Annealing Effects on the Band Alignment of ALD SiO2 on (Inx Ga1−x )2 O3 for x = 0.25–0.74

The band alignment of Atomic Layer Deposited SiO 2 on (In x Ga1−x) 2 O 3 at varying indium concentrations is reported before and after annealing at 450 °C and 600 °C to simulate potential processing steps during device fabrication and to determine the thermal stability of MOS structures in high-temperature applications. At all indium concentrations studied, the valence band offsets (VBO) showed a nearly constant decrease as a result of 450 °C annealing. The decrease in VBO was −0.35 eV for (In0.25Ga 0.75) 2 O 3 , −0.45 eV for (In0.42Ga 0.58) 2 O 3 , −0.40 eV for (In0.60Ga 0.40) 2 O 3 , and −0.35 eV (In0.74 Ga0.26) 2 O 3 for 450 °C annealing. After annealing at 600 °C, the band alignment remained stable, with <0.1 eV changes for all structures examined, compared to the offsets after the 450 °C anneal. The band offset shifts after annealing are likely due to changes in bonding at the heterointerface. Even after annealing up to 600 °C, the band alignment remains type I (nested gap) for all indium compositions of (In x Ga1−x ) 2 O 3 studied

Demonstration of a SiC Protective Coating for Titanium Implants

To mitigate the corrosion of titanium implants and improve implant longevity, we investigated the capability to coat titanium implants with SiC and determined if the coating could remain intact after simulated implant placement. Titanium disks and titanium implants were coated with SiC using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and were examined for interface quality, chemical composition, and coating robustness. SiC-coated titanium implants were torqued into a Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) block to simulate clinical implant placement followed by energy dispersive spectroscopy to determine if the coating remained intact. After torquing, the atomic concentration of the detectable elements (silicon, carbon, oxygen, titanium, and aluminum) remained relatively unchanged, with the variation staying within the detection limits of the Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) tool. In conclusion, plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited SiC was shown to conformably coat titanium implant surfaces and remain intact after torquing the coated implants into a material with a similar hardness to human bone mass

Novel Coating to Minimize Corrosion of Glass-Ceramics for Dental Applications

The effect of a novel silicon carbide (SiC) coating on the chemical durability of a fluorapatite glass-ceramic veneer was investigated by examining weight loss and ion release levels. The hypothesis that this novel coating will exhibit significant corrosion resistance was tested. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP) was used for ion concentration determination and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology analyses. Samples were immersed in pH 10 and pH 2 buffer solutions to represent extreme conditions in the oral cavity. Analyses were done at 15 and 30 days. The SiC coated group demonstrated significant reduction in weight loss across all solutions and time points (p &lt; 0.0001). Ion release analyses demonstrated either a marginally lower or a significantly lower release of ions for the SiC-coated disks. SEM analysis reveals planarization of surfaces by the SiC-coated group. The surfaces of coated samples were not as corroded as the non-coated samples, which is indicative of the protective nature of these coatings. In conclusion, SiC is a novel coating that holds promise for improving the performance of ceramic materials used for dental applications

Annealing Effects on the Band Alignment of ALD SiO2 on (Inx Ga1−x )2 O3 for x = 0.25–0.74

The band alignment of Atomic Layer Deposited SiO 2 on (In x Ga1−x) 2 O 3 at varying indium concentrations is reported before and after annealing at 450 °C and 600 °C to simulate potential processing steps during device fabrication and to determine the thermal stability of MOS structures in high-temperature applications. At all indium concentrations studied, the valence band offsets (VBO) showed a nearly constant decrease as a result of 450 °C annealing. The decrease in VBO was −0.35 eV for (In0.25Ga 0.75) 2 O 3 , −0.45 eV for (In0.42Ga 0.58) 2 O 3 , −0.40 eV for (In0.60Ga 0.40) 2 O 3 , and −0.35 eV (In0.74 Ga0.26) 2 O 3 for 450 °C annealing. After annealing at 600 °C, the band alignment remained stable, with <0.1 eV changes for all structures examined, compared to the offsets after the 450 °C anneal. The band offset shifts after annealing are likely due to changes in bonding at the heterointerface. Even after annealing up to 600 °C, the band alignment remains type I (nested gap) for all indium compositions of (In x Ga1−x ) 2 O 3 studied

Annealing Effects on the Band Alignment of ALD SiO2 on (Inx Ga1−x )2 O3 for x = 0.25–0.74

The band alignment of Atomic Layer Deposited SiO 2 on (In x Ga1−x) 2 O 3 at varying indium concentrations is reported before and after annealing at 450 °C and 600 °C to simulate potential processing steps during device fabrication and to determine the thermal stability of MOS structures in high-temperature applications. At all indium concentrations studied, the valence band offsets (VBO) showed a nearly constant decrease as a result of 450 °C annealing. The decrease in VBO was −0.35 eV for (In0.25Ga 0.75) 2 O 3 , −0.45 eV for (In0.42Ga 0.58) 2 O 3 , −0.40 eV for (In0.60Ga 0.40) 2 O 3 , and −0.35 eV (In0.74 Ga0.26) 2 O 3 for 450 °C annealing. After annealing at 600 °C, the band alignment remained stable, with <0.1 eV changes for all structures examined, compared to the offsets after the 450 °C anneal. The band offset shifts after annealing are likely due to changes in bonding at the heterointerface. Even after annealing up to 600 °C, the band alignment remains type I (nested gap) for all indium compositions of (In x Ga1−x ) 2 O 3 studied

In Vitro Corrosion of SiC-Coated Anodized Ti Nano-Tubular Surfaces

Peri-implantitis leads to implant failure and decreases long-term survival and success rates of implant-supported prostheses. The pathogenesis of this disease is complex but implant corrosion is believed to be one of the many factors which contributes to progression of this disease. A nanostructured titanium dioxide layer was introduced using anodization to improve the functionality of dental implants. In the present study, we evaluated the corrosion performance of silicon carbide (SiC) on anodized titanium dioxide nanotubes (ATO) using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). This was investigated through a potentiodynamic polarization test and bacterial incubation for 30 days. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to analyze surface morphologies of non-coated and SiC-coated nanotubes. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) was used to analyze the surface composition. In conclusion, SiC-coated ATO exhibited improved corrosion resistance and holds promise as an implant coating material

Progress in valorisation of agriculture, aquaculture and shellfish biomass into biochemicals and biomaterials towards sustainable bioeconomy

The recurrent environmental and economic issues associated with the diminution of fossil fuels are the main impetus towards the conversion of agriculture, aquaculture and shellfish biomass and the wastes into alternative commodities in a sustainable approach. In this review, the recent progress on recovering and processing these biomass and waste feedstocks to produce a variety of value-added products via various valorisation technologies, including hydrolysis, extraction, pyrolysis, and chemical modifications are presented, analysed, and discussed. These technologies have gained widespread attention among researchers, industrialists and decision makers alike to provide markets with bio-based chemicals and materials at viable prices, leading to less emissions of CO2 and sustainable management of these resources. In order to echo the thriving research, development and innovation, bioresources and biomass from various origins were reviewed including agro-industrial, herbaceous, aquaculture, shellfish bioresources and microorganisms that possess a high content of starch, cellulose, lignin, lipid and chitin. Additionally, a variety of technologies and processes enabling the conversion of such highly available bioresources is thoroughly analysed, with a special focus on recent studies on designing, optimising and even innovating new processes to produce biochemicals and biomaterials. Despite all these efforts, there is still a need to determine the more cost-effective and efficient technologies to produce bio-based commodities.The authors would like to thank HICOE Research Grant Scheme (UMT/CRIM/2-2/5 Jilid 2 (10), Vot 56051 and UMT/CRIM/2-2/5 Jilid 2 (11), Vot. No. 56052) under HICoE AKUATROP Trust Account No. 66955 to perform this project. The authors would also like to acknowledge Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and Henan Mingbo New Energy Technology Co. Ltd, China for financial support under the International Partnership Research Grant (UMT/CRIM/2-2/2/23 (23), Vot 55302).Scopu

Unipolar Electron Transport Polymers: A Thiazole Based All-Electron Acceptor Approach

Unipolar Electron Transport Polymers: A Thiazole Based All-Electron Acceptor Approac

Design and Rationale of the National Tunisian Registry of Heart Failure (NATURE-HF): Protocol for a Multicenter Registry Study

BackgroundThe frequency of heart failure (HF) in Tunisia is on the rise and has now become a public health concern. This is mainly due to an aging Tunisian population (Tunisia has one of the oldest populations in Africa as well as the highest life expectancy in the continent) and an increase in coronary artery disease and hypertension. However, no extensive data are available on demographic characteristics, prognosis, and quality of care of patients with HF in Tunisia (nor in North Africa). ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to analyze, follow, and evaluate patients with HF in a large nation-wide multicenter trial. MethodsA total of 1700 patients with HF diagnosed by the investigator will be included in the National Tunisian Registry of Heart Failure study (NATURE-HF). Patients must visit the cardiology clinic 1, 3, and 12 months after study inclusion. This follow-up is provided by the investigator. All data are collected via the DACIMA Clinical Suite web interface. ResultsAt the end of the study, we will note the occurrence of cardiovascular death (sudden death, coronary artery disease, refractory HF, stroke), death from any cause (cardiovascular and noncardiovascular), and the occurrence of a rehospitalization episode for an HF relapse during the follow-up period. Based on these data, we will evaluate the demographic characteristics of the study patients, the characteristics of pathological antecedents, and symptomatic and clinical features of HF. In addition, we will report the paraclinical examination findings such as the laboratory standard parameters and brain natriuretic peptides, electrocardiogram or 24-hour Holter monitoring, echocardiography, and coronarography. We will also provide a description of the therapeutic environment and therapeutic changes that occur during the 1-year follow-up of patients, adverse events following medical treatment and intervention during the 3- and 12-month follow-up, the evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction during the 3- and 12-month follow-up, the overall rate of rehospitalization over the 1-year follow-up for an HF relapse, and the rate of rehospitalization during the first 3 months after inclusion into the study. ConclusionsThe NATURE-HF study will fill a significant gap in the dynamic landscape of HF care and research. It will provide unique and necessary data on the management and outcomes of patients with HF. This study will yield the largest contemporary longitudinal cohort of patients with HF in Tunisia. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03262675; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03262675 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/1226