Converged properties of clean metal surfaces by all-electron first-principles calculations

All-electron full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave calculations of the surface energy, work function, and interlayer spacings of close-packed metal surfaces are presented, in particular, for the free-electron-like metal surfaces, Mg(0 0 0 1) and Al(1 1 1), and for the transition metal surfaces, Ti(0 0 0 1), Cu(1 1 1), Pd(1 1 1), and Pt(1 1 1). We investigate the convergence of the surface energy as a function of the number of layers in the slab, using the Cu(1 1 1) surface as an example. The results show that the surface energy, as obtained using total energies of the slab and bulk from separate calculations, converges well with respect to the number of layers in the slab. Obviously, it is necessary that bulk and surface calculations are performed with the same high accuracy. Furthermore, we discuss the performance of the local-density and generalized gradient approximations for the exchange-correlation functional in describing the various surface properties.     

The structure of an Fe monolayer on the Ni (111) surface. A density-functional study using the generalized gradient approximation

Using a density-functional method that employs linear combinations of atomic orbitals as basis sets, nonlocal norm-conserving pseudopotentials and the generalized gradient approximation for exchange and correlation, we found that at 0 K the atoms of an Fe monolayer on the Ni (111) surface occupy hcp rather than fcc sites, in keeping with previous predictions made using the ab initio all-electron full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method with the local spin density approximation.     

Interference of circularly polarized light: contrast and application in fabrication of three-dimensional periodic microstructures

The contrast of interference pattern formed by two circularly polarized waves and by a linearly polarized wave and a circularly polarized one is discussed. The results are compared with that by two linear beams. It shows that the use of circular light in holographic fabrication of three-dimensional periodic microstructures may remove the necessity of beam ratio and polarization optimization needed in the interference of three linear noncoplanar beams and improve the uniform contrast of resultant pattern simultaneously.     

Photochemically generated carotenoid radicals on Nafion film and silica gel: an EPR and ENDOR study

Carotenoid cation radicals have been observed at 120 K, by EPR and proton ENDOR measurements, to be formed upon 77 K photolysis of thin films of Nafion or silica gel coated with the carotenoids, β-carotene and canthaxanthin. The powder ENDOR spectra consist of resolvable lines due to couplings larger than 2.8 MHz but smaller than 17 MHz assigned to the methyl protons of the carotenoid cation radical and to an -proton of the planar polyene chain.     

CADRE: An Asynchronous Embedded DSP for Mobile Phone Applications

Asynchronous design techniques have a number of compelling features that make them suited for complex system on chip designs. However, it is necessary to develop practical and efficient design techniques to overcome the present shortage of commercial design tools. This paper describes the development of CADRE (Configurable Asynchronous DSP for Reduced Energy), a 750K transistor, high performance, low-power digital signal processor IP block intended for digital mobile phone chipsets. A short time period was available for the project, and so a methodology was developed that allowed high-level simulation of the design at the earliest possible stage within the conventional schematic entry environment and simulation tools used for later circuit-level performance and power consumption assessment. Initial modeling was based on C behavioral models of the various data and control components, with the many asynchronous control circuits required automatically generated from their specifications. This has enabled design options to be explored and unusual features of the design, such as the Register Bank which is designed to exploit data access patterns, are presented along with the power and performance results of the processor as a whole.     

Multiplicité des solutions d'équilibre d'une coque de Marguerre–von Kármán membranaireMultiplicity of solutions to the Marguerre–von Kármán membrane equations

We build explicitly an infinite number of equilibrium solutions of unloaded Marguerre–von Kármán membrane shells. This construction is based upon the existence of three elementary solutions, together with the solution of a Monge–Ampère equation associated with a partition of the reference configuration of the shell. To cite this article: A. Léger, B. Miara, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 335 (2002) 649–654.     

Prototype implementation of an assembly system for tissue engineered constructs

In the course of the research described in this paper a prototype assembly system for the automated fabrication of customized, biodegradable bone implants for tissue engineering applications has been developed. This work is part of a collaborative effort between the Handling Laboratory (hLab) of Fachhochschule Vorarlberg and the Bone Tissue Engineering Center (BETC) of Carnegie Mellon University. Bone implants are built up using thin layers of highly porous, biodegradable polymer scaffold materials. These layers can be seeded with cells prior to assembly. The main focus of this work is robotic handling of the prefabricated polymer layers. Additional components that are addressed include the cutting of contoured polymer layers from sheetstock and the assembly of the 21/2 dimensional layers to form 3D bone implants. Cutting tests have been performed to assess different cutting technologies. Assembly tests with mechanical connectors and fibrin adhesive have also been conducted. These components are integrated within a robot cell to demonstrate overall system feasibility.