Explanation of impact load curve in ball impact test in relation to thermal aging

Solder joints are required to have high impact strength for use in portable electronic products. To make solder joints with high impact strength, qualitative evaluation methods of impact strength are required. Ball impact tests have been widely adopted in evaluating the impact strength of solder joints because of their easy implementation. Impact load curves obtained from ball impact tests are used as an evaluation indicator of impact strength of solder joint. However, a relation between fracture behavior and impact load curve has not yet been clarified, and an explanation of the impact load curve has not yet been provided in detail. In addition to this, detailed study about the relation between IMC layer thickness and impact strength has not been performed, although the IMC layer thickness formed at the interface would significantly affect the impact strength of the solder joint. This study aimed to explain the impact load curve in the ball impact test and to reveal the effect of the IMC layer thickness on the impact strength of the solder joint. Sn–3.0Ag–0.5Cu solder was reflowed on an electroless Ni–P plated Cu substrate (Ni–P), and a ball impact test was then carried out to evaluate the impact strength. This study found that the ball impact test is effective to evaluate the interfacial strength of solder joints. In the impact load curve, it is estimated that the solder bump keeps deforming until the interfacial crack initiates (maximum load), and the interfacial crack initiates after the maximum load and propagates along the interface between the solder and Ni–P. The suitable evaluation of impact strength became possible by measuring the correspondence relation between the deformation distance of the solder bump after fracture and the energy until maximum load and the relation between the area fraction of the residual solder on the fractured pad and the energy after maximum load. And, it is proved that the impact strength decreased with increasing aging time because the growth of the IMC layer remarkably degraded the interfacial strength of the solder joint.     

Precursor Cat-CVD a-Si films for the formation of high-quality poly-Si films on glass substrates by flash lamp annealing

Amorphous Si (a-Si) films with lower hydrogen contents show better adhesion to glass during flash lamp annealing (FLA). The 2.0 µm-thick a-Si films deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), containing 10% hydrogen, start to peel off even at a lamp irradiance lower than that required for crystallization, whereas a-Si films deposited by catalytic CVD (Cat-CVD) partially adhere even after crystallization. Dehydrogenated Cat-CVD a-Si films show much better adhesion to glass, and are converted to polycrystalline Si (poly-Si) without serious peeling, but are accompanied by the generation of crack-like structures. These facts demonstrate the superiority of as-deposited Cat-CVD a-Si films as a precursor material for micrometer-thick poly-Si formed by FLA.     

Integrity evaluation of glass-fiber composites with varied fiber/matrix interfacial strength using acoustic emission

An advanced acoustic emission analysis method was used to study the dynamics and sequence of microfractures in uni-directional glass-fiber reinforced plastics (UD-GFRPs). UD-GFRPs (60 wt% fiber) with different interfacial qualities were prepared by adding a small amount (4 or 8 wt%) of paraffin wax into vinylester matrix without affecting much the mechanical properties of the matrix. The orientation dependence of both the P-wave velocity and attenuation were accurately measured by the laser ultrasonic method, and incorporated into the acoustic emission analysis of visco-elastic media. The analysis iteratively compares the acoustic emission signals (measured as out-of-plane displacements) with theoretical waveforms calculated assuming the time history and type of an acoustic emission source. The waveform simulation allows us to estimate the fracture dynamics and the sequence of the Mode-I fiber fracture (Type 1), Mode-I debonding (Type 2) and Mode-II disbonding (Type 3). The fiber fracture in UD-GFRPs without wax started at 0.1% strain. The initiation strain increased to 0.25 and 0.3% in the specimens with wax. The specimens with lower interfacial strength showed rapid succession of microfractures at higher stresses (above 100–200 MPa). Fracture dynamics showed distinct differences by wax addition. Using the present analysis method, we can determine quantitatively effects of interfacial quality on the microfracture processes and assess the integrity of UD-GFRPs.     

Fracture mechanism characterization of cross-ply carbon-fiber composites using acoustic emission analysis

The sequence of microscopic fracture mechanisms in locally loaded cross-ply carbon-fiber composites was studied by analyzing acoustic emission (AE) signals in combination with the modal analysis of Lamb waves, using microscopic and ultrasonic examination of the specimen after load interruption. The first 70 AE events were analyzed, which were detected during the initial loading segment when the first sudden load drop and gradual load recovery were observed. Characteristics of the detected waves were compared with the S₀- and A₀-mode Lamb waves produced by a spot- or line-focused YAG laser. The internal damage progression of the composite specimen was determined to be the fiber fracture in the front lamina, transverse cracks in the mid-lamina, delamination and splitting.     

Confocal microscopy of human lens membranes in aged normal and nuclear cataracts

PURPOSE: To visualize the structure and determine the continuity of lipid membranes in lens fiber cells (LFCs) from human aged normal and cataractous lenses. METHODS: Thick sections from human nuclear cataracts and aged normal lenses were stained with the lipophilic probe DiI, and then analyzed by confocal microscopy. Staining patterns of membranes were observed in individual optical sections or three-dimensional projections of z-series taken in longitudinal section and cross-section of LFCs from different regions within the lens nucleus. RESULTS: DiI bound to and delineated the plasma membrane of LFCs from all regions of the lens nucleus. Three-dimensional projections of z-series from aged normal and cataractous lenses suggested that some of the stained lipid membranes were not continuous with LFC plasma membrane of cataractous lenses. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained using these methods demonstrated that lipid membranes, discontinuous with the plasma membrane of LFCs, were indicative of a novel process occurring predominately in cataractous human lenses.     

Synthesis and biological activities of optically active 6-[3-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylamino)-2-hydroxypropoxy]-2(1H)-quinolinone (OPC-18790)

The enantiomers of 6-[3-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylamino)-2-hydroxypropoxy]-2(1H)-quinolinon e (OPC-18790), a novel cardiotonic agent, were synthesized and evaluated for positive inotropic activity. The key intermediates, 2,3-epoxypropoxy derivatives, were obtained by the alkylation of 6-hydroxy-2(1H)-quinolinone with optically active epichlorohydrin and subsequent ring closure. In an in vitro study, the (R)-(+)-isomer was about 10-fold more potent than the (S)-(-)-isomer.     

In vitro antifungal and fungicidal activities and erythrocyte toxicities of cyclic lipodepsinonapeptides produced by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae

Recent increases in fungal infections, the few available antifungal drugs, and increasing fungal resistance to the available antifungal drugs have resulted in a broadening of the search for new antifungal agents. Strains of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae produce cyclic lipodepsinonapeptides with antifungal activity. The in vitro antifungal and fungicidal activities of three cyclic lipodepsinonapeptides (syringomycin E, syringotoxin B, and syringostatin A) against medically important isolates were evaluated by a standard broth microdilution susceptibility method. Erythrocyte toxicities were also evaluated. All three compounds showed broad antifungal activities and fungicidal actions against most of the fungi tested. Overall, the cyclic lipodepsinonapeptides were more effective against yeasts than against the filamentous fungi. Syringomycin E and syringostatin A had very similar antifungal activities (2.5 to > 40 micrograms/ml) and erythrocyte toxicities. Syringotoxin B was generally less active (0.8 to 200 micrograms/ml) than syringomycin E and syringostatin A against most fungi and was less toxic to erythrocytes. With opportunities for modification, these compounds are potential lead compounds for improved antifungal agents.     

Morphology and growth pattern transition of intermetallic compounds between Cu and Sn-3.5Ag containing a small amount of additives

The morphology and grain growth pattern of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) formed between the Cu substrate and Sn-3.5Ag solder doped with a small amount of additive (0.1 mass%), say, Ni or Co, was investigated. After soldering, a duplex structure due to the additive discontinuity at the (Cu, Ni)₆Sn₅ and (Cu, Co)₆Sn₅ region was detected. That is, the outer area of the (Cu, Ni)₆Sn₅ and (Cu, Co)₆Sn₅ region on the solder side contained much higher Ni or Co additive concentration than the inner area on the Cu side. The faceted-shape IMCs were observed at the outer area, while the rounded-shape were identified at the inner area of (Cu, Ni)₆Sn₅ and (Cu, Co)₆Sn₅. Based on the thermodynamic calculation, the higher solubility of additive at the outer area will enhance the enthalpy change during interfacial reaction and lead to the larger Jackson’s parameter; thus, the faceted IMC morphology was formed. Moreover, the abnormal grain growth (AGG) at the outer area of (Cu, Ni)₆Sn₅ and (Cu, Co)₆Sn₅ was demonstrated from the IMC grain size distribution, while the normal grain growth pattern was suggested for the inner area of the IMC region.     

Intermetallic compounds formed during brazing of titanium with aluminium filler metals

The effect of aluminium filler metal composition on the formation of AI-Ti intermetallic compounds was investigated in brazed aluminium-to-titanium (Al/Ti) joints and titanium-totitanium (Ti/Ti) joints. The clearance filling ability was also studied. In Ti/Ti joints, the thickness of the intermetallic compound layer was strongly dependent on the aluminium filler metal composition, whereas the clearance filling ability was independent of the composition. The maximum intermetallic compound layer thickness was observed in 99.99% highly pure aluminium filler metal; therefore all additional elements reduced the layer thickness. Above all, the addition of 0.8% Si greatly reduced the thickness. After brazing at 680° C for 3 min, the intermetallic compound formed by Al-0 to 0.8% Si filler metal was found to be of type Al₃Ti. Other compounds, of types Ti₉Al₂₃ and Ti₇Al₅Si₁₂, were also found in joints brazed by Al-3 to 10% Si filler metals. AI-0.8% Si filler metals maintained a higher joint strength than pure aluminium filler metal under brazing conditions of high temperature and long heating time. In Al/Ti joints, AI-Cu-Sn and AI-Cu-Ag filler metal mainly formed Al₃Ti, and Al-10Si-Mg filler metal mainly formed Ti₇Al₅Si₁₂ at the brazed interface of the titanium side after brazing at 600 to 620° C.     

YF476 is a new potent and selective gastrin/cholecystokinin-B receptor antagonist in vitro and in vivo

Controversy exists as to whether the diabetic heart is more or less sensitive to ischemic injury. Although a considerable number of experimental studies have directly determined the effects of ischemia on the diabetic heart, there is still no general agreement as to whether metabolic changes within the myocardium contribute to the severity of ischemic injury. This paper reviews the evidence suggesting that the diabetic heart can actually be less sensitive to an episode of severe ischemia. Possible reasons for this decreased sensitivity to injury are discussed, which include a decreased accumulation of glycolytic products during ischemia (lactate and protons), as well as alterations in the regulation of intracellular pH in the diabetic heart. Based on existing studies, we suggest that although impaired glucose metabolism in the diabetic heart contributes to injury in hypoxic hearts or in hearts subjected to low-flow ischemia, diabetes-induced decreases in glycolysis can actually be beneficial to the diabetic heart during and following a severe ischemic episode. A decreased clearance of protons via the Na+/H+ exchanger may also contribute to the decreased sensitivity to ischemic injury in the diabetic heart.