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Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), as a subset of Electrical Overstress (EOS), was reported to be in charge of more than 35% of failure in integrated circuits (ICs). Especially in the manufacturing process, the silicon wafer turns out to be a functional ICs after numerous physical, chemical and mechanical processes, each of which expose the sensitive and fragile ICs to ESD environment. In normal end-user applications, ESD from human and machine handling, surge and spike signals in the power supply, and wrong supplying signals, will probably cause severe damage to the ICs and even the whole systems. Generally, ESD protections are evaluated after wafer and even system fabrication, increasing the development period and cost if the protections cannot meet customer's requirements. Therefore, it is important to design and customize robust and area-efficient ESD protections for the ICs at the early development stage. As the technologies generally scaling down, however, ESD protection clamps remain comparable area consumption in the recent years because they provide the discharging path for the ESD energy which rarely scales down. Diode is the most simple and effective device for ESD protection in ICs, but the usage is significantly limited by its low turn-on voltage. MOS devices can be triggered by a dynamic-triggered RC circuit for IOs operating at low voltage, while the one triggered by a static-triggered network, e.g., zener-resistor circuit or grounded-gate configuration, provides a high trigger voltage for high-voltage applications. However, the relatively low current discharging capability makes MOS devices as the secondary choice. Silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) has become famous due to its high robustness and area efficiency, compared to diode and MOS. In this dissertation, a comprehensive design methodology for SCR based on simulation and measurement are presented for different advanced commercial technologies. Furthermore, an ESD clamp is designed and verified for the first time for the emerging GaN technology. For the SCR, no matter what modification is going to be made, the first concern when drawing the layout is to determine the layout geometrical style, finger width and finger number. This problem for diode and MOS device were studied in detail, so the same method was usually used in SCR. The research in this dissertation provides a closer look into the metal layout effect to the SCR, finding out the optimized robustness and minimized side-effect can be obtained by using specific layout geometry. Another concern about SCR is the relatively low turn-on speed when the IOs under protection is stressed by ESD pulses having very fast rising time, e.g., CDM and IEC 61000-4-2 pulses. On this occasion a large overshoot voltage is generated and cause damage to internal circuit component like gate oxides of MOS devices. The key determination of turn-on speed of SCR is physically investigated, followed by a novel design on SCR by directly connecting the Anode Gate and Cathode Gate to form internal trigger (DCSCR), with improved performance verified experimentally in this dissertation. The overshoot voltage and trigger voltage of the DCSCR will be significantly reduced, in return a better protection for internal circuit component is offered without scarifying neither area or robustness. Even though two SCR's with single direction of ESD current path can be constructed in reverse parallel to form bidirectional protection to pins, stand-alone bidirectional SCR (BSCR) is always desirable for sake of smaller area. The inherent high trigger voltage of BSCR that only fit in high-voltage technologies is overcome by embedding a PMOS transistor as trigger element, making it highly suitable for low-voltage ESD protection applications. More than that, this modification simultaneously introduces benefits including high robustness and low overshoot voltage. For high voltage pins, however, it presents another story for ESD designs. The high operation voltages require that a high trigger voltage and high holding voltage, so as to reduce the false trigger and latch-up risk. For several capacitive pins, the displacement current induced by a large snapback will cause severe damage to internal circuits. A novel design on SCR is proposed to minimize the snapback with adjustable trigger and holding voltage. Thanks to the additional a PIN diode, the similar high robustness and stable thermal leakage performance to SCR is maintained. For academic purpose of ESD design, it is always difficult to obtain the complete process deck in TCAD simulation because those information are highly confidential to the companies. Another challenge of using TCAD is the difficulty of maintaining the accuracy of physics models and predicting the performance of the other structures. In this dissertation a TCAD-aid ESD design methodology is used to evaluate ESD performance before the silicon shuttle. GaN is a promising material for high-voltage high-power RF application compared to the GaAs. However, distinct from GaAs, the leaky problem of the schottky junction and the lack of choice of passive/active components in GaN technology limit the ESD protection design, which will be discussed in this dissertation. However, a promising ESD protection clamp is finally developed based on depletion-mode pHEMT with adjustable trigger voltage, reasonable leakage current and high robustness.

For optimal growth, plants have evolved strategies to integrate environmental signals to coordinate complex developmental and defensive processes to cope with the changing surroundings. Under challenges, plants prioritize their defense over growth. This trade-off involves complex interactions between multiple hormonal pathways and developmental networks. We discovered that JACKDAW (JKD), the core component of the SHORTROOT (SHR)-SCARECROW (SCR)- JKD plant developmental regulatory network is linking defense responses to the developmental programming. Unlike the well-studied function of JKD in root development, its function in leaves is yet to be understood. We found that JKD is expressed on the abaxial side of the leaf ground tissue. It has conserved functions in promoting SHR nuclear retention and restricting cyclinD6 expression in the leaf. Additionally, JKD has a function in leaf internal architecture establishment, including suppression of the bundle sheath cell division and shaping of the leaf ground tissue. We also found that SHR is a universal asymmetric cell division (ACD) activator, as ectopic SHR expression in the leaf ground tissue promotes stomata development via promoting the ACD to produce more stomata precursor cells. We showed that the knockout mutant of JKD has larger rosettes and better photosynthesis capacity, while the basal defense level and resistance to Botrytis cinerea, a necrotrophic pathogen, are enhanced. Our transcriptome and transcription studies revealed that JKD suppresses the expression of the plant defense hormone Jasmonic acid (JA) response genes and is itself downregulated by JA. This suggests that JKD is involved in the JA signaling, which mediates defense responses for wounding and herbivore attacks. Together, our study indicates that the loss of JKD uncoupled the plant growth-defense trade-off. JKD is a new link between plant development and defense. To verify whether this function of JKD is conserved in crops, JKD orthologues in tomatoes are identified, CRISPR-Cas9 and TILLING mutants are created and analyzed. The results showed that the functions of JKD in root development and resistance to botrytis are conserved. The broad presence of JKD orthologs makes them a great target for molecular breeding to generate crops that do not have to sacrifice their normal growth to defense response.

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Nanosized Cu-containing ZSM-5 catalysts with different n(Si)/ n(Al) ratio of 18.9–50.5 were prepared by ion-exchange. The physico-chemical characterization clearly shows that the molar ratio of framework T atoms influences the nature and distribution of copper species. According to DR UV-Vis, TPR-H2, EPR, or FT-IR spectroscopy analyses, the amount of aggregated copper species increases with increasing the framework n(Si)/n(Al) ratio. Thus, the activity of the Cu-containing ZSM-5 with n(Si)/n(Al) ratio of 47.0—50.5 in the selective catalytic NO reduction with NH3 (NH3-SCR-DeNOx) significantly decreases compared to the other materials (n(Si)/n(Al) ratio of 18.9—19.6). The reaction mechanism has been discussed in light of the results of 2D COS (two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy) analysis of IR spectra and catalytic properties of the zeolites. The results make evident that enhanced activity of Cu-containing ZSM-5 in NH3- SCR-DeNOx is correlated with the formation of different NOx under the experimental conditions.

In the present work we study the economic capital of pension funds and their possible extension into the new concept of Solvency II. The main task is to examine the risks that are characteristic for pension fund activity. We use several modified stress simulations, which we model using a virtual model of pension fund. Primarily we focus on changes in net asset value (NAV) which is used in standard formula for calculation of the solvency capital requirement (SCR). In conclusion, we evaluate the possible impact of applications Solvency II to pension funds, the resulting economic capital and solvency of modeled pension fund.

Este trabalho propõe um método com base no planejamento estatístico de testes de confiabilidade para proporcionar um tratamento quantitativo aos dois primeiros níveis da abordagem de padrões baseados em metas (Goal-Based Standards). O uso do método é demonstrado em dois exemplos práticos, através da sua aplicação na meta de confiabilidade dos componentes do sistema de pós-tratamento de gases de exaustão, em motores a diesel de veículos automotivos e marítimos. Os fundamentos do trabalho incluem a teoria do planejamento estatístico de testes de confiabilidade, os princípios do GBS, tipos e características de metas de confiabilidade, a ferramenta de avaliação de segurança formal (FSA), e da análise do modo e efeito da falha (FMEA). A originalidade da contribuição do trabalho está na combinação das técnicas de planejamento de testes de confiabilidade com os princípios do GBS para quantificar o nível de atendimento das metas de confiabilidade. Dessa forma, é possível ajustar o programa de testes na verificação das metas de segurança, aumentando o conhecimento sobre o desempenho do sistema. O método é de simples aplicação permitindo a sua aplicação expedita e integrada aos processos de desenvolvimento de sistemas. / This research proposes a probabilistic method based on reliability test planning in order to provide a quantitative approach to the Tier I and II of the Goal-Based Standards (GBS). The use of the method is exhibited through its application in the reliability goal of the components of the exhaust gases post-treatment system in diesel engines for automotive and marine vehicles. The fundamentals of this work includes the theory of statistical design of reliability tests, the GBS principles, a brief description of the types and characteristics of reliability goals, the tool of Formal Safety Assessment (FSA) recommended for marítima projects, and the risk qualitative methodology based on Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA). This theoretical framework was applied to two practical examples, one in the automotive industry and the other in the shipbuilding sector. The originality of this research lies in the combination of the reliability test planning techniques with the principles of GBS, in order to verify, from the whole project tests planning, the reliability goals of the basic components as a fundamental step in the assessment of system safety. The testing program can be adjusted to focus on verifying the safety goals, so that the level of knowledge about the product performance before it is delivered to the client. This work also offers the benefit of providing an easy method of system safety assessment, which allows a large number of companies to use it and to integrate it into their product development process.

Dans cette étude, on s'est intéressé à la modélisation réduite et au contrôle d’organes intervenant dans la réduction des émissions de polluants des véhicules automobiles à basse consommation. Il s’agit des réacteurs catalysés de type « piège à NOx » et SCR, utilisés dans les architectures de post-traitement des gaz d’échappement des véhicules Diesel. Ces systèmes ont en commun la nécessité de contrôler les niveaux des émissions de polluants stockés sur les sites catalytiques et l’optimisation du fonctionnement du GMP en vue d’approcher les futures normes Euro et les nouvelles incitations sur les émissions de gaz à effet de serre.Le piège à NOx est un système catalytique dont la fonction première est de collecter les oxydes d’azote (NOx) des gaz d’échappement afin qu’ils ne soient pas rejetés dans l’environnement. Le réacteur SCR est un système catalytique qui utilise le principe de réduction sélective des NOx par l’ammoniac (NH3), initialment produit et délivré à partir d’un stock d’urée embarqué.La similitude des technologies a permis la mise en œuvre de méthodologies communes de modélisation cinétique et de réduction de modèles, basées sur l’étude thermochimique et cinétique des réseaux réactionnels. Après application aux systèmes respectifs de piège à NOx et SCR, nous avons obtenus des modèles réduits qui ont pu être identifiés, validés et appliqués à l’observation et au contrôle des niveaux de stock des polluants (respectivement NOx et NH3). / The purpose of this study is to develop mathematical reduced order models for components of low consumption motor vehicles : the lean NOx trap and the SCR catalysts, used in the exhaust of Diesel engines and involved in the reduction of pollutants in exhaust emissions. These systems have in common that they aim at controling the boundaries on pollutant emissions in order to achieve the forthcoming Euro standards and they allow the optimization of the aftertreatment systems to reduce greenhouse gases.The lean NOx trap catalyst aims at collecting the NOx in order to avoid the pollution of the environment and the SCR catalyst uses the selective reduction of the NOx by the ammonia (NH3), initially produced by an embedded urea system. The similarity between the two technologies allow the implementation of common methodologies for reduced order modeling of catalytic reactors based on thermochemical and kinetic studies. After application, respectively to the NOx trap and the SCR, we obtain reduced order models which were identified, validated and implemented for the control and diagnosis of the amount of stock of the pollutants (respectively NOx and NH3).