A Low-Cost NDIR-Based N2O Gas Detection Device for Agricultural Soils: Assembly, Calibration Model Validation, and Laboratory Testing

This research presents a low-cost, easy-to-assemble nondispersive infrared (NDIR) device for monitoring N2O gas concentration in agricultural soils during field and laboratory experiments. The study aimed to develop a cost-effective instrument with a simple optic structure suitable for detecting a wide range of soil N2O gas concentrations with a submerged silicone diffusion cell. A commercially available, 59 cm path-length gas cell, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based infrared emitter, pyroelectric detector, two anti-reflective (AR) coated optical windows, and one convex lens were assembled into a simple instrument with secure preciseness and responsivity. Control of the IR emitter and data recording processes was achieved through a microcontroller unit (MCU). Tests on humidity tolerance and the saturation rate of the diffusion cell were carried out to test the instrument function with the soil atmosphere. The developed calibration model was validated by repeatability tests and accuracy tests. The soil N2O gas concentration was monitored at the laboratory level by a specific experimental setup. The coefficient of determination (R2) of the repeatability tests was more than 0.9995 with a 1–2000 ppm measurability range and no impact of air humidity on the device output. The new device achieved continuous measuring of soil N2O gas through a submerged diffusion cell.

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Application of SU-8 photoresist as a multi-functional structural dielectric layer in FOWLP

Additional Conferences (Device Packaging HiTEC HiTEN & CICMT) ◽

10.4071/2017dpc-tp2_presentation3 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 (DPC) ◽

pp. 1-19

Author(s):

Raquel Pinto ◽

André Cardoso ◽

Sara Ribeiro ◽

Carlos Brandão ◽

João Gaspar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Structural Material ◽

High Performance ◽

Microelectromechanical Systems ◽

Low Cost ◽

Process Conditions ◽

Processing Temperature ◽

Wafer Level ◽

Fast Growing ◽

Wide Range ◽

Different Types

Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) are a fast growing technology for sensor and actuator miniaturization finding more and more commercial opportunities by having an important role in the field of Internet of Things (IoT). On the same note, Fan-out Wafer Level Packaging (FOWLP), namely WLFO technology of NANIUM, which is based on Infineon/ Intel eWLB technology, is also finding further applications, not only due to its high performance, low cost, high flexibility, but also due to its versatility to allow the integration of different types of components in the same small form-factor package. Despite its great potential it is still off limits to the more sensitive components as micro-mechanical devices and some type of sensors, which are vulnerable to temperature and pressure. In the interest of increasing FOWLP versatility and enabling the integration of MEMS, new methods of assembling and processing are continuously searched for. Dielectrics currently used for redistribution layer construction need to be cured at temperatures above 200°C, making it one of the major boundary for low temperature processing. In addition, in order to accomplish a wide range of dielectric thicknesses in the same package it is often necessary to stack very different types of dielectrics with impact on bill of materials complexity and cost. In this work, done in cooperation with the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), we describe the implementation of commercially available SU-8 photoresist as a structural material in FOWLP, allowing lower processing temperature and reduced internal package stress, thus enabling the integration of components such as MEMS/MOEMS, magneto-resistive devices and micro-batteries. While SU-8 photoresist was first designed for the microelectronics industry, it is currently highly used in the fabrication of microfluidics as well as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and BIO-MEMS due to its high biocompatibility and wide range of available thicknesses in the same product family. Its good thermal and chemical resistance and also mechanical and rheological properties, make it suitable to be used as a structural material, and moreover it cures at 150°C, which is key for the applications targeted. Unprecedentedly, SU-8 photoresist is tested in this work as a structural dielectric for the redistribution layers on 300mm fan-out wafers. Main concerns during the evaluation of the new WLFO dielectric focused on processability quality; adhesion to multi-material substrate and metals (copper, aluminium, gold, ¦); between layers of very different thicknesses; and overall reliability. During preliminary runs, processability on 300 mm fan-out wafers was evaluated by testing different coating and soft bake conditions, exposure settings, post-exposure parameters, up to developing setup. The outputs are not only on process conditions and results but also on WLFO design rules. For the first time, a set of conditions has been defined that allows processing SU-8 on WLFO, with thickness values ranging from 1 um to 150 um. The introduction of SU-8 in WLFO is a breakthrough in this fast-growing advanced packaging technology platform as it opens vast opportunities for sensor integration in WLP technology.

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Exploring the Use of near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy to Study Physical Properties and Microelements in Soils

Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy ◽

10.1255/jnirs.362 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 145-154 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

A. Moron ◽

D. Cozzolino

Keyword(s):

Standard Error ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Low Cost ◽

Scatter Correction ◽

Reflectance Spectroscopy ◽

Coefficient Of Determination ◽

Second Derivative ◽

Near Infrared Reflectance ◽

Nir Reflectance Spectroscopy

Near infrared (NIR) reflectance spectroscopy was used to predict the content of silt, sand, clay, iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) in soil. A total of 332 samples from agricultural soils (0–15 cm depth) in Uruguay (South America) were used. The samples were scanned in a monochromator instrument (NIRSystems 6500, Silver Spring, MD, USA). Two mathematical treatments (first and second derivative) with SNVD (scatter normal variate and detrend) and without scatter correction were studied. Modified partial least squares (mPLS) was used to develop the calibration models. The coefficient of determination in calibration ( R2cal) and the standard error in calibration ( SEC) using the second derivative were 0.81 ( SEC: 5.1), 0.83 ( SEC: 5.3), 0.92 ( SEC: 2.6) for percent sand, silt and clay, respectively. The R2cal and standard error of cross-validation ( SECV) were for Cu 0.87 ( SEC: 0.7), for Fe 0.92 ( SEC: 21.7), for Mn 0.72 ( SEC: 83.0) and for Zn 0.72 ( SEC: 1.2) on mg kg−1 dry matter. It was concluded that NIR reflectance spectroscopy has a great potential as an analytical method for routine analysis of soil texture, Fe, Zn and Cu due the speed and low cost of analysis.

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A Novel Seedless TSV Process Based on Room Temperature Curing Silver Nanowires ECAs for MEMS Packaging

Micromachines ◽

10.3390/mi10060351 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 351 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Meng ◽

Cheng ◽

Yang ◽

Sun ◽

Luo

Keyword(s):

Room Temperature ◽

Microelectromechanical Systems ◽

Silver Nanowires ◽

Low Cost ◽

Mems Devices ◽

Filling Process ◽

Conductive Adhesives ◽

Mems Packaging ◽

Wide Range ◽

High Efficient

The through-silicon-vias (TSVs) process is a vital technology in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) packaging. The current via filling technique based on copper electroplating has many shortcomings, such as involving multi-step processes, requiring sophisticated equipment, low through-put and probably damaging the MEMS devices susceptible to mechanical polishing. Herein, a room temperature treatable, high-efficient and low-cost seedless TSV process was developed with a one-step filling process by using novel electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs) filled with silver nanowires. The as-prepared ECAs could be fully cured at room temperature and exhibited excellent conductivity due to combining the benefits of both polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and silver nanowires. Complete filling of TSVs with the as-prepared 30 wt% silver nanowires ECAs was realized, and the resistivity of a fully filled TSV was as low as 10−3 Ω·cm. Furthermore, the application of such novel TSV filling process could also be extended to a wide range of different substrates, showing great potential in MEMS packaging, flexible microsystems and many other applications.

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Developing Equations for Converting Digestible Energy to Metabolizable Energy for Korean Hanwoo Beef Cattle

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061696 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1696

Author(s):

Ridha Ibidhi ◽

Rajaraman Bharanidharan ◽

Jong-Geun Kim ◽

Woo-Hyeong Hong ◽

In-Sik Nam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Linear Regression ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Strong Relationship ◽

Dietary Factors ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Coefficient Of Determination ◽

Simple Linear Regression ◽

Male And Female ◽

Digestible Energy ◽

Wide Range

This study was performed to update and generate prediction equations for converting digestible energy (DE) to metabolizable energy (ME) for Korean Hanwoo beef cattle, taking into consideration the gender (male and female) and body weights (BW above and below 350 kg) of the animals. The data consisted of 141 measurements from respiratory chambers with a wide range of diets and energy intake levels. A simple linear regression of the overall unadjusted data suggested a strong relationship between the DE and ME (Mcal/kg DM): ME = 0.8722 × DE + 0.0016 (coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.946, root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.107, p < 0.001 for intercept and slope). Mixed-model regression analyses to adjust for the effects of the experiment from which the data were obtained similarly showed a strong linear relationship between the DE and ME (Mcal/kg of DM): ME = 0.9215 × DE − 0.1434 (R2 = 0.999, RMSE = 0.004, p < 0.001 for the intercept and slope). The DE was strongly related to the ME for both genders: ME = 0.8621 × DE + 0.0808 (R2 = 0.9600, RMSE = 0.083, p < 0.001 for the intercept and slope) and ME = 0.7785 × DE + 0.1546 (R2 = 0.971, RMSE = 0.070, p < 0.001 for the intercept and slope) for male and female Hanwoo cattle, respectively. By BW, the simple linear regression similarly showed a strong relationship between the DE and ME for Hanwoo above and below 350 kg BW: ME = 0.9833 × DE − 0.2760 (R2 = 0.991, RMSE = 0.055, p < 0.001 for the intercept and slope) and ME = 0.72975 × DE + 0.38744 (R2 = 0.913, RMSE = 0.100, p < 0.001 for the intercept and slope), respectively. A multiple regression using the DE and dietary factors as independent variables did not improve the accuracy of the ME prediction (ME = 1.149 × DE − 0.045 × crude protein + 0.011 × neutral detergent fibre − 0.027 × acid detergent fibre + 0.683).

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Information and information resources in COVID-19: Awareness, control, and prevention

Journal of Librarianship and Information Science ◽

10.1177/09610006211016519 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 096100062110165

Author(s):

Mohammadhiwa Abdekhoda ◽

Fatemeh Ranjbaran ◽

Asghar Sattari

Keyword(s):

Low Cost ◽

Information Resources ◽

Age And Gender ◽

Use Of Resources ◽

Strategic Approach ◽

Wide Range ◽

Data Collection Instrument ◽

Control And Prevention ◽

And Gender ◽

And Control

This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the role of information and information resources in the awareness, control, and prevention of COVID-19. This study was a descriptive-analytical survey in which 450 participants were selected for the study. The data collection instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data through SPSS. The findings show that a wide range of mass media has become well known as information resources for COVID-19. Other findings indicate a significant statistical difference in the rate of using information resources during COVID-19 based on age and gender; however, this difference is not significant regarding the reliability of information resources with regard to age and gender. Health information has an undisputable role in the prevention and control of pandemic diseases such as COVID-19. Providing accurate, reliable, and evidence-based information in a timely manner for the use of resources and information channels related to COVID-19 can be a fast and low-cost strategic approach in confronting this disease.

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Advanced mycelium materials as potential self-growing biomedical scaffolds

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-91572-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maria Elena Antinori ◽

Marco Contardi ◽

Giulia Suarato ◽

Andrea Armirotti ◽

Rosalia Bertorelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tissue Engineering ◽

Low Cost ◽

Direct Interaction ◽

Dermal Fibroblasts ◽

Engineering Systems ◽

Edible Fungi ◽

Avant Garde ◽

Fibrous Network ◽

Body Tissues ◽

Wide Range

AbstractMycelia, the vegetative part of fungi, are emerging as the avant-garde generation of natural, sustainable, and biodegradable materials for a wide range of applications. They are constituted of a self-growing and interconnected fibrous network of elongated cells, and their chemical and physical properties can be adjusted depending on the conditions of growth and the substrate they are fed upon. So far, only extracts and derivatives from mycelia have been evaluated and tested for biomedical applications. In this study, the entire fibrous structures of mycelia of the edible fungi Pleurotus ostreatus and Ganoderma lucidum are presented as self-growing bio-composites that mimic the extracellular matrix of human body tissues, ideal as tissue engineering bio-scaffolds. To this purpose, the two mycelial strains are inactivated by autoclaving after growth, and their morphology, cell wall chemical composition, and hydrodynamical and mechanical features are studied. Finally, their biocompatibility and direct interaction with primary human dermal fibroblasts are investigated. The findings demonstrate the potentiality of mycelia as all-natural and low-cost bio-scaffolds, alternative to the tissue engineering systems currently in place.

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Rheology and Water Absorption Properties of Alginate–Soy Protein Composites

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13111807 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 1807

Author(s):

Estefanía Álvarez-Castillo ◽

José Manuel Aguilar ◽

Carlos Bengoechea ◽

María Luisa López-Castejón ◽

Antonio Guerrero

Keyword(s):

Soy Protein ◽

Water Solubility ◽

Divalent Cations ◽

Low Cost ◽

Soy Protein Isolate ◽

Protein Isolate ◽

Guluronic Acid ◽

Wide Range ◽

Anionic Polysaccharides ◽

Porous Matrices

Composite materials based on proteins and carbohydrates normally offer improved water solubility, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, which make them attractive for a wide range of applications. Soy protein isolate (SPI) has shown superabsorbent properties that are useful in fields such as agriculture. Alginate salts (ALG) are linear anionic polysaccharides obtained at a low cost from brown algae, displaying a good enough biocompatibility to be considered for medical applications. As alginates are quite hydrophilic, the exchange of ions from guluronic acid present in its molecular structure with divalent cations, particularly Ca2+, may induce its gelation, which would inhibit its solubilization in water. Both biopolymers SPI and ALG were used to produce composites through injection moulding using glycerol (Gly) as a plasticizer. Different biopolymer/plasticizer ratios were employed, and the SPI/ALG ratio within the biopolymer fraction was also varied. Furthermore, composites were immersed in different CaCl2 solutions to inhibit the amount of soluble matter loss and to enhance the mechanical properties of the resulting porous matrices. The main goal of the present work was the development and characterization of green porous matrices with inhibited solubility thanks to the gelation of alginate.

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Optically transparent and very thin structure against electromagnetic pulse (EMP) using metal mesh and saltwater for shielding windows

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-80969-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Duy Tung Phan ◽

Chang Won Jung

Keyword(s):

Electromagnetic Pulse ◽

Low Cost ◽

High Energy ◽

Metal Plate ◽

Optical Transparency ◽

Shielding Effectiveness ◽

Concrete Wall ◽

Metal Mesh ◽

Wide Range ◽

Optically Transparent

AbstractAn electromagnetic pulse (EMP) with high energy can damage electronic equipment instantly within a wide range of thousands of kilometers. Generally, a metal plate placed inside a thick concrete wall is used against an EMP, but it is not suitable for an EMP shielding window, which requires not only strong shielding effectiveness (SE) but also optical transparency (OT). In this paper, we propose a very thin and optically transparent structure with excellent SE for EMP shielding window application. The proposed structure consists of a saltwater layer held between two glass substrates and two metal mesh layers on the outside of the glass, with a total thickness of less than 1.5 cm. The SE and OT of the structure are above 80 dB and 45%, respectively, which not only meet the requirement of EMP shielding for military purposes but also retain the procedure of good observation. Moreover, the OT of the structure can be significantly improved using only one metal mesh film (MMF) layer, while the SE is still maintained high to satisfy the required SE for home applicants. With the major advantages of low cost, optical transparency, strong SE, and flexible performance, the proposed structure can be considered a good solution for transparent EMP shielding windows.

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The BabySaver: Design of a New Device for Neonatal Resuscitation at Birth with Intact Placental Circulation

Children ◽

10.3390/children8060526 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 526

Author(s):

James Ditai ◽

Aisling Barry ◽

Kathy Burgoine ◽

Anthony K. Mbonye ◽

Julius N. Wandabwa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Cost ◽

Neonatal Resuscitation ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Skilled Birth Attendants ◽

New Device ◽

Birth Attendants ◽

Premature Babies ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

The Uk ◽

The University

The initial bedside care of premature babies with an intact cord has been shown to reduce mortality; there is evidence that resuscitation of term babies with an intact cord may also improve outcomes. This process has been facilitated by the development of bedside resuscitation surfaces. These new devices are unaffordable, however, in most of sub-Saharan Africa, where 42% of the world’s 2.4 million annual newborn deaths occur. This paper describes the rationale and design of BabySaver, an innovative low-cost mobile resuscitation unit, which was developed iteratively over five years in a collaboration between the Sanyu Africa Research Institute (SAfRI) in Uganda and the University of Liverpool in the UK. The final BabySaver design comprises two compartments; a tray to provide a firm resuscitation surface, and a base to store resuscitation equipment. The design was formed while considering contextual factors, using the views of individual women from the community served by the local hospitals, medical staff, and skilled birth attendants in both Uganda and the UK.

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The grades and freshness assessment of eggs based on density detection using machine vision and weighing sensor

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-96140-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Supakorn Harnsoongnoen ◽

Nuananong Jaroensuk

Keyword(s):

Machine Vision ◽

Vision System ◽

Low Cost ◽

Measuring System ◽

Coefficient Of Determination ◽

Water Displacement ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Future Potential ◽

Non Destructive ◽

Egg Freshness

AbstractThe water displacement and flotation are two of the most accurate and rapid methods for grading and assessing freshness of agricultural products based on density determination. However, these techniques are still not suitable for use in agricultural inspections of products such as eggs that absorb water which can be considered intrusive or destructive and can affect the result of measurements. Here we present a novel proposal for a method of non-destructive, non-invasive, low cost, simple and real—time monitoring of the grading and freshness assessment of eggs based on density detection using machine vision and a weighing sensor. This is the first proposal that divides egg freshness into intervals through density measurements. The machine vision system was developed for the measurement of external physical characteristics (length and breadth) of eggs for evaluating their volume. The weighing system was developed for the measurement of the weight of the egg. Egg weight and volume were used to calculate density for grading and egg freshness assessment. The proposed system could measure the weight, volume and density with an accuracy of 99.88%, 98.26% and 99.02%, respectively. The results showed that the weight and freshness of eggs stored at room temperature decreased with storage time. The relationship between density and percentage of freshness was linear for the all sizes of eggs, the coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9982, 0.9999, 0.9996, 0.9996 and 0.9994 for classified egg size classified 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. This study shows that egg freshness can be determined through density without using water to test for water displacement or egg flotation which has future potential as a measuring system important for the poultry industry.

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