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An efficient finite element method to take account of the nonlinearity of the magnetic materials when analyzing three dimensional eddy current problems is presented in this paper. The problem is formulated in terms of vector and scalar potentials approximated by edge and node based finite element basis functions. The application of Galerkin techniques leads to a large, nonlinear system of ordinary differential equations in the time domain. The excitations are assumed to be time-periodic and the steady state periodic solution is of interest only. This is represented in the frequency domain as a Fourier series for each finite element degree of freedom and a finite number of harmonics is to be determined, i.e. a harmonic balance method is applied. Due to the nonlinearity, all harmonics are coupled to each other, so the size of the equation system is the number of harmonics times the number of degrees of freedom. The harmonics would be decoupled if the problem were linear, therefore, a special nonlinear iteration technique, the fixed-point method is used to linearize the equations by selecting a timeindependent permeability distribution, the so called fixed-point permeability in each nonlinear iteration step. This leads to uncoupled harmonics within these steps resulting in two advantages. One is that each harmonic is obtained by solving a system of algebraic equations with only as many unknowns as there are finite element degrees of freedom. A second benefit is that these systems are independent of each other and can be solved in parallel. The appropriate selection of the fixed point permeability accelerates the convergence of the nonlinear iteration. The method is applied to the analysis of a large power transformer. The solution of the electromagnetic field allows the computation of various losses like eddy current losses in the massive conducting parts (tank, clamping plates, tie bars, etc.) as well as the specific losses in the laminated parts (core, tank shielding, etc.). The effect of the presence of higher harmonics on these losses is investigated.

Octave equivalence describes the perception that notes separated by a doubling in frequency sound similar. While the octave is used cross-culturally as a basis of pitch perception, experimental demonstration of the phenomenon has proved to be difficult. In past work, members of our group developed a three-range generalization paradigm that reliably demonstrated octave equivalence. In this study we replicate and expand on this previous work trying to answer three questions that help us understand the origins and potential cross-cultural significance of octave equivalence: (1) whether training with three ranges is strictly necessary or whether an easier-to-learn two-range task would be sufficient, (2) whether the task could demonstrate octave equivalence beyond neighbouring octaves, and (3) whether language skills and musical education impact the use of octave equivalence in this task. We conducted a large-sample study using variations of the original paradigm to answer these questions. Results found here suggest that the three-range discrimination task is indeed vital to demonstrating octave equivalence. In a two-range task, pitch height appears to be dominant over octave equivalence. Octave equivalence has an effect only when pitch height alone is not sufficient. Results also suggest that effects of octave equivalence are strongest between neighbouring octaves, and that tonal language and musical training have a positive effect on learning of discriminations but not on perception of octave equivalence during testing. We discuss these results considering their relevance to future research and to ongoing debates about the basis of octave equivalence perception.

Typical element background concentrations of rock units in Bavaria were evaluated by statistical means and presented in a lithogeochemical map, derived from the geological map at a scale of 1:25,000. The elements include 39 geogenic main and trace elements (SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na2O, K2O, TiO2, P2O5 Li, Be, Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Tl, Pb, Bi , Th and U). The distributions of element concentrations in the lithogeochemical units follow closely lognormal patterns in a large majority of cases. Statistical parameters (10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th percentiles) of investigated elements were determined using the cenfit function of the NADA package within the open source program R. The investigation, based on 8,838 analysed samples, provided data for about 2/3 of the area of Bavaria. The lithogeochemical map with medians (50th percentiles) and background values (90th percentiles) of the investigated elements is available in a web map application. Thus, the regional geogenic background values of the investigated elements in Bavaria are publicly available for a large variety of applications.

Octave equivalence describes the perception that notes separated by a doubling in frequency sound similar. While the octave is used cross-culturally as a basis of pitch perception, experimental demonstration of the phenomenon has proved to be difficult. In past work, members of our group developed a three-range generalization paradigm that reliably demonstrated octave equivalence. In this study we replicate and expand on this previous work trying to answer three questions that help us understand the origins and potential cross-cultural significance of octave equivalence: (1) whether training with three ranges is strictly necessary or whether an easier-to-learn two-range task would be sufficient, (2) whether the task could demonstrate octave equivalence beyond neighbouring octaves, and (3) whether language skills and musical education impact the use of octave equivalence in this task. We conducted a large-sample study using variations of the original paradigm to answer these questions. Results found here suggest that the three-range discrimination task is indeed vital to demonstrating octave equivalence. In a two-range task, pitch height appears to be dominant over octave equivalence. Octave equivalence has an effect only when pitch height alone is not sufficient. Results also suggest that effects of octave equivalence are strongest between neighbouring octaves and that tonal language and musical training have a positive effect on learning of discriminations but not on perception of octave equivalence during testing. We discuss these results considering their relevance to future research and to ongoing debates about the basis of octave equivalence perception.

The aim of this work was to investigate the mean fill weight control of a continuous capsule-filling process, whether it is possible to derive controller settings from an appendant process model. To that end, a system composed out of fully automated capsule filler and an online gravimetric scale was used to control the filled weight. This setup allows to examine challenges associated with continuous manufacturing processes, such as variations in the amount of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in the mixture due to fluctuations of the feeders or due to altered excipient batch qualities. Two types of controllers were investigated: a feedback control and a combination of feedback and feedforward control. Although both of those are common in the industry, determining the optimal parameter settings remains an issue. In this study, we developed a method to derive the control parameters based on process models in order to obtain optimal control for each filled product. Determined via rapid automated process development (RAPD), this method is an effective and fast way of determining control parameters. The method allowed us to optimize the weight control for three pharmaceutical excipients. By conducting experiments, we verified the feasibility of the proposed method and studied the dynamics of the controlled system. Our work provides important basic data on how capsule filler can be implemented into continuous manufacturing systems.

This paper presents a piezoelectric double-layer stack based on permanent polarization inversion in ferroelectric Aluminum-Scandium-Nitride solid solution (AlScN). AlScN double layers with a high ScN content of 35% were produced via reactive co-sputtering. The effect of different structuring techniques (Wet vs. Dry) and deposition temperature were investigated in order to combine good reliability with high Sc content double layer systems that yield large piezoelectric displacement and force output. The resulting structure is compared to an AlScN single layer, Aluminum-Nitride and Lead-Zirconate-Titanate (PZT).

The magnitude of current harmonics depends on the design of an electrical machine. By suppressing these harmonics noise can be reduced and efficiency improved. Iterative Learning Control (ILC) has proven effective in reducing harmonics. One of the challenges of working with ILC is operation at varying speeds. Variable speeds are particularly important for applications like automotive drives. The ILC period length changes during the learning process at varying speeds. Due to fixed sample rates, the number of values processed by the ILC varies with motor speed.This paper proposes a method to solve this problem and uses ILC at varying speeds. The ILC used to eliminate the harmonics is based on the inverse system. The usage of a two-dimensional memory array is proposed. This data structure holds rows for specific speeds between which interpolation is performed, enabling the elimination of errors which are periodically cyclic to one electrical rotation. This includes the reduction of the motor current harmonics. To verify the presented method a permanent magnet synchronous motor with distinctive 5th and 7th harmonics is used. In real-time implementations, limitations of memory and computational capacity occur.

The discovery of ferroelectricity in AlScN allowed the first clear observation of the effect in the wurtzite crystal structure, resulting in a material with a previously unprecedented combination of very large coercive fields (2-5 MV/cm) and remnant polarizations $(70-110\ \mu \mathrm{C}/\text{cm}^{2})$ . We obtained initial insight into the switching dynamics of AlScN, which suggests a domain wall motion limited process progressing from the electrode interfaces. Further, imprint was generally observed in AlScN films and can tentatively be traced to the alignment of charged defects with the internal and external polarization and field, respectively. Potentially crucial from the application point of view, ferroelectricity could be observed in films with thicknesses below 30 nm – as the coercive fields of AlScN were found to be largely independent of thickness between 600 nm and 27 nm.

In the previous work a quasi-static MEMS mirror with a novel design and powerful piezoelectric driving material of AlScN was shown, which possesses large mechanical tilt angles of up to ±12.5°, high frequency of about 1 kHz, high fill-factor (aperture diameter is 0.8 mm and die size is 1.3 x 1.1 mm2), great long-term stability and great linearity. Further developments have been done for improving the material properties of AlScN, moreover, to integrate the mirror plate onto actuators by BEOL bonding process instead of hybrid assembly, since for the high fill-factor and good mechanical linearity the mirror plate and actuators are on different planes. Additionally, a third wafer of TSV wafer is used for the vertical electrical contacts. This unique technology includes not only triple-wafers-bonding, after which the wafer stacks also have to withstand grinding and pattering via DRIE. This paper shows the process efforts for realizing the triple-wafer-stack and discusses the technological challenges and also achieved results.

The sex hormone estrogen is hypothesized to play a key role in human cognition via its interactions with the dopaminergic system. Work in rodents has shown that estrogen’s most potent form, estradiol, impacts striatal dopamine functioning predominately via increased D1-receptor signalling, while human work has suggested that high estradiol levels are associated with altered reward sensitivity. Here, we addressed two fundamental questions: 1) whether estradiol causally alters reward sensitivity in men, and 2) whether this effect of estradiol is moderated by individual variation in polymorphisms of dopaminergic genes. To test this, we performed a double-blind placebo-controlled administration study in which hundred men received either a single dose of estradiol (2 mg) or placebo. We found that estradiol administration increased reward sensitivity, which was moderated by baseline dopamine. This was observed in choice behaviour and increased learning rates. These results confirm a causal role of estradiol in reinforcement learning in men that is moderated by the striatal dopaminergic pathway.

Consonant tone combinations occur naturally in the overtone series of harmonic sounds. These include sounds that many non-human animals produce to communicate. As such, non-human animals may be attracted to consonant intervals, interpreting them, e.g., as a feature of important social stimuli. There is preliminary evidence of attraction to consonance in various bird species in the wild, but few experimental studies with birds. We tested budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) for attraction to consonant over dissonant intervals in two experiments. In Experiment 1, we tested humans and budgerigars using a place preference paradigm in which individuals could explore an environment with multiple sound sources. Both species were tested with consonant and dissonant versions of a previously studied piano melody, and we recorded time spent with each stimulus as a measure of attraction. Human females spent more time with consonant than dissonant stimuli in this experiment, but human males spent equal time with both consonant and dissonant stimuli. Neither male nor female budgerigars spent more time with either stimulus type. In Experiment 2, we tested budgerigars with more ecologically relevant stimuli comprised of sampled budgerigar vocalizations arranged into consonant or dissonant chords. These stimuli, however, also failed to produce any evidence of preference in budgerigar responses. We discuss these results in the context of ongoing research on the study of consonance as a potential general feature of auditory perception in animals with harmonic vocalizations, with respect to similarities and differences between human and budgerigar vocal behaviour, and future methodological directions.

The sex hormone estradiol is hypothesized to play a key role in human cognition, and reward processing specifically, via increased dopamine D1-receptor signalling. However, the effect of estradiol on reward processing in men has never been established. To fill this gap, we performed a double-blind placebo-controlled study in which men (N = 100) received either a single dose of estradiol (2 mg) or a placebo. Subjects performed a probabilistic reinforcement learning task where they had to choose between two options with varying reward probabilities to maximize monetary reward. Results showed that estradiol administration increased reward sensitivity compared to placebo. This effect was observed in subjects' choices, how much weight they assigned to their previous choices, and subjective reports about the reward probabilities. Furthermore, effects of estradiol were moderated by reward sensitivity, as measured through the BIS/BAS questionnaire. Using reinforcement learning models, we found that behavioral effects of estradiol were reflected in increased learning rates. These results demonstrate a causal role of estradiol within the framework of reinforcement learning, by enhancing reward sensitivity and learning. Furthermore, they provide preliminary evidence for dopamine-related genetic variants moderating the effect of estradiol on reward processing.

The aim of this paper is to explore the possibility to develop an automatically adjustable, reliable, and safe capsule filling operation. Process parameters that are critical for the tamping pin process were reviewed based on the literature and via experiment. Dosing disc height, powder bed height, machine speed, pressure on the tamping pin, and immersion depth were reviewed. Two investigations were performed on a GKF 702. In the first one, the powder feed rate onto the dosing disc was examined and modified. A distance sensor with a PID controller enabled a constant powder bed level with an online changeable set point. For a bad flowing product an improvement of the fill weight variation could be achieved by automatically adjusting the feed rate to the correct speed and matching the actual process conditions of the capsule filler. The second part of the study concerned the safety of the filler operation. Introducing a force transducer on the transfer station is a promising option for running the capsule filler safely within its process specifications. The tamping pin pressure was used to provoke different transfer forces. A deviation from a defined process specification led to a safe stop of the machine. In summary, the automated adjustment of several critical process parameters appears to be feasible and supports the rational development of efficient production processes using a dosing disc capsule filler. This is especially relevant for continuous production of pharmaceuticals.

Testosterone is associated with status-seeking behaviors such as competition, which may depend on whether one wins or loses status, but also on the stability of one’s status. We examined (1) to what extent testosterone administration affects competition behavior in repeated social contests in men with high or low rank, and (2), whether this relationship is moderated by hierarchy stability, as predicted by the status instability hypothesis. Using a real effort-based design in healthy male participants (N = 173 males), we first found that testosterone (vs. placebo) increased motivation to compete for status, but only in individuals with a low unstable status. A second part of the experiment, tailored to directly compare stable with unstable hierarchies, indicated that exogenous testosterone again increased competitive motivation in individuals with a low unstable status, but decreased competition behavior in men with low stable status. Additionally, exogenous testosterone increased motivation in those with a stable high status. Further analysis suggested that these effects were moderated by individuals’ trait dominance, and genetic differences assessed by the androgen receptor (CAG-repeat) and dopamine transporter (DAT1) polymorphisms. Our study provides evidence that testosterone specifically boosts status-related motivation when there is an opportunity to improve one’s social status. The findings contribute to our understanding of testosterone’s causal role in status-seeking motivation in competition behavior, and indicate that testosterone adaptively increases our drive for high status in a context-dependent manner. We discuss potential neurobiological pathways through which testosterone may attain these effects on behavior.

Higher testosterone levels in males have previously been linked to decreased stress reactivity, but in other cases, testosterone has been reported to increase the stress response. We addressed these inconsistencies in a placebo-controlled single-dose testosterone administration study, in which 120 male participants were randomly assigned to undergo a cold-pressor test (CPT, a non-social somatic stressor), a socially evaluated cold-pressor test (SECPT, a social-somatic stressor), or a lukewarm water test (LWT, a non-stressful control condition). Throughout the experiment, blood pressure and interbeat intervals were measured continuously, and saliva samples for hormonal analyses were taken repeatedly at predefined time points. When comparing the groups treated with placebo, the SECPT elicited a larger increase in the systolic blood pressure than CPT, in agreement with previous studies. However, testosterone administration altered this pattern. Compared to placebo, testosterone increased systolic blood pressure during the CPT, whereas the opposite effect was found during the SECPT. Cortisol reactivity was not affected by testosterone administration. The CAG repeat polymorphism of the androgen receptor gene was unrelated to the effects of testosterone on the stress response, but it was correlated with blood pressure across the whole sample. Our findings demonstrate that testosterone's effects on the stress response are dependent on the social context. Testosterone's ability to flexibly influence the response to stressors may be an important mechanism through which the hormone promotes adaptive behavior. Our results are also in line with research showing that testosterone decreases social anxiety and suggest it may help to modulate the effects of stress in socially challenging situations.

Back-end-of-line compatible integration of NdFeB-based micro magnets onto 8 inch Si substrates is presented. Substrate conditioning procedures to enable further processing in a cleanroom environment are discussed. It is shown that permanent magnetic structures with lateral dimensions between 25μm and 2000μm and a depth up to 500μm can be fabricated reliably and reproducibly with a remanent magnetization of 340mT at a standard deviation as low as 5% over the substrate. To illustrate post-processing capabilities, the fabrication of micro magnet arrangements embedded in silicon frames is described.

Based on the discovery of ferroelectric polarization inversion in piezoelectric Al 1.x Sc x N thin films, this paper presents a double layer actuator stack configuration which demonstrates that the inherent advantages of piezoelectric AlN and Al 1-x Sc x N, like CMOS compatibility, polarization stability and linearity can be combined with the advantages of classical ferroelectric multilayer systems to achieve superior strain output for piezoelectric MEMS actuators with minimal effort compared to alternative multilayer approaches.

This paper presents the hardware design, software architecture and workflow for rapid control prototyping intended for a wide-range of power electronics based systems. The proposed system is especially useful for computationally intensive algorithms and applications with high demands on the number of required measurements and gate signals. The focus is on a heterogeneous system architecture with minimized latency and jitter as well as a high signal integrity. The software architecture enables a simple, fast and performance driven implementation. A combination of carrier board and exchangeable interfacing adapter boards allows to control a wide range of power electronics applications and converters, i.e., starting with a single switching device, converters with one or several voltage levels and one or several phase legs, up to large modular multilevel converters for grid-tied connection or variable speed drives.

This paper addresses the relevance of automated content testing for the rapid automated process development (RAPD). Our previous work demonstrated that RAPD allowed a fast and efficient development of a continuous capsule-filling process. Target was the mean weight and the relative standard deviation of the weight. Likewise important are the content and the content uniformity. However, an implementation demands a certain level of automation. In general, technology is available that can detect active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) inside the capsules but the final application is linked to additional development and investment in machinery. To eliminate doubts regarding the benefits of an automated content check within the RAPD we present an application example. First, an X-ray system was used to detect barium sulfate accurately inside capsules. Second, a process was developed where barium sulfate was filled. The concentration of excipients was modified in the experiments, as well as the setting of the process parameter. The obtained model provided an explicit understanding of the process. Subsequently, the content uniformity model was compared to a model of the capsule weight relative standard deviation, confirming the benefits of an automated content check in the RAPD. Moreover, we presented another example illustrating the advantages of a connected continuous filling process, which permits evaluation of all process steps and their interactions (i.e. evaluation of the entire process).

This paper presents a new type of piezoelectric quasi-static mirror, which utilizes a three-level-construction comprising a mirror plate (diameter = 0.8 mm), a pillar and four actuators hidden beneath the mirror plate, reducing the chip size to 1.3 mm2 . Special folded springs connecting the pillar and actuators are applied to reduce the mechanical non-linearity. Moreover, the newly developed piezoelectric material AlScN delivers large force enabling a mechanical tilting angle of ±12.5° at 150 VDC, as well as benefits like great linearity, repeatability and long-term stability. No angle change larger than 0.02° was observed during 100 on-and-off switching circles with 5 s intervals under 100 VDC. Long-term test over 76 hours under 100 VDC has shown maximum 0.1°shift. More precise measurements are ongoing. Based on the great linearity a simple closed-loop-control has also been developed and more results will be presented in the near future.

Energy harvesters offer an attractive power source alternative in particular for the next generation of mobile sensor applications. The current work investigates the power output of bulk micromachined 3 mm $\times2$ mm $\times50\,\,\mu \text{m}$ sized cantilever-type piezoelectric (2 $\mu \text{m}$ AlScN) energy harvesting device that is magnetically driven by miniaturized NdFeB permanent magnets attached to the free-end of the cantilevers. A novel energy harvester and one potential application is introduced. Properties and relevant figures-of-merit for AlScN in comparison to AlN are discussed on device level. Magnetic properties of the permanent magnet are summarized. The influences of the electrode area coverage, applied external magnetic field as well as fatigue properties of the harvesters are investigated. FEA results of the harvester’s magnetic interactions are presented. Finally the suitability of a coil in comparison to a piezoelectric energy harvester is evaluated. A maximum peak power of 15.6 $\mu \text{W}$ is obtained from a 2 mm wide cantilever with 2 mm long top electrode when driven under an homogeneous external field of magnitude $\text{B}_{\mathrm {AC}} = 1$ G at resonance $f_{\mathrm {res}} = 3240$ Hz. The maximum power density is calculated as 15.8 mW/cm3 (2.6 W/m2) when applying the optimal load impedance approximately 117 $\text{k}\Omega $ . [2019-0059]

This work presents the first atomic scale evidence for ferroelectric polarization inversion on the unit cell level in a wurtzite-type material based on epitaxial Al0.75Sc0.25N thin films. The electric field induced formation of Al-polar inversion domains in the originally N-polar film is unambiguously determined by atomic resolution imaging using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Anisotropic etching supports STEM results confirming a complete and homogenous polarization inversion at the film surface for the switched regions and the virtual absence of previous inversion domains in as-deposited regions. Local evidence of residual N-polar domains at the bottom electrode interface is observed and can be explained by both stress gradients and electric field deflection. The epitaxial relationship of the sapphire/AlN/Mo/AlScN multilayer stack is discussed in detail. Selected-area electron diffraction experiments and XRD pole figures reveal a Pitsch–Schrader type orientation relation between the Mo electrode and the AlScN film.

MEMS sensors based on magnetoelectric composites have attracted great interest due to their capability to detect weak magnetic fields, showing high potential in applications like biomagnetic field detection and magnetic particle imaging. This paper reports on a scandium aluminum nitride thin film-based MEMS magnetoelectric sensor. The sensor consists of a polycrystalline silicon cantilever with a size of 1000 μm × 200 μm covered by a piezoelectric Al0.73Sc0.27N and a magnetostrictive (Fe90Co10)78Si12B10 thin film. The performance of the presented sensor is investigated based on the magnetoelectric (ME) voltage coefficient, voltage noise density, and limit of detection and compared to the characteristics of the aluminum nitride thin film-based ME sensor with the same layout and fabrication technology. By using an Al0.73Sc0.27N thin film with a higher piezoelectric activity instead of AlN in MEMS ME sensors, the ME voltage coefficient of (1334 ± 84) V/cm Oe in resonance is almost double, thereby lowering the requirements for the electronic system. The limit of detection of (60 ± 2) pT/Hz0.5 remains unchanged due to the dominant thermomechanical noise in resonance.

This paper presents a piezoelectrically (AlScN) driven 3 × 3 quasi-static mirror matrix, where each MEMS mirror utilizes a three-level-construction comprising a mirror plate (diameter = 0.8 mm), a pillar and four AlScN actuators hidden beneath the mirror plate, reducing the chip size to 1.1 × 1.3 mm2. AlScN as a high performance piezoelectric material is used to deliver large force enabling a mechanical tilting angle of ±14° at 150 VDC, in addition to great linearity, repeatability and long-term stability. For realizing the 3D construction three wafers for mirror plate, actuators and a TSV wafer for the vertical electrical contacts are applied. While first demonstrators have been manufactured by a chip-level hybrid assembly to mount the mirror plates onto the actuators, a BEOL triple-wafer-bonding process has been developed to integrate the mirror plates onto the actuators and TSV wafer. This paper will show the design and process efforts for improving the mechanical behavior of the MEMS mirrors, the process effort and current result of triple-wafer-bonding. It concludes by discussing the technological achievements, challenges and outlook for improved performance due to the material development of AlScN.

This paper reports on frequency tunable MEMS magnetoelectric (ME) sensors. Different designs are studied in respect to ME voltage coefficient and frequency tunability. Compared to state-of-the-art ME sensors, the presented ME resonators display a highly reversible and linear frequency tuning, enabled by applying a DC voltage to piezoelectric actuators. A frequency shift of up to 0.2 Hz V−1 is demonstrated for a sensor with a limit of detection of 128 pT/Hz0.5 at resonance frequency of 13 kHz. This sensor type is of particular interest for vector field sensors and sensor arrays in bio-magnetic applications, where sensors with either identical resonance frequencies or precisely defined frequency spacing are required.

The explosive growth of geospatial data has stimulated the development of many standards aimed at decreasing data heterogeneity and enhancing data use. Well-established design methods for geospatial data standards typically involve the creation of two schemas for data structure, designated here as logical and physical, but this can lead to conceptual inconsistencies and modelling inefficiencies. In this paper we describe a design method that overcomes these issues by incorporating an additional schema – the conceptual schema – and demonstrate its application to the design of GroundWaterML2 (GWML2), a new international standard for groundwater data. Results include not only a new data standard, robustly constructed and tested, but also an enhanced method for geospatial data standard design.

International audience; WML2 is an international standard for the online exchange of groundwater data that addresses the problem of data heterogeneity. This problem makes groundwater data hard to find and use because the data are diversely structured and fragmented into numerous data silos. Overcoming data heterogeneity requires a common data format; however, until the development of GWML2, an appropriate international standard has been lacking. GWML2 represents key hydrogeological entities such as aquifers and water wells, as well as related measurements and groundwater flows. It is developed and tested by an international consortium of groundwater data providers from North America, Europe, and Australasia, and facilitates many forms of data exchange, information representation, and the development of online web portals and tools.; GWML2 est une norme internationale pour l’échange en ligne de données sur les eaux souterraines qui aborde le problème de l’hétérogénéité des données. Ce problème rend les données sur les eaux souterraines difficiles à découvrir et à utiliser parce qu’elles sont structurées et fragmentées en de nombreux silos. Surmonter l’hétérogénéité des données requiert un format de données commun; cependant, jusqu’au développement de GWML2, une norme internationale appropriée faisait défaut. GWML2 représente les principales entités hydrogéologiques telles que les aquifères et les puits d’eau, ainsi que les mesures connexes et les écoulements d’eau souterraine. La norme fut développée et testée par un consortium international de fournisseurs de données sur les eaux souterraines en provenance d’Amérique du Nord, d’Europe et d’Australasie; elle facilite de nombreuses formes d’échange de données, la représentation de l’information et le développement de portails web et d’outils en ligne.

This paper introduces a rapid automated process-development approach for a continuous capsule-filling process. In our proposed method, both the material attributes and the critical process parameters were varied to understand and to optimize the overall process. Using our approach a statistical process model can be generated with unprecedented speed (2 days), which is the prerequisite for effectively developing and operating continuous process platforms. In a first set of experiments a process model was developed using different mixture compositions of ascorbic acid, lactose and magnesium stearate while changing simultaneously the critical process parameters of the capsule filler (speed, pressure, immersion depth and powder bed height). Targets of the model were the mean fill weight and the relative standard deviation of the produced capsules. In a second experimental set the model was tested, i.e., the goal was to predict the behavior of the system at different set points in order to predict weight and relative standard deviation for predefined targets. Predictions were very good, thus validating our approach. The combination of the rapid automated process development approach and the continuous capsule-filling process resulted in a new strategy for the development and manufacture of pharmaceutical dosage forms.

This paper reports the concept, fabrication and characterization of a new kind of MEMS loudspeaker for in-ear applications. The piezoelectrically driven device is designed to operate without a closed membrane, which significantly improves the acoustic performance, efficiency, manufacturability and miniaturization capability. Measurements performed on prototypes mounted to an artificial ear simulator have revealed high sound pressure levels (SPL) of about 110 dB. In contrast to standard state-of-the-art in-ear speakers the SPL can be maintained up to 20 kHz leading to an extraordinarily flat frequency response using electronic equalization. Furthermore, low total harmonic distortion (THD) of less than 2 % and good energy efficiency of more than 105 dB/mW have been observed over almost the entire audio range.

Mit der Einfuhrung eines neuen pauschalierten Entgeltsystems in der Psychiatrie und Psychosomatik (PEPP) ist die Entgeltrelevanz der inhaltlichen Dokumentation weiter gestiegen, sodass die bisherigen Dokumentationsmoglichkeiten uberpruft und im Rahmen einer Prozessoptimierung verbessert werden sollten.

This paper investigates the fabrication of magnetic films via electroplating to be applied into electromagnetic actuated micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) switches. Cobalt and nickel films (1 µm thicknesses) were deposited on gold coated silicon substrates via electrochemical deposition. Different deposition conditions were investigated, regarding temperature and deposition voltage. The films morphologies were characterized via atomic force microscopy, while the magnetic properties of the films were characterized via vibrating sample magnetometer measurements. In order to evaluate the integration of these magnetic films into MEMS switches with low energy consumption, a mathematical model was developed and the results show that these films can be applied into efficient actuation with reduced power dissipation.

This paper discusses the functionalization ofmicro-cantilevers in order to bind and sense specific biogenicamines related to meat degradation (cadaverine). Themicro-cantilevers were functionalized with the composite1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam), which is bindingto cadaverine molecules in the gas phase. Differentfunctionalization conditions were investigated by immersinggold coated AFM cantilevers in cyclam solutions at differentconcentrations, for different functionalization times,and for different post-annealing treatments. The optimummorphology for high capture efficiency is found for shortfunctionalization times without post-annealing treatment.Beside qualitative SEM inspection which indicates a significantmorphology change for different functionalizationparameters, the impact of functionalization morphologyon analyte capture efficiency has been studied viamicro-cantilever based mass detection. We demonstratethat besides conventional AFM systems a MEMS cantileverin combination with an optical read out is a powerfulanalytic system which is highly attractive for widespreaduse in diagnostic applications, with optimized functionalizationconditions. The measured sensitivity at 7.7 kHz is1.84 × 109 Hz/g.