UK – Page 35 – TechConnect Briefs

Microsensors, Arrays and Automatic Diagnosis of Sensor Faults

Gaura E., Newman R.M., Coventry University, UK

As man-made dynamical systems become increasingly complex, there is an ever-present need to ensure their safe and reliable operation [1]. These requirements extend beyond the normally accepted safety-critical systems (e.g. nuclear reactors, chemical plants, and [...]

Using Very Large Arrays of Intelligent Sensors

Newman R.M., Coventry University, UK

In 1994 the author patented an intelligent vibration sensor. The device was essentially an accelerometer with integrated analog and digital processing capability as shown in figure 1, which allowed a large proportion of the diagnostic [...]

Particle Movement in Microelectrode Structures in AC Electric Fields, Under the Influence of Dielectrophoresis and Electrohydrodynamics

Green N.G., University of Glasgow, UK

The use of AC electric fields for the manipulation, characterisation and separation of particles in suspension (dielectrophoresis: DEP) has become an area of considerable interest, both in basic research of the underlying physical mechanisms [1] [...]

The Use of Quantum Potentials for Confinement in Semiconductor Devices

Asenov A., Brown A.R., Watling J.R., Glasgow University, UK

As MOSFETs are scaled into sub 100 nm (decanano) dimensions, quantum mechanical confinement and tunnelling start to dramatically affect their characteristics. In this paper we describe the introduction of quantum corrections within a 3D drift [...]

The Use of Quantum Potentials for Confinement in Semiconductor Devices

Asenov A., Brown A.R., Watling J.R., Glasgow University, UK

As MOSFETs are scaled into sub 100 nm (decanano) dimensions, quantum mechanical confinement and tunnelling start to dramatically affect their characteristics. In this paper we describe the introduction of quantum corrections within a 3D drift [...]

Noise Considerations for Closed Loop Digital Accelerometers

Gaura E., Kraft M., Coventry University, UK

This paper investigates the noise shaping properties of a sigma-delta modulator type control system applied to a micromachined accelerometer. Three noise sources are present in such an electromechanical closed loop system: mechanical noise due to [...]

Virtual Nanofabrication of Electronic Materials

Pozhar L.A., University of Surrey, UK

A rigorous statistical mechanical theory of inhomogeneous fluids and molecular dynamics simulations are used to predict characteristic features of transport processes and the corresponding transport coefficients for a number of model nanoscale systems in terms [...]

Atomistic Modelling of Radiation Damage in Zircon

Trachenko K., Dove M.T., Salje E.K.H., University of Cambridge, UK

We report the results of simulation of radiation damage in zircon structure using molecular dynamics technique. We detect, quantify and visualise the phases of damage production process, including ballistic and thermal spike phase. The simulation [...]

Simulation of Two-level Tunneling States and Floppy Modes in Silica Glass

Trachenko K., Dove M.T., Heine V., University of Cambridge, UK

We present the results of a computational study of the low-energy dynamics of silica glass. Molecular dynamics simulation results show that parts of the glass structure can undergo large cooperative reorientations of SiO4 tetrahedra. These [...]

Closed Loop Micromachined Inertial Sensors with Higher Order SD-Modulators

Kraft M., Redman-White W., Mokhtari M.E., University of Southampton, UK

Micromachined inertial sensors are often incorporated in closed loop force feedback structures; a particularly advantageous approach is based upon the inclusion of the sensing element in a sigma-delta modulator (SDM) type control structure. The order [...]