Comparative analysis of static and switching performance of 1.2 kV commercial SiC transistors for high power density applications

This paper presents a critical comparison of static and switching performance of commercially available 1.2 kV SiC BJTs, MOSFETs and JFETs with 1.2 kV Si IGBTs. The experiments conducted are mainly focussed on investigating the temperature dependence of device performance. As an emerging commercial device, special emphasis is placed on SiC BJTs. The experimental data indicate that the SiC BJTs have relatively smaller conduction, off-state and turn-off switching losses, in comparison to the other devices. Furthermore, SiC BJTs have demonstrated much higher static current gain values in comparison to their silicon counterparts, thereby minimising driver losses. Based on the results, the suitability of SiC devices for high power density applications has been discussed. © 2013 IEEE.

Physical properties of a hybrid and a nanohybrid dental light-cured resin composite.

This work was aimed at the study of some physical properties of two current light-cured dental resin composites, Rok (hybrid) and Ice (nanohydrid). As filler they both contain strontium aluminosilicate particles, however, with different size distribution, 40 nm-2.5 mum for Rok and 10 nm-1 mum for Ice. The resin matrix of Rok consists of UDMA, that of Ice of UDMA, Bis-EMA and TEGDMA. Degree of conversion was determined by FT-IR analysis. The flexural strength and modulus were measured using a three-point bending set-up according to the ISO-4049 specification. Sorption, solubility and volumetric change were measured after storage of composites in water or ethanol/water (75 vol%) for 1 day, 7 or 30 days. Thermogravimetric analysis was performed in air and nitrogen atmosphere from 30 to 700 degrees C. Surface roughness and morphology of the composites was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The degree of conversion was found to be 56.9% for Rok and 61.0% for Ice. The flexural strength of Rok does not significantly differ from that of Ice, while the flexural modulus of Rok is higher than that of Ice. The flexural strengths of Rok and Ice did not show any significant change after immersion in water or ethanol solution for 30 days. The flexural modulus of Rok and Ice did not show any significant change either after immersion in water for 30 days, while it decreased significantly, even after 1 day immersion, in ethanol solution. Ice sorbed a higher amount of water and ethanol solution than Rok and showed a higher volume increase. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that Rok contains about 80 wt% inorganic filler and Ice about 75 wt%.

Viscoelastic analysis of single-component and composite PEG and alginate hydrogels

Hydrogels, three-dimensional hydrophilic polymer networks, are appealing candidate materials for studying the cellular microenvironment as their substantial water content helps to better mimic soft tissue. However, hydrogels can lack mechanical stiffness, strength, and toughness. Composite hydrogel systems have been shown to improve upon mechanical properties compared to their singlecomponent counterparts. Poly (ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) and alginate are polymers that have been used to form hydrogels for biological applications. Singlecomponent and composite PEGDMA and alginate systems were fabricated with a range of total polymer concentrations. Bulk gels were mechanically characterized using spherical indentation testing and a viscoelastic analysis framework. An increase in shear modulus with increasing polymer concentration was demonstrated for all systems. Alginate hydrogels were shown to have a smaller viscoelastic ratio than the PEGDMA gels, indicating more extensive relaxation over time. Composite alginate and PEGDMA hydrogels exhibited a combination of the mechanical properties of the constituents, as well as a qualitative increase in toughness. Additionally, multiple hydrogel systems were produced that had similar shear moduli, but different viscoelastic behaviors. Accurate measurement of the mechanical properties of hydrogels is necessary in order to determine what parameters are key in modeling the cellular microenvironment. © 2014 The Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics; Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Widely tunable picosecond fiber ring laser mode-locked by a single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT)-polycarbonate composite film saturable absorber

A widely tunable fiber ring laser, utilising a SWNT/polycarbonate film mode-locker and a 3-nm tunable filter, has been realized. 2.3ps pulse generation over 27nm spectral range is achieved for a constant pump power of 25mW. © 2007 Optical Society of America.

Widely tunable picosecond fiber ring laser mode-locked by a single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT)-polycarbonate composite film saturable absorber

A widely tunable fiber ring laser, utilising a SWNT/polycarbonate film mode-locker and a 3-nm tunable filter, has been realized. 2.3ps pulse generation over 27nm spectral range is achieved for a constant pump power of 25mW. © 2008 Optical Society of America.

Viability and performance of demountable composite connectors

Material production, and associated carbon emissions, could be reduced by reusing products instead of landfilling or recycling them. Steel beams are well suited to reuse, but are difficult to reuse when connected compositely to concrete slabs using welded studs. A demountable connection would allow composite performance but also permit reuse of both components at end-of-life. Three composite beams, of 2 m, 10 m and 5 m length, are constructed using M20 bolts as demountable shear connectors. The beams are tested in three-, six- and four-point bending, respectively. The former two are loaded to service, unloaded, demounted and reassembled; all three are tested to failure. The results show that all three have higher strengths than predicted using Eurocode 4. The longer specimens have performance similar to previously published comparable welded-connector composite beam results. This suggests that demountable composite beams can be safely used and practically reused, thus reducing carbon emissions. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.