Optimization of nanotube electrode geometry in a liquid crystal media from wavefront aberrations

This paper presents experimental optimization of number and geometry of nanotube electrodes in a liquid crystal media from wavefront aberrations for realizing nanophotonic devices. The refractive-index gradient profiles from different nanotube geometries-arrays of one, three, four, and five-were studied along with wavefront aberrations using Zernike polynomials. The optimizations help the device to make application in the areas of voltage reconfigurable microlens arrays, high-resolution displays, wavefront sensors, holograms, and phase modulators. © 2012 Optical Society of America.

Fabrication of carbon nanotubes on inter-digitated metal electrode for switchable nanophotonic devices

This paper reports the modeling and characterization of interdigitated rows of carbon nanotube electrodes used to address a liquid crystal media. Finite Element Method modeling of the nanotube arrays was performed to analyze the static electric Fields produced to Find suitable electrode geometry. A device was fabricated based on the simulation results and electro optics characteristics of the device are presented. This Finding has applications in the development of micron and submicron pixels, precise beem steering and nanotube based active back planes.

Biomimetic layer-by-layer assembly of artificial nacre.

Nacre is a technologically remarkable organic-inorganic composite biomaterial. It consists of an ordered multilayer structure of crystalline calcium carbonate platelets separated by porous organic layers. This microstructure exhibits both optical iridescence and mechanical toughness, which transcend those of its constituent components. Replication of nacre is essential for understanding this complex biomineral, and paves the way for tough coatings fabricated from cheap abundant materials. Fabricating a calcitic nacre imitation with biologically similar optical and mechanical properties will likely require following all steps taken in biogenic nacre synthesis. Here we present a route to artificial nacre that mimics the natural layer-by-layer approach to fabricate a hierarchical crystalline multilayer material. Its structure-function relationship was confirmed by nacre-like mechanical properties and striking optical iridescence. Our biomimetic route uses the interplay of polymer-mediated mineral growth, combined with layer-by-layer deposition of porous organic films. This is the first successful attempt to replicate nacre, using CaCO(3).

Microfabrication of electrode patterns for high-frequency ultrasound transducer arrays.

High-frequency ultrasound is needed for medical imaging with high spatial resolution. A key issue in the development of ultrasound imaging arrays to operate at high frequencies (≥30 MHz) is the need for photolithographic patterning of array electrodes. To achieve this directly on 1-3 piezocomposite, the material requires not only planar, parallel, and smooth surfaces, but also an epoxy composite filler that is resistant to chemicals, heat, and vacuum. This paper reports, first, on the surface finishing of 1-3 piezocomposite materials by lapping and polishing. Excellent surface flatness has been obtained, with an average surface roughness of materials as low as 3 nm and step heights between ceramic/polymer of ∼80 nm. Subsequently, high-frequency array elements were patterned directly on top of these surfaces using a photolithography process. A 30-MHz linear array electrode pattern with 50-μm element pitch has been patterned on the lapped and polished surface of a high-frequency 1-3 piezocomposite. Excellent electrode edge definition and electrical contact to the composite were obtained. The composite has been lapped to a final thickness of ∼55 μm. Good adhesion of electrodes on the piezocomposite has been achieved and electrical impedance measurements have demonstrated their basic functionality. The array was then packaged, and acoustic pulse-echo measurements were performed. These results demonstrate that direct patterning of electrodes by photolithography on 1-3 piezocomposite is feasible for fabrication of high-frequency ultrasound arrays. Furthermore, this method is more conducive to mass production than other reported array fabrication techniques.

Graphene-passivated nickel as an oxidation-resistant electrode for spintronics.

We report on graphene-passivated ferromagnetic electrodes (GPFE) for spin devices. GPFE are shown to act as spin-polarized oxidation-resistant electrodes. The direct coating of nickel with few layer graphene through a readily scalable chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process allows the preservation of an unoxidized nickel surface upon air exposure. Fabrication and measurement of complete reference tunneling spin valve structures demonstrate that the GPFE is maintained as a spin polarizer and also that the presence of the graphene coating leads to a specific sign reversal of the magneto-resistance. Hence, this work highlights a novel oxidation-resistant spin source which further unlocks low cost wet chemistry processes for spintronics devices.

Evaluation of multi-sensory feedback on the usability of a virtual assembly environment

Virtual assembly environment (VAE) technology has the great potential for benefiting the manufacturing applications in industry. Usability is an important aspect of the VAE. This paper presents the usability evaluation of a developed multi-sensory VAE. The evaluation is conducted by using its three attributes: (a) efficiency of use; (b) user satisfaction; and (c) reliability. These are addressed by using task completion times (TCTs), questionnaires, and human performance error rates (HPERs), respectively. A peg-in-a-hole and a Sener electronic box assembly task have been used to perform the experiments, using sixteen participants. The outcomes showed that the introduction of 3D auditory and/or visual feedback could improve the usability. They also indicated that the integrated feedback (visual plus auditory) offered better usability than either feedback used in isolation. Most participants preferred the integrated feedback to either feedback (visual or auditory) or no feedback. The participants' comments demonstrated that nonrealistic or inappropriate feedback had negative effects on the usability, and easily made them feel frustrated. The possible reasons behind the outcomes are also analysed. © 2007 ACADEMY PUBLISHER.

Transparent nanostructured electrode by centrifuge coating

We employ a new solution-based coating process, centrifuge coating, to fabricate nanostructured conductive layers over large areas. This coating procedure allows fast quenching of the metastable dispersed state of nanomaterials, which minimizes material wastes by mitigate the effects of particle re-aggregation. Using this method, we fabricate SWNT coatings on different substrates such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane), and an acrylic elastomer. The effects of the choice of solvents on the morphology and subsequent performance of the coating network are studied. © 2012 IEEE.

SOI membrane-based pressure sensor in stress sensitive differential amplifier configuration

This paper introduces a pressure sensing structure configured as a stress sensitive differential amplifier (SSDA), built on a Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) membrane. Theoretical calculation show the significant increase in sensitivity which is expected from the pressure sensors in SSDA configuration compared to the traditional Wheatstone bridge circuit. Preliminary experimental measurements, performed on individual transistors placed on the membrane, exhibit state-the-art sensitivity values (1.45mV/mbar). © 2012 IEEE.

Engineering hierarchical nanostructures by elastocapillary self-assembly

Surfaces coated with nanoscale filaments such as silicon nanowires and carbon nanotubes are potentially compelling for high-performance battery and capacitor electrodes, photovoltaics, electrical interconnects, substrates for engineered cell growth, dry adhesives, and other smart materials. However, many of these applications require a wet environment or involve wet processing during their synthesis. The capillary forces introduced by these wet environments can lead to undesirable aggregation of nanoscale filaments, but control of capillary forces can enable manipulation of the filaments into discrete aggregates and novel hierarchical structures. Recent studies suggest that the elastocapillary self-assembly of nanofilaments can be a versatile and scalable means to build complex and robust surface architectures. To enable a wider understanding and use of elastocapillary self-assembly as a fabrication technology, we give an overview of the underlying fundamentals and classify typical implementations and surface designs for nanowires, nanotubes, and nanopillars made from a wide variety of materials. Finally, we discuss exemplary applications and future opportunities to realize new engineered surfaces by the elastocapillary self-assembly of nanofilaments. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Photoconductive hybrid films via directional self-assembly of C 60 on aligned carbon nanotubes

Hybrid nanostructured materials can exhibit different properties than their constituent components, and can enable decoupled engineering of energy conversion and transport functions. Novel means of building hybrid assemblies of crystalline C 60 and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are presented, wherein aligned CNT films direct the crystallization and orientation of C 60 rods from solution. In these hybrid films, the C 60 rods are oriented parallel to the direction of the CNTs throughout the thickness of the film. High-resolution imaging shows that the crystals incorporate CNTs during growth, yet grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) shows that the crystal structure of the C 60 rods is not perturbed by the CNTs. Growth kinetics of the C 60 rods are enhanced 8-fold on CNTs compared to bare Si, emphasizing the importance of the aligned, porous morphology of the CNT films as well as the selective surface interactions between C 60 and CNTs. Finally, it is shown how hybrid C 60-CNT films can be integrated electrically and employed as UV detectors with a high photoconductive gain and a responsivity of 10 5 A W -1 at low biases (± 0.5 V). The finding that CNTs can induce rapid, directional crystallization of molecules from solution may have broader implications to the science and applications of crystal growth, such as for inorganic nanocrystals, proteins, and synthetic polymers. © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

2-Scale topography dry electrode for biopotential measurements.

The design and fabrication of a novel 2-scale topography dry electrode using macro and micro needles is presented. The macro needles enable biopotential measurements on hairy skin, the function of the micro needles is to decrease the electrode impedance even further by penetrating the outer skin layer. Also, a fast and reliable impedance characterization protocol is described. Based on this impedance measurement protocol, a comparison study is made between our dry electrode, 3 other commercial dry electrodes and a standard wet gel electrode. Promising results are already obtained with our electrodes which do not have skin piercing micro needles. For the proposed electrodes, three different conductive coatings (Ag/AgCl/Au) are compared. AgCl is found to be slightly better than Ag as coating material, while our Au coated electrodes have the highest impedance.