Engineering thin films of magnetic alloys and semiconductor oxides at the nanoscale

The thesis aims to exploit properties of thin films for applications such as spintronics, UV detection and gas sensing. Nanoscale thin films devices have myriad advantages and compatibility with Si-based integrated circuits processes. Two distinct classes of material systems are investigated, namely ferromagnetic thin films and semiconductor oxides. To aid the designing of devices, the surface properties of the thin films were investigated by using electron and photon characterization techniques including Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). These are complemented by nanometer resolved local proximal probes such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), magnetic force microscopy (MFM), electric force microscopy (EFM), and scanning tunneling microscopy to elucidate the interplay between stoichiometry, morphology, chemical states, crystallization, magnetism, optical transparency, and electronic properties. Specifically, I studied the effect of annealing on the surface stoichiometry of the CoFeB/Cu system by in-situ AES and discovered that magnetic nanoparticles with controllable areal density can be produced. This is a good alternative for producing nanoparticles using a maskless process. Additionally, I studied the behavior of magnetic domain walls of the low coercivity alloy CoFeB patterned nanowires. MFM measurement with the in-plane magnetic field showed that, compared to their permalloy counterparts, CoFeB nanowires require a much smaller magnetization switching field , making them promising for low-power-consumption domain wall motion based devices. With oxides, I studied CuO nanoparticles on SnO2 based UV photodetectors (PDs), and discovered that they promote the responsivity by facilitating charge transfer with the formed nanoheterojunctions. I also demonstrated UV PDs with spectrally tunable photoresponse with the bandgap engineered ZnMgO. The bandgap of the alloyed ZnMgO thin films was tailored by varying the Mg contents and AES was demonstrated as a surface scientific approach to assess the alloying of ZnMgO. With gas sensors, I discovered the rf-sputtered anatase-TiO2 thin films for a selective and sensitive NO2 detection at room temperature, under UV illumination. The implementation of UV enhances the responsivity, response and recovery rate of the TiO2 sensor towards NO2 significantly. Evident from the high resolution XPS and AFM studies, the surface contamination and morphology of the thin films degrade the gas sensing response. I also demonstrated that surface additive metal nanoparticles on thin films can improve the response and the selectivity of oxide based sensors. I employed nanometer-scale scanning probe microscopy to study a novel gas senor scheme consisting of gallium nitride (GaN) nanowires with functionalizing oxides layer. The results suggested that AFM together with EFM is capable of discriminating low-conductive materials at the nanoscale, providing a nondestructive method to quantitatively relate sensing response to the surface morphology.

A review of the South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank

Members of the General Assembly asked the Legislative Audit Council to review the operations of the South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank, a state agency that awards grants and loans to local and state agencies primarily for large transportation construction projects. The primary audit objectives were to review compliance with state law and policies regarding: The awarding of grants and loans for transportation construction projects ; The use of project revenues and whether funds dedicated to specific projects have been comingled with funds dedicated to other projects ;• Proper accounting and reporting procedures ; The process for repayment of revenue bonds ; Hiring of consultants, attorneys, and bond credit rating agencies ; Ethics.

Legal consideration on Convention for the Prevention of Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (at sea) and assessment of its implementation in Iran (The London [dumping] Convention)

Making use of sea, as a place for dumping of wastes and other materials from human activities wasn’t forbidden before creation of the convention on the prevention of marine pollution by dumping of wastes and other matters (London Convention). Therefore, industrial countries, without any specific consideration, were dumping their wastes into the world’s seas. Many years and before the beginning of rapid development of industry, the great self- purification of seas were preventing some of discharging problems. But gradually, the increase of industrial development activities, exceeded the production of wastes and other matters, and this led to the misuse of world’s seas and oceans as a dump site. One of the most important consequences of 1972 Stockholm World Conference was to focusing world attention on threats have jeopardized marine environment balance. World countries` leaders committed in Stockholm to begin protecting the environment. Finally, this movement at marine environment section led to the creation of London Convention in the same year. London Convention was concluded for cooperating between countries at December 29, 1972 to promote effective control of all marine environment polluting resources and to prevent marine pollution by dumping wastes and other matters. Then it was opened for signature to other countries. At last, after 15 states signature, this convention was entered in to force at August 30.1975. Ratification and execution of London Convention resulted in coordinated performance of countries in marine waste management. Common actions with supports and cooperation of different international, regional, governmental and non-governmental organizations and agencies prevent marine pollution by dumping of wastes and other matters. Due to the importance of wastes in our marine and coastal areas, investigation of the performance of London Convention can identify the lack of regulations and lack of regulation supports about marine pollution prevention by dumping of wastes and other matters in Iran. Considering this issue, proper protection of seas will be achieved. London Convention has been studied here to achieve intended purposes. In first chapter, generalities about marine environment, including the importance and necessity of marine environment protection, with the focus on some internal and international resources of environmental law accompanying with marine pollution and its recourses, and finally, due to the study theme, dumping of wastes and other matters at seas with its impacts have been investigated .In the section of international measures, a brief history of marine pollution and marine environment international law with international law framework, exclusively for controlling of wastes and other material discharge at seas and oceans has been reviewed. In second chapter, obligations, amendments, and annexes of London Convention have been investigated and classified. The obligations have been categorized in to legal obligations and technical and organizational obligations. In former section, subject ,purpose, territory, exceptions, rights and duties of parties, convention amendments,… and in latter, special requirements for wastes assessment, determination of pollutants` permissible limit, site selection and type of discharge selection, design principles for marine environment quality monitoring program, and discharge license issuance mechanism have been studied. In third chapter, due to the examination of convention performance in Iran, the internal law system for marine environment conservation and its pollution has been mentioned in detail. Considering this, two issues have been compared .firstly, convention obligations with regional treaties that Iran as a party to them and secondly, Iranian internal law there of .Finally, common and different aspects of these issues have been determined. At last, recommendations and strategies for convention enforcement and conformity of its obligations with internal regulations have been presented. Furthermore, translation of convention English text has been reviewed and its protocol has been translated.

Shaping surface acoustic waves for cardiac tissue engineering

The heart is a non-regenerating organ that gradually suffers a loss of cardiac cells and functionality. Given the scarcity of organ donors and complications in existing medical implantation solutions, it is desired to engineer a three-dimensional architecture to successfully control the cardiac cells in vitro and yield true myocardial structures similar to native heart. This thesis investigates the synthesis of a biocompatible gelatin methacrylate hydrogel to promote growth of cardiac cells using biotechnology methodology: surface acoustic waves, to create cell sheets. Firstly, the synthesis of a photo-crosslinkable gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogel was investigated with different degree of methacrylation concentration. The porous matrix of the hydrogel should be biocompatible, allow cell-cell interaction and promote cell adhesion for growth through the porous network of matrix. The rheological properties, such as polymer concentration, ultraviolet exposure time, viscosity, elasticity and swelling characteristics of the hydrogel were investigated. In tissue engineering hydrogels have been used for embedding cells to mimic native microenvironments while controlling the mechanical properties. Gelatin methacrylate hydrogels have the advantage of allowing such control of mechanical properties in addition to easy compatibility with Lab-on-a-chip methodologies. Secondly in this thesis, standing surface acoustic waves were used to control the degree of movement of cells in the hydrogel and produce three-dimensional engineered scaffolds to investigate in-vitro studies of cardiac muscle electrophysiology and cardiac tissue engineering therapies for myocardial infarction. The acoustic waves were characterized on a piezoelectric substrate, lithium niobate that was micro-fabricated with slanted-finger interdigitated transducers for to generate waves at multiple wavelengths. This characterization successfully created three-dimensional micro-patterning of cells in the constructs through means of one- and two-dimensional non-invasive forces. The micro-patterning was controlled by tuning different input frequencies that allowed manipulation of the cells spatially without any pre- treatment of cells, hydrogel or substrate. This resulted in a synchronous heartbeat being produced in the hydrogel construct. To complement these mechanical forces, work in dielectrophoresis was conducted centred on a method to pattern micro-particles. Although manipulation of particles were shown, difficulties were encountered concerning the close proximity of particles and hydrogel to the microfabricated electrode arrays, dependence on conductivity of hydrogel and difficult manoeuvrability of scaffold from the surface of electrodes precluded measurements on cardiac cells. In addition, COMSOL Multiphysics software was used to investigate the mechanical and electrical forces theoretically acting on the cells. Thirdly, in this thesis the cardiac electrophysiology was investigated using immunostaining techniques to visualize the growth of sarcomeres and gap junctions that promote cell-cell interaction and excitation-contraction of heart muscles. The physiological response of beating of co-cultured cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts was observed in a synchronous and simultaneous manner closely mimicking the native cardiac impulses. Further investigations were carried out by mechanically stimulating the cells in the three-dimensional hydrogel using standing surface acoustic waves and comparing with traditional two-dimensional flat surface coated with fibronectin. The electrophysiological responses of the cells under the effect of the mechanical stimulations yielded a higher magnitude of contractility, action potential and calcium transient.

O impacto das telenovelas brasileiras nos luandenses

Vivemos uma era em que os distintos pontos geográficos do globo se tornaram mais próximos em virtude do estreitamento proporcionado pelo profundo avanço tecnológico dos meios de transporte, mas também pela evolução vertiginosa das novas tecnologias de comunicação que têm permitido fazer com que eventos ocorridos numa determinada região do planeta sejam vistos num outro ponto geográfico, com diferença de apenas algumas horas ou mesmo em tempo real. Graças a esse avanço tecnológico e ao consequente desenvolvimento do processo comercial de transmissão e receção de sinal de televisão por satélite e/ou por cabo, a par do veloz fluxo de informação, são também disponibilizados aos recetores conteúdos de entretenimento que refletem práticas culturais com características marcadamente identitárias, de outras sociedades. Considerando que determinadas condicionantes históricas e económicas do mundo não possibilitam um fluxo bidirecional dos referidos produtos televisivos e o facto de as empresas prestadoras destes serviços se dedicarem exclusivamente à venda de produtos, cujos conteúdos retratam práticas culturais de determinados países (em melhores condições de desenvolvimento económico e tecnológico) existe a possibilidade de se estar diante de um processo de difusão cultural e de aculturação de que são alvo os cidadãos dos países recetores dos referidos conteúdos. Este trabalho pretende efetuar uma análise do impacto das telenovelas brasileiras no comportamento dos luandenses, baseando-se numa pesquisa desenvolvida nos sete municípios da Província de Luanda. Os resultados da pesquisa revelam a presença de componentes culturais brasileiras em práticas sociais dos luandenses há várias gerações e mostram o papel transformador que as telenovelas brasileiras continuam a desempenhar nesta sociedade. A ausência nos canais de televisão locais de mensagens e imagens das representações endógenas favorece a apropriação de práticas culturais exógenas emitidas pelas produções brasileiras e a sua ressignificação no quotidiano local.

Diferentes culturas, diferentes comportamentos de consumo : Brasil Vs Portugal

Mestrado em Marketing

A emergência das minorias étnicas no Brasil : agendamento das políticas públicas para comunidades quilombolas

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciência Política, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Política, 2014.

The Legal Character of Sino-African Tied Aid: Cunning Fox or Wise Dragon?

Paper presented by Charlotte Sieber-Gasser at the African IEL Network Conference, 5th-6th of May 2011, The Mandela Institute, Johannesburg (South Africa) Sino-African trade has seen a fifty-fold increase in the years 1999 to 2008. China became the second most important trading partner for the African economy and already overtook the US as the most important trading partner in some African regions. However, all of this trade is taking place independent from legal regulation by a preferential or other trade agreement. Interestingly, Sino-African trade has seen particular increase in countries that have agreed to tied aid arrangements with China. Taking a closer look at these tied aid arrangements (the so-called Angola-Model) reveals, that some aspects might indeed have a positive effect on Sino-African trade in general. Several grey areas might potentially conflict with WTO-law. However, tied aid is excluded from the GATS, the GATT, and the GPA – in other words, it is outside the sphere of WTO-law. The paper analyses three critical aspects of the Angola-Model version of tied aid with reference to WTO-law, and elaborates the importance of regulating trade-distorting aspects of modern tied aid.

Conservação e restauro de azulejo: metodologias de intervenção vs indicadores de compatibilidade

A escassez de parâmetros técnicos e científicos e o caráter subjetivo que em regra preside à escolha de determinado material, produto ou técnica suscitaram o interesse pelo presente tema onde se procurou aumentar as ferramentas de análise e de apoio à decisão em intervenções de conservação do património azulejar. Procurou compreender-se o azulejo a nível histórico, estético, técnico e material, estudando-o do ponto de vista físico, químico e mineralógico. Comparando o azulejo com as réplicas produzidas para intervenções de conservação e restauro estudadas, concluiu-se que as suas composições, química e mineralógica, são diferentes, embora não se verifiquem tantas dissemelhanças ao nível das propriedades físicas. As linhas orientadoras da conservação e restauro de azulejo foram lançadas por Santos Simões a partir dos anos 40 do séc. XX e, desde então, foi-se desenvolvendo um pouco à margem das restantes áreas de especialidade, mesmo ao nível do ensino. Os resultados do inquérito internacional junto dos profissionais que trabalham em conservação e restauro de azulejo in situ corroboram de certo modo este facto e, simultaneamente, permitem uma apreensão da situação atual. Constatou-se uma quase total ausência de documentação sobre intervenções realizadas, mas a análise de casos de estudo e de relatórios permitiu uma primeira sistematização da informação disponível segundo os materiais correntemente utilizados. Procedeu-se a uma identificação e tipificação de patologias decorrentes das intervenções procurando entender qual o papel que tiveram os materiais utilizados e as técnicas de intervenção no desempenho das intervenções. Os processos de reintegração volumétrica e cromática mereceram uma maior atenção, procedendo-se à simulação de todo o sistema, em contexto laboratorial, com base nos materiais correntemente utilizados. Os resultados revelam comportamento diferenciado dos materiais de origem orgânica e inorgânica, evidenciando estes últimos uma maior compatibilidade com o azulejo, mas um pior desempenho a médio/longo prazo. O reconhecimento das soluções mais ou menos compatíveis permitiu delinear uma metodologia de avaliação da compatibilidade, da eficácia e do desempenho dos materiais e das técnicas utilizadas, contribuindo também para a definição de algumas recomendações e de critérios de atuação; Abstract The lack of information found, when selecting a material, product or technique, to apply on a specific conservation treatment contributed to the interest on this topic. The historical, aesthetic and technical characteristics of the azulejo was researched by studying their physical, chemical and mineralogical properties. Comparing original azulejos with the replicas produced for conservation treatments studied, it was concluded that the chemical and mineralogical composition is different, although there are less dissimilarities in terms of physical properties. The guidelines for conservation and restoration were launched by Santos Simões in the 40s and since then, it has been developing a bit on the sidelines of the remaining areas of expertise, even at an educational level. The results of an international survey, near professionals working in conservation and restoration of azulejo in situ, corroborate this fact and simultaneously allow an insight of the current situation. It was found an almost complete lack of technical documentation about previous conservation interventions, but the analysis of existent case studies and intervention reports permitted a systematization of the available information, also considering the materials commonly used. The identification and characterization of damages resulting from interventions, was performed trying to establish a correlation with the materials used and intervention techniques. The attention focused on the study of the infills and chromatic reintegration and a simulation of the entire system was developed, in a laboratory context, on the basis of commonly used materials. The results reveal a distinct behavior between the organic and inorganic materials, showing the latter greater compatibility with the azulejos but a worse medium/long-term performance. The recognition of more or less compatible solutions allowed to outline a methodology to evaluate the compatibility, efficiency and performance of materials and techniques used, also contributing to define some recommendations and action criteria.

Estudo da sinterização de eletrólito sólido de céria dopada com gadolínia

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy in electrical energy by a reaction directly. The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) works in temperature between 900ºC up to 1000ºC, Nowadays the most material for ceramic electrolytes is yttria stabilized zirconium. However, the high operation temperature can produce problems as instability and incompatibility of materials, thermal degradation and high cost of the surround materials. These problems can be reduced with the development of intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC) that works at temperature range of 600ºC to 800ºC. Ceria doped gadolinium is one of the most promising materials for electrolytes IT-SOFC due high ionic conductivity and good compatibility with electrodes. The inhibition of grain growth has been investigated during the sintering to improve properties of electrolytes. Two-step sintering (TSS) is an interesting technical to inhibit this grain growth and consist at submit the sample at two stages of temperature. The first one stage aims to achieve the critical density in the initiating the sintering process, then the sample is submitted at the second stage where the temperature sufficient to continue the sintering without accelerate grain growth until to reach total densification. The goal of this work is to produce electrolytes of ceria doped gadolinium by two-step sintering. In this context were produced samples from micrometric and nanometric powders by two routes of two-step sintering. The samples were obtained with elevate relative density, higher than 90% using low energy that some works at the same area. The average grain size are at the range 0,37 μm up to 0,51 μm. The overall ionic conductivity is 1,8x10-2 S.cm and the activation energy is 0,76 eV. Results shown that is possible to obtain ceria-doped gadolinium samples by two-step sintering technique using modified routes with characteristics and properties necessary to apply as electrolytes of solid oxide fuel cell

Efeito da utilização do Kit Embrapa de Ordenha Manual® para caprinos leiteiros na Contagem Total de Bactérias do leite.

Resumo: A produção de leite de cabra no Brasil destaca-se no Nordeste, onde as condições de criação e os programas governamentais favorecem a produção. A qualidade higiênico-sanitária do leite de cabra, além de ser uma característica indispensável ao produto, exigida pela legislação Brasileira, contribui para diminuição nas perdas econômicas decorrentes da mastite e para a manutenção dos produtores na atividade. O Kit Embrapa de Ordenha Manual® para caprinos leiteiros é um conjunto de utensílios e práticas indispensáveis para a obtenção higiênica do leite de cabra, o qual apresenta-se como uma alternativa viável aos agricultores familiares devido à sua facilidade na utilização e baixo custo de aquisição. O Kit foi implantado e validado em 41 propriedades familiares, localizadas nos estados do Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba e Ceará. Procedeu-se a coleta de leite de cabra 3 dias antes e 3 dias após a utilização do Kit, para a realização da Contagem Total de Bactérias (CTB). Observou-se uma redução média de 72% da CTB no leite produzido, e, 95% das propriedades adequaram-se à CTB exigida pela legislação Brasileira. [Effect of the use of the Milking Manual® EMBRAPA Kit for dairy goats total count in milk bacteria]. Abstract: The goat milk production in Brazil stands out in the Northeast, where the breeding conditions and government programs favor the production. The sanitary hygienic quality of goat milk as well as being an indispensable feature to the product, required by Brazilian law, contributes to decrease in economic losses resulting from mastitis and to the maintenance of the producers in the activity. The Embrapa manual milking kit® for dairy goats is an essential set of tools and practices for obtaining hygienic goat milk, which presents itself as a viable alternative to farmers due to its ease of use and low cost. The Kit has been deployed and validated in 41 family farms in the states of Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba and Ceará. The goat milking practice was carried out both three days before and three days after using the kit for the realization of Total Bacteria Count (CTB). There was an average reduction of 72 % CTB on the milk, and 95 % of the properties have adapted to the CTB required by Brazilian law.

Determinación de Aflatoxina M1en quesillos artesanales comercializados en los mercados de la ciudad de Cuenca mediante la técnica de cromatografía líquida de alta resolución (HPLC)

Este estudio se realizó con el objeto de conocer el nivel de aflatoxina M1 (AFM1) presenteen quesillos artesanales comercializados en los mercados 9 de Octubre, 12 de Abril, 10 de Agosto y Feria Libre de la Ciudad de Cuenca mediante la técnica de Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Resolución (HPLC)y su grado de adecuación con la normativa de Brasilcorrespondiente a 2.5 ug/Kg de AFM1 en quesos. Se analizaron 33 muestras, donde 7 muestras fueron positivas de las cuales 4 estaban entre el límite de detección y cuantificación (0,04 – 0,08ug/kg), 3 fueron cuantificables, siendo la máxima concentración 0.83 ug/kg.Los valores de AFM1 fueron inferiores al límite máximo permitido por la normativa , por lo tanto, las distintas muestras de quesillos artesanales comercializados en los mercados 9 de Octubre, 12 de Abril, 10 de Agosto y Feria Libre de la Ciudad de Cuenca estudiadas en esta investigación podrían considerarse aptas para el consumo humanoen cuanto a exposición a AFM1.

Electro-optical characterization of IC compatible microcantilevers

The aim of this work is to simulate and optically characterize the piezoelectric performance of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) compatible microcantilevers based on aluminium nitride (AlN) and manufactured at room temperature. This study should facilitate the integration of piezoelectric micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) such as microcantilevers, in CMOS technology. Besides compatibility with standard integrated circuit manufacturing procedures, low temperature processing also translates into higher throughput and, as a consequence, lower manufacturing costs. Thus, the use of the piezoelectric properties of AlN manufactured by reactive sputtering at room temperature is an important step towards the integration of this type of devices within future CMOS technology standards. To assess the reliability of our fabrication process, we have manufactured arrays of free-standing microcantilever beams of variable dimension and studied their piezoelectric performance. The characterization of the first out-of-plane modes of AlN-actuated piezoelectric microcantilevers has been carried out using two optical techniques: laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) and white light interferometry (WLI). In order to actuate the cantilevers, a periodic chirp signal in certain frequency ranges was applied between the device electrodes. The nature of the different vibration modes detected has been studied and compared with that obtained by a finite element model based simulation (COMSOL Multiphysics), showing flexural as well as torsional modes. The correspondence between theoretical and experimental data is reasonably good, probing the viability of this high throughput and CMOS compatible fabrication process. To complete the study, X-ray diffraction as well as d33 piezoelectric coefficient measurements were also carried out.

Comb-like acrylic-based polymer latexes containing nano-sized crystalline or liquid crystalline domains

306 p.

Disorder driven transitions in non-equilibrium quantum systems

This thesis presents studies of the role of disorder in non-equilibrium quantum systems. The quantum states relevant to dynamics in these systems are very different from the ground state of the Hamiltonian. Two distinct systems are studied, (i) periodically driven Hamiltonians in two dimensions, and (ii) electrons in a one-dimensional lattice with power-law decaying hopping amplitudes. In the first system, the novel phases that are induced from the interplay of periodic driving, topology and disorder are studied. In the second system, the Anderson transition in all the eigenstates of the Hamiltonian are studied, as a function of the power-law exponent of the hopping amplitude.

In periodically driven systems the study focuses on the effect of disorder in the nature of the topology of the steady states. First, we investigate the robustness to disorder of Floquet topological insulators (FTIs) occurring in semiconductor quantum wells. Such FTIs are generated by resonantly driving a transition between the valence and conduction band. We show that when disorder is added, the topological nature of such FTIs persists as long as there is a gap at the resonant quasienergy. For strong enough disorder, this gap closes and all the states become localized as the system undergoes a transition to a trivial insulator.

Interestingly, the effects of disorder are not necessarily adverse, disorder can also induce a transition from a trivial to a topological system, thereby establishing a Floquet Topological Anderson Insulator (FTAI). Such a state would be a dynamical realization of the topological Anderson insulator. We identify the conditions on the driving field necessary for observing such a transition. We realize such a disorder induced topological Floquet spectrum in the driven honeycomb lattice and quantum well models.

Finally, we show that two-dimensional periodically driven quantum systems with spatial disorder admit a unique topological phase, which we call the anomalous Floquet-Anderson insulator (AFAI). The AFAI is characterized by a quasienergy spectrum featuring chiral edge modes coexisting with a fully localized bulk. Such a spectrum is impossible for a time-independent, local Hamiltonian. These unique characteristics of the AFAI give rise to a new topologically protected nonequilibrium transport phenomenon: quantized, yet nonadiabatic, charge pumping. We identify the topological invariants that distinguish the AFAI from a trivial, fully localized phase, and show that the two phases are separated by a phase transition.

The thesis also present the study of disordered systems using Wegner's Flow equations. The Flow Equation Method was proposed as a technique for studying excited states in an interacting system in one dimension. We apply this method to a one-dimensional tight binding problem with power-law decaying hoppings. This model presents a transition as a function of the exponent of the decay. It is shown that the the entire phase diagram, i.e. the delocalized, critical and localized phases in these systems can be studied using this technique. Based on this technique, we develop a strong-bond renormalization group that procedure where we solve the Flow Equations iteratively. This renormalization group approach provides a new framework to study the transition in this system.