Interface tailoring for adhesion enhancement of diamond-like carbon thin films

We have explored the suitability and characteristics of interface tailoring as a tool for enhancing the adhesion of hydrogen-free diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films to silicon substrates. DLC films were deposited on silicon with and without application of an initial high energy carbon ion bombardment phase that formed a broad Si-C interface of gradually changing Si:C composition. The interface depth profile was calculated using the TRIDYN simulation program, revealing a gradient of carbon concentration including a region with the stoichiometry of silicon carbide. DLC films on silicon, with and without interface tailoring, were characterized using Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and scratch tests. The Raman spectroscopy results indicated sp3-type carbon bonding content of up to 80%. Formation of a broadened Si:C interface as formed here significantly enhances the adhesion of DLC films to the underlying silicon substrate. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Approach to Food and Nutrition issues in Teaching Materials in Elementary School: interface with food and nutritional security and national curriculum parameters

Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) must be ensured to everybody. The school environment is favorable to the formation of healthy habits and citizenship. The National Curriculum Parameters (PCNs) guide the promotion of health concepts in a transversal way in the school curriculum. This study aimed to identify and analyze the approach used for food and nutrition themes in Fundamental Education's teaching material and its interface with the concept of FNS and the PCNs. Documental research was conducted on the teaching material from 5th to 8th grades of Fundamental Education in Public School of the state of Sao Paulo. The diffuse presence of food and nutrition themes was found in most disciplines in all bimesters in the four series, which shows the interdisciplinarity in health. It was found that the PCNs are related to the concept of SAN in its various aspects and that most subjects include topics that approach this relationship. In the correlation between themes, there is emphasis to health promotion and food production. The methodology used in the teaching material presents the theme, but not the correspondent content, what made the analysis of its suitability impossible. We conclude that there is the approach of the issues related to food and nutrition in the teaching material, some of them in an inconsistent way; it is the educators' task to select the contents and the appropriate strategy, doing an effort of constant update. This isbeing proposed by the State, however it is not accessible to all professionals and therefore still depends on the initiative of each teacher.