scholarly journals Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers with a Cost-Effective Bottom-Up Fabrication Scheme for Millimeter-Scale Range Finding

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (21) ◽  
pp. 4696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guo-Hua Feng ◽  
Hua-Jin Liu
Keyword(s):  
Ultrasonic Transducer ◽  
Time Of Flight ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Ultrasonic Waves ◽  
Metal Foil ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Processing Scheme ◽  
Range Finding ◽  
Mems Microphone

This study proposes a novel piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT), fabricated on a metal foil. Using a bottom-up, cost-effective micromachining technique, the PMUTs made of electrodes, a piezoelectric film, or electrode-sandwiched structures with versatile patterns were implemented on a large-area foil thinner rather than regular paper. The proposed microfabrication facilitated the PMUT to be able to generate ultrasonic waves with fundamental and harmonic resonances. The fourth-order resonances of the fabricated PMUT functionally operated at an ultrasonic spectrum of approximately 30 kHz as an ultrasonic emitter. The developed PMUT was paired with a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphone module for range-finding applications in the range of several tens of millimeters. A signal-processing scheme was developed to extract the representative pattern from the acquired signals that were emitted and received. The pattern enabled finding the distance between the PMUT and the microphone using time-of-flight and strength-variation technology. The developed PMUT-microphone pair demonstrated its range-finding performance, displaying an error of less than 0.7% using the time-of-flight method.

scholarly journals Through-Thickness Microstructure Characterization in a Centrifugally Cast Austenitic Stainless Steel Nuclear Reactor Primary Loop Pipe Using Time-of-Flight Neutron Diffraction

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Matthew M. Schmitt ◽  
Daniel J. Savage ◽  
James J. Wall ◽  
John D. Yeager ◽  
Chanho Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Austenitic Stainless Steel ◽  
Neutron Diffraction ◽  
Time Of Flight ◽  
Radial Distance ◽  
Ultrasonic Waves ◽  
Science Center ◽  
Los Alamos ◽  
Inspection Method ◽  
Centrifugally Cast

The US code of Federal Regulations mandates regular inspection of centrifugally cast austenitic stainless steel pipe, commonly used in primary cooling loops in light-water nuclear power plants. These pipes typically have a wall thickness of ~8 cm. Unfortunately, inspection using conventional ultrasonic techniques is not reliable as the microstructure strongly attenuates ultrasonic waves. Work is ongoing to simulate the behavior of acoustic waves in this microstructure and ultimately develop an acoustic inspection method for reactor inspections. In order to account for elastic anisotropy in the material, the texture in the steel was measured as a function of radial distance though the pipe wall. Experiments were conducted on two 10 × 12.7 × 80 mm radial sections of a cast pipe using neutron diffraction scans of 2 mm slices using the HIPPO time-of-flight neutron diffractometer at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE, Los Alamos, NM, USA). Strong textures dominated by a small number of austenite grains with their (100) direction aligned in the radial direction of the pipe were observed. ODF analysis indicated that up to 70% of the probed volume was occupied by just three single-grain orientations, consistent with grain sizes of almost 1 cm. Texture and phase fraction of both ferrite and austenite phases were measured along the length of the samples. These results will inform the development of a more robust diagnostic tool for regular inspection of this material.

scholarly journals Strong texture tuning along different crystalline directions in glass-supported CeO2 thin films by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Inti Zumeta-Dubé ◽  
José Manuel García Rangel ◽  
Jorge Roque ◽  
Issis Claudette Romero-Ibarra ◽  
Mario Fidel García Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Spray Pyrolysis ◽  
Spray Pyrolysis Technique ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Growth Direction ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Smart Windows ◽  
Ultrasonic Spray

AbstractThe strong facet-dependent performance of glass-supported CeO2 thin films in different applications (catalysis, smart windows, etc.) has been the target of diverse fundamental and technological approaches. However, the design of accurate, cost-effective and scalable methods with the potential for large-area coverage that produce highly textured glass-supported CeO2 thin films remains a technological challenge. In the present work, it is demonstrated that under proper tuning conditions, the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique enables one to obtain glass-supported polycrystalline CeO2 films with noticeable texture along both the (100) and (111) directions, as well as with randomly oriented crystallites (no texture). The influence of flow rates, solution molarity, and substrate temperature on the texture and morphological characteristics, as well as optical absorption and Raman response of the deposited films, is evaluated. The obtained results are discussed on the basis of the combined dependence of the CeO2-exposed surfaces on the thermodynamic stability of the corresponding facets and the reaction kinetics, which modulate the crystallite growth direction.

scholarly journals A Novel Ultrasonic TOF Ranging System Using AlN Based PMUTs

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 284
Author(s):  
Yihsiang Chiu ◽  
Chen Wang ◽  
Dan Gong ◽  
Nan Li ◽  
Shenglin Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clock Cycle ◽  
High Accuracy ◽  
Ultrasonic Waves ◽  
Oxide Semiconductor ◽  
Average Error ◽  
Cmos Process ◽  
Clock Frequency ◽  
Time Frequency ◽  
Range Finding ◽  
Wide Range

This paper presents a high-accuracy complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) driven ultrasonic ranging system based on air coupled aluminum nitride (AlN) based piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs) using time of flight (TOF). The mode shape and the time-frequency characteristics of PMUTs are simulated and analyzed. Two pieces of PMUTs with a frequency of 97 kHz and 96 kHz are applied. One is used to transmit and the other is used to receive ultrasonic waves. The Time to Digital Converter circuit (TDC), correlating the clock frequency with sound velocity, is utilized for range finding via TOF calculated from the system clock cycle. An application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip is designed and fabricated on a 0.18 μm CMOS process to acquire data from the PMUT. Compared to state of the art, the developed ranging system features a wide range and high accuracy, which allows to measure the range of 50 cm with an average error of 0.63 mm. AlN based PMUT is a promising candidate for an integrated portable ranging system.

scholarly journals All-Organic, Low Voltage, Transparent and Compliant Organic Field-Effect Transistor Fabricated by Means of Large-Area, Cost-Effective Techniques

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 6656
Author(s):  
Stefano Lai ◽  
Giulia Casula ◽  
Pier Carlo Ricci ◽  
Piero Cosseddu ◽  
Annalisa Bonfiglio
Keyword(s):  
Field Effect ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Field Effect Transistors ◽  
High Mobility ◽  
Chemical Vapor ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Parylene C ◽  
Biomedical Sensing ◽  
Novel Applications

The development of electronic devices with enhanced properties of transparency and conformability is of high interest for the development of novel applications in the field of bioelectronics and biomedical sensing. Here, a fabrication process for all organic Organic Field-Effect Transistors (OFETs) by means of large-area, cost-effective techniques such as inkjet printing and chemical vapor deposition is reported. The fabricated device can operate at low voltages (as high as 4 V) with ideal electronic characteristics, including low threshold voltage, relatively high mobility and low subthreshold voltages. The employment of organic materials such as Parylene C, PEDOT:PSS and 6,13-Bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene (TIPS pentacene) helps to obtain highly transparent transistors, with a relative transmittance exceeding 80%. Interestingly enough, the proposed process can be reliably employed for OFET fabrication over different kind of substrates, ranging from transparent, flexible but relatively thick polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates to transparent, 700-nm-thick, compliant Parylene C films. OFETs fabricated on such sub-micrometrical substrates maintain their functionality after being transferred onto complex surfaces, such as human skin and wearable items. To this aim, the electrical and electromechanical stability of proposed devices will be discussed.

scholarly journals Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Analysis of Hole Transporting Material Free Mesoporous and Planar Perovskite Solar Cells

Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1635
Author(s):  
Sumayya M. Abdulrahim ◽  
Zubair Ahmad ◽  
Jolly Bahadra ◽  
Noora J. Al-Thani
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cells ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy ◽  
Impedance Spectroscopy ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Perovskite Solar Cells ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Hole Transport ◽  
Large Area ◽  
The Future ◽  
Hole Transporting Material

The future photovoltaic technologies based on perovskite materials are aimed to build low tech, truly economical, easily fabricated, broadly deployable, and trustworthy solar cells. Hole transport material (HTM) free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are among the most likely architectures which hold a distinctive design and provide a simple way to produce large-area and cost-effective manufacture of PSCs. Notably, in the monolithic scheme of the HTM-free PSCs, all layers can be printed using highly reproducible and morphology-controlled methods, and this design has successfully been demonstrated for industrial-scale fabrication. In this review article, we comprehensively describe the recent advancements in the different types of mesoporous (nanostructured) and planar HTM-free PSCs. In addition, the effect of various nanostructures and mesoporous layers on their performance is discussed using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. We bring together the different perspectives that researchers have developed to interpret and analyze the EIS data of the HTM-free PSCs. Their analysis using the EIS tool, the limitations of these studies, and the future work directions to overcome these limitations to enhance the performance of HTM-free PSCs are comprehensively considered.

scholarly journals Polymer Composites with Oriented Magnetic Nanowires as Fillers

2007 ◽  
Vol 1058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Sun ◽  
Kusuma Keshoju
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Optical Tweezers ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Tensile Tests ◽  
Metallic Nickel ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Load Direction ◽  
Nickel Nanowires ◽  
Microfluidic Flow ◽  
Composite Samples

ABSTRACTMetallic nickel nanowires with excellent physical properties have been introduced into polydimethylsiloxane matrix to form polymer nanocomposites. Nanowires were synthesized by template-assisted electrochemical deposition. By utilizing ferromagnetic nickel nanowires, small external magnetic field can be used to control their alignment and distribution during composite synthesis. Unlike dielectrophoresis, optical tweezers, and microfluidic flow control, magnetic manipulation provides a cost-effective, non-contact, and versatile approach to control nanostructured materials in fluids over a large area. Polydimethylsiloxane composites with nanowires arranged in longitudinal, transverse, and random orientations with respect to the applied load direction were studied. Tensile tests showed that the composites with longitudinal arrangement have higher elastic modulus and tensile strength than the other composite samples. Experimentally obtained elastic modulus values were compared with the prediction of classical Halpin-Tsai model. Metallic nickel nanowires with excellent physical properties have been introduced into polydimethylsiloxane matrix to form polymer nanocomposites. Nanowires were synthesized by template-assisted electrochemical deposition. By utilizing ferromagnetic nickel nanowires, small external magnetic field can be used to control their alignment and distribution during composite synthesis. Unlike dielectrophoresis, optical tweezers, and microfluidic flow control, magnetic manipulation provides a cost-effective, non-contact, and versatile approach to control nanostructured materials in fluids over a large area. Polydimethylsiloxane composites with nanowires arranged in longitudinal, transverse, and random orientations with respect to the applied load direction were studied. Tensile tests showed that the composites with longitudinal arrangement have higher elastic modulus and tensile strength than the other composite samples. Experimentally obtained elastic modulus values were compared with the prediction of classical Halpin-Tsai model.

scholarly journals AlN-on-Si Square Diaphragm Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer with Extended Range of Detection

Proceedings ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (13) ◽  
pp. 913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suresh Alasatri ◽  
Libor Rufer ◽  
Joshua En-Yuan Lee
Keyword(s):  
Printed Circuit Board ◽  
Ultrasonic Transducer ◽  
Ultrasonic Transducers ◽  
Circuit Board ◽  
Detection Range ◽  
Range Finding ◽  
Sensing Applications ◽  
Current State ◽  
Wire Bonds ◽  
Extended Range

We present aluminum nitride (AlN) on silicon (Si) CMOS-compatible piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs) with an extended detection range of up to 140 cm for touchless sensing applications. The reported performance surpasses the current state-of-art for AlN-based pMUTs in terms of the maximum range of detection using just a pair of pMUTs (as opposed to an array of pMUTs). The extended range of detection has been realized by using a larger diaphragm allowed by fabricating a thicker diaphragm than most other pMUTs reported to date. Using a pair of pMUTs, we experimentally demonstrate the capability of range-finding by correlating the time-of-flight (TOF) between the transmit (TX) and receive (RX) pulse. The results were obtained using an experimental setup where the MEMS chip was interconnected with a customized printed circuit board (PCB) using Al wire bonds.

Graphene-based large area dye-sensitized solar cell modules

Nanoscale ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 5368-5378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Casaluci ◽  
Mauro Gemmi ◽  
Vittorio Pellegrini ◽  
Aldo Di Carlo ◽  
Francesco Bonaccorso
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cell ◽  
Spray Coating ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Dye Sensitized Solar Cell ◽  
Photovoltaic Devices ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Dye Sensitized ◽  
Cell Modules ◽  
Viable Method ◽  
The Way

We demonstrated the spray coating of graphene ink as a viable method for large-area fabrication of graphene-based dye-sensitized solar cell modules, paving the way to all-printed, transparent and cost-effective large-area photovoltaic devices.

scholarly journals Printed, cost-effective and stable poly(3-hexylthiophene) electrolyte-gated field-effect transistors

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (43) ◽  
pp. 15312-15321
Author(s):  
Davide Blasi ◽  
Fabrizio Viola ◽  
Francesco Modena ◽  
Axel Luukkonen ◽  
Eleonora Macchia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Effect ◽  
Field Effect Transistor ◽  
Field Effect Transistors ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Continuous Operation ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Ink Jet ◽  
Effect Transistor

A large-area processable ink-jet-printed poly(3-hexylthiophene) electrolyte-gated field-effect transistor, designed for bioelectronic applications, is proven to be stable for one week of continuous operation.

scholarly journals Metal-induced n+/n homojunction for ultrahigh electron mobility transistors

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji-Min Park ◽  
Hyoung-Do Kim ◽  
Hongrae Joh ◽  
Seong Cheol Jang ◽  
Kyung Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metal Oxide ◽  
Field Effect ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Metal Layer ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Interface Layer ◽  
Field Effect Mobility ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Electron Mobility Transistors

AbstractA self-organized n+/n homojunction is proposed to achieve ultrahigh performance of thin film transistors (TFTs) based on an amorphous (Zn,Ba)SnO3 (ZBTO) semiconductor with sufficiently limited scattering centers. A deposited Al layer can induce a highly O-deficient (n+) interface layer in the back channel of a-ZBTO without damaging the front channel layer via the formation of a metal-oxide interlayer between the metal and back channel. The n+ layer can significantly improve the field-effect mobility by providing a relatively high concentration of free electrons in the front n-channel ZBTO, where the scattering of carriers is already controlled. In comparison with a Ti layer, the Al metal layer is superior, as confirmed by first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations, due to the stronger metal-O bonds, which make it easier to form a metal oxide AlOx interlayer through the removal of oxygen from ZBTO. The field-effect mobility of a-ZBTO with an Al capping layer can reach 153.4 cm2/Vs, which is higher than that of the pristine device, i.e., 20.8 cm2/Vs. This result paves the way for the realization of a cost-effective method for implementing indium-free ZBTO devices in various applications, such as flat panel displays and large-area electronic circuits.

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