Reconfigurable Multifunctional van der Waals Ferroelectric Devices and Logic Circuits

In this work, we demonstrate the suitability of Reconfigurable Ferroelectric Field-Effect- Transistors (Re-FeFET) for designing non-volatile reconfigurable logic-in-memory circuits with multifunctional capabilities. Modulation of the energy landscape within a homojunction of a 2D tungsten diselenide (WSe$_2$) layer is achieved by independently controlling two split-gate electrodes made of a ferroelectric 2D copper indium thiophosphate (CuInP$_2$S$_6$) layer. Controlling the state encoded in the Program Gate enables switching between p, n and ambipolar FeFET operating modes. The transistors exhibit on-off ratios exceeding 10$^6$ and hysteresis windows of up to 10 V width. The homojunction can change from ohmic-like to diode behavior, with a large rectification ratio of 10$^4$. When programmed in the diode mode, the large built-in p-n junction electric field enables efficient separation of photogenerated carriers, making the device attractive for energy harvesting applications. The implementation of the Re-FeFET for reconfigurable logic functions shows how a circuit can be reconfigured to emulate either polymorphic ferroelectric NAND/AND logic-in-memory or electronic XNOR logic with long retention time exceeding 10$^4$ seconds. We also illustrate how a circuit design made of just two Re-FeFETs exhibits high logic expressivity with reconfigurability at runtime to implement several key non-volatile 2-input logic functions. Moreover, the Re-FeFET circuit demonstrates remarkable compactness, with an up to 80% reduction in transistor count compared to standard CMOS design. The 2D van de Waals Re-FeFET devices therefore exhibit groundbreaking potential for both More-than-Moore and beyond-Moore future of electronics, in particular for an energy-efficient implementation of in-memory computing and machine learning hardware, due to their multifunctionality and design compactness.Comment: 23 pages, 5 figures; Supporting Information: 12 pages, 6 figure

Solid-state NMR sequential assignments of the C-terminal oligomerization domain of human C4b-binding protein

The complement 4 binding protein (C4bp) plays a crucial role in the inhibition of the complement cascade. It has an extraordinary seven-arm octopus-like structure with 7 tentacle-like identical chains, held together at their C-terminal end. The C-terminal domain does oligomerize in isolation, and is necessary and sufficient to oligomerize full-length C4bp. It is predicted to form a seven-helix coiled coil, and its multimerization properties make it a promising vaccine adjuvant, probably by enhancing the structural stability and binding affinity of the presented antigen. Here, we present the solid-state NMR resonance assignment of the human C4bp C-terminal oligomerization Domain, hC4pbOD, and the corresponding secondary chemical shifts

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

A Differential Algebraic Estimator for Sensorless Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Machine Drive

International audienceThis paper describes a sensorless control for a high-performance permanent-magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) drive. A differential algebraic approach is used to estimate the position (and speed). The relationship thus obtained for analytical estimation of the position is based on the control voltages, the measured currents, and their derivatives. Unlike the other estimators like the extended Kalman filter (EKF) that is complex and computationally expensive, the differential algebraic estimator is simple with a 1-D model. Global convergence of the estimator is demonstrated, and experimental results show the effectiveness of the method and its robustness to current sensor fault

A differential algebraic approach for position/speed estimation in PMSM

International audienceThis paper presents a differential algebraic approach of speed/position estimation for PMSM drive. The dynamic of the position is a function of the voltages, currents and their derivatives. In contrast to the other estimators like the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) that is complex and computationally expensive, the differential algebraic estimator is simple with a one-dimension model. Simulations and experimental results show the effectiveness of the method

Current Sensor Fault Diagnosis in the Stationary Frame for PMSM Drive in Automotive Systems

LGEP 2014 ID = 1516International audienceThis paper describes a method to diagnose current sensor fault in a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (PMSM) drive for automotive applications. The method is based on a differential algebraic estimation of the faults dynamics in the stationary reference frame. The method is presented and analysed under the assumption of a single sensor fault (offset or gain). Simulation and experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach

Sensor Fault Diagnosis for Improving the Availability of Electrical Drives

International audienceThe paper describes a Fault Detection and Diagnosis structure of mechanical and current sensors faults of a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (PMSM) drive. The method is based on two interconnected observers: an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) and a Model Reference Adaptive System (MRAS) observer. The EKF, thanks to its optimality is designed to estimate the position in case of mechanical sensor fault and despite sensor current fault. The MRAS estimates the phase currents using the actual position and speed. The computation and sort of the residuals (difference between measured and estimated values) allows the fault isolation. The structure is evaluated on a 1.1 kW test bed with mechanical and phase current sensor faults. The experimental results are so far promising with the capability of detection and diagnosis of the proposed structure

Aethalometer multiple scattering correction Cref for mineral dust aerosols

International audienceIn this study we provide a first estimate of the Aethalometer multiple scattering correction C ref for mineral dust aerosols. C ref is an empirical constant used to correct the aerosol absorption coefficient measurements for the multiple scattering artefact of the Aethalometer; i.e. the filter fibres on which aerosols are deposited scatter light and this is miscounted as absorption. The C ref at 450 and 660 nm was obtained from the direct comparison of Aethalometer data (Magee Sci. AE31) with (i) the absorption coefficient calculated as the difference between the extinction and scattering coefficients measured by a Cavity Attenuated Phase Shift Extinction analyser (CAPS PMex) and a nephelometer respectively at 450 nm and (ii) the absorption coefficient from a MAAP (Multi-Angle Absorption Photometer) at 660 nm. Measurements were performed on seven dust aerosol samples generated in the laboratory by the mechanical shaking of natural parent soils issued from different source regions worldwide. The single scattering albedo (SSA) at 450 and 660 nm and the size distribution of the aerosols were also measured. C ref for mineral dust varies between 1.81 and 2.56 for a SSA of 0.85–0.96 at 450 nm and between 1.75 and 2.28 for a SSA of 0.98–0.99 at 660 nm. The calculated mean for dust is 2.09 (±0.22) at 450 nm and 1.92 (±0.17) at 660 nm. With this new C ref the dust absorption coefficient by the Aethalometer is about 2 % (450 nm) and 11 % (660 nm) higher than that obtained by using C ref = 2.14 at both 450 and 660 nm, as usually assumed in the literature. This difference induces a change of up to 3 % in the dust SSA at 660 nm. The C ref seems to be independent of the fine and coarse particle size fractions, and so the obtained C ref can be applied to dust both close to sources and following transport. Additional experiments performed with pure kaolinite minerals and polluted ambient aerosols indicate C ref of 2.49 (±0.02) and 2.32 (±0.01) at 450 and 660 nm (SSA = 0.96– 0.97) for kaolinite, and C ref of 2.32 (±0.36) at 450 nm and 2.32 (±0.35) at 660 nm for pollution aerosols (SSA = 0.62– 0.87 at 450 nm and 0.42–0.76 at 660 nm)

The Neolithic of Sharbithat (Dhofar, Sultanate of Oman) typological, technological, and experimental approaches

International audienceLocated between the last fringes of the al-Wusn Region and the plain of Dhofar (Zufar), the coastal plain of Sharbithat has been scarcely explored. With its 14 km-long shoreline, its succession of wide terraces and wadi deltaic branches, and its abundant flint sources Sharbithat represents one of the most promising Neolithic archaeological areas of the Omani coast. A first campaign in this area was therefore undertaken in January 2017 within the framework of the expedition programme 'Archaeology of the Arabian Seashores' and of the NeoArabia Project of the Agence nationale de la recherche (ANR). The Middle Holocene occupation in the surveyed terraces and low plateaus is particularly dense. Sites SHA-2, SHA-7, and SHA-10 revealed the presence of Neolithic dwellings (Late Neolithic period 2, c.4500-3100 BC). Moreover, in addition to the ordinary fishing equipment that characterizes this period, an astonishing lithic industry was also discovered. It consists of lunates, backed bladelets, and points made on flakes, similar to the so-called 'Fasad points' dating to the Early Holocene. The latter evidence suggests the use of this point type for a period longer than previously supposed or their attribution to the Late Neolithic, raising important chronological questions that must be carefully tested. Middle Neolithic occupation (c.6500-4500 BC) has also been identified at Sharbithat SHA-4, an exceptional site that provided stone structures, at least one burial, many bifaces, several 'faconnage' products, and dozens of arrowheads with trihedral-shaped distal and plano-convex menial. These types of projectile points were already known in the Hadramawt area in contexts dated between the sixth and fifth millennium BC, but their chronological horizon in Oman must be further detailed with new dates

The Neolithic of Sharbithat (Dhofar, Sultanate of Oman) typological, technological, and experimental approaches

International audienceLocated between the last fringes of the al-Wusn Region and the plain of Dhofar (Zufar), the coastal plain of Sharbithat has been scarcely explored. With its 14 km-long shoreline, its succession of wide terraces and wadi deltaic branches, and its abundant flint sources Sharbithat represents one of the most promising Neolithic archaeological areas of the Omani coast. A first campaign in this area was therefore undertaken in January 2017 within the framework of the expedition programme 'Archaeology of the Arabian Seashores' and of the NeoArabia Project of the Agence nationale de la recherche (ANR). The Middle Holocene occupation in the surveyed terraces and low plateaus is particularly dense. Sites SHA-2, SHA-7, and SHA-10 revealed the presence of Neolithic dwellings (Late Neolithic period 2, c.4500-3100 BC). Moreover, in addition to the ordinary fishing equipment that characterizes this period, an astonishing lithic industry was also discovered. It consists of lunates, backed bladelets, and points made on flakes, similar to the so-called 'Fasad points' dating to the Early Holocene. The latter evidence suggests the use of this point type for a period longer than previously supposed or their attribution to the Late Neolithic, raising important chronological questions that must be carefully tested. Middle Neolithic occupation (c.6500-4500 BC) has also been identified at Sharbithat SHA-4, an exceptional site that provided stone structures, at least one burial, many bifaces, several 'faconnage' products, and dozens of arrowheads with trihedral-shaped distal and plano-convex menial. These types of projectile points were already known in the Hadramawt area in contexts dated between the sixth and fifth millennium BC, but their chronological horizon in Oman must be further detailed with new dates