Filament formation in lithium niobate memristors supports neuromorphic programming capability

Memristor crossbars are capable of implementing learning algorithms in a much more energy and area efficient manner compared to traditional systems. However, the programmable nature of memristor crossbars must first be explored on a smaller scale to see which memristor device structures are most suitable for applications in reconfigurable computing. In this paper, we demonstrate the programmability of memristor devices with filamentary switching based on LiNbO₃, a new resistive switching oxide. We show that a range of resistance values can be set within these memristor devices using a pulse train for programming. We also show that a neuromorphic crossbar containing eight memristors was capable of correctly implementing an OR function. This work demonstrates that lithium niobate memristors are strong candidates for use in neuromorphic computing.

     

A novel method of unburned hydrocarbons and NOx gases capture from vehicular exhaust using natural biosorbent

Automobile emissions are composed of NO_x and unburned hydrocarbon that contribute significantly to major environmental and health issues. In this study, encapsulated Moringa oleifera beads (EMBs) were synthesized using Moringa oleifera pod powder that was cross-linked with calcium alginate and used as a biosorbent for reducing the emission gas concentrations from the single-cylinder diesel engine. The breakthrough curve was attained from single and double stage of fixed bed column by the influence of temperature ranging from (80°C–120°C) ± 5°C with a feed flow rate varying from 8 to 10 kg hr^–1 and bed height varying from 15 to 30 cm. Based on the experimental results, the maximum biosorption capacity (q_o) was found to be 14.45 and 123.51 mg g^–1 for HC and NO_x, respectively, and was obtained at 80°C–90°C with double stage of BH–30cm under flow rate of 8 kg hr^–1. Further, breakthrough curves were investigated, and the experimental data were fitted using well-established models like Thomas, Yoon–Nelson, and Wang models. In addition, mass transfer models like Weber–Morris and Boyd were investigated to identify the rate-limiting step of the overall biosorption process.     

Evaluation of weak intermolecular interactions in molecular crystals via experimental and theoretical charge densities

Analysis of charge density distributions in molecular crystals has received considerable attention in the last decade both from high-resolution X-ray diffraction studies and from high-level theoretical calculations. An overview of the progress made in deriving one-electron properties, intermolecular interactions in terms of the Atoms in Molecule (AIM) approach (R.F.W. Bader. Atoms in Molecules-A Quantum Theory, Clarendon, Oxford (1990), R.F.W. Bader. J. Phys. Chem., A102, 7314 (1998)) is given with special emphasis on improvements in charge density models and development of both experimental and theoretical techniques to interpret and analyse the nature of weak intermolecular interactions. The significance of the derived results from the charge density of coumarin and its derivatives have been analysed to obtain insights into the nature of intermolecular C–H?···?O, C–H?···?π, π?···?π, C–H?···?S, and S?···?S contacts. The appearance of a ‘region of overlap’ to segregate hydrogen bonds from van der Waals interactions based on the criteria proposed by Koch and Popelier (U. Koch, P.L.A. Popelier. J. Phys. Chem., 99, 9747 (1995), P.L.A. Popelier. Atoms in Molecules. An Introduction, pp. 150–153, Prentice Hall, UK (2000)) and the identification of differences in energy surfaces in concomitant polymorphs of 3-acetylcoumarin are described.     

Analysis of the Influence of Processing Conditions on the Supramolecular Structure and Antioxidant Distribution in PP‐Pipes Using Infrared Microscopy

The supramolecular structure in pipe walls of isotactic PP‐R is a function of compound composition and processing parameters, which both influence the mechanical properties of the pipes. µFTIR shows a gradient of the crystallinity across the pipe wall, with a lower‐crystalline outer layer, and a higher‐crystalline core layer. The rate of extrusion has an influence on the thickness of the outer layer. The nucleating effect on the morphological profile throughout the pipe wall can be visualised. µFTIR shows a homogeneous distribution of the primary antioxidant in the pipe wall. Both the spectral crystallinity and the antioxidant concentration distribution are calculated.

     

Effect of dc biasing on YBCO/STO/LAO tunable microstrip filters

Abstract

One of the critical design aspects in ferroelectric tunable microstrip filters is choosing the right bias configuration, for large tunability as well as to maintain the filter's passband characteristics. This work is based on strontium titanate (STO) ferroelectric thin-film based tunable microstrip filters for cryogenic temperature applications. Large tunability factors have been demonstrated in YBCO/STO/LAO two-layered microstrip filters when operated at or below 77 K. The effect of the dc electric field (primarily responsible for tuning) and critical design parameters such as the insertion loss, frequency tunability, return loss, and bandwidth of superconductor/ferroelectric/dielectric microstrip tunable K-band microwave filters is discussed in this work.     

Performance Enhancement of Tunable Bandpass Filters Using Selective Etched Ferroelectric Thin Films

The inclusion of voltage-tunable barium strontium titanate (BSTO) thin films into planar band pass filters offers tremendous potential to increase their versatility. The ability to tune the passband so as to correct for minor deviations in manufacturing tolerances, or to completely reconfigure the operating frequencies of a microwave communication system, are highly sought-after goals. However, use of ferroelectric films in these devices results in higher dielectric losses, which in turn increase the insertion loss and decrease the quality factors of the filters. This study explores the use of patterned ferroelectric layers to minimize dielectric losses without degrading tunability. Patterning the ferroelectric layers enables us to constrict the width of the ferroelectric layers between the coupled microstrip lines, and minimize losses due to ferroelectric layers. Coupled one-pole microstrip bandpass filters with fundamental resonaces at ～7.2 GHz and well-defined harmonic resonances at ～14.4 and ～21.6 GHz, were designed, simulated and tested. For one of the filters, experimental results verified that its center frequency was tunable by 528 MHz at a center frequency of 21.957 GHz, with insertion losses varying from 4.3 to 2.5 dB, at 0 and 3.5 V/ w m, respectively. These data demonstrate that the tuning-to-loss figure of merit of tunable microstrip filters can be greatly improved using patterned ferroelectric thin films as the tuning element, and tuning can be controlled by engineering the ferroelectric constriction in the coupled sections.     

Growth and spectroscopic analysis of semi-organic bisthiourea sodium fluoride crystal

A semi-organic bisthiourea sodium fluoride (BTSF) is synthesized at ambient temperature and the single crystal of bisthiourea sodium fluoride is grown in slow evaporation technique using water as solvent. The cell parameters of the grown crystal are estimated from single crystal XRD analysis and also unambiguous assignments of fundamental modes of various molecular groups are made from the recorded FTIR and FT-Raman spectra. The thermal stability of the grown crystal is investigated using thermo-gravimetric analysis studies. Optical transmittance percentage of the grown crystal is measured from UV-VIS studies.     

Decarburization as a tool to explore parallels between solid-solid and liquid-solid transformations: Fe-C-Mn-Si steels

The study of single-interface transformations under controlled conditions offers insights into the similarities and distinctions between solidification and solid-solid transformations. In this contribution, we consider some parallels between the formation of a layer of ferrite on an originally austenitic steel bar and the growth of the columnar zone in the solidification of an alloy ingot. The necessary conditions for solid-solid interfacial breakdown of a decarburization front are explored and the evidence to date reviewed. The response of some Fe-C-Mn-Si steels to controlled decarburization is considered, and we present a first report of the morphological instability of a ferrite/austenite decarburization interface, and compare it with the interfacial breakdown in the solid-liquid interface. The instability is tentatively ascribed to the effects of grain-boundary nucleation and/or grain-boundary diffusion of alloying elements in austenite. Other similarities (and differences) between the growth of a ferrite layer on an alloy steel and the development of the columnar zone of an ingot are discussed.