Self-aligned high-resolution printed polymer transistors

A process to fabricate solution-processable thin-film transistors (TFTs) with a one-step self-aligned definition of the dimensions in all functional layers is demonstrated. The TFT-channel, semiconductor materials, and effective gate dimention of different layers are determined by a one-step imprint process and the subsequent pattern transfer without the need for multiple patterning and mask alignment. The process is compatible with fabrication of large-scale circuits. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Fabrication and testing of a high resolution extensometer based on resonant MEMS strain sensors

A novel type of linear extensometer with exceptionally high resolution of 4 nm based on MEMS resonant strain sensors bonded on steel and operating in a vacuum package is presented. The tool is implemented by means of a steel thin bar that can be pre-stressed in tension within two fixing anchors. The extension of the bar is detected by using two vacuum-packaged resonant MEMS double- ended tuning fork (DETF) sensors bonded on the bar with epoxy glue, one of which is utilized for temperature compensation. Both sensors are driven by a closed loop self-oscillating transresistance amplifier feedback scheme implemented on a PCB (Printed Circuit Board). On the same board, a microcontroller-based frequency measurement circuit is also implemented, which is able to count the square wave fronts of the MEMS oscillator output with a resolution of 20 nsec. The system provides a frequency noise of 0.2 Hz corresponding to an extension resolution of 4 nm for the extensometer. Nearly perfect temperature compensation of the frequency output is achieved in the temperature range 20-35 C using the reference sensor. © 2011 IEEE.

Genome-wide high-resolution mapping and functional analysis of DNA methylation in arabidopsis.

Cytosine methylation is important for transposon silencing and epigenetic regulation of endogenous genes, although the extent to which this DNA modification functions to regulate the genome is still unknown. Here we report the first comprehensive DNA methylation map of an entire genome, at 35 base pair resolution, using the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana as a model. We find that pericentromeric heterochromatin, repetitive sequences, and regions producing small interfering RNAs are heavily methylated. Unexpectedly, over one-third of expressed genes contain methylation within transcribed regions, whereas only approximately 5% of genes show methylation within promoter regions. Interestingly, genes methylated in transcribed regions are highly expressed and constitutively active, whereas promoter-methylated genes show a greater degree of tissue-specific expression. Whole-genome tiling-array transcriptional profiling of DNA methyltransferase null mutants identified hundreds of genes and intergenic noncoding RNAs with altered expression levels, many of which may be epigenetically controlled by DNA methylation.

Carbon nanotubes: carbon nanotube based high resolution holograms (adv. Mater. 44/2012).

By using carbon nanotubes as the smallest possible scattering element, light can be diffracted in a highly controlled manner to produce a 2D image, as reported by Haider Butt and co-workers on page OP331. An array of carbon nanotubes is elegantly patterned to produce a high resolution hologram. In response to incident light on the hologram, a high contrast and wide field of view "CAMBRIDGE" image is produced.

High-resolution γ-ray spectroscopy: A versatile tool for nuclear β-decay studies at TRIUMF-ISAC

High-resolution γ-ray spectroscopy is essential to fully exploit the unique, high-quality beams available at the next generation of radioactive ion beam facilities such as the TRIUMF isotope separator and accelerator (ISAC). The 8π spectrometer, which consists of 20 Compton-suppressed HPGe detectors, has recently been reconfigured for a vigorous research programme in weak interaction and nuclear structure physics. With the addition of a variety of ancillary detectors it has become the world's most powerful device dedicated to β-decay studies. This paper provides a brief overview of the apparatus and highlights from recent experiments. © 2005 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Carbon nanotube based high resolution holograms.

Carbon nanotubes are used as the smallest possible scattering element for diffracting light in a highly controlled manner to produce a 2D image. An array of carbon nanotubes is elegantly patterned to produce a high resolution hologram. In response to incident light on the hologram, a high contrast and wide field of view CAMBRIDGE image is produced.

A high-resolution atlas and statistical model of the human heart from multislice CT

Atlases and statistical models play important roles in the personalization and simulation of cardiac physiology. For the study of the heart, however, the construction of comprehensive atlases and spatio-temporal models is faced with a number of challenges, in particular the need to handle large and highly variable image datasets, the multi-region nature of the heart, and the presence of complex as well as small cardiovascular structures. In this paper, we present a detailed atlas and spatio-temporal statistical model of the human heart based on a large population of 3D+time multi-slice computed tomography sequences, and the framework for its construction. It uses spatial normalization based on nonrigid image registration to synthesize a population mean image and establish the spatial relationships between the mean and the subjects in the population. Temporal image registration is then applied to resolve each subject-specific cardiac motion and the resulting transformations are used to warp a surface mesh representation of the atlas to fit the images of the remaining cardiac phases in each subject. Subsequently, we demonstrate the construction of a spatio-temporal statistical model of shape such that the inter-subject and dynamic sources of variation are suitably separated. The framework is applied to a 3D+time data set of 138 subjects. The data is drawn from a variety of pathologies, which benefits its generalization to new subjects and physiological studies. The obtained level of detail and the extendability of the atlas present an advantage over most cardiac models published previously. © 1982-2012 IEEE.

High-resolution strain sensing on steel by Silicon-On-Insulator flexural resonators fabricated with chip-level vacuum packaging

This paper reports on the fabrication and characterization of high-resolution strain sensors for steel based on Silicon On Insulator flexural resonators manufactured with chip-level LPCVD vacuum packaging. The sensors present high sensitivity (120 Hz/μ), very high resolution (4 n), low drift, and near-perfect reversibility in bending tests performed in both tensile and compressive strain regimes. © 2013 IEEE.

High resolution direct measurement of temperature distribution in silicon nanophotonics devices.

Following the miniaturization of photonic devices and the increase in data rates, the issues of self heating and heat removal in active nanophotonic devices should be considered and studied in more details. In this paper we use the approach of Scanning Thermal Microscopy (SThM) to obtain an image of the temperature field of a silicon micro ring resonator with sub-micron spatial resolution. The temperature rise in the device is a result of self heating which is caused by free carrier absorption in the doped silicon. The temperature is measured locally and directly using a temperature sensitive AFM probe. We show that this local temperature measurement is feasible in the photonic device despite the perturbation that is introduced by the probe. Using the above method we observed a significant self heating of about 10 degrees within the device.