Low Loss LTCC Ag System for 5G Applications

Low dielectric constant/low loss LTCC materials have drawn much attention with the emergence of 5G wireless telecommunications. LTCC offers unique properties in the millimeter wave frequency range. The low dielectric constant and dielectric loss enable low latency devices with enhanced performance. To meet the market demands of higher performance and lower cost, Ferro has developed a new M7 LTCC/Ag cofireable system suitable for antenna in 5G and other high frequency applications. M7 LTCC ceramic green tape and cofireable Ag conductors have been developed and tested. Properties of the LTCC/Ag system are included herein including high frequency dielectric properties.

Impact of firing temperature on insulating properties of Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics

In this paper, results of investigation on the impact of firing temperature on insulating properties of Low Temperature Cofired Ceramics are presented. Dissipation factor, volume resistivity and breakdown electric field intensity were determined for firing peak temperature in the range from 800 °C to 900 °C. The tests were performed for two commercial LTCC materials: 951 Green Tape (DuPont, USA) and SK47 (Keko, Slovenia). The results showed that the firing temperature had a significant effect on the dielectric loss factor, volume resistivity and lifetime at applied high voltage. No clear tendency was observed for dielectric strength in the analyzed firing temperature range.

Case Managers for High-Risk, High-Cost Patients as Agents and Street-Level Bureaucrats

Case management programs often designate a nurse or social worker to take responsibility for guiding care when patients are expected to be expensive or risk a major decline. We hypothesized that though an intuitively appealing idea, careful program design and faithful implementation are essential if case management programs are to succeed. We employed two theory perspectives, principal–agent framework and street-level bureaucratic theory to describe the relationship between program designers (principals) and case managers (agents/street-level bureaucrats) to review 65 case management studies. Most programs were successful in limited program-specific process and outcome goals. But there was much less success in cost-saving or cost-effectiveness—the original and overarching goal of case management. Cost results might be improved if additional ideas of agency and street-level theory were adopted, specifically, incentives, as well as “green tape,” clear rules, guidelines, and algorithms relating to resource allocation among patients.

Anode-supported BaZr0.8Y0.2O3−δ membranes by tape casting and suspension spraying

Dense BaZr[Formula: see text]Y[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] (BZY) proton-conducting electrolyte membranes are successfully fabricated on NiO–BaZr[Formula: see text]Ce[Formula: see text]Y[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text](NiO–BZCY) using tape casting combined with suspension spraying technique. The NiO–BZCY anode substrates were prepared by the tape-casting method and the BZY electrolyte membranes were prepared on the NiO-BZCY anodes by suspension spraying. The thermal decomposition of the anode green tape prepared by tape casting was investigated by thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis while the phase structure and the morphology of the anode/electrolyte bi-layers were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). No obvious reaction was found between NiO and BZCY in anode substrates and gas-tight BZY membranes were achieved after co-sintering at 1450[Formula: see text]C. With Sm[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]CoO[Formula: see text]–Ce[Formula: see text]Sm[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text](SSC–SDC) as the composite cathode, a maximum power density of 121 mW cm[Formula: see text] was obtained at 650[Formula: see text]C for the single cell with 23 [Formula: see text]m thick BZY electrolyte. Resistances of the tested cell were investigated under open circuit conditions at different operating temperatures by impedance spectroscopy.

'Brexit' puts UK and EU climate policies in danger

Subject Energy and climate policies post-Brexit. Significance The United Kingdom has been a significant player in the development of energy and climate policies within the EU and its decision to leave raises important questions about the future direction of these policies in both the United Kingdom and the Union. Impacts Single market withdrawal could see the United Kingdom lose up to 500 million euros (550 million dollars) per year in lower energy costs. Advocates of Brexit argue that savings as a result of no longer being bound by EU 'green tape' will outweigh the higher energy costs. The first test of diminished UK influence will be the Commission's proposals for promoting renewable energy released later this year.