Hydrothermally extracted nanohydroxyapatite from bovine bone as bioceramic and biofiller in bionanocomposite

Bones have an extraordinary capacity to restore and regenerate in case of minor injury. However, major injuries need orthopedic surgeries that required bone implant biomaterials. In this study, n-HAP powder was extracted from bovine bone by hydrothermal and calcined at different calcination temperatures (600-1100°C) without the use of solvents. The n-HAP powders produced were used to fabricate two types of biomaterials (HAP bioceramics and PLA/n-HAP bionanocomposite). The raw-HAP and calcined n-HAP powder samples were compacted into green bodies and were sintered at various temperatures (1000-1400°C) to produce HAP bioceramics. The best calcined n-HAP was mixed with PLA by melt mixing and injection moulding to fabricate PLA/n-HAP bionanocomposite. Characterizations of the n-HAP powder, n-HAP bioceramics and PLA/n-HAP bionanocomposite samples were done by Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, universal testing machine (UTM) and melt flow index (MFI) analyses. TGA data revealed that n-HAP was thermally stable at 1300ºC. The extracted n-HAP powder was highly crystalline and crystallite size was in the range of 10-83 nm as confirmed by XRD. Density and hardness of the n-HAP bioceramics increased as sintering temperature increased and showing maximum values at a temperature of 1400°C. The results of PLA/n-HAP bionanocomposite revealed that the higher n-HAP loaded (at 5wt%), the lower the tensile strength of bionanocomposite due to poor interfacial adhesion. The interfacial adhesion was improved by loading of 1.0 wt% maleic anhydride (MAH) as a compatibilizer. The biocompatibility of bionanocomposite was evaluated in simulated body fluids (SBF). The results showed that apatite layers were grown on the surfaces of both biomaterials. Therefore, both biomaterials formulated shall be promising medical biomaterials for orthopedic applications

The re-emission spectrum of digital hardware subjected to EMI

The emission spectrum of digital hardware under the influence of external electromagnetic interference is shown to contain information about the interaction of the incident energy with the digital circuits in the system. The generation mechanism of the re-emission spectrum is reviewed, describing how nonlinear effects may be a precursor to the failure of the equipment under test. Measurements on a simple circuit are used to demonstrate how the characteristics of the re-emission spectrum may be correlated with changes to the digital waveform within the circuit. The technique is also applied to a piece of complex digital hardware where Similar, though more subtle, effects can be measured. It is shown that the re-emission spectrum can be used to detect the interaction of the interference with the digital devices at a level well below that which is able to cause static failures in the circuits. The utility of the technique as a diagnostic tool for immunity testing of digital hardware, by identifying which subsystems are being affected by external interference, is also demonstrated

Fabrication and optimization of N-Cu2O thin film using electrodeposition method for homojunction solar cell

Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) is a promising semiconductor that has been getting attention as the alternative material for solar cell application. It is abundant, low cost and non-toxic to the environment. A homojunction Cu2O is said to provide high conversion efficiency for solar cell. However, as Cu2O is a natural p-type semiconductor, it is a challenge to make an n-type Cu2O. In this study, n-Cu2O was prepared by using electrochemical deposition. The structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties of the electrodeposited Cu2O were evaluated after optimizing the parameters for Cu2O fabrication. Structural characterization of the deposited thin film was also done via X-Ray Diffractions (XRD) to confirm the existence of Cu2O particles on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate and to determine the crystalline phases of Cu2O in the sample. The surface morphology of Cu2O thin films were characterized by Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) in order to examine the changes in the surface morphology of the film as the parameter varied. Ultra violet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer was used to study the optical absorption of Cu2O and to determine the band gap of the deposited thin film with further calculation including the thickness values of the thin film measured by surface profiler. The resistivity and sheet resistance of Cu2O thin film were determined via four-point probe measurement test. Lastly, the deposited Cu2O thin film was confirmed as n-type by using the photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) test. The parameters for electrodeposition of Cu2O such as the deposition potential, pH solution, solution temperature, and deposition time were optimized at -0.10 V vs. Ag/AgCl, pH 6.5, 60 °C, and 60 minutes, respectively. The band gap obtained from UV-Vis spectrophotometer was 2.45 eV. The successful fabrication of n-Cu2O will open a new door of Cu2O-based homojunction development for thin film solar cell application

An absolute calibration system for millimeter-accuracy APOLLO measurements

Lunar laser ranging provides a number of leading experimental tests of gravitation -- important in our quest to unify General Relativity and the Standard Model of physics. The Apache Point Observatory Lunar Laser-ranging Operation (APOLLO) has for years achieved median range precision at the ~2 mm level. Yet residuals in model-measurement comparisons are an order-of-magnitude larger, raising the question of whether the ranging data are not nearly as accurate as they are precise, or if the models are incomplete or ill-conditioned. This paper describes a new absolute calibration system (ACS) intended both as a tool for exposing and eliminating sources of systematic error, and also as a means to directly calibrate ranging data in-situ. The system consists of a high-repetition-rate (80 MHz) laser emitting short (< 10 ps) pulses that are locked to a cesium clock. In essence, the ACS delivers photons to the APOLLO detector at exquisitely well-defined time intervals as a "truth" input against which APOLLO's timing performance may be judged and corrected. Preliminary analysis indicates no inaccuracies in APOLLO data beyond the ~3 mm level, suggesting that historical APOLLO data are of high quality and motivating continued work on model capabilities. The ACS provides the means to deliver APOLLO data both accurate and precise below the 2 mm level.Comment: 21 pages, 10 figures, submitted to Classical and Quantum Gravit

Modeling and optimal design of shorting vias to suppress radiated emission in high-speed alternating PCB planes

An analytical mode analysis of vias in the multilayered printed-circuit-board periphery is developed to suppress the electromagnetic radiation induced by ground bounce. After separating the even and odd modes in alternating planes, the far-field radiation of parallel plates is derived using Huygens' principle. It is mainly contributed by the odd mode excitation, while the even mode sets a lower bound on the radiation level from the system when shorting vias are inserted between alternating ground plates. For the odd-mode radiation, a canonical problem is then constructed and analytically solved by applying image theory. Based on that, a systematic approach to achieve the optimum suppression design is developed for the various geometry parameters of the shorting vias, including the pitch, radius, and distance to the board edge. Full-wave simulation and measurement are also presented and the good agreement with the theoretical prediction validates the correctness and efficiency of the present analysis and design

Design of an optically controlled Ka-band GaAs MMIC phased-array antenna

Phased array antennas long were investigated to support the agile, multibeam radiating apertures with rapid reconfigurability needs of radar and communications. With the development of the Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC), phased array antennas having the stated characteristics are becoming realizable. However, at K-band frequencies (20 to 40 GHz) and higher, the problem of controlling the MMICs using conventional techniques either severely limits the array size or becomes insurmountable due to the close spacing of the radiating elements necessary to achieve the desired antenna performance. Investigations were made that indicate using fiber optics as a transmission line for control information for the MMICs provides a potential solution. By adding an optical interface circuit to pre-existing MMIC designs, it is possible to take advantage of the small size, lightweight, mechanical flexibility and RFI/EMI resistant characteristics of fiber optics to distribute MMIC control signals. The architecture, circuit development, testing and integration of optically controlled K-band MMIC phased array antennas are described

Power electronics for low power arcjets

In anticipation of the needs of future light-weight, low-power spacecraft, arcjet power electronics in the 100 to 400 W operating range were developed. Limited spacecraft power and thermal control capacity of these small spacecraft emphasized the need for high efficiency. Power topologies similar to those in the higher 2 kW and 5 to 30 kW power range were implemented, including a four transistor bridge switching circuit, current mode pulse-width modulated control, and an output current averaging inductor with an integral pulse generation winding. Reduction of switching transients was accomplished using a low inductance power distribution network, and no passive snubber circuits were necessary for power switch protection. Phase shift control of the power bridge was accomplished using an improved pulse width modulation to phase shift converter circuit. These features, along with conservative magnetics designs allowed power conversion efficiencies of greater than 92.5 percent to be achieved into resistive loads over the entire operating range of the converter. Electromagnetic compatibility requirements were not considered in this work, and control power for the converter was derived from AC mains. Addition of input filters and control power converters would result in an efficiency of on the order of 90 percent for a flight unit. Due to the developmental nature of arcjet systems at this power level, the exact nature of the thruster/power processor interface was not quantified. Output regulation and current ripple requirements of 1 and 20 percent respectively, as well as starting techniques, were derived from the characteristics of the 2 kW system but an open circuit voltage in excess of 175 V was specified. Arcjet integration tests were performed, resulting in successful starts and stable arcjet operation at power levels as low as 240 W with simulated hydrazine propellants

Aircraft electromagnetic compatibility

Illustrated are aircraft architecture, electromagnetic interference environments, electromagnetic compatibility protection techniques, program specifications, tasks, and verification and validation procedures. The environment of 400 Hz power, electrical transients, and radio frequency fields are portrayed and related to thresholds of avionics electronics. Five layers of protection for avionics are defined. Recognition is given to some present day electromagnetic compatibility weaknesses and issues which serve to reemphasize the importance of EMC verification of equipment and parts, and their ultimate EMC validation on the aircraft. Proven standards of grounding, bonding, shielding, wiring, and packaging are laid out to help provide a foundation for a comprehensive approach to successful future aircraft design and an understanding of cost effective EMC in an aircraft setting