Ultra-Wideband L-Strip Proximity Coupled Slot Loaded Circular Microstrip Antenna for Modern Communication Systems

An analysis and design of a novel ultra wideband L-strip proximity coupled slot loaded circular microstrip antenna is proposed. The theoretical model is developed using circuit theoretic approach and obtained results are validated by MoM based IE3D simulation software. Theoretical results show a good agreement with simulated results. The patch is designed on a thick substrate of thickness 11 mm for a design frequency of 3.74 GHz and provides ultra wide band operation. The parametric study is carried out for return loss, radiation pattern, antenna efficiency, radiation efficiency and gain. It is observed that the bandwidth of the antenna depends on slot parameter and L-strip feed dimensions. An ultra bandwidth of 2.82 GHz is achieved with consistent radiation characteristics.     

Ultra-wideband,high efficiency oriented RF power amplifier using current source MIC technique for wireless monitoring of obstetrics patient

Analog Integrated Circuits and Signal Processing - This paper presents an Ultra-wideband, high-efficiency Class-E power amplifier (PA) using a current source tuner and microstrip inter-digital...     

Extraction of chemical warfare agents from water with hydrophilic-lipophilic balance and C18 cartridges: comparative study

Efficient extraction of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) from water is essential before subjecting them to gas chromatographic and spectral analysis aiming towards verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). It requires development of fast, reliable, simple and reproducible sample preparation of CWAs from water which is likely to be contaminated during deliberate or inadvertent spread of CWAs. This work describes development of a solid-phase extraction method using hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) cartridges for extraction of CWAs from water. The extraction efficiencies of HLB and C18 cartridges were compared and the results revealed that HLB sorbents performed better. Extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Extraction parameters, such as extraction solvent, its volume and rinsing solvent were optimized. Best recoveries of target analytes were obtained using 1mL methanol and limits of detection were achieved up to 0.05microg/mL with dichloromethane. Precision of the method was found to be less than 9.2% RSD.     

Determination of hydrolytic degradation products of nerve agents by injection port fluorination in gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention

Retrospective detection and identification of markers of chemical warfare agents are important aspects of verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Alkyl alkylphosphonic acids (AAPAs) and alkylphosphonic acids (APAs) are important markers of nerve agents. We describe the development and optimization of a new gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) injection port fluorination method for the derivatization of AAPAs and APAs. The process involved the injection of acids with trifluoroacetic anhydride in GC/MS, where acids are converted into their corresponding volatile fluorides. Various reaction conditions such as fluorinating agent, injection port temperature and splitless time were optimized. The maximum reaction efficiency of the acids with trifluoroacetic anhydride was observed at 230 degrees C injection port temperature with a splitless time of 2 min. APAs showed best analytical efficiencies at 400 degrees C injection port temperature, while the other conditions were similar to those of AAPAs. The linearities of response for APAs and AAPAs were in the range of 1-25 and 5-100 microg mL(-1), respectively, with limits of detection ranging from 500 pg to 800 ng mL(-1).     

A 8–12 GHz, 44.3 dBm RF output class FF−1 DPA using quad-mode coupled technique for new configurable front-end 5G transmitters

Analog Integrated Circuits and Signal Processing - This paper presents a high-efficiency Class $${\mathrm{FF}}^{-1}$$ DPA using the quad-mode coupled technique for new configurable front-end 5G...     

Formulation design, preparation and physicochemical characterizations of solid lipid nanoparticles containing a hydrophobic drug: effects of process variables

This study aimed to prepare solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of a hydrophobic drug, tretinoin, by emulsification-ultrasonication method. Solubility of tretinoin in the solid lipids was examined. Effects of process variables were investigated on particle size, polydispersity index (PI), zeta potential (ZP), drug encapsulation efficiency (EE), and drug loading (L) of the SLNs. Shape and surface morphology of the SLNs were investigated by cryogenic field emission scanning electron microscopy (cryo-FESEM). Complete encapsulation of drug in the nanoparticles was checked by cross-polarized light microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Crystallinity of the formulation was analyzed by DSC and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). In addition, drug release and stability studies were also performed. The results indicated that 10mg tretinoin was soluble in 0.45±0.07 g Precirol? ATO5 and 0.36±0.06 g Compritol? 888ATO, respectively. Process variables exhibited significant influence in producing SLNs. SLNs with <120 nm size, <0.2 PI, >I30I mV ZP, >75% EE, and ～0.8% L can be produced following the appropriate formulation conditions. Cryo-FESEM study showed spherical particles with smooth surface. Cross-polarized light microscopy study revealed that drug crystals in the external aqueous phase were absent when the SLNs were prepared at ≤0.05% drug concentration. DSC and PXRD studies indicated complete drug encapsulation within the nanoparticle matrix as amorphous form. The drug release study demonstrated sustained/prolonged drug release from the SLNs. Furthermore, tretinoin-loaded SLNs were stable for 3 months at 4°C. Hence, the developed SLNs can be used as drug carrier for sustained/prolonged drug release and/or to improve oral absorption/bioavailability.     

Polyelectrolyte functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes as strong anion-exchange material for the extraction of acidic degradation products of nerve agents

Extraction, enrichment and gas chromatography mass spectrometric analysis of degradation products of nerve agents from water is of significant importance for verification of Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and gathering forensic evidence of use of nerve agents. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were non-covalently functionalized with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) to afford the cationic functionalized nano-tubes, which were used as solid-phase anionic-exchanger sorbents to extract the acidic degradation products of nerve agents from water. Extraction efficiencies of MWCNTs-PDDA were compared with those of mixed mode anion-exchange (HLB) and silica based strong anion-exchange (Si-SAX) cartridges. Optimized extraction parameters included MWCNTs-PDDA 12 mg, washing solvent 5 mL water and eluting solvent 3 mL of 0.1M aqueous HCl followed by 3 mL methanol. At 1 ng mL(-1) spiking concentration of mono- and di-basic phosphonic acids, MWCNTs-PDDA exhibited higher extraction efficiencies in comparison to Si-SAX and HLB. The limits of detection were achieved down to 0.05 and 0.11 ng mL(-1) in selected ion and full scan monitoring mode respectively; and limits of quantification in selected ion monitoring mode were achieved down to 0.21 ng mL(-1).     

Selective enrichment of the degradation products of organophosphorus nerve agents by zirconia based solid-phase extraction

Selective extraction and enrichment of nerve agent degradation products has been achieved using zirconia based commercial solid-phase extraction cartridges. Target analytes were O-alkyl alkylphosphonic acids and alkylphosphonic acids, the environmental markers of nerve agents such as sarin, soman and VX. Critical extraction parameters such as modifier concentration, nature and volume of washing and eluting solvents were investigated. Amongst other anionic compounds, selectivity in extraction was observed for organophosphorus compounds. Recoveries of analytes were determined by GC-MS which ranged from 80% to 115%. Comparison of zirconia based solid-phase extraction method with anion-exchange solid-phase extraction revealed its selectivity towards phosphonic acids. The limits of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) with selected analytes were achieved down to 4.3 and 8.5 ng mL(-1), respectively, in selected ion monitoring mode.     

Low profile multiband rectenna for efficient energy harvesting at microwave frequencies

This paper presents the design and development of a multiband rectenna for ambient RF energy harvesting. The proposed rectifying antenna consists of fractal-based geometry to obtain GSM 0.9 GHz (0.8–1.2 GHz), GSM 1.8 GHz (1.6–2.1 GHz), WLAN 2.5 GHz (2.2–2.8 GHz), Wi-MAX 3.5 GHz (3.1–4.0 GHz), WLAN 5.5 GHz (5.3–6.4 GHz) and 7.35 GHz (7.0–7.8 GHz) resonating bands. The designed sensing antenna is low profile, lightweight and small in size with two circularly polarized bands at frequencies 1.8 and 2.5 GHz. In the proposed rectenna, a dual-stage voltage doubler rectifying circuit is utilized for converting surrounding RF signals into DC power. A matching network is connected between the fractal antenna and the rectifying circuitry for realizing a good impedance matching between them. To verify the proposed design, a prototype rectenna is fabricated and measured results are compared with the simulated results. The proposed rectifier provides an RF to DC conversion efficiency of 78%.     

Double MOS Loaded Circular Microstrip Antenna with Airgap for Mobile Communication

A novel model of a wide frequency range double MOS loaded circular microstrip patch antenna with airgap between ground plane and substrate is proposed. In this structure two metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices are loaded on the patch to enhance the operating frequency range of antenna. To investigate the antenna, different parameters such as resonance frequency, input impedance, frequency agility, VSWR, radiation pattern etc. are calculated and simulated. The resonant frequency of proposed 10 mm radius patch is upward shifted from 5.2 to 6.8 GHz using 1 mm airgap and by loading MOS, antenna can be tuned down to 1.27 GHz operating frequency, which leads to compactness and tunability of antenna. Proposed antenna can be tuned between 1.27 and 6.8 GHz frequency of operation which makes the antenna highly suitable for wide frequency range of mobile communication. The proposed double MOS loaded antenna possessed 82.94 % frequency agility. The antenna is worth for GPS, WLAN, UMTS, and WiMAX operations.