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The use of technological devices has widespread around the world. It is known that inappropriate or prolonged use of electronic devices can cause musculoskeletal discomfort or even illness. However, there are not many studies that evaluate the associated risks on the children’s health. This paper describes a pilot ergonomic study for the analysis of the postures of a five-year old girl while using a laptop computer, a tablet, and a smart phone. The analysis was done using the software Delmia to generate 3D models of the child body, that were created based on photographs. We considered five positions: desk sitting, sitting cross legged, lying supine, lying prone and standing. The results suggest that the safest positions are sitting on a desk and standing, and the greatest risk is in the area of necktrunk. However, further investigation is needed to validate the musculoskeletal risks associated to the use of electronic devices by children. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2017.

Memristor as a novel and emerging electronic device having vast range of applications suffer from poor frequency response and saturation length. In this paper, the authors present a novel and an innovative device structure for the memristor with two active layers and its non-linear ionic drift model for an improved frequency response and saturation length. The authors investigated and compared the I-V characteristics for the proposed model with the conventional memristors and found better results in each case (different window functions) for the proposed dual sided doped memristor. For circuit level simulation, they developed a SPICE model of the proposed memristor and designed some logic gates based on hybrid complementary metal oxide semiconductor memristive logic (memristor ratioed logic). The pro- posed memristor yields improved results in terms of noise margin, delay time and dynamic hazards than that of the conventional memristors (single active layer memristors).

Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) with (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) has emerged as a rapidly evolving diagnostic tool for infectious diseases. However, the optimal imaging time in this clinical setting is not clear yet. The aim of this study is to investigate whether delayed (3 hours) FDG PET-CT could increase the diagnostic accuracy of this technique compared to standard (1 hour) imaging in the detection of septic foci involving the pocket and/or pacing leads in patients with suspected cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) infection scheduled for device removal.Twenty-seven patients underwent standard and delayed imaging. PET-CT results were compared to bacteriological cultures after CIED removal. Fifteen controls free of infection underwent PET-CT imaging as part of investigation of malignancy. The diagnostic accuracy of delayed imaging was significantly higher than 1-hour scan for lead infection (70% vs 51%, P = .024). No significant difference was found between standard and delayed diagnostic accuracy for pocket or device infection. Semi-quantitative analysis showed that mean pocket and lead target-to-background ratio were significantly higher on delayed compared to standard imaging (3.7 ± 1.9 vs 1.6 ± 1.1, P = .0002; 3.0 ± 1.3 vs 0.7 ± 1.0, P = .01).Delayed FDG PET-CT imaging should be considered at least in patients with negative 1-hour scan and founded suspicion of pacing lead infection.

El presente trabajo de grado pretende explicar el desarrollo de un sistema electrónico de adquisición de datos, el cual se encarga de obtener los diferentes parámetros del movimiento armónico simple como lo son, la aceleración, la velocidad angular, longitud y ángulo, por medio de los diferentes sensores que hemos implementado en el diseño de péndulo desarrollado, en el que se encuentra el acelerómetro MPU6050 que además de obtener la aceleración tiene integrado un giroscopio el cual nos revela el Angulo en los 3 ejes yaw, pitch, roll, el sensor de efecto hall Ky-024 el cual nos permite medir el periodo de las oscilaciones, y un sensor ultrasónico HC-SR04 el cual nos permite obtener la longitud de la vara que deseamos manejar dependiendo de la práctica que se quiera hacer. Entre los parámetros que se desean obtener esta la velocidad angular, la aceleración, el ángulo de los ejes, y la longitud de la cuerda o vara, como ya lo mencionamos anteriormente. Para esto tendremos un proceso de interacción entre la interfaz y el usuario (personal académico) en donde se deberán seguir los diferentes pasos que se muestran en el manual del usuario, para una mejor calidad de la práctica. Dicho proceso se llevará a cabo oprimiendo determinados pulsadores o botones que están adecuados para obtener la información necesaria de los sensores implementados. Paso a paso se obtendrán los datos necesarios para continuar la práctica, lo cual se mostrará en una GLCD o pantalla grafica después de pasar por el proceso de adquisición de datos, desarrollado en LabVIEW, en donde se obtendrán dichos parámetros para establecer las diferentes graficas de los diferentes reportes que saldrán de Excel. This degree work aims to explain the development of an electronic data acquisition system, which is responsible for obtaining the different parameters of simple harmonic motion such as acceleration, angular velocity, length and angle, by means of the different sensors that we have implemented in the pendulum design developed, in which the MPU6050 accelerometer is located, which in addition to obtaining the acceleration has an integrated gyroscope which reveals the Angle in the 3 axes yaw, pitch, roll, the effect sensor hall Ky-024 which allows us to measure the period of the oscillations, and an ultrasonic sensor HC-SR04 which allows us to obtain the length of the rod that we want to handle depending on the practice that we want to do. Among the parameters that we want to obtain are the angular velocity, the acceleration, the angle of the axes, and the length of the chord or rod, as we mentioned before. For this we will have an interaction process between the interface and the user (academic staff) where the different steps shown in the user manual must be followed, for a better quality of practice. Said process will be carried out by pressing certain pushbuttons or buttons that are suitable for obtaining the necessary information from the implemented sensors. Step by step the necessary data will be obtained to continue the practice, which will be shown on a GLCD or graphic screen after going through the data acquisition process, developed in LabVIEW, where said parameters will be obtained to establish the different graphs of the different reports that will come out of Excel. Ingeniero Electronico

The B&larr, N is isoelectronic to the C&ndash, C, with the former having stronger dipole moment and higher electron affinity. Replacing the C&ndash, C bonds in conjugated polymers with B&larr, N bonds is an effective pathway toward novel polymers with strong electron affinity and adjustable optoelectronic properties. In this work, we synthesize a conjugated copolymer, namely, BNIDT-DPP, based on a B&larr, N embedded unit, BNIDT, and a typical electron-deficient unit, diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP). For comparison, the C&ndash, C counterpart, i.e., IDT-DPP, is also synthesized. In contrast to IDT-DPP, the B&larr, N embedded polymer BNIDT-DPP shows an extended absorption edge (836 versus 978 nm), narrowed optical bandgap (1.48 versus 1.27 eV), and higher electron affinity (3.54 versus 3.74 eV). The Gaussian simulations reveal that the B&larr, N embedded polymer BNIDT-DPP is more electron-deficient in contrast to IDT-DPP, supporting the decreased bandgap and energy levels of BNIDT-DPP. Organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) tests indicate a well-defined p-type characteristic for both IDT-DPP and BNIDT-DPP. The hole mobilities of IDT-DPP and BNIDT-DPP tested by OTFTs are 0.059 and 0.035 cm2/V&middot, s, respectively. The preliminary fabrication of all-polymer solar cells based on BNIDT-DPP and PBDB-T affords a PCE of 0.12%. This work develops a novel B&larr, N embedded polymer with strong electron affinity and extended absorption, which is potentially useful for electronic device application.

Organic semiconductor materials have been the center of attention because they are scalable, low-cost for device fabrication, and they have good optical properties and mechanical flexibility, which encourages their research. Organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) have potential applications, specifically in flexible and low-cost electronics such as portable and wearable technologies. In this work we report the fabrication of an InClPc base flexible bottom-gate/top-contact OFET sandwich, configured by the high-evaporation vacuum technique. The gate substrate consisted of a bilayer poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and indium&ndash, tin oxide (ITO) with nylon 11/Al2O3. The device was characterized by different techniques to determine chemical stability, absorbance, transmittance, bandgap, optical properties, and electrical characteristics in order to determine its structure and operational properties. IR spectroscopy verified that the thin films that integrated the device did not suffer degradation during the deposition process, and there were no impurities that affected the charge mobility in the OFET. Also, the InClPc semiconductor IR fingerprint was present on the deposited device. Surface analysis showed evidence of a nonhomogeneous film and also a cluster deposition process of the InClPc. Using the Tauc model, the device calculated indirect bandgap transitions of approximately 1.67 eV. The device&rsquo, s field effect mobility had a value of 36.2 cm2 V&minus, 1 s&minus, 1, which was superior to mobility values obtained for commonly manufactured OFETs and increased its potential to be used in flexible organic electronics. Also, a subthreshold swing of 80.64 mV/dec was achieved and was adequate for this kind of organic-based semiconductor device. Therefore, semiconductor functionality is maintained at different gate voltages and is transferred accurately to the film, which makes these flexible OFETs a good candidate for electronic applications.

Automated control systems employ electronic components that are connected with a printed circuit board (PCB) by soldered joints. At elevated temperatures and with high vibration levels, soldering defects may occur that are characterized by the deterioration or complete loss of contact with the PCB, which can lead to the failure of the system. In this work, an approach is proposed to considerably improve the reliability of soldered joints. © 2013 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.

Apple bruise damage from harvesting, handling, transporting and sorting is considered to be the major source of reduced fruit quality, resulting in loss of profits for the entire fruit industry. The three factors which can physically cause fruit bruising are vibration, compression load and impact, the latter being the most common source of bruise damage. Therefore, prediction of the level of damage, stress distribution and deformation of the fruits under external force has become a very important challenge. In this study, experimental and numerical methods were used to better understand the impact caused when an apple is dropped from different heights onto a plastic surface and a conveyor belt. Results showed that the extent of fruit damage is significantly higher for plastic surface, being dependent on the height. In order to support the development of a biomimetic electronic device for the determination of fruit damage, the mechanical properties of the apple fruit were determined using mechanical tests. Preliminary results showed different values for the Young’s modulus according to the zone of the apple tested. Along with the mechanical characterization of the apple fruit, the development of the first two prototypes is discussed and the integration of the results obtained to construct the final element model of the apple is presented. This work will help to reduce significantly the bruise damage of fruits or vegetables during the entire processing which will allow the introduction of exportation destines and consequently an increase in the economic profits in this sector., {"references":["Van Zeebroeck M, Tijskens E, Dintwa E, Kafashan J, Loodts J, De Baerdemaeker J, Ramon H, \"The discrete element method (DEM) to simulate fruit impact damage during transport and handling: Case study of vibration damage during apple bulk transport\", Postharvest Biology and Technology, Vol. 41, 2006, pp. 92-100.","Lewis, R., Yoxall, A., Canty, L.A., Romo, E.R., \"Development of engineering design tools to help reduce apple bruising\", in Journal of Food Engineering, Vol. 83, 2007, pp. 356-365.","Zdunek, A. and Umeda, M., \"Extension and Fracture of Cell Walls after Parenchyma Tissue Deformation\" in Biosystems Engineering, Vol. 93, No. 3, 2006, pp. 269-278.","Celik, H.K., Rennie, A.E.W. and Akinci, I., \"Deformation behaviour simulation of an apple under drop case by finite element method\", Journal of Food Engineering, Vol. 104, 2011, pp.293-298.","Li, Z., Yang, H., Li, P., Liu, J., Wang, J. and Xu, Y., \"Fruit biomechanics based on anatomy: a review\", International Agrophyics, Vol. 27, No. 1, 2013, pp. 97-106.","Labavitch, J. M., Greve, L. C., & Mitcham, E., \"Fruit bruising: It is more than skin deep\", Perishables Handling Quarterly, Vol. 95, 1998, pp.7–9.","García, J.L., Ruiz-Altisent, M., Barreiro, P., \"Factors Influencing Mechanical Properties and Bruise Susceptibility of Apples and Pears\", Journal Agricultural Engineering Research, Vol. 61, 1995, pp. 11-18","Vergano, P.J.; Testin, R.F.; Newal, J.R., \"W.C. Peach bruising: susceptibility to impact vibration, and compression abuse\", American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Vol. 34, No.5, 1991, pp.2110-2116.","Lin, X and Brusewitz, G.H, \"Peach bruise thresholds using the instrumented sphere\". Applied Engineering in Agriculture, Vol.10, 1994, pp. 509- 513.\n[10]\tVan Zeebroeck M, Van Linden V, Ramon H, De Baerdemaeker, \"Impact damage of apples during transport and handling\". Postharvest Biology and Technology, Vol. 45, 2007, pp.157-167. J\n[11]\tGenard, M., Bertin, N., Borel, C., Bussieres, P., Gautier, H., Habib, R., Lechaudel, M., Lecomte, A., Lescourret, F. and Lobit, P., \"Towards a virtual fruit focusing on quality: Modelling features and potential uses\", Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol. 58, 2007, pp. 917-928.\n[12]\tBain, J.M. and Robertson, R.N., \"The physiology of growth in apple fruits\", Australian Journal of Scientific research, Vol. 4, 1951, pp. 75-91.\n[13]\tCutler, D.F., Botha, T., Botha, C.E.J. and Stevenson, D.W. Plant Anatomy: An Applied Approach, (Malden, MA, USA), 2008.\n[14]\tKhan, A.A. and Vincent, J.F.V., \"Anisotropy in the fracture properties of apple flesh as investigated by crack-opening tests\", Journal of Materials Science, Vol. 28, 1993, pp. 45-51."]}

Today, data storage applications rely mainly on two types of materials: chalcogenides for optical storage (e.g. Blu-Ray) and silicon for electronic storage (e.g. Flash memory). While these materials have proven to be the most efficient for widespread applications, both have limitations. Recently, with the rise of graphene, carbon allotropes have been studied both for their intrinsic properties and for applications; graphene and other carbon allotropes have very interesting electronic, thermal and mechanical properties that can make these materials more efficient than either chalcogenides or silicon for certain applications. In this thesis, we study the feasibility and potential of the usage of carbon as a data storage material.Firstly, we focus on developing optical data storage. It is found that both continuous-wave and pulsed lasers can be used to induce reversible phase changes in carbon thin films, thus opening the way toward carbon-based data storage. Along the way, several phenomena are discovered, shown and explained by using advanced characterization techniques and thermal modelling.Secondly, we focus on electronic data storage by developing graphene-based memories that are found to switch reliably between two well-separated resistance states for a large number of cycles. To assess the potential of this new technology, we characterize the switching mechanism and develop an electro-mechanical model enabling to predict the best performances attainable: these memories would potentially be much faster than Flash memories while playing the same role (non-volatile storage)., Aujourd’hui, les applications de stockage de données utilisent principalement deux types de matériaux : les chalcogénures pour le stockage optique (e.g. Blu-Ray) et le silicium pour le stockage électronique (e.g. mémoires Flash). Malgré le fait qu’ils se soient avérés les plus efficaces pour des applications répandues, ces matériaux ont des limitations. Récemment, avec la montée en puissance du graphene, les allotropes du carbone ont été étudiés à la fois pour leurs propriétés intrinsèques et pour des applications ; ils ont des propriétés électroniques, thermiques et mécaniques très intéressantes qui peuvent rendre ces matériaux plus efficaces que les chalcogénures ou le silicium pour certaines applications. Dans cette thèse, nous étudions la faisabilité et le potentiel du carbone comme matériau pour le stockage de données.Nous nous concentrons d’abord sur le développement de stockage optique. Nous découvrons que les lasers continus et pulsés peuvent être utilisés pour induire des changements de phase réversibles dans des couches minces de carbone, confirmant la possibilité d’utiliser le carbone comme un matériau pour le stockage optique. De plus, nous découvrons plusieurs nouveaux phénomènes, que nous expliquons en utilisant des techniques de caractérisation avancées et de la modélisation par ordinateur de la propagation thermique dans le carbone.Ensuite, nous nous concentrons sur le stockage de données électronique en développant des mémoires à base de graphene qui peuvent être dans deux états de résistance bien séparés pour un grand nombre de cycles. Pour évaluer le potentiel de cette technologie, on caractérise le mécanisme de changement de résistance et on développe un modèle électromécanique qui permet de prédire les meilleures performances atteignables : ces mémoires ont le potentiel de commuter bien plus rapidement que les mémoires Flash tout en étant non-volatiles.

Today, data storage applications rely mainly on two types of materials: chalcogenides for optical storage (e.g. Blu-Ray) and silicon for electronic storage (e.g. Flash memory). While these materials have proven to be the most efficient for widespread applications, both have limitations. Recently, with the rise of graphene, carbon allotropes have been studied both for their intrinsic properties and for applications; graphene and other carbon allotropes have very interesting electronic, thermal and mechanical properties that can make these materials more efficient than either chalcogenides or silicon for certain applications. In this thesis, we study the feasibility and potential of the usage of carbon as a data storage material.Firstly, we focus on developing optical data storage. It is found that both continuous-wave and pulsed lasers can be used to induce reversible phase changes in carbon thin films, thus opening the way toward carbon-based data storage. Along the way, several phenomena are discovered, shown and explained by using advanced characterization techniques and thermal modelling.Secondly, we focus on electronic data storage by developing graphene-based memories that are found to switch reliably between two well-separated resistance states for a large number of cycles. To assess the potential of this new technology, we characterize the switching mechanism and develop an electro-mechanical model enabling to predict the best performances attainable: these memories would potentially be much faster than Flash memories while playing the same role (non-volatile storage).; Aujourd’hui, les applications de stockage de données utilisent principalement deux types de matériaux : les chalcogénures pour le stockage optique (e.g. Blu-Ray) et le silicium pour le stockage électronique (e.g. mémoires Flash). Malgré le fait qu’ils se soient avérés les plus efficaces pour des applications répandues, ces matériaux ont des limitations. Récemment, avec la montée en puissance du graphene, les allotropes du carbone ont été étudiés à la fois pour leurs propriétés intrinsèques et pour des applications ; ils ont des propriétés électroniques, thermiques et mécaniques très intéressantes qui peuvent rendre ces matériaux plus efficaces que les chalcogénures ou le silicium pour certaines applications. Dans cette thèse, nous étudions la faisabilité et le potentiel du carbone comme matériau pour le stockage de données.Nous nous concentrons d’abord sur le développement de stockage optique. Nous découvrons que les lasers continus et pulsés peuvent être utilisés pour induire des changements de phase réversibles dans des couches minces de carbone, confirmant la possibilité d’utiliser le carbone comme un matériau pour le stockage optique. De plus, nous découvrons plusieurs nouveaux phénomènes, que nous expliquons en utilisant des techniques de caractérisation avancées et de la modélisation par ordinateur de la propagation thermique dans le carbone.Ensuite, nous nous concentrons sur le stockage de données électronique en développant des mémoires à base de graphene qui peuvent être dans deux états de résistance bien séparés pour un grand nombre de cycles. Pour évaluer le potentiel de cette technologie, on caractérise le mécanisme de changement de résistance et on développe un modèle électromécanique qui permet de prédire les meilleures performances atteignables : ces mémoires ont le potentiel de commuter bien plus rapidement que les mémoires Flash tout en étant non-volatiles.

International audience; Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) due to their unique electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties are being investigated as promising candidate material for on-chip and off-chip interconnects. The attractive mechanical properties of CNTs, including high Youngs modulus, resiliency, and low thermal expansion coefficient, offer great advantage for reliable and strong interconnects, and even more so for local and global on-chip interconnects. With aggressive scaling, on-chip interconnects contribute to power consumption and heat build-up due to their increasing parasitics with scaling which detriment overall energy efficiency of circuits. Due to their unique properties, CNTs present an opportunity to address these challenges and provide solutions for reliable signal and power/ground interconnects. In this chapter, we perform detailed electro-thermal analyses of horizontally aligned CNTs and report on their performance and voltage drop.

Advanced Metering Infrastructures (AMI) are going to represent the backbone of all the Smart City projects where metering and other public services are supposed to be smart. The scenario proposed b ...

International audience; In this paper, we present a comprehensive review of research on electrical and charge transport properties of spin crossover complexes. This includes both the effect of spin-state switching on the dielectric permittivity and electrical conductivity of the material and vice versa the influence of an applied electrical field (or current) on the spin-state of the system. The survey covers different size scales from bulk materials and thin films to nanoparticles and single molecules and embraces the presentation of several device prototypes and hybrid materials as well.

Memory is a prerequisite for many electronic devices. Organic non-volatile memory devices based on ferroelectricity are a promising approach towards the development of a low-cost memory technology based on a simple cross-bar array. In this review article we discuss the latest developments in this area with a focus on the most promising opto-electronic device concept, i.e., bistable rectifying diodes. The integration of these diodes into larger memory arrays is discussed. Through a clever design of the electrodes we demonstrate light emitting diodes with integrated built-in switches that can be applied in signage applications. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

This is a follow-up study to a previous experiment that evaluated the feasibility of a simple monitoring device, Con-Dis, in assessing perceived well-being (PWB) among elderly people. Additionally, in the present study Con-Dis was used at the same time as blood pressure and heart rate monitors and pedometers to see the possible correlation between PWB, blood pressure, heart rate, and time spent on outdoor activity. The Con-Dis device proved technically functional, feasible, and informative throughout the four-week follow-up test period among elderly test subjects. In addition, PWB (measured by Con-Dis) appeared to correlate with mood, QoL, and time spent on outdoor activity.

A metal oxygen molecular cluster compound has been utilized for the preparation of organic-inorganic nanocomposite film by a sol-gel method. The entrapment of these cluster compounds in a composite film has been characterized by various physico-chemical techniques. The entrapped metal oxygen cluster stabilizes its energy levels, which is evidenced from the change in redox potential and band gap. The rectification phenomenon of composite films is attributed to the embedded cluster compounds. The rectification behaviour of the composite film, which is due to the charge transfer from molecular cluster and the electrode, has been studied. � 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Una de las plagas interceptadas por el Servicio de Inspección de Salud de Animales y Plantas (APHIS) de Estados Unidos, en las exportaciones de algunas especies de flores de corte de Colombia, es Copitarsia spp. El presente estudio evaluó la respuesta evasiva de Copitarsia decolora (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) mediante la simulación de llamadas de ecolocación de murciélagos como propuestapara el manejo en salas de poscosecha de fl ores, bajo condiciones controladas. Las formas de las señales de ecolocación de los murciélagos se tomaron de algunasmuestras de quirópteros insectívoros y se simularon por medio del software "Sound Ruler", determinando los parámetros fundamentales que caracterizan las llamadas, como amplitud, frecuencia y forma, entre otros. A partir de esta caracterización, se diseñó y construyó un sistema electrónico capaz de reproducir las llamadas de ecolocación. Se probó el sistema, emitiendo la señal reproducida hacia una muestra de Copitarsia, y se observó una reacción evasiva frente a dicha señal./ One of the plagues intercepted by the Health's supervisory Service of Animals and Plants (APHIS) of United States in the exports of some species of fl owers of court of Colombia is Copitarsia spp. The present study evaluated the evasive answer of Copitarsia decolora (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by means of the simulation of calls of echolocation of bats like proposal for the handling in rooms of post-harvest of flowers, under controlled conditions. The shapes of the signs of echo-location of the bats took of some samples of insectivorous quirópteros and were simulated by means of the software "Sound Ruler", determining the fundamental parameters that characterize the calls as their width, frequency and it forms, between other ones; starting from this characterization, it was designed and built an electronic system able to reproduce the echo-location calls. The system was tried, emitting the sign reproduced toward a sample of Copitarsia, and an evasive reaction was observed in front of this sign.

The World Bank’s Africa region gender innovation lab (GIL) conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) impact evaluation of the women in agribusiness leadership network (WALN), a transformational project implemented in Ethiopia by agricultural cooperative development international (ACDI) and volunteers in overseas cooperative assistance (VOCA), and supported by United States Agency for International Development (USAID). WALN, as a project, aims to increase participants’ business skills and self-confidence, enabling them to be community leaders and change makers. WALN also seeks to improve agribusiness outcomes by addressing gender differences in productivity, profitability, participation, and leadership in the sector. The ongoing impact evaluation is assessing the impact of participating in WALN activities on the overall performance of the selected high-potential women leaders in the agribusiness sector. In order to assess and interpret the impact evaluation outcomes, it is important to understand the specific business environment, as well as the needs and constraints faced by local entrepreneurs. Outcome data for this impact evaluation is being collected through survey instruments, administrative data, intensive qualitative interviews, and implicit association tests (IATs).

Introduction: A survey of proteins in nanobioelectronics The idea of using proteins to assemble hybrid electronic devices stems from molecular electronics [1] and, as such, it is intimately connected with the advent of nanosciences and nanotechnologies, dating back to the early 1990s. Since then, much technological effort but less scientific effort has been deployed to try to implement devices that take advantage of the peculiar features of proteins. A technologist's standpoint is that of regarding proteins as self-contained, nanometer-sized functional units, highly specialized and efficient in performing a certain functional task. Their efficiency is traced back to the fact that, being active parts of living beings, proteins are taking advantage of billions of years of natural evolution in specializing towards a given activity. This way of thinking, which one can often encounter in ritten or spoken accounts, appears to be questionable in light of a rather less naïve understanding of the theory of evolution, but is perhaps a good enough starting point to understand the historical motivations which led to the remarkable interest of a interdisciplinary part of the scientific community in the use of proteins for assembling electronic devices. The other aspect motivating the interest in proteins as elements in electronic circuits is their size. © Cambridge University Press 2015.

The breakdown behavior of electronics exposed to single transient electromagnetic pulses is subject of investigations for several years. State-of-the-art pulse generators additionally provide the possibility to generate pulse sequences with variable pulse repetition rate. In this article the influence of this repetition rate variation on the breakdown behavior of electronic systems is described. For this purpose microcontroller systems are examined during line-led exposure to pulses with repetition rates between 1 KHz and 100 KHz. Special attention is given to breakdown thresholds and breakdown probabilities of the electronic devices.

The P -matrix is commonly used to analyse surface acoustic waves (SAW) elements such as the interdigital transducer (IDT) but, when some IDTs are connected through their acoustic ports, their frequency response could be calculated easily in terms of their admittances. Instead of the P -matrix, Y -matrix also allows coupling of the system to another electric or electronic device. Here, the authors present a general method to obtain the Y -matrix (with size N × N) of a SAW device with N electrical terminals connected to N different voltage sources. This method considers the reflections from the edges or any other non-electrical elements that can cause reflections beyond P -matrices. In addition, it has been shown that when there are no reflections and there are two P -matrices, this method converges to well-known previous results. Furthermore, the authors present two cases that could be used to analyse a SAW device: the input admittance and the equivalent P -matrix for a SAW device when a Y -matrix is connected to the electrical port of the SAW device. Also, the authors have calculated the acoustic relations for two SAW devices connected through their electric ports. Furthermore, these methods are exemplified through their application to a SAW system composed of three different IDTs and to an IDT and an inductor connected to its electrical port.

Advancement of technology has led to the increase in use of electronic devices. However, longer life of the rechargeable battery used in electronic devices is one of the biggest issue and demand in the world of electronic devices at present. Battery's performance is affected by the orientation, arrangement, shape and size, and porosity of the materials out of which battery electrodes are made. The goal of this project is to develop a set of numerical libraries that allow developing material micro structures that will allow increasing the performance of rechargeable batteries. We focused on the development of an algorithm that generated porous particle electrodes of controlled particle size and polydispersity. The algorithm intends to develop the simulation tool that captures the randomness and polydispersity of spherical particles, as they occur in real commercial. This application provides very flexible VKML user interface to simulate the generation of particles live. Compared to the existing tools, this application can simulate about 12 times faster for single sized particles and provide a porosity of 56 percent or lower, about 4 times faster for random sized particles to provide the porosity as low as 47 percent or lower, about 2 times faster for 3 different sized particles and provide a porosity of about 43 percent or better, and about 5 times faster for 4 different sized particles to provide porosity as low as 42 percent.

Excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) plays an important role in biological systems and has also recently found applications in electronic devices such as transducers, switches etc. In this paper we report the synthesis and solid state photochromic behavior of 2-(2-(3-nitrophenyl)-4,5- diphenyl-1H-imidazol-1-yloxy)-1-phenylethanone (II) due to ESIPT. Compound II exhibits yellow color in dark and red color in light, with the yellow form attributed to the keto derivative and the red form assigned to its enol derivative The color change in the presence of light is thus attributed to the keto-enol tautomerism through ESIPT. The color change from yellow to red is a photochemical process which thermally decays to the yellow form in the dark. The solid state stability of the enol form upon phototautomerization of the keto form is a noteworthy phenomenon, and its stability has been substantiated by our experimental findings. In the solution state, the yellow form (keto) is stable in chloroform while the red form (enol) is stable in DMSO. Theoretical calculations have been performed to understand the geometries and electronic transitions of the keto and enol forms. In addition, ground and excited state equilibrium constants for the keto-enol tautomerism were calculated. � 2014 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license to their work., While graphene-based technology shows great promise for a variety of electronic applications, including radio-frequency devices, the resistance of the metal-graphene contact is a technological bottleneck for the realization of viable graphene electronics. One of the most important factors in determining the resistance of a metal-graphene junction is the contact resistivity. Despite the large number of experimental works that exist in the literature measuring the contact resistivity, a simple model of it is still lacking. In this paper, we present a comprehensive physical model for the contact resistivity of these junctions, based on the Bardeen Transfer Hamiltonian method. This model unveils the role played by different electrical and physical parameters in determining the specific contact resistivity, such as the chemical potential of interaction, the work metal-graphene function difference, and the insulator thickness between the metal and graphene. In addition, our model reveals that the contact resistivity is strongly dependent on the bias voltage across the metal-graphene junction. This model is applicable to a wide variety of graphene-based electronic devices and thus is useful for understanding how to optimize the contact resistance in these systems., We acknowledge support from SAMSUNG within the Global Innovation Program. The research leading to these results has received funding from Ministerio of Economía y Competitividad of Spain under the Project Nos. TEC2012-31330 and MAT2012-33911, and from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme under Grant Agreement No. 604391 Graphene Flagship.

Inkjet printing is a promising approach towards the solution processing of electronic devices on an industrial scale. Of particular interest is the production of high-end applications such as large area OLEDs on flexible substrates. Roll-to-roll (R2R) processing technologies involving inkjet printing have especially high potential, since they allow a continuous production of large volumes with high throughput. Here we report on our research activities to scale up printed OLED production on foils to an industrial scale. When building up the device, necessarily deposition will have to be done on very different types of surfaces, some of which are highly prone to damage upon mechanical load. Inkjet printing as a non-impact technology is therefore expected to have decisive advantages compared to e. g. screen printing. We have evaluated both methods for silver shunt line deposition on a barrier layer which protects the OLED against humidity. Screen printing on the barrier layer resulted in a significantly higher number of defects than did inkjet printing. For post-deposition treatment we have used photonic flash sintering as a highly efficient and R2R compatible method. We were thus able to demonstrate that a core step of OLED production can be carried out by R2R processing. Finally, our efforts resulted in the production of fully functional large area OLED devices, with inkjet printed silver shunt lines. Our future plans include moving towards fully integrated R2R production of OLEDs to demonstrate this concept's feasibility for industrial scale manufacturing. cop. 2014 Society for Imaging Science and Technology.