142 research outputs found

    Novel Electrostatic Characterization of Pharmaceutical Powders

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    Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

    Micro-mechanical sensor for the spectral decomposition of acoustic signals

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    An array of electret-biased frequency-selective resonant microelectromechanical system (MEMS) acoustic sensors was proposed to perform analysis of stress pulses created during an impact between two materials. This analysis allowed classification of the stiffness of the materials involved in the impact without applying post-impact signal processing. Arrays of resonant MEMS sensors provided filtering of the incident stress pulse and subsequent binning of time-domain waveforms into frequency-based spectra. Results indicated that different impact conditions and materials yielded different spectral characteristics. These characteristics, as well as the resulting sensor array responses, are discussed and applied to impact classification. Each individual sensor element in the array was biased by an in situ charged electret film. A microplasma discharge apparatus embedded within the microsensor allowed charging of the electret film after all device fabrication was complete. This enabled electret film integration using high-temperature surface micromachining processes that would typically lead to discharge of traditionally formed electret materials. This also eliminated the traditional wafer-bonding and post-fabrication assembly processes required in conventional electret integration approaches. The microplasma discharge process and resulting electret performance are discussed within the context of the MEMS acoustic sensor array.Ph.D.Committee Chair: Allen, Mark; Committee Member: Brand, Oliver; Committee Member: Michaels, Jennifer; Committee Member: Michaels, Thomas; Committee Member: Ready, Jud W

    Local Phenomena in Oxides by Advanced Scanning Probe Microscopy

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    In the last two decades, scanning probe microscopies (SPMs) have become the primary tool for addressing structure and electronic, mechanical, optical, and transport phenomena on the nanometer and atomic scales. Here, we summarize basic principles of SPM as applied for oxide materials characterization and present recent advances in high-resolution imaging and local property measurements. The use of advanced SPM techniques for solutions of material related problems is illustrated on the examples of grain boundary transport in polycrystalline oxides and ferroelectric domain imaging and manipulation. Future prospects for SPM applications in materials science are discussed

    Analysis of Electrical and Thermal Stresses in the Stress Relief System of Inverter Fed Medium Voltage Induction Motors

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    Pulse width modulation (PWM) voltage source converters (VSC) are one type of motor drives that have become popular because they enable precise control of speed and torque in medium voltage motors. However, these drives are known to have adverse effects on the insulation system particularly on conductive armour tape (CAT) and semi-conductive stress grading tape (SGT). These tapes, which are crucial components of the insulation system, control the surface electrical stresses in the stator slot and in the end portion of the form-wound coils outside the grounded stator. The material properties of CAT and SGT and the methods by which they are applied on form-wound motor coils are traditionally designed for power frequency, or a 60 Hz sinusoidal voltage. However, because of the high frequencies associated with the repetition rate and the fast rise time of the PWM pulses, elevated electrical and thermal stresses develop in these tapes, which can lead to premature insulation failure. Little research has been conducted with respect to understanding the mechanism of dielectric heating as a function of frequency and repetitive pulse characteristics. The material characterization of CAT and SGT is a vital part of an investigation of the performance of the stress relief system at high frequencies. In this study, the anisotropic dielectric properties of CAT and SGT have been measured in dc and ac and in low and high electric fields. The laboratory experiments for determining the material characteristics are discussed and the results analyzed. According to the ac space charge limited field (SCLF) theory, the maximum ac tangential component of the electric field in a nonlinear resistive SGT on medium voltage form-wound motor coils can be predicted from the field dependent electrical conductivity and the frequency. However, the SCLF theory cannot predict the total electric field (vector sum of the tangential and normal components) in the air adjacent to the surface of the tapes. Simulations of the electric field using a finite element method (FEM), is one of the best ways of finding the resultant electric field distribution in the air space adjacent to the SGT. However, prior to this study, researchers simplified the modelling of the stress relief system to avoid the convergence problems that develop due to the nonlinearity of the SGT conductivity as a function of the electric field, and also because of the geometry and dimensions of the tapes when their depths are orders of magnitude smaller than the other dimensions associated with form-wound coils. For modelling the stress grading (SG) system at power frequency and at the rated voltage, the dc isotropic conductivity of the SGT and CAT has also been extensively investigated. However, relatively little work has been done with respect to the ac electrical behaviour of these materials and dc modelling cannot reflect the effects of high-frequency stresses on the machine insulation. In this study, comprehensive transient FEM modelling has been developed in order to simulate the insulation system with nonlinear field dependent materials. The actual dimensions of the components are applied in the model, and the appropriate material parameters for the FEM simulations are extracted from the experimental test results. One crucial point that has not been considered in previous studies is the effect of the component of the electric field that is normal to the surface of the coil. In most studies, only the tangential component of the electric field is considered; however, in this study, both components and the resultant electric field are computed. The surface tangential field is calculated with reference to the gradient of the surface potential as measured with an electrostatic voltmeter. It is shown that this technique can provide a reasonable estimate for the tangential field along the SG system, but not without limitations, which are discussed in detail. Based on laboratory work and analytical analysis, this research has successfully determined the relationship between the thermal effect of the PWM voltage and the other repetitive fast pulses, such as square wave and impulse voltages. The influence of the pulse characteristics on the development of stresses has also thoroughly investigated, and the results are presented. A coupled electric and thermal model that incorporates the finite element method (FEM) is used as a means of studying thermal stresses and determining appropriate remedies. However, using transient analysis as an approach for finding the temperature profile associated with high repetitive impulses (1-10 kHz) and fast rise times (~200 ns) is both difficult and impractical. According to these considerations, an alternative method has been developed from stationary analyses based on two sinusoidal voltages of different frequencies. The frequency and amplitude of these sinusoids are measured relative to the switching frequency, signal power, and nonlinearity of the system, and the results of the simulation are then verified experimentally, thus showing the efficacy of this method. This research also concluded that a capacitive SG system with conductive foil embedded in the groundwall insulation can be a practical alternative to a conventional SGT of form-wound coils in inverter fed motors. The performance of the capacitive SG scheme is independent of frequency and can therefore provide the required mitigation of the stress caused by repetitive fast pulses. The results of the evaluation of this system with respect to qualification tests demonstrate the effectiveness of the system

    Multilayer electret activated by direct contact silicon electrode.

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    Electrets used in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices are often formed by corona charging, where ionized gases are generated in an electric field to introduce a charge to the electret surface. The purpose of this study was to investigate a new technique for creating an electret from a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) multilayer film of SiO2/Si3N4/SiO2 using a direct contact electrode of silicon. The electret formation takes advantage of deep traps in silicon nitride, which are known to develop from hydrogen interactions with silicon dangling bonds and, in some stoichiometries, nitrogen dangling bonds. The electret activation process has been optimized for maximum effective surface voltage (ESV). The deposition and activation process for the electret has the additional benefit of using commercially available equipment present in many microelectronic fabrication facilities. Standardized processes for depositing the PECVD film stack and activating the electret with a wafer level bonder have been developed.Using this new process, electret films have been produced with positive and negative effective surface voltages in excess of +/‐194.0 V. Extrapolated lifetimes, based on thermal decay studies, are calculated to be 57 years and 23 years for positive and negative electrets respectively if they are maintained in moderate to low humidity environments below 125°C. Activation energy levels in positive and negative electrets are 1.4 eV and 1.2 eV respectively. This new electret multilayer film stack and direct charging method produced thin film electrets with a half‐life 5 times greater than that reported in literature by other groups using PECVD multilayer electrets [1, 2]. A new application was investigated to see how an electret may benefit semiconductor‐liquid interactions. The PECVD electret was used to apply a gate bias to the back side of a double side polished silicon wafer to determine the effect of gate bias on the etch rates of an anisotropic silicon etch in 25% wt. tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH). Our results show that the positively charged electret produced a statistically significant increase in etch rate, when compared to neutral and negatively charged electrets, as the silicon‐TMAH interface approached the depletion region produced by the electret. The mean values of the silicon etch rate were evaluated for the last hour of etching with samples categorized by electret potentials as positive, negative or neutral. The positive potential electret had a mean etch rate of 12.0 um/hr for silicon as compared to 8.8 um/hr and 8.6 um/hr for negatively and neutrally charge electrets respectively. The one way Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) of the silicon etch rates between the neutral (control) PECVD film and the positive electret had a P value of 0.009 and falls within the 1% significance level, showing that it is very likely that the positive electret film has an effect on the final etch rate of the silicon under null hypothesis testing

    In Situ Measurements of Electron-Beam-Induced Surface Voltage of Highly Resistive Materials

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    This study presents the development, calibration, characterization, and use of new instrumentation for in situ measurements of electron-beam-induced surface voltage. The instrument capabilities allow for measurements of a full range of insulating materials that are of concern to NASA spacecraft charging experts. These measurements are made using moveable capacitive sensor electrodes that can be swept across the sample using an in vacu stepper motor. Testing has shown a voltage range of more than ±30 kV with a low-voltage resolution of 0.2 V. The movable sensors allow for a radial measurement of surface voltage with spatial resolution as low as 1.5 mm. The instrumentation has response time of ~7 s from the time the beam is shut off until the probe is in position to take data and uses computer automation to stabilize the system and acquire data over the period of several days or longer. Three types of measurements have been made on two prototypical polymeric spacecraft materials, Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE) and polyimide (KaptonTM HN), to illustrate the research capabilities of the new system. Surface voltage measurements were made periodically during the charging process using a pulsed electron beam and subsequently as the surface voltage discharged to a grounded substrate; these were used to obtain information about the material’s electron yields and bulk resistivity. The spatial profile of the voltage across the sample surface was also measured by sweeping the electrode across the surface. Subsequent measurements monitored the time evolution of the magnitude and spatial charge distribution as charge dispersed radially across the sample surface. The results of these measurements are present and compared to literature values validating the instrument’s effectiveness

    Neue Elektronische und Multifunktionale Polymerdünnschichten Ermöglicht durch die Initiierte Chemische Gasphasenabscheidung

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    The aim of this work was the establishment of initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) at the Chair for Multicomponent Materials (Prof. Dr. Franz Faupel) and the development of iCVD thin film electrets for biomagnetic sensors. The iCVD process developed by Gleason et al. enables a high-precision film growth control and control of the resulting film functionality of the polymer thin films due to the CVD-typical growth characteristics and the solvent-free radical polymerization from the vapor phase. Based on the work of Gleason et al., the iCVD process is newly established and further developed as the first objective of this work at the Chair for Multicomponent Materials. In order to obtain a more detailed understanding of the underlying reaction processes and to improve the process control, an in-situ mass spectrometry extension for the iCVD process, which is newly developed in the course of this work, is also presented. Starting from simple insulators, which can currently be deposited by iCVD, the next objective is to investigate whether it is possible to produce so-called thin film electrets by iCVD. Electrets are functional dielectrics that can store a charge over a very long period of time and thus provide a (quasi)permanent electric field over a long period of time, much like a permanent magnet provides a magnetic field for a long period of time. Their versatile field of application ranges from electret microphones to energy generators and electrostatic air filters. Within the scope of this work, the electrets are intended for new electrostatic magnetic field sensors, which are developed in close cooperation with the Chair for Functional Nanomaterials (Prof. Dr. Rainer Adelung) as project A2 within the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1261. For this purpose, the long-standing experience in the field of thermal evaporation of Teflon AF thin film electrets at the Chair for Multicomponent is used and, among other things, it is investigated whether the iCVD fluoropolymers enable a further improvement of the charge carrier stability as well as better film control by the CVD-typical growth conditions. The subsequent objective is dedicated to the question of how iCVD electrets can be further developed and tailored for the application in sensors. This can only be achieved by a better understanding of the underlying charge storage mechanisms. Therefore, the influence of different end groups on the charge storage properties, enabled by the individual tunability of the film functionality in the iCVD process, is investigated first. In addition, new organic iCVD electret multilayers are demonstrated to specifically address challenges that may arise in connection with the electret component in sensors. Furthermore, an approach is demonstrated that allows the formation of microporous polymer films by phase separation during deposition, which can increase the effective surface charge. Finally, to complete the field, it is investigated whether it is possible to deposit conjugated thin films by iCVD via new acetylene-like monomers in contrast to the typical insulating iCVD films. Adhesion problems that occur during deposition, especially with fluoropolymer films, are finally solved by novel gradient copolymer films inspired by nature. The chemical composition of these films changes from polymer type A to polymer type B along the film thickness. With the help of the newly developed in-situ mass spectrometry extension, the deposition of the new nanoscale gradient copolymer films with film thicknesses below 30 nm is finally made possible. A combination of two materials in one material represents a completely new type of material in terms of physical and chemical properties. It not only enables improved adhesion, but can also pave new paths for organic electronics, future sub-wavelength devices and the replication of natural gradient structures, for example for molecular machines on the lower nanoscale

    Introduction to modern instrumentation: for hydraulics and environmental sciences

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    Preface Natural hazards and anthropic activities threaten the quality of the environment surrounding the human being, risking life and health. Among the different actions that must be taken to control the quality of the environment, the gathering of field data is a basic one. In order to obtain the needed data for environmental research, a great variety of new instruments based on electronics is used by professionals and researchers. Sometimes, the potentials and limitations of this new instrumentation remain somewhat unknown to the possible users. In order to better utilize modern instruments it is very important to understand how they work, avoiding misinterpretation of results. All instrument operators must gain proper insight into the working principles of their tools, because this internal view permits them to judge whether the instrument is appropriately selected and adequately functioning. Frequently, manufacturers have a tendency to show the great performances of their products without advising their customers that some characteristics are mutually exclusive. Car manufacturers usually show the maximum velocity that a model can reach and also the minimum fuel consumption. It is obvious for the buyer that both performances are mutually exclusive, but it is not so clear for buyers of measuring instruments. This book attempts to make clear some performances that are not easy to understand to those uninitiated in the utilization of electronic instruments. Technological changes that have occurred in the last few decades are not yet reflected in academic literature and courses; this material is the result of a course prepared with the purpose of reducing this shortage. The content of this book is intended for students of hydrology, hydraulics, oceanography, meteorology and environmental sciences. Most of the new instruments presented in the book are based on electronics, special physics principles and signal processing; therefore, basic concepts on these subjects are introduced in the first chapters (Chapters 1 to 3) with the hope that they serve as a complete, yet easy-to-digest beginning. Because of this review of concepts it is not necessary that the reader have previous information on electronics, electricity or particular physical principles to understand the topics developed later. Those readers with a solid understanding of these subjects could skip these chapters; however they are included because some students could find them as a useful synthesis. Chapter 4 is completely dedicated to the description of transducers and sensors frequently used in environmental sciences. It is described how electrical devices are modified by external parameters in order to become sensors. Also an introduction to oscillators is presented because they are used in most instruments. In the next chapters all the information presented here is recurrently referred to as needed to explain operating principles of instruments. Unauthenticated Download Date | 10/12/14 9:29 PM VIII Preface Chapters 1 to 4 are bitter pills that could discourage readers interested in the description of specific instruments. Perhaps, those readers trying this book from the beginning could abandon it before arriving at the most interesting chapters. Therefore, they could read directly Chapters 5 to 11, going back as they feel that they need the knowledge of the previous chapters. We intended to make clear all the references to the previous subjects needed to understand each one of the issues developed in the later chapters. Chapter 5 contributes to the understanding of modern instrumentation to measure flow in industrial and field conditions. Traditional mechanical meters are avoided to focus the attention on electronic ones, such as vortex, electromagnetic, acoustic, thermal, and Coriolis flowmeters. Special attention is dedicated to acoustic Doppler current profilers and acoustic Doppler velocimeters. Chapter 6 deals with two great subjects; the first is devoted to instruments for measuring dynamic and quasi static levels in liquids, mainly water. Methods to measure waves at sea and in the laboratory are explained, as well as instruments to measure slow changes such as tides or piezometric heads for hydrologic applications. The second subject includes groundwater measurement methods with emphasis on very low velocity flowmeters which measure velocity from inside a single borehole. Most of them are relatively new methods and some are based on operating principles described in the previous chapter. Seepage meters used to measure submarine groundwater discharge are also presented. Chapter 7 presents methods and instruments for measuring rain, wind and solar radiation. Even though the attention is centered on new methods, some traditional methods are described not only because they are still in use, and it is not yet clear if the new technologies will definitely replace them, but also because describing them permits their limitations and drawbacks to be better understood. Methods to measure solar radiation are described from radiation detectors to complete instruments for total radiation and radiation spectrum measurements. Chapter 8 is a long chapter where we have tried to include most remote measuring systems useful for environmental studies. It begins with a technique called DTS (Distributed Temperature Sensing) that has the particularity of being remote, but where the electromagnetic wave propagates inside a fibre optic. The chapter follows with atmosphere wind profilers using acoustic and electromagnetic waves. Radio acoustic sounding systems used to get atmospheric temperature profiles are explained in detail as well as weather radar. Methods for ocean surface currents monitoring are also introduced. The chapter ends with ground penetrating radars. Chapter 9 is an introduction to digital transmission and storage of information. This subject has been reduced to applications where information collected by field instruments has to be conveyed to a central station where it is processed and stored. Some insight into networks of instruments is developed; we think this information will help readers to select which method to use to transport information from field to office, by means of such diverse communication media as fibre optic, digital telephony, Unauthenticated Download Date | 10/12/14 9:29 PM Preface IX GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), satellite communications and private radio frequency links. Chapter 10 is devoted to satellite-based remote sensing. Introductory concepts such as image resolution and instrument?s scanning geometry are developed before describing how passive instruments estimate some meteorological parameters. Active instruments are presented in general, but the on-board data processing is emphasized due to its importance in the quality of the measurements. Hence, concepts like Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Chirp Radar are developed in detail. Scatterometers, altimeters and Lidar are described as applications of the on-board instruments to environmental sciences. Chapter 11 attempts to transfer some experiences in field measuring to the readers. A pair of case studies is included to encourage students to perform tests on the instruments before using them. In this chapter we try to condense our ideas, most of them already expressed throughout the book, about the attitude a researcher should have with modern instruments before and after a measuring field work. As can be inferred from the foregoing description the book aims to provide students with the necessary tools to adequately select and use instruments for environmental monitoring. Several examples are introduced to advise future professionals and researchers on how to measure properly, so as to make sure that the data recorded by the instruments actually represents the parameters they intend to know. With this purpose, instruments are explained in detail so that their measuring limitations are recognized. Within the entire work it is underlined how spatial and temporal scales, inherent to the instruments, condition the collection of data. Informal language and qualitative explanations are used, but enough mathematical fundamentals are given to allow the reader to reach a good quantitative knowledge. It is clear from the title of the book that it is a basic tool to introduce students to modern instrumentation; it is not intended for formed researchers with specific interests. However, general ideas on some measuring methods and on data acquisition concepts could be useful to them before buying an instrument or selecting a measuring method. Those readers interested in applying some particular method or instrument described in this book should consider these explanations just as an introduction to the subject; they will need to dig deeper in the specific bibliography before putting hands on.Fil: Guaraglia, Dardo Oscar. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Hidraulica. Area Hidraulica Basica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Pousa, Jorge Lorenzo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Laboratorio de Oceanografía Costera y Estuarios; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentin
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