322 research outputs found
Strong solutions of SDEs with singular (form-bounded) drift via Roeckner-Zhao approach
We use the approach of Roeckner-Zhao to prove strong well-posedness for SDEs
with singular drift satisfying some minimal assumptions
Surface scattering velocities in III-nitride quantum well laser structures via the emission of hybrid phonons
We have theoretically and numerically studied nitride-based quantum well (QW)
laser structures. More specifically, we have used a QW made with III-nitride
where the width of the barrier region is large relative to the electron mean
free path, and we have calculated the electron surface capture velocities by
considering an electron flux which is captured into the well region. The
process is assisted by the emission of the longitudinal optical phonons as
predicted by the hybrid (HB) model. The results of surface capture velocities
via the emission of HB phonons are compared to the emission of the dielectric
continuum phonons (Zakhleniuk et al 1999 Phys. Status Solidi a 176 79). Our
investigation shows that the two different phonon models predict almost the
same results for the non-retarded limit. Furthermore, the surface capture
velocities strongly depend on the size of the structure and the heterostructure
materials. Lastly, a comparison to the recent experimental values shows that
our model could accurately describe the experimentally measured parameters of
the quantum capture processes
Decoupled cantilever arms for highly versatile and sensitive temperature and heat flux measurements
Microfabricated cantilever beams have been used in microelectromechanical systems for a variety of sensor and actuator applications. Bimorph cantilevers accurately measure temperature change and heat flux with resolutions several orders of magnitude higher than those of conventional sensors such as thermocouples, semiconductor diodes, as well as resistance and infrared thermometers. The use of traditional cantilevers, however, entails a series of important measurement limitations, because their interactions with the sample and surroundings often create parasitic deflection forces and the typical metal layer degrades the thermal sensitivity of the cantilever. The paper introduces a design to address these issues by decoupling the sample and detector section of the cantilever, along with a thermomechanical model, the fabrication, system integration, and characterization. The custom-designed bi-arm cantilever is over one order of magnitude more sensitive than current commercial cantilevers due to the significantly reduced thermal conductance of the cantilever sample arm. The rigid and immobile sample section offers measurement versatility ranging from photothermal absorption, near-field thermal radiation down to contact, conduction, and material thermal characterization measurements in nearly identical configurations.United States. Dept. of Energy. Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering (DE-FG02-02ER45977)United States. Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (UIUC FA9550-08-1-0407
Micro-fabrication of Carbon Structures by Pattern Miniaturization in Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Gel
A simple and novel method to fabricate and miniaturize surface and
sub-surface micro-structures and micro-patterns in glassy carbon is proposed
and demonstrated. An aqueous resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) sol is employed for
micro-molding of the master-pattern to be replicated, followed by controlled
drying and pyrolysis of the gel to reproduce an isotropically shrunk replica in
carbon. The miniaturized version of the master-pattern thus replicated in
carbon is about one order of magnitude smaller than original master by
repeating three times the above cycle of molding and drying. The
micro-fabrication method proposed will greatly enhance the toolbox for a facile
fabrication of a variety of Carbon-MEMS and C-microfluidic devices.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figure
Vacuum/Compression Valving (VCV) Using Parrafin-Wax on a Centrifugal Microfluidic CD Platform
This paper introduces novel vacuum/compression valves (VCVs) utilizing paraffin wax. A VCV is implemented by sealing the venting channel/hole with wax plugs (for normally-closed valve), or to be sealed by wax (for normally-open valve), and is activated by localized heating on the CD surface. We demonstrate that the VCV provides the advantages of avoiding unnecessary heating of the sample/reagents in the diagnostic process, allowing for vacuum sealing of the CD, and clear separation of the paraffin wax from the sample/reagents in the microfluidic process. As a proof of concept, the microfluidic processes of liquid flow switching and liquid metering is demonstrated with the VCV. Results show that the VCV lowers the required spinning frequency to perform the microfluidic processes with high accuracy and ease of control.open5
Opportunities for mesoscopics in thermometry and refrigeration: Physics and applications
This review presents an overview of the thermal properties of mesoscopic
structures. The discussion is based on the concept of electron energy
distribution, and, in particular, on controlling and probing it. The
temperature of an electron gas is determined by this distribution:
refrigeration is equivalent to narrowing it, and thermometry is probing its
convolution with a function characterizing the measuring device. Temperature
exists, strictly speaking, only in quasiequilibrium in which the distribution
follows the Fermi-Dirac form. Interesting nonequilibrium deviations can occur
due to slow relaxation rates of the electrons, e.g., among themselves or with
lattice phonons. Observation and applications of nonequilibrium phenomena are
also discussed. The focus in this paper is at low temperatures, primarily below
4 K, where physical phenomena on mesoscopic scales and hybrid combinations of
various types of materials, e.g., superconductors, normal metals, insulators,
and doped semiconductors, open up a rich variety of device concepts. This
review starts with an introduction to theoretical concepts and experimental
results on thermal properties of mesoscopic structures. Then thermometry and
refrigeration are examined with an emphasis on experiments. An immediate
application of solid-state refrigeration and thermometry is in ultrasensitive
radiation detection, which is discussed in depth. This review concludes with a
summary of pertinent fabrication methods of presented devices.Comment: Close to the version published in RMP; 59 pages, 35 figure
Mapping the Origins of Luminescence in ZnO Nanowires by STEM-CL
The Supporting Information is available free of charge on the ACS Publications website at DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.8b03286.In semiconductor nanowires, understanding both the sources of luminescence (excitonic recombination, defects, etc.) and the distribution of luminescent centers (be they uniformly distributed, or concentrated at structural defects or at the surface) is important for synthesis and applications. We develop scanning transmission electron microscopy−cathodoluminescence (STEM-CL) measurements, allowing the structure and cathodoluminescence (CL) of single ZnO nanowires to be mapped at high resolution. Using a CL pixel resolution of 10 nm, variations of the CL spectra within such nanowires in the direction perpendicular to the nanowire growth axis are identified for the first time. By comparing the local CL spectra with the bulk photoluminescence spectra, the CL spectral features are assigned to internal and surface defect structures. Hyperspectral CL maps are deconvolved to enable characteristic spectral features to be spatially correlated with structural features within single nanowires. We have used these maps to show that the spatial distribution of these defects correlates well with regions that show an increased rate of nonradiative transitions
CD-based microfluidics for primary care in extreme point-of-care settings
We review the utility of centrifugal microfluidic technologies applied to point-of-care diagnosis in extremely under-resourced environments. The various challenges faced in these settings are showcased, using areas in India and Africa as examples. Measures for the ability of integrated devices to effectively address point-of-care challenges are highlighted, and centrifugal, often termed CD-based microfluidic technologies, technologies are presented as a promising platform to address these challenges. We describe the advantages of centrifugal liquid handling, as well as the ability of a standard CD player to perform a number of common laboratory tests, fulfilling the role of an integrated lab-on-a-CD. Innovative centrifugal approaches for point-of-care in extremely resource-poor settings are highlighted, including sensing and detection strategies, smart power sources and biomimetic inspiration for environmental control. The evolution of centrifugal microfluidics, along with examples of commercial and advanced prototype centrifugal microfluidic systems, is presented, illustrating the success of deployment at the point-of-care. A close fit of emerging centrifugal systems to address a critical panel of tests for under-resourced clinic settings, formulated by medical experts, is demonstrated. This emphasizes the potential of centrifugal microfluidic technologies to be applied effectively to extremely challenging point-of-care scenarios and in playing a role in improving primary care in resource-limited settings across the developing world
- …