2,709 research outputs found
Optimal overlayer inspired by Photuris firefly improves light-extraction efficiency of existing light-emitting diodes
In this paper the design, fabrication and characterization of a bioinspired
overlayer deposited on a GaN LED is described. The purpose of this overlayer is
to improve light extraction into air from the diode's high refractive-index
active material. The layer design is inspired by the microstructure found in
the firefly Photuris sp. The actual dimensions and material composition have
been optimized to take into account the high refractive index of the GaN diode
stack. This two-dimensional pattern contrasts other designs by its unusual
profile, its larger dimensions and the fact that it can be tailored to an
existing diode design rather than requiring a complete redesign of the diode
geometry. The gain of light extraction reaches values up to 55% with respect to
the reference unprocessed LED.Comment: 9 pages, 9 Figures, published in Optics Expres
Love Wave Biosensors: A Review
In the fields of analytical and physical chemistry, medical diagnostics and biotechnology there is an increasing demand of highly selective and sensitive analytical techniques which, optimally, allow an in real-time label-free monitoring with easy to use, reliable, miniaturized and low cost devices. Biosensors meet many of the above features which have led them to gain a place in the analytical bench top as alternative or complementary methods for routine classical analysis. Different sensing technologies are being used for biosensors. Categorized by the transducer mechanism, optical and acoustic wave sensing technologies have emerged as very promising biosensors technologies. Optical sensing represents the most often technology currently used in biosensors applications. Among others, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) is probably one of the better known label-free optical techniques, being the main shortcoming of this method its high cost. Acoustic wave devices represent a cost-effective alternative to these advanced optical approaches [1], since they combine their direct detection, simplicity in handling, real-time monitoring, good sensitivity and selectivity capabilities with a more reduced cost. The main challenges of the acoustic techniques remain on the improvement of the sensitivity with the objective to reduce the limit of detection (LOD), multi-analysis and multi-analyte detection (High-Throughput Screening systems-HTS), and integration capabilities. Acoustic sensing has taken advantage of the progress made in the last decades in piezoelectric resonators for radio-frequency (rf) telecommunication technologies. The so-called gravimetric technique [2], which is based on the change in the resonance frequency experimented by the resonator due to a mass attached on the sensor surface, has opened a great deal of applications in bio-chemical sensing in both gas and liquid media. Traditionally, the most commonly used acoustic wave biosensors were based on QCM devices. This was primarily due to the fact that the QCM has been studied in detail for over 50 years and has become a mature, commercially available, robust and affordable technology [3, 4]. LW acoustic sensors have attracted a great deal of attention in the scientific community during the last two decades, due to its reported high sensitivity in liquid media compared to traditional QCM-based sensors. Nevertheless, there are still some issues to be further understood, clarified and/or improved about this technology; mostly for biosensor applications. LW devices are able to operate at higher frequencies than traditional QCMs [5]; typical operation frequencies are between 80-300 MHz. Higher frequencies lead, in principle, to higher sensitivity because the acoustic wave penetration depth into the adjacent media is reduced [6]. However, the increase in the operation frequency also results in an increased noise level, thus restricting the LOD. The LOD determines the minimum surface mass that can be detected. In this sense, the optimization of the read out and characterization system for these high frequency devices is a key aspect for improving the LOD [7]. Another important aspect of LW technology is the optimization of the fluidics, specially the flow cell. This is of extreme importance for reducing the noise and increasing the biosensor system stability; aspects that will contribute to improve the LOD. The analysis and interpretation of the results obtained with LW biosensors must be deeper understood, since the acoustic signal presents a mixed contribution of changes in the mass and the viscoelasticity of the adsorbed layers due to interactions of the biomolecules. A better understanding of the transduction mechanism in LW sensors is a first step to advance in this issue; however its inherent complexity leads, in many cases, to frustration [8]. The fabrication process of the transducer, unlike in traditional QCM sensors, is another aspect under investigation in LW technology, where features such as: substrate materials, sizes, structures and packaging must be still optimized. This chapter aims to provide an updated insight in the mentioned topics focused on biosensors applications
Granulocyte Neutral Proteases and Pseudomonas Elastase as Possible Causes of Airway Damage in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
We studied the possible role of granulocyte neutral proteases as mediators of airway destruction in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who were infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We measured the enzymatic activities of bronchial secretions on purified radioactively labeled complement component three (C3), elastin, and a granulocyte elastase-specific substrate. Bronchial secretions from 18 patients with CF who were infected with P aeruginosa had a significantly higher mean value for C3 cleaving, elastolytic, and granulocyte elastase-like activity than did two control groups. High enzymatic activities were observed in patients with CF who have advanced bronchial disease (that had been determined by a clinical scoring system). Kinetics of proteolysis of radioactively labeled C3 and inhibition profiles of the activities of the three enzymatic activities studied suggest that they are mainly derived from granulocytes. In addition, 20 of 31 strains of P aeruginosa isolated from patients with CF inactivated purified α1-antiprotease in vitro. We postulate that granulocyte neutral proteases and P aeruginosa may act synergistically in the airways of patients with CF and may contribute to the destruction of elastin and inactivation of C
Highly transparent low capacitance plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition Al2O3-HfO2 tunnel junction engineering
Abstract : The development of metallic single electron transistor (SET) depends on the downscaling and the electrical properties of its tunnel junctions. These tunnel junctions should insure high tunnel current levels, low thermionic current, and low capacitance. The authors use atomic layer deposition to fabricate Al2O3 and HfO2 thin layers. Tunnel barrier engineering allows the achievement of low capacitance Al2O3 and HfO2 tunnel junctions using optimized annealing and plasma exposure conditions. Different stacks were designed and fabricated to increase the transparency of the tunnel junction while minimizing thermionic current. This tunnel junction is meant to be integrated in SET to enhance its electrical properties (e.g., operating temperature, ION/IOFF ratio)
Mid-infrared selection of AGN
Since a large fraction of active galactic nuclei (AGN) is missed in common
UV-excess surveys and is even hard to find in radio, near-IR and X-ray surveys,
we have used a new AGN selection technique which is expected to be not affected
by extinction. Within the scientific verification of the ISOCAM Parallel Survey
at 6.7 micron we have discovered objects with exceptional mid-infrared (MIR)
emission. They are essentially not detected on IRAS-ADDSCANs and only very few
of them show up in the NVSS and FIRST radio surveys. Various colour criteria of
the 6.7 micron data with 2MASS and optical wavebands show that the sources
reach more extreme IR colours than the sources in the Hubble Deep Field-South
and the ELAIS survey. The comparison with known object types suggests that we
have found AGN with a pronounced MIR emission, probably due to circum-nuclear
dust. First results from optical spectroscopy of ten candidates corroborate
this interpretation showing four AGN, two reddened LINER and four extremely
reddened emission-line galaxies with MIR/FIR flux ratios higher than for known
pure starburst galaxies. The results will make a significant contribution to
the debate on the entire AGN population.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication as Letter in Astronomy &
Astrophysic
On Four-Point Functions of Half-BPS Operators in General Dimensions
We study four-point correlation functions of half-BPS operators of arbitrary
weight for all dimensions d=3,4,5,6 where superconformal theories exist. Using
harmonic superspace techniques, we derive the superconformal Ward identities
for these correlators and present them in a universal form. We then solve these
identities, employing Jack polynomial expansions. We show that the general
solution is parameterized by a set of arbitrary two-variable functions, with
the exception of the case d=4, where in addition functions of a single variable
appear. We also discuss the operator product expansion using recent results on
conformal partial wave amplitudes in arbitrary dimension.Comment: The discussion of the case d=6 expanded; references added/correcte
AzTEC 1.1 mm Observations of the MBM12 Molecular Cloud
We present 1.1 mm observations of the dust continuum emission from the MBM12
high-latitude molecular cloud observed with the Astronomical Thermal Emission
Camera (AzTEC) mounted on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope on Mauna Kea,
Hawaii. We surveyed a 6.34 deg centered on MBM12, making this the largest
area that has ever been surveyed in this region with submillimeter and
millimeter telescopes. Eight secure individual sources were detected with a
signal-to-noise ratio of over 4.4. These eight AzTEC sources can be considered
to be real astronomical objects compared to the other candidates based on
calculations of the false detection rate. The distribution of the detected 1.1
mm sources or compact 1.1 mm peaks is spatially anti-correlated with that of
the 100 micronm emission and the CO emission. We detected the 1.1 mm
dust continuum emitting sources associated with two classical T Tauri stars,
LkHalpha262 and LkHalpha264. Observations of spectral energy distributions
(SEDs) indicate that LkHalpha262 is likely to be Class II (pre-main-sequence
star), but there are also indications that it could be a late Class I
(protostar). A flared disk and a bipolar cavity in the models of Class I
sources lead to more complicated SEDs. From the present AzTEC observations of
the MBM12 region, it appears that other sources detected with AzTEC are likely
to be extragalactic and located behind MBM12. Some of these have radio
counterparts and their star formation rates are derived from a fit of the SEDs
to the photometric evolution of galaxies in which the effects of a dusty
interstellar medium have been included.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, The Astrophysical Journal, in pres
Diffusion of gold nanoclusters on graphite
We present a detailed molecular-dynamics study of the diffusion and
coalescence of large (249-atom) gold clusters on graphite surfaces. The
diffusivity of monoclusters is found to be comparable to that for single
adatoms. Likewise, and even more important, cluster dimers are also found to
diffuse at a rate which is comparable to that for adatoms and monoclusters. As
a consequence, large islands formed by cluster aggregation are also expected to
be mobile. Using kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, and assuming a proper scaling
law for the dependence on size of the diffusivity of large clusters, we find
that islands consisting of as many as 100 monoclusters should exhibit
significant mobility. This result has profound implications for the morphology
of cluster-assembled materials
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