Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hideyuki Mitomo, Chie Takeuchi, Ryo Sugiyama, Kaoru Tamada, Kuniharu Ijiro
Summary: The synthesis of modified cube-structured silver nanoparticles (AgNCs) and their thermo-responsive color changes in water, good dispersibility in CHCl3, and well-packed assembled structures at the air-water interface were demonstrated. The AgNC assembled films also exhibited strong plasmonic property and thermo-responsiveness.
BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fatih Sikan, Priti Wanjara, Javad Gholipour, Amit Kumar, Mathieu Brochu
Summary: The research aimed to develop a finite element model for electron beam additive manufacturing of Ti-6Al-4V, which was validated with fabricated samples and thermocouple measurements. The model showed reliability in predicting temperatures, residual stresses, and distortion profiles, with low average error in thermal predictions. The model successfully predicted cooling rates, grain morphology, and microstructure, with maximum deviations in mechanical predictions as low as 100 MPa in residual stresses and 0.05 mm in distortion.
Article
Acoustics
Yida Mao, C. W. Lim, Tianyun Li, Xiang Zhu
Summary: This article introduces a thermally and magnetically induced monodirectional acoustic transducer, which utilizes thermo-acoustic and magneto-acoustic effects to excite acoustic fields and analyzes the acoustic response theoretically. The study proposes a new method for thermo-acoustic decoupling and achieves disappearance of backside acoustic field through proper system configuration of magnetic flux density. Non-dimensionalization and numerical methods are applied to study monodirectional acoustic field in varying parameters.
JOURNAL OF SOUND AND VIBRATION
(2021)
Article
Acoustics
Andrea Ronchi, Andrea Sterzi, Marco Gandolfi, Ali Belarouci, Claudio Giannetti, Natalia Del Fatti, Francesco Banfi, Gabriele Ferrini
Summary: Time-effective, unsupervised clustering techniques are used to discriminate nanometric metal disks on a dielectric substrate based on time-resolved optical traces. The clusters aim to recognize similarities among nanopatterned disks and characterize them accordingly, providing an alternative diagnostic tool for nondestructive testing of individual nano-objects on chips.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Fantahun Aklog Yihun, Shinsuke Ifuku, Hiroyuki Saimoto, Dagnachew Aklog Yihun
Summary: This study fabricated MCNFs-PVA composite films and demonstrated the reinforcement effect of MCNFs, showing good dispersibility and thermal stability, significantly enhancing the mechanical properties and water resistance of PVA.
Article
Thermodynamics
Luca Evangelisti, Roberto De Lieto Vollaro, Francesco Asdrubali
Summary: This study conducted experimental campaigns on building walls to generate equivalent homogeneous walls through an inverse approach, addressing the issue of information lack and determining the equivalent thermo-physical properties that best reproduce the thermal behaviors of the original walls. Energy simulations showed a range of percentage difference of +/- 10% between the equivalent and original models for both energy demands and peak loads.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Alexandru Vardaru, Gabriela Huminic, Angel Huminic, Claudiu Fleaca, Florian Dumitrache, Ion Morjan
Summary: The main goal of this paper is to develop a new solar hybrid nanofluid with improved thermo-physical properties for solar applications in order to enhance solar efficiency. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was synthesized using the modified Hummers' method, while silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were synthesized through liquid-phase reduction. Characterization of the Ag-rGO/water hybrid nanofluid was done using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Stability of the prepared hybrid nanofluid was investigated through measurements of Zeta potential and PI index. The results showed enhanced thermal conductivity and viscosity, as well as a slight increase in density, with increasing concentration of Ag-rGO nanofluid.
DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Jingjing He, Xiaohui Feng, Xinyan Wang, Xuefei Guan
Summary: This study investigates the fatigue behavior of low-carbon steel made by wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). Microstructures are found to play a crucial role in determining the difference in fatigue performance between WAAM and hot-rolled materials. The results show that WAAM low-carbon steel has a lower fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR) compared to hot-rolled steel, which can be attributed to the lower volume fraction of pearlite and the interlocking basket weave microstructure in WAAM specimens. Additionally, the anisotropy in the FCGR of WAAM low-carbon steel is very small.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FATIGUE
(2022)
Article
Optics
Guohuan Hua, Jianxin Cheng, Jin Chen, Yi Shen, Jianhua Chang, Haibin Ni
Summary: A relative humidity sensor based on a silver nano-grating is proposed in this paper. The silver nano-grating demonstrates refractive index sensing sensitivities of 517 nm/RIU and 742.9 nm/RIU. By spin coating a layer of humidity-sensitive porous silica with optimized thickness, the silver nano-grating achieves a relative humidity detection sensitivity of 0.23nm/%RH.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Yutai Su, Guicui Fu, Changqing Liu, Kun Zhang, Liguo Zhao, Canyu Liu, Allan Liu, Jianan Song
Summary: A novel computational framework was proposed to generate random micro-porous structures and simulate the mechanical properties and fracture behavior of sintered nano-silver paste. The model results showed good agreement with experimental results, providing an efficient and reliable approach to study the performance of nano-silver paste.
COMPUTER METHODS IN APPLIED MECHANICS AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Aymen Braiek, Chaker Briki, Mustapha Karkri, Abdelhakim Settar, Abdelmajid Jemni
Summary: This paper investigates the thermal insulation characteristics and mechanical performance of a composite material composed of clay and PosidoniaOceanica Natural Fibers (PONFs). The findings indicate that a higher PONFs content significantly reduces thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and density. This study concludes that incorporating up to 10% of PONFs in lightweight clay meets the structural requirements for insulating construction material.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
S. Rathinavel, S. S. Saravanakumar
Summary: The study utilizes orange peel powder as filler material to form antibacterial biocomposite films with polyvinyl alcohol, incorporating silver nanoparticles by in-situ generation. Characterization through various tests showed good distribution of filler materials, improved thermal stability, and increased antibacterial activity against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria with the inclusion of AgNPs. The results suggest the potential application of these hybrid biocomposite films in the food processing industry.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Mechanics
Pradipta Kr. Das, Venkat R. Bhethanabotla
Summary: Theoretical modeling of acoustofluidic systems faces challenges due to the small thickness of the thermoviscous boundary layer. The classical pressure acoustic model is widely used but cannot be applied to thermoviscous acoustofluidics. We have developed a thermo-pressure acoustic model that can effectively simulate these systems, and it has been validated for small 2D systems. This model can also be applied to studying 3D acoustofluidic systems.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amani Abdallah, Hassina Kada, Abdelwaheb Amrouche
Summary: In the context of sustainable development, civil engineering is increasingly using recyclable materials to preserve natural resources. This study explores the use of uncontaminated marine sediments as a partial substitute for sand aggregate in mortars. The results show a decrease in mechanical properties with an increase in sediment content, indicating a potential impact on the performance of cement-based materials.
JOURNAL OF MATERIAL CYCLES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Dingwen Yin, Yanfei Pan, Yu Wang, Qiang Guo, Shuaiqi Hu, Jintian Huang
Summary: A high absorption and low reflection electromagnetic interference shielding film was obtained using micro-/nano-cellulose electroless silver film, with an electromagnetic shielding efficiency of 41 dB in the frequency range of 0.03 to 3000 MHz.
WOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Amalia Garcia-Garcia, Victor Toral, Jose F. Quilez del Moral, Alberto Galisteo Pretel, Diego P. Morales, Alfonso Salinas-Castillo, Javier Cepeda, Duane Choquesillo-Lazarte, Marco Bobinger, Jose F. Salmeron, Almudena Rivadeneyra, Antonio Rodriguez-Dieguez
Summary: In this study, a novel coordination polymer (CP) based on perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylate (pery) linkers and sodium metal ions was synthesized. By modifying the properties of the metal ions, we confirmed their role in the functionalization of the material and paved the way for the generation of sensitive and selective chemical sensors.
Article
Physics, Applied
Jack Strand, Paolo La Torraca, Andrea Padovani, Luca Larcher, Alexander L. Shluger
Summary: We use a multi-scale modeling to study the time-dependent dielectric breakdown of an amorphous HfO2 insulator in a metal-oxide-metal capacitor. The role of electron injection in the creation of oxygen vacancies and the importance of energetic correlation effect are investigated. The results provide insights into the degradation mechanisms and atomistic and electronic structures of percolation paths in a-HfO2, which can be useful for developing future nanodevices.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Raffaele De Rose, Tommaso Zanotti, Francesco Maria Puglisi, Felice Crupi, Paolo Pavan, Marco Lanuzza
Summary: Smart material implication (SIMPLY) logic is a method proposed for energy-efficient Logic-in Memory (LIM) architectures based on non-volatile resistive memory devices. This study explores the use of SIMPLY logic scheme with nanoscale spin-transfer torque magnetic tunnel junction (STT-MTJ) devices. Results show that the values of load resistor and applied voltages play an important role in the tradeoff between error rate and energy consumption, and using a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) reference voltage can mitigate reliability degradation due to temperature variations.
SOLID-STATE ELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
T. Zanotti, P. Pavan, F. M. Puglisi
Summary: This study extends the UniMORE RRAM physics-based compact model with two variability models, a comprehensive one and a simplified version, to reproduce cycle-to-cycle variations in different operating conditions. The model is implemented following Verilog-A programming best-practices and validated on various RRAM technologies and TiN/Ti/HfOx/TiN devices, with the relationship between experimental data and variability model parameters described.
MICROELECTRONIC ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Nicolo Zagni, Francesco Maria Puglisi, Paolo Pavan, Muhammad Ashraful Alam
Summary: This article reviews the relevant literature on the reliability of doped hafnium oxide (HfO2) based ferroelectric transistors (FeFETs), focusing on the reliability physics of ferroelectric capacitors and the key reliability metrics of FeFETs. The integrative approach connects seemingly unrelated reliability issues and suggests mitigation strategies at the device, circuit, or system level. The article concludes by proposing research opportunities for future development in this field.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE IEEE
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Sara Vecchi, Paolo Pavan, Francesco Maria Puglisi
Summary: As electronic devices continue to shrink, understanding the defects in high-kappa dielectrics is crucial for improving performance and reducing reliability issues. This study investigates the Random Telegraph Noise (RTN) in a TiN/(4 nm)HfO2/TiN stack and shows that the noise properties vary with the applied bias due to the influence of oxygen vacancies (V(+)) and oxygen ions (O(0)). The study demonstrates the importance of considering trapped charge in accurately estimating the RTN parameters and explains the mechanisms behind the complex RTN signals.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Andrea Amidei, Susanna Spinsante, Grazia Iadarola, Simone Benatti, Federico Tramarin, Paolo Pavan, Luigi Rovati
Summary: The majority of car accidents worldwide are caused by drowsy drivers. Therefore, it is important to be able to detect drowsiness in drivers to prevent serious accidents. This study focuses on using a wrist device and analyzing the skin conductance signal to detect drowsiness. The results show that it is possible to identify drowsiness accurately using only signals from the wrist, encouraging further research for a real-time warning system.
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Andrea Amidei, Pierangelo Maria Rapa, Giuseppe Tagliavini, Roberto Rabbeni, Paolo Pavan, Simone Benatti
Summary: The automotive industry recognizes the importance of human-machine interaction for enhancing the driving experience and improving driver safety. Monitoring the driver's physiological signals, such as Photoplethysmography (PPG), can provide valuable information about the driver's state. This study introduces ANGELS, an embedded system that utilizes PPG signals to monitor drivers in a non-invasive way. Experimental assessments demonstrate that ANGELS is a reliable and promising solution for improving driver safety, with accurate heart rate detection, low latency, and low power consumption.
2023 9TH INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON ADVANCES IN SENSORS AND INTERFACES, IWASI
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Sara Vecchi, Paolo Pavan, Francesco Maria Puglisi
Summary: The implementation of high-kappa dielectrics, such as HfO2, is necessary in nanoscale devices to meet market demands for device scaling. However, HfO2 exhibits stronger and more complex Random Telegraph Noise (RTN) compared to SiO2, which is a significant reliability issue for ultra-thin oxides. This study provides a unified and physics-based framework for analyzing RTN in different devices, which is crucial for designing new devices and circuits for emerging RTN-based applications.
2023 IEEE INTERNATIONAL RELIABILITY PHYSICS SYMPOSIUM, IRPS
(2023)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Tommaso Zanotti, Paolo Pavan, Francesco Maria Puglisi
Summary: In this study, a self-consistent automated parameter extraction procedure is proposed for the UniMORE RRAM compact model. The procedure can be easily calibrated by performing a few common experiments and its effectiveness is validated on various RRAM technologies.
ESSDERC 2022 - IEEE 52ND EUROPEAN SOLID-STATE DEVICE RESEARCH CONFERENCE (ESSDERC)
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Sara Vecchi, Paolo Pavan, Francesco Maria Puglisi
Summary: This paper investigates the effect of atomic species' motion on RTN phenomena, and demonstrates that complex RTN signals can naturally emerge from the combination of the Coulomb field due to trapped charge at defects and the field-assisted motion. It is shown that multilevel RTN signals conventionally attributed to several defects can actually result from atomic species' motion.
ESSDERC 2022 - IEEE 52ND EUROPEAN SOLID-STATE DEVICE RESEARCH CONFERENCE (ESSDERC)
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Alok Ranjan, Francesco Maria Puglisi, Joel Molina-Reyes, Paolo Pavan, Sean J. O'Shea, Nagarajan Raghavan, Kin Leong Pey
Summary: Random telegraph noise (RTN) is a common issue in miniaturized semiconductor devices, but recent research has shown that the inherent randomness of RTN signals can be applied in areas such as true random number generation and IoT hardware security. Exploring suitable material platforms and device architectures is a key challenge in bringing these technologies to practical applications.
ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Alok Ranjan, Francesco Maria Puglisi, Joel Molina-Reyes, Paolo Pavan, Sean J. O'Shea, Nagarajan Raghavan, Kin Leong Pey
Summary: Random telegraph noise (RTN) has been traditionally seen as a reliability challenge, but recent research has shown its potential for applications such as true random number generation and IoT hardware security. This study investigates RTN in Au nanocrystal embedded HfO2 stacks and reveals the ability to reliably generate RTN signals with complex patterns.
ACS APPLIED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Andrea Amidei, Angelica Poli, Grazia Iadarola, Federico Tramarin, Paolo Pavan, Susanna Spinsante, Luigi Rovati
Summary: The majority of road traffic crashes are caused by driver drowsiness. This study aims to detect driver drowsiness through a comfortable wrist-worn device by analyzing only the Skin Conductance (SC) physiological signal. Three ensemble algorithms were tested, with Random Forest yielding the best results, achieving an overall accuracy of 84.1%. The results demonstrate the possibility of classifying driver drowsiness using wrist-collected SC signals, motivating further research for the implementation of real-time warning systems.
2022 IEEE INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON METROLOGY FOR AUTOMOTIVE (IEEE METROAUTOMOTIVE 2022)
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Davide Florini, Daniela Gandolfi, Jonathan Mapelli, Lorenzo Benatti, Paolo Pavan, Francesco Maria Puglisi
Summary: Artificial intelligence is changing computing by addressing real-world tasks and requiring significant memory access. This study proposes a neuro-synaptic architecture that integrates different learning rules to successfully solve two unsupervised learning tasks, using emerging memristive devices for low-latency and energy-efficient in-memory computing.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL NETWORKS AND LEARNING SYSTEMS
(2022)