This thesis introduces performance and power optimization techniques for caches. Our optimization techniques target both conventional caches, which are implemented using six-transistor (6T) cells, and highly reliable caches implemented using eight-transistor (8T) cells. In 6T cell caches, we enhance leakage power dissipation by adapting a previous proposed technique, Drowsy Cache, according to the application behavior. We show that spatial locality in embedded applications is low and Drowsy Cache misses a significant leakage power saving opportunities. By taking a finer granularity approach, we achieve a significant leakage power reduction with minimal performance overhead. Although 6T cell caches are commonly used, we show that they are not proper choice for future designs due to poor stability. We investigate 8T cells as alternative reliable designs for implementing caches. However, Column Selection Issue limits efficiency of 8T cells during write operations. Previous solution, Read-Modify-Write (RMW), addressed column selection issue by requiring a read operation before each write operation, imposing significant overhead on performance, cache traffic, and power. We observe that a significant share of cache accesses in RMW is either redundant or unnecessary, consequently can be avoided without compromising program execution consistency. Based on our observations, we propose two techniques which exploit a buffering mechanism to detect and filter out unnecessary and redundant cache accesses. Our simulation results show that our techniques improve performance and cache traffic effectively in 8T cell caches. Furthermore, we propose a novel dual threshold 8T cell which reduces leakage power significantly with negligible impact on performance. Our proposed cell also improves stability and robustness to process variations compared to the conventional 8T cells. / Graduate / 0544 / farahani.mostafa@gmail.com

Many biosurfactants show antimicrobial activity and some are found to be superior for isolating membrane proteins. This study was aimed towards a general understanding of the interactions of biosurfactants with lipid membranes on a molecular level. To this end, a new, fluorescence lifetime-based membrane leakage assay has been established that does not only quantify membrane permeabilization more precisely but reveals also the leakage mechanism. This mechanism, referred to as graded or all-or-none leakage, is crucial for interpreting potential biological activities and modes of action. Lipopeptides of the surfactin, fengycin, and iturin families as produced by Bacillus subtilis were studied along with synthetic surfactants. Their membrane permeabilizing activity and selectivity mirrored, to some extent, the active concentrations and fungicidal selectivity of the compounds in vivo. Furthermore, the effects of co-surfactants and co-solvents (glycerol, urea, DMSO) have been investigated to better understand and predict means of improving the performance of fungicidal products as well as conditions for membrane protein solubilization.

Many biosurfactants show antimicrobial activity and some are found to be superior for isolating membrane proteins. This study was aimed towards a general understanding of the interactions of biosurfactants with lipid membranes on a molecular level. To this end, a new, fluorescence lifetime-based membrane leakage assay has been established that does not only quantify membrane permeabilization more precisely but reveals also the leakage mechanism. This mechanism, referred to as graded or all-or-none leakage, is crucial for interpreting potential biological activities and modes of action. Lipopeptides of the surfactin, fengycin, and iturin families as produced by Bacillus subtilis were studied along with synthetic surfactants. Their membrane permeabilizing activity and selectivity mirrored, to some extent, the active concentrations and fungicidal selectivity of the compounds in vivo. Furthermore, the effects of co-surfactants and co-solvents (glycerol, urea, DMSO) have been investigated to better understand and predict means of improving the performance of fungicidal products as well as conditions for membrane protein solubilization.

The study analysis Anaïs Nin's work, Henry & June from a queer theoretical perspective. The purpose is to show what the work makes with text and how it produces ambivalence with sex and gender and thereby demonstrate the queer leakage in heteronormative performativities. The first part analyzes how it is working with self-representation in diary form. In order to view the work historically and linguistically the work has been related to analyzes and essays by other researchers mentioned in the analysis. The analysis shows that the writer Anaïs Nin has a clear agenda with her work. Nin want to develop an alternative approach to sex, gender and marriage.

The focus of this thesis is on radio frequency magnetron sputtered aluminum oxide thin films developed for use as the gate dielectric for organic thin film transistors. The effect of top metal electrodes on the electrical characteristics of aluminum oxide metal-insulator-metal capacitors has been studied to determine an optimum material combination for minimizing the leakage current, while maximizing the breakdown field. The leakage current and breakdown characteristics were observed to have a strong dependence on the top electrode material. Devices with Al top electrodes exhibited significantly higher breakdown voltages compared to devices with Au, Ni, Cu and Ag electrodes. Introducing an Al diffusion barrier dramatically increased the breakdown field and reduced the leakage current for capacitors with Ag, Au and Cu top electrodes. The electrical characteristics were found to relate well to material properties, of the contacting metals, such as ionization potential and diffusion coefficient.

The focus of this thesis is on radio frequency magnetron sputtered aluminum oxide thin films developed for use as the gate dielectric for organic thin film transistors. The effect of top metal electrodes on the electrical characteristics of aluminum oxide metal-insulator-metal capacitors has been studied to determine an optimum material combination for minimizing the leakage current, while maximizing the breakdown field. The leakage current and breakdown characteristics were observed to have a strong dependence on the top electrode material. Devices with Al top electrodes exhibited significantly higher breakdown voltages compared to devices with Au, Ni, Cu and Ag electrodes. Introducing an Al diffusion barrier dramatically increased the breakdown field and reduced the leakage current for capacitors with Ag, Au and Cu top electrodes. The electrical characteristics were found to relate well to material properties, of the contacting metals, such as ionization potential and diffusion coefficient.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1988.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1964.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Manitoba, 1996. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1964.