Optimal design of label-free silicon“ lab on a chip” biosensors

This paper reported the optimal design of label-free silicon on insulator(SOI) "lab on a chip"biosensors.These devices are designed on the basis of the evanescent field detection principles and interferometer technologies.The well-established silicon device process technology can be applied to fabricate and test these biosensor devices.In addition,these devices can be monolithically integrated with CMOS electronics and microfuidics.For these biosensor devices,multi-mode interferometer(MMI) was employed to combine many stand-alone biosensors to form chip-level biosensor arrays,which enable realtime and label-free monitoring and parallel detection of various analytes in multiple test samples.This sensing and detection technology features the highest detection sensitivity,which can detect analytes at extremely low concentrations instantaneously.This research can lead to innovative commercial development of the new generation of high sensitivity biosensors for a wide range of applications in many fields,such as environmental monitoring,food security control,medical and biological applications.     

Supporting Consistency in Linked Specialized Engineering Models Through Bindings and Updating

Currently, some commercial software applications support users to work in an integrated environment. However, this is limited to the suite of models provided by the software vendor and consequently it forces all the parties to use the same software. In contrast, the research described in this paper investigates ways of using standard software applications, which may be specialized for different professional domains. These are linked for effective transfer of information and a binding mechanism is provided to support consistency. The proposed solution was implemented using a CAD application and an independent finite element application in order to verify the theoretical aspects of this work.     

Novel Strategies for Preparation and Characterization of Functional Polymer-metal Nanocomposites for Electrochemical Applications

1 Introduction The synthesis and characterization of Metal NanoParticles (MNPs) has attracted great interest of scientists and technologists within the last years due their unique physical and chemical properties,which substantially differ from those of both bulk material and single atoms.These properties provide various practical applications of MNPs including catalysis-and electrocatalysis-based processes,which occur in,for example,fuel cells of different types or in various sensing devices (e.g.amperometric sensors and biosensors).The main drawback,which still limits their wide applications,is insufficient stability of MNPs dealing with their high trend to aggregate.Coalescence of MNPs results in the loss of their nanometric size and special properties.Stabilization of MNPs in polymeric matrices of different types has been proven to be one of the most promising strategies to prevent their aggregation and to save their properties[1].The Polymer-Stabilized MNPs (PSMNPs) and the polymer-metal nanocomposite materials on their base start to find wide applications in various fields of science and technology.     

Hydroxyapatite/alumina nanocrystalline composite powders synthesized by sol-gel process for biomedical applications

Hydroxyapatite/alumina nanocrystalline composite powders needed for various biomedical applications were successfully synthesized by sol-gel process. Structural and morphological investigations of the prepared composite powders were performed using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X’Pert HighScore software, and Clemex Vision image analysis software. The results show that the crystallite size of the obtained composite powders is in the range of 25 to 90 nm. SEM evaluation shows that the obtained composite powders have a porous structure, which is very useful for biomedical applications. The spherical nanoparticles in the range of 60 to 800 nm are embedded in the agglomerated clusters of the prepared composite powders.     

Computer-assisted Instruction And Discussion

From drill-and-practice software,to word-processing programs,to network and hypertext software,the gradual integration of technology in classrooms over the last twenty years has tended to reflect the technological developments and more importantly the theories of learning and instruction developed by scholars.Thus,the introduction of network technologies in education coincided with a shift in education from an interest in cognitive and developmental theories of learning to a social and collaborative view of learning.The present paper focuses on synchronous computer-mediated interaction,namely computer-assisted instruction and discussion in the second language classroom.     

Biological Inspiration in Human Centred Robotics

Human centred robotics (HCR) concerns with the development of various kinds of intelligent systems and robots that will be used in environments coexisting with humans. These systems and robots will be interactive and useful assistants/companions for people in different ages, situations, activities and environments in order to improve the quality of life. This paper presents the autors‘ current research work toward the development of advanced theory and technologies for HCR applications, based on inspiration from biological systems. More specifically, both bio-mimetic system modelling and robot learning by imitation are discussed respectively, and some preliminary results are demonstrated.     

Evaluation of Metal Fatigue Problems Using Qualitative Reasoning Approach

Fatigue failures are often encountered in steel structures under heavy cyclic loadings. This paper presents metal fatigue problems in structural engineering using outcomes of recent advancements in numerical qualitative reasoning. Qualitative reasoning provides an effective and sound technique for solving complex and uncertain scenarios, regardless of the uncertainty or linearity of the design parameters and their constraints. This paper introduces the algorithms behind a software platform, built upon numerical qualitative reasoning for engineering applications. The software expresses the results of the analysis in variable ranges and diagrams showing a two-dimensional design space. The capability of representing design parameters and outcomes in solution spaces provides a practical way for engineers to leverage their existing knowledge and experience. Case studies in metal fatigue design are given to reflect on the capability of qualitative reasoning in engineering applications.     

Research and Practice of Dynamic Network Security Architecture for IaaS Platforms

Network security requirements based on virtual network technologies in IaaS platforms and corresponding solutions were reviewed.A dynamic network security architecture was proposed,which was built on the technologies of software defined networking,Virtual Machine(VM)traffic redirection,network policy unified management,software defined isolation networks,vulnerability scanning,and software updates.The proposed architecture was able to obtain the capacity for detection and access control for VM traffic by redirecting it to configurable security appliances,and ensured the effectiveness of network policies in the total life cycle of the VM by configuring the policies to the right place at the appropriate time,according to the impacts of VM state transitions.The virtual isolation domains for tenants’VMs could be built flexibly based on VLAN policies or Netfilter/Iptables firewall appliances,and vulnerability scanning as a service and software update as a service were both provided as security supports.Through cooperation with IDS appliances and automatic alarm mechanisms,the proposed architecture could dynamically mitigate a wide range of network-based attacks.The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed architecture.     

Proposed Methodology for Generation of Building Information Model with Laserscanning

For refurbishment and state review of an existing old building, a new model reflecting the current state is often required especially when the original plans are no longer accessible. Laser scanners are used more and more as surveying instruments for various applications because of their high-precision scanning abilities. For buildings, the most notable and widely accepted product data model is the IFC product data model. It is designed to cover the whole lifecycle and supported by various software vendors and enables applications to efficiently share and exchange project information. The models obtained with the laser scanner, normally sets of points ("point cloud"), have to be transferred to an IFC compatible building information model to serve the needs of different planning states. This paper presents an approach designed by the German Research Center in Karlsruhe (Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe) to create an IFC compatible building information model from laser range images. The methodology through the entire process from data acquisition to the IFC compatible product model was proposed in this paper. In addition, IFC-Models with different level of detail (LoDs) were introduced and discussed within the work.     

Comparative Study of Reverse Algorithms via Artificial Neural Networks Based on Simulated Indentation Tests

The advances in the instrumented indentation equipments and the need to assess the properties of materials of small volume such as those constitute the micro-electro-mechanical devices, micro-electronic packages, and thin films have propelled the interest in material characterization via indentation tests. The load-displacement curves and their characteristics, namely, the curvature of the loading path, C, and the ratio of the remaining and total work done, WR / WT, can be conveniently obtained from finite element simulations for various elasto-plastic material properties. The paper reports the comparative study on two reverse neural networks algorithms involving several combinations of databases established from the results obtained from simulated indentation tests. The performance of each set of results is analyzed and the most appropriate algorithm identified and reported. The approach with the selected neural networks model has great potential in practical applications on the characterization of a small volume of materials.     

Supercritical CO2-based solvents in next generation microelectronics processing

Large amount of chemicals and highly purified-water are needed in microelectronic manufacture. The ability of solutions to penetrate tiny spaces will become significantly more challenging as the feature size of semiconductor devices decreases to nanoscale dimensions and the functional complexity of integrated circuitries (ICs) ever increases. Supercritical fluids (SCFs) possess a unique combination of properties (no surface tension and gas-like viscosity) that can potentially be exploited for application in microelectronics manufacturing and processing in response to needs for material-compatible cleaning systems, small-dimension developing solvents, and low chemical-use processes. Recent microelec- tronics processes for cleaning and rinsing of patterned porous low-k dielectrics and drying of photo- resist in CO2-based solvents are the main focus of this review. Additional topics in supercritical fluid processing include spin coating of photoresists, development with nanoscale dimensions, metal deposition and silylation.     

Editor’s note

It is a great honor to present this Special Topic of Chinese Science Bulletin on high-speed optoelectronic devices and technologies. High-speed optoelectronics is a rapid developing technology dealing with a wide range of disciplines and technologies, such as material sciences, photonics and microelectronics.     

Railway intelligent transportation system and its applications

With the development of artificial intelligence, communication, computer and other related technologies, it becomes feasible to rebuild traditional railway with such advanced technologies in order to establish a new generation railway transport system. The railway intelligent transportation system is the trend of railway transportation system in China, and it is also the research focus of international railway transport industry. This paper presents the definition, characters, architecture, key technologies and developing pattern of the RITS(railway intelligent transportation system). Then three typical applications are introduced. Finally, the prospect of the RITS is summarized.     

Web-Based Information Systems and Applications： A Survey

World Wide Web (WWW) has given rise to phenomenal growth in Web information systems and applications. And the Internet transcends national and geographical boundaries and has brought about unprecedented opportunities for software deployment to satisfy the application needs of all walks of life. Since the Web provides cross-platform universal access to resources for the massive user population, even greater demand is proposed to manage data and information effectively.     

Research progress in enhanced bioleaching of copper sulfides under the intervention of microbial communities

Compared with the traditional pyrometallurgical process, copper bioleaching has distinctive advantages of high efficiency and lower cost, enabling efficiently extracts of valuable metal resources from copper sulfides. Moreover, during long-term industrial applications of bioleaching, many regulatory enhancements and technological methods are used to accelerate the interfacial reactions. With advances in microbial genetic and sequencing technologies, bacterial communities and their mechanisms in bioleaching systems have been revealed gradually. The bacterial proliferation and dissolution of sulfide ores by a bacterial community depends on the pH, temperature, oxygen, reaction product regulation, additives, and passivation substances, among other factors. The internal relationship among the influencing factors and the succession of microorganism diversity are discussed and reviewed in this paper. This paper is intended to provide a good reference for studies related to enhanced bioleaching.     

Design and Implementation of a Fibre Channel Target Driver Supporting SCSI

Fibre channel storage area networks (FC-SAN) are effective solutions to address storage management problems caused by very large volumes of data. But the expense of fibre channel devices limits FC-SAN applications. The use of IP networks instead of fibre channel networks will reduce SAN cost, but will also reduce the performance. Therefore, small computer system interface (SCSI) devices were considered to replace FC disks to reduce the SAN cost. A driver for the FC network adapter and the FC target, designed and implemented to support this structure, obeys the SCSI protocol and works in target mode with 200 MB/s bandwidth. The FC target architecture and implementation were compared with the FC initiator.The SCSI command transfer process in the FC layer was described. The performance test results show that the maximum I/O throughput reachs 167 MB/s for read requests and 196 MB/s for write requests (FC bandwidth is 200 MB/s), verifying that the FC target is very efficient. The modularization, efficiency, and low cost of the FC target will enable SAN and fibre channel to be more widely used in applications.     

Orthogonal linear polarized lasers(III) --Applications in self-sensing

In this paper, the applications of orthogonal linear polarized lasers in self-sensing are reviewed. The properties for such a laser include the production of a new frequency in one longitudinal mode spacing, the tuning of frequency difference, the change of polarization states as cavity tuning, the control of mode competition intensity, the optical feedback, and so on. The orthogonal polarized lasers have been used as a laser nanometer ruler based on competition between two polarized lights in a HeNe laser and as a displacement measurement tool based on the optical feedback in the orthogonal polarized lasers. They are also used in the phase retardation measurement of a waveplate, the angle measurement, the vibration measurement, the pressure/force measurement, the weak magnetic field measurement, and so on. The structures of these new devices are simple and compact with the great advantages of high resolution and high accuracy. Some of these devices can trace to the source of the laser wavelength. The nanometer laser ruler is an example whose measurement range is 12 mm, resolution is 79 nm and linearity is less than 5×10^-5. The repeatability of the phase retardation measuring system of waveplate can reach 3′.     

Alternate redox electrolytes in dye-sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized mesoscopic solar cell(DSC) has been intensively investigated as a promising photovoltaic cell.Redox electrolyte is important to determine the photovoltaic(PV) performance of the DSC devices,which has become the focus of this topic.In this contribution,recent advances in understanding and controlling of various redox couples are reviewed.Specially,we extend our discussion on the trends that enable iodide-free redox couples to be controllable and feasible for applications in the DSC with promising features.     

Carbon Nanotubes:from Nanoscale Building Blocks to Macrostructures

1 Results Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have fascinating properties.In order to use these novel one-dimensional structures for applications such as in nano-electronic,nano-mechanical and electrochemical energy storage device and as structural elements in various composites,the structure of nanotubes needs to be tailored and various architectures and macroscale assembles have to be configured using nanotube building blocks.Nanotube macrostructures are macroscopically organized groups of CNTs,which are expected to have excellent properties implying promising applications.Recently,there has been growing interest in nanotube macrostructures because of their unique and usually enhanced properties and tremendous potential for applications.Realization of large-scale organized nanoscale structures of desired shape and form is important for obtaining scaled-up functional devices.If a synthetic method can produce high yield of nanotube macrostructures,these structures will have tremendous potential for fundamental research on these devices.This presentation will focus on the chemical vapor deposition of multiwalled carbon nanotubes to assembly directly on planar substrates into hierarchical macrostructures that include oriented and mutually orthogonal arrays,ordered bundles,and porous membranes.Super-long singlewalled nanotube strands and macro-films with controlled thickness and size through modification of a conventional method will also be discussed.In addition to assembling different nanotube arrays,some of our recent efforts will be summarized in this presentation,including exploiting electrical,optical and electrochemical properties of super-long nanotube strands and macrofilms and developing nanotube energy storage devices.