Review of Bumpless Build Cube (BBCube) Using Wafer-on-Wafer (WOW) and Chip-on-Wafer (COW) for Tera-Scale Three-Dimensional Integration (3DI)

Bumpless Build Cube (BBCube) using Wafer-on-Wafer (WOW) and Chip-on-Wafer (COW) for Tera-Scale Three-Dimensional Integration (3DI) is discussed. Bumpless interconnects between wafers and between chips and wafers are a second-generation alternative to the use of micro-bumps for WOW and COW technologies. WOW and COW technologies for BBCube can be used for homogeneous and heterogeneous 3DI, respectively. Ultra-thinning of wafers down to 4 μm offers the advantage of a small form factor, not only in terms of the total volume of 3D ICs, but also the aspect ratio of Through-Silicon-Vias (TSVs). Bumpless interconnect technology can increase the number of TSVs per chip due to the finer TSV pitch and the lower impedance of bumpless TSV interconnects. In addition, high-density TSV interconnects with a short length provide the highest thermal dissipation from high-temperature devices such as CPUs and GPUs. This paper describes the process platform for BBCube WOW and COW technologies and BBCube DRAMs with high speed and low IO buffer power by enhancing parallelism and increasing yield by using a vertically replaceable memory block architecture, and also presents a comparison of thermal characteristics in 3D structures constructed with micro-bumps and BBCube.

A Buffer Power Source Based on a Supercapacitor for Starting an Induction Motor under Load

In the paper, a model of a three-phase frequency-controlled induction electric drive has been developed in Simulink Matlab 2019 (MathWorks, Natick, MA, USA). This model is mathematically converted into a two-phase model by transforming equations. It is proposed to compensate the voltage drop in the power system during start-up operation under load by using supercapacitors as a buffer power source. A block of supercapacitors was calculated. Simulation modeling was performed at a different voltage than the network. The diagrams of the transient processes occurring in the electric drive when the power supply is changed were prepared. It was found that such a principle of implementing an additional source of electric energy allows to start induction electric drives in areas remote from industrial networks without significantly affecting their static and dynamic characteristics.

Low non-carbonic buffer power amplifies acute respiratory acid-base disorders in septic patients: an in-vitro study

Rationale: Septic patients have typically reduced concentrations of hemoglobin and albumin, the major components of non-carbonic buffer power(β). This could expose patients to high pH variations during acid-base disorders. Objectives: To compare, in-vitro, non-carbonic β of septic patients with that of healthy volunteers, and evaluate its distinct components. Methods: Whole blood and isolated plasma of 18 septic patients and 18 controls were equilibrated with different CO2 mixtures. Blood gases, pH and electrolytes were measured. Non-carbonic β and non-carbonic β due to variations in Strong Ion Difference (βSID) were calculated for whole blood. Non-carbonic β and non-carbonic β normalized for albumin concentrations (βNORM) were calculated for isolated plasma. Representative values at pH=7.40 were compared. Albumin proteoforms were evaluated via two-dimensional electrophoresis. Measurements and Main Results: Hemoglobin and albumin concentrations were significantly lower in septic patients. Septic patients had lower non-carbonic β both of whole blood (22.0±1.9 vs. 31.6±2.1 mmol/L, p<0.01) and plasma (0.5±1.0 vs. 3.7±0.8 mmol/L, p<0.01). Non-carbonic βSID was lower in patients (16.8±1.9 vs. 24.4±1.9 mmol/L, p<0.01) and strongly correlated with hemoglobin concentration (r=0.94, p<0.01). Non-carbonic βNORM was lower in patients (0.01 [-0.01 - 0.04] vs. 0.08 [0.06 - 0.09] mmol/g, p<0.01). Septic patients and controls showed different amounts of albumin proteoforms. Conclusions: Septic patients are exposed to higher pH variations for any given change in CO2 due to lower concentrations of non-carbonic buffers and, possibly, an altered buffering function of albumin. In both septic patients and healthy controls, electrolyte shifts are the major buffering mechanism during respiratory acid-base disorders.

Modelling the effects of fertiliser solubility and soil buffer power on phosphorus uptake by spring wheat using an image-based approach

&lt;p&gt;Phosphorus (P) is critical for plant growth and can limit crop yields, but rock phosphate (the primary source of agricultural P) is a finite resource which is predicted to run out within 50-250 years. However, since P is important for short-term yield gains, it is often over-applied, causing run-off and water pollution. It is crucial to apply the right fertilisers at the most efficient rate, time, and place to protect our food security and environment for the future.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Optimal application requires an understanding of the processes affecting P availability to plants. Fertilisers range from soluble in water (e.g TSP) to only slightly soluble (e.g. struvite). However, experiments testing the efficacy of fertilisers with different solubilities have reached variable results. Standard soil testing methods sample at fixed time points, while the dissolution, diffusion, sorption and uptake of P are dynamic processes, so to make predictions we must understand those dynamics.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;We used image-based modelling to investigate the predicted effects of dissolution rate and soil buffer power on P uptake by spring wheat root systems taken from X-ray CT images. We added a P source to represent a fertiliser granule and modelled the predicted P uptake based on 1 day, 1 week, and 14 week dissolution of the same amount of P for two realistic soil buffer powers.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;We demonstrated that rapid dissolution increased short-term root uptake, but dissolution over 1 week did not differ from dissolution over 1 day. We also found that root system architecture has a large effect on the efficiency of a P fertiliser pellet, highlighting the importance of application location. These results provide a starting point for predictive modelling of the efficacy of different P fertilisers in different soils, and our image-based approach gives the ability to add different root architectures for different species or varieties.&lt;/p&gt;

Liming, fertilization, and rhizobia inoculation on cowpea yield in a Brazilian Amazon upland forest environment

The objective of this work was to evaluate the response of the BRS Tumucumaque cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) cultivar to liming and to phosphorus and potassium fertilization in the absence of inoculation or nitrogen fertilization, as well as to inoculation with selected Bradyrhizobium strains, in an upland forest area in the state of Amapá, eastern Amazon, Brazil. Seven experiments were conducted in field conditions, in order to evaluate six limestone, four phosphorus, and four potassium rates, besides the inoculation with four Bradyrhizobium strains. Leaf nitrogen concentrations, pod and grain dry mass per plant, grain yield, and soil pH, Al+3, and Ca+2 + Mg+2 were evaluated. The obtained data were subjected to the analysis of variance, to the regression analysis, or to test to compare means. The soil presented a high buffer power, but liming reduced its chemical limitations. Leaf nitrogen concentrations were correlated to cowpea grain yield. However, there is no effect of the interaction between potassium and phosphorus rates on grain yield. In addition, grain yield is not influenced by liming and potassium fertilization, but is increased by phosphorus fertilization. Inoculation with the UFLA 3-84 and INPA 03-11B strains promotes a greater grain yield than that with BR 3262 and BR 3267, as well as a similar grain yield to that of the control without inoculation.