Bubble Based Micro/Nano Fabrication Method

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Dan Bai ◽  
Jing Liu
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Reaction ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Membrane Thickness ◽  
Fabrication Method ◽  
Specific Chemical ◽  
Soap Bubbles ◽  
Nano Fabrication ◽  
Nano Structures

Micro/nano structures, especially those in one dimensional, such as nano wires, are commonly used building blocks for the bottom-up assembly of electronic, photonic or mechanical devices. However, their fabrications are generally limited to the expensive equipments and methods capable of only working in an extremely small space. A big challenge facing the current scientific society is to overcome this barrier and build up a bridge between the macroscopic manipulation/observation and the fabrication in small world. Here, we proposed a new conceptual fabrication method, which can easily be implemented to synthesize, etch and construct micro or nano structures through manipulating the large scale bubbles composed of specific chemical compounds. The core of the method lies in the chemical reaction occurring at the interfaces between two or more soap bubbles. A surprisingly unique virtue of the bubble is that it can have a rather large diameter however an extremely small membrane thickness, whose smallest size even reaches nano scale. Therefore, the chemical reaction and synthesis occurred in the common boundary of such contacting bubbles would lead to products with very small size. Most important of all, all these were achieved via a much easy and straightforward way. To better understand the physical picture of the new method, the principle and mechanism for the bubble based fabrication process were interpreted. Several fundamental equations for characterizing the bubbles were proposed and preliminarily discussed. As the first trial to demonstrate the new concept, several typical micro structures were successfully fabricated in our lab. Particularly, a micro wire which can be used as tiny temperature sensor was made and tested. Being flexible, easily controllable and observable, environmentally friend and extremely low in cost, the present method is expected to be a significant technical route for making micro/nano structures in the near future. It also indicated for the first time that blowing soap bubbles means not just funny but also opens a new world for micro/nano fabrication.

Fabrication of Nano-Electromechanical Structures Down to 20 nm by Spacer Technology

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Han ◽  
Ling Xia ◽  
Wengang Wu ◽  
Guizhen Yan ◽  
Jun Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Morphology ◽  
Mechanical Vibration ◽  
Cantilever Beams ◽  
Fabrication Method ◽  
Feature Size ◽  
Plasma Damage ◽  
Nano Fabrication ◽  
Nano Structures ◽  
20 Nm ◽  
Deposited Film

Spacer technology has been developed to fabricate nano-structures for NEMS application. It provides a parallel nano-fabrication method with double or quadplex device density at a certain lithography node. By controlling the deposited film thickness, the feature size of the SiO2 spacer hard mask is reduced down to 35 nm. After the spacer pattern is transferred to Si, a precise thermal oxidation is performed to improve the profile and reduce the plasma damage. Finally, sublimation or HF vapor phase etching is introduced to release the nano-structures according to different structure dimensions. As a result, with better surface morphology, suspended Si nano-beams with a width of 20 nm are obtained. Actuated by mechanical vibration and electrostatic forces, vibrations of the obtained cantilever beams and fixed-fixed beams are observed in SEM. In addition, a metallic nano-nozzle with a diameter of 140 nm is established by electroless plating around the suspended Si nano-beam served as a mold. As a development of the spacer technology, nano-needle array is demonstrated at the cross points of crossed SiO2 spacers by anisotropic etching. The diameters of the hybridized nano-needles are 300 nm so far and can be further reduced by smaller spacer dimension.

scholarly journals A Comprehensive Review: Sphingolipid Metabolism and Implications of Disruption in Sphingolipid Homeostasis

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5793
Author(s):  
Brianna M. Quinville ◽  
Natalie M. Deschenes ◽  
Alex E. Ryckman ◽  
Jagdeep S. Walia
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
System Development ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Nervous System Development ◽  
Sphingolipid Metabolism ◽  
Lysosomal Storage ◽  
Bioactive Lipids ◽  
Comprehensive Review

Sphingolipids are a specialized group of lipids essential to the composition of the plasma membrane of many cell types; however, they are primarily localized within the nervous system. The amphipathic properties of sphingolipids enable their participation in a variety of intricate metabolic pathways. Sphingoid bases are the building blocks for all sphingolipid derivatives, comprising a complex class of lipids. The biosynthesis and catabolism of these lipids play an integral role in small- and large-scale body functions, including participation in membrane domains and signalling; cell proliferation, death, migration, and invasiveness; inflammation; and central nervous system development. Recently, sphingolipids have become the focus of several fields of research in the medical and biological sciences, as these bioactive lipids have been identified as potent signalling and messenger molecules. Sphingolipids are now being exploited as therapeutic targets for several pathologies. Here we present a comprehensive review of the structure and metabolism of sphingolipids and their many functional roles within the cell. In addition, we highlight the role of sphingolipids in several pathologies, including inflammatory disease, cystic fibrosis, cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and lysosomal storage disorders.

scholarly journals Potentiating Effect of Mandelate and Lactate on Chemically Induced Germination in Members of Bacillus cereus Sensu Lato

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alistair H. Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Cereus ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Clostridium Sporogenes ◽  
Specific Chemical ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ph Range ◽  
Significant Discovery ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Endospores of the genus Bacillus can be triggered to germinate by a limited number of chemicals. Mandelate had powerful additive effects on the levels and rates of germination produced in non-heat-shocked spores of Bacillus anthracis strain Sterne, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus thuringiensis when combined with l-alanine and inosine. Mandelate had no germinant effect on its own but was active with these germinants in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations higher than 0.5 mM. The maximum rate and extent of germination were produced in B. anthracis by 100 mM l-alanine with 10 mM inosine; this was equaled by just 25% of these germinants when supplemented with 10 mM mandelate. Half the maximal germination rate was produced by 40% of the optimum germinant concentrations or 15% of them when supplemented with 0.8 mM mandelate. Germination rates in B. thuringiensis were highest around neutrality, but the potentiating effect of mandelate was maintained over a wider pH range than was germination with l-alanine and inosine alone. For all species, lactate also promoted germination in the presence of l-alanine and inosine; this was further increased by mandelate. Ammonium ions also enhanced l-alanine- and inosine-induced germination but only when mandelate was present. In spite of the structural similarities, mandelate did not compete with phenylalanine as a germinant. Mandelate appeared to bind to spores while enhancing germination. There was no effect when mandelate was used in conjunction with nonnutrient germinants. No effect was produced with spores of Bacillus subtilis, Clostridium sporogenes, or C. difficile. IMPORTANCE The number of chemicals that can induce germination in the species related to Bacillus cereus has been defined for many years, and they conform to specific chemical types. Although not a germinant itself, mandelate has a structure that is different from these germination-active compounds, and its addition to this list represents a significant discovery in the fundamental biology of spore germination. This novel activity may also have important applied relevance given the impact of spores of B. cereus in foodborne disease and B. anthracis as a threat agent. The destruction of spores of B. anthracis, for example, particularly over large outdoor areas, poses significant scientific and logistical problems. The addition of mandelate and lactate to the established mixtures of l-alanine and inosine would decrease the amount of the established germinants required and increase the speed and level of germination achieved. The large-scale application of “germinate to decontaminate” strategy may thus become more practicable.

Cryogenic and Fluidic Ways Lead to Low Cost Micro/Nano Devices

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Liu ◽  
Yang Yang
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Reaction ◽  
Basic Principle ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Modern Science ◽  
Small World ◽  
Optical Signal ◽  
Membrane Thickness ◽  
Major Theme ◽  
Science And Engineering Practices ◽  
Characterization Procedure

Building systems as compactly as possible has been a major theme in modern science and engineering practices. However, such enthusiastic endeavor often encounters big troubles due to high cost and complexity of the process it involves. Part of the reasons comes from the methodology itself, the fabrication, designing and characterization procedure etc. Among various disciplines to making micro/nano object, those enabled from the thermal and hydrodynamic science plays a rather important role. In this article, we will illustrate a cryogenic way for realizing a group of different micro/nano devices which can be implemented as mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, or optical functional units. The basic principle of the method lies in the formation of ice crystals in small area, from which micro/nano aqueous objects or signals transmitting across them can be blocked, manipulated and analyzed. In this way, a series of micro/nano devices such as freeze tweezer, ice valve, freeze-thaw pump, electrical or optical signal switch and micro thermal analyzer etc. can be developed via a rather simple and low cost way. As examples, some latest advancement made in the authors’ lab will be reviewed. Their innovative applications in a wide variety of micro/nano engineering fields will be discussed. Further, to illustrate the low cost way to directly manufacture micro/nano objects, we will explain a bubble fabrication method whose basic principle lies in the chemical reaction occurring at the fluidic interfaces between two or more soap adjacent bubbles. A unique virtue of the bubble is that it can have a rather huge diameter however an extremely small membrane thickness, whose smallest size can even reach nano scale. Therefore, the administrated chemical reaction in the common interface of the contacting bubbles would lead to products with extremely small size. Particularly, all these results were achieved via a rather straightforward way. The bubble builds up a bridge between the macroscopic manipulation/observation and the fabrication in small world. Several typical micro structures as fabricated in the lab will be illustrated. As a flexible, easily controllable, and low cost method, the bubble fabrication can possibly be developed as a routine strategy for making micro/nano structures in the near future.

scholarly journals Two-photon polymerization nanolithography technology for fabrication of stimulus-responsive micro/nano-structures for biomedical applications

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1118-1136
Author(s):  
Zhenjia Huang ◽  
Gary Chi-Pong Tsui ◽  
Yu Deng ◽  
Chak-Yin Tang
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Fabrication Technology ◽  
Nano Fabrication ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
Nano Structures ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Stimulus Responsive ◽  
Two Photon Polymerization

AbstractMicro/nano-fabrication technology via two-photon polymerization (TPP) nanolithography is a powerful and useful manufacturing tool that is capable of generating two dimensional (2D) to three dimensional (3D) arbitrary micro/nano-structures of various materials with a high spatial resolution. This technology has received tremendous interest in cell and tissue engineering and medical microdevices because of its remarkable fabrication capability for sophisticated structures from macro- to nano-scale, which are difficult to be achieved by traditional methods with limited microarchitecture controllability. To fabricate precisely designed 3D micro/nano-structures for biomedical applications via TPP nanolithography, the use of photoinitiators (PIs) and photoresists needs to be considered comprehensively and systematically. In this review, widely used commercially available PIs are first discussed, followed by elucidating synthesis strategies of water-soluble initiators for biomedical applications. In addition to the conventional photoresists, the distinctive properties of customized stimulus-responsive photoresists are discussed. Finally, current limitations and challenges in the material and fabrication aspects and an outlook for future prospects of TPP for biomedical applications based on different biocompatible photosensitive composites are discussed comprehensively. In all, this review provides a basic understanding of TPP technology and important roles of PIs and photoresists for fabricating high-precision stimulus-responsive micro/nano-structures for a wide range of biomedical applications.

Chemical reaction bonding of building blocks using red mud and orthophosphoric acid binder

1996 ◽  
Vol 15 (19) ◽  
pp. 1667-1668 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Gumaste ◽  
B. C. Swain ◽  
B. C. Mohanty ◽  
J. S. Murty
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Reaction ◽  
Red Mud ◽  
Orthophosphoric Acid ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Reaction Bonding

Global scale hydrological modelling at 100 m, 1 h resolution, in Python

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kor de Jong ◽  
Marc van Kreveld ◽  
Debabrata Panja ◽  
Oliver Schmitz ◽  
Derek Karssenberg
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Model Building ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Hydrological Models ◽  
Continental Scale ◽  
Modelling Framework ◽  
Scale Models

<p>Data availability at global scale is increasing exponentially. Although considerable challenges remain regarding the identification of model structure and parameters of continental scale hydrological models, we will soon reach the situation that global scale models could be defined at very high resolutions close to 100 m or less. One of the key challenges is how to make simulations of these ultra-high resolution models tractable ([1]).</p><p>Our research contributes by the development of a model building framework that is specifically designed to distribute calculations over multiple cluster nodes. This framework enables domain experts like hydrologists to develop their own large scale models, using a scripting language like Python, without the need to acquire the skills to develop low-level computer code for parallel and distributed computing.</p><p>We present the design and implementation of this software framework and illustrate its use with a prototype 100 m, 1 h continental scale hydrological model. Our modelling framework ensures that any model built with it is parallelized. This is made possible by providing the model builder with a set of building blocks of models, which are coded in such a manner that parallelization of calculations occurs within and across these building blocks, for any combination of building blocks. There is thus full flexibility on the side of the modeller, without losing performance.</p><p>This breakthrough is made possible by applying a novel approach to the implementation of the model building framework, called asynchronous many-tasks, provided by the HPX C++ software library ([3]). The code in the model building framework expresses spatial operations as large collections of interdependent tasks that can be executed efficiently on individual laptops as well as computer clusters ([2]). Our framework currently includes the most essential operations for building large scale hydrological models, including those for simulating transport of material through a flow direction network. By combining these operations, we rebuilt an existing 100 m, 1 h resolution model, thus far used for simulations of small catchments, requiring limited coding as we only had to replace the computational back end of the existing model. Runs at continental scale on a computer cluster show acceptable strong and weak scaling providing a strong indication that global simulations at this resolution will soon be possible, technically speaking.</p><p>Future work will focus on extending the set of modelling operations and adding scalable I/O, after which existing models that are currently limited in their ability to use the computational resources available to them can be ported to this new environment.</p><p>More information about our modelling framework is at https://lue.computationalgeography.org.</p><p><strong>References</strong></p><p>[1] M. Bierkens. Global hydrology 2015: State, trends, and directions. Water Resources Research, 51(7):4923–4947, 2015.<br>[2] K. de Jong, et al. An environmental modelling framework based on asynchronous many-tasks: scalability and usability. Submitted.<br>[3] H. Kaiser, et al. HPX - The C++ standard library for parallelism and concurrency. Journal of Open Source Software, 5(53):2352, 2020.</p>

Design of crack arrestors for ultra high grade gas transmission pipelines: simulation of crack initiation, propagation and arrest

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-319
Author(s):  
F. Van den Abeele ◽  
M. Di Biagio ◽  
L. Amlung
Keyword(s):  
Crack Initiation ◽  
Crack Propagation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Pipe Material ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Gas Pipelines ◽  
Ductile Crack ◽  
Reinforced Plastics ◽  
Four Point Bending

One of the major challenges in the design of ultra high grade (X100) gas pipelines is the identification of areliable crack propagation strategy. Recent research results have shown that the newly developed highstrength and large diameter gas pipelines, when operated at severe conditions, may not be able to arrest arunning ductile crack through pipe material properties. Hence, the use of crack arrestors is required in thedesign of safe and reliable pipeline systems.A conventional crack arrestor can be a high toughness pipe insert, or a local joint with higher wall thickness.According to experimental results of full-scale burst tests, composite crack arrestors are one of the mostpromising technologies. Such crack arrestors are made of fibre reinforced plastics which provide the pipewith an additional hoop constraint. In this paper, numerical tools to simulate crack initiation, propagationand arrest in composite crack arrestors are introduced.First, the in-use behaviour of composite crack arrestors is evaluated by means of large scale tensile testsand four point bending experiments. The ability of different stress based orthotropic failure measures topredict the onset of material degradation is compared. Then, computational fracture mechanics is applied tosimulate ductile crack propagation in high pressure gas pipelines, and the corresponding crack growth inthe composite arrestor. The combination of numerical simulation and experimental research allows derivingdesign guidelines for composite crack arrestors.

A logic model of the implementation of a regional workforce strategy in positive behavioural support

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Noone ◽  
Alison Branch ◽  
Melissa Sherring
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Logic Model ◽  
Competency Framework ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Behavioural Support ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Wide Range

Purpose Positive behavioural support (PBS) as a framework for delivering quality services is recognised in important policy documents (CQC, 2020; NICE, 2018), yet there is an absence in the literature on how this could be implemented on a large scale. The purpose of this paper is to describe a recent implementation of a workforce strategy to develop PBS across social care and health staff and family carers, within the footprint of a large integrated care system. Design/methodology/approach A logic model describes how an initial scoping exercise led to the production of a regional workforce strategy based on the PBS Competence Framework (2015). It shows how the creation of a regional steering group was able to coordinate important developmental stages and integrate multiple agencies into a single strategy to implement teaching and education in PBS. It describes the number of people who received teaching and education in PBS and the regional impact of the project in promoting cultural change within services. Findings This paper demonstrates a proof of concept that it is possible to translate the PBS Competency Framework (2015) into accredited courses. Initial scoping work highlighted the ineffectiveness of traditional training in PBS. Using blended learning and competency-based supervision and assessment, it was possible to create a new way to promote large-scale service developments in PBS supported by the governance of a new organisational structure. This also included family training delivered by family trainers. This builds on the ideas by Denne et al. (2020) that many of the necessary building blocks of implementation already exist within a system. Social implications A co-ordinated teaching and education strategy in PBS may help a wide range of carers to become more effective in supporting the people they care for. Originality/value This is the first attempt to describe the implementation of a framework for PBS within a defined geographical location. It describes the collaboration of health and social care planners and a local university to create a suite of courses built around the PBS coalition competency framework.

Access and Logistics Challenges in Mountain Terrain Pipeline Projects

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark McDougall ◽  
Ken Williamson
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Additional Time ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Road Design ◽  
Regulatory Constraints ◽  
The Right

Oil and gas production in Canada’s west has led to the need for a significant increase in pipeline capacity to reach export markets. Current proposals from major oil and gas transportation companies include numerous large diameter pipelines across the Rocky Mountains to port locations on the coast of British Columbia (BC), Canada. The large scale of these projects and the rugged terrain they cross lead to numerous challenges not typically faced with conventional cross-country pipelines across the plains. The logistics and access challenges faced by these mountain pipeline projects require significant pre-planning and assessment, to determine the timing, cost, regulatory and environmental impacts. The logistics of pipeline construction projects mainly encompasses the transportation of pipe and pipeline materials, construction equipment and supplies, and personnel from point of manufacture or point of supply to the right-of-way (ROW) or construction area. These logistics movement revolve around the available types of access routes and seasonal constraints. Pipeline contractors and logistics companies have vast experience in moving this type of large equipment, however regulatory constraints and environmental restrictions in some locations will lead to significant pre-planning, permitting and additional time and cost for material movement. In addition, seasonal constraints limit available transportation windows. The types of access vary greatly in mountain pipeline projects. In BC, the majority of off-highway roads and bridges were originally constructed for the forestry industry, which transports logs downhill whereas the pipeline industry transports large equipment and pipeline materials in both directions and specifically hauls pipe uphill. The capacity, current state and location of these off-highway roads must be assessed very early in the process to determine viability and/or potential options for construction access. Regulatory requirements, environmental restrictions, season of use restrictions and road design must all be considered when examining the use of or upgrade of existing access roads and bridges. These same restrictions are even more critical to the construction of new access roads and bridges. The logistics and access challenges facing the construction of large diameter mountain pipelines in Western Canada can be managed with proper and timely planning. The cost of the logistics and access required for construction of these proposed pipeline projects will typically be greater than for traditional pipelines, but the key constraint is the considerable time requirement to construct the required new access and pre-position the appropriate material to meet the construction schedule. The entire project team, including design engineers, construction and logistics planners, and material suppliers must be involved in the planning stages to ensure a cohesive strategy and schedule. This paper will present the typical challenges faced in access and logistics for large diameter mountain pipelines, and a process for developing a comprehensive plan for their execution.

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