A Novel Formalism for Partially Defined Asynchronous Feedback Digital Circuits

In contrast to combinational logic and master clocked sequential logical, asynchronous feedback circuits are partially defined due to analogous meta-stabilities. We present a novel formalism to exactly explore this digitally assisted analog phenomenon in order to build up a representative test bench that is able to enforce race constraints (meta-stable behavior) for non-deterministics, instabilities as well as for oscillations in feedback structures. Further, we introduce our definitions for consistently modeling under state transition graphs, we provide all entities for modeling asynchronous feedback structures and state our proposed methodology with an exemplary asynchronous circuitry. The given example is explained at a high level of abstraction, all data for revision is provided, too. The approach seems to be capable to test for meta-stabilities, analog behavior in feedback digital structures.     

An organometallic inhibitor for glycogen synthase kinase 3

Replacing natural products with kinetically inert metal complexes may lead to a new class of therapeutics in which a metal center plays the role of an innocent bystander, organizing the orientation of the organic ligands in the receptor space. As an example of this approach, a ruthenium complex is described that copies the binding mode of indolocarbazole protein kinase inhibitors and serves as a reversible, low-nanomolar inhibitor for glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3).     

Seventh-order elliptic video filter with 0.1 dB pass band ripple employing CMOS CDTAs

In this paper, a CMOS realization of the current differencing transconductance amplifier (CDTA) is given, which is a newly reported active building block for current-mode signal processing. Current differencing stage of the CDTA element is realized using a differential current-controlled current source and in the output stage, floating current sources are used to convert intermediate voltage of z terminal to output currents. Due to the compactness of the circuit, it is capable of high-frequency operation and suitable for video signal-processing applications. The CDTA element is used in a current-mode anti-aliasing video filter, which is designed using operational simulation of a seventh-order passive elliptic filter, so the resulting active filter has the low sensitivity feature of its passive counterpart. The filter has 0.1 dB maximum pass band ripple as imposed by ITU video anti-aliasing filter standard. SPICE-simulation results of both the CDTA element and the seventh-order elliptic filter are given. Simulation results are found in close agreement with theoretical results.     

Poly(p‐phenylene methylene)‐based block copolymers by mechanistic transformation

The synthesis of poly(p‐phenylene methylene) (PPM)‐based block copolymers such as poly(p‐phenylene methylene)‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) and poly(p‐phenylene methylene)‐b‐polytetrahydrofuran by mechanistic transformation was described. First, precursor PPM was synthesized by acid‐catalyzed polymerization of tribenzylborate at 16 °C. Then, this polymer was used as macroinitiators in either ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone or cationic ring‐opening polymerization of tetrahydrofuran to yield respective block copolymers. The structures of the prepolymer and block copolymers were characterized by GPC and ¹H NMR investigations. The composition of block copolymers as determined by ¹H NMR and TGA analysis was found to be in very good agreement. The thermal behavior and surface morphology of the copolymers were also investigated, respectively, by differential scanning calorimetry and atomic force microscopy measurements, and the contribution of the major soft segment has been observed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Soluble alkyl substituted poly(3,4‐propylenedioxyselenophene)s: A new platform for optoelectronic materials

Optical and electrochemical properties of regiosymmetric and soluble alkylenedioxyselenophene‐based electrochromic polymers, namely poly(3,3‐dibutyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐selenopheno[3,4‐b][1,4]dioxephine) (PProDOS‐C₄), poly(3,3‐dihexyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐selenopheno[3,4‐b][1,4]dioxephine) (PProDOS‐C₆), and poly(3,3‐didecyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐selenopheno[3,4‐b][1,4]dioxephine) (PProDOS‐C₁₀), are highlighted. It is noted that these unique polymers have low bandgaps (1.57–1.65 eV), and they are exceptionally stable under ambient atmospheric conditions. Polymer films retained 82–97% of their electroactivity after 5000 cycles. The percent transmittance of PProDOS‐C_n (n = 4, 6, 10) films found to be between 55 and 59%. Furthermore, these novel soluble PProDOS‐C_n polymers showed electrochromic behavior: a color change form pure blue to highly transparent state in a low switching time (1.0 s) during oxidation with high coloration efficiencies (328–864 cm² C^?1) when compared to their thiophene analogues. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

A Novel Neutral State Green Polymeric Electrochromic with Superior n‐ and p‐Doping Processes: Closer to Red‐Blue‐Green (RGB) Display Realization

Two donor‐acceptor systems, 4,7‐di‐2‐thienyl‐2,1,3‐benzoselenadiazole (TSeT) and 4,7‐di‐2,3‐dihydrothieno[3,4‐b][1,4]dioxin‐5‐yl‐2,1,3‐benzoselenadiazole (ESeE) are synthesized and electropolymerized to give polymers PTSeT and PESeE, respectively. One of the polymers, PTSeT, is blue‐green in the neutral state and soluble, exhibiting a deep‐red emission color. The other, PESeE, is the first 2,1,3‐benzoselenadiazole‐based neutral state green polymer with a narrow bandgap (1.04 eV). Furthermore, PESeE has superior and durable n‐ and p‐doping processes. Beyond the stability and the robustness, both of the polymer films exhibit multi‐electrochromic behavior.     

Poly(cyclohexene oxide)/clay nanocomposites by photoinitiated cationic polymerization via activated monomer mechanism

Poly(cyclohexene oxide) (PCHO)/clay nanocomposites were prepared by in situ photoinitiated activated monomer cationic polymerization. The polymerization of cyclohexene oxide through the interlayer galleries of the clay can provide distribution of the clay layers in the polymer matrix homogenously and results in the formation of PCHO/clay nanocomposites. The exfoliated structures were characterized by X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 5328–5335, 2009     

Orthogonal Synthesis of Block Copolymer via Photoinduced CuAAC and Ketene Chemistries

A novel route for the synthesis of poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐polystyrene copolymer, starting from commercially available poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether and azido terminated polystyrene prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and subsequent nucleophilic substitution, is applied with simplicity and high efficiency. The combination of photoinduced copper (I)‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) and ketene chemistry reactions proceeds either simultaneously or sequentially in a one‐pot procedure under near‐visible light irradiation. In both cases, excellent block copolymer formations are achieved, with an average molecular weight of around 7000 g mo1⁻¹ and a polydispersity index of 1.20.