The current test methods that evaluate the liquid water resistance performance of a water resistive barrier (WRB) have various drawbacks. A Hydrostatic Pressure Test Apparatus (HPTA) provided by SMT Research Ltd. was used to develop a unique test method to detect liquid water penetration through WRBs. The sensor used in HPTA has 42 channels and each channel reads an individual electric resistance. Lower electric resistance indicates more liquid water penetrates the sensor, vice versa. The measurement system of the device was studied and tested. The results showed the measurement system works properly to detect amount change of the liquid water applied to the sensor while there is no proportional relationship between the amount of liquid water and electrical resistance. The change between two adjacent electrical readings was evaluated by a factor called Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDMI). The NDMI factor was determined to be a better measurement than the value of electrical resistance. Preliminary tests using HPTA with Membrane D and Membrane F were done and the apparatus was found to have water leaking through the joint. The clamping method of HPTA was then modified to solve the problem and further WRBs were tested using the modified device. Six WRB materials, Membrane A, Membrane B, Membrane C, Membrane D, Membrane E and Membrane F were tested and 83 tests were conducted in total. A colormap method was used to evaluate the water resistance ability of each material. Among all materials, Membrane E had the highest water resistive duration of long and a water resistance score (WRS) of 337.14. Membrane F had a lower duration of short and a WRS of 78.75. Membrane C and Membrane D have water resistance durations between very short and short and their WRS were 36.5 and 82.71. Membrane A and Membrane B had the lowest water resistance duration of very short and their WRS were 15.15 and 23.19. Plots of Log R vs. Time and NDMI vs. Time of the edge sensors and center sensors were plotted in MATLAB. The water movement behaviours in the two groups of sensors varied by materials. / Graduate / 2023-06-22

As the semiconductor industries are moving beyond 22 nm node technology, the currently used stacked Ta/TaN diffusion barrier including a copper seed will be unable to fulfill the requirements for the future technologies. Due to its low resistivity and ability to perform galvanic copper fill without a seed layer, ruthenium (Ru) has emerged as a potential copper diffusion barrier. However, its crystallization and columnar nanostructure have been the main cause of barrier failures even at low processing temperatures (300 oC -350 oC). In this study, we have proposed and evaluated three different strategies to improve the performance of the ultrathin Ru film as a diffusion barrier for copper. The first study focused on shallow surface plasma irradiation/amorphization and nitridation of 5 nm Ru films. Systematic studies of amorphization and nitrogen incorporation versus sample bias were performed. XPS, XRD and RBS were used to determine the physico-chemical, crystallization and barrier efficiency of the plasma modified Ru barrier. The nitrogen plasma surface irradiation of Ru films at substrate bias voltage of -350 V showed an improved barrier performance up to 400 oC annealing temperatures. The barrier barely started failing at 450 oC due mainly to nitrogen instability. The second study involved only amorphization of the Ru thin film without any nitrogen incorporation. A low energy ion beam irradiation/amorphization on Ru thin film was carried out by using 60 KeV carbon ions with different irradiation doses. The irradiation energy was chosen high enough so that the irradiation ions pass through the whole Ru thin film and stop in the SiO2/Si support substrate. The C-ion fluence of 5×1016 atoms/cm2 at 60 KeV made the Ru film near amorphous without changing its composition. XRD and RBS were used to determine the relationship between crystallization and barrier efficiency of the carbon irradiated Ru barrier. The amorphized Ru film showed an improved barrier performance up to 400 oC annealing temperatures similar to the plasma nitrided Ru films. The barrier barely began to fail at 450 oC due mainly to crystallization. The third study focused on a study of Al doping of nitrided Ru thin films and their crystallinity with the aim of obtaining a completely amorphous Ru based barrier and stable nitridation. The addition of 4% Al and 14% of nitrogen in Ru produced a near amorphous film. Nitrogen in the film remained stable until the annealing temperature of 450 oC for 10 min in N2 atmosphere. Crystallization growth of the film was inhibited until 450 oC. At 500 oC, the crystallization of the Ru films barely started, but the degree of its crystallization is minimal. The Ru-Al-N film was demonstrated to be an effective diffusion barrier for copper until the annealing temperature of 450 oC and began to fail at 500 oC. The Al doping was shown to stabilize the nitrogen in the Ru thin film barrier inhibiting its crystallization and leading to improved diffusion barrier performance and a gain in processing temperatures of 150 oC -200 oC over the as prepared pure Ru thin film barriers.

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references.

Parks Canada focuses its tourism and conservation efforts in Kouchibouguac National Park along the park's diverse coastline made up of a variety of sensitive ecosystems including salt marshes, stream estuaries and a shifting barrier island lagoon system. The dynamic sediment processes in the park are not fully understood, making it difficult for Parks Canada to make informed decisions as sea-level rise in the region accelerates. In this study, extensive field data were collected in two sediment zones bordering the Kouchibouguac Lagoon. Stream data were collected and used to estimate the monthly average sediment load entering the lagoon. The maximum and minimum monthly average sediment loads were 130 g/s and 11 g/s in April and September, respectively. These freshwater sediments pass through estuaries to deposit at the coastline of the park. Changes in the barrier system surrounding the tidal inlet Little Gully were also monitored over 15 months using modern surveying techniques. The surveys showed a general southward shift in the study area and a landward migration of sediments within the flood tidal delta of the inlet. Dune surface area, volume, and vegetation cover were also examined, and the critical shear stress and velocity of the sediments were calculated. The field investigations revealed that the Kouchibouguac Lagoon was gradually filling in with sediments during the study. It is recommended that a permanent hydrometric station be installed in one of the major streams in the park and that future research along the coastline of the park complement Parks Canada's current monitoring program for the barrier island system.

Aims and objectives: The research aims and objectives of this study were: Firstly to determine the positive effects and possible disadvantages of three types of barrier creams on skin barrier function by determining skin barrier function by measuring stratum corneum hydration transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin surface pH. Secondly to compare different racial skin types (African skin to Caucasian skin) by determining the effects of barrier cream on skin barrier function. Finally to compare the effect of the three different barrier creams on four different anatomical areas. Methods: Thirty eight non-smoking male test subjects took part in this study where three different types of barrier creams were tested on their arms and hands in a controlled laboratory environment. The thirty eight test subjects consisted of nineteen African and nineteen Caucasian test subjects. Three parameters were measured namely TEWL, stratum corneum hydration and pH condition of the skin. TEWL was measured using a Vapometer (Delfin Technology Ltd. Finland). The Multi probe Adapter system (MPA) (Courage and Khazaka, Germany) was used with a temperature and humidity sensor and with the following probes all from Courage and Khazaka, Germany: a Corneometer measuring skin hydration and a pH-Meter measuring skin surface pH. The measurements were repeated on each of the four sampling areas (forearm, wrist, back of hand and palm) with a reasonable time interval between each measurement. After the baseline measurement the barrier cream was applied by the researcher on the test subjects’ dominant arm. The long term effects were determined after the baseline measurement in intervals of 2 hours. Directly after each measurement the barrier cream was reapplied. Results: Gloves In A Bottle™ increased stratum corneum hydration, had no effect on TEWL and increased skin surface pH, whereas Reinol™ increased stratum corneum hydration and decreased TEWL and had no effect on pH values. Travabon™ decreased stratum corneum hydration and TEWL and had no effect on skin surface pH. The results indicated that there were significant differences between Caucasian and African test subjects with the use of barrier creams, because of the baseline differences and the reaction to barrier creams showed different results. There were also statistically significant differences in the four different anatomical areas where the barrier creams were applied. Conclusion: Barrier creams are beneficial in the workplace, although it should be taken into consideration that different ethnicities react differently to barrier creams under different workplace situations and therefore this should be taken into account when selecting a barrier cream. / Thesis (MSc (Occupational Hygiene))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Aims and objectives: The research aims and objectives of this study were: Firstly to determine the positive effects and possible disadvantages of three types of barrier creams on skin barrier function by determining skin barrier function by measuring stratum corneum hydration transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin surface pH. Secondly to compare different racial skin types (African skin to Caucasian skin) by determining the effects of barrier cream on skin barrier function. Finally to compare the effect of the three different barrier creams on four different anatomical areas. Methods: Thirty eight non-smoking male test subjects took part in this study where three different types of barrier creams were tested on their arms and hands in a controlled laboratory environment. The thirty eight test subjects consisted of nineteen African and nineteen Caucasian test subjects. Three parameters were measured namely TEWL, stratum corneum hydration and pH condition of the skin. TEWL was measured using a Vapometer (Delfin Technology Ltd. Finland). The Multi probe Adapter system (MPA) (Courage and Khazaka, Germany) was used with a temperature and humidity sensor and with the following probes all from Courage and Khazaka, Germany: a Corneometer measuring skin hydration and a pH-Meter measuring skin surface pH. The measurements were repeated on each of the four sampling areas (forearm, wrist, back of hand and palm) with a reasonable time interval between each measurement. After the baseline measurement the barrier cream was applied by the researcher on the test subjects’ dominant arm. The long term effects were determined after the baseline measurement in intervals of 2 hours. Directly after each measurement the barrier cream was reapplied. Results: Gloves In A Bottle™ increased stratum corneum hydration, had no effect on TEWL and increased skin surface pH, whereas Reinol™ increased stratum corneum hydration and decreased TEWL and had no effect on pH values. Travabon™ decreased stratum corneum hydration and TEWL and had no effect on skin surface pH. The results indicated that there were significant differences between Caucasian and African test subjects with the use of barrier creams, because of the baseline differences and the reaction to barrier creams showed different results. There were also statistically significant differences in the four different anatomical areas where the barrier creams were applied. Conclusion: Barrier creams are beneficial in the workplace, although it should be taken into consideration that different ethnicities react differently to barrier creams under different workplace situations and therefore this should be taken into account when selecting a barrier cream. / Thesis (MSc (Occupational Hygiene))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Thesis (M.Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Although there is abundant research on the underutilization of mental health services by Asian Americans, there is limited research on the utilization patterns of family counseling services by the Chinese American population. Moreover, there is even less research that examined the perception of Chinese Americans toward family counseling and how that perception affects their utilization of family counseling services. With the intention to explore Chinese Americans' sentiments toward the field of family counseling, this qualitative study investigated what knowledge they had about the profession and how they would feel about seeking counseling services for their relationship problems. Using the guiding theoretical framework of phenomenology, in-depth interviews were conducted with eight individuals and were coded for themes. Findings indicated that Chinese Americans had a need for family counseling but cultural inhibitions about seeking counseling services and concerns such as financial burden and lack of convincing results served as utilization barriers. Implications for clinical practice, including barrier-removal ideas, and suggestions for future research are included. / Master of Science

Renewable, recyclable, and high performing barrier materials were made from cellulose nano fibers. Various strategies to enhance performance in dry, wet and humid conditions were proposed. These methods included thermal treatment to induce hornification, PAE resin based cross linking, and inclusion of high aspect ratio filler materials to form composites. Results indicated that hornification alone, even though effective in enhancing the barrier properties comes at the cost of severe degradation of mechanical properties. In the second case, where a cross linker was used, lower heating temperature limited the degradation of mechanical properties. Moreover, the new bonds included due to cross linking also modified the mechanical properties of the material and cause significant improvement. In the case of inclusion of filler materials, improvement of mechanical properties due to reinforcing effect was observed, and additionally the improvement in barrier properties was observed due to increased tortuosity of the materials. Furthermore, when the composites were made with cross linker, there was a significant improvement in barrier and mechanical properties as compared to the barrier material made from the pure cellulose nano fibers. In all cases the barrier materials were found to be resistant to degradation by water, as measured by water retention value, and surface contact angle. The resistance to water in the first case was as a result of severe hornification of the material. Whereas in the second and third case the cross linking and concomitant limited hornification played a significant role in water resistance. In addition to the three methods to improve barrier properties, the use of nano fibers made from cellulose II was also studied. Different stages of fibrillation of the starting cellulose pulps were studied and the fibers and films made from them were characterized in detail. Results from this study indicated that fibers made from cellulose II pulp are much harder to fibrillate as compared to cellulose I fibers. Moreover, due to fibril aggregation it is harder to form nano fibers from cellulose II. Even though from the perspective of better inter and intra fibril bonding cellulose II might be favorable over cellulose I, significant work in the formation of nano fibers from cellulose II is required before they can be used for making barrier materials.

Geotextiles are often incorporated in engineered structures—including landfill liners and covers, earthen dams, retaining walls, and roads—to perform the separation, filtration, and/or drainage functions. Under unsaturated conditions typical of such structures, a capillary break may form at the interface between soil and geotextile. If the break is unplanned, the resulting build-up of moisture may be detrimental to the structure. Conversely, properly designed geotextile capillary barriers have the potential for many positive applications. Design information, including a complete framework for analysis and an accepted laboratory characterization approach, is lacking. The primary objectives of this study were to investigate geotextile capillary barrier performance with a simple laboratory model and propose a framework for complete analysis of a geotextile capillary barrier life cycle. Soil columns were designed to allow the formation and breakthrough of a geotextile capillary barrier to be observed. Materials used in the columns were obtained from a capillary barrier system currently under construction at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal in Denver, CO. Hydraulic characterization of the soil and geotextile were performed in the lab. Eleven column tests were completed for this study—soil compaction and applied flow rate were varied to investigate their effect on capillary barrier response. Analysis was approached within a proposed framework covering each stage of a capillary barrier life cycle. While there was considerable scatter in the test results, important insight was gained. The geotextile capillary barrier performed consistently. Conditions near the interface at breakthrough were similar between tests, regardless of soil compaction or applied flow rate, and were predicted adequately with the laboratory characterization. Storage capacity of the capillary barrier decreased with increasing relative compaction. A framework for analysis, from which the entire capillary barrier response may be modeled, was developed. Application of this model allowed for identification of weaknesses and recommendations for future work. / text