Balance equation formulation and memory effects in retarded high field semiconductor transport

The role of the finite, non-zero collision duration in high electric fields is examined for its effect on transient and overshoot response of carrier velocity and energy. A quantum kinetic equation approach is used to develop modifications of the balance equations obtained in a drifted Maxwellian approach for treating high-field transport. These result in corrections which require convolution integrals to be evaluated on the short-time scale.     

On the existence and detection of Bloch oscillations in superlattices

While many predicted superlattice behaviors depend on the presence of Bloch oscillations, the existence of such oscillations remains problematical. Here, we consider procedures by which their existence within a superlattice could be detected. We first set upper and lower bounds on the necessary fields. We then demonstrate that while a negative differential mobility is expected, no resonant peak occurs in this mobility at the Bloch frequency. However, we provide two ways of directly observing Bloch oscillations. In the first, we note the existence of structures in the dc velocity-field characteristic when an externally applied RF field has a frequency which is harmonically related to the Bloch frequency. The second approach is to measure the velocity fluctuation noise spectra, which should have a peak at the field-tunable Bloch frequency.     

High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS): A Review of New Infrastructure Development for Future Wireless Communications

This paper looks into the relatively new field of high altitude platform stations. HAPS is seen as a ‘middle ground’ between the terrestrial and satellite cases, and aims to exploit of the advantages of both types of system. Since HAPS is such a new field, this paper focuses on the technology behind a HAPS communications system, how this has developed, and compares it to the terrestrial and satellite equivalents. One important area that is being investigated is the applications for which HAPS should be used. This is a critical issue if a significant business case is to be made for HAPS. Worldwide HAPS projects and research issues are also highlighted. Finally, the review concludes with the remarks on the future of HAPS for wireless communications systems.     

Synthesis and Structure Analysis of Aurivillius Phases Pb1‐xBi4‐+Ti1‐xMnxO15

Synthesis Pb_1‐xBi_4+xTi_4‐xMn_xO₁₅ compounds (0 ≤ × ≤ 1) were carried out by molten salts method using eutectic mixture of Na₂SO₄/K₂SO₄ salts (1:1 molar ratio) as the flux. The samples were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction and refined by Le Bail method using Rietica program. The refinement results revealed that the compounds with the composition 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6 formed Aurivillius phase with the space group A2₁am while the other composition (x ≥ 0.8) showed another phase beside A2₁am. The ratio b/a of the lattices constants for all the samples are larger than 1 indicating the direction of the orthorhombic along the b axis of their cells. The lattice parameters and volume of the unit cells decrease as the Mn content increasing from x = 0 to 0.6, for x ≥ 0.8 a second phase were observed. The morphologies of Pb_1‐xBi_4+xTi_4‐xMn_xO₁₅ samples were observed by SEM and show plate‐like aggregate crystals, typical of layered compounds belonging to the Aurivillius phase.     

Kinetics of bioconjugate nanoparticle label binding in a sandwich-type immunoassay

Nanoparticle labels have enhanced the performance of diagnostic, screening, and other measurement applications and hold further promise for more sensitive, precise, and cost-effective assay technologies. Nevertheless, a clear view of the biomolecular interactions on the molecular level is missing. Controlling the ratio of molecular recognition over undesired nonspecific adhesion is the key to improve biosensing with nanoparticles. To improve this ratio with an aim to disallow nonspecific binding, a more detailed perspective into the kinetic differences between the cases is needed. We present the application of two novel methods to determine complex binding kinetics of bioconjugate nanoparticles, interferometry, and force spectroscopy. Force spectroscopy is an atomic force microscopy technique and optical interferometry is a direct method to monitor reaction kinetics in second-hour timescale, both having steadily increasing importance in nanomedicine. The combination is perfectly suited for this purpose, due to the high sensitivity to detect binding events and the ability to investigate biological samples under physiological conditions. We have attached a single biofunctionalized nanoparticle to the outer tip apex and studied the binding behavior of the nanoparticle in a sandwich-type immunoassay using dynamic force spectroscopy in millisecond timescale. Utilization of the two novel methods allowed characterization of binding kinetics in a time range spanning from 50 ms to 4 h. These experiments allowed detection and demonstration of differences between specific and nonspecific binding. Most importantly, nonspecific binding of a nanoparticle was reduced at contact times below 100 ms with the solid-phase surface.

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Figure A single biofunctionalized nanoparticle was attached to the outer tip apex and the binding behavior of the nanoparticle in a sandwich-type immunoassay, A) without analyte, B) with analyte and C) saturating analyte concentration, was recorded using dynamic force spectroscopy in millisecond timescale. The setting allowed measurement of the association speed of nonspecific binding.

     

In situ tissue pathology from spatially encoded mass spectrometry classifiers visualized in real time through augmented reality

Integration between a hand-held mass spectrometry desorption probe based on picosecond infrared laser technology (PIRL-MS) and an optical surgical tracking system demonstrates in situ tissue pathology from point-sampled mass spectrometry data. Spatially encoded pathology classifications are displayed at the site of laser sampling as color-coded pixels in an augmented reality video feed of the surgical field of view. This is enabled by two-way communication between surgical navigation and mass spectrometry data analysis platforms through a custom-built interface. Performance of the system was evaluated using murine models of human cancers sampled in situ in the presence of body fluids with a technical pixel error of 1.0 ± 0.2 mm, suggesting a 84% or 92% (excluding one outlier) cancer type classification rate across different molecular models that distinguish cell-lines of each class of breast, brain, head and neck murine models. Further, through end-point immunohistochemical staining for DNA damage, cell death and neuronal viability, spatially encoded PIRL-MS sampling is shown to produce classifiable mass spectral data from living murine brain tissue, with levels of neuronal damage that are comparable to those induced by a surgical scalpel. This highlights the potential of spatially encoded PIRL-MS analysis for in vivo use during neurosurgical applications of cancer type determination or point-sampling in vivo tissue during tumor bed examination to assess cancer removal. The interface developed herein for the analysis and the display of spatially encoded PIRL-MS data can be adapted to other hand-held mass spectrometry analysis probes currently available.

Integration between a hand-held mass spectrometry desorption probe based on picosecond infrared laser technology (PIRL-MS) and an optical surgical tracking system demonstrates in situ tissue pathology from point-sampled mass spectrometry data.     

Optimization of methane conversion to liquid fuels over W-Cu/ZSM-5 catalysts by response surface methodology

The conversion of methane to liquid fuels is still in the development process. The modified HZSM-5 by loading with Tungsten （W） enhanced its heat resistant performance, and the high reaction temperature （800℃） did not lead to the loss of W component by sublimation. The loading of ZSM-5 with Tungsten and Copper （Cu） resulted in an increment in the methane conversion, CO2, and C5＋ selectivities. The high methane conversion and C5＋ selectivity, and low H2O selectivity are obtained by using W/3.0Cu/ZSM-5. The optimization of methane conversion over 3.0 W/3.0Cu/ZSM-5 under different temperature and oxygen concentration using response surface methodology （RSM） are studied. The optimum point for methane conversion is 19% when temperature is 753 ℃, and oxygen concentration is 12%. The highest C5＋ selectivity is 27% when temperature is 751 ℃. and oxwen concentration is 11%.     

Pseuduvarines A and B, two new cytotoxic dioxoaporphine alkaloids from Pseuduvaria rugosa

Pseuduvarines A (1) and B (2), two new dioxoaporphine alkaloids with an amino moiety, were isolated from the stem bark of Pseuduvaria rugosa and their structures were elucidated by combination of 2D-NMR spectroscopic analysis. Pseuduvarines A (1) and B (2) showed cytotoxicity against MCF7, HepG2, and HL-60 (1: IC??, 0.9, 21.7, and >50.0 μM, respectively, 2: IC?? >50.0, 15.7, and 12.4 μM, respectively).     

Oligothiophene Self‐Assembly on the Surface of ZnO Nanorods: Toward Coaxial p–n Hybrid Heterojunctions

We describe herein the design, synthesis and detailed structural characterization of hybrid 1D nanostructures. They are prepared by supramolecular self‐assembly of oligothiophene molecules on the surface of zinc oxide nanorods in solution at room temperature. Electronic absorption spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction show that both organic and inorganic components in the coaxial p–n heterojunctions are crystalline. Especially, it is demonstrated that the organic compounds form a self‐assembled monolayer at the surface of the nanorods, which is not the case when zinc oxide quantum dots are instead used. As a result of their hybrid nature, the 1D nanostructures lead to ambipolar semiconducting nanostructured materials as active layers in field‐effect transistors.