A Multilayer Data Copy Test Data Compression Scheme for Reducing Shifting-in Power for Multiple Scan Design

The random-like filling strategy pursuing high compression for today's popular test compression schemes introduces large test power. To achieve high compression in conjunction with reducing test power for multiple-scan-chain designs is even harder and very few works were dedicated to solve this problem. This paper proposes and demonstrates a multilayer data copy (MDC) scheme for test compression as well as test power reduction for multiple-scan-chain designs. The scheme utilizes a decoding buffer, which supports fast loading using previous loaded data, to achieve test data compression and test power reduction at the same time. The scheme can be applied automatic test pattern generation (ATPG)-independently or to be incorporated in an ATPG to generate highly compressible and power efficient test sets. Experiment results on benchmarks show that test sets generated by the scheme had large compression and power saving with only a small area design overhead.     

Density functional theory of high-k dielectric gate stacks

Density functional theory is the method of choice in theoretical materials science. It has also proved to be a useful tool in device engineering, particularly at nanoscale and when novel materials are involved. In this paper, we briefly review recent theoretical results in the area of the advanced gate stack materials engineering.     

pH Responsivity and micelle formation of gradient copolymers of methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate in aqueous solution

A series of gradient copolymers of methacrylic acid (MAA)/methyl methacrylate (MMA) with four end-to-end composition profiles (uniform, linear gradient, triblock with linear gradient midblock, and diblock) but all having an average chain composition of ?F(MMA) ≈ 0.5 and an average chain length of 200 were synthesized via model-based, computer-programmed, semibatch atom-transfer radical copolymerization (ATRcoP). These samples allowed us to investigate systematically the effects of the gradient composition profile on the pH responsivity and micelle formation of the copolymers in an aqueous solution. Measurements included light transmittance, TEM, AFM, DLS, (1)H NMR, and pH titration. It was found that linear gradient, triblock, and diblock copolymers formed spherical micelles at high pH. The micelles of the linear gradient copolymer contained MMA units in their hydrophilic shells, and those of the triblock and diblock copolymers had all of their MMA units residing in their cores. The composition profile showed a strong effect on the degree of acid dissociation at a given pH. The conformational transition of the copolymer chains was determined by both the pH value and composition profile. Copolymers having sharper gradients required a lower pH to trigger the conformational transition and a narrower pH range to complete the transition.     

Dynamic compressive responses of intact and damaged ceramics from a single split Hopkinson pressure bar experiment

A novel dynamic compressive experimental technique has been developed based on a split Hopkinson pressure bar. This new method dynamically loads the ceramic specimen by two consecutive stress pulses. The first pulse determines the dynamic response of the intact ceramic materiaal and then crushes the specimen, and the second pulse determines the dynamic compressive constitutive behavior of the ceramic rubble. Precise pulse shaping ensures that the specimen deforms at nearly constant strain rates under dynamic stress equilibrium during the loading by both stress pulses. Pulse shaping also controls the amplitudes of loading pulses, the values of strain rates, the maximum strains in the rubble specimens, and the proper separation time between the two loading pulses. The feasibility of the new technique is demonstrated by the experimental results obtained on an AD995 alumina.     

TiO2/activated carbon fibers photocatalyst: Effects of coating procedures on the microstructure, adhesion property, and photocatalytic ability

In order to more easily separate TiO₂ photocatalyst from the treated wastewater, TiO₂ film was immobilized on the surface of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) by employing two kinds of coating procedures, dip-coating, and hydrothermal treatment. The effects of coating procedures on microstructure of TiO₂-coated ACFs (TiO₂/ACFs), such as morphology, porous property, crystal structure, and light absorption characteristics were investigated in detail. The adhesion property between TiO₂ film and ACFs was evaluated by ultrasonic vibration, and the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂/ACFs was tested by the photocatalytic decoloration of methylene blue solution. The results show that hydrothermal treatment presented many advantages to obtain high-performance TiO₂/ACFs photocatalyst in comparison with dip-coating. Hydrothermal treatment could improve the binding property between TiO₂ films and ACFs, which endowed the as-obtained TiO₂/ACFs photocatalyst with improved reusable performance, and TiO₂/ACFs synthesized by hydrothermal treatment presented higher photocatalytic activity.     

In situ hydrolysis of imine derivatives on Au(111) for the formation of aromatic mixed self-assembled monolayers: multitechnique analysis of this tunable surface modification

This paper presents a novel method for preparing aromatic, mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with a dilute surface fraction coverage of protonated amine via in situ hydrolysis of C═N double bond on gold surface. Two imine compounds, (4'-(4-(trifluoromethyl)benzylideneamino)biphenyl-4-yl)methanethiol (CF(3)-C(6)H(4)-CH═N-C(6)H(4)-C(6)H(4)-CH(2)-SH, TFBABPMT) and (4'-(4-cyanobenzylideneamino)biphenyl-4-yl)methanethiol (CN-C(6)H(4)-CH═N-C(6)H(4)-C(6)H(4)-CH(2)-SH, CBABPMT), self-assembled on Au(111) to form highly ordered monolayers, which was demonstrated by infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A nearly upright molecular orientation for CF(3)- and CN-terminated SAM was detected by near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) measurements. Afterward, the acidic catalyzed hydrolysis was carried out in chloroform or an aqueous solution of acetic acid (pH = 3). Systematic studies of this hydrolysis process for CN-terminated SAM in acetic acid at 25 °C were performed by NEXAFS measurements. It was found that about 30% of the imine double bonds gradually cleaved in the first 40 min. Subsequently, a larger hydrolysis rate was observed due to the freer penetration of acetic acid in the SAM and resultant more open molecular packing. Furthermore, the molecular orientation in mixed SAMs did not change during the whole hydrolysis process. This partially hydrolyzed surface contains a controlled amount of free amines/ammonium ions which can be used for further chemical modifications.