Thermal and Thermomechanical Behavior of Multi-Material Molded Modules with Embedded Electronic Components for Biologically-Inspired and Multi-Functional Structures

Recently, there has been considerable interest in creating biologically-inspired structures, such as robots, and multi-functional structures, such as morphing aircraft fins, for use in environments that are considered hazardous for electronic systems. Cases in point are serpentine robots for use in search and rescue reconnaissance missions, and morphing chevrons for jet engines. These biologically-inspired and multi-functional structures require embedding sensitive electronic components in order to provide multi-functionality, such as actuation and sensing, while providing the thermal and mechanical protection these components need during operation in extreme environments. To this end, a multi-stage molding process has been implemented to affordably mass-produce multi-material modules with embedded electronic components for biologically-inspired and multi-functional structures. However, in designing and manufacturing modules using this process, it is necessary to consider two issues: (a) the heat generated during operation the electronic components can be appropriately managed to prevent thermal failure of the components, and (b) the thermomechanical response of the module to the multi-material molding process and the operation of the embedded electronic components will not lead to mechanical failure of the module. To gain insight into the thermal and thermomechanical behavior of these modules, experiments were designed and conducted to determine three critical design characteristics of the modules: (a) the steady-state thermal conductivity across the multi-material interface in a module, (b) the transient thermal response at the core of the multi-material module at elevated temperatures, and (c) the thermomechanical strains that develop around the embedded electronic components in the multi-material module during in-mold processing and operation of the components. Based on these experiments, analytical and numerical models are developed for predicting the thermal and thermomechanical behavior of multi-material modules with embedded components that provide a foundation for designing these modules for biologically-inspired and multi-functional structures. A prototype serpentine robot designed with multi-functional modular structures is presented, and complementary thermal and mechanical testing of a new prototype multi-material module with an embedded component for this biologically-inspired structure designed for thermal and impact resistance is also presented

Phonon heat capacity and self-heating normal domains in NbTiN nanostrips

Self-heating normal domains in thin superconducting NbTiN nanostrips with the granular structure were characterized via steady-state hysteretic current–voltage characteristics measured at different substrate temperatures. The temperature dependence and the magnitude of the current, which sustains a domain in equilibrium at different voltages, can only be explained with a phonon heat capacity noticeably less than expected for 3D Debye phonons. This reduced heat capacity coincides with the value obtained earlier from magnetoconductance and photoresponse studies of the same films. The rate of heat flow from electrons at a temperature Te to phonons in the substrate at a temperature TB is proportional to (Tep−TBp) with the exponent p ≈ 3, which differs from the exponents for heat flows mediated by the electron–phonon interaction or by escaping of 3D Debye phonons via the film/substrate interface. We attribute both findings to the effect of grains on the phonon spectrum of thin NbTiN films. Our findings are significant for understanding the thermal transport in superconducting devices exploiting thin granular films.Peer Reviewe

Phonon heat capacity and self-heating normal domains in NbTiN nanostrips

Self-heating normal domains in thin superconducting NbTiN nanostrips were characterized via steady-state hysteretic current-voltage characteristics measured at different substrate temperatures. The temperature dependence and the magnitude of the current, which sustains a domain in equilibrium at different voltages, can only be explained with a phonon heat capacity noticeably less than expected for 3-d Debye phonons. This reduced heat capacity coincides with the value obtained earlier from magnetoconductance and photoresponse studies of the same films. The rate of heat flow from electrons at a temperature Te to phonons in the substrate at a temperature TB is proportional to (T_e^p - T_B^p) with the exponent p~3, which differs from the exponents for heat flows mediated by the electron-phonon interaction or by escaping of 3-d Debye phonons via the film/substrate interface. We attribute both findings to the effect of the mean grain size on the phonon spectrum of thin granular NbTiN films. Our findings are significant for understanding the thermal transport in superconducting devices exploiting thin granular films

A centrifugally controlled circuit in the avian retina and its possible role in visual attention switching.

The isthmo-optic nucleus (ION) is the main source of efferents to the retina in birds. Isthmo-optic neurons project in topographical order on amacrine cells in the ventral parts of the retina, and a subclass of these known as proprioretinal neurons project onto the dorsal retina. We propose that, through the intermediary of the amacrine target cells, activity in the isthmo-optic pathway excites ganglion cells locally in the ventral retina but inhibits those in dorsal regions. This circuit would thereby mediate centrifugally controlled switches in attention between the dorsal retina, involved in feeding, and the more ventral parts, involved in scanning for predators. This hypothesis accounts for a wide range of disparate data from behavior, comparative anatomy, endocrinology, hodology, and neurophysiology

Magnetoconductance and photoresponse properties of disordered NbTiN films

We report on the experimental study of phonon properties and electron-phonon scattering in thin superconducting NbTiN films, which are intensively exploited in various applications. Studied NbTiN films with sub-10-nm thicknesses are disordered with respect to electron transport, the Ioffe-Regel parameter of kFle=2.5–3.0 (kF is the Fermi wave vector, and le is the electron mean free path), the inelastic electron-phonon interaction, and the product qTle≪1 (qT is the wave vector of a thermal phonon). By means of magnetoconductance and photoresponse techniques, we derive the inelastic electron-phonon scattering rate 1/τe-ph and determine sound velocities and phonon heat capacities. In the temperature range from 12 to 20 K, the scattering rate varies with temperature as 1/τe-ph∝T3.45±0.05; its value extrapolated to 10 K amounts to approximately 1/16 ps. Making a comparative analysis of our films and other films used in superconducting devices, such as polycrystalline granular NbN and amorphous WSi, we find a systematic reduction of the sound velocity in all these films by about 50% compared to the corresponding bulk crystalline materials. A corresponding increase in the phonon heat capacities in all these films is, however, less than the Debye model predicts. We attribute these findings to reduced film dimensionality and film morphology

Waddlia chondrophila induces systemic infection, organ pathology, and elicits Th1-associated humoral immunity in a murine model of genital infection.

Waddlia chondrophila is a known bovine abortigenic Chlamydia-related bacterium that has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in human. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding how W. chondrophila infection spreads, its ability to elicit an immune response and induce pathology. A murine model of genital infection was developed to investigate the pathogenicity and immune response associated with a W. chondrophila infection. Genital inoculation of the bacterial agent resulted in a dose-dependent infection that spread to lumbar lymph nodes and successively to spleen and liver. Bacterial-induced pathology peaked on day 14, characterized by leukocyte infiltration (uterine horn, liver, and spleen), necrosis (liver) and extramedullary hematopoiesis (spleen). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the presence of a large number of W. chondrophila in the spleen on day 14. Robust IgG titers were detected by day 14 and remained high until day 52. IgG isotypes consisted of high IgG2a, moderate IgG3 and no detectable IgG1, indicating a Th1-associated immune response. This study provides the first evidence that W. chondrophila genital infection is capable of inducing a systemic infection that spreads to major organs, induces uterus, spleen, and liver pathology and elicits a Th1-skewed humoral response. This new animal model will help our understanding of the mechanisms related to intracellular bacteria-induced miscarriages, the most frequent complication of pregnancy that affects one in four women

Continuous and simultaneous multigas monitoring using a highly sensitive and selective photoacoustic sensor

A multi-gas photoacoustic sensor is reported. Simultaneous measurement of ammonia, carbon dioxide and water vapor is demonstrated at ppm level using semiconductor lasers. In-situ measurements to control the housing conditions of laboratory animals are presente

Resonances Width in Crossed Electric and Magnetic Fields

We study the spectral properties of a charged particle confined to a two-dimensional plane and submitted to homogeneous magnetic and electric fields and an impurity potential. We use the method of complex translations to prove that the life-times of resonances induced by the presence of electric field are at least Gaussian long as the electric field tends to zero.Comment: 3 figure

Role of Chlamydia trachomatis and emerging Chlamydia-related bacteria in ectopic pregnancy in Vietnam.

In this case-control study, we investigated the seroprevalence and molecular evidence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Waddlia chondrophila in ectopic pregnancies (EP) and uneventful control pregnancies in 343 women from Vietnam. Whereas presence of C. trachomatis IgG was strongly associated with EP [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5·41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·58-11·32], its DNA remained undetected in all tubal lesions. We confirmed an independent association between antibodies against Waddlia and previous miscarriage (aOR 1·87, 95% CI 1·02-3·42). Further investigations are needed to understand the clinical significance of Waddlia's high seroprevalence (25·9% in control pregnancies) in this urban population

Single-Mode Squeezed Light Generation and Tomography with an Integrated Optical Parametric Oscillator

Quantum optical technologies promise advances in sensing, computing, and communication. A key resource is squeezed light, where quantum noise is redistributed between optical quadratures. We introduce a monolithic, chip-scale platform that exploits the $\chi^{(2)}$ nonlinearity of a thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) resonator device to efficiently generate squeezed states of light. Our system integrates all essential components -- except for the laser and two detectors -- on a single chip with an area of one square centimeter, significantly reducing the size, operational complexity, and power consumption associated with conventional setups. Our work addresses challenges that have limited previous integrated nonlinear photonic implementations that rely on either $\chi^{(3)}$ nonlinear resonators or on integrated waveguide $\chi^{(2)}$ parametric amplifiers. Using the balanced homodyne measurement subsystem that we implemented on the same chip, we measure a squeezing of 0.55 dB and an anti-squeezing of 1.55 dB. We use 20 mW of input power to generate the parametric oscillator pump field by employing second harmonic generation on the same chip. Our work represents a substantial step toward compact and efficient quantum optical systems posed to leverage the rapid advances in integrated nonlinear and quantum photonics.Comment: 21 pages; 4 figures in main body, 8 supplementary figure