Thin-film quantum dot photodiode for monolithic infrared image sensors

Imaging in the infrared wavelength range has been fundamental in scientific, military and surveillance applications. Currently, it is a crucial enabler of new industries such as autonomous mobility (for obstacle detection), augmented reality (for eye tracking) and biometrics. Ubiquitous deployment of infrared cameras (on a scale similar to visible cameras) is however prevented by high manufacturing cost and low resolution related to the need of using image sensors based on flip-chip hybridization. One way to enable monolithic integration is by replacing expensive, small-scale III-V-based detector chips with narrow bandgap thin-films compatible with 8- and 12-inch full-wafer processing. This work describes a CMOS-compatible pixel stack based on lead sulfide quantum dots (PbS QD) with tunable absorption peak. Photodiode with a 150-nm thick absorber in an inverted architecture shows dark current of 10(-6) A/cm(2) at 2 V reverse bias and EQE above 20% at 1440 nm wavelength. Optical modeling for top illumination architecture can improve the contact transparency to 70%. Additional cooling (193 K) can improve the sensitivity to 60 dB. This stack can be integrated on a CMOS ROIC, enabling order-of-magnitude cost reduction for infrared sensors

An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the lived experience of people with multimorbidity in low- and middle-income countries

People living with multimorbidity (PLWMM) have multiple needs and require long-term personalised care, which necessitates an integrated people-centred approach to healthcare. However, people-centred care may risk being a buzzword in global health and cannot be achieved unless we consider and prioritise the lived experience of the people themselves. This study captures the lived experiences of PLWMM in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by exploring their perspectives, experiences, and aspirations.We analysed 50 semi-structured interview responses from 10 LMICs across three regions—South Asia, Latin America, and Western Africa—using an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach.The bodily, social, and system experiences of illness by respondents were multidirectional and interactive, and largely captured the complexity of living with multimorbidity. Despite expensive treatments, many experienced little improvements in their conditions and felt that healthcare was not tailored to their needs. Disease management involved multiple and fragmented healthcare providers with lack of guidance, resulting in repetitive procedures, loss of time, confusion, and frustration. Financial burden was exacerbated by lost productivity and extreme finance coping strategies, creating a vicious cycle. Against the backdrop of uncertainty and disruption due to illness, many demonstrated an ability to cope with their conditions and navigate the healthcare system. Respondents’ priorities were reflective of their desire to return to a pre-illness way of life—resuming work, caring for family, and maintaining a sense of independence and normalcy despite illness. Respondents had a wide range of needs that required financial, health education, integrated care, and mental health support.In discussion with respondents on outcomes, it appeared that many have complementary views about what is important and relevant, which may differ from the outcomes established by clinicians and researchers. This knowledge needs to complement and be incorporated into existing research and treatment models to ensure healthcare remains focused on the human and our evolving needs

Monolithic near infrared image sensors enabled by quantum dot photodetector

status: publishe

Applying systems thinking to identify enablers and challenges to scale-up interventions for hypertension and diabetes in low-income and middle-income countries: protocol for a longitudinal mixed-methods study.

INTRODUCTION: There is an urgent need to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly in low-and middle-income countries, where the greatest burden lies. Yet, there is little research concerning the specific issues involved in scaling up NCD interventions targeting low-resource settings. We propose to examine this gap in up to 27 collaborative projects, which were funded by the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) 2019 Scale Up Call, reflecting a total funding investment of approximately US$50 million. These projects represent diverse countries, contexts and adopt varied approaches and study designs to scale-up complex, evidence-based interventions to improve hypertension and diabetes outcomes. A systematic inquiry of these projects will provide necessary scientific insights into the enablers and challenges in the scale up of complex NCD interventions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will apply systems thinking (a holistic approach to analyse the inter-relationship between constituent parts of scaleup interventions and the context in which the interventions are implemented) and adopt a longitudinal mixed-methods study design to explore the planning and early implementation phases of scale up projects. Data will be gathered at three time periods, namely, at planning (TP), initiation of implementation (T0) and 1-year postinitiation (T1). We will extract project-related data from secondary documents at TP and conduct multistakeholder qualitative interviews to gather data at T0 and T1. We will undertake descriptive statistical analysis of TP data and analyse T0 and T1 data using inductive thematic coding. The data extraction tool and interview guides were developed based on a literature review of scale-up frameworks. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The current protocol was approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC number 23482). Informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and more broadly through the GACD network

3D concrete printing on site : a novel way of building houses?

As a result of the constantly increasing world population and its purchasing power, it becomes more and more clear that raw materials are finite and the capacity of the earth to renew the stock of raw materials is almost exceeded. This is also important for construction industry as half of the extracted materials and about one third of the water consumption is absorbed by this sector. During the last years, a lot of progress has been made in creating more energy efficient buildings, but unfortunately, construction represents at this moment still 40% of the energy demand in Europe and 36% of the total CO2 emission [1]. However, the construction sector offers significant potential to handle these struggles and a possible solution to improve the sustainability is through automated construction by for example 3D printing the structural components. This new way of manufacturing has the advantage that there is no need for energy demanding and expensive molding, there is a larger freedom of form and there is the opportunity to use the material in a more eco-friendly way since it is only used where necessary. However, before acceptation of this technique on the construction site, it is necessary to compare the structural behavior of printed and cast specimens. For that reason, two wall types were tested on their compressive strength and also two types of reinforcement above a window opening were investigated through 3-point bending tests. These results showed that, in general, the mechanical performance of the suggested wall types is greater than that of traditional walls consisting of brickwork. This, in combination with the lack of molding and the higher construction speed, can accelerate the application of 3D printing on site

Manufacturability issues with Double Patterning for 50nm half pitch single damascene applications, using RIELACS (R) shrink and corresponding OPC

A double patterning (DP) process is discussed for 50nm half pitch interconnects, using a litho-etch-litho-etch approach on metal hard mask (MHM). Since an 0.85NA immersion scanner is used, the small pitch of 100nm is obtained by DP, the small trenches are made by a Quasar exposure followed by a shrink technique. The RELACS((R)) process is used, realizing narrow trenches with larger DOF and less LER. For mask making, a design split is carried out, followed by adjustments of the basic design to make the patterns more litho-friendly. Assist features are placed next to isolated trenches to ensure sufficient DOE Furthermore, an adjusted OPC calculation is carried out, taking into account proximity effects of both the exposure and the subsequent shrink process. After mask fabrication, this DP process is used for a single damascene application, with BDIIx as low-k material and TaN or TiN as MHM. Various problems are encountered, such as CD gain of the trenches during both MHM etch steps, poisoning and BARC thickness variations due to topography during the second litho step. For all these problems, solutions or work-arounds have been found, After the second MHM-etch, the 50nm half-pitch pattern is transferred successfully in the underlying low-k material

Comparison of six different calprotectin assays for the assessment of inflammatory bowel disease

Background and objectives: Faecal calprotectin is a valuable noninvasive marker for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of our study was to determine the correlation between six different calprotectin assays and compare their performance for diagnosis and follow up of IBD. Methods: Thirty-one patients with suspected IBD and 31 patients in follow up were included. We determined calprotectin by means of three rapid immmunochromatographic tests, two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and one automated fluoroimmunoassay. Results were correlated with endoscopic and histological findings. Results: Although all methods correlated significantly, slopes and intercepts differed extensively, with up to 5-fold quantitative differences between assays. Sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of IBD were 82-83 and 84-89%, respectively. For follow up, sensitivity in detecting mild ulcerative colitis was 71-100%. In moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis, sensitivity was 100% for all assays. Specificity was 67-86% in both subgroups. In Crohn's disease, only moderate-to-severe disease could be differentiated from remission, with sensitivity 83-86% and specificity 75% for all tests. Conclusions: All calprotectin assays showed comparable clinical performance for diagnosis of IBD. For follow up, performance was acceptable, except for mild Crohn's disease. Because of the large quantitative differences, further efforts are needed to standardize calprotectin assay