RF Sputtered MoO3 Thin Film on Si (100) for Gas Sensing Applications

Molybdenum Trioxide (MoO3) films are grown on Si(100) substrates by reactive RF magnetron sputtering in plasma containing a mixture of Argon and Oxygen, using a pure Molybdenum target. In this paper, we report the deposition of (MoO3) films on Si(100) substrates under varying gas flow (O2 + Ar gas) (20 sccm to 30 sccm with the duration of deposition~ 1hr) by RF reactive magnetron sputtering at room temperature. To get crystalline MoO3 films annealing in O2 environment at 500 °C for 4 h is done. Phase formation and orientation of the film is characterized by Glancing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD). The identification of the orthorhombic MoO3 phase is investigated by XRD and Raman spectroscopy. Raman lines at 819 cm-1 and 995 cm-1 are due to the (A1g, B1g) symmetric stretching (Mo-O–Mo) bond and asymmetric stretching band (Mo=O) respectively. Surface morphology and cross-sectional image of the deposited thin films were investigated by FE-SEM image. UV-Visible reflectance and cross-sectional FE-SEM image confirm the thickness of the MoO3 films with oxygen-rich and oxygen deficient phase formation occur. Reverse leakage current density of 20 sccm 1hr sample is low (1×10-6 mA/cm2) as compared to 30 sccm 1hr sample (1×10-3 mA/cm2). The higher leakage is due to crack formation during the ex-situ annealing of MoO3 films. This MoO3 films can be used in Gas sensing and switching devices

Node localization for indoor tracking using artificial neural network

Wireless sensor network (WSN) always comes up with the need of deploying either mobile or immobile sensor nodes or both. Wireless communication among these nodes is crucial and it requires identifying the location of these nodes within a specific region. Global positioning system (GPS) is widely used for location tracking. However, when it comes to WSN, GPS has its limitations, due to its high power consumption and the overhead of additional hardware cost. The research challenge here lies in the efficient location tracking of wireless sensor nodes, especially in closed indoor and outdoor environments. This paper comes up with a simple and easy-to-implement technique using artificial neural networks (ANNs) to manipulate the location of the sensor nodes. In this paper, the back-propagation network training algorithm for providing supervised learning to multilayer perceptron is generalized to synthesize the WSN and gives out 2D Cartesian coordinates of the nodes. The technique is both cost-efficient and achieves 98% accuracy

An Efficient Log-Type Class Of Estimators Using Auxiliary Information Under Double Sampling

In this paper, a class of log-type estimator using the auxiliary information in form of variable is proposed. Double sampling technique has been considered as it is assumed that the auxiliary information about the auxiliary variable is unknown. Bias and mean squared error has been found up to the first order of approximation. The proposed classes are compared to some commonly used estimators both theoretically as well as empirically and they perform better than commonly used estimators available in literature

Ultrasound-guided trigeminal nerve block and its comparison with conventional analgesics in patients undergoing faciomaxillary surgery: Randomised control trial

Background and Aims: Ultrasound (USG)-guided injection in pterygopalatine fossa is an indirect approach to block the trigeminal nerve. Trigeminal nerve block for maxillofacial surgeries may provide preemptive analgesia, reduce opioid consumption and opioid-related adverse effects. Methods: In this randomised, prospective double-blind study, 60 American Society of Anesthesiologists I/II patients, within the age group of 18–60 years scheduled for faciomaxillary surgery (fracture/pathological lesion of maxilla or mandible and cleft lip), were recruited. The patients were allocated in either of the two groups: group I: general anaesthesia (FENT group) and group II: general anaesthesia + trigeminal nerve (TNB group). Perioperative opioid consumption and postoperative pain scores were recorded. Any adverse effects like respiratory depression and nausea were also looked for. Results: Patients in group II required less intraoperative fentanyl top ups (1.17 ± 0.53 vs 2.70 ± 0.53) (P < 0.05). Postoperative opioid consumption was also less in this group (0.93 ± 0.69 vs 3.53 ± 0.68) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: USG-guided TNB reduces perioperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing faciomaxillary surgery with better patient pain scores