their prevalence among colonizing S. aureus strains was below 1%. luk-PV genes were distributed over several lineages (CCs 5, 8, 22, 30, and 121 and sequence type 59). Even within the same lineages, luk-PV-positive phages characterized furunculosis strains, while their luk-PV-negative variants were frequent among nasal strains. The very tight epidemiological linkage between luk-PV and furunculosis, which could be separated from the genetic background of the S. aureus strain as well as from the gene makeup of the luk-PV-transducing phage, lends support to the notion of an important role for PVL in human furunculosis. These results make a case for the determination of luk-PV in recurrent soft tissue infections with methicillin-sensitive as well as methicillin-resistant S. aureus. PMID:20200289

CFD lends the government a hand

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lekoudis, Spiro; Singleton, Robert E.; Mehta, Unmeel B.

1992-01-01

The present survey of important and novel CFD applications being developed and implemented by U.S. Government contractors gives attention to naval vessel flow-modeling, Army ballistic and rotary wing aerodynamics, and NASA hypersonic vehicle related applications of CFD. CFD-generated knowledge of numerical algorithms, fluid motion, and supercomputer use is being incorporated into such additional areas as computational electromagnetics and acoustics. Attention is presently given to CFD methods' development status in such fields as submarine boundary layers, hypersonic kinetic energy projectile shock structures, helicopter main rotor tip flows, and National Aerospace Plane aerothermodynamics.

The Influence of Stratigraphic History on Landscape Evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forte, A. M.; Yanites, B.; Whipple, K. X.

2016-12-01

Variation in rock erodibility can play a significant role in landscape evolution. Using a version of the CHILD landscape evolution model that allows for variations in rock erodibility, we found surprisingly complex landscape evolution in simulations with simple, two unit stratigraphies with contrasting erodibility. This work indicated that the stratigraphic order of units in terms of erodibility, the orientation of the contact with respect to the main drainage direction, and the contact dip angle all have pronounced effects on landscape evolution. Here we expand that work to explore the implications of more complicated stratigraphies on landscape evolution. Introducing multiple units adds additional controls on landscape evolution, namely the thicknesses and relative erodibility of rock layers. In models with a sequence of five alternating hard and soft units embedded within arbitrarily thick over- and underlying units, the number of individual layers that noticeably influence landscape morphology decreases as the thickness of individual layers reduces. Contacts with soft rocks over hard produce the most noticeable effect in model output such as erosion rate and channel steepness. For large contrasts in erodibility of 25 m thick layers, only one soft over hard contact is clearly manifest in the landscape. Between 50 and 75 m, two such contacts are manifest, and by 100 m thickness, all three of these contacts are manifest. However, for a given thickness of layers, more units are manifest in the landscape as the erodibility contrast between units decreases. This is true even though the magnitude of landscape effects away from steady-state erosion rates or channel steepness also decrease with decreasing erodibility contrast. Finally, we explore suites of models with alternating layers reflecting either `hardening-' or `softening-upwards' stratigraphies and find that the two scenarios result in decidedly different landscape forms. Hardening-upwards sections produce a gradational change where as individual layers have more influence in the landscape form in softening-upwards sections. Generally, our modeling highlights that past depositional history can exert a fundamental control on landscape evolution during later erosion through the resulting layered stratigraphy.

Comparison between semiconducting and oxide layers as a reflection layer in spin-valve films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dinia, A.; Schmerber, G.; Ulhaq, C.

2003-07-01

It is well established that appropriate oxide capping is effective in forming nano-oxide layers (NOL) in spin-valve films for specular enhancement of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect. However, the beneficial effect of a NOL is strongly dependent on its process of formation. Therefore, we are interested to use a nano-semiconducting layer (NSL) for specular reflection instead of oxide layers because its achievement is easier since no specific growth conditions are needed. Moreover, we intend to compare the efficiency of the electronic confinement inside the spin valve induced either by NSL or NOLs for structures with the same stack. We have prepared hard-soft spin valve structures by sputtering on glass substrates with the following stacking sequence: Fe6 nm/Cu3 nm/CoFe1.8 nmRu0.8 nmCoFe3 nmCu2 nmRu2 nm. The reflecting layers have been inserted in the middle of the Fe soft layer and on the top of the spin valve. The GMR effect is enhanced by 60% and 75% respectively for the NSL and the NOL. This shows that the NOL is more efficient in term of electronic confinement. To understand the origin of the difference between the NOL and NSL magnetization measurements as well as transmission electron microscopy are presented.

Steady flow of smooth, inelastic particles on a bumpy inclined plane: Hard and soft particle simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tripathi, Anurag; Khakhar, D. V.

2010-04-01

We study smooth, slightly inelastic particles flowing under gravity on a bumpy inclined plane using event-driven and discrete-element simulations. Shallow layers (ten particle diameters) are used to enable simulation using the event-driven method within reasonable computational times. Steady flows are obtained in a narrow range of angles (13°-14.5°) ; lower angles result in stopping of the flow and higher angles in continuous acceleration. The flow is relatively dense with the solid volume fraction, ν≈0.5 , and significant layering of particles is observed. We derive expressions for the stress, heat flux, and dissipation for the hard and soft particle models from first principles. The computed mean velocity, temperature, stress, dissipation, and heat flux profiles of hard particles are compared to soft particle results for different values of stiffness constant (k) . The value of stiffness constant for which results for hard and soft particles are identical is found to be k≥2×106mg/d , where m is the mass of a particle, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and d is the particle diameter. We compare the simulation results to constitutive relations obtained from the kinetic theory of Jenkins and Richman [J. T. Jenkins and M. W. Richman, Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 87, 355 (1985)] for pressure, dissipation, viscosity, and thermal conductivity. We find that all the quantities are very well predicted by kinetic theory for volume fractions ν<0.5 . At higher densities, obtained for thicker layers ( H=15d and H=20d ), the kinetic theory does not give accurate prediction. Deviations of the kinetic theory predictions from simulation results are relatively small for dissipation and heat flux and most significant deviations are observed for shear viscosity and pressure. The results indicate the range of applicability of soft particle simulations and kinetic theory for dense flows.

Recommending teams promotes prosocial lending in online microfinance

PubMed Central

Ai, Wei; Chen, Roy; Mei, Qiaozhu; Phillips, Webb

2016-01-01

This paper reports the results of a large-scale field experiment designed to test the hypothesis that group membership can increase participation and prosocial lending for an online crowdlending community, Kiva. The experiment uses variations on a simple email manipulation to encourage Kiva members to join a lending team, testing which types of team recommendation emails are most likely to get members to join teams as well as the subsequent impact on lending. We find that emails do increase the likelihood that a lender joins a team, and that joining a team increases lending in a short window (1 wk) following our intervention. The impact on lending is large relative to median lender lifetime loans. We also find that lenders are more likely to join teams recommended based on location similarity rather than team status. Our results suggest team recommendation can be an effective behavioral mechanism to increase prosocial lending. PMID:27974610

12 CFR 228.22 - Lending test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Lending test. 228.22 Section 228.22 Banks and... REINVESTMENT (REGULATION BB) Standards for Assessing Performance § 228.22 Lending test. (a) Scope of test. (1) The lending test evaluates a bank's record of helping to meet the credit needs of its assessment area...

12 CFR 25.22 - Lending test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Lending test. 25.22 Section 25.22 Banks and... DEPOSIT PRODUCTION REGULATIONS Regulations Standards for Assessing Performance § 25.22 Lending test. (a) Scope of test. (1) The lending test evaluates a bank's record of helping to meet the credit needs of its...

12 CFR 228.22 - Lending test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Lending test. 228.22 Section 228.22 Banks and... REINVESTMENT (REGULATION BB) Standards for Assessing Performance § 228.22 Lending test. (a) Scope of test. (1) The lending test evaluates a bank's record of helping to meet the credit needs of its assessment area...

12 CFR 228.22 - Lending test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Lending test. 228.22 Section 228.22 Banks and...) COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT (REGULATION BB) Standards for Assessing Performance § 228.22 Lending test. (a) Scope of test. (1) The lending test evaluates a bank's record of helping to meet the credit needs of its...

12 CFR 228.22 - Lending test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Lending test. 228.22 Section 228.22 Banks and... REINVESTMENT (REGULATION BB) Standards for Assessing Performance § 228.22 Lending test. (a) Scope of test. (1) The lending test evaluates a bank's record of helping to meet the credit needs of its assessment area...

12 CFR 390.264 - Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 5 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Real estate lending standards; purpose and... Investment § 390.264 Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope. This section, and § 390.265, issued... for real estate lending to be used by State savings associations and all their includable subsidiaries...

12 CFR 390.264 - Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 5 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Real estate lending standards; purpose and... Investment § 390.264 Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope. This section, and § 390.265, issued... for real estate lending to be used by State savings associations and all their includable subsidiaries...

12 CFR 390.264 - Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 5 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Real estate lending standards; purpose and... Investment § 390.264 Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope. This section, and § 390.265, issued... for real estate lending to be used by State savings associations and all their includable subsidiaries...

36 CFR 1284.30 - Does NARA lend documents to other institutions for exhibit purposes?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 36 Parks, Forests, and Public Property 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Does NARA lend documents to... NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION NARA FACILITIES EXHIBITS § 1284.30 Does NARA lend documents to other institutions for exhibit purposes? Yes, NARA considers lending documents that are in appropriate...

12 CFR 23.6 - Application of lending limits; restrictions on transactions with affiliates.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Application of lending limits; restrictions on... THE TREASURY LEASING General Provisions § 23.6 Application of lending limits; restrictions on transactions with affiliates. All lease entered into pursuant to this part is subject to the lending limits...

12 CFR 952.4 - Targeted Community Lending Plan

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 7 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Targeted Community Lending Plan 952.4 Section... SHEET ITEMS COMMUNITY INVESTMENT CASH ADVANCE PROGRAMS § 952.4 Targeted Community Lending Plan Each Bank shall develop and adopt an annual Targeted Community Lending Plan pursuant to § 944.6 of this chapter...

12 CFR 25.22 - Lending test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Lending test. 25.22 Section 25.22 Banks and... DEPOSIT PRODUCTION REGULATIONS Regulations Standards for Assessing Performance § 25.22 Lending test. (a) Scope of test. (1) The lending test evaluates a bank's record of helping to meet the credit needs of its...

12 CFR 220.10 - Borrowing and lending securities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Borrowing and lending securities. 220.10... RESERVE SYSTEM CREDIT BY BROKERS AND DEALERS (REGULATION T) § 220.10 Borrowing and lending securities. (a) Without regard to the other provisions of this part, a creditor may borrow or lend securities for the...

12 CFR 303.248 - Truth in Lending Act-Relief from reimbursement.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Truth in Lending Act-Relief from reimbursement... PRACTICE FILING PROCEDURES Other Filings § 303.248 Truth in Lending Act—Relief from reimbursement. (a) Scope. This section applies to requests for relief from reimbursement pursuant to the Truth in Lending...

78 FR 32547 - Loan Originator Compensation Requirements Under the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-31

... Loan Originator Compensation Requirements Under the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z); Prohibition on... Lending Act (Regulation Z) Final Rule, issued on January 20, 2013, and published in the Federal Register... Originator Compensation Requirements Under the Truth in Lending Act (Regulation Z) (Final Rule).\\2\\ The Final...

12 CFR 32.4 - Calculation of lending limits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Calculation of lending limits. 32.4 Section 32.4 Banks and Banking COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY LENDING LIMITS § 32.4 Calculation of lending limits. (a) Calculation date. For purposes of determining compliance with 12 U.S.C. 84...

Mechanically Stretchable and Electrically Insulating Thermal Elastomer Composite by Liquid Alloy Droplet Embedment.

PubMed

Jeong, Seung Hee; Chen, Si; Huo, Jinxing; Gamstedt, Erik Kristofer; Liu, Johan; Zhang, Shi-Li; Zhang, Zhi-Bin; Hjort, Klas; Wu, Zhigang

2015-12-16

Stretchable electronics and soft robotics have shown unsurpassed features, inheriting remarkable functions from stretchable and soft materials. Electrically conductive and mechanically stretchable materials based on composites have been widely studied for stretchable electronics as electrical conductors using various combinations of materials. However, thermally tunable and stretchable materials, which have high potential in soft and stretchable thermal devices as interface or packaging materials, have not been sufficiently studied. Here, a mechanically stretchable and electrically insulating thermal elastomer composite is demonstrated, which can be easily processed for device fabrication. A liquid alloy is embedded as liquid droplet fillers in an elastomer matrix to achieve softness and stretchability. This new elastomer composite is expected useful to enhance thermal response or efficiency of soft and stretchable thermal devices or systems. The thermal elastomer composites demonstrate advantages such as thermal interface and packaging layers with thermal shrink films in transient and steady-state cases and a stretchable temperature sensor.

Determination of caffeine, theobromine and theophylline in Mate beer and Mate soft drinks by high-performance thin-layer chromatography.

PubMed

Oellig, Claudia; Schunck, Jacob; Schwack, Wolfgang

2018-01-19

Mate beer and Mate soft drinks are beverages produced from the dried leaves of Ilex paraguariensis (Yerba Mate). In Yerba Mate, the xanthine derivatives caffeine, theobromine and theophylline, also known as methylxanthines, are important active components. The presented method for the determination of caffeine, theobromine and theophylline in Mate beer and Mate soft drinks by high-performance thin-layer chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPTLC-UV) offers a fully automated and sensitive determination of the three methylxanthines. Filtration of the samples was followed by degassing, dilution with acetonitrile in the case of Mate beers for protein precipitation, and centrifugation before the extracts were analyzed by HPTLC-UV on LiChrospher silica gel plates with fluorescence indicator and acetone/toluene/chloroform (4:3:3, v/v/v) as the mobile phase. For quantitation, the absorbance was scanned at 274nm. Limits of detection and quantitation were 1 and 4ng/zone, respectively, for caffeine, theobromine and theophylline. With recoveries close to 100% and low standard deviations reliable results were guaranteed. Experimental Mate beers as well as Mate beers and Mate soft drinks from the market were analyzed for their concentrations of methylxanthines. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Soft Plumbing: Direct-Writing and Controllable Perfusion of Tubular Soft Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guenther, Axel; Omoruwa, Patricia; Chen, Haotian; McAllister, Arianna; Jeronimo, Mark; Malladi, Shashi; Hakimi, Navid; Cao, Li; Ramchandran, Arun

2016-11-01

Tubular and ductular structures are abundant in tissues in a wide variety of diameters, wall thicknesses, and compositions. In spite of their relevance to engineered tissues, organs-on-chips and soft robotics, the rapid and consistent preparation of tubular structures remains a challenge. Here, we use a microfabricated printhead to direct-write biopolymeric tubes with dimensional and compositional control. A biopolymer solution is introduced to the center layer of the printhead, and the confining fluids to the top and the bottom layers. The radially flowing biopolymer solution is sandwiched between confining solutions that initiate gelation, initially assuming the shape of a funnel until emerging through a cylindrical confinement as a continuous biopolymer tube. Tubular constructs of sodium alginate and collagen I were obtained with inner diameters (0.6-2.2mm) and wall thicknesses (0.1-0.4mm) in favorable agreement with predictions of analytical models. We obtained homogeneous tubes with smooth and buckled walls and heterotypic constructs that possessed compositions that vary along the tube circumference or radius. Ductular soft materials were reversibly hosted in 3D printed fluidic devices for the perfusion at well-defined transmural pressures to explore the rich variety of dynamical features associated with collapsible tubes that include buckling, complete collapse, and self-oscillation.

Development of a spectro-electrochemical cell for soft X-ray photon-in photon-out spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishihara, Tomoko; Tokushima, Takashi; Horikawa, Yuka; Kato, Masaru; Yagi, Ichizo

2017-10-01

We developed a spectro-electrochemical cell for X-ray absorption and X-ray emission spectroscopy, which are element-specific methods to study local electronic structures in the soft X-ray region. In the usual electrochemical measurement setup, the electrode is placed in solution, and the surface/interface region of the electrode is not normally accessible by soft X-rays that have low penetration depth in liquids. To realize soft X-ray observation of electrochemical reactions, a 15-nm-thick Pt layer was deposited on a 150-nm-thick film window with an adhesive 3-nm-thick Ti layer for use as both the working electrode and the separator window between vacuum and a sample liquid under atmospheric pressure. The designed three-electrode electrochemical cell consists of a Pt film on a SiC window, a platinized Pt wire, and a commercial Ag|AgCl electrode as the working, counter, and reference electrodes, respectively. The functionality of the cell was tested by cyclic voltammetry and X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy. As a demonstration, the electroplating of Pb on the Pt/SiC membrane window was measured by X-ray absorption and real-time monitoring of fluorescence intensity at the O 1s excitation.

A soft gamma-ray concentrator using thin-film multilayer structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bloser, Peter F.; Aliotta, Paul H.; Echt, Olof; Krzanowski, James E.; Legere, Jason S.; McConnell, Mark L.; Shirazi, Farzane; Tsavalas, John G.; Wong, Emily N.; Kippen, R. Marc

2015-09-01

We have begun to investigate the use of thin-film, multilayer structures to form optics capable of concentrating soft gamma rays with energies greater than 100 keV, beyond the reach of current grazing-incidence hard X-ray mirrors. Alternating layers of low- and high-density materials (e.g., polymers and metals) will channel soft gamma-ray photons via total external reflection. A suitable arrangement of bent structures will then concentrate the incident radiation to a point. Gamma-ray optics made in this way offer the potential for soft gamma-ray telescopes with focal lengths of less than 10 m, removing the need for formation flying spacecraft and opening the field up to balloon-borne instruments. Building on initial investigations at Los Alamos National Laboratory, we are investigating whether it is possible to grow such flexible multi-layer structures with the required thicknesses and smoothness using magnetron sputter and pulsed laser deposition techniques. We present the initial results of tests aimed at fabricating such structures by combining magnetron sputtering with either spin coating or pulsed laser deposition, and demonstrating gamma-ray channeling of 122 keV photons in the laboratory. If successful, this technology offers the potential for transformational increases in sensitivity while dramatically improving the system-level performance of future high-energy astronomy missions through reduced mass and complexity.

Effect of the addition of Al2O3 nanoparticles on the magnetic properties of Fe soft magnetic composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Yuandong; Nie, Junwu; Zhang, Wenjun; Ma, Jian; Bao, Chongxi; Cao, Yang

2016-02-01

We investigated the effect of the addition of Al2O3 nanoparticles on the permeability and core loss of Fe soft magnetic composites coated with silicone. Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed that the surface layer of the powder particles consisted of a thin insulating Al2O3 layer with uniform surface coverage. The permeability and core loss of the composite with the Al2O3 addition annealed at 650 °C were excellent. The results indicated that the Al2O3 nanoparticle addition increases the permeability stablility with changing frequency and decreases the core loss over a wide range of frequencies.

The Impact of Federal Preemption of State Antipredatory Lending Laws on the Foreclosure Crisis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ding, Lei; Quercia, Roberto G.; Reid, Carolina K.; White, Alan M.

2012-01-01

State antipredatory lending laws (APLs) are designed to protect borrowers against predatory lending that can increase the risk of default and deplete the home equity held by borrowers. Federal regulators instituted preemption that limited the scope and reach of state antipredatory lending regulations for certain lenders. Based on the variation in…

12 CFR 560.100 - Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2013-01-01 2012-01-01 true Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope... Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope. This section, and § 560.101 of this subpart, issued.... 1828(o), prescribe standards for real estate lending to be used by savings associations and all their...

12 CFR 560.100 - Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Real estate lending standards; purpose and... § 560.100 Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope. This section, and § 560.101 of this subpart....S.C. 1828(o), prescribe standards for real estate lending to be used by savings associations and all...

12 CFR 560.100 - Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2014-01-01 2012-01-01 true Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope... Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope. This section, and § 560.101 of this subpart, issued.... 1828(o), prescribe standards for real estate lending to be used by savings associations and all their...

12 CFR 560.100 - Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 5 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Real estate lending standards; purpose and... § 560.100 Real estate lending standards; purpose and scope. This section, and § 560.101 of this subpart....S.C. 1828(o), prescribe standards for real estate lending to be used by savings associations and all...

77 FR 7558 - Withdrawal of Proposed Rule on Approval of Farm Credit System Lending Institutions in Federal...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-13

...-AI91 Withdrawal of Proposed Rule on Approval of Farm Credit System Lending Institutions in Federal... withdraws HUD's August 2011 rule that proposed to amend HUD's regulations to enable the direct lending... the direct lending institutions of the Farm Credit System to seek approval to participate in the FHA...

Exchange bias effect in L10-ordered FePt and FeCo-based bilayer structure: effect of increasing applied field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Sadhana; Kumar, Dileep; Bhagat, Babli; Choudhary, R. J.; Reddy, V. R.; Gupta, Ajay

2018-02-01

The applied magnetic field (H APP) dependence of the exchange bias (EB) is studied in an exchange-coupled thin-film bilayer composed of a hard ferromagnetic FePt layer in the proximity of a soft ferromagnetic FeCo layer. FePt/FeCo structure is deposited in an ultra-high vacuum chamber, where the FePt layer was first annealed at 823 K for 30 min and subsequently cooled to room temperature in the presence of an in-plane magnetic field, H MAX ~ 1.5 kOe to promote L10-ordered hard magnetic phase with magnetic moments aligned in one of the in-plane directions in the FePt layer. In-situ magneto-optical Kerr effect measurements during different stages of bilayer growth and detailed ex-situ superconducting quantum interference device-vibrating sample magnetometer measurements jointly revealed that due to the interplay between exchange coupling at the interface and dipolar energies of the saturated hard FePt layer, a hysteresis loop of FeCo layer shifts along the magnetic field axis. A clear dependence of EB field (H EB) on increasing maximum value of the H APP during the hysteresis loop measurement is understood in terms of the magnetic state of soft and hard magnetic layers, where EB increases with increasing H APP until the hard layer moment remains undisturbed in its remanence state. As soon as the field was sufficient to rotate the spins of the FePt layer, the loop became symmetric with respect to the field axis.

Modeling interface exchange coupling: Effect on switching of granular FePt films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abugri, Joseph B.; Visscher, P. B.; Su, Hao; Gupta, Subhadra

2015-07-01

To raise the areal density of magnetic recording to ˜1 Tbit/in2, there has been much recent work on the use of FePt granular films, because their high perpendicular anisotropy allows small grains to be stable. However, their coercivity may be higher than available write-head fields. One approach to reduce the coercivity is to heat the grain (heat assisted magnetic recording). Another strategy is to add a soft capping layer to help nucleate switching via exchange coupling with the hard FePt grains. We have simulated a model of such a capped medium and have studied the effect of the strength of the interface exchange and thickness of hard layer and soft layer on the overall coercivity. Although the magnetization variation within such boundary layers may be complex, the net effect of the boundary can often be modeled as an infinitely thin interface characterized by an interface exchange energy density—we show how to do this consistently in a micromagnetic simulation. Although the switching behavior in the presence of exchange, magnetostatic, and external fields is quite complex, we show that by adding these fields one at a time, the main features of the M-H loop can be understood. In particular, we find that even without hard-soft interface exchange, magnetostatic coupling eliminates the zero-field kink in the loop, so that the absence of the kink does not (as has sometimes been assumed) imply exchange coupling. The computations have been done with a public-domain micromagnetics simulator that has been adapted to easily simulate arrays of grains.

12 CFR 550.370 - May I sell assets or lend money between fiduciary accounts?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false May I sell assets or lend money between... Dealing § 550.370 May I sell assets or lend money between fiduciary accounts? You may sell assets or lend money between fiduciary accounts, if the transaction is fair to both accounts and is not prohibited by...

Self-organizing sensing and actuation for automatic control

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

Cheng, George Shu-Xing

A Self-Organizing Process Control Architecture is introduced with a Sensing Layer, Control Layer, Actuation Layer, Process Layer, as well as Self-Organizing Sensors (SOS) and Self-Organizing Actuators (SOA). A Self-Organizing Sensor for a process variable with one or multiple input variables is disclosed. An artificial neural network (ANN) based dynamic modeling mechanism as part of the Self-Organizing Sensor is described. As a case example, a Self-Organizing Soft-Sensor for CFB Boiler Bed Height is presented. Also provided is a method to develop a Self-Organizing Sensor.

Bank Size and Small- and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Lending: Evidence from China.

PubMed

Shen, Yan; Shen, Minggao; Xu, Zhong; Bai, Ying

2009-04-01

Using panel data collected in 2005, we evaluate how bank size, discretion over credit, incentive schemes, competition, and the institutional environment affect lending to small- and medium-sized enterprises in China. We deal with the endogeneity problem using instrumental variables, and a reduced-form approach is also applied to allow for weak instruments in estimation. We find that total bank asset is an insignificant factor for banks' decision on small- and medium-enterprise (SME) lending, but more local lending authority, more competition, carefully designed incentive schemes, and stronger law enforcement encourage commercial banks to lend to SMEs.

Model-Based Design of Tree WSNs for Decentralized Detection.

PubMed

Tantawy, Ashraf; Koutsoukos, Xenofon; Biswas, Gautam

2015-08-20

The classical decentralized detection problem of finding the optimal decision rules at the sensor and fusion center, as well as variants that introduce physical channel impairments have been studied extensively in the literature. The deployment of WSNs in decentralized detection applications brings new challenges to the field. Protocols for different communication layers have to be co-designed to optimize the detection performance. In this paper, we consider the communication network design problem for a tree WSN. We pursue a system-level approach where a complete model for the system is developed that captures the interactions between different layers, as well as different sensor quality measures. For network optimization, we propose a hierarchical optimization algorithm that lends itself to the tree structure, requiring only local network information. The proposed design approach shows superior performance over several contentionless and contention-based network design approaches.

Wrinkling pattern evolution of cylindrical biological tissues with differential growth.

PubMed

Jia, Fei; Li, Bo; Cao, Yan-Ping; Xie, Wei-Hua; Feng, Xi-Qiao

2015-01-01

Three-dimensional surface wrinkling of soft cylindrical tissues induced by differential growth is explored. Differential volumetric growth can cause their morphological stability, leading to the formation of hexagonal and labyrinth wrinkles. During postbuckling, multiple bifurcations and morphological transitions may occur as a consequence of continuous growth in the surface layer. The physical mechanisms underpinning the morphological evolution are examined from the viewpoint of energy. Surface curvature is found to play a regulatory role in the pattern evolution. This study may not only help understand the morphogenesis of soft biological tissues, but also inspire novel routes for creating desired surface patterns of soft materials.

Development of High Resistive and High Magnetization Soft Thin Film and Fabrication of Thin Film Inductors

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-11-01

properties of Co- doped ZnO nanocluster films", .J. of Appl. Phys. in press, 2005 2. Presentations (contributed): Conference Contributions: 1) Y. Qiang...gigahertz band applications. The effects of substrates bias, sputter parameters, and seed-layer have thoroughly been investigated. The magnetic...Adequate properties of soft magnetic thin film were evaluated by an analytical calculation [1] to meet the requirement for gigahertz band thin-film

Thermal Transport at Solid-Liquid Interfaces: High Pressure Facilitates Heat Flow through Nonlocal Liquid Structuring.

PubMed

Han, Haoxue; Mérabia, Samy; Müller-Plathe, Florian

2017-05-04

The integration of three-dimensional microelectronics is hampered by overheating issues inherent to state-of-the-art integrated circuits. Fundamental understanding of heat transfer across soft-solid interfaces is important for developing efficient heat dissipation capabilities. At the microscopic scale, the formation of a dense liquid layer at the solid-liquid interface decreases the interfacial heat resistance. We show through molecular dynamics simulations of n-perfluorohexane on a generic wettable surface that enhancement of the liquid structure beyond a single adsorbed layer drastically enhances interfacial heat conductance. Pressure is used to control the extent of the liquid layer structure. The interfacial thermal conductance increases with pressure values up to 16.2 MPa at room temperature. Furthermore, it is shown that liquid structuring enhances the heat-transfer rate of high-energy lattice waves by broadening the transmission peaks in the heat flux spectrum. Our results show that pressure is an important external parameter that may be used to control interfacial heat conductance at solid-soft interfaces.

Soft Nanoimprint Lithography for Direct Printing of Crystalline Metal Oxide Nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kothari, Rohit; Beaulieu, Michael; Watkins, James

2015-03-01

We demonstrate a solution-based soft nanoimprint lithography technique to directly print dimensionally-stable crystalline metal oxide nanostructures. A patterned PDMS stamp is used in combination with a UV/thermal cure step to imprint a resist containing high concentrations of crystalline nanoparticles in an inorganic/organic binder phase. The as-imprinted nanostructures are highly crystalline and therefore undergo little shrinkage (less than 5% in some cases) upon thermal annealing. High aspect ratio nanostructures and sub-100 nm features are easily realized. Residual layer free direct imprinting (no etching) was achieved by choosing the resist with the appropriate surface energy to ensure dewetting at stamp-substrate interface. The technique was further extended to stack the nanostructures by deploying a layer-by-layer imprint strategy. The method is scalable and can produce large area device quality nanostructures in a rapid fashion at a low cost. CeO2, ITO and TiO2 nanopatterns are illustrated for their potential use in fuel cell electrodes, solar cell electrodes and photonic devices, respectively.

Probing interfacial characteristics of rubrene/pentacene and pentacene/rubrene bilayers with soft X-ray spectroscopy.

PubMed

Seo, J H; Pedersen, T M; Chang, G S; Moewes, A; Yoo, K-H; Cho, S J; Whang, C N

2007-08-16

The electronic structure of rubrene/pentacene and pentacene/rubrene bilayers has been investigated using soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy, resonant X-ray emission spectroscopy, and density-functional theory calculations. X-ray absorption and emission measurements reveal that it has been possible to alter the lowest unoccupied and the highest occupied molecular orbital states of rubrene in rubrene/pentacene bilayer. In the reverse case, one gets p* molecular orbital states originating from the pentacene layer. Resonant X-ray emission spectra suggest a reduction in the hole-transition probabilities for the pentacene/rubrene bilayer in comparison to reference pentacene layer. For the rubrenepentacene structure, the hole-transition probability shows an increase in comparison to the rubrene reference. We also determined the energy level alignment of the pentacene-rubrene interface by using X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. From these comparisons, it is found that the electronic structure of the pentacene-rubrene interface has a strong dependence on interface characteristics which depends on the order of the layers used.

SoftWAXS: a computational tool for modeling wide-angle X-ray solution scattering from biomolecules.

PubMed

Bardhan, Jaydeep; Park, Sanghyun; Makowski, Lee

2009-10-01

This paper describes a computational approach to estimating wide-angle X-ray solution scattering (WAXS) from proteins, which has been implemented in a computer program called SoftWAXS. The accuracy and efficiency of SoftWAXS are analyzed for analytically solvable model problems as well as for proteins. Key features of the approach include a numerical procedure for performing the required spherical averaging and explicit representation of the solute-solvent boundary and the surface of the hydration layer. These features allow the Fourier transform of the excluded volume and hydration layer to be computed directly and with high accuracy. This approach will allow future investigation of different treatments of the electron density in the hydration shell. Numerical results illustrate the differences between this approach to modeling the excluded volume and a widely used model that treats the excluded-volume function as a sum of Gaussians representing the individual atomic excluded volumes. Comparison of the results obtained here with those from explicit-solvent molecular dynamics clarifies shortcomings inherent to the representation of solvent as a time-averaged electron-density profile. In addition, an assessment is made of how the calculated scattering patterns depend on input parameters such as the solute-atom radii, the width of the hydration shell and the hydration-layer contrast. These results suggest that obtaining predictive calculations of high-resolution WAXS patterns may require sophisticated treatments of solvent.

Adsorption of soft and hard proteins onto OTCEs under the influence of an external electric field.

PubMed

Benavidez, Tomás E; Torrente, Daniel; Marucho, Marcelo; Garcia, Carlos D

2015-03-03

The adsorption behavior of hard and soft proteins under the effect of an external electric field was investigated by a combination of spectroscopic ellipsometry and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Optically transparent carbon electrodes (OTCE) were used as conductive, sorbent substrates. Lysozyme (LSZ) and ribonuclease A (RNase A) were selected as representative hard proteins, whereas myoglobin (Mb), α-lactalbumin (α-LAC), bovine serum albumin (BSA), glucose oxidase (GOx), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were selected to represent soft proteins. In line with recent publications from our group, the experimental results revealed that while the adsorption of all investigated proteins can be enhanced by the potential applied to the electrode, the effect is more pronounced for hard proteins. In contrast with the incomplete monolayers formed at open-circuit potential, the application of +800 mV to the sorbent surface induced the formation of multiple layers of protein. These results suggest that this effect can be related to the intrinsic polarizability of the protein (induction of dipoles), the resulting surface accessible solvent area (SASA), and structural rearrangements induced upon the incorporation on the protein layer. The described experiments are critical to understand the relationship between the structure of proteins and their tendency to form (under electric stimulation) layers with thicknesses that greatly surpass those obtained at open-circuit conditions.

Soft-bed experiments beneath Engabreen, Norway: Regelation, infiltration, basal slip and bed deformation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Iverson, N.R.; Hooyer, T.S.; Fischer, U.H.; Cohen, D.; Moore, P.L.; Jackson, M.; Lappegard, G.; Kohler, J.

2007-01-01

To avoid some of the limitations of studying soft-bed processes through boreholes, a prism of simulated till (1.8 m ?? 1.6 m ?? 0.45 m) with extensive instrumentation was constructed in a trough blasted in the rock bed of Engabreen, a temperate glacier in Norway. Tunnels there provide access to the bed beneath 213 m of ice. Pore-water pressure was regulated in the prism by pumping water to it. During experiments lasting 7-12 days, the glacier regelated downward into the prism to depths of 50-80 mm, accreting ice-infiltrated till at rates predicted by theory. During periods of sustained high pore-water pressure (70-100% of overburden), ice commonly slipped over the prism, due to a water layer at the prism surface. Deformation of the prism was activated when this layer thinned to a sub-millimeter thickness. Shear strain in the till was pervasive and decreased with depth. A model of slip by ploughing of ice-infiltrated till across the prism surface accounts for the slip that occurred when effective pressure was sufficiently low or high. Slip at low effective pressures resulted from water-layer thickening that increased non-linearly with decreasing effective pressure. If sufficiently widespread, such slip over soft glacier beds, which involves no viscous deformation resistance, may instigate abrupt increases in glacier velocity.

Adsorption of Soft and Hard Proteins onto OTCEs under the influence of an External Electric Field

PubMed Central

Benavidez, Tomás E.; Torrente, Daniel; Marucho, Marcelo; Garcia, Carlos D.

2015-01-01

The adsorption behavior of hard and soft proteins under the effect of an external electric field was investigated by a combination of spectroscopic ellipsometry and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Optically transparent carbon electrodes (OTCE) were used as conductive, sorbent substrates. Lysozyme (LSZ) and ribonuclease A (RNase A) were selected as representative hard proteins whereas myoglobin (Mb), α-lactalbumin (α-LAC), bovine serum albumin (BSA), glucose oxidase (GOx), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were selected to represent soft proteins. In line with recent publications from our group, the experimental results revealed that while the adsorption of all investigated proteins can be enhanced by the potential applied to the electrode, the effect is more pronounced for hard proteins. In contrast with the incomplete monolayers formed at open-circuit potential, the application of +800mV to the sorbent surface induced the formation of multiple layers of protein. These results also suggest that this effect can be related to the intrinsic polarizability of the protein (induction of dipoles), the resulting surface accessible solvent area (SASA), and structural rearrangements induced upon the incorporation on the protein layer. The described experiments are critical to understand the relationship between the structure of proteins and their tendency to form (under electric stimulation) layers with thicknesses that greatly surpass those obtained at open-circuit conditions. PMID:25658387

True Low-Power Self-Locking Soft Actuators.

PubMed

Kim, Seung Jae; Kim, Onnuri; Park, Moon Jeong

2018-03-01

Natural double-layered structures observed in living organisms are known to exhibit asymmetric volume changes with environmental triggers. Typical examples are natural roots of plants, which show unique self-organized bending behavior in response to environmental stimuli. Herein, light- and electro-active polymer (LEAP) based actuators with a double-layered structure are reported. The LEAP actuators exhibit an improvement of 250% in displacement and hold an object three times heavier as compared to that in the case of conventional electro-active polymer actuators. Most interestingly, the bending motion of the LEAP actuators can be effectively locked for a few tens of minutes even in the absence of a power supply. Further, the self-locking LEAP actuators show a large and reversible bending strain of more than 2.0% and require only 6.2 mW h cm -2 of energy to hold an object for 15 min at an operating voltage of 3 V. These novel self-locking soft actuators should find wide applicability in artificial muscles, biomedical microdevices, and various innovative soft robot technologies. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Spin-filter specular spin valves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Z. Q.; Pan, G.; Jibouri, A. A.; Zheng, Yaunkai

2002-01-01

Both a thin free layer and high magnetoresistance (MR) ratio are required in spin valves for high magnetic density recording heads. In traditional spin valve structures, reducing the free layer normally results in a reduction in MR. We report here on a spin-filter specular spin valve with structure Ta 3.5 nm/NiFe 2 nm/IrMn 6 nm/CoFe 1.5 nm/Nol/CoFe 2 nm/Cu 2.2 nm/CoFe tF/Cu tSF/Nol2/Ta 3 nm, which is demonstrated to maintain MR ratio higher than 12% even when the CoFe free layer is reduced to 1 nm. The semiclassical Boltzmann transport equation was used to simulate MR ratio. An optimized MR ratio of ˜14.5% was obtained when tF was about 1.5 nm and tSF about 1.0 nm as a result of the balance between the increase in electron mean free path difference and current shunting through conducting layer. It is found that the Cu enhancing layer not only enhances the MR ratio but also improves soft magnetic properties of CoFe free layer due to the low atomic intermixing observed between Co and Cu. The CoFe free layer of 1-4 nm exhibits a low coercivity of ˜3 Oe even after annealing at 270 °C for 7 h in a field of 1 kOe. Furthermore, the interlayer coupling field Hint between free layer and pinned layer can be controlled by balancing the Rudermann-Kittel-(Kasuya)-Yosida and magnetostatic coupling. Such a thin soft CoFe free layer is particularly attractive for high density read sensor application.

Underwater sound transmission through arrays of disk cavities in a soft elastic medium.

PubMed

Calvo, David C; Thangawng, Abel L; Layman, Christopher N; Casalini, Riccardo; Othman, Shadi F

2015-10-01

Scattering from a cavity in a soft elastic medium, such as silicone rubber, resembles scattering from an underwater bubble in that low-frequency monopole resonance is obtainable in both cases. Arrays of cavities can therefore be used to reduce underwater sound transmission using thin layers and low void fractions. This article examines the role of cavity shape by microfabricating arrays of disk-shaped air cavities into single and multiple layers of polydimethylsiloxane. Comparison is made with the case of equivalent volume cylinders which approximate spheres. Measurements of ultrasonic underwater sound transmission are compared with finite element modeling predictions. The disks provide a deeper transmission minimum at a lower frequency owing to the drum-type breathing resonance. The resonance of a single disk cavity in an unbounded medium is also calculated and compared with a derived estimate of the natural frequency of the drum mode. Variation of transmission is determined as a function of disk tilt angle, lattice constant, and layer thickness. A modeled transmission loss of 18 dB can be obtained at a wavelength about 20 times the three-layer thickness, and thinner results (wavelength/thickness ∼ 240) are possible for the same loss with a single layer depending on allowable hydrostatic pressure.

Synthesizing cognition in neuromorphic electronic systems

PubMed Central

Neftci, Emre; Binas, Jonathan; Rutishauser, Ueli; Chicca, Elisabetta; Indiveri, Giacomo; Douglas, Rodney J.

2013-01-01

The quest to implement intelligent processing in electronic neuromorphic systems lacks methods for achieving reliable behavioral dynamics on substrates of inherently imprecise and noisy neurons. Here we report a solution to this problem that involves first mapping an unreliable hardware layer of spiking silicon neurons into an abstract computational layer composed of generic reliable subnetworks of model neurons and then composing the target behavioral dynamics as a “soft state machine” running on these reliable subnets. In the first step, the neural networks of the abstract layer are realized on the hardware substrate by mapping the neuron circuit bias voltages to the model parameters. This mapping is obtained by an automatic method in which the electronic circuit biases are calibrated against the model parameters by a series of population activity measurements. The abstract computational layer is formed by configuring neural networks as generic soft winner-take-all subnetworks that provide reliable processing by virtue of their active gain, signal restoration, and multistability. The necessary states and transitions of the desired high-level behavior are then easily embedded in the computational layer by introducing only sparse connections between some neurons of the various subnets. We demonstrate this synthesis method for a neuromorphic sensory agent that performs real-time context-dependent classification of motion patterns observed by a silicon retina. PMID:23878215

Predicting the mixed-mode I/II spatial damage propagation along 3D-printed soft interfacial layer via a hyperelastic softening model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Lei; Li, Yaning

2018-07-01

A methodology was developed to use a hyperelastic softening model to predict the constitutive behavior and the spatial damage propagation of nonlinear materials with damage-induced softening under mixed-mode loading. A user subroutine (ABAQUS/VUMAT) was developed for numerical implementation of the model. 3D-printed wavy soft rubbery interfacial layer was used as a material system to verify and validate the methodology. The Arruda - Boyce hyperelastic model is incorporated with the softening model to capture the nonlinear pre-and post- damage behavior of the interfacial layer under mixed Mode I/II loads. To characterize model parameters of the 3D-printed rubbery interfacial layer, a series of scarf-joint specimens were designed, which enabled systematic variation of stress triaxiality via a single geometric parameter, the slant angle. It was found that the important model parameter m is exponentially related to the stress triaxiality. Compact tension specimens of the sinusoidal wavy interfacial layer with different waviness were designed and fabricated via multi-material 3D printing. Finite element (FE) simulations were conducted to predict the spatial damage propagation of the material within the wavy interfacial layer. Compact tension experiments were performed to verify the model prediction. The results show that the model developed is able to accurately predict the damage propagation of the 3D-printed rubbery interfacial layer under complicated stress-state without pre-defined failure criteria.

Micromagnetic Study of Perpendicular Magnetic Recording Media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Yan

With increasing areal density in magnetic recording systems, perpendicular recording has successfully replaced longitudinal recording to mitigate the superparamagnetic limit. The extensive theoretical and experimental research associated with perpendicular magnetic recording media has contributed significantly to improving magnetic recording performance. Micromagnetic studies on perpendicular recording media, including aspects of the design of hybrid soft underlayers, media noise properties, inter-grain exchange characterization and ultra-high density bit patterned media recording, are presented in this dissertation. To improve the writability of recording media, one needs to reduce the head-to-keeper spacing while maintaining a good texture growth for the recording layer. A hybrid soft underlayer, consisting of a thin crystalline soft underlayer stacked above a non-magnetic seed layer and a conventional amorphous soft underlayer, provides an alternative approach for reducing the effective head-to-keeper spacing in perpendicular recording. Micromagnetic simulations indicate that the media using a hybrid soft underlayer helps enhance the effective field and the field gradient in comparison with conventional media that uses only an amorphous soft underlayer. The hybrid soft underlayer can support a thicker non-magnetic seed layer yet achieve an equivalent or better effective field and field gradient. A noise plateau for intermediate recording densities is observed for a recording layer of typical magnetization. Medium noise characteristics and transition jitter in perpendicular magnetic recording are explored using micromagnetic simulation. The plateau is replaced by a normal linear dependence of noise on recording density for a low magnetization recording layer. We show analytically that a source of the plateau is similar to that producing the Non-Linear-Transition-Shift of signal. In particular, magnetostatic effects are predicted to produce positive correlation of jitter and thus negative correlation of noise at the densities associated with the plateau. One focus for developing perpendicular recording media is on how to extract intergranular exchange coupling and intrinsic anisotropy field dispersion. A micromagnetic numerical technique is developed to effectively separate the effects of intergranular exchange coupling and anisotropy dispersion by finding their correlation to differentiated M-H curves with different initial magnetization states, even in the presence of thermal fluctuation. The validity of this method is investigated with a series of intergranular exchange couplings and anisotropy dispersions for different media thickness. This characterization method allows for an experimental measurement employing a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Bit patterned media have been suggested to extend areal density beyond 1 Tbit/in2. The feasibility of 4 Tbit/in2 bit patterned recording is determined by aspects of write head design and media fabrication, and is estimated by the bit error rate. Micromagnetic specifications including 2.3:1 BAR bit patterned exchange coupled composite media, trailing shield, and side shields are proposed to meet the requirement of 3x10 -4 bit error rate, 4 nm fly height, 5% switching field distribution, 5% timing and 5% jitter errors for 4 Tbit/in2 bit-patterned recording. Demagnetizing field distribution is examined by studying the shielding effect of the side shields on the stray field from the neighboring dots. For recording self-assembled bit-patterned media, the head design writes two staggered tracks in a single pass and has maximum perpendicular field gradients of 580 Oe/nm along the down-track direction and 476 Oe/nm along the cross-track direction. The geometry demanded by self-assembly reduces recording density to 2.9 Tbit/in 2.

76 FR 60600 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Supplemental Quarterly Report (Small Business Lending...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-29

... should be directed to Manager (Communications, Research and External Affairs), Small Business Lending... (Small Business Lending Fund, SBLF) AGENCY: Office of Domestic Finance, Treasury. [[Page 60601

High pressure mechanical seal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Babel, Henry W. (Inventor); Anderson, Raymond H. (Inventor)

1996-01-01

A relatively impervious mechanical seal is formed between the outer surface of a tube and the inside surface of a mechanical fitting of a high pressure fluid or hydraulic system by applying a very thin soft metal layer onto the outer surface of the hard metal tube and/or inner surface of the hard metal fitting. The thickness of such thin metal layer is independent of the size of the tube and/or fittings. Many metals and alloys of those metals exhibit the requisite softness, including silver, gold, tin, platinum, indium, rhodium and cadmium. Suitably, the coating is about 0.0025 millimeters (0.10 mils) in thickness. After compression, the tube and fitting combination exhibits very low leak rates on the order or 10.sup.-8 cubic centimeters per second or less as measured using the Helium leak test.

Smectic Layer Origami via Preprogrammed Photoalignment.

PubMed

Ma, Ling-Ling; Tang, Ming-Jie; Hu, Wei; Cui, Ze-Qun; Ge, Shi-Jun; Chen, Peng; Chen, Lu-Jian; Qian, Hao; Chi, Li-Feng; Lu, Yan-Qing

2017-04-01

Hierarchical architecture is of vital importance in soft materials. Focal conic domains (FCDs) of smectic liquid crystals, characterized by an ordered lamellar structure, attract intensive attention. Simultaneously tailoring the geometry and clustering characteristics of FCDs remains a challenge. Here, the 3D smectic layer origami via a 2D preprogrammed photoalignment film is accomplished. Full control of hierarchical superstructures is demonstrated, including the domain size, shape, and orientation, and the lattice symmetry of fragmented toric FCDs. The unique symmetry breaking of resultant superstructures combined with the optical anisotropy of the liquid crystals induces an intriguing polarization-dependent diffraction. This work broadens the scientific understanding of self-assembled soft materials and may inspire new opportunities for advanced functional materials and devices. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Photo-acoustic excitation and detection of guided ultrasonic waves in bone samples covered by a soft coating layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Zuomin; Moilanen, Petro; Karppinen, Pasi; Määttä, Mikko; Karppinen, Timo; Hæggström, Edward; Timonen, Jussi; Myllylä, Risto

2012-12-01

Photo-acoustic (PA) excitation was combined with skeletal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) for multi-mode ultrasonic assessment of human long bones. This approach permits tailoring of the ultrasonic excitation and detection so as to efficiently detect the fundamental flexural guided wave (FFGW) through a coating of soft tissue. FFGW is a clinically relevant indicator of cortical thickness. An OPO laser with tunable optical wavelength, was used to excite a photo-acoustic source in the shaft of a porcine femur. Ultrasonic signals were detected by a piezoelectric transducer, scanning along the long axis of the bone, 20-50 mm away from the source. Five femurs were measured without and with a soft coating. The coating was made of an aqueous gelatin-intralipid suspension that optically and acoustically mimicked real soft tissue. An even coating thickness was ensured by using a specific mold. The optical wave length of the source (1250 nm) was tuned to maximize the amplitude of FFGW excitation at 50 kHz frequency. The experimentally determined FFGW phase velocity in the uncoated samples was consistent with that of the fundamental antisymmetric Lamb mode (A0). Using appropriate signal processing, FFGW was also identified in the coated bone samples, this time with a phase velocity consistent with that theoretically predicted for the first mode of a fluid-solid bilayer waveguide (BL1). Our results suggest that photo-acoustic quantitative ultrasound enables assessment of the thickness-sensitive FFGW in bone through a layer of soft tissue. Photo-acoustic characterization of the cortical bone thickness may thus become possible.

Bank Size and Small- and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Lending: Evidence from China

PubMed Central

SHEN, YAN; SHEN, MINGGAO; XU, ZHONG; BAI, YING

2014-01-01

Summary Using panel data collected in 2005, we evaluate how bank size, discretion over credit, incentive schemes, competition, and the institutional environment affect lending to small- and medium-sized enterprises in China. We deal with the endogeneity problem using instrumental variables, and a reduced-form approach is also applied to allow for weak instruments in estimation. We find that total bank asset is an insignificant factor for banks’ decision on small- and medium-enterprise (SME) lending, but more local lending authority, more competition, carefully designed incentive schemes, and stronger law enforcement encourage commercial banks to lend to SMEs. PMID:26052179

Differentiation of the epidermis in turtle: an immunocytochemical, autoradiographic and electrophoretic analysis.

PubMed

Alibardi, Lorenzo; Spisni, Enzo; Toni, Mattia

2004-01-01

Proteins involved in the process of cornification of turtle epidermis are not well known. The present immunocytochemical, electrophoretic and autoradiographic study reports on the localization patterns and molecular weights of keratins, which are cornification proteins, and of tritiated histidine in turtle epidermis. Alpha-keratins with a molecular weight of 40-62 kDa are present in the epidermis. Beta-keratin is mainly detectable in the stratum corneum of the carapace and plastron, but is rarely present or even absent in the corneous layer of limb, tail and neck epidermis. After electrophoresis and immunoblotting with an antibody against chicken scale beta-keratin, bands at 15-17, 22-24, and 36-38 kDa appeared. This antibody recognized weaker bands at 38-40 and 58-60 kDa in the soft epidermis. After reduction and carboxymethylation of proteins extracted from carapace and plastron, but not of proteins from the soft epidermis, protein bands at 15-17 and 35-37 kDa were found when using the anti-beta 1-keratin antibody. Loricrin-, filaggrin-, sciellin-, and transglutaminase-like immunostaining was detectable only in the transitional and lowermost corneous layers of the soft epidermis. Vesicular bodies in the transitional layer were immunolabeled by the anti-loricrin antibody, and weakly by the anti-filaggrin and anti-transglutaminase antibodies. In immunoblots, the anti-loricrin antibody reacted with a major band at 50-54 kDa in both carapace-plastron and soft epidermis. The anti-sciellin antibody detected major bands at 38-40 and 50 kDa in hard epidermis, and at 50 and 54-56 kDa in soft epidermis. Filaggrin-like immunostained bands were observed at 50-55 and 62-64 kDa. This immunostaining was probably due to a common epitope in filaggrin and some keratins. Histidine was evenly incorporated in the epidermis, and the ultrastructural study showed random labeling, often associated with keratin bundles of alpha and beta-keratinocytes. Histidine-labeled protein bands were not found in the carapace-plastron. In the soft epidermis, weakly labeled bands at 15-20, 25, and 45-60 kDa were found occasionally. The latter bands probably represented neo-synthesized keratins as was also indicated by the ultrastructural autoradiographic analysis. In conclusion, our study suggests that proteins with epitopes that they have in common with cornification proteins of mammalian epidermis are also present in the epidermis of turtle.

Triboelectric-Nanogenerator-Based Soft Energy-Harvesting Skin Enabled by Toughly Bonded Elastomer/Hydrogel Hybrids.

PubMed

Liu, Ting; Liu, Mengmeng; Dou, Su; Sun, Jiangman; Cong, Zifeng; Jiang, Chunyan; Du, Chunhua; Pu, Xiong; Hu, Weiguo; Wang, Zhong Lin

2018-03-27

A major challenge accompanying the booming next-generation soft electronics is providing correspondingly soft and sustainable power sources for driving such devices. Here, we report stretchable triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) with dual working modes based on the soft hydrogel-elastomer hybrid as energy skins for harvesting biomechanical energies. The tough interfacial bonding between the hydrophilic hydrogel and hydrophobic elastomer, achieved by the interface modification, ensures the stable mechanical and electrical performances of the TENGs. Furthermore, the dehydration of this toughly bonded hydrogel-elastomer hybrid is significantly inhibited (the average dehydration decreases by over 73%). With PDMS as the electrification layer and hydrogel as the electrode, a stretchable, transparent (90% transmittance), and ultrathin (380 μm) single-electrode TENG was fabricated to conformally attach on human skin and deform as the body moves. The two-electrode mode TENG is capable of harvesting energy from arbitrary human motions (press, stretch, bend, and twist) to drive the self-powered electronics. This work provides a feasible technology to design soft power sources, which could potentially solve the energy issues of soft electronics.

Controllable helical deformations on printed anisotropic composite soft actuators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Dong; Li, Ling; Serjouei, Ahmad; Dong, Longteng; Weeger, Oliver; Gu, Guoying; Ge, Qi

2018-04-01

Helical shapes are ubiquitous in both nature and engineering. However, the development of soft actuators and robots that mimic helical motions has been hindered primarily due to the lack of efficient modeling approaches that take into account the material anisotropy and the directional change of the external loading point. In this work, we present a theoretical framework for modeling controllable helical deformations of cable-driven, anisotropic, soft composite actuators. The framework is based on the minimum potential energy method, and its model predictions are validated by experiments, where the microarchitectures of the soft composite actuators can be precisely defined by 3D printing. We use the developed framework to investigate the effects of material and geometric parameters on helical deformations. The results show that material stiffness, volume fraction, layer thickness, and fiber orientation can be used to control the helical deformation of a soft actuator. In particular, we found that a critical fiber orientation angle exists at which the twist of the actuator changes the direction. Thus, this work can be of great importance for the design and fabrication of soft actuators with tailored deformation behavior.

Composite three-layer closure of oral antral communication with 10 months follow-up-a case study.

PubMed

Weinstock, Robert J; Nikoyan, Levon; Dym, Harry

2014-02-01

We propose a 3-layer composite closure technique for an oral antral communication (OAC) while avoiding secondary donor site morbidity. A patient had developed a 1-cm OAC after extraction of right maxillary first molar. The patient subsequently developed acute maxillary sinusitis. The patient was taken to the operating room, and a Caldwell-Luc procedure was performed. The bony window from the Caldwell-Luc was "press fit" over the bony OAC defect. Soft tissue closure was then achieved with a buccal fat pad flap and a buccal mucosal advancement flap. The patient was examined on postoperative day 5 and 1, 2, 3, 6, and 10 months postoperatively. The acute sinusitis had resolved. The soft tissue closure was successful. The bone graft remained intact, prevented sinus pneumatization, and restored continuity to the floor of the maxillary sinus. The presented technique for 3-layer closure of OACs allows for the stability of a double-layer closure of OAC with the added benefit of bone grafting from single operative site, achieving stable oral antral closure, bone grafting, and the avoidance of secondary donor site morbidity. Copyright © 2014 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Analysis of coating structures and interfaces in solid oral dosage forms by three dimensional terahertz pulsed imaging.

PubMed

Zeitler, J Axel; Shen, Yaochun; Baker, Colin; Taday, Philip F; Pepper, Michael; Rades, Thomas

2007-02-01

Three dimensional terahertz pulsed imaging (TPI) was evaluated as a novel tool for the nondestructive characterization of different solid oral dosage forms. The time-domain reflection signal of coherent pulsed light in the far infrared was used to investigate film-coated tablets, sugar-coated tablets, multilayered controlled release tablets, and soft gelatin capsules. It is possible to determine the spatial and statistical distribution of coating thickness in single and multiple coated products using 3D TPI. The measurements are nondestructive even for layers buried underneath other coating structures. The internal structure of coating materials can be analyzed. As the terahertz signal penetrates up to 3 mm into the dosage form interfaces between layers in multilayered tablets can be investigated. In soft gelatin capsules it is possible to measure the thickness of the gelatin layer and to characterize the seal between the gelatin layers for quality control. TPI is a unique approach for the nondestructive characterization and quality control of solid dosage forms. The measurements are fast and fully automated with the potential for much wider application of the technique in the process analytical technology scheme. Copyright (c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Effect of bone-soft tissue friction on ultrasound axial shear strain elastography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Songyuan; Chaudhry, Anuj; Kim, Namhee; Reddy, J. N.; Righetti, Raffaella

2017-08-01

Bone-soft tissue friction is an important factor affecting several musculoskeletal disorders, frictional syndromes and the ability of a bone fracture to heal. However, this parameter is difficult to determine using non-invasive imaging modalities, especially in clinical settings. Ultrasound axial shear strain elastography is a non-invasive imaging modality that has been used in the recent past to estimate the bonding between different tissue layers. As most elastography methods, axial shear strain elastography is primarily used in soft tissues. More recently, this technique has been proposed to assess the bone-soft tissue interface. In this paper, we investigate the effect of a variation in bone-soft tissue friction coefficient in the resulting axial shear strain elastograms. Finite element poroelastic models of bone specimens exhibiting different bone-soft tissue friction coefficients were created and mechanically analyzed. These models were then imported to an ultrasound elastography simulation module to assess the presence of axial shear strain patterns. In vitro experiments were performed to corroborate selected simulation results. The results of this study show that the normalized axial shear strain estimated at the bone-soft tissue interface is statistically correlated to the bone-soft tissue coefficient of friction. This information may prove useful to better interpret ultrasound elastography results obtained in bone-related applications and, possibly, monitor bone healing.

Effect of bone-soft tissue friction on ultrasound axial shear strain elastography.

PubMed

Tang, Songyuan; Chaudhry, Anuj; Kim, Namhee; Reddy, J N; Righetti, Raffaella

2017-07-12

Bone-soft tissue friction is an important factor affecting several musculoskeletal disorders, frictional syndromes and the ability of a bone fracture to heal. However, this parameter is difficult to determine using non-invasive imaging modalities, especially in clinical settings. Ultrasound axial shear strain elastography is a non-invasive imaging modality that has been used in the recent past to estimate the bonding between different tissue layers. As most elastography methods, axial shear strain elastography is primarily used in soft tissues. More recently, this technique has been proposed to assess the bone-soft tissue interface. In this paper, we investigate the effect of a variation in bone-soft tissue friction coefficient in the resulting axial shear strain elastograms. Finite element poroelastic models of bone specimens exhibiting different bone-soft tissue friction coefficients were created and mechanically analyzed. These models were then imported to an ultrasound elastography simulation module to assess the presence of axial shear strain patterns. In vitro experiments were performed to corroborate selected simulation results. The results of this study show that the normalized axial shear strain estimated at the bone-soft tissue interface is statistically correlated to the bone-soft tissue coefficient of friction. This information may prove useful to better interpret ultrasound elastography results obtained in bone-related applications and, possibly, monitor bone healing.

A concept for a soft gamma-ray concentrator using thin-film multilayer structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bloser, Peter F.; Shirazi, Farzane; Echt, Olof; Krzanowski, James E.; Legere, Jason S.; McConnell, Mark L.; Tsavalas, John G.; Wong, Emily N.; Aliotta, Paul H.

2016-07-01

We are investigating the use of thin-film, multilayer structures to form optics capable of concentrating soft gamma rays with energies greater than 100 keV, beyond the reach of current grazing-incidence hard X-ray mirrors. Alternating layers of low- and high-density materials (e.g., polymers and metals) will channel soft gamma-ray photons via total external reflection. A suitable arrangement of bent structures will then concentrate the incident radiation to a point. Gamma-ray optics made in this way offer the potential for soft gamma-ray telescopes with focal lengths of less than 10 m, removing the need for formation flying spacecraft and opening the field up to balloon-borne instruments. Following initial investigations conducted at Los Alamos National Laboratory, we have constructed and tested a prototype structure using spin coating combined with magnetron sputtering. We are now investigating whether it is possible to grow such flexible multi-layer structures with the required thicknesses and smoothness more quickly by using magnetron sputter and pulsed laser deposition techniques. We present the latest results of our fabrication and gamma-ray channeling tests, and describe our modeling of the sensitivity of potential concentrator-based telescope designs. If successful, this technology offers the potential for transformational increases in sensitivity while dramatically improving the system-level performance of future high-energy astronomy missions through reduced mass and complexity.

Small-scale seismogenic soft sediment deformation (Hirlatzhöhle, Upper Austria)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salomon, Martina Lan; Grasemann, Bernhard; Plan, Lukas; Gier, Susanne

2014-05-01

The Hirlatz Cave lies in the Dachstein Massif about 2 km SW of Hallstatt, in the Upper Austrian Salzkammergut. With a length of 101 km, this karst cave, located in the Dachstein nappe (Northern Calcareous Alps), is the second largest known cave system in Austria. Within the cave, in the so-called Lehmklamm, located 2.8 km southeast of the cave entrance, laminated (mm-scale) Quaternary clay-sized sediments with interbedded fine-grained sandy layers are preserved. In these layers, numerous soft sediment deformation structures are preserved in many layers. The unconsolidated sediments show rhythmic layering of brighter, carbonate and quartz rich, and darker, more clay mineral rich horizontal varve-like layers, that are assumed to be fluvio-lacustrine deposits. The present study focuses on a very detailed documentation of an approximately 6.8 x 3 m vertical outcrop that was cut by a small brook. Centimeter to millimeter sized water escape structures (intruded cusps and flame structures), folds (detachment folds, fault bend folds) and faults (normal faults, fault propagation folds, bookshelf faults) are described. Because of the geometric analogy to seismogenic structures which have been described at two orders of magnitude larger scales from areas close to the Dead Sea Fault, we suggest that the formation of the investigated soft-sediment structures was also triggered by seismic events. The structures were mainly formed by three different mechanism: (i) North directed gravitational gliding near the sediment surface; (ii) Liquefaction resulting in a density discontinuity and decreasing in shear strength within in the stratified layers; (iii) Extensional faulting that cut through the stratified layers. Observations of coarsening upwards into sandy layers on the top of the outcrop and current ripple indicate a north-directed flow under phreatic conditions, which is opposite to the present flow direction of the vadose water in the cave. The fact that deformation and erosion mostly occur in the uppermost meter of the outcrop wall suggests a higher seismic activity and at least periodically higher flow rates during sedimentation of the younger deposits. Since several extremely deformed layers occur between undeformed ones, we suggest that deformation of the layers occurred only in the uppermost highly water saturated sediments and that several seismic events lead to the formation of the observed structures. A possible source responsible for the seismic event is the Salzach-Ennstal-Mariazeller-Puchberger (SEMP) strike-slip fault, which accommodates the active extrusion of the Eastern Alps towards the Pannonian Basin.

Mechanically Stretchable and Electrically Insulating Thermal Elastomer Composite by Liquid Alloy Droplet Embedment

PubMed Central

Jeong, Seung Hee; Chen, Si; Huo, Jinxing; Gamstedt, Erik Kristofer; Liu, Johan; Zhang, Shi-Li; Zhang, Zhi-Bin; Hjort, Klas; Wu, Zhigang

2015-01-01

Stretchable electronics and soft robotics have shown unsurpassed features, inheriting remarkable functions from stretchable and soft materials. Electrically conductive and mechanically stretchable materials based on composites have been widely studied for stretchable electronics as electrical conductors using various combinations of materials. However, thermally tunable and stretchable materials, which have high potential in soft and stretchable thermal devices as interface or packaging materials, have not been sufficiently studied. Here, a mechanically stretchable and electrically insulating thermal elastomer composite is demonstrated, which can be easily processed for device fabrication. A liquid alloy is embedded as liquid droplet fillers in an elastomer matrix to achieve softness and stretchability. This new elastomer composite is expected useful to enhance thermal response or efficiency of soft and stretchable thermal devices or systems. The thermal elastomer composites demonstrate advantages such as thermal interface and packaging layers with thermal shrink films in transient and steady-state cases and a stretchable temperature sensor. PMID:26671673

A soft biomolecule actuator based on a highly functionalized bacterial cellulose nano-fiber network with carboxylic acid groups.

PubMed

Wang, Fan; Jeon, Jin-Han; Park, Sukho; Kee, Chang-Doo; Kim, Seong-Jun; Oh, Il-Kwon

2016-01-07

Upcoming human-related applications such as soft wearable electronics, flexible haptic systems, and active bio-medical devices will require bio-friendly actuating materials. Here, we report a soft biomolecule actuator based on carboxylated bacterial cellulose (CBC), ionic liquid (IL), and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) ( PSS) electrodes. Soft and biocompatible polymer-IL composites were prepared via doping of CBC with ILs. The highly conductive PSS layers were deposited on both sides of the CBC-IL membranes by a dip-coating technique to yield a sandwiched actuator system. Ionic conductivity and ionic exchange capacity of the CBC membrane can be increased up to 22.8 times and 1.5 times compared with pristine bacterial cellulose (BC), respectively, resulting in 8 times large bending deformation than the pure BC actuators with metallic electrodes in an open air environment. The developed CBC-IL actuators show significant progress in the development of biocompatible and soft actuating materials with quick response, low operating voltage and comparatively large bending deformation.

Cannula Versus Sharp Needle for Placement of Soft Tissue Fillers: An Observational Cadaver Study.

PubMed

van Loghem, Jani A J; Humzah, Dalvi; Kerscher, Martina

2017-12-13

Soft-tissue fillers have become important products for facial rejuvenation. Deep fat compartments and facial bones lose volume during the natural aging process. For the most natural-looking results, deep volumetric injections at strategic sites are therefore preferred. Supraperiosteal placement is performed with a sharp needle or a non-traumatic cannula. The primary objective was to determine whether there is a difference in precision between supraperiosteal placement with a sharp needle compared with a non-traumatic cannula in cadaver specimens. A secondary objective was to analyze the safety profiles of both injection techniques. Cadaver heads were injected with dye material and soft-tissue fillers at multiple aesthetic facial sites on the supraperiosteum and subsequently dissected for observation of dye and filler placement. The non-traumatic cannula technique resulted in product being confined to the deep anatomic layers. In contrast, with the sharp needle technique, material was placed in multiple anatomic layers, from the periosteum to more superficial skin layers. For both techniques results were consistent for all facial sites. Although direct extrapolation from cadavers to the in vivo situation cannot be made, cannulae showed more precision in placement of product. With the sharp needle, the material was injected on the periosteum, and then migrated in a retrograde direction along the trajectory of the needle path, ending up in multiple anatomic layers. The sharp needle technique also showed a higher complication risk with intra-arterial injection occurring, even though the needle tip was positioned on the periosteum and the product was injected with the needle in constant contact with the periosteum. © 2016 The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc. Reprints and permission: journals.permissions@oup.com

Interface engineering and reliability characteristics of hafnium dioxide with poly silicon gate and dual metal (ruthenium-tantalum alloy, ruthenium) gate electrode for beyond 65 nm technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Young-Hee

Chip density and performance improvements have been driven by aggressive scaling of semiconductor devices. In both logic and memory applications, SiO 2 gate dielectrics has reached its physical limit, direct tunneling resulting from scaling down of dielectrics thickness. Therefore high-k dielectrics have attracted a great deal of attention from industries as the replacement of conventional SiO2 gate dielectrics. So far, lots of candidate materials have been evaluated and Hf-based high-k dielectrics were chosen to the promising materials for gate dielectrics. However, lots of issues were identified and more thorough researches were carried out on Hf-based high-k dielectrics. For instances, mobility degradation, charge trapping, crystallization, Fermi level pinning, interface engineering, and reliability studies. In this research, reliability study of HfO2 were explored with poly gate and dual metal (Ru-Ta alloy, Ru) gate electrode as well as interface engineering. Hard breakdown and soft breakdown were compared and Weibull slope of soft breakdown was smaller than that of hard breakdown, which led to a potential high-k scaling issue. Dynamic reliability has been studied and the combination of trapping and detrapping contributed the enhancement of lifetime projection. Polarity dependence was shown that substrate injection might reduce lifetime projection as well as it increased soft breakdown behavior. Interface tunneling mechanism was suggested with dual metal gate technology. Soft breakdown (l st breakdown) was mainly due to one layer breakdown of bi-layer structure. Low weibull slope was in part attributed to low barrier height of HfO 2 compared to interface layer. Interface layer engineering was thoroughly studied in terms of mobility, swing, and short channel effect using deep sub-micron MOSFET devices. In fact, Hf-based high-k dielectrics could be scaled down to below EOT of ˜10A and it successfully achieved the competitive performance goals. However, it is still necessary to understand what is intrinsic we can not change, or what is extrinsic one we can improve.

Theoretical studies on leaky-SAW properties influenced by layers on anisotropic piezoelectric crystals.

PubMed

Wallner, P; Ruile, W; Weigel, R

2000-01-01

Theoretical studies on the behavior of leaky-SAW (LSAW) properties in layered structures were performed. For these calculations rotYX LiTaO (3) and rotYX LiNbO(3) LSAW crystal cuts were used, assuming different layer materials. For LSAWs both the velocity and the inherent loss due to bulk wave emission into the substrate are strongly influenced by distinct layer parameters. As a result, these layer properties like elastic constants or thickness have shown a strong influence on the crystal cut angle of minimum LSAW loss. Moreover, for soft and stiff layer materials, a different shift of the LSAW loss minimum can occur. Therefore, using double-layer structures, the shift of the LSAW loss minimum can be influenced by appropriate chosen layers and ratios.

Soft x-ray imager (SXI) onboard the NeXT satellite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuru, Takeshi Go; Takagi, Shin-Ichiro; Matsumoto, Hironori; Inui, Tatsuya; Ozawa, Midori; Koyama, Katsuji; Tsunemi, Hiroshi; Hayashida, Kiyoshi; Miyata, Emi; Ozawa, Hideki; Touhiguchi, Masakuni; Matsuura, Daisuke; Dotani, Tadayasu; Ozaki, Masanobu; Murakami, Hiroshi; Kohmura, Takayoshi; Kitamoto, Shunji; Awaki, Hisamitsu

2006-06-01

We give overview and the current status of the development of the Soft X-ray Imager (SXI) onboard the NeXT satellite. SXI is an X-ray CCD camera placed at the focal plane detector of the Soft X-ray Telescopes for Imaging (SXT-I) onboard NeXT. The pixel size and the format of the CCD is 24 x 24μm (IA) and 2048 x 2048 x 2 (IA+FS). Currently, we have been developing two types of CCD as candidates for SXI, in parallel. The one is front illumination type CCD with moderate thickness of the depletion layer (70 ~ 100μm) as a baseline plan. The other one is the goal plan, in which we develop back illumination type CCD with a thick depletion layer (200 ~ 300μm). For the baseline plan, we successfully developed the proto model 'CCD-NeXT1' with the pixel size of 12μm x 12μm and the CCD size of 24mm x 48mm. The depletion layer of the CCD has reached 75 ~ 85μm. The goal plan is realized by introduction of a new type of CCD 'P-channel CCD', which collects holes in stead of electrons in the common 'N-channel CCD'. By processing a test model of P-channel CCD we have confirmed high quantum efficiency above 10 keV with an equivalent depletion layer of 300μm. A back illumination type of P-channel CCD with a depletion layer of 200μm with aluminum coating for optical blocking has been also successfully developed. We have been also developing a thermo-electric cooler (TEC) with the function of the mechanically support of the CCD wafer without standoff insulators, for the purpose of the reduction of thermal input to the CCD through the standoff insulators. We have been considering the sensor housing and the onboard electronics for the CCD clocking, readout and digital processing of the frame date.

Design of Stretchable Electronics Against Impact.

PubMed

Yuan, J H; Pharr, M; Feng, X; Rogers, John A; Huang, Yonggang

2016-10-01

Stretchable electronics offer soft, biocompatible mechanical properties; these same properties make them susceptible to device failure associated with physical impact. This paper studies designs for stretchable electronics that resist failure from impacts due to incorporation of a viscoelastic encapsulation layer. Results indicate that the impact resistance depends on the thickness and viscoelastic properties of the encapsulation layer, as well as the duration of impact. An analytic model for the critical thickness of the encapsulation layer is established. It is shown that a commercially available, low modulus silicone material offers viscous properties that make it a good candidate as the encapsulation layer for stretchable electronics.

Development of magnetoelectric nanocomposite for soft technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bitla, Yugandhar; Chu, Ying-Hao

2018-06-01

The proliferation of flexible and stretchable electronics has led to substantial advancements in principles, material combinations and technologies. The integration of magnetoelectric systems in soft electronics is inevitable by virtue of their extensive applications. Recently, 2D layered materials have emerged as potential candidates due to their excellent flexibility and atomic-scale thickness scalability in addition to their interesting physics. This paper presents a new perspective on the development of magnetoelectric nanocomposites through materials engineering on a pliant mica with excellent mechanical, thermal and chemical stabilities. The unique features of 2D muscovite mica and the power of van der Waals epitaxy are expected to contribute significantly to the emerging transparent soft-technology research applications.

77 FR 37265 - Lending Limits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-21

... the Currency (OCC) is amending its regulation governing lending limits for national banks to consolidate the lending limit rules applicable to national banks and savings associations and remove its...: Jonathan Fink, Assistant Director, Bank Activities and Structure Division, (202) 874-5300; Heidi M. Thomas...

78 FR 17766 - Interagency Guidance on Leveraged Lending

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-22

..., Board, and FDIC that engage in leveraged lending activities. The number of community banks with substantial involvement in leveraged lending is small; therefore, the agencies generally expect community... potential impact of stressful events and circumstances on borrowers' financial condition. Recent financial...

Model-Based Design of Tree WSNs for Decentralized Detection †

PubMed Central

Tantawy, Ashraf; Koutsoukos, Xenofon; Biswas, Gautam

2015-01-01

The classical decentralized detection problem of finding the optimal decision rules at the sensor and fusion center, as well as variants that introduce physical channel impairments have been studied extensively in the literature. The deployment of WSNs in decentralized detection applications brings new challenges to the field. Protocols for different communication layers have to be co-designed to optimize the detection performance. In this paper, we consider the communication network design problem for a tree WSN. We pursue a system-level approach where a complete model for the system is developed that captures the interactions between different layers, as well as different sensor quality measures. For network optimization, we propose a hierarchical optimization algorithm that lends itself to the tree structure, requiring only local network information. The proposed design approach shows superior performance over several contentionless and contention-based network design approaches. PMID:26307989

76 FR 28504 - Lending and Investment

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-17

... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of Thrift Supervision Lending and Investment AGENCY: Office of... collection. Title of Proposal: Lending and Investment. OMB Number: 1550-0078. Form Number: N/A. Description: Current OTS regulations for the documentation of loans and investments for safety and soundness purposes...

76 FR 43385 - Lending and Investment

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-20

... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of Thrift Supervision Lending and Investment AGENCY: Office of... collection. Title of Proposal: Lending and Investment. OMB Number: 1550-0078. Form Number: N/A. Description: Current OTS regulations for the documentation of loans and investments for safety and soundness purposes...

77 FR 19417 - Proposed Guidance on Leveraged Lending

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-30

... engaged in leveraged lending activities. The number of community banking organizations with substantial exposure to leveraged lending is very small; therefore the Agencies generally expect that community banking... that they understand their risks and the potential impact of stressful events and circumstances on...

12 CFR 704.7 - Lending.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS AFFECTING CREDIT UNIONS CORPORATE CREDIT UNIONS § 704.7 Lending. (a) Policies. A corporate credit union must operate according to a lending policy which addresses... marketable securities and member reverse repurchase transactions, must not exceed 100 percent of capital. (2...

12 CFR 704.7 - Lending.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS AFFECTING CREDIT UNIONS CORPORATE CREDIT UNIONS § 704.7 Lending. (a) Policies. A corporate credit union must operate according to a lending policy which addresses... marketable securities and member reverse repurchase transactions, must not exceed 100 percent of capital. (2...

12 CFR 704.7 - Lending.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS AFFECTING CREDIT UNIONS CORPORATE CREDIT UNIONS § 704.7 Lending. (a) Policies. A corporate credit union must operate according to a lending policy which addresses... marketable securities and member reverse repurchase transactions, must not exceed 100 percent of capital. (2...

12 CFR 704.7 - Lending.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS AFFECTING CREDIT UNIONS CORPORATE CREDIT UNIONS § 704.7 Lending. (a) Policies. A corporate credit union must operate according to a lending policy which addresses... marketable securities and member reverse repurchase transactions, must not exceed 100 percent of capital. (2...

12 CFR 704.7 - Lending.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS AFFECTING CREDIT UNIONS CORPORATE CREDIT UNIONS § 704.7 Lending. (a) Policies. A corporate credit union must operate according to a lending policy which addresses... marketable securities and member reverse repurchase transactions, must not exceed 100 percent of capital. (2...

24 CFR 202.12 - Title II.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...) General requirements—(i) Prohibition against excess variation. The customary lending practices of a mortgagee for its single family insured mortgages shall not provide for a variation in mortgage charge rates... section. (ii) Customary lending practices. The customary lending practices of a mortgagee include all...

Reference hypernetted chain theory for ferrofluid bilayer: Distribution functions compared with Monte Carlo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Polyakov, Evgeny A.; Vorontsov-Velyaminov, Pavel N.

2014-08-01

Properties of ferrofluid bilayer (modeled as a system of two planar layers separated by a distance h and each layer carrying a soft sphere dipolar liquid) are calculated in the framework of inhomogeneous Ornstein-Zernike equations with reference hypernetted chain closure (RHNC). The bridge functions are taken from a soft sphere (1/r12) reference system in the pressure-consistent closure approximation. In order to make the RHNC problem tractable, the angular dependence of the correlation functions is expanded into special orthogonal polynomials according to Lado. The resulting equations are solved using the Newton-GRMES algorithm as implemented in the public-domain solver NITSOL. Orientational densities and pair distribution functions of dipoles are compared with Monte Carlo simulation results. A numerical algorithm for the Fourier-Hankel transform of any positive integer order on a uniform grid is presented.

Solving the shrinkage-induced PDMS alignment registration issue in multilayer soft lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moraes, Christopher; Sun, Yu; Simmons, Craig A.

2009-06-01

Shrinkage of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) complicates alignment registration between layers during multilayer soft lithography fabrication. This often hinders the development of large-scale microfabricated arrayed devices. Here we report a rapid method to construct large-area, multilayered devices with stringent alignment requirements. This technique, which exploits a previously unrecognized aspect of sandwich mold fabrication, improves device yield, enables highly accurate alignment over large areas of multilayered devices and does not require strict regulation of fabrication conditions or extensive calibration processes. To demonstrate this technique, a microfabricated Braille display was developed and characterized. High device yield and accurate alignment within 15 µm were achieved over three layers for an array of 108 Braille units spread over a 6.5 cm2 area, demonstrating the fabrication of well-aligned devices with greater ease and efficiency than previously possible.

Delineation of an old coal mine in an urban environment with surface wave seismics using a landstreamer and laterally constrained inversion

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

Roger Wisen; Mattias Linden; Mats Svensson

2007-01-15

Prior to the site investigation for a tunnel below Helsingborg, southern Sweden, a surface wave seismic investigation was made to delineate an old coal mine. The mine as described in old literature has an area of about 6 acres and each layer of coal has a height of less than one 1 m; however, the exact location and status is unclear. The sedimentary geological setting consists of fill, quaternary deposits, shale, coal and sandstone. The mine, or alternatively the coal, is found at 10 m depth between a layer of shale and a layer of soft sandstone. The seismic measurementsmore » were made along two crossing profiles, located on the walkways covered with gravel, in the area where the mine is expected. The measurement system was a landstreamer with 244.5 Hz geophones, a Geometrics Geode and a shotgun. The v{sub s} models clearly show increasing velocities with depth with a low velocity layer at 10 m depth. The results correlate well with the expected geology and results from geotechnical drillings that indicate an open mine in parts of the area; however, the low velocity layer is mainly due to the soft sandstone and does not seem to be strongly affected by the presence of the open mine.« less

Lending sociodynamics and economic instability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hawkins, Raymond J.

2011-11-01

We show how the dynamics of economic instability and financial crises articulated by Keynes in the General Theory and developed by Minsky as the Financial Instability Hypothesis can be formalized using Weidlich’s sociodynamics of opinion formation. The model addresses both the lending sentiment of a lender in isolation as well as the impact on that lending sentiment of the behavior of other lenders. The risk associated with lending is incorporated through a stochastic treatment of loan dynamics that treats prepayment and default as competing risks. With this model we are able to generate endogenously the rapid changes in lending opinion that attend slow changes in lending profitability and find these dynamics to be consistent with the rise and collapse of the non-Agency mortgage-backed securities market in 2007/2008. As the parameters of this model correspond to well-known phenomena in cognitive and social psychology, we can both explain why economic instability has proved robust to advances in risk measurement and suggest how policy for reducing economic instability might be formulated in an experimentally sound manner.

Bi-layered collagen nano-structured membrane prototype collagen matrix 10826® for soft tissue regeneration in rabbits: an in vivo ultra-structural study of the early healing phase.

PubMed

De Santis, D; Menchini Fabris, G B; Lotti, J; Palumbo, C; Ferretti, M; Castellani, R; Lotti, T; Zanotti, G; Gelpi, F; Covani, C; Nocini, P F

Collagen Matrix (CM) 10826 is a nanostructured bi-layered collagen membrane obtained from type I and III porcine collagen, which in vitro has shown to have the potential to be a substitute and/or stimulant for soft oral tissue regeneration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vivo potential and safety of this membrane for soft tissue regeneration in the early stage of wound healing. Two soft tissue wounds (test and control) were created on the back skin of 5 rabbits (female New Zealand White Rabbits specific pathogen free). All wounds were protected by a special poly-tetra-fluoro-ethylene (PTFE) healing camera. On each rabbit on the test side CM-10826 was used, while on the control side conventional treatment (an autologous pedicle graft) was performed. The healing process was observed clinically after 2 and 6 days, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was performed after this period. After 7 days, animals were sacrificed and specimens were analyzed with light optic microscopy (LM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). These in vivo trials on rabbits confirmed that CM-10826 is well tolerated, without signs of histological inflammatory reaction and proved to be able to accelerate the spontaneous repair of the skin defect taken as the control. The light-optic and ultra-microscopy of serial biopsies showed that the new matrix is biocompatible and is able to function as a scaffold inducing soft tissue regeneration. In conclusion this study demonstrates that CM-10826 promote early soft tissue regeneration and suggests it is a potential constituent for human autologous keratinocytes seeded derma bioequivalent. It protects the wound from injuries and bacterial contamination accelerating healing process. As a clinical relevance, we consider that the quality of life of patients will be improved avoiding the use of major autologous grafts, reducing the hospitalization time and morbidity.

A novel bioprinting method and system for forming hybrid tissue engineering constructs.

PubMed

Shanjani, Y; Pan, C C; Elomaa, L; Yang, Y

2015-12-18

Three dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a promising approach to form tissue engineering constructs (TECs) via positioning biomaterials, growth factors, and cells with controlled spatial distribution due to its layer-by-layer manufacturing nature. Hybrid TECs composed of relatively rigid porous scaffolds for structural and mechanical integrity and soft hydrogels for cell- and growth factor-loading have a tremendous potential to tissue regeneration under mechanical loading. However, despite excessive progress in the field, the current 3D bioprinting techniques and systems fall short in integration of such soft and rigid multifunctional components. Here we present a novel 3D hybrid bioprinting technology (Hybprinter) and its capability enabling integration of soft and rigid components for TECs. Hybprinter employs digital light processing-based stereolithography (DLP-SLA) and molten material extrusion techniques for soft and rigid materials, respectively. In this study, poly-ethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) and poly-(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) were used as a model material for soft hydrogel and rigid scaffold, respectively. It was shown that geometrical accuracy, swelling ratio and mechanical properties of the hydrogel component can be tailored by DLP-SLA module. We have demonstrated the printability of variety of complex hybrid construct designs using Hybprinter technology and characterized the mechanical properties and functionality of such constructs. The compressive mechanical stiffness of a hybrid construct (90% hydrogel) was significantly higher than hydrogel itself (∼6 MPa versus 100 kPa). In addition, viability of cells incorporated within the bioprinted hybrid constructs was determined approximately 90%. Furthermore, a functionality of a hybrid construct composed of porous scaffold with an embedded hydrogel conduit was characterized for vascularized tissue engineering applications. High material diffusion and high cell viability in about 2.5 mm distance surrounding the conduit indicated that culture media effectively diffused through the conduit and fed the cells. The results suggest that the developed technology is potent to form functional TECs composed of rigid and soft biomaterials.

Soft X-Ray Second Harmonic Generation as an Interfacial Probe

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

Lam, R. K.; Raj, S. L.; Pascal, T. A.

Nonlinear optical processes at soft x-ray wavelengths have remained largely unexplored due to the lack of available light sources with the requisite intensity and coherence. Here we report the observation of soft x-ray second harmonic generation near the carbon K edge (~284 eV) in graphite thin films generated by high intensity, coherent soft x-ray pulses at the FERMI free electron laser. Our experimental results and accompanying first-principles theoretical analysis highlight the effect of resonant enhancement above the carbon K edge and show the technique to be interfacially sensitive in a centrosymmetric sample with second harmonic intensity arising primarily from themore » first atomic layer at the open surface. This technique and the associated theoretical framework demonstrate the ability to selectively probe interfaces, including those that are buried, with elemental specificity, providing a new tool for a range of scientific problems.« less

Soft X-Ray Second Harmonic Generation as an Interfacial Probe

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

Lam, R. K.; Raj, S. L.; Pascal, T. A.

Nonlinear optical processes at soft x-ray wavelengths have remained largely unexplored due to the lack of available light sources with the requisite intensity and coherence. Here we report the observation of soft x-ray second harmonic generation near the carbon K edge (~284 eV) in graphite thin films generated by high intensity, coherent soft x-ray pulses at the FERMI free electron laser. Our experimental results and accompanying first-principles theoretical analysis highlight the effect of resonant enhancement above the carbon K edge and show the technique to be interfacially sensitive in a centrosymmetric sample with second harmonic intensity arising primarily from themore » first atomic layer at the open surface. Here, this technique and the associated theoretical framework demonstrate the ability to selectively probe interfaces, including those that are buried, with elemental specificity, providing a new tool for a range of scientific problems.« less

Science Objectives for a Soft X-ray Mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sibeck, D. G.; Connor, H. K.; Collier, M. R.; Collado-Vega, Y. M.; Walsh, B.

2016-12-01

When high charge state solar wind ions exchange electrons with exospheric neutrals, soft X-rays are emitted. In conjunction with flight- proven wide field-of-view soft X-ray imagers employing lobster-eye optics, recent simulations demonstrate the feasibility of imaging magnetospheric density structures such as the bow shock, magnetopause, and cusps. This presentation examines the Heliospheric scientific objectives that such imagers can address. Principal amongst these is the nature of reconnection at the dayside magnetopause: steady or transient, widespread or localized, component or antiparallel as a function of solar wind conditions. However, amongst many other objectives, soft X-ray imagers can provide crucial information concerning the structure of the bow shock as a function of solar wind Mach number and IMF orientation, the presence or absence of a depletion layer, the occurrence of Kelvin-Helmholtz or pressure-pulse driven magnetopause boundary waves, and the effects of radial IMF orientations and the foreshock upon bow shock and magnetopause location.

Soft X-Ray Second Harmonic Generation as an Interfacial Probe

DOE PAGES

Lam, R. K.; Raj, S. L.; Pascal, T. A.; ...

2018-01-08

Nonlinear optical processes at soft x-ray wavelengths have remained largely unexplored due to the lack of available light sources with the requisite intensity and coherence. Here we report the observation of soft x-ray second harmonic generation near the carbon K edge (~284 eV) in graphite thin films generated by high intensity, coherent soft x-ray pulses at the FERMI free electron laser. Our experimental results and accompanying first-principles theoretical analysis highlight the effect of resonant enhancement above the carbon K edge and show the technique to be interfacially sensitive in a centrosymmetric sample with second harmonic intensity arising primarily from themore » first atomic layer at the open surface. Here, this technique and the associated theoretical framework demonstrate the ability to selectively probe interfaces, including those that are buried, with elemental specificity, providing a new tool for a range of scientific problems.« less

Soft X-Ray Second Harmonic Generation as an Interfacial Probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lam, R. K.; Raj, S. L.; Pascal, T. A.; Pemmaraju, C. D.; Foglia, L.; Simoncig, A.; Fabris, N.; Miotti, P.; Hull, C. J.; Rizzuto, A. M.; Smith, J. W.; Mincigrucci, R.; Masciovecchio, C.; Gessini, A.; Allaria, E.; De Ninno, G.; Diviacco, B.; Roussel, E.; Spampinati, S.; Penco, G.; Di Mitri, S.; Trovò, M.; Danailov, M.; Christensen, S. T.; Sokaras, D.; Weng, T.-C.; Coreno, M.; Poletto, L.; Drisdell, W. S.; Prendergast, D.; Giannessi, L.; Principi, E.; Nordlund, D.; Saykally, R. J.; Schwartz, C. P.

2018-01-01

Nonlinear optical processes at soft x-ray wavelengths have remained largely unexplored due to the lack of available light sources with the requisite intensity and coherence. Here we report the observation of soft x-ray second harmonic generation near the carbon K edge (˜284 eV ) in graphite thin films generated by high intensity, coherent soft x-ray pulses at the FERMI free electron laser. Our experimental results and accompanying first-principles theoretical analysis highlight the effect of resonant enhancement above the carbon K edge and show the technique to be interfacially sensitive in a centrosymmetric sample with second harmonic intensity arising primarily from the first atomic layer at the open surface. This technique and the associated theoretical framework demonstrate the ability to selectively probe interfaces, including those that are buried, with elemental specificity, providing a new tool for a range of scientific problems.

Stretchable electronics based on Ag-PDMS composites

PubMed Central

Larmagnac, Alexandre; Eggenberger, Samuel; Janossy, Hanna; Vörös, Janos

2014-01-01

Patterned structures of flexible, stretchable, electrically conductive materials on soft substrates could lead to novel electronic devices with unique mechanical properties allowing them to bend, fold, stretch or conform to their environment. For the last decade, research on improving the stretchability of circuits on elastomeric substrates has made significant progresses but designing printed circuit assemblies on elastomers remains challenging. Here we present a simple, cost-effective, cleanroom-free process to produce large scale soft electronic hardware where standard surface-mounted electrical components were directly bonded onto all-elastomeric printed circuit boards, or soft PCBs. Ag-PDMS tracks were stencil printed onto a PDMS substrate and soft PCBs were made by bonding the top and bottom layers together and filling punched holes with Ag-PDMS to create vias. Silver epoxy was used to bond commercial electrical components and no mechanical failure was observed after hundreds of stretching cycles. We also demonstrate the fabrication of a stretchable clock generator. PMID:25434843

A simple analytical thermo-mechanical model for liquid crystal elastomer bilayer structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Yun; Wang, Chengjun; Sim, Kyoseung; Chen, Jin; Li, Yuhang; Xing, Yufeng; Yu, Cunjiang; Song, Jizhou

2018-02-01

The bilayer structure consisting of thermal-responsive liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) and other polymer materials with stretchable heaters has attracted much attention in applications of soft actuators and soft robots due to its ability to generate large deformations when subjected to heat stimuli. A simple analytical thermo-mechanical model, accounting for the non-uniform feature of the temperature/strain distribution along the thickness direction, is established for this type of bilayer structure. The analytical predictions of the temperature and bending curvature radius agree well with finite element analysis and experiments. The influences of the LCE thickness and the heat generation power on the bending deformation of the bilayer structure are fully investigated. It is shown that a thinner LCE layer and a higher heat generation power could yield more bending deformation. These results may help the design of soft actuators and soft robots involving thermal responsive LCEs.

NOL specular spin-valve heads using an ultrathin CoFe free layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukuzawa, Hideaki; Koi, Katsuhiko; Tomita, Hiroshi; Fuke, Hiromi Niu; Kamiguchi, Yuzo; Iwasaki, Hitoshi; Sahashi, Masashi

2001-10-01

This paper reports the film and head performance of specular spin valves with nano-oxide layer (NOL-SPSV). A large MR ratio of 17% was obtained by using an ultrathin CoFe free layer with a high conductance Cu layer, which decreases the sense current field of a free layer and brings good soft magnetic characteristics. Prototype heads with a read track width of 0.47-0.61 μm were fabricated by using NOL-SPSV films with an MR ratio of 14-15%, Hua˜400 Oe, and Hc˜5 Oe. High output signal voltage of 8-11 mV/μm was realized in the NOL-SPSV heads.

Passivating overcoat bilayer for multilayer reflective coatings for extreme ultraviolet lithography

DOEpatents

Montcalm, Claude; Stearns, Daniel G.; Vernon, Stephen P.

1999-01-01

A passivating overcoat bilayer is used for multilayer reflective coatings for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) or soft x-ray applications to prevent oxidation and corrosion of the multilayer coating, thereby improving the EUV optical performance. The overcoat bilayer comprises a layer of silicon or beryllium underneath at least one top layer of an elemental or a compound material that resists oxidation and corrosion. Materials for the top layer include carbon, palladium, carbides, borides, nitrides, and oxides. The thicknesses of the two layers that make up the overcoat bilayer are optimized to produce the highest reflectance at the wavelength range of operation. Protective overcoat systems comprising three or more layers are also possible.

Ultrasmooth, Polydopamine Modified Surfaces for Block Copolymer Nanopatterning on Inert and Flexible Substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katsumata, Reika; Cho, Joon Hee; Zhou, Sunshine; Kim, Chae Bin; Dulaney, Austin; Janes, Dustin; Ellison, Christopher

Nature has engineered universal, catechol-containing adhesives that can be synthetically mimicked in the form of polydopamine (PDA). We exploited PDA to enable block copolymer (BCP) nanopatterning on a variety of soft material surfaces in a way that can potentially be applied to flexible electrical devices. Applying BCP nanopatterning to soft substrates is challenging because soft substrates are often chemically inert and possess incompatible low surface energies. In this study, we exploited PDA to enable the formation of BCP nanopatterns on a variety of surfaces such as Teflon, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and Kapton. While previous studies produced a PDA coating layer too rough for BCP nanopatterning, we succeeded in fabricating conformal and ultra-smooth surfaces of PDA by engineering the PDA coating process and post-sonication procedure. This chemically functionalized, biomimetic thin film (3 nm thick) served as a reactive platform for subsequently grafting a surface treatment to perpendicularly orient a lamellae-forming BCP layer. Furthermore, we demonstrated that a perfectly nanopatterned PDA-PET substrate can be bent without distorting or damaging the nanopattern in conditions that far exceeds typical bending curvatures in roll-to-roll manufacturing.

Surface Tension Mediated Under-Water Adhesion of Rigid Spheres on Soft, Charged Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sinha, Shayandev; Das, Siddhartha

2015-11-01

Understanding the phenomenon of surface-tension-mediated under-water adhesion is necessary for studying a plethora of physiological and technical phenomena, such as the uptake of bacteria or nanoparticle by cells, attachment of virus on bacterial surfaces, biofouling on large ocean vessels and marine devices, etc. This adhesion phenomenon becomes highly non-trivial in case the soft surface where the adhesion occurs is also charged. Here we propose a theory for analyzing such an under-water adhesion of a rigid sphere on a soft, charged surface, represented by a grafted polyelectrolyte layer (PEL). We develop a model based on the minimization of free energy that, in addition to considering the elastic and the surface-tension-mediated adhesion energies, also accounts for the PEL electric double layer (EDL) induced electrostatic energies. We show that in the presence of surface charges, adhesion gets enhanced. This can be explained by the fact that the increase in the elastic energy is better balanced by the lowering of the EDL energy associated with the adhesion process. The entire behaviour is further dictated by the surface tension components that govern the adhesion energy.

Review of rigorous coupled-wave analysis and of homogeneous effective medium approximations for high spatial-frequency surface-relief gratings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glytsis, Elias N.; Brundrett, David L.; Gaylord, Thomas K.

1993-01-01

A review of the rigorous coupled-wave analysis as applied to the diffraction of electro-magnetic waves by gratings is presented. The analysis is valid for any polarization, angle of incidence, and conical diffraction. Cascaded and/or multiplexed gratings as well as material anisotropy can be incorporated under the same formalism. Small period rectangular groove gratings can also be modeled using approximately equivalent uniaxial homogeneous layers (effective media). The ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices of these layers depend on the gratings filling factor, the refractive indices of the substrate and superstrate, and the ratio of the freespace wavelength to grating period. Comparisons of the homogeneous effective medium approximations with the rigorous coupled-wave analysis are presented. Antireflection designs (single-layer or multilayer) using the effective medium models are presented and compared. These ultra-short period antireflection gratings can also be used to produce soft x-rays. Comparisons of the rigorous coupled-wave analysis with experimental results on soft x-ray generation by gratings are also included.

12 CFR 560.101 - Real estate lending standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... estate lending policies adopted pursuant to this section must: (i) Be consistent with safe and sound... institution's policies must be comprehensive, and consistent with safe and sound lending practices, and must..., construction, and absorption rates. • Current and projected lease terms, rental rates, and sales prices...

Legal Aspects of Public Lending Right.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hyatt, Dennis

1981-01-01

Discusses national differences, natural justice, and protection of tangible expressions in the copyright law and tactical and practical considerations regarding the legal aspects of author compensation for library lending. Special problems for public lending rights legislation (PLR) in the U.S. are cited. Eighteen references are provided. (CHC)

13 CFR 120.931 - 504 Lending limits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false 504 Lending limits. 120.931 Section 120.931 Business Credit and Assistance SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS LOANS Development Company Loan Program (504) 504 Loans and Debentures § 120.931 504 Lending limits. The outstanding balance...

78 FR 56770 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Information Collection Renewal; Comment Request...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-13

... Activities: Information Collection Renewal; Comment Request; Lending Limits AGENCY: Office of the Comptroller... concerning renewal of its information collection titled, ``Lending Limits.'' DATES: Comments must be... information set forth in this document. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Lending Limits--12 CFR 32.9. Type of...

Soft sensor for real-time cement fineness estimation.

PubMed

Stanišić, Darko; Jorgovanović, Nikola; Popov, Nikola; Čongradac, Velimir

2015-03-01

This paper describes the design and implementation of soft sensors to estimate cement fineness. Soft sensors are mathematical models that use available data to provide real-time information on process variables when the information, for whatever reason, is not available by direct measurement. In this application, soft sensors are used to provide information on process variable normally provided by off-line laboratory tests performed at large time intervals. Cement fineness is one of the crucial parameters that define the quality of produced cement. Providing real-time information on cement fineness using soft sensors can overcome limitations and problems that originate from a lack of information between two laboratory tests. The model inputs were selected from candidate process variables using an information theoretic approach. Models based on multi-layer perceptrons were developed, and their ability to estimate cement fineness of laboratory samples was analyzed. Models that had the best performance, and capacity to adopt changes in the cement grinding circuit were selected to implement soft sensors. Soft sensors were tested using data from a continuous cement production to demonstrate their use in real-time fineness estimation. Their performance was highly satisfactory, and the sensors proved to be capable of providing valuable information on cement grinding circuit performance. After successful off-line tests, soft sensors were implemented and installed in the control room of a cement factory. Results on the site confirm results obtained by tests conducted during soft sensor development. Copyright © 2014 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Amelogenesis imperfecta

MedlinePlus

... a tooth development disorder. It causes the tooth enamel to be thin and abnormally formed. Enamel is the outer layer of teeth. ... The enamel of the tooth is soft and thin. The teeth appear yellow and are easily damaged. Both baby ...

13 CFR 120.150 - What are SBA's lending criteria?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false What are SBA's lending criteria? 120.150 Section 120.150 Business Credit and Assistance SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS LOANS Policies Applying to All Business Loans Credit Criteria for Sba Loans § 120.150 What are SBA's lending...

12 CFR 211.12 - Lending limits and capital requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Lending limits and capital requirements. 211.12 Section 211.12 Banks and Banking FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM... Lending limits and capital requirements. (a) Acceptances of Edge corporations. (1) Limitations. An Edge...

12 CFR 560.121 - Investment in State housing corporations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

....121 Section 560.121 Banks and Banking OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY LENDING AND INVESTMENT Lending and Investment Provisions Applicable to all Savings Associations § 560.121... do so, may make investments in, commitments to invest in, loans to, or commitments to lend to any...

75 FR 71724 - Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA): Solicitation of Information on Changes in...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-24

... Procedures Act (RESPA): Solicitation of Information on Changes in Warehouse Lending and Other Loan Funding... guidance under RESPA to address possible changes in warehouse lending and other financing mechanisms used... in recent years, and especially on how warehouse lending currently operates within residential real...

78 FR 10211 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Securities...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-13

... for OMB Review; Comment Request; Securities Lending by Employee Benefit Plans ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY...) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Securities Lending by Employee Benefit Plans,'' [email protected] . Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Securities Lending by...

78 FR 69934 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Information Collection Renewal; Submission for OMB...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-21

... Activities: Information Collection Renewal; Submission for OMB Review; Lending Limits AGENCY: Office of the... concerning renewal of its information collection titled, ``Lending Limits.'' The OCC is also giving notice... INFORMATION: The OCC is seeking to renew, without change, the following collection: Title: Lending Limits--12...

12 CFR 613.3200 - International lending.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false International lending. 613.3200 Section 613.3200 Banks and Banking FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION FARM CREDIT SYSTEM ELIGIBILITY AND SCOPE OF FINANCING Financing for Banks Operating Under Title III of the Farm Credit Act § 613.3200 International lending. (a...

78 FR 66004 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection Renewal; Comment Request Re: Real...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-04

... Collection Renewal; Comment Request Re: Real Estate Lending Standards AGENCY: Federal Deposit Insurance... take this opportunity to comment on renewal of its information collection entitled Real Estate Lending... currently approved collections of information: Title: Real Estate Lending Standards. OMB Number: 3064-0112...

12 CFR 560.110 - Most favored lender usury preemption.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Section 560.110 Banks and Banking OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY LENDING AND INVESTMENT Lending and Investment Provisions Applicable to all Savings Associations § 560.110 Most favored... lending institution by the law of that state. If state law permits different interest charges on specified...

7 CFR 4280.23 - Requirements for lending from Revolving Loan Fund.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 15 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Requirements for lending from Revolving Loan Fund. 4280.23 Section 4280.23 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL... Economic Development Loan and Grant Programs § 4280.23 Requirements for lending from Revolving Loan Fund...

75 FR 66553 - Truth in Lending

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-28

... AGENCY: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. ACTION: Interim final rule; request for public comment. SUMMARY: The Board is publishing for public comment an interim final rule amending Regulation Z (Truth in Lending). The interim rule implements Section 129E of the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), which...

Communities respond to predatory lending.

PubMed

Caplan, Mary Ager

2014-04-01

Low-income communities in the United States have faced a history of financial marginalization and exploitation, most evident today in the proliferation of predatory financial services, such as payday lending and check-cashing services. Ameliorating the negative effects of predatory lending has become increasingly important on the agenda of community development efforts and the field of social work. Through the use of case studies, this article describes three specific strategies that communities use to increase financial inclusion and buffer against the deleterious effects of predatory lending: inclusion, community-based alternatives, and community advocacy.

Mogul-Patterned Elastomeric Substrate for Stretchable Electronics.

PubMed

Lee, Han-Byeol; Bae, Chan-Wool; Duy, Le Thai; Sohn, Il-Yung; Kim, Do-Il; Song, You-Joon; Kim, Youn-Jea; Lee, Nae-Eung

2016-04-01

A mogul-patterned stretchable substrate with multidirectional stretchability and minimal fracture of layers under high stretching is fabricated by double photolithography and soft lithography. Au layers and a reduced graphene oxide chemiresistor on a mogul-patterned poly(dimethylsiloxane) substrate are stable and durable under various stretching conditions. The newly designed mogul-patterned stretchable substrate shows great promise for stretchable electronics. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Nitric Oxide Generating Polymeric Coatings for Subcutaneous Glucose Sensors

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-10-14

polymers for RSe immobilization. They both are thermoplastic poly(ether) polyurethanes but differ in composition of soft segments, hydrophobicity...thin layers of silicone rubber and Teflon AF, and the resulting device has yielded excellent NO sensitivity, high selectivity over NO2- and NH4Cl...layers over the sensor represent PDADM, 1% silicone rubber, and Teflon AF, respectively. This sensor can be coated with polymers containing RSe

Experimental Study on Vacuum Dynamic Consolidation Treatment of Soft Soil Foundation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu-lai, Ni; Xin, Wen; Xiao-bin, Zhang; Wei, Li

2017-11-01

In view of the deficiency of the saturated silt clay foundation reinforced by the dynamic consolidation method, combination the project of soft foundation treatment test area in Tangshan, the reaserch analysed indexes, included groundwater level, pore water pressure, settlement about soil layer and so on, by use of field tests and indoor geotechnical tests, The results showed that the whole reinforcement effect with vacuum dynamic compaction method to blow fill foundation is obvious, due to the result of vacuum precipitation, generally, the excess pore water pressure can be dissipated by 90% above in 2 days around and the effective compaction coefficient can reached more than 0.9,the research work in soft foundation treatment engineering provide a new method and thought to similar engineering.

Plastic masters-rigid templates for soft lithography.

PubMed

Desai, Salil P; Freeman, Dennis M; Voldman, Joel

2009-06-07

We demonstrate a simple process for the fabrication of rigid plastic master molds for soft lithography directly from (poly)dimethysiloxane devices. Plastics masters (PMs) provide a cost-effective alternative to silicon-based masters and can be easily replicated without the need for cleanroom facilities. We have successfully demonstrated the use of plastics micromolding to generate both single and dual-layer plastic structures, and have characterized the fidelity of the molding process. Using the PM fabrication technique, world-to-chip connections can be integrated directly into the master enabling devices with robust, well-aligned fluidic ports directly after molding. PMs provide an easy technique for the fabrication of microfluidic devices and a simple route for the scaling-up of fabrication of robust masters for soft lithography.

Computerized Cuff Pressure Algometry as Guidance for Circumferential Tissue Compression for Wearable Soft Robotic Applications: A Systematic Review.

PubMed

Kermavnar, Tjaša; Power, Valerie; de Eyto, Adam; O'Sullivan, Leonard W

2018-02-01

In this article, we review the literature on quantitative sensory testing of deep somatic pain by means of computerized cuff pressure algometry (CPA) in search of pressure-related safety guidelines for wearable soft exoskeleton and robotics design. Most pressure-related safety thresholds to date are based on interface pressures and skin perfusion, although clinical research suggests the deep somatic tissues to be the most sensitive to excessive loading. With CPA, pain is induced in deeper layers of soft tissue at the limbs. The results indicate that circumferential compression leads to discomfort at ∼16-34 kPa, becomes painful at ∼20-27 kPa, and can become unbearable even below 40 kPa.

Directed-Assembly of Carbon Nanotubes on Soft Substrates for Flexible Biosensor Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hyoung Woo; Koh, Juntae; Lee, Byung Yang; Kim, Tae Hyun; Lee, Joohyung; Hong, Seunghun; Yi, Mihye; Jhon, Young Min

2009-03-01

We developed a method to selectively assemble and align carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on soft substrates for flexible biosensors. In this strategy, thin oxide layer was deposited on soft substrates via low temperature plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, and linker-free assembly process was applied onto the oxide surface where the assembly of carbon nanotubes was guided by methyl-terminated molecular patterns on the oxide surface. The electrical characterization of the fabricated CNT devices exhibited typical p-type gating effect and 1/f noise behavior. The bare oxide regions near CNTs were functionalized with glutamate oxidase to fabricate selective biosensors to detect two forms of glutamate substances existing in different situations: L-glutamic acid, a neuro-transmitting material, and monosodium glutamate, a food additive.

Extended asymmetric-cut multilayer X-ray gratings.

PubMed

Prasciolu, Mauro; Haase, Anton; Scholze, Frank; Chapman, Henry N; Bajt, Saša

2015-06-15

The fabrication and characterization of a large-area high-dispersion blazed grating for soft X-rays based on an asymmetric-cut multilayer structure is reported. An asymmetric-cut multilayer structure acts as a perfect blazed grating of high efficiency that exhibits a single diffracted order, as described by dynamical diffraction throughout the depth of the layered structure. The maximum number of grating periods created by cutting a multilayer deposited on a flat substrate is equal to the number of layers deposited, which limits the size of the grating. The size limitation was overcome by depositing the multilayer onto a substrate which itself is a coarse blazed grating and then polish it flat to reveal the uniformly spaced layers of the multilayer. The number of deposited layers required is such that the multilayer thickness exceeds the step height of the substrate structure. The method is demonstrated by fabricating a 27,060 line pairs per mm blazed grating (36.95 nm period) that is repeated every 3,200 periods by the 120-μm period substrate structure. This preparation technique also relaxes the requirements on stress control and interface roughness of the multilayer film. The dispersion and efficiency of the grating is demonstrated for soft X-rays of 13.2 nm wavelength.

Fluorescent solute-partitioning characterization of layered soft contact lenses.

PubMed

Dursch, T J; Liu, D E; Oh, Y; Radke, C J

2015-03-01

Partitioning of aqueous packaging, wetting, and care-solution agents into and out of soft contact lenses (SCLs) is important for improving wear comfort and also for characterizing lens physico-chemical properties. We illustrate both features of partitioning by application of fluorescent-solute partitioning into DAILIES TOTAL1® (delefilcon A) water-gradient SCLs, which exhibit a layered structure of a silicone-hydrogel (SiHy) core sandwiched between thin surface-gel layers. Two-photon fluorescence confocal laser-scanning microscopy and attenuated total-reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) characterize the lens and assess uptake profiles of six prototypical fluorescent solutes. Comparison of solute uptake in a SiHy-core prototype lens (i.e., O2OPTIX(TM)) validates the core SiHy structure of DAILIESTOTAL1®. To establish surface-layer charge, partition coefficients and water contents are obtained for aqueous pH values of 4 and 7.4. Solute fluorescence-intensity profiles clearly confirm a layered structure for the DAILIES TOTAL1® lenses. In all cases, aqueous solute partition coefficients are greater in the surface layers than in the SiHy core, signifying higher water in the surface gels. ATR-FTIR confirms surface-layer mass water contents of 82±3%. Water uptake and hydrophilic-solute uptake at pH 4 compared with that at pH 7.4 reveal that the surface-gel layers are anionic at physiologic pH 7.4, whereas both the SiHy core and O2OPTIX™ (lotrafilcon B) are nonionic. We successfully confirm the layered structure of DAILIES TOTAL1®, consisting of an 80-μm-thick SiHy core surrounded by 10-μm-thick polyelectrolyte surface-gel layers of significantly greater water content and aqueous solute uptake compared with the core. Accordingly, fluorescent-solute partitioning in SCLs provides information on gel structure and composition, in addition to quantifying uptake and release amounts and rates. Copyright © 2014 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

76 FR 40200 - Semiannual Regulatory Flexibility Agenda

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-07

...- 1404). 447 Regulation Z--Truth in 7100-AD55 Lending (Docket No. R- 1393). 448 Regulation Z--Truth in 7100-AD56 Lending (Docket No. R- 1394). FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM (FRS) Final Rule Stage 445. Regulation Z... on March 2, 2011, a proposed rule that would amend Regulation Z (Truth in Lending) to implement...

Collateral Damage: Interlibrary Loan Lending Denials

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leykam, Andrew

2009-01-01

The intent of this paper is to explore the potential of utilizing interlibrary loan (ILL) data relating to lending denials to improve ILL services while highlighting institutional policies that have a negative impact on lending fulfillment rates. Reasons for denial as well as the types of requests being denied are reviewed. In addition, the author…

12 CFR 34.61 - Purpose and scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Purpose and scope. 34.61 Section 34.61 Banks and Banking COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY REAL ESTATE LENDING AND APPRAISALS... standards for real estate lending to be used by national banks in adopting internal real estate lending...

37 CFR 201.24 - Warning of copyright for software lending by nonprofit libraries.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... software lending by nonprofit libraries. 201.24 Section 201.24 Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights... copyright for software lending by nonprofit libraries. (a) Definition. A Warning of Copyright for Software... States Code, as amended by the Computer Software Rental Amendments Act of 1990, Public Law 101-650. As...

37 CFR 201.24 - Warning of copyright for software lending by nonprofit libraries.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... software lending by nonprofit libraries. 201.24 Section 201.24 Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights... copyright for software lending by nonprofit libraries. (a) Definition. A Warning of Copyright for Software... States Code, as amended by the Computer Software Rental Amendments Act of 1990, Public Law 101-650. As...

37 CFR 201.24 - Warning of copyright for software lending by nonprofit libraries.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... software lending by nonprofit libraries. 201.24 Section 201.24 Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights... copyright for software lending by nonprofit libraries. (a) Definition. A Warning of Copyright for Software... States Code, as amended by the Computer Software Rental Amendments Act of 1990, Public Law 101-650. As...

37 CFR 201.24 - Warning of copyright for software lending by nonprofit libraries.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... software lending by nonprofit libraries. 201.24 Section 201.24 Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights... copyright for software lending by nonprofit libraries. (a) Definition. A Warning of Copyright for Software... States Code, as amended by the Computer Software Rental Amendments Act of 1990, Public Law 101-650. As...

37 CFR 201.24 - Warning of copyright for software lending by nonprofit libraries.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... software lending by nonprofit libraries. 201.24 Section 201.24 Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights U.S... copyright for software lending by nonprofit libraries. (a) Definition. A Warning of Copyright for Software... States Code, as amended by the Computer Software Rental Amendments Act of 1990, Public Law 101-650. As...

Lending Video Game Consoles in an Academic Library

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buller, Ryan

2017-01-01

This paper will outline the process and discussions undertaken at the University of Denver's University Libraries to implement a lending service providing video game consoles. Faculty and staff at the University Libraries decided to pursue the new lending service, though not a traditional library offering, to support the needs of a video game…

12 CFR 613.3005 - Lending objective.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Lending objective. 613.3005 Section 613.3005 Banks and Banking FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION FARM CREDIT SYSTEM ELIGIBILITY AND SCOPE OF FINANCING Financing Under Titles I and II of the Farm Credit Act § 613.3005 Lending objective. It is the objective of...

12 CFR 338.9 - Mortgage lending of a controlled entity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Mortgage lending of a controlled entity. 338.9 Section 338.9 Banks and Banking FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION REGULATIONS AND STATEMENTS OF GENERAL POLICY FAIR HOUSING Recordkeeping § 338.9 Mortgage lending of a controlled entity. Any bank which...

13 CFR 120.150 - What are SBA's lending criteria?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false What are SBA's lending criteria... Policies Applying to All Business Loans Credit Criteria for Sba Loans § 120.150 What are SBA's lending criteria? The applicant (including an Operating Company) must be creditworthy. Loans must be so sound as to...

Lender Profitability in the Student Loan Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jenkins, Sarah

This report provides results of a study that measured lender profitability in the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) program and compares these results with the profitability of other types of lending. Data analysis reveals credit card lending to be the highest average level of profitability over the 5-year period considered. Other lending types, in…

34 CFR 682.608 - Termination of a school's lending eligibility.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 34 Education 4 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Termination of a school's lending eligibility. 682.608... Requirements, Standards, and Payments for Participating Schools § 682.608 Termination of a school's lending eligibility. (a) General. The Secretary may terminate a school's eligibility to make loans under this part if...

Characterization of Polystyrene Soft Nanoparticles Using Small Angle Neutron Scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Halie; White, Tyler; Saito, Tomonori; Dadmun, Mark

Polymer nanocomposites have become a prominent area of research recently. With a growing variety of nanoparticles available, research probing the influence of particle morphology on the overall nanocomposite properties is also increasing. Nanoparticle dispersion is controlled by both the chemical nature and morphology of the nanoparticle where a crosslinked, fuzzy organic nanoparticle is anticipated to enhance the overall miscibility and create a homogenous dispersion within a like-polymer matrix. A semi-batch microemulsion polymerization forms organic, soft nanoparticles where the precise structure of the nanoparticle is controlled by monomer rate of addition and crosslinking density. We will report small angle neutron scattering results that correlate synthetic conditions to the structural characteristics of soft nanoparticles. This analysis provides characterization of the individual nanoparticle molecular weight, the radius of the crosslinked core, the thickness of the fuzzy interfacial layer, and provides insight into the overall topography of the soft nanoparticle. This research provides a pathway to investigate the effect of nanoscale structural features of the nanoparticle on their individual properties and those of nanocomposites that contain these soft nanoparticles. DOE-BES, Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering.

Triggering soft bombs at the LHC

DOE PAGES

Knapen, Simon; Griso, Simone Pagan; Papucci, Michele; ...

2017-08-18

Very high multiplicity, spherically-symmetric distributions of soft particles, with p T ~ few×100 MeV, may be a signature of strongly-coupled hidden valleys that exhibit long, efficient showering windows. With traditional triggers, such ‘soft bomb’ events closely resemble pile-up and are therefore only recorded with minimum bias triggers at a very low efficiency. We demonstrate a proof-of-concept for a high-level triggering strategy that efficiently separates soft bombs from pile-up by searching for a ‘belt of fire’: a high density band of hits on the innermost layer of the tracker. Seeding our proposed high-level trigger with existing jet, missing transverse energy ormore » lepton hardware-level triggers, we show that net trigger efficiencies of order 10% are possible for bombs of mass several × 100 GeV. We also consider the special case that soft bombs are the result of an exotic decay of the 125 GeV Higgs. The fiducial rate for ‘Higgs bombs’ triggered in this manner is marginally higher than the rate achievable by triggering directly on a hard muon from associated Higgs production.« less

Air-coupled acoustic radiation force for non-contact generation of broadband mechanical waves in soft media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ambroziński, Łukasz; Pelivanov, Ivan; Song, Shaozhen; Yoon, Soon Joon; Li, David; Gao, Liang; Shen, Tueng T.; Wang, Ruikang K.; O'Donnell, Matthew

2016-07-01

A non-contact method for efficient, non-invasive excitation of mechanical waves in soft media is proposed, in which we focus an ultrasound (US) signal through air onto the surface of a medium under study. The US wave reflected from the air/medium interface provides radiation force to the medium surface that launches a transient mechanical wave in the transverse (lateral) direction. The type of mechanical wave is determined by boundary conditions. To prove this concept, a home-made 1 MHz piezo-ceramic transducer with a matching layer to air sends a chirped US signal centered at 1 MHz to a 1.6 mm thick gelatin phantom mimicking soft biological tissue. A phase-sensitive (PhS)-optical coherence tomography system is used to track/image the mechanical wave. The reconstructed transient displacement of the mechanical wave in space and time demonstrates highly efficient generation, thus offering great promise for non-contact, non-invasive characterization of soft media, in general, and for elasticity measurements in delicate soft tissues and organs in bio-medicine, in particular.

Triggering soft bombs at the LHC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knapen, Simon; Griso, Simone Pagan; Papucci, Michele; Robinson, Dean J.

2017-08-01

Very high multiplicity, spherically-symmetric distributions of soft particles, with p T ˜ few×100 MeV, may be a signature of strongly-coupled hidden valleys that exhibit long, efficient showering windows. With traditional triggers, such `soft bomb' events closely resemble pile-up and are therefore only recorded with minimum bias triggers at a very low efficiency. We demonstrate a proof-of-concept for a high-level triggering strategy that efficiently separates soft bombs from pile-up by searching for a `belt of fire': a high density band of hits on the innermost layer of the tracker. Seeding our proposed high-level trigger with existing jet, missing transverse energy or lepton hardware-level triggers, we show that net trigger efficiencies of order 10% are possible for bombs of mass several × 100 GeV. We also consider the special case that soft bombs are the result of an exotic decay of the 125 GeV Higgs. The fiducial rate for `Higgs bombs' triggered in this manner is marginally higher than the rate achievable by triggering directly on a hard muon from associated Higgs production.

Triggering soft bombs at the LHC

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

Knapen, Simon; Griso, Simone Pagan; Papucci, Michele

Very high multiplicity, spherically-symmetric distributions of soft particles, with p T ~ few×100 MeV, may be a signature of strongly-coupled hidden valleys that exhibit long, efficient showering windows. With traditional triggers, such ‘soft bomb’ events closely resemble pile-up and are therefore only recorded with minimum bias triggers at a very low efficiency. We demonstrate a proof-of-concept for a high-level triggering strategy that efficiently separates soft bombs from pile-up by searching for a ‘belt of fire’: a high density band of hits on the innermost layer of the tracker. Seeding our proposed high-level trigger with existing jet, missing transverse energy ormore » lepton hardware-level triggers, we show that net trigger efficiencies of order 10% are possible for bombs of mass several × 100 GeV. We also consider the special case that soft bombs are the result of an exotic decay of the 125 GeV Higgs. The fiducial rate for ‘Higgs bombs’ triggered in this manner is marginally higher than the rate achievable by triggering directly on a hard muon from associated Higgs production.« less

Determinants of Default in P2P Lending

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

This paper studies P2P lending and the factors explaining loan default. This is an important issue because in P2P lending individual investors bear the credit risk, instead of financial institutions, which are experts in dealing with this risk. P2P lenders suffer a severe problem of information asymmetry, because they are at a disadvantage facing the borrower. For this reason, P2P lending sites provide potential lenders with information about borrowers and their loan purpose. They also assign a grade to each loan. The empirical study is based on loans’ data collected from Lending Club (N = 24,449) from 2008 to 2014 that are first analyzed by using univariate means tests and survival analysis. Factors explaining default are loan purpose, annual income, current housing situation, credit history and indebtedness. Secondly, a logistic regression model is developed to predict defaults. The grade assigned by the P2P lending site is the most predictive factor of default, but the accuracy of the model is improved by adding other information, especially the borrower’s debt level. PMID:26425854

Determinants of Default in P2P Lending.

PubMed

Serrano-Cinca, Carlos; Gutiérrez-Nieto, Begoña; López-Palacios, Luz

2015-01-01

This paper studies P2P lending and the factors explaining loan default. This is an important issue because in P2P lending individual investors bear the credit risk, instead of financial institutions, which are experts in dealing with this risk. P2P lenders suffer a severe problem of information asymmetry, because they are at a disadvantage facing the borrower. For this reason, P2P lending sites provide potential lenders with information about borrowers and their loan purpose. They also assign a grade to each loan. The empirical study is based on loans' data collected from Lending Club (N = 24,449) from 2008 to 2014 that are first analyzed by using univariate means tests and survival analysis. Factors explaining default are loan purpose, annual income, current housing situation, credit history and indebtedness. Secondly, a logistic regression model is developed to predict defaults. The grade assigned by the P2P lending site is the most predictive factor of default, but the accuracy of the model is improved by adding other information, especially the borrower's debt level.

Nondestructive pavement evaluation using finite element analysis based soft computing models.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-09-15

Evaluating structural condition of existing, in-service pavements constitutes annually a major part of the : maintenance and rehabilitation activities undertaken by State Highway Agencies (SHAs). Accurate : estimation of pavement geometry and layer m...

High pressure mechanical seal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Babel, Henry W. (Inventor); Fuson, Phillip L. (Inventor); Chickles, Colin D. (Inventor); Jones, Cherie A. (Inventor); Anderson, Raymond H. (Inventor)

1995-01-01

A relatively impervious mechanical seal is formed between the outer surface of a tube and the inside surface of a mechanical fitting of a high pressure fluid or hydraulic system by applying a very thin soft metal layer onto the outer surface of the hard metal tube and/or inner surface of the hard metal fitting, prior to swaging the fitting onto the tube. The thickness of such thin metal layer is independent of the size of the tube and/or fittings. Many metals and alloys of those metals exhibit the requisite softness, including silver, gold, nickel, tin, platinum, indium, rhodium and cadmium. Suitably, the coating is about 0.0025 millimeters (0.10 mils) in thickness. After swaging, the tube and fitting combination exhibits very low leak rates on the order or 10.sup.-8 cubic centimeters per second or less as meaured using the Helium leak test.

Quantum phases of dipolar soft-core bosons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grimmer, D.; Safavi-Naini, A.; Capogrosso-Sansone, B.; Söyler, Ş. G.

2014-10-01

We study the phase diagram of a system of soft-core dipolar bosons confined to a two-dimensional optical lattice layer. We assume that dipoles are aligned perpendicular to the layer such that the dipolar interactions are purely repulsive and isotropic. We consider the full dipolar interaction and perform path-integral quantum Monte Carlo simulations using the worm algorithm. Besides a superfluid phase, we find various solid and supersolid phases. We show that, unlike what was found previously for the case of nearest-neighbor interaction, supersolid phases are stabilized by doping the solids not only with particles but with holes as well. We further study the stability of these quantum phases against thermal fluctuations. Finally, we discuss pair formation and the stability of the pair checkerboard phase formed in a bilayer geometry, and we suggest experimental conditions under which the pair checkerboard phase can be observed.

Surgical effects on soft tissue produced by a 405-nm violet diode laser in vivo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyazaki, H.; Kato, J.; Kawai, S.; Hatayama, H.; Uchida, K.; Otsuki, M.; Tagami, J.; Yokoo, S.

2011-12-01

This study evaluated the surgical performance of a 405-nm diode laser in vivo, using living rat liver tissue. Tissue was incised by irradiation with the laser at low output power ranging from 1 W (722 W/cm2) to 3 W (2165 W/cm2) on a manual control at a rate of 1 mm/s. As a control, incisions using a stainless scalpel were compared. Immediately after operation, the surface of the incisions was macroscopically observed and histopathologically evaluated by microscopy. Laser-ablated liver tissue was smooth with observable signs of remnant carbonization and easily acquired hemostasis. The thickness of the denatured layer increased in proportion to the output power; the coagulation layer did not thicken accordingly. Bleeding could not be stopped for tissues incised with the stainless scalpel. The 405-nm diode laser thus proved to be effective for ablating soft tissue with high hemostatic ability at low power.

The Sheath Transport Observer for the Redistribution of Mass (STORM) Image

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kuntz, Kip; Collier, Michael; Sibeck, David G.; Porter, F. Scott; Carter, J. A.; Cravens, Thomas; Omidi, N.; Robertson, Ina; Sembay, S.; Snowden, Steven L.

2008-01-01

All of the solar wind energy that powers magnetospheric processes passes through the magnetosheath and magnetopause. Global images of the magnetosheath and magnetopause boundary layers will resolve longstanding controversy surrounding fundamental phenomena that occur at the magnetopause and provide information needed to improve operational space weather models. Recent developments showing that soft X-rays (0.15-1 keV) result from high charge state solar wind ions undergoing charge exchange recombination through collisions with exospheric neutral atoms has led to the realization that soft X-ray imaging can provide global maps of the high-density shocked solar wind within the magnetosheath and cusps, regions lying between the lower density solar wind and magnetosphere. We discuss an instrument concept called the Sheath Transport Observer for the Redistribution of Mass (STORM), an X-ray imager suitable for simultaneously imaging the dayside magnetosheath, the magnetopause boundary layers, and the cusps.

The Sheath Transport Observer for the Redistribution of Mass (STORM) Imager

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Collier, Michael R.; Sibeck, David G.; Porter, F. Scott; Burch, J.; Carter, J. A.; Cravens, Thomas; Kuntz, Kip; Omidi, N.; Read, A.; Robertson, Ina;

Soft X-Ray Optics by Pulsed Laser Deposition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fernandez, Felix E.

1996-01-01

Mo/Si and C/Co multilayers for soft x-ray optics were designed for spectral regions of interest in possible applications. Fabrication was effected by Pulsed Laser Deposition using Nd:YAG (355 nm) or excimer (248 nm) lasers in order to evaluate the suitability of this technique. Results for Mo/Si structures were not considered satisfactory due mainly to problems with particulate production and target surface modification during Si ablation. These problems may be alleviated by a two-wavelength approach, using separate lasers for each target. Results for C/Co multilayers are much more encouraging, since indication of good layering was observed for extremely thin layers. We expect to continue investigating this possibility. In order to compete with traditional PVD techniques, it is necessary to achieve film coverage uniformity over large enough areas. It was shown that this is feasible, and novel means of achieving it were devised.

A study on sonoporation of cells cultured on a soft collagen gel scaffold

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kudo, Nobuki; Kinoshita, Yuto

2012-11-01

Efficiencies of sonoporation were investigated using four types of monolayer-cell samples: cells cultured directly on a cover slip, cells cultured on a cover slip coated with collagen gel of several μm in thickness, and cells cultured on collagen gel scaffolds of 0.4 and 1.0 mm in thicknesses. Cell samples attached with Levovist microbubbles were irradiated by one shot of a three- or 10,000-cycle ultrasound pulse, and cell detachment and membrane perforation were investigated. Experimental results showed that rates of cell detachment and membrane damage were markedly decreased in the presence of soft gel layer of 0.4 and 1.0 mm in thicknesses under the cells and that these rates were inversely proportional to the thickness of the gel layer. These results indicate that optimum conditions of sonoporation in vitro should be carefully translated into those in vivo.

Long-Range Interaction Forces between Polymer-Supported Lipid Bilayer Membranes

PubMed Central

Seitz, Markus; Park, Chad K.; Wong, Joyce Y.

2009-01-01

Much of the short-range forces and structures of softly supported DMPC bilayers has been described previously. However, one interesting feature of the measured force–distance profile that remained unexplained is the presence of a long-range exponentially decaying repulsive force that is not observed between rigidly supported bilayers on solid mica substrate surfaces. This observation is discussed in detail here based on recent static and dynamic surface force experiments. The repulsive forces in the intermediate distance regime (mica–mica separations from 15 to 40 nm) are shown to be due not to an electrostatic force between the bilayers but to compression (deswelling) of the underlying soft polyelectrolyte layer, which may be thought of as a model cytoskeleton. The experimental data can be fit by simple theoretical models of polymer interactions from which the elastic properties of the polymer layer can be deduced. PMID:21359166

Composite Pillars with a Tunable Interface for Adhesion to Rough Substrates

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

The benefits of synthetic fibrillar dry adhesives for temporary and reversible attachment to hard objects with smooth surfaces have been successfully demonstrated in previous studies. However, surface roughness induces a dramatic reduction in pull-off stresses and necessarily requires revised design concepts. Toward this aim, we introduce cylindrical two-phase single pillars, which are composed of a mechanically stiff stalk and a soft tip layer. Adhesion to smooth and rough substrates is shown to exceed that of conventional pillar structures. The adhesion characteristics can be tuned by varying the thickness of the soft tip layer, the ratio of the Young’s moduli and the curvature of the interface between the two phases. For rough substrates, adhesion values similar to those obtained on smooth substrates were achieved. Our concept of composite pillars overcomes current practical limitations caused by surface roughness and opens up fields of application where roughness is omnipresent. PMID:27997118

Laboratory layered latte.

PubMed

Xue, Nan; Khodaparast, Sepideh; Zhu, Lailai; Nunes, Janine K; Kim, Hyoungsoo; Stone, Howard A

2017-12-12

Inducing thermal gradients in fluid systems with initial, well-defined density gradients results in the formation of distinct layered patterns, such as those observed in the ocean due to double-diffusive convection. In contrast, layered composite fluids are sometimes observed in confined systems of rather chaotic initial states, for example, lattes formed by pouring espresso into a glass of warm milk. Here, we report controlled experiments injecting a fluid into a miscible phase and show that, above a critical injection velocity, layering emerges over a time scale of minutes. We identify critical conditions to produce the layering, and relate the results quantitatively to double-diffusive convection. Based on this understanding, we show how to employ this single-step process to produce layered structures in soft materials, where the local elastic properties vary step-wise along the length of the material.

Bank ownership, lending, and local economic performance during the 2008–2009 financial crisis

PubMed Central

Coleman, Nicholas; Feler, Leo

2017-01-01

Although government banks are frequently associated with political capture and resource misallocation, they may be well-positioned during times of crisis to provide countercyclical support. Following the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008, Brazil’s government banks substantially increased lending. Localities in Brazil with a high share of government banks received more loans and experienced better employment outcomes relative to localities with a low share of government banks. While increased government bank lending mitigated an economic downturn, we find that this lending was politically targeted, inefficiently allocated, and reduced productivity growth. PMID:28936027

Bank ownership, lending, and local economic performance during the 2008-2009 financial crisis.

PubMed

Coleman, Nicholas; Feler, Leo

2015-04-01

Although government banks are frequently associated with political capture and resource misallocation, they may be well-positioned during times of crisis to provide countercyclical support. Following the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008, Brazil's government banks substantially increased lending. Localities in Brazil with a high share of government banks received more loans and experienced better employment outcomes relative to localities with a low share of government banks. While increased government bank lending mitigated an economic downturn, we find that this lending was politically targeted, inefficiently allocated, and reduced productivity growth.

Nonlocal thermal transport across embedded few-layer graphene sheets

DOE PAGES

Liu, Ying; Huxtable, Scott T.; Yang, Bao; ...

2014-11-13

Thermal transport across the interfaces between few-layer graphene sheets and soft materials exhibits intriguing anomalies when interpreted using the classical Kapitza model, e.g., the conductance of the same interface differs greatly for different modes of interfacial thermal transport. Using atomistic simulations, we show that such thermal transport follows a nonlocal flux-temperature drop constitutive law and is characterized jointly by a quasi-local conductance and a nonlocal conductance instead of the classical Kapitza conductance. Lastly, the nonlocal model enables rationalization of many anomalies of the thermal transport across embedded few-layer graphene sheets and should be used in studies of interfacial thermal transportmore » involving few-layer graphene sheets or other ultra-thin layered materials.« less

Peer-to-peer lending and bias in crowd decision-making

PubMed Central

Uparna, Jayaram; Karampourniotis, Panagiotis; Horvat, Emoke-Agnes; Szymanski, Boleslaw; Korniss, Gyorgy; Bakdash, Jonathan Z.; Uzzi, Brian

2018-01-01

Peer-to-peer lending is hypothesized to help equalize economic opportunities for the world’s poor. We empirically investigate the “flat-world” hypothesis, the idea that globalization eventually leads to economic equality, using crowdfinancing data for over 660,000 loans in 220 nations and territories made between 2005 and 2013. Contrary to the flat-world hypothesis, we find that peer-to-peer lending networks are moving away from flatness. Furthermore, decreasing flatness is strongly associated with multiple variables: relatively stable patterns in the difference in the per capita GDP between borrowing and lending nations, ongoing migration flows from borrowing to lending nations worldwide, and the existence of a tie as a historic colonial. Our regression analysis also indicates a spatial preference in lending for geographically proximal borrowers. To estimate the robustness for these patterns for future changes, we construct a network of borrower and lending nations based on the observed data. Then, to perturb the network, we stochastically simulate policy and event shocks (e.g., erecting walls) or regulatory shocks (e.g., Brexit). The simulations project a drift towards rather than away from flatness. However, levels of flatness persist only for randomly distributed shocks. By contrast, loss of the top borrowing nations produces more flatness, not less, indicating how the welfare of the overall system is tied to a few distinctive and critical country–pair relationships. PMID:29590131

Peer-to-peer lending and bias in crowd decision-making.

PubMed

Singh, Pramesh; Uparna, Jayaram; Karampourniotis, Panagiotis; Horvat, Emoke-Agnes; Szymanski, Boleslaw; Korniss, Gyorgy; Bakdash, Jonathan Z; Uzzi, Brian

2018-01-01

Peer-to-peer lending is hypothesized to help equalize economic opportunities for the world's poor. We empirically investigate the "flat-world" hypothesis, the idea that globalization eventually leads to economic equality, using crowdfinancing data for over 660,000 loans in 220 nations and territories made between 2005 and 2013. Contrary to the flat-world hypothesis, we find that peer-to-peer lending networks are moving away from flatness. Furthermore, decreasing flatness is strongly associated with multiple variables: relatively stable patterns in the difference in the per capita GDP between borrowing and lending nations, ongoing migration flows from borrowing to lending nations worldwide, and the existence of a tie as a historic colonial. Our regression analysis also indicates a spatial preference in lending for geographically proximal borrowers. To estimate the robustness for these patterns for future changes, we construct a network of borrower and lending nations based on the observed data. Then, to perturb the network, we stochastically simulate policy and event shocks (e.g., erecting walls) or regulatory shocks (e.g., Brexit). The simulations project a drift towards rather than away from flatness. However, levels of flatness persist only for randomly distributed shocks. By contrast, loss of the top borrowing nations produces more flatness, not less, indicating how the welfare of the overall system is tied to a few distinctive and critical country-pair relationships.

Seeking: Accurate Measurement Techniques for Deep-Bone Density and Structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sibonga, Jean

2009-01-01

We are seeking a clinically-useful technology with enough sensitivity to assess the microstructure of "spongy" bone that is found in the marrow cavities of whole bones. However, this technology must be for skeletal sites surrounded by layers of soft tissues, such as the spine and the hip. Soft tissue interferes with conventional imaging and using a more accessible area -- for example, the wrist or the ankle of limbs-- as a proxy for the less accessible skeletal regions, will not be accurate. A non-radioactive technology is strongly preferred.

Layer by layer assembly of a biocatalytic packaging film: lactase covalently bound to low-density polyethylene.

PubMed

Wong, Dana E; Talbert, Joey N; Goddard, Julie M

2013-06-01

Active packaging is utilized to overcome limitations of traditional processing to enhance the health, safety, economics, and shelf life of foods. Active packaging employs active components to interact with food constituents to give a desired effect. Herein we describe the development of an active package in which lactase is covalently attached to low-density polyethylene (LDPE) for in-package production of lactose-free dairy products. The specific goal of this work is to increase the total protein content loading onto LDPE using layer by layer (LbL) deposition, alternating polyethylenimine, glutaraldehyde (GL), and lactase, to enhance the overall activity of covalently attached lactase. The films were successfully oxidized via ultraviolet light, functionalized with polyethylenimine and glutaraldehyde, and layered with immobilized purified lactase. The total protein content increased with each additional layer of conjugated lactase, the 5-layer sample reaching up to 1.3 μg/cm2 . However, the increase in total protein did not lend to an increase in overall lactase activity. Calculated apparent Km indicated the affinity of immobilized lactase to substrate remains unchanged when compared to free lactase. Calculated apparent turnover numbers (kcat ) showed with each layer of attached lactase, a decrease in substrate turnover was experienced when compared to free lactase; with a decrease from 128.43 to 4.76 s(-1) for a 5-layer conjugation. Our results indicate that while LbL attachment of lactase to LDPE successfully increases total protein mass of the bulk material, the adverse impact in enzyme efficiency may limit the application of LbL immobilization chemistry for bioactive packaging use. © 2013 Institute of Food Technologists®

Ledge-type Co/L1{sub 0}-FePt exchange-coupled composites

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

Speliotis, Th.; Giannopoulos, G.; Niarchos, D.

2016-06-21

FePt-based exchange-coupled composites consisting of a magnetically hard L1{sub 0}-FePt phase exchange-coupled with a soft ferromagnetic material are promising candidates for future ultra-high density (>1 Tbit/in{sup 2}) perpendicular magnetic recording media, also being of interest for other applications including spin torque oscillators and micro-electro-mechanical systems, among others. In this paper, the effect of the thickness of a soft Co layer (3 < th{sub Co} < 20 nm) on the magnetic behavior of ledge-type fcc(100)-Co/L1{sub 0}(001)-FePt composites deposited on an MgO (100) substrate is systematically studied by combining morpho-structural analyses and angular magnetization measurements. Starting from a film consisting of isolated L1{submore » 0}(001)–FePt islands, the ledge-type structure was obtained by depositing a Co layer that either covered the FePt islands or filled-up the inter-island region, gradually forming a continuous layer with increasing Co thickness. A perpendicular anisotropy was maintained up to th{sub Co} ∼ 9.5 nm and a significant reduction in the coercivity (about 50% for th{sub Co} ∼ 3 nm) with the increase in th{sub Co} was observed, indicating that, by coupling hard FePt and soft Co phases in a ledge-type configuration, the writability can be greatly improved. Recoil loops' measurements confirmed the exchange-coupled behavior, reinforcing a potential interest in these systems for future magnetic recording media.« less

Ionic and viscoelastic mechanisms of a bucky-gel actuator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kruusamäe, Karl; Sugino, Takushi; Asaka, Kinji

2015-07-01

Ionic electromechanically active polymers (IEAPs) are considered attractive candidates for soft, miniature, and lightweight actuators. The bucky-gel actuator is a carbonaceous subtype of IEAP that due to its structure (i.e. two highly porous electrodes sandwiching a thin ion-permeable electrolyte layer) and composition (i.e. being composed of soft porous polymer, carbon nanotubes, and ionic liquid) is very similar to an electric double-layer capacitor. In response to the voltage applied between the electrodes of a bucky-gel actuator, the laminar structure bends. The time domain behavior exhibits, however, a phenomenon called the back-relaxation, i.e., after some time the direction of bending is reversed even though voltage remains constant. In spite of the working mechanism of IEAP actuators being generally attributed to the transport of ions within the soft multilayer system, the specific details remain unclear. A so-called two-carrier model proposes that the bending and subsequent back-relaxation are caused by the relocation of two ionic species having different mobilities as they enter and exit the electrode layers. By adopting the two-carrier model for bucky-gel actuators, we see very good agreement between the mathematical representation and the experimental data of the electromechanical behavior. Furthermore, since the bucky-gel actuator is viscoelastic, we propose to use the time domain response of a blocking force as the key parameter related to the inner ionic mechanism. We also introduce a method to estimate the viscoelastic creep compliance function from the time domain responses for curvature and blocking force. This analysis includes four types of bucky-gel actuators of varying composition and structure.

13 CFR 120.714 - How are grants made to non-lending technical assistance providers (NTAP)?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false How are grants made to non-lending technical assistance providers (NTAP)? 120.714 Section 120.714 Business Credit and Assistance SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS LOANS Microloan Program § 120.714 How are grants made to non-lending technical assistance...

12 CFR 723.3 - What are the requirements for construction and development lending?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false What are the requirements for construction and development lending? 723.3 Section 723.3 Banks and Banking NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS... development lending? Except as provided in § 723.4 or unless your Regional Director grants a waiver, loans...

South Carolina's SC LENDS: Optimizing Libraries, Transforming Lending

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hamby, Rogan; McBride, Ray; Lundberg, Maria

2011-01-01

Since SC LENDS started operating in June 2009, more public libraries have come on board. All of this on the back end connects to a Mozilla-based staff client that has distributions for Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows, using SSL encryption to keep communications secure and private between remote libraries and the servers hosted at a high-end…

Refined Models for an Analysis of Internal and External Buckling Modes of a Monolayer in a Layered Composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paimushin, V. N.

2017-11-01

For an analysis of internal and external buckling modes of a monolayer inside or at the periphery of a layered composite, refined geometrically nonlinear equations are constructed. They are based on modeling the monolayer as a thin plate interacting with binder layers at the points of boundary surfaces. The binder layer is modeled as a transversely soft foundation. It is assumed the foundations, previously compressed in the transverse direction (the first loading stage), have zero displacements of its external boundary surfaces at the second loading stage, but the contact interaction of the plate with foundations occurs without slippage or delamination. The deformation of the plate at a medium flexure is described by geometrically nonlinear relations of the classical plate theory based on the Kirchhoff-Love hypothesis (the first variant) or the refined Timoshenko model with account of the transverse shear and compression (the second variant). The foundation is described by linearized 3D equations of elasticity theory, which are simplified within the framework of the model of a transversely soft layer. Integrating the linearized equations along the transverse coordinate and satisfying the kinematic joining conditions of the plate with foundations, with account of their initial compression in the thickness direction, a system of 2D geometrically nonlinear equations and appropriate boundary conditions are derived. These equations describe the contact interaction between elements of the deformable system. The relations obtained are simplified for the case of a symmetric stacking sequence.

In situ UV curable 3D printing of multi-material tri-legged soft bot with spider mimicked multi-step forward dynamic gait

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeb Gul, Jahan; Yang, Bong-Su; Yang, Young Jin; Chang, Dong Eui; Choi, Kyung Hyun

2016-11-01

Soft bots have the expedient ability of adopting intricate postures and fitting in complex shapes compared to mechanical robots. This paper presents a unique in situ UV curing three-dimensional (3D) printed multi-material tri-legged soft bot with spider mimicked multi-step dynamic forward gait using commercial bio metal filament (BMF) as an actuator. The printed soft bot can produce controllable forward motion in response to external signals. The fundamental properties of BMF, including output force, contractions at different frequencies, initial loading rate, and displacement-rate are verified. The tri-pedal soft bot CAD model is designed inspired by spider’s legged structure and its locomotion is assessed by simulating strain and displacement using finite element analysis. A customized rotational multi-head 3D printing system assisted with multiple wavelength’s curing lasers is used for in situ fabrication of tri-pedal soft-bot using two flexible materials (epoxy and polyurethane) in three layered steps. The size of tri-pedal soft-bot is 80 mm in diameter and each pedal’s width and depth is 5 mm × 5 mm respectively. The maximum forward speed achieved is 2.7 mm s-1 @ 5 Hz with input voltage of 3 V and 250 mA on a smooth surface. The fabricated tri-pedal soft bot proved its power efficiency and controllable locomotion at three input signal frequencies (1, 2, 5 Hz).

People-to-People Lending: The Emerging E-Commerce Transformation of a Financial Market

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hui; Greiner, Martina; Aronson, Jay E.

This paper provides an overview of the concept of people-to-people (P2P) lending, a relatively new e-commerce phenomenon that has the potential to radically change the structure of the loan segment of the financial industry. P2P lending creates a marketplace of individuals and a social fabric through which these individuals interact. It provides efficient information transfer, thus perhaps creating more perfect markets. P2P lending requires information systems support to make it function, and to provide a social network mechanism that may be crucial for its success. We discuss different P2P lending marketplace models, and how information systems support the creation and management of these new marketplaces, and how they support the individuals involved. We conclude by providing some important research questions and directions, and issues for which further investigation is called.

Directed assembly of carbon nanotubes on soft substrates for use as a flexible biosensor array.

PubMed

Koh, Juntae; Yi, Mihye; Yang Lee, Byung; Kim, Tae Hyun; Lee, Joohyung; Jhon, Young Min; Hong, Seunghun

2008-12-17

We have developed a method to selectively assemble and align carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on soft substrates for use as flexible biosensors. In this strategy, a thin oxide layer was deposited on soft substrates via low temperature plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, and a linker-free assembly process was applied on the oxide surface where the assembly of carbon nanotubes was guided by methyl-terminated molecular patterns on the oxide surface. The electrical characterization of the fabricated CNT devices exhibited a typical p-type gating effect and 1/f noise behavior. The bare oxide regions near CNTs were functionalized with glutamate oxidase to fabricate selective biosensors to detect two forms of glutamate substances existing in different situations: L-glutamic acid, a neurotransmitting material, and monosodium glutamate, a food additive.

Engineering interfacial properties of organic semiconductors through soft-contact lamination and surface functionalization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shu, Andrew Leo

Organic electronics is a topic of interest due to its potential for low temperature and solution processing for large area and flexible applications. Examples of organic electronic devices are already available on the market; however these are, in general, still rather expensive. In order to fully realize inexpensive and efficient organic electronics, the properties of organic films need to be understood and strategies developed to take advantage of these properties to improve device performance. This work focuses on two strategies that can be used to control charge transport at interfaces with active organic semiconducting thin films. These strategies are studied and verified with a range of photoemission spectroscopy, surface probe microscopy, and electrical measurements. Vacuum evaporated molecular organic devices have long used layer stacking of different materials as a method of dividing roles in a device and modifying energy level alignment to improve device performance and efficiency. Applying this type of architecture for solution-processed devices, on the other hand, is nontrivial, as an issue of removal of or mixing with underlying layers arises. We present and examine here soft-contact lamination as a viable technique for depositing solution-processed multilayer structures. The energetics at homojunctions of a couple of air-stable polymers is investigated. Charge transport is then compared between a two-layer film and a single-layer film of equivalent thicknesses. The interface formed by soft-contact lamination is found to be transparent with respect to electronic charge carriers. We also propose a technique for modifying electronic level alignment at active organic-organic heterojunctions using dipolar self-assembled monolayers (SAM). An ultra-thin metal oxide is first deposited via a gentle low temperature chemical vapor deposition as an adhesion layer for the SAM. The deposition is shown to be successful for a variety of organic films. A series of phenylphosphonic acid SAM molecules with various molecular dipoles is then used to functionalize the surface of an organic film and found to modify the work function depending on the molecular dipole across the molecule. This in turn is found to modify the energy level alignment between the underlying organic film with an organic film deposited on top.

Spacer layer thickness dependent structural and magnetic properties of Co/Si multilayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, Ranjan; Singh, Dushyant; Kumar, M. Senthil

2018-05-01

In this article, the study of high resolution x-ray diffraction and magnetization of sputter deposited Co/Si multilayer is reported. Multilayers are prepared at ambient temperature by dc magnetron sputtering. Structural properties are studied by high resolution x-ray diffraction. Magnetic properties are studied at room temperature by vibrating sample magnetometer. Structural properties show that the Co layer is polycrystalline and the Si layer is amorphous. The magnetization study indicates that the samples are soft ferromagnetic in nature. The study of magnetization also shows that the easy axis of magnetization lies in the plane of the film.

Capacitive microelectromechanical switches with dynamic soft-landing

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

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

2015-10-13

A microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based electrical switch. The electrical switch includes a moveable electrode, a dielectric layer positioned adjacent the moveable electrode on a first side of the dielectric layer and spaced apart from the moveable electrode when the moveable electrode is in an inactivated position and in contact with the moveable electrode when the moveable electrode is in an activated position, and a substrate attached to the dielectric layer on a second side opposite to the first side, the moveable electrode is configured to brake prior to coming in contact with the dielectric layer when the moveable electrode is switchedmore » between the inactivated state and the activated state.« less

Capacitive microelectromechanical switches with dynamic soft-landing

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

Jain, Ankit; Alam, Muhammad Ashraful; Nair, Pradeep

2017-01-03

A microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based electrical switch. The electrical switch includes a moveable electrode, a dielectric layer positioned adjacent the moveable electrode on a first side of the dielectric layer and spaced apart from the moveable electrode when the moveable electrode is in an inactivated position and in contact with the moveable electrode when the moveable electrode is in an activated position, and a substrate attached to the dielectric layer on a second side opposite to the first side, the moveable electrode is configured to brake prior to coming in contact with the dielectric layer when the moveable electrode is switchedmore » between the inactivated state and the activated state.« less

Nonlinear layered lattice model and generalized solitary waves in imperfectly bonded structures.

PubMed

Khusnutdinova, Karima R; Samsonov, Alexander M; Zakharov, Alexey S

2009-05-01

We study nonlinear waves in a two-layered imperfectly bonded structure using a nonlinear lattice model. The key element of the model is an anharmonic chain of oscillating dipoles, which can be viewed as a basic lattice analog of a one-dimensional macroscopic waveguide. Long nonlinear longitudinal waves in a layered lattice with a soft middle (or bonding) layer are governed by a system of coupled Boussinesq-type equations. For this system we find conservation laws and show that pure solitary waves, which exist in a single equation and can exist in the coupled system in the symmetric case, are structurally unstable and are replaced with generalized solitary waves.

12 CFR 218.772 - Exemption from the definition of “broker” for banks engaging in securities lending transactions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... banks engaging in securities lending transactions. 218.772 Section 218.772 Banks and Banking FEDERAL... OF BROKER IN THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (REGULATION R) § 218.772 Exemption from the definition of “broker” for banks engaging in securities lending transactions. (a) A bank is exempt from the...

12 CFR 218.772 - Exemption from the definition of “broker” for banks engaging in securities lending transactions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... banks engaging in securities lending transactions. 218.772 Section 218.772 Banks and Banking FEDERAL... OF BROKER IN THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (REGULATION R) § 218.772 Exemption from the definition of “broker” for banks engaging in securities lending transactions. (a) A bank is exempt from the...

12 CFR 218.772 - Exemption from the definition of “broker” for banks engaging in securities lending transactions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... banks engaging in securities lending transactions. 218.772 Section 218.772 Banks and Banking FEDERAL... OF BROKER IN THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (REGULATION R) § 218.772 Exemption from the definition of “broker” for banks engaging in securities lending transactions. (a) A bank is exempt from the...

12 CFR 218.772 - Exemption from the definition of “broker” for banks engaging in securities lending transactions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... banks engaging in securities lending transactions. 218.772 Section 218.772 Banks and Banking FEDERAL... OF BROKER IN THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (REGULATION R) § 218.772 Exemption from the definition of “broker” for banks engaging in securities lending transactions. (a) A bank is exempt from the...

12 CFR 218.772 - Exemption from the definition of “broker” for banks engaging in securities lending transactions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... banks engaging in securities lending transactions. 218.772 Section 218.772 Banks and Banking FEDERAL... OF BROKER IN THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (REGULATION R) § 218.772 Exemption from the definition of “broker” for banks engaging in securities lending transactions. (a) A bank is exempt from the...

12 CFR Appendix III to Part 27 - Fair Housing Lending Inquiry/Application Log Sheet

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Fair Housing Lending Inquiry/Application Log Sheet III Appendix III to Part 27 Banks and Banking COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY FAIR HOUSING HOME LOAN DATA SYSTEM Pt. 27, App. III Appendix III to Part 27—Fair Housing Lending...

Assessing the Progress of Reauthorization: An Examination of Direct Lending.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, Washington, DC.

This paper offers information and analysis of the direct lending portion of the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965. The direct lending proposal is described in an opening letter to the reader as a provision that would make the Pell Grant Program an entitlement and raise the maximum award to $4,500 with provisions that would…

12 CFR 32.7 - Residential real estate loans, small business loans, and small farm loans (“Supplemental Lending...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Residential real estate loans, small business loans, and small farm loans (âSupplemental Lending Limits Programâ). 32.7 Section 32.7 Banks and Banking..., small business loans, and small farm loans (“Supplemental Lending Limits Program”). (a) Residential real...

12 CFR 32.7 - Residential real estate loans, small business loans, and small farm loans (“Supplemental Lending...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Residential real estate loans, small business loans, and small farm loans (âSupplemental Lending Limits Programâ). 32.7 Section 32.7 Banks and Banking..., small business loans, and small farm loans (“Supplemental Lending Limits Program”). (a) Residential real...

A novel method for single sample multi-axial nanoindentation of hydrated heterogeneous tissues based on testing great white shark jaws.

PubMed

Ferrara, Toni L; Boughton, Philip; Slavich, Eve; Wroe, Stephen

2013-01-01

Nanomechanical testing methods that are suitable for a range of hydrated tissues are crucial for understanding biological systems. Nanoindentation of tissues can provide valuable insights into biology, tissue engineering and biomimetic design. However, testing hydrated biological samples still remains a significant challenge. Shark jaw cartilage is an ideal substrate for developing a method to test hydrated tissues because it is a unique heterogeneous composite of both mineralized (hard) and non-mineralized (soft) layers and possesses a jaw geometry that is challenging to test mechanically. The aim of this study is to develop a novel method for obtaining multidirectional nanomechanical properties for both layers of jaw cartilage from a single sample, taken from the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). A method for obtaining multidirectional data from a single sample is necessary for examining tissue mechanics in this shark because it is a protected species and hence samples may be difficult to obtain. Results show that this method maintains hydration of samples that would otherwise rapidly dehydrate. Our study is the first analysis of nanomechanical properties of great white shark jaw cartilage. Variation in nanomechanical properties were detected in different orthogonal directions for both layers of jaw cartilage in this species. The data further suggest that the mineralized layer of shark jaw cartilage is less stiff than previously posited. Our method allows multidirectional nanomechanical properties to be obtained from a single, small, hydrated heterogeneous sample. Our technique is therefore suitable for use when specimens are rare, valuable or limited in quantity, such as samples obtained from endangered species or pathological tissues. We also outline a method for tip-to-optic calibration that facilitates nanoindentation of soft biological tissues. Our technique may help address the critical need for a nanomechanical testing method that is applicable to a variety of hydrated biological materials whether soft or hard.

Magneto-hydrodynamics of coupled fluid-sheet interface with mass suction and blowing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmad, R.

2016-01-01

There are large number of studies which prescribe the kinematics of the sheet and ignore the sheet's mechanics. However, the current boundary layer analysis investigates the mechanics of both the electrically conducting fluid and a permeable sheet, which makes it distinct from the other studies in the literature. One of the objectives of the current study is to (i) examine the behaviour of magnetic field effect for both the surface and the electrically conducting fluid (ii) investigate the heat and mass transfer between a permeable sheet and the surrounding electrically conducting fluid across the hydro, thermal and mass boundary layers. Self-similar solutions are obtained by considering the RK45 technique. Analytical solution is also found for the stretching sheet case. The skin friction dual solutions are presented for various types of sheet. The influence of pertinent parameters on the dimensionless velocity, shear stress, temperature, mass concentration, heat and mass transfer rates on the fluid-sheet interface is presented graphically as well as numerically. The obtained results are of potential benefit for studying the electrically conducting flow over various soft surfaces such as synthetic plastics, soft silicone sheet and soft synthetic rubber sheet. These surfaces are easily deformed by thermal fluctuations or thermal stresses.

Sensitivity Analysis of Mechanical Parameters of Different Rock Layers to the Stability of Coal Roadway in Soft Rock Strata

PubMed Central

Zhao, Zeng-hui; Wang, Wei-ming; Gao, Xin; Yan, Ji-xing

2013-01-01

According to the geological characteristics of Xinjiang Ili mine in western area of China, a physical model of interstratified strata composed of soft rock and hard coal seam was established. Selecting the tunnel position, deformation modulus, and strength parameters of each layer as influencing factors, the sensitivity coefficient of roadway deformation to each parameter was firstly analyzed based on a Mohr-Columb strain softening model and nonlinear elastic-plastic finite element analysis. Then the effect laws of influencing factors which showed high sensitivity were further discussed. Finally, a regression model for the relationship between roadway displacements and multifactors was obtained by equivalent linear regression under multiple factors. The results show that the roadway deformation is highly sensitive to the depth of coal seam under the floor which should be considered in the layout of coal roadway; deformation modulus and strength of coal seam and floor have a great influence on the global stability of tunnel; on the contrary, roadway deformation is not sensitive to the mechanical parameters of soft roof; roadway deformation under random combinations of multi-factors can be deduced by the regression model. These conclusions provide theoretical significance to the arrangement and stability maintenance of coal roadway. PMID:24459447

Soft Ionic Electroactive Polymer Actuators with Tunable Non-Linear Angular Deformation

PubMed Central

Hong, Wangyujue; Almomani, Abdallah; Chen, Yuanfen; Jamshidi, Reihaneh; Montazami, Reza

2017-01-01

The most rational approach to fabricate soft robotics is the implementation of soft actuators. Conventional soft electromechanical actuators exhibit linear or circular deformation, based on their design. This study presents the use of conjugated polymers, Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) to locally vary ion permeability of the ionic electroactive polymer actuators and manipulate ion motion through means of structural design to realize intrinsic angular deformation. Such angular deformations are closer to biomimetic systems and have potential applications in bio-robotics. Electrochemical studies reveal that the mechanism of actuation is mainly associated with the charging of electric double layer (EDL) capacitors by ion accumulation and the PEDOT:PSS layer’s expansion by ion interchange and penetration. Dependence of actuator deformation on structural design is studied experimentally and conclusions are verified by analytical and finite element method modeling. The results suggest that the ion-material interactions are considerably dominated by the design of the drop-cast PEDOT:PSS on Nafion. PMID:28773036

Holographic sol-gel monoliths: optical properties and application for humidity sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilatovskii, Daniil A.; Milichko, Valentin; Vinogradov, Alexander V.; Vinogradov, Vladimir V.

2018-05-01

Sol-gel monoliths based on SiO2, TiO2 and ZrO2 with holographic colourful diffraction on their surfaces were obtained via a sol-gel synthesis and soft lithography combined method. The production was carried out without any additional equipment at near room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The accurately replicated wavy structure with nanoscale size of material particles yields holographic effect and its visibility strongly depends on refractive index (RI) of materials. Addition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in systems increases their RI and lends absorbing properties due to extremely high light absorption constant. Further prospective and intriguing applications based on the most successful samples, MWCNTs-doped titania, were investigated as reversible optical humidity sensor. Owing to such property as reversible resuspension of TiO2 nanoparticles while interacting with water, it was proved that holographic xerogels can repeatedly act as humidity sensors. Materials which can be applied as humidity sensors in dependence on holographic response were discovered for the first time.

Thoracic outlet syndrome: a controversial clinical condition. Part 1: anatomy, and clinical examination/diagnosis

PubMed Central

Hooper, Troy L; Denton, Jeff; McGalliard, Michael K; Brismée, Jean-Michel; Sizer, Phillip S

2010-01-01

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a frequently overlooked peripheral nerve compression or tension event that creates difficulties for the clinician regarding diagnosis and management. Investigators have categorized this condition as vascular versus neurogenic, where vascular TOS can be subcategorized as either arterial or venous and neurogenic TOS can subcategorized as either true or disputed. The thoracic outlet anatomical container presents with several key regional components, each capable of compromising the neurovascular structures coursing within. Bony and soft tissue abnormalities, along with mechanical dysfunctions, may contribute to neurovascular compromise. Diagnosing TOS can be challenging because the symptoms vary greatly amongst patients with the disorder, thus lending to other conditions including a double crush syndrome. A careful history and thorough clinical examination are the most important components in establishing the diagnosis of TOS. Specific clinical tests, whose accuracy has been documented, can be used to support a clinical diagnosis, especially when a cluster of positive tests are witnessed. PMID:21655389

Epidermal photonic devices for quantitative imaging of temperature and thermal transport characteristics of the skin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Li; Zhang, Yihui; Malyarchuk, Viktor; Jia, Lin; Jang, Kyung-In; Chad Webb, R.; Fu, Haoran; Shi, Yan; Zhou, Guoyan; Shi, Luke; Shah, Deesha; Huang, Xian; Xu, Baoxing; Yu, Cunjiang; Huang, Yonggang; Rogers, John A.

2014-09-01

Characterization of temperature and thermal transport properties of the skin can yield important information of relevance to both clinical medicine and basic research in skin physiology. Here we introduce an ultrathin, compliant skin-like, or ‘epidermal’, photonic device that combines colorimetric temperature indicators with wireless stretchable electronics for thermal measurements when softly laminated on the skin surface. The sensors exploit thermochromic liquid crystals patterned into large-scale, pixelated arrays on thin elastomeric substrates; the electronics provide means for controlled, local heating by radio frequency signals. Algorithms for extracting patterns of colour recorded from these devices with a digital camera and computational tools for relating the results to underlying thermal processes near the skin surface lend quantitative value to the resulting data. Application examples include non-invasive spatial mapping of skin temperature with milli-Kelvin precision (±50 mK) and sub-millimetre spatial resolution. Demonstrations in reactive hyperaemia assessments of blood flow and hydration analysis establish relevance to cardiovascular health and skin care, respectively.

Epidermal photonic devices for quantitative imaging of temperature and thermal transport characteristics of the skin.

PubMed

Gao, Li; Zhang, Yihui; Malyarchuk, Viktor; Jia, Lin; Jang, Kyung-In; Webb, R Chad; Fu, Haoran; Shi, Yan; Zhou, Guoyan; Shi, Luke; Shah, Deesha; Huang, Xian; Xu, Baoxing; Yu, Cunjiang; Huang, Yonggang; Rogers, John A

2014-09-19

Characterization of temperature and thermal transport properties of the skin can yield important information of relevance to both clinical medicine and basic research in skin physiology. Here we introduce an ultrathin, compliant skin-like, or 'epidermal', photonic device that combines colorimetric temperature indicators with wireless stretchable electronics for thermal measurements when softly laminated on the skin surface. The sensors exploit thermochromic liquid crystals patterned into large-scale, pixelated arrays on thin elastomeric substrates; the electronics provide means for controlled, local heating by radio frequency signals. Algorithms for extracting patterns of colour recorded from these devices with a digital camera and computational tools for relating the results to underlying thermal processes near the skin surface lend quantitative value to the resulting data. Application examples include non-invasive spatial mapping of skin temperature with milli-Kelvin precision (±50 mK) and sub-millimetre spatial resolution. Demonstrations in reactive hyperaemia assessments of blood flow and hydration analysis establish relevance to cardiovascular health and skin care, respectively.

Semiconductor light-emitting devices having concave microstructures providing improved light extraction efficiency and method for producing same

DOEpatents

Tansu, Nelson; Gilchrist, James F; Ee, Yik-Khoon; Kumnorkaew, Pisist

2013-11-19

A conventional semiconductor LED is modified to include a microlens layer over its light-emitting surface. The LED may have an active layer including at least one quantum well layer of InGaN and GaN. The microlens layer includes a plurality of concave microstructures that cause light rays emanating from the LED to diffuse outwardly, leading to an increase in the light extraction efficiency of the LED. The concave microstructures may be arranged in a substantially uniform array, such as a close-packed hexagonal array. The microlens layer is preferably constructed of curable material, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and is formed by soft-lithography imprinting by contacting fluid material of the microlens layer with a template bearing a monolayer of homogeneous microsphere crystals, to cause concave impressions, and then curing the material to fix the concave microstructures in the microlens layer and provide relatively uniform surface roughness.

Influence of gelatinous fibers on the shrinkage of silver maple

Treesearch

Donals G. Arganbright; Dwight W. Bensend; Floyd G. Manwiller

1970-01-01

The degree of lean was found to have a significant influence on the logitudinal and transverse shrinkage of three soft maple trees. This may be accounted for by differences in the cell wall layer thickness and fibril angle.

Background-reducing X-ray multilayer mirror

DOEpatents

Bloch, Jeffrey J.; Roussel-Dupre', Diane; Smith, Barham W.

1992-01-01

Background-reducing x-ray multilayer mirror. A multiple-layer "wavetrap" deposited over the surface of a layered, synthetic-microstructure soft x-ray mirror optimized for reflectivity at chosen wavelengths is disclosed for reducing the reflectivity of undesired, longer wavelength incident radiation incident thereon. In three separate mirror designs employing an alternating molybdenum and silicon layered, mirrored structure overlaid by two layers of a molybdenum/silicon pair anti-reflection coating, reflectivities of near normal incidence 133, 171, and 186 .ANG. wavelengths have been optimized, while that at 304 .ANG. has been minimized. The optimization process involves the choice of materials, the composition of the layer/pairs as well as the number thereof, and the distance therebetween for the mirror, and the simultaneous choice of materials, the composition of the layer/pairs, and their number and distance for the "wavetrap."

Studying Pulsed Laser Deposition conditions for Ni/C-based multi-layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bollmann, Tjeerd R. J.

2018-04-01

Nickel carbon based multi-layers are a viable route towards future hard X-ray and soft γ-ray focusing telescopes. Here, we study the Pulsed Laser Deposition growth conditions of such bilayers by Reflective High Energy Electron Diffraction, X-ray Reflectivity and Diffraction, Atomic Force Microscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and cross-sectional Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis, with emphasis on optimization of process pressure and substrate temperature during growth. The thin multi-layers are grown on a treated SiO substrate resulting in Ni and C layers with surface roughnesses (RMS) of ≤0.2 nm. Small droplets resulting during melting of the targets surface increase the roughness, however, and cannot be avoided. The sequential process at temperatures beyond 300 °C results into intermixing between the two layers, being destructive for the reflectivity of the multi-layer.

Control of unstable interfaces through ballistic induced alloying: Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics calculations

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

Gomez, Liliana; Slutzky, Claudia; Ferron, Julio

2005-06-15

The explosive features of highly cohesive materials growing over soft metal substrates can be suppressed, and layer by layer growth achieved, by controlling a slight alloying at the interface. By means of Monte Carlo and molecular dynamic simulations, applied to the Co/Cu(111) system, we have proved the stability reached by Co growing over an alloyed CoCu surface, and the factibility of using hyperthermal ions to tailor this alloying.

3D morphological characterization of the polyamide active layer of RO and NF membranes using TEM and soft X-ray scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Culp, Tyler; Paul, Mou; Roy, Abhishek; Rosenberg, Steve; Behr, Michael; Kumar, Manish; Gomez, Enrique; Penn State Team; Dow Team

Polyamide-based thin-film composite (TFC) membranes used for reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) separation processes are at the forefront of water desalination and purification technologies due to their high salt rejection, high energy efficiency, and ease of operation. Nevertheless, in spite of the benefits of RO and NF membranes, many open questions about the internal nanostructure of the membrane active layer remain, such as the dispersion and distribution of acid functional groups. We demonstrate that resonant soft X-ray scattering (RSOXS), where the X-ray energy is tuned to absorption edges of the constituent materials, is a powerful tool to examine the microstructure of the polyamide layer. In conjunction with complementary techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), where tomography is used to obtain a 3D reconstruction of the polyamide active layer, the effect of cross-linking can be quantified in 3D for a systematic series of membranes. This relationship can then be applied to a series of commercially available RO and NF membranes where the effect of polyamide cross-linking on their respective structure and water transport properties can be evaluated. The combination of RSOXS with traditional characterization tools provides a strategy for linking the chemical structure to the morphology and water transport properties of RO and NF membranes.

How to Distinguish Neutron Star and Black Hole X-ray Binaries? Spectral Index and Quasi-Periodic Oscillation Frequency Correlation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Titarchuk, Lev; Shaposhnikov, Nickolai

2005-01-01

Recent studies have revealed strong correlations between 1-10 Hz frequencies of quasiperiodic oscillations (QPOs) and the spectral power law index of several Black Hole (BH) candidate sources when seen in the low/hard state, the steep power-law (soft) state, and in transition between these states. In the soft state these index-QPO frequency correlations show a saturation of the photon index GAMMA approximately equal to 2.7 at high values of the low frequency nu(sub L). This saturation effect was previously identified as a black hole signature. In this paper we argue that this saturation does not occur, at least for one neutron star (NS) source 4U 1728-34, for which the index GAMMA monotonically increases with nu(sub L) to the values of 6 and higher. We base this conclusion on our analysis of approximately 1.5 Msec of RXTE archival data for 4U 1728-34. We reveal the spectral evolution of the Comptonized blackbody spectra when the source transitions from the hard to soft states. The hard state spectrum is a typical thermal Comptonization spectrum of the soft photons which originate in the disk and the NS outer photospheric layers. The hard state photon index is GAMMA approximately 2. The soft state spectrum consists of two blackbody components which are only slightly Comptonized. Thus we can claim (as expected from theory) that in NS sources thermal equilibrium is established for the soft state. To the contrary in BH sources, the equilibrium is never established due to the presence of the BH horizon. The emergent BH spectrum, even in the high/soft state, has a power law component. We also identify the low QPO frequency nu(sub L) as a fundamental frequency of the quasi-spherical component of the transition layer (presumably related to the corona and the NS and disk magnetic closed field lines). The lower frequency nu(sub SL) is identified as the frequency of oscillations of a quasi-cylindrical configuration of the TL (presumably related to the NS and disk magnetic open field lines). We also show that the presence of Fe K(sub alpha), emission-line strengths, QPOs, and the link between them does not depend on radio flux in 4U 1728-34.

Knowledge Aid as Instrument of Regulation: World Bank's Non-Lending Higher Education Support for Ethiopia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Molla, Tebeje

2014-01-01

In the context of low-income countries, the role of donors in public policymaking is of great importance. Donors use a combination of lending and non-lending instruments as pathways of influence to shape policy directions in aid-recipient countries. This paper reports some findings from a doctoral study on the role of the World Bank in the recent…

17 CFR 240.3a5-3 - Exemption from the definition of “dealer” for banks engaging in securities lending transactions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

..., corporate action, recordkeeping or other services incidental to the administration of the securities lending... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Exemption from the definition of âdealerâ for banks engaging in securities lending transactions. 240.3a5-3 Section 240.3a5-3...

17 CFR 240.3a5-3 - Exemption from the definition of “dealer” for banks engaging in securities lending transactions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

..., corporate action, recordkeeping or other services incidental to the administration of the securities lending... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 3 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Exemption from the definition of âdealerâ for banks engaging in securities lending transactions. 240.3a5-3 Section 240.3a5-3...

17 CFR 240.3a5-3 - Exemption from the definition of “dealer” for banks engaging in securities lending transactions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

..., corporate action, recordkeeping or other services incidental to the administration of the securities lending... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 3 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Exemption from the definition of âdealerâ for banks engaging in securities lending transactions. 240.3a5-3 Section 240.3a5-3...

17 CFR 240.3a5-3 - Exemption from the definition of “dealer” for banks engaging in securities lending transactions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

..., corporate action, recordkeeping or other services incidental to the administration of the securities lending... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 3 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Exemption from the definition of âdealerâ for banks engaging in securities lending transactions. 240.3a5-3 Section 240.3a5-3...

17 CFR 240.3a5-3 - Exemption from the definition of “dealer” for banks engaging in securities lending transactions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

..., corporate action, recordkeeping or other services incidental to the administration of the securities lending... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 4 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Exemption from the definition of âdealerâ for banks engaging in securities lending transactions. 240.3a5-3 Section 240.3a5-3...

Direct Government Lending: The Bottom Line. A Critique of GAO's Report on Guaranteed Student Loans versus Direct Lending and Revised Savings Estimates.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Quick, Perry D.

This report addresses the dollar savings described in the Government Accounting Office's (GAO) report supporting direct lending as opposed to the present guaranteed student loan program. The critique explains the changes in the GAO model assumptions and projections that are believed necessary to move from the original $4.8 billion savings to a…

17 CFR 240.13k-1 - Foreign bank exemption from the insider lending prohibition under section 13(k).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 17 Commodity and Securities Exchanges 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Foreign bank exemption from the insider lending prohibition under section 13(k). 240.13k-1 Section 240.13k-1 Commodity and....13k-1 Foreign bank exemption from the insider lending prohibition under section 13(k). (a) For the...

Spatial distribution characteristics of magnetization in exchange-coupled bilayers with mutually orthogonal anisotropies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiang, Y.; Chen, C. W.

2017-05-01

The magnetization distribution of a bilayer exchange spring system with mutually orthogonal anisotropies was investigated by micromagnetic simulation. Results showed that the spatial change rate of the magnetization direction could be engineered by varying the material parameters, layer thicknesses, and magnetic field. When no magnetic field is applied, this angular change rate is determined by three parameter ratios: a ratio of the exchange energy and anisotropy constants of both layers and two thickness ratios of both layers. If these three ratios are kept invariant, the ratio of the angular change of the soft layer over the hard layer will remain the same. When a magnetic field is applied, two more ratios concerning the magnetic field should be added to determine the spatial angular change of the magnetization direction.

Localization of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor in the brain.

PubMed

Kainu, T; Wikström, A C; Gustafsson, J A; Pelto-Huikko, M

1994-12-20

This paper describes the localization of the alpha-type peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR alpha) in the rat brain using immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. Expression of PPAR alpha mRNA was highest in the granular cells of the cerebellar cortex and in the dentate gyrus, with a somewhat lower expression in areas CA1-CA4 of the hippocampus. PPAR alpha mRNA was also found in some neurones of the cerebral cortex (layers II-IV) and the molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex, and in the olfactory tubercle. Immunocytochemistry revealed nuclear PPAR alpha-immunoreactivity (-IR) in the same areas as seen with the in situ hybridization. Furthermore, PPAR alpha-IR was also localized in oligodendrocytes, whereas the other glial cell types appeared to lack PPAR alpha. These results suggest that peroxisome proliferators and chemicals acting similarly have effects on discrete populations of neurones. The presence of PPAR alpha in oligodendrocytes lends further support to the suggestion that peroxisomes are important in the assembly and degradation of myelin.

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.

Ab-initio study of structural and electronic properties of WS2/h-BN van der Waals heterostructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghasemi majd, Zahra; Amiri, Peiman; Taghizadeh, Seyed Fardin

2018-06-01

First-principle calculations with different exchange-correlation functionals, including LDA, GGA, semi-empirical and ab-initio van der Waals in the forms of vdW-DF2B86R and vdW-DF2 were performed to evaluate the performance of different functionals in describing the bonding mechanism, adsorption energy and interlayer distance of WS2 monolayer on and between h-BN layers. The finding was that the vdW-DF2B86R seems to be the approach best lending itself to this purpose. In order to include the van der Waals (vdW) interactions in our calculations, we used the DFT-D2 and vdW methods, which gave rise to a physical adsorption with no net charge transfer between the WS2 layer and the corresponding substrates. In addition, we investigated the electronic and structural properties of WS2 and h-BN heterolayers, using vdW-DF2B86R functional. Based on density functional theory calculations, WS2 on and between h-BN layers showed a direct band gap at the K-point, which was experimentally observed.

Cobalt-based multilayers with ultrathin seedlayers for perpendicular magnetic recording media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Wenbin

With the rapid increase in areal density in longitudinal magnetic recording, it is widely believed that the superparamagnetic limit will soon be reached. Perpendicular magnetic recording is now being seriously considered to be a candidate for the replacement. Co/Pd and Co/Pt multilayers are promising candidates because of their high anisotropy, high coercivity, high remanent squareness, and high negative nucleation field. However, Co/Pd and Co/Pt multilayers usually require thick seed layers to promote perpendicular anisotropies, which leads to large "spacing loss". In this work, different seed layers were studied and it showed that an amorphous indium tin oxide (ITO) seed layer as thin as 2nm could promote good perpendicular anisotropy. The processing parameters for Co-based multilayers such as deposition pressure, temperature, individual layer thickness, and number of bilayers were optimized to obtain better interfaces, higher coercivity, and higher anisotropies. Boron was added as dopants into Co layers to obtain better intergranular segregation and reduce the grain growth during the thin film deposition. The substrates were heated to promote the migration of boron atoms. It was proved that the addition of boron has successfully reduced the magnetic domain sizes as well as the media noise. Spin stand test showed that the CoB/Pd multilayers with 2nm ITO seed layer and 6mum thick NiFe soft underlayers deposited at 230°C gave a D50 of 340 kfci for differentiated output signals and an areal density of 11 Gb/in2 at a bit-error-rate of 10 -7. Given narrower heads, better soft underlayer, and lower flying height, the media can reach a much higher recording density.

A polyamidoamine dendrimer-streptavidin supramolecular architecture for biosensor development.

PubMed

Soda, N; Arotiba, O A

2017-12-01

A novel polyamidoamine dendrimer-streptavidin supramolecular architecture suitable as a versatile platform for biosensor development is reported. The dendrimer was electrodeposited on a glassy carbon electrode via cyclic voltammetry. The dendrimer electrode was further modified with streptavidin by electrostatic attraction upon drop coating. The platform i.e. the dendrimer-streptavidin modified electrode was electrochemically interrogated in phosphate buffer, ferrocyanide and H 2 O 2 . The dendrimer-streptavidin platform was used in the preparation of a simple DNA biosensor as a proof of concept. The supramolecular architecture of dendrimer-streptavidin was stable, electroactive and thus lends itself as a versatile immobilisation layer for any biotinylated bioreceptors in biosensor development. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Corrosion of aluminium in soft drinks.

PubMed

Seruga, M; Hasenay, D

1996-04-01

The corrosion of aluminium (Al) in several brands of soft drinks (cola- and citrate-based drinks) has been studied, using an electrochemical method, namely potentiodynamic polarization. The results show that the corrosion of Al in soft drinks is a very slow, time-dependent and complex process, strongly influenced by the passivation, complexation and adsorption processes. The corrosion of Al in these drinks occurs principally due to the presence of acids: citric acid in citrate-based drinks and orthophosphoric acid in cola-based drinks. The corrosion rate of Al rose with an increase in the acidity of soft drinks, i.e. with increase of the content of total acids. The corrosion rates are much higher in the cola-based drinks than those in citrate-based drinks, due to the facts that: (1) orthophosphoric acid is more corrosive to Al than is citric acid, (2) a quite different passive oxide layer (with different properties) is formed on Al, depending on whether the drink is cola or citrate based. The method of potentiodynamic polarization was shown as being very suitable for the study of corrosion of Al in soft drinks, especially if it is combined with some non-electrochemical method, e.g. graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS).

Characteristics and engineering properties of the soft soil layer in highway soil subgrades.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2006-06-01

The objective of this research was to examine the conditions and characteristics of soil subgrades that had been stabilized using mechanical compaction. Goals of the study are to identify and examine the engineering properties and behavior of the ...

Possible Cinder Cone on the Southern Flank of Pavonis Mons

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-10-13

This image from NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbite is centered on a small cone on the side of one of Mars giant shield volcanoes. The cone shows some layers of hard rock but most of it is made of relatively soft material.

Empirical Analysis of Effects of Bank Mergers and Acquisitions on Small Business Lending in Nigeria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ita, Asuquo Akabom

2012-11-01

Mergers and acquisitions are the major instruments of the recent banking reforms in Nigeria.The effects and the implications of the reforms on the lending practices of merged banks to small businesses were considered in this study. These effects were divided into static and dynamic effects (restructuring, direct and external). Data were collected by cross-sectional research design and were subsequently analyzed by the ordinary least square (OLS) method.The analyses show that bank size, financial characteristics and deposit of non-merged banks are positively related to small business lending. While for the merged banks, the reverse is the case. From the above result, it is evident that merger and acquisition have not only static effect on small business lending but also dynamic effect, therefore, given the central position of small businesses in the current government policy on industrialization in Nigeria, policy makers in Nigeria, should consider both the static and dynamic effects of merger and acquisition on small business lending in their policy thrust.

THE MECHANISM OF THE INFLAMMATORY PROCESS : III. ELECTROPHORETIC MIGRATION OF INERT PARTICLES AND BLOOD CELLS IN GELATIN SOLS AND GELS WITH REFERENCE TO LEUCOCYTE EMIGRATION THROUGH THE CAPILLARY WALL.

PubMed

Abramson, H A

1928-07-20

1. Quartz particles and certain other particles move cataphoretically in certain soft gelatin gels, with the same velocity as in the sol. The speed is a function of the true viscosity of the sol or gel, and it is See PDF for Structure apparently not altered in these soft gels by the presence of gel structure. It is proportional to the applied difference of potential. 2. This finding is compatible with the fact that certain sols undergo gelation with no increase of the true viscosity although a marked change in the apparent viscosity takes place. 3. Red cells in soft gelatin-serum gels show a distinct difference in behavior. They migrate through the sol or gel with a speed that is about twice as great as the leucocytes and quartz particles, which latter particles migrate with the same velocity. This ratio has been found to hold for serum and plasma. The absolute velocities are comparatively slightly decreased by the presence of the gel. 4. In more concentrated or stiffer gels, leucocytes, red cells and quartz particles all move at first with the same velocity. By producing mechanical softening of these gels (shearing from cataphoretic movement of the micells within the cell) the red cells presently resume their previous property of independent migration through the gel. 5. The movements of particles in gelatin gels produced by a magnetic force or the force of gravity are of a different nature than those movements produced by cataphoresis. 6. The mechanical nature of obstruction to the cataphoretic migration of leucocytes and red cells in fibrin gels is briefly described. 7. The correlation of cataphoresis of microscopic particles in gels with the order of magnitude and nature of the potential differences in the capillary wall, lends additional evidence to the theory that polymorphonuclear leucocyte emigration and migration are dependent upon these potential differences.

Hollow carbon nanospheres using an asymmetric triblock copolymer structure directing agent.

PubMed

Li, Yunqi; Tan, Haibo; Salunkhe, Rahul R; Tang, Jing; Shrestha, Lok Kumar; Bastakoti, Bishnu Prasad; Rong, Hongpan; Takei, Toshiaki; Henzie, Joel; Yamauchi, Yusuke; Ariga, Katsuhiko

2016-12-20

We introduce a simple method to prepare hollow carbon nanospheres (HCNs) by using triblock copolymer poly(styrene-b-2-vinylpyridine-b-ethylene oxide) (PS-b-P2VP-b-PEO) micelles as a new class of soft-templates. Simply by changing the solvent we can prepare ultra-small sized micelles of the triblock copolymer PS-b-P2VP-b-PEO soft template to obtain HCNs with ultra-small diameters (43 nm) and hollow cores (19 nm). Furthermore, we use these HCNs to make electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) that exhibit superior performance.

Adhesion and interfacial fracture toughness between hard and soft materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahbar, Nima; Wolf, Kurt; Orana, Argjenta; Fennimore, Roy; Zong, Zong; Meng, Juan; Papandreou, George; Maryanoff, Cynthia; Soboyejo, Wole

2008-11-01

This paper presents the results of a combined experimental and theoretical study of adhesion between hard and soft layers that are relevant to medical devices such as drug-eluting stents and semiconductor applications. Brazil disk specimens were used to measure the interfacial fracture energies between model parylene C and 316L stainless steel over a wide range of mode mixities. The trends in the overall fracture energies are predicted using a combination of adhesion theories and fracture mechanics concepts. The measured interfacial fracture energies are shown to be in good agreement with the predictions.

Anti-contamination device for cryogenic soft X-ray diffraction microscopy

DOE PAGES

Huang, Xiaojing; Miao, Huijie; Nelson, Johanna; ...

2011-05-01

Cryogenic microscopy allows one to view frozen hydrated biological and soft matter specimens with good structural preservation and a high degree of stability against radiation damage. We describe a liquid nitrogen-cooled anti-contamination device for cryogenic X-ray diffraction microscopy. The anti-contaminator greatly reduces the buildup of ice layers on the specimen due to condensation of residual water vapor in the experimental vacuum chamber. We show by coherent X-ray diffraction measurements that this leads to fivefold reduction of background scattering, which is important for far-field X-ray diffraction microscopy of biological specimens.

A randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of soft silicone multi-layered foam dressings in the prevention of sacral and heel pressure ulcers in trauma and critically ill patients: the border trial.

PubMed

Santamaria, Nick; Gerdtz, Marie; Sage, Sarah; McCann, Jane; Freeman, Amy; Vassiliou, Theresa; De Vincentis, Stephanie; Ng, Ai Wei; Manias, Elizabeth; Liu, Wei; Knott, Jonathan

2015-06-01

The prevention of hospital acquired pressure ulcers in critically ill patients remains a significant clinical challenge. The aim of this trial was to investigate the effectiveness of multi-layered soft silicone foam dressings in preventing intensive care unit (ICU) pressure ulcers when applied in the emergency department to 440 trauma and critically ill patients. Intervention group patients (n = 219) had Mepilex(®) Border Sacrum and Mepilex(®) Heel dressings applied in the emergency department and maintained throughout their ICU stay. Results revealed that there were significantly fewer patients with pressure ulcers in the intervention group compared to the control group (5 versus 20, P = 0·001). This represented a 10% difference in incidence between the groups (3·1% versus 13·1%) and a number needed to treat of ten patients to prevent one pressure ulcer. Overall there were fewer sacral (2 versus 8, P = 0·05) and heel pressure ulcers (5 versus 19, P = 0·002) and pressure injuries overall (7 versus 27, P = 0·002) in interventions than in controls. The time to injury survival analysis indicated that intervention group patients had a hazard ratio of 0·19 (P = 0·002) compared to control group patients. We conclude that multi-layered soft silicone foam dressings are effective in preventing pressure ulcers in critically ill patients when applied in the emergency department prior to ICU transfer. © 2013 The Authors. International Wound Journal © 2013 Medicalhelplines.com Inc and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

FAM20A Gene Mutation: Amelogenesis or Ectopic Mineralization?

PubMed

Lignon, Guilhem; Beres, Fleur; Quentric, Mickael; Rouzière, Stephan; Weil, Raphael; De La Dure-Molla, Muriel; Naveau, Adrien; Kozyraki, Renata; Dessombz, Arnaud; Berdal, Ariane

2017-01-01

Background and objective: FAM20A gene mutations result in enamel renal syndrome (ERS) associated with amelogenesis imperfecta (AI), nephrocalcinosis, gingival fibromatosis, and impaired tooth eruption. FAM20A would control the phosphorylation of enamel peptides and thus enamel mineralization. Here, we characterized the structure and chemical composition of unerupted tooth enamel from ERS patients and healthy subjects. Methods: Tooth sections were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). Results: SEM revealed that prisms were restricted to the inner-most enamel zones. The bulk of the mineralized matter covering the crown was formed by layers with varying electron-densities organized into lamellae and micronodules. Tissue porosity progressively increased at the periphery, ending with loose and unfused nanonodules also observed in the adjoining soft tissues. Thus, the enamel layer covering the dentin in all ERS patients (except a limited layer of enamel at the dentino-enamel junction) displayed an ultrastructural globular pattern similar to one observed in ectopic mineralization of soft tissue, notably in the gingiva of Fam20a knockout mice. XRD analysis confirmed the existence of alterations in crystallinity and composition (vs. sound enamel). XRF identified lower levels of calcium and phosphorus in ERS enamel. Finally, EDS confirmed the reduced amount of calcium in ERS enamel, which appeared similar to dentin. Conclusion: This study suggests that, after an initial normal start to amelogenesis, the bulk of the tissue covering coronal dentin would be formed by different mechanisms based on nano- to micro-nodule aggregation. This evocated ectopic mineralization process is known to intervene in several soft tissues in FAM20A gene mutant.

Using Monte-Carlo Simulations to Study the Disk Structure in Cygnus X-1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yao, Y.; Zhang, S. N.; Zhang, X. L.; Feng, Y. X.

2002-01-01

As the first dynamically determined black hole X-ray binary system, Cygnus X-1 has been studied extensively. However, its broad-band spectra in hard state with BeppoSAX is still not well understood. Besides the soft excess described by the multi-color disk model (MCD), the power- law component and a broad excess feature above 10 keV (disk reflection component), there is also an additional soft component around 1 keV, whose origin is not known currently.We propose that the additional soft component is due to the thermal Comptonization process between the s oft disk photon and the warm plasma cloud just above the disk.i.e., a warm layer. We use Monte-Carlo technique t o simulate this Compton scattering process and build several table models based on our simulation results.

Thermoplastic polyurethanes with controlled morphology based on methylenediphenyldiisocyanate/isosorbide/butanediol hard segments: Thermoplastic polyurethanes with controlled morphology

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

Javni, Ivan; Bilić, Olivera; Bilić, Nikola

2015-06-30

Isosorbide, a cyclic, rigid and renewable diol was used as a chain extender in two series of thermoplastic polyurethanes. Isosorbide was used in combination with butane diol or alone to examine the effects on polyurethane morphology. Two series of materials were prepared -one with dispersed hard domains in the matrix of polytetramethylene ether glycol soft segments of molecular weight 1400 (at 70% soft segment concentration-SSC) and the other with co-continuous soft and hard phases at 50% SSC. Morphology of materials was studied by optical and atomic force microscopy, as well as with ultra small angle x-ray scattering (USAXS). The radiusmore » of spherical hard domains, correlation lengths, mean separation distances and boundary layer thickness were measured as a function of isosorbide content.« less

Photo-crystallization in a-Se layer structures: Effects of film-substrate interface-rigidity

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

Lindberg, G. P.; Gross, N.; Weinstein, B. A.

Amorphous selenium (a-Se) films deposited on rigid substrates can undergo photo-induced crystallization (PC) even at temperatures (T) well below the glass transition, T{sub g} ∼ 313 K. Substrate-generated shear strain is known to promote the PC process. In the present work, we explore the influence of different substrates (Si and glass), and different film-layer-substrate combinations, on the PC in a variety of a-Se films and film-structures. The intermediate layers (indium tin oxide and polyimide) are chosen to promote conductivity and/or to be a buffer against interface strain in structures of interest for digital imaging applications. The PC characteristics in these samples are evaluatedmore » and compared using optical microscopy, atomic-force microscopy, Raman mapping, and T-dependent Raman spectroscopy. Both the presence of a soft intermediate layer, and the thermal softening that occurs for T increasing through T{sub g}, inhibit the tendency for the onset of PC. The extensive PC mapping results in the wide range of samples studied here, as well as the suppression of PC near T{sub g} in this array of samples, strongly support the generality of this behavior. As a consequence, one may expect that the stability of a-Se films against PC can be enhanced by decreasing the rigidity of the film-substrate interface. In this regard, advanced film structures that employ flexible substrates, soft intermediate layers, and/or are designed to be operated near T{sub g} should be explored.« less

Consolidation of Soft Layers by Finite Strain Analysis.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-03-01

compressible foundation or layer is divided into for computation purposes. NBL an integer denoting the following options: 1 = consolidation calculated for...i.e., NDATAI 1), the data file should be sequenced in the following manner: a. NST, NPROB, NDATA1, NDATA2 b. NST, NPT, NBL c. NST, GSBL, HBL, WLl, LBL...particular line types: Line type c: Q0 and DQ have nonzero values only if NBL = 3. If NBL = 2, all data values are set to zero except NST. Line type d: There

The relationship between plantar pressure and footprint shape.

PubMed

Hatala, Kevin G; Dingwall, Heather L; Wunderlich, Roshna E; Richmond, Brian G

2013-07-01

Fossil footprints preserve the only direct evidence of the external foot morphologies and gaits of extinct hominin taxa. However, their interpretation requires an understanding of the complex interaction among foot anatomy, foot function, and soft sediment mechanics. We applied an experimental approach aimed at understanding how one measure of foot function, the distribution of plantar pressure, influences footprint topography. Thirty-eight habitually unshod and minimally shod Daasanach individuals (19 male, 19 female) walked across a pressure pad and produced footprints in sediment directly excavated from the geological layer that preserves 1.5 Ma fossil footprints at Ileret, Kenya. Calibrated pressure data were collected and three-dimensional models of all footprints were produced using photogrammetry. We found significant correlations (Spearman's rank, p < 0.0001) between measurements of plantar pressure distribution and relative footprint depths at ten anatomical regions across the foot. Furthermore, plantar pressure distributions followed a pattern similar to footprint topography, with areas of higher pressure tending to leave deeper impressions. This differs from the results of experimental studies performed in different types of sediment, supporting the hypothesis that sediment type influences the relationship between plantar pressure and footprint topography. Our results also lend support to previous interpretations that the shapes of the Ileret footprints preserve evidence of a medial transfer of plantar pressure during late stance phase, as seen in modern humans. However, the weakness of the correlations indicates that much of the variation in relative depths within footprints is not explained by pressure distributions under the foot when walking on firm ground, using the methods applied here. This warrants caution when interpreting the unique foot anatomies and foot functions of extinct hominins evidenced by their footprint structures. Further research is necessary to clarify how anatomical, functional, and sedimentary variables influence footprint formation and how each can be inferred from footprint morphology. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Study of interlayer coupling between FePt and FeCoB thin films through MgO spacer layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Sadhana; Kumar, Dileep; Gupta, Mukul; Reddy, V. Raghvendra

2017-05-01

Interlayer exchange coupling between hard-FePt and soft-FeCoB magnetic layers has been studied with increasing thickness of insulator MgO spacer layer in FePt/MgO/FeCoB sandwiched structure. A series of the samples were prepared in identical condition using ion beam sputtering method and characterized for their magnetic and structural properties using magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) and X-ray reflectivity measurements. The nature of coupling between FePt and FeCoB was found to be ferromagnetic which decreases exponentially with increasing thickness of MgO layer. At very low thickness of MgO layer, both layers were found strongly coupled thus exhibiting coherent magnetization reversal. At higher thickness, both layers were found decoupled and magnetization reversal occurred at different switching fields. Strong coupling at very low thickness is attributed to pin holes in MgO layer which lead to direct coupling whereas on increasing thickness, coupling may arise due to magneto-static interactions.

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

Li, Binzhi; Chopdekar, Rajesh V.; N'Diaye, Alpha T.

The impact of interfacial electronic reconstruction on the magnetic characteristics of La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 (LSCO)/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) superlattices was investigated as a function of layer thickness using a combination of soft x-ray magnetic spectroscopy and bulk magnetometry. We found that the magnetic properties of the LSCO layers are impacted by two competing electronic interactions occurring at the LSCO/substrate and LSMO/LSCO interfaces. For thin LSCO layers (< 5 nm), the heterostructures exist in a highly coupled state where the chemically distinct layers behave as a single magnetic compound with magnetically active Co2+ ions. As the LSCO thickness increases, a high coercivity LSCO layer developsmore » which biases a low coercivity layer, which is composed not only of the LSMO layer, but also an interfacial LSCO layer. These results suggest a new route to tune the magnetic properties of transition metal oxide heterostructures through careful control of the interface structure.« less

Tuning interfacial exchange interactions via electronic reconstruction in transition-metal oxide heterostructures

DOE PAGES

Li, Binzhi; Chopdekar, Rajesh V.; N'Diaye, Alpha T.; ...

2016-10-10

The impact of interfacial electronic reconstruction on the magnetic characteristics of La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 (LSCO)/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) superlattices was investigated as a function of layer thickness using a combination of soft x-ray magnetic spectroscopy and bulk magnetometry. We found that the magnetic properties of the LSCO layers are impacted by two competing electronic interactions occurring at the LSCO/substrate and LSMO/LSCO interfaces. For thin LSCO layers (< 5 nm), the heterostructures exist in a highly coupled state where the chemically distinct layers behave as a single magnetic compound with magnetically active Co2+ ions. As the LSCO thickness increases, a high coercivity LSCO layer developsmore » which biases a low coercivity layer, which is composed not only of the LSMO layer, but also an interfacial LSCO layer. These results suggest a new route to tune the magnetic properties of transition metal oxide heterostructures through careful control of the interface structure.« less

Modulation of solid electrolyte interphase of lithium-ion batteries by LiDFOB and LiBOB electrolyte additives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Shiqiang; Wang, Shuwei; Hu, Guohong; Cheong, Ling-Zhi; Shen, Cai

2018-05-01

Solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer is an organic-inorganic composite layer that allows Li+ transport across but blocks electron flow across and prevents solvent diffusing to electrode surface. Morphology, thickness, mechanical and chemical properties of SEI are important for safety and cycling performance of lithium-ion batteries. Herein, we employ a combination of in-situ AFM and XPS to investigate the effects of two electrolyte additives namely lithium difluoro(oxalate)borate (LiDFOB) and lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB) on SEI layer. LiDFOB is found to result in a thin but hard SEI layer containing more inorganic species (LiF and LiCO3); meanwhile LiBOB promotes formation of a thick but soft SEI layer containing more organic species such as ROCO2Li. Findings from present study will help development of electrolyte additives that promote formation of good SEI layer.

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

Won Lee, Sang; Suh, Dongseok, E-mail: energy.suh@skku.edu; Department of Energy Science and Department of Physics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746

A prior requirement of any developed transistor for practical use is the stability test. Random network carbon nanotube-thin film transistor (CNT-TFT) was fabricated on SiO{sub 2}/Si. Gate bias stress stability was investigated with various passivation layers of HfO{sub 2} and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}. Compared to the threshold voltage shift without passivation layer, the measured values in the presence of passivation layers were reduced independent of gate bias polarity except HfO{sub 2} under positive gate bias stress (PGBS). Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} capping layer was found to be the best passivation layer to prevent ambient gas adsorption, while gas adsorption on HfO{submore » 2} layer was unavoidable, inducing surface charges to increase threshold voltage shift in particular for PGBS. This high performance in the gate bias stress test of CNT-TFT even superior to that of amorphous silicon opens potential applications to active TFT industry for soft electronics.« less

Atypical soil hardening during the Tohoku earthquake of March 11, 2011 ( M w = 9.0)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pavlenko, O. V.

2017-10-01

Based on the records of KiK-net vertical arrays, models of soil behavior down to depths of 100-200 m in the near-fault zones during the Tohoku earthquake are examined. In contrast to the regular pattern observed during strong earthquakes, soft soils have not broadly demonstrated nonlinear behavior, or a reduction (with the onset of strong motions) and recovery (after strong motions finished) of the shear modulus in soil layers. At the stations where anomalously high peak ground accelerations were recorded (PGA > 1g), the values of the shear modulus in soil layers increased with the onset of strong motions and reached a maximum when motions were the most intensive, which indicated hardening of soils. Soil behavior was close to linear, here. The values of the shear moduli decrease along with a decrease in intensity of strong ground motions, and at soft soil stations, this was accompanied by a stepwise decrease in the frequency of motion.

Soft chemical synthesis of silicon nanosheets and their applications

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

Nakano, Hideyuki; Ikuno, Takashi

2016-12-15

Two-dimensional silicon nanomaterials are expected to show different properties from those of bulk silicon materials by virtue of surface functionalization and quantum size effects. Since facile fabrication processes of large area silicon nanosheets (SiNSs) are required for practical applications, a development of soft chemical synthesis route without using conventional vacuum processes is a challenging issue. We have recently succeeded to prepare SiNSs with sub-nanometer thicknesses by exfoliating layered silicon compounds, and they are found to be composed of crystalline single-atom-thick silicon layers. In this review, we present the synthesis and modification methods of SiNSs. These SiNSs have atomically flat andmore » smooth surfaces due to dense coverage of organic moieties, and they are easily self-assembled in a concentrated state to form a regularly stacked structure. We have also characterized the electron transport properties and the electronic structures of SiNSs. Finally, the potential applications of these SiNSs and organic modified SiNSs are also reviewed.« less

Softly-confined water cluster between freestanding graphene sheets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agustian, Rifan; Akaishi, Akira; Nakamura, Jun

2018-01-01

Confined water could adopt new forms not seen in the open air, such as a two-dimensional (2D) square ice trapped between two graphene sheets [Algara-Siller et al., Nature 519, 443-445 (2015)]. In this study, in order to investigate how the flexibility of graphene affects the confined structure of water molecules, we employed classical molecular dynamics simulations with Adaptive Intermolecular Reactive Empirical Bond Order (AIREBO) potential to produce a soft-confining property of graphene. We discovered various solid-like structures of water molecules ranging from two-dimensional to three-dimensional structure encapsulated between two freestanding graphene sheets even at room temperature (300K). A small amount of water encapsulation leads to a layered two-dimensional form with triangular structure. On the other hand, large amounts of water molecules take a three-dimensional flying-saucer-like form with the square ice intra-layer structure. There is also a metastable state where both two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures coexist.

Study of Cr/Sc-based multilayer reflecting mirrors using soft x-ray reflectivity and standing wave-enhanced x-ray fluorescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Meiyi; Burcklen, Catherine; André, Jean-Michel; Guen, Karine Le; Giglia, Angelo; Koshmak, Konstantin; Nannarone, Stefano; Bridou, Françoise; Meltchakov, Evgueni; Rossi, Sébastien de; Delmotte, Franck; Jonnard, Philippe

2017-11-01

We study Cr/Sc-based multilayer mirrors designed to work in the water window range using hard and soft x-ray reflectivity as well as x-ray fluorescence enhanced by standing waves. Samples differ by the elemental composition of the stack, the thickness of each layer, and the order of deposition. This paper mainly consists of two parts. In the first part, the optical performances of different Cr/Sc-based multilayers are reported, and in the second part, we extend further the characterization of the structural parameters of the multilayers, which can be extracted by comparing the experimental data with simulations. The methodology is detailed in the case of Cr/B4C/Sc sample for which a three-layer model is used. Structural parameters determined by fitting reflectivity curve are then introduced as fixed parameters to plot the x-ray standing wave curve, to compare with the experiment, and confirm the determined structure of the stack.

Patterning and photoluminescent properties of perovskite-type organic/inorganic hybrid luminescent films by soft lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Z. Y.; Wang, Z.; Xing, R. B.; Han, Y. C.; Lin, J.

2003-07-01

Perovskite-type organic/inorganic hybrid layered compound (C 6H 5C 2H 4NH 3) 2PbI 4 was synthesized. The patterning of (C 6H 5C 2H 4NH 3) 2PbI 4 thin films on silicon substrate was realized by the micromolding in capillaries (MIMIC) process, a kind of soft lithography. Bright green luminescent stripes with different widths (50, 15, 0.8 μm) have been obtained. The structure and optical properties of (C 6H 5C 2H 4NH 3) 2PbI 4 films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV/Vis absorption and photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra, respectively. It is shown that the organic-inorganic layered (C 6H 5C 2H 4NH 3) 2PbI 4 film was c-axis oriented, paralleling to the substrate plane. Green exciton emission at 525 nm was observed in the film, and the explanations for it were given.

The Stone Cold Truth: The Effect of Concrete Encasement on the Rate and Pattern of Soft Tissue Decomposition.

PubMed

Martin, D C; Dabbs, Gretchen R; Roberts, Lindsey G; Cleary, Megan K

2016-03-01

This study provides a descriptive analysis of taphonomic changes observed in the soft tissue of ten pigs (Sus scrofa) after being encased in Quickrete (®) concrete and excavated at monthly or bimonthly intervals over the course of 2 years. The best method of subject excavation was investigated. Rate and pattern of decomposition were compared to a nonencased control subject. Results demonstrate subjects interred in concrete decomposed significantly slower than the control subject (p < 0.01), the difference being observable after 1 month. After 1 year, the encased subject was in the early stage of decomposition with purging fluids and intact organs present, versus complete skeletonization of the control subject. Concrete subjects also display a unique decomposition pattern, exhibiting a chemically burned outer layer of skin and a common separation of the dermal and epidermal layers. Results suggest using traditional methods to estimate postmortem interval on concrete subjects may result in underestimation. © 2015 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Top-down Approach for the Direct Synthesis, Patterning, and Operation of Artificial Micromuscles on Flexible Substrates.

PubMed

Maziz, Ali; Plesse, Cédric; Soyer, Caroline; Cattan, Eric; Vidal, Frédéric

2016-01-27

Recent progress in the field of microsystems on flexible substrates raises the need for alternatives to the stiffness of classical actuation technologies. This paper reports a top-down process to microfabricate soft conducting polymer actuators on substrates on which they ultimately operate. The bending microactuators were fabricated by sequentially stacking layers using a layer polymerization by layer polymerization of conducting polymer electrodes and a solid polymer electrolyte. Standalone microbeams thinner than 10 μm were fabricated on SU-8 substrates associated with a bottom gold electrical contact. The operation of microactuators was demonstrated in air and at low voltage (±4 V).

In-situ observation of switchable nanoscale topography for y-shaped binary brushes in fluids.

PubMed

Lin, Yen-Hsi; Teng, Jing; Zubarev, Eugene R; Shulha, Hennady; Tsukruk, Vladimir V

2005-03-01

Direct, in-fluid observation of the surface morphology and nanomechanical properties of the mixed brushes composed of Y-shaped binary molecules PS-PAA revealed nanoscale network-like surface topography formed by coexisting stretched soluble PAA arms and collapsed insoluble PS chains in water. Placement of Y-shaped brushes in different fluids resulted in dramatic reorganization ranging from soft repellent layer covered by swollen PS arms in toluene to an adhesive, mixed layer composed of coexisting swollen PAA and collapsed PS arms in water. These binary layers with the overall nanoscale thickness can serve as adaptive nanocoatings with stimuli-responsive properties.

17 CFR 240.13k-1 - Foreign bank exemption from the insider lending prohibition under section 13(k).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... the insider lending prohibition under section 13(k). 240.13k-1 Section 240.13k-1 Commodity and....13k-1 Foreign bank exemption from the insider lending prohibition under section 13(k). (a) For the...(k) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(k)) with respect to any such loan made by the foreign bank as long as...

17 CFR 240.13k-1 - Foreign bank exemption from the insider lending prohibition under section 13(k).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... the insider lending prohibition under section 13(k). 240.13k-1 Section 240.13k-1 Commodity and....13k-1 Foreign bank exemption from the insider lending prohibition under section 13(k). (a) For the...(k) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(k)) with respect to any such loan made by the foreign bank as long as...

17 CFR 240.13k-1 - Foreign bank exemption from the insider lending prohibition under section 13(k).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... the insider lending prohibition under section 13(k). 240.13k-1 Section 240.13k-1 Commodity and....13k-1 Foreign bank exemption from the insider lending prohibition under section 13(k). (a) For the...(k) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78m(k)) with respect to any such loan made by the foreign bank as long as...

A QUANTITATIVE COMPARISON OF LUNAR ORBITAL NEUTRON DATA

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

Eke, V. R.; Teodoro, L. F. A.; Lawrence, D. J.

2012-03-01

Data from the Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) Collimated Sensors for Epithermal Neutrons (CSETN) are used in conjunction with a model based on results from the Lunar Prospector (LP) mission to quantify the extent of the background in the LEND CSETN. A simple likelihood analysis implies that at least 90% of the lunar component of the LEND CSETN flux results from high-energy epithermal (HEE) neutrons passing through the walls of the collimator. Thus, the effective FWHM of the LEND CSETN field of view is comparable to that of the omni-directional LP Neutron Spectrometer. The resulting map of HEE neutrons offersmore » the opportunity to probe the hydrogen abundance at low latitudes and to provide constraints on the distribution of lunar water.« less

Layer-by-Layer Motif Architectures: Programmed Electrochemical Syntheses of Multilayer Mesoporous Metallic Films with Uniformly Sized Pores.

PubMed

Jiang, Bo; Li, Cuiling; Qian, Huayu; Hossain, Md Shahriar A; Malgras, Victor; Yamauchi, Yusuke

2017-06-26

Although multilayer films have been extensively reported, most compositions have been limited to non-catalytically active materials (e.g. polymers, proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids). Herein, we report the preparation of binder-free multilayer metallic mesoporous films with sufficient accessibility for high electrocatalytic activity by using a programmed electrochemical strategy. By precisely tuning the deposition potential and duration, multilayer mesoporous architectures consisting of alternating mesoporous Pd layers and mesoporous PdPt layers with controlled layer thicknesses can be synthesized within a single electrolyte, containing polymeric micelles as soft templates. This novel architecture, combining the advantages of bimetallic alloys, multilayer architectures, and mesoporous structures, exhibits high electrocatalytic activity for both the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

[Clinical, pathological and imaging features of primary pelvic Ewing's sarcoma].

PubMed

Liu, J; Chen, Y; Ling, X L; Gong, Y; Ding, J P; Zhang, Z K; Wang, Y J

2016-07-19

To explore the clinical, pathological and imaging features of Ewing's sarcoma in pelvis and to improve knowledge and diagnosis of the disease. A retrospective analysis of the clinical, pathological and imaging data of pathologically confirmed 13 cases of Ewing's sarcoma in pelvis was carried out between May 2008 and March 2016 in the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University and the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University. The median age 13 cases of pelvic primary Ewing's sarcoma was 17 years old.The X-ray and CT imagings showed osteolytic and mixed bone destruction, CT showed mixed type in 10 cases, 8 cases of bone tumors as a flocculent, 10 cases of bone expansion failure, 10 cases of periosteal reaction, the layered 5 cases, radial in 5 cases.Thirteen cases showed soft tissue mass, soft tissue mass was equal or slightly lower density.Four cases showed heterogeneous contrast enhancement.The lesions showed low signal in T1WI and mixed high signal in T2WI of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). The boundary of the lesions were obscure, and 5 cases had patchy necrosis area, and 9 cases had incomplete false capsule, surrounding soft tissue was violated.Four cases showed heterogeneous contrast enhancement after MRI enhancement scan. The age of onset of Ewing's sarcoma of the pelvis is more concentrated in about 15 years.The imaging feaures are mixed bone destruction and more bone is swelling and permeability damage, soft tissue mass is larger, bone tumor is cloudy or acicular, periosteal reaction in a layered and radial, most cases show that the false envelope is not complete.Combined with clinical and imaging examination, the diagnosis of the disease can be made.

Nanolaminated FeCoB/FeCo and FeCoB/NiFe soft magnetic thin films with tailored magnetic properties deposited by magnetron sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hida, Rachid; Falub, Claudiu V.; Perraudeau, Sandrine; Morin, Christine; Favier, Sylvie; Mazel, Yann; Saghi, Zineb; Michel, Jean-Philippe

2018-05-01

Thin films based on layers of Fe52Co28B20 (at%), Fe65Co35 (at%), and Ni80Fe20 (at%) were deposited by sputtering on 8″ bare Si and Si/200 nm-thermal-SiO2 wafers by simultaneous use of two or more cathodes. Due to the continuous rotation of the substrate cage, such that the substrates faced different targets alternately, the multilayers consisted of stacks of alternating, nanometer-thick regular layers. The composition of the films was determined by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) and Nuclear Reactive Analysis (NRA), whereas Plasma Profiling Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (PP-TOFMS) analysis gave depth profile information about the chemical elements. The structural and magnetic properties of the films were investigated by X-ray Diffraction and by TEM analysis, B-H loop tracer and high frequency single coil technique permeametry, respectively. The linear dependence of the coercivity of these thin films versus the grain size can be explained by the random anisotropy model. These novel, composite soft magnetic multilayers, with tunable in-plane anisotropy, allow operation at tunable frequencies, as shown by broadband (between 100 MHz and 10 GHz) RF measurements that exhibit a classical Landau-Lifschitz-Gilbert (LLG) behavior and, combine the magnetic properties of the individual materials in an advantageous way. This article presents a method to produce nanostructured soft magnetic multilayers, the properties of which can easily be tuned by choosing the ratio of the individual nanolayers. In this way it's possible to combine soft magnetic materials with complementary properties, e.g. high saturation magnetization, low coercivity, high specific resistivity and low magnetostriction

Optical performance of W/B4C multilayer mirror in the soft x-ray region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pradhan, P. C.; Majhi, A.; Nayak, M.

2018-03-01

W/B4C x-ray multilayers (MLs) with 300 layer pairs and a period in the range of d = 2-1.6 nm are fabricated and investigated for the x-ray optical element in the soft x-ray regime. The structural analyses of the MLs are carried out by using hard x-ray reflectivity (HXR) measurements at 8.047 keV. Well-defined successive higher order Bragg peaks (up to 3rd order) in HXR data collected up to glancing incidence angles of ˜9° reveal a good quality of the periodic structure. The ML mirrors have an average interface width of ˜0.35 nm and have a compressive residual stress of ˜0.183 GPa and 0. 827 GPa for d = 1.62 nm and d = 1.98 nm, respectively. MLs maintain structural stability over a long time, with a slight increase in interface widths of the W layers by 0.1 nm due to self-diffusion. Soft x-ray reflectivity (SXR) performances are evaluated in the energy range of 650 to 1500 eV. At energy ˜ 1489 eV, measured reflectivities (energy resolution, ΔE) are ˜ 10% (19 eV) and 4.5% (13 eV) at glancing incident angles of 12.07° and 15° for MLs having periods of 1.98 nm and 1.62 nm, respectively. The optical performance from 1600 eV to 4500 eV is theoretically analysed by considering the measured structural parameters. The structure-stress-optical performance is correlated on the basis of the mechanism of film growth. The implications of W/B4C MLs are discussed, particularly with respect to the development of ML optics with high spectral selectivity and reflectance for soft x-ray instruments.

A Novel Surface Structure Consisting of Contact-active Antibacterial Upper-layer and Antifouling Sub-layer Derived from Gemini Quaternary Ammonium Salt Polyurethanes.

PubMed

He, Wei; Zhang, Yi; Li, Jiehua; Gao, Yunlong; Luo, Feng; Tan, Hong; Wang, Kunjie; Fu, Qiang

2016-08-26

Contact-active antibacterial surfaces play a vital role in preventing bacterial contamination of artificial surfaces. In the past, numerous researches have been focused on antibacterial surfaces comprising of antifouling upper-layer and antibacterial sub-layer. In this work, we demonstrate a reversed surface structure which integrate antibacterial upper-layer and antifouling sub-layer. These surfaces are prepared by simply casting gemini quaternary ammonium salt waterborne polyurethanes (GWPU) and their blends. Due to the high interfacial energy of gemini quaternary ammonium salt (GQAS), chain segments containing GQAS can accumulate at polymer/air interface to form an antibacterial upper-layer spontaneously during the film formation. Meanwhile, the soft segments composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) formed the antifouling sub-layer. Our findings indicate that the combination of antibacterial upper-layer and antifouling sub-layer endow these surfaces strong, long-lasting antifouling and contact-active antibacterial properties, with a more than 99.99% killing efficiency against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria attached to them.

A Novel Surface Structure Consisting of Contact-active Antibacterial Upper-layer and Antifouling Sub-layer Derived from Gemini Quaternary Ammonium Salt Polyurethanes

PubMed Central

He, Wei; Zhang, Yi; Li, Jiehua; Gao, Yunlong; Luo, Feng; Tan, Hong; Wang, Kunjie; Fu, Qiang

2016-01-01

Contact-active antibacterial surfaces play a vital role in preventing bacterial contamination of artificial surfaces. In the past, numerous researches have been focused on antibacterial surfaces comprising of antifouling upper-layer and antibacterial sub-layer. In this work, we demonstrate a reversed surface structure which integrate antibacterial upper-layer and antifouling sub-layer. These surfaces are prepared by simply casting gemini quaternary ammonium salt waterborne polyurethanes (GWPU) and their blends. Due to the high interfacial energy of gemini quaternary ammonium salt (GQAS), chain segments containing GQAS can accumulate at polymer/air interface to form an antibacterial upper-layer spontaneously during the film formation. Meanwhile, the soft segments composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) formed the antifouling sub-layer. Our findings indicate that the combination of antibacterial upper-layer and antifouling sub-layer endow these surfaces strong, long-lasting antifouling and contact-active antibacterial properties, with a more than 99.99% killing efficiency against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria attached to them. PMID:27561546

Fused filament 3D printing of ionic polymer-metal composites for soft robotics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carrico, James D.; Leang, Kam K.

2017-04-01

Additive manufacturing techniques are used to create three-dimensional structures with complex shapes and features from polymer and/or metal materials. For example, fused filament three-dimensional (3D) printing utilizes non-electroactive polymers, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA), to build structures and components in a layer-by-layer fashion for a wide variety of applications. Presented here is a summary of recent work on a fused filament 3D-printing technique to create 3D ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) structures for applications in soft robotics. The 3D printing technique overcomes some of the limitations of existing manufacturing processes for creating IPMCs, such as limited shapes and sizes and time-consuming manufacturing steps. In the process described, first a precursor material (non-acid Nafion precursor resin) is extruded into a thermoplastic filament for 3D printing. Then, a custom-designed 3D printer is described that utilizes the precursor filament to manufacture custom-shaped structures. Finally, the 3D-printed samples are functionalized by hydrolyzing them in an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide and dimethyl sulfoxide, followed by application of platinum electrodes. Presented are example 3D-printed single and multi-degree-of-freedom IPMC actuators and characterization results, as well as example soft-robotic devices to demonstrate the potential of this process.

Quantitative resonant soft x-ray reflectivity of ultrathin anisotropic organic layers: Simulation and experiment of PTCDA on Au.

PubMed

Capelli, R; Mahne, N; Koshmak, K; Giglia, A; Doyle, B P; Mukherjee, S; Nannarone, S; Pasquali, L

2016-07-14

Resonant soft X-ray reflectivity at the carbon K edge, with linearly polarized light, was used to derive quantitative information of film morphology, molecular arrangement, and electronic orbital anisotropies of an ultrathin 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) film on Au(111). The experimental spectra were simulated by computing the propagation of the electromagnetic field in a trilayer system (vacuum/PTCDA/Au), where the organic film was treated as an anisotropic medium. Optical constants were derived from the calculated (through density functional theory) absorption cross sections of the single molecule along the three principal molecular axes. These were used to construct the dielectric tensor of the film, assuming the molecules to be lying flat with respect to the substrate and with a herringbone arrangement parallel to the substrate plane. Resonant soft X-ray reflectivity proved to be extremely sensitive to film thickness, down to the single molecular layer. The best agreement between simulation and experiment was found for a film of 1.6 nm, with flat laying configuration of the molecules. The high sensitivity to experimental geometries in terms of beam incidence and light polarization was also clarified through simulations. The optical anisotropies of the organic film were experimentally determined and through the comparison with calculations, it was possible to relate them to the orbital symmetry of the empty electronic states.

Quantitative resonant soft x-ray reflectivity of ultrathin anisotropic organic layers: Simulation and experiment of PTCDA on Au

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

Capelli, R.; Koshmak, K.; Giglia, A.

Resonant soft X-ray reflectivity at the carbon K edge, with linearly polarized light, was used to derive quantitative information of film morphology, molecular arrangement, and electronic orbital anisotropies of an ultrathin 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) film on Au(111). The experimental spectra were simulated by computing the propagation of the electromagnetic field in a trilayer system (vacuum/PTCDA/Au), where the organic film was treated as an anisotropic medium. Optical constants were derived from the calculated (through density functional theory) absorption cross sections of the single molecule along the three principal molecular axes. These were used to construct the dielectric tensor of themore » film, assuming the molecules to be lying flat with respect to the substrate and with a herringbone arrangement parallel to the substrate plane. Resonant soft X-ray reflectivity proved to be extremely sensitive to film thickness, down to the single molecular layer. The best agreement between simulation and experiment was found for a film of 1.6 nm, with flat laying configuration of the molecules. The high sensitivity to experimental geometries in terms of beam incidence and light polarization was also clarified through simulations. The optical anisotropies of the organic film were experimentally determined and through the comparison with calculations, it was possible to relate them to the orbital symmetry of the empty electronic states.« less

What can asymmetry tell us? Investigation of asymmetric versus symmetric pinch and swell structures in nature and simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gardner, Robyn; Piazolo, Sandra; Daczko, Nathan

2015-04-01

Pinch and swell structures occur from microscopic to landscape scales where a more competent layer in a weaker matrix is deformed by pure shear, often in rifting environments. The Anita Shear Zone (ASZ) in Fiordland, New Zealand has an example of landscape scale (1 km width) asymmetric pinch and swell structures developed in ultramafic rocks. Field work suggests that the asymmetry is a result of variations in the surrounding 'matrix' flow properties as the ultramafic band is surrounded to the east by an orthogneiss (Milford Orthogneiss) and to the west by a paragneiss (Thurso Paragneiss). In addition, there is a narrow and a much wider shear zone between the ultramafics and the orthogneiss and paragneiss, respectively. Detailed EBSD analysis of samples from a traverse across the pinch and swell structure indicate the ultramafics in the shear zone on the orthogneiss side have larger grain size than the ultramafics in the shear zone on the paragneiss side. Ultramafic samples from the highly strained paragneiss and orthogneiss shear zones show dislocation creep behaviour, and, on the paragneiss side, also significant deformation by grain boundary sliding. To test if asymmetry of pinch and swell structures can be used to derive the rheological properties of not only the pinch and swell lithologies, but also of the matrix, numerical simulations were performed. Numerical modelling of pure shear (extension) was undertaken with (I) initially three layers and then (II) five layers by adding soft high strain zones on both sides of the rheological hard layer. The matrix was given first symmetric, then asymmetric viscosity. Matrix viscosity was found to impact the formation of pinch and swell structures with the weaker layer causing increased tortuosity of the competent layer edge due to increased local differential stress. Results highlight that local, rheologically soft layers and the relative viscosity of matrix both impact significantly the shape and symmetry of developing pinch and swell structures.

Scaling of Energy Absorption in Composites to Enhance Survivability

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-08-01

structures very weak in shear, such as the naval-type foam-laminate sandwich plates, has been solved. Various competing formulas have been subject to...for the case of general homogenized orthotropic structures very soft in shear, including layered structures that are loaded tranversely to the

Surface pavement solutions for poor subgrade conditions phase II : performance analysis of test sections and implementation guidelines : summary.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-12-01

Several areas within FDOT Districts 4 and 6 contain thick layers of organic soils at relatively shallow depths. Roads built on these soft compressible soils : often develop premature cracking, distortion, and settlement. Traditional repair methods, s...

The intersection of medical debt and predatory lending among hispanics.

PubMed

Gray, Karen A; Villegas, Susy

2012-01-01

This pilot study explored the link between predatory lending and health care debt among Hispanics. Research shows that links exist between health care costs, debt, poverty, and race ( Draught & Silva, 2003 ; Zeldin & Rukavina, 2007 ). Prior to this study there was no research on the intersection between medical debt and predatory lending although there was reason to believe this link exists ( Seifert, 2004 ). Our results confirm this link and we propose means to break it.

Correlation of LEND and Diviner Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McClanahan, Tim; Boynton, William; Mitrofanov, Igor; Sagdeev, Raold; Bennet, Kristen; Starr, Richard; Evans, Larry; Paige, Dave; Sanin, Anton; Litvak, Max;

Mutual capacitance of liquid conductors in deformable tactile sensing arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Bin; Fontecchio, Adam K.; Visell, Yon

2016-01-01

Advances in highly deformable electronics are needed in order to enable emerging categories of soft computing devices ranging from wearable electronics, to medical devices, and soft robotic components. The combination of highly elastic substrates with intrinsically stretchable conductors holds the promise of enabling electronic sensors that can conform to curved objects, reconfigurable displays, or soft biological tissues, including the skin. Here, we contribute sensing principles for tactile (mechanical image) sensors based on very low modulus polymer substrates with embedded liquid metal microfluidic arrays. The sensors are fabricated using a single-step casting method that utilizes fine nylon filaments to produce arrays of cylindrical channels on two layers. The liquid metal (gallium indium alloy) conductors that fill these channels readily adopt the shape of the embedding membrane, yielding levels of deformability greater than 400%, due to the use of soft polymer substrates. We modeled the sensor performance using electrostatic theory and continuum mechanics, yielding excellent agreement with experiments. Using a matrix-addressed capacitance measurement technique, we are able to resolve strain distributions with millimeter resolution over areas of several square centimeters.

Soft, thin skin-mounted power management systems and their use in wireless thermography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Jung Woo; Xu, Renxiao; Lee, Seungmin; Jang, Kyung-In; Yang, Yichen; Banks, Anthony; Yu, Ki Jun; Kim, Jeonghyun; Xu, Sheng; Ma, Siyi; Jang, Sung Woo; Won, Phillip; Li, Yuhang; Kim, Bong Hoon; Choe, Jo Young; Huh, Soojeong; Kwon, Yong Ho; Huang, Yonggang; Paik, Ungyu; Rogers, John A.

2016-05-01

Power supply represents a critical challenge in the development of body-integrated electronic technologies. Although recent research establishes an impressive variety of options in energy storage (batteries and supercapacitors) and generation (triboelectric, piezoelectric, thermoelectric, and photovoltaic devices), the modest electrical performance and/or the absence of soft, biocompatible mechanical properties limit their practical use. The results presented here form the basis of soft, skin-compatible means for efficient photovoltaic generation and high-capacity storage of electrical power using dual-junction, compound semiconductor solar cells and chip-scale, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, respectively. Miniaturized components, deformable interconnects, optimized array layouts, and dual-composition elastomer substrates, superstrates, and encapsulation layers represent key features. Systematic studies of the materials and mechanics identify optimized designs, including unusual configurations that exploit a folded, multilayer construct to improve the functional density without adversely affecting the soft, stretchable characteristics. System-level examples exploit such technologies in fully wireless sensors for precision skin thermography, with capabilities in continuous data logging and local processing, validated through demonstrations on volunteer subjects in various realistic scenarios.

Soft, thin skin-mounted power management systems and their use in wireless thermography.

PubMed

Lee, Jung Woo; Xu, Renxiao; Lee, Seungmin; Jang, Kyung-In; Yang, Yichen; Banks, Anthony; Yu, Ki Jun; Kim, Jeonghyun; Xu, Sheng; Ma, Siyi; Jang, Sung Woo; Won, Phillip; Li, Yuhang; Kim, Bong Hoon; Choe, Jo Young; Huh, Soojeong; Kwon, Yong Ho; Huang, Yonggang; Paik, Ungyu; Rogers, John A

2016-05-31

Power supply represents a critical challenge in the development of body-integrated electronic technologies. Although recent research establishes an impressive variety of options in energy storage (batteries and supercapacitors) and generation (triboelectric, piezoelectric, thermoelectric, and photovoltaic devices), the modest electrical performance and/or the absence of soft, biocompatible mechanical properties limit their practical use. The results presented here form the basis of soft, skin-compatible means for efficient photovoltaic generation and high-capacity storage of electrical power using dual-junction, compound semiconductor solar cells and chip-scale, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, respectively. Miniaturized components, deformable interconnects, optimized array layouts, and dual-composition elastomer substrates, superstrates, and encapsulation layers represent key features. Systematic studies of the materials and mechanics identify optimized designs, including unusual configurations that exploit a folded, multilayer construct to improve the functional density without adversely affecting the soft, stretchable characteristics. System-level examples exploit such technologies in fully wireless sensors for precision skin thermography, with capabilities in continuous data logging and local processing, validated through demonstrations on volunteer subjects in various realistic scenarios.

Soft, thin skin-mounted power management systems and their use in wireless thermography

PubMed Central

Lee, Jung Woo; Xu, Renxiao; Lee, Seungmin; Jang, Kyung-In; Yang, Yichen; Banks, Anthony; Yu, Ki Jun; Kim, Jeonghyun; Xu, Sheng; Ma, Siyi; Jang, Sung Woo; Won, Phillip; Li, Yuhang; Kim, Bong Hoon; Choe, Jo Young; Huh, Soojeong; Kwon, Yong Ho; Huang, Yonggang; Paik, Ungyu; Rogers, John A.

2016-01-01

Power supply represents a critical challenge in the development of body-integrated electronic technologies. Although recent research establishes an impressive variety of options in energy storage (batteries and supercapacitors) and generation (triboelectric, piezoelectric, thermoelectric, and photovoltaic devices), the modest electrical performance and/or the absence of soft, biocompatible mechanical properties limit their practical use. The results presented here form the basis of soft, skin-compatible means for efficient photovoltaic generation and high-capacity storage of electrical power using dual-junction, compound semiconductor solar cells and chip-scale, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, respectively. Miniaturized components, deformable interconnects, optimized array layouts, and dual-composition elastomer substrates, superstrates, and encapsulation layers represent key features. Systematic studies of the materials and mechanics identify optimized designs, including unusual configurations that exploit a folded, multilayer construct to improve the functional density without adversely affecting the soft, stretchable characteristics. System-level examples exploit such technologies in fully wireless sensors for precision skin thermography, with capabilities in continuous data logging and local processing, validated through demonstrations on volunteer subjects in various realistic scenarios. PMID:27185907

Sub-Periosteal Dissection with Denture-Guided Epithelial Regeneration: A Novel Method for Peri-Implant Soft Tissue Management in Reconstructed Mandibles.

PubMed

Kumar, Vinay V; Jacob, P C; Kuriakose, Moni A

2016-12-01

In patients with reconstructed mandibles using free fibula flaps, management of soft tissues around implants supporting dental rehabilitation, is often a clinical problem. The aim of this paper is to describe a new technique, namely "Sub-periosteal dissection and denture-guided epithelial regeneration (SD-DGER)", as a method of peri-implant soft tissue management in these patients. The technique consists of performing a subperiosteal dissection with creation of buccal and lingual flaps. These flaps form the buccal and lingual vestibule. Implants are placed and an interim denture is immediately loaded onto the implants to guide the regenerated epithelium. A keratinized mucosal layer is formed on the bare fibula bone in six months time. This technique was successful in producing fixed keratinized epithelial tissue around implants in patients with mandibles reconstructed using the free fibula flap in patients who did not undergo radiotherapy. The sub-periosteal dissection with denture guided epithelial regeneration is a predictable form of peri-implant soft tissue management in selected patients with reconstructed jaws.

Air-coupled acoustic radiation force for non-contact generation of broadband mechanical waves in soft media

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

Ambroziński, Łukasz; AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow 30059; Pelivanov, Ivan, E-mail: ivanp3@uw.edu

A non-contact method for efficient, non-invasive excitation of mechanical waves in soft media is proposed, in which we focus an ultrasound (US) signal through air onto the surface of a medium under study. The US wave reflected from the air/medium interface provides radiation force to the medium surface that launches a transient mechanical wave in the transverse (lateral) direction. The type of mechanical wave is determined by boundary conditions. To prove this concept, a home-made 1 MHz piezo-ceramic transducer with a matching layer to air sends a chirped US signal centered at 1 MHz to a 1.6 mm thick gelatin phantom mimicking softmore » biological tissue. A phase-sensitive (PhS)-optical coherence tomography system is used to track/image the mechanical wave. The reconstructed transient displacement of the mechanical wave in space and time demonstrates highly efficient generation, thus offering great promise for non-contact, non-invasive characterization of soft media, in general, and for elasticity measurements in delicate soft tissues and organs in bio-medicine, in particular.« less

Wall fluidization in two acts: from stiff to soft roughness.

PubMed

Derzsi, Ladislav; Filippi, Daniele; Lulli, Matteo; Mistura, Giampaolo; Bernaschi, Massimo; Garstecki, Piotr; Sbragaglia, Mauro; Pierno, Matteo

2018-02-14

Fluidization of soft glassy materials (SGMs) in microfluidic channels is affected by the wall roughness in the form of microtexturing. When SGMs flow across microgrooves, their constituents are likely trapped within the grooves' gap, and the way they are released locally modifies the fluidization close to the walls. By leveraging a suitable combination of experiments and numerical simulations on concentrated emulsions (a model SGM), we quantitatively report the existence of two physically different scenarios. When the gap is large compared to the droplets in the emulsion, the droplets hit the solid obstacles and easily escape scrambling with their neighbors. Conversely, as the gap spacing is reduced, droplets get trapped inside, creating a "soft roughness" layer, i.e. a complementary series of deformable posts from which overlying droplets are in turn released. In both cases, the induced fluidization scales with the grooves' density, although with a reduced prefactor for narrow gaps, accounting for the softness of the roughness. Both scenarios are also well distinguished via the statistics of the droplets displacement field close to the walls, with large deviations induced by the surface roughness, depending on its stiffness.

Mutual capacitance of liquid conductors in deformable tactile sensing arrays

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

Li, Bin; Fontecchio, Adam K.; Visell, Yon

2016-01-04

Advances in highly deformable electronics are needed in order to enable emerging categories of soft computing devices ranging from wearable electronics, to medical devices, and soft robotic components. The combination of highly elastic substrates with intrinsically stretchable conductors holds the promise of enabling electronic sensors that can conform to curved objects, reconfigurable displays, or soft biological tissues, including the skin. Here, we contribute sensing principles for tactile (mechanical image) sensors based on very low modulus polymer substrates with embedded liquid metal microfluidic arrays. The sensors are fabricated using a single-step casting method that utilizes fine nylon filaments to produce arraysmore » of cylindrical channels on two layers. The liquid metal (gallium indium alloy) conductors that fill these channels readily adopt the shape of the embedding membrane, yielding levels of deformability greater than 400%, due to the use of soft polymer substrates. We modeled the sensor performance using electrostatic theory and continuum mechanics, yielding excellent agreement with experiments. Using a matrix-addressed capacitance measurement technique, we are able to resolve strain distributions with millimeter resolution over areas of several square centimeters.« less

Durability assessment of soft elastomeric capacitor skin for SHM of wind turbine blades

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Downey, Austin; Pisello, Anna Laura; Fortunati, Elena; Fabiani, Claudia; Luzi, Francesca; Torre, Luigi; Ubertini, Filippo; Laflamme, Simon

2018-03-01

Renewable energy production has become a key research driver during the last decade. Wind energy represents a ready technology for large-scale implementation in locations all around the world. While important research is conducted to optimize wind energy production efficiency, a critical issue consists of monitoring the structural integrity and functionality of these large structures during their operational life cycle. This paper investigates the durability of a soft elastomeric capacitor strain sensing membrane, designed for structural health monitoring of wind turbines, when exposed to aggressive environmental conditions. The sensor is a capacitor made of three thin layers of an SEBS polymer in a sandwich configuration. The inner layer is doped with titania and acts as the dielectric, while the external layers are filled with carbon black and work as the conductive plates. Here, a variety of samples, not limited to the sensor configuration but also including its dielectric layer, were fabricated and tested within an accelerated weathering chamber (QUV) by simulating thermal, humidity, and UV radiation cycles. A variety of other tests were performed in order to characterize their mechanical, thermal, and electrical performance in addition to their solar reflectance. These tests were carried out before and after the QUV exposures of 1, 7, 15, and 30 days. The tests showed that titania inclusions improved the sensor durability against weathering. These findings contribute to better understanding the field behavior of these skin sensors, while future developments will concern the analysis of the sensing properties of the skin after aging.

A nanometric cushion for enhancing scratch and wear resistance of hard films

PubMed Central

Gotlib-Vainshtein, Katya; Girshevitz, Olga; Barlam, David

2014-01-01

Summary Scratch resistance and friction are core properties which define the tribological characteristics of materials. Attempts to optimize these quantities at solid surfaces are the subject of intense technological interest. The capability to modulate these surface properties while preserving both the bulk properties of the materials and a well-defined, constant chemical composition of the surface is particularly attractive. We report herein the use of a soft, flexible underlayer to control the scratch resistance of oxide surfaces. Titania films of several nm thickness are coated onto substrates of silicon, kapton, polycarbonate, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The scratch resistance measured by scanning force microscopy is found to be substrate dependent, diminishing in the order PDMS, kapton/polycarbonate, Si/SiO2. Furthermore, when PDMS is applied as an intermediate layer between a harder substrate and titania, marked improvement in the scratch resistance is achieved. This is shown by quantitative wear tests for silicon or kapton, by coating these substrates with PDMS which is subsequently capped by a titania layer, resulting in enhanced scratch/wear resistance. The physical basis of this effect is explored by means of Finite Element Analysis, and we suggest a model for friction reduction based on the "cushioning effect” of a soft intermediate layer. PMID:25161836

How people used ochre at Rose Cottage Cave, South Africa: Sixty thousand years of evidence from the Middle Stone Age

PubMed Central

Wadley, Lyn

2017-01-01

We describe colour, hardness, grain size, geological type and surface modifications of ochre pieces excavated, first by Malan and later by Harper, from the Middle Stone Age (MSA) of Rose Cottage Cave, 96, 000 to 30, 000 years ago. Soft, bright-red shales are abundant, and most ochre has clayey or silty grain sizes. The post-Howiesons Poort layers contain the most ochre pieces, but the Howiesons Poort layers have the highest frequency of ochre per sediment volume. The pre-Howiesons Poort layers have the highest utilization rate. Use-traces include rubbing, grinding, combined grinding and rubbing, and rare instances of scoring. The processing techniques are proxies for ochre use. Rubbing transfers red ochre powder directly onto soft surfaces, such as human skin, or animal hide. This is appropriate when skin colouring and marking or skin protection (for example from sun, insects or bacteria) is the purpose. Grinding produces ochre powder that can be used for a variety of tasks. It can be mixed with water or other products to create paint, cosmetics or adhesives. Multiple uses of ochre powder and ochre pieces are therefore implied at Rose Cottage and changes through time are apparent. PMID:28445491

Surface waves on a soft viscoelastic layer produced by an oscillating microbubble.

PubMed

Tinguely, Marc; Hennessy, Matthew G; Pommella, Angelo; Matar, Omar K; Garbin, Valeria

2016-05-14

Ultrasound-driven bubbles can cause significant deformation of soft viscoelastic layers, for instance in surface cleaning and biomedical applications. The effect of the viscoelastic properties of a boundary on the bubble-boundary interaction has been explored only qualitatively, and remains poorly understood. We investigate the dynamic deformation of a viscoelastic layer induced by the volumetric oscillations of an ultrasound-driven microbubble. High-speed video microscopy is used to observe the deformation produced by a bubble oscillating at 17-20 kHz in contact with the surface of a hydrogel. The localised oscillating pressure applied by the bubble generates surface elastic (Rayleigh) waves on the gel, characterised by elliptical particle trajectories. The tilt angle of the elliptical trajectories varies with increasing distance from the bubble. Unexpectedly, the direction of rotation of the surface elements on the elliptical trajectories shifts from prograde to retrograde at a distance from the bubble that depends on the viscoelastic properties of the gel. To explain these behaviours, we develop a simple three-dimensional model for the deformation of a viscoelastic solid by a localised oscillating force. By using as input for the model the values of the shear modulus obtained from the propagation velocity of the Rayleigh waves, we find good qualitative agreement with the experimental observations.

Global Maps of Lunar Neutron Fluxes from the LEND Instrument

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Litvak, M. L.; Mitrofanov, I. G.; Sanin, A.; Malakhov, A.; Boynton, W. V.; Chin, G.; Droege, G.; Evans, L. G.; Garvin, J.; Golovin, D. V.;

Correlation of Lunar South Polar Epithermal Neutron Maps: Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector and Lunar Prospector Neutron Detector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McClanahan, Timothy P.; Mitrofanov, I. G.; Boynton, W. V.; Sagdeev, R.; Trombka, J. I.; Starr, R. D.; Evans, L. G.; Litvak, M. L.; Chin, G.; Garvin, J.;

Treatment of a case of subacute lumbar compartment syndrome using the Graston technique.

PubMed

Hammer, Warren I; Pfefer, Mark T

2005-01-01

To discuss subacute lumbar compartment syndrome and its treatment using a soft tissue mobilization technique. A patient presented with low back pain related to exercise combined with prolonged flexion posture. The symptoms were relieved with rest and lumbar extension. The patient had restrictive lumbar fascia in flexion and rotation and no neurological deficits. The restrictive lumbar posterior fascial layers and adjoining restrictive fascia (thoracic, gluteal, hamstring) were treated with a form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization called the Graston technique. Restoration of fascial extensibility and resolution of the complaint occurred after 6 treatment visits. The posterior spinal fascial compartments may be responsible for intermittent lower back pain. Functional clinical tests can be employed to determine whether the involved fascia is abnormally restrictive. Treatment directed at the restrictive fascia using this soft tissue technique may result in improved fascial functional testing and reduction of symptoms.

Where is the X-ray emission coming from in RT Cru Symbiotic System?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karovska, Margarita

2014-11-01

RT Cru is a member of a new sub-class of symbiotic interacting binaries with copious hard X-ray emission. It consists of a high-mass WD (>1.3 Ms) accreting from the wind of an M giant, and it is an important system to study in order to constrain precursor conditions for asymmetric PN and SN Ia. The Chandra HRC-I observation (Dec 2012), and an overlapping Swift observation, detected intermittent soft X-ray flaring, and we find evidence for a significant soft component in the spectrum. The flaring could be a consequence of clumped absorption columns moving in and out of the line of sight, or the variations could be due to changes at the accretion boundary layer. Further observations are needed to determine the origin of the soft emission and its relation to the hard emission.

Nanopatched Graphene with Molecular Self-Assembly Toward Graphene-Organic Hybrid Soft Electronics.

PubMed

Kang, Boseok; Lee, Seong Kyu; Jung, Jaehyuck; Joe, Minwoong; Lee, Seon Baek; Kim, Jinsung; Lee, Changgu; Cho, Kilwon

2018-06-01

Increasing the mechanical durability of large-area polycrystalline single-atom-thick materials is a necessary step toward the development of practical and reliable soft electronics based on these materials. Here, it is shown that the surface assembly of organosilane by weak epitaxy forms nanometer-thick organic patches on a monolayer graphene surface and dramatically increases the material's resistance to harsh postprocessing environments, thereby increasing the number of ways in which graphene can be processed. The nanopatched graphene with the improved mechanical durability enables stable operation when used as transparent electrodes of wearable strain sensors. Also, the nanopatched graphene applied as an electrode modulates the molecular orientation of deposited organic semiconductor layers, and yields favorable nominal charge injection for organic transistors. These results demonstrate the potential for use of self-assembled organic nanopatches in graphene-based soft electronics. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Hierarchical porous carbons with layer-by-layer motif architectures from confined soft-template self-assembly in layered materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jie; Tang, Jing; Ding, Bing; Malgras, Victor; Chang, Zhi; Hao, Xiaodong; Wang, Ya; Dou, Hui; Zhang, Xiaogang; Yamauchi, Yusuke

2017-06-01

Although various two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have been explored as promising capacitive materials due to their unique layered structure, their natural restacking tendency impedes electrolyte transport and significantly restricts their practical applications. Herein, we synthesize all-carbon layer-by-layer motif architectures by introducing 2D ordered mesoporous carbons (OMC) within the interlayer space of 2D nanomaterials. As a proof of concept, MXenes are selected as 2D hosts to design 2D-2D heterostructures. Further removing the metal elements from MXenes leads to the formation of all-carbon 2D-2D heterostructures consisting of alternating layers of MXene-derived carbon (MDC) and OMC. The OMC layers intercalated with the MDC layers not only prevent restacking but also facilitate ion diffusion and electron transfer. The performance of the obtained hybrid carbons as supercapacitor electrodes demonstrates their potential for upcoming electronic devices. This method allows to overcome the restacking and blocking of 2D nanomaterials by constructing ion-accessible OMC within the 2D host material.