Low-power and controllable memory window in Pt/Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3/yttria-stabilized zirconia/W resistive random-access memory devices

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) layers of various thicknesses were designed and introduced before Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3 (PCMO) film was deposited on W bottom electrodes with a submicron via-hole structure. By changing the thickness of the YSZ barrier layer (3, 5, 9, and 13 nm), a tunable memory window can be realized while low power consumption (P(max) < 4 microW) is maintained. Resistive switching (RS) in a Pt/PCMO/YSZ/W stack with a thin YSZ layer can be ascribed to an oxidation/reduction reaction caused by a ring-type PCMO/W contact, while RS with a thick YSZ layer may be related to oxygen migration across the YSZ layer between the PCMO film and the W bottom electrode and the increase (decrease) of the effective tunnel barrier height of the YSZ layer. Excellent RS behavior characteristics, such as a large R(HRS)/R(LRS) ratio (> 10(3)), die-to-die uniformity, sweeping endurance, and a retention time of more than 10(3) s, can be obtained by optimizing the thickness of YSZ layer.     

Synthesis and characterization of thiolated carboxymethyl chitosan-graft-cyclodextrin nanoparticles as a drug delivery vehicle for albendazole

A new strategy for the synthesis of thiolated carboxymethyl chitosan-g-cyclodextrin nanoparticles by an ionic-gelation method is presented. The synthetic approach was based on the utilization of 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate during cyclodextrin grafting onto carboxymethyl chitosan. The use of the 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate resulted in reactions between cyclodextrin and active sites at the C₆-position of chitosan, and preserved amino groups of chitosan for subsequent reactions with thioglycolic acid, as the thiolating agent, and tripolyphosphate, as the gelling counterion. Various methods such as scanning electron microscopy, rheology and in vitro release studies were employed to exhibit significant features of the nanoparticles for mucosal albendazole delivery applications. It was found that the thiolated carboxymethyl chitosan-g-cyclodextrin nanoparticles prepared using an aqueous solution containing 1 wt% of tripolyphosphate and having 115.65 (μmol/g polymer) of grafted thiol groups show both the highest mucoadhesive properties and the highest albendazole entrapment efficiency. The latter was confirmed theoretically by calculating the enthalpy of mixing of albendazole in the above thiolated chitosan polymer.     

A new approach to finite scheduling

This paper discusses the general framework of a methodology for material planning and operations scheduling. The methodology is designed to individually schedule customer orders according to the relative priority values assigned to each order, based on various factors including but not limited to due-dates. Resource constraints are considered during the scheduling process to ensure the feasibility of the finite production schedule, while attempting to ensure a reduced production lead time. The methodology is exemplified through test problems compared with the normal approaches. The preliminary results are quite promising, although further mathematical proofs are required to establish the potential advantages of the method in a generic form.     

MIXED-CONVECTIVE COOLING OF AN ISOTHERMAL HOT SURFACE BY CONFINED SLOT JET IMPINGEMENT

The flow and heat transfer characteristics in the cooling of a heated surface by impinging slot jets have been investigated numerically. Computations are done for vertically downward-directed two-dimensional slot jets impinging on a hot isothermal surface at the bottom and confined by a parallel adiabatic surface on top. Some computations are also performed where the jet is vertically upward, with an impingement plate at the top. The principal objective of this study is to investigate the associated heat transfer process in the mixed-convective regime. The computed flow patterns and isotherms for various domain aspect ratios (4–10) and for a range of jet exit Reynolds numbers (100–500) and Richardson numbers (0–10) are analyzed to understand the mixed-convection heat transfer phenomena. The local and average Nusselt numbers and skin friction coefficients at the hot surface for various conditions are presented. It is observed that for a given domain aspect ratio and Richardson number, the average Nusselt number at the hot surface increases with increasing jet exit Reynolds number. On the other hand, for a given aspect ratio and Reynolds number, the average Nusselt number does not change significantly with Richardson number, indicating that the buoyancy effects are not very significant in the overall heat transfer process for the range of jet Reynolds number considered in this study. Also, for the same problem configuration, the average Nusselt number does not change significantly when the jet is moving upward or downward.     

Uncertainty quantification of high‐dimensional complex systems by multiplicative polynomial dimensional decompositions

The central theme of this paper is multiplicative polynomial dimensional decomposition (PDD) methods for solving high‐dimensional stochastic problems. When a stochastic response is dominantly of multiplicative nature, the standard PDD approximation, predicated on additive function decomposition, may not provide sufficiently accurate probabilistic solutions of a complex system. To circumvent this problem, two multiplicative versions of PDD, referred to as factorized PDD and logarithmic PDD, were developed. Both versions involve a hierarchical, multiplicative decomposition of a multivariate function, a broad range of orthonormal polynomial bases for Fourier‐polynomial expansions of component functions, and a dimension‐reduction or sampling technique for estimating the expansion coefficients. Three numerical problems involving mathematical functions or uncertain dynamic systems were solved to corroborate how and when a multiplicative PDD is more efficient or accurate than the additive PDD. The results show that indeed, both the factorized and logarithmic PDD approximations can effectively exploit the hidden multiplicative structure of a stochastic response when it exists. Since a multiplicative PDD recycles the same component functions of the additive PDD, no additional cost is incurred. Finally, the random eigensolutions of a sport utility vehicle comprising 40 random variables were evaluated, demonstrating the ability of the new methods to solve industrial‐scale problems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of novel waterborne poly(1-naphthylamine)/poly(vinylalcohol)–resorcinol formaldehyde-cured corrosion resistant composite coatings

Advancements in the field of corrosion protective coatings have headed towards the utilization of conducting polymer-based blends and composites for the formulation of corrosive protective paints and coatings. With the aim to develop an ecofriendly waterborne conducting polymer-based protective coating material, corrosion protective behavior of waterborne resorcinol formaldehyde (RF)-cured composite coatings of poly(1-naphthylamine) (PNA)/poly(vinylalcohol) (PVA) was investigated on mild steel (MS). The corrosion protective performance was evaluated by physicochemical, physicomechanical, corrosion protective efficiency and resistance in acid, alkaline and saline media by open circuit potential (OCP) measurements. The morphologies of coated, uncoated as well as corroded samples were analyzed by SEM technique. Superior corrosion protective performance was observed which was compared to the reported solvent-based conductive polymer coatings in different corrosive media.     

Corrosion-protective performance of nano polyaniline/ferrite dispersed alkyd coatings

The application of nanotechnology in the corrosion protection of metals has recently gained momentum. A polymer nanocomposite coating can effectively combine the benefits of organic polymers, such as elasticity and water resistance, to that of advanced inorganic materials, such as hardness and permeability. Environmental impact can also be improved by utilizing nanostructure particulates in coatings and eliminating the requirement of toxic solvents. Nanocomposites have also proven to be an effective alternative to phosphate-chromate pretreatment of metallic substrate, which is hazardous due to the presence of toxic hexavalent chromium. This article reports some of the preliminary investigations on the corrosion-resistance performance of soya oil alkyd, containing polyaniline/ferrite nanocomposite. The corrosion-protective performance was evaluated in terms of physico-mechanical properties, corrosion rate, and SEM studies. The polyaniline/ferrite nanocomposite coatings were found to show a far superior corrosion-resistance performance compared to that of a pure PANI/alkyd system.     

Hydrothermal preparation of ZnO:CNT and TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>:CNT composites and their photocatalytic applications

ZnO:CNT and TiO₂:CNT composites were fabricated under mild hydrothermal conditions (T = 150–240 °C) with an autogenous pressure. The as prepared composites were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. Photocatalytic applications of the composites were investigated using indigo caramine dye. The effect of the catalyst content, pH of the medium, source and intensity of illumination on the photodegradation of the indigo caramine dye was studied and the efficiency of the composites were investigated based on different parameters like percent transmittance (%T), percent decomposition, and chemical oxygen demand of the dye solution to obtain optimum treatment conditions. The results obtained exhibit higher photocatalytic activity when compared to the reagent grade ZnO, TiO₂ and hydrothermally prepared ZnO:AC and TiO₂:AC composites.     

Transformation in Bulk and Trace Organics during Ozonation of Wastewater

The aim of this paper is to determine the ozone dosages needed to oxidize bulk and trace organics. Treated effluent from eight full-scale wastewater treatment plants was collected and subjected to lab-scale ozonation. Because both organics and inorganics exert ozone demand, an approach was developed to calculate only the ozone demand associated with organics. This method allowed normalization of dosing parameters to correlate with removal of color, UV absorbance, plus oxidation of trace organics and nitrosamine precursors. We also showed that ozonation effectively reduces the fraction of organic matter characterized as “colloidal organic matter,” thereby reducing the potential for membrane fouling.