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The diploma thesis Printed Independent Magazines in Post-Digital Age tries to discover the motivation of editors-in-chief/art directors for creating a printed, independent magazine in Central Europe and at the same time how these magazines are influenced by post-digital trends. It uses a qualitative method of Grounded Theory based on data from semi-structured interviews. In the practical part of the research, nine authors from Austria, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary were approached. From the total number of respondents, data was obtained from seven of them. In the theoretical part, the work is focused on the history of independent print, in terms of technological changes in the printing field and it defines the term "printed independent magazine". The main contribution of the work is a mapping of the Central European independent magazine scene, which has not been thoroughly examined in any academic work yet. The text puts this scene in the international context, and it points out the certain specifics which are associated with Central Europe.

The ONCE provides its membership with a cost-free online library service, through which they can obtain books in both print and DAISY format. The present paper contains a brief description of the structure and growing popularity of this service.

The semiconducting properties of a bithiophene-naphthalene diimide copolymer (PNDIT2) prepared by Ni-catalyzed chain-growth polycondensation (P1) and commercially available N2200 synthesized by Pd-catalyzed step-growth polycondensation were compared. Both polymers show similar electron mobility of [similar]0.2 cm2 V−1 s−1, as measured in top-gate OFETs with Au source/drain electrodes. It is noteworthy that the new synthesis has several technological advantages compared to traditional Stille polycondensation, as it proceeds rapidly at room temperature and does not involve toxic tin-based monomers. Furthermore, a step forward to fully printed polymeric devices was achieved. To this end, transistors with PEDOT:PSS source/drain electrodes were fabricated on plastic foils by means of mass printing technologies in a roll-to-roll printing press. Surface treatment of the printed electrodes with PEIE, which reduces the work function of PEDOT:PSS, was essential to lower the threshold voltage and achieve high electron mobility. Fully polymeric P1 and N2200-based OFETs achieved average linear and saturation FET mobilities of >0.08 cm2 V−1 s−1. Hence, the performance of n-type, plastic OFET devices prepared in ambient laboratory conditions approaches those achieved by more sophisticated and expensive technologies, utilizing gold electrodes and time/energy consuming thermal annealing and lithographic steps. / Dieser Beitrag ist aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

The primary motivation behind this research was to determine whether 3D printed lenses printed out using the non-planar technique can help achieve better beam intensity for a 60 GHz printed-circuit-board based radar and consequently improve radar efficiency. Non-planar printing is a new development in the 3D printing industry. In the non-planar printing method, the printer is moving simultaneously in all X, Y and Z-axis. This process prints with curved layers, which helps achieve a smoother surface. For this, a newly developed version of the Slic3r, specifically called non-planar Slic3r, was used. The modelled lens was imported into this Slic3r software. The G-Code was generated, and using it, non-planar lenses were printed along with planar lenses for comparison purpose. The lenses printed out using the non-planar technique were not perfectly smooth as was thought initially. Both planar and non-planar lenses measurements were taken in a watchful environment, and the measurements were later compared. The comparison of measurements showed that the non-planar lens did not show any noticeable gain in the intensity over planar lenses. The conclusion, however, is limited to the frequency range around 60 GHz, and in the case of higher frequencies, the result may change

Phased arrays are electromagnetic antenna systems comprised of many radiating elements and processing electronics. Radiating elements are typically positioned in an orderly grid within the antenna aperture. In the receive mode of operation, radiating elements capture some of the signal energy from incoming radiation and guide these signals to processing electronics. Signals are filtered and amplified to maintain the desired sensitivity and complexly weighted using circuits with reconfigurable amplification gain and phase delay. Finally, all signals are combined. The summation of these complexly weighted spatial samples forms a spatial filter in the same way complexly weighted temporal samples establish a temporal filter in a finite impulse response discrete-time filter. Therefore, a phased array behaves like a spatial filter that strongly favors signals arriving from a specific direction. This favored direction represents the look angle of its beam, and the shape of the beam directly relates to the complex weights applied to the signals in the array. Analogous to the flexibility offered by digital filters, phased arrays enable agile beam steering, sidelobe control, and multiple independent beams. These capabilities have revolutionized radar, radioastronomy, and communication systems. Phased arrays have increasingly employed printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication techniques and processes to maximize array channel density, achieve lower profile, and minimize component integration cost. A few applications which leverage these qualities include low-cost radar, mobile satellite communication (SATCOM), and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Further, PCB-based arrays readily accommodate advancements in highly integrated beamforming radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), multi-chip modules, and RF micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device technologies. On a prior effort, an integrated unit cell design was developed for a PCB-based SATCOM array application. However, the design failed to meet the requirements. The primary objective of this work is to demonstrate an improved design using systematic microwave design techniques and modern analysis tools to meet the requirements for the same application. The proposed design must improve gain, bandwidth, size, and manufacturability over the prior design. Additionally, the design must be generally extensible to phased array implementations across the SHF band (3-30 GHz). This work discusses the advantages of phased arrays over continuous apertures (e.g. reflectors), reviews phased array theory, and proposes an improved unit cell design. The proposed design is 35% smaller than a dime and consists of an orthogonally-fed, slot-coupled stacked patch antenna and dual-stage branchline coupler implemented in a multilayer PCB. Within the operating band from 10.7 to 14.5 GHz, the design achieves an average return loss of 15 dB, a uniform radiation pattern with peak realized gain of 4.8 to 7.0 dBic, cross-polarization level below -17 dB, and stable performance in a closely-spaced array. When configured in an array, the design supports X/Ku-band SATCOM in full-duplex operation, electronically rotatable polarization, and a 47.5˚ grating lobe free conical scan range. Further, a Monte Carlo analysis proves the design accommodates tolerances of material properties and manufacturing processes, overcoming a major challenge in PCB-based high frequency antenna design.

The addition of powered components for active assays into paper-based analytical devices opens new opportunities for medical and environmental analysis in resource-limited applications. Current battery designs within such devices have yet to adopt a ubiquitous circuitry material, necessitating investigation into printed circuitry for scalable platforms. In this study, a microfluidic battery was mated with silver-nanoparticle conductive ink to prototype an all-printed sensing platform. A multi-layer, two-cell device was fabricated, generating 200 μA of direct electrical current at 2.5 V sustained for 16 minutes with a power loss of less than 0.1% through the printed circuitry. Printed circuitry traces exhibited resistivity of 75 to 211 10-5 Ω m. Resistance of the printed traces increased upwards of 200% depending on fold angle and directionality. X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of face-centered cubic silver after sintering printed traces for 30 minutes at 150°C in air. A conductivity threshold was mapped and an ink concentration of 0.636 μL mm-3 was identified as the lower limit for optimal electrical performance.

Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are a ubiquitous element of virtually every electronic system manufactured world-wide. It is not a stretch of the imagination to say that if it’s electronic, there is a PCB in it. PCBs are necessary tools for electronics work, and tools need to have instructions. For better or worse, PCB knowledge is a deep and wide ocean. There is much to cover for even a surface level understanding, and there are deep areas rich in technical expertise. Navigating the ocean of knowledge is treacherous; common knowledge of yore can be downright dubious now. PCB manufacturing and electronics as a whole have seen incredible developments in the past few decades, and knowledge once true may be outdated. At the same time there is a downpour of new techniques to use and challenges to face. The storm of information deepens the sea and can make it seem impossible to get anywhere without getting utterly lost. There are islands of knowledge out there hiding in books and papers and websites, but no guide to get anywhere. This thesis aims to guide the reader through the sea of information and provides a map that charts the shallows of beginner knowledge, into the deep depths of advanced design, of how and where to learn more. This thesis serves as an aiding means through the exciting and vast world of PCB design and layout.

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