Silicon-based nanostructures are essential building blocks for nanoelectronic devices and nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS), and their mechanical and electrical properties play an important role in controlling the functionality and reliability of the nano-devices. The objective of this dissertation is twofold: The first is to investigate the mechanical properties of silicon nanolines (SiNLs) with feature size scaled into the tens of nanometer level. And the second is to study the electron transport in nickel silicide formed on the SiNLs. For the first study, a fabrication process was developed to form nanoscale Si lines using an anisotropic wet etching technique. The SiNLs possessed straight and nearly atomically flat sidewalls, almost perfectly rectangular cross sections and highly uniform linewidth at the nanometer scale. To characterize mechanical properties, an atomic force microscope (AFM) based nanoindentation system was employed to investigate three sets of silicon nanolines. The SiNLs had the linewidth ranging from 24 nm to 90 nm, and the aspect ratio (Height/linewidth) from 7 to 18. During indentation, a buckling instability was observed at a critical load, followed by a displacement burst without a load increase, then a fully recoverable deformation upon unloading. For experiments with larger indentation displacements, irrecoverable indentation displacements were observed due to fracture of Si nanolines, with the strain to failure estimated to be from 3.8% to 9.7%. These observations indicated that the buckling behavior of SiNLs depended on the combined effects of load, line geometry, and the friction at contact. This study demonstrated a valuable approach to fabrication of well-defined Si nanoline structures and the application of the nanoindentation method for investigation of their mechanical properties at the nanoscale. For the study of electron transport, a set of nickel monosilicde (NiSi) nanolines with feature size down to 15 nm was fabricated. The linewidth effect on nickel silicide formation has been studied using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) for microstructural analysis. Four point probe electrical measurements showed that the residual resistivity of the NiSi lines at cryogenic temperature increased with decreasing line width, indicating effect of increased electron sidewall scattering with decreased line width. A mean free path for electron transport at room temperature of 5 nm was deduced, which suggests that nickel silicide can be used without degradation of device performance in nanoscale electronics.

Electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs) are one of the lead-free interconnect materials with the advantages of environmental friendliness, mild processing conditions, fewer processing steps, low stress on the substrates, and fine pitch interconnect capability. However, some challenging issues still exist for the currently available ECAs, including lower electrical conductivity, conductivity fatigue in reliability tests, limited current-carrying capability, poor impact strength, etc. The interfacial properties is one of the major considerations when resolving these challenges and developing high performance conductive adhesives. Surface functionalization and interface modification are the major approaches used in this thesis. Fundamental understanding and analysis of the interaction between various types of interface modifiers and ECA materials and substrates are the key for the development of high performance ECA for lead-free interconnects. The results of this thesis provide the guideline for the enhancement of interfacial properties of metal-metal and metal-polymer interactions. Systematic investigation of various types of ECAs contributes to a better understanding of materials requirements for different applications, such as surface mount technology (SMT), flip chip applications, flat panel display modules with high resolution, etc. Improvement of the electrical, thermal and reliability of different ECAs make them a potentially ideal candidate for high power and fine pitch microelectronics packaging option.

The 2006 International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors projects that for 2020, interconnects will be as narrow as 14 nm and will operate at frequencies as high as 50GHz. For a wire that operates at ultra-high frequencies, such that skin depth and the mean free path of the electrons are in the same order, skin effect and surface scattering should be considered simultaneously. This is known as the anomalous skin effect (ASE). The objective of this work is to identify the challenges and opportunities for using GSI interconnects in the nanometer and GHz regime. The increase in the resistivity of a thin wire caused by the ASE is studied. The delay of a digital transmission line resulting from this effect is modeled. Compact models are presented for the bit-rate limit of transmission lines using a general form of resistance that for the first time simultaneously considers dc resistance, skin effect, and surface scattering. A conventional low-loss approximation that is only valid for fast rising signals is also relaxed. The impact of size effects on the design of multi-level interconnect networks is studied. For high-performance chips at the 18 nm technology node, it is shown that despite a more than four times increase in the resistivity of copper for minimum-size interconnects, the increase in the number of metal levels is negligible (less than 7%), and interconnects that will be affected most are so short that their impact on chip performance is inconsequential. It is shown that for low-cost applications where very few wiring pitches are normally used, the number of metal levels needed to compensate for the impact of size effects on the average rc delay of a copper interconnect is drastically high. An optimization methodology has been presented for power distribution interconnects at the local level. For a given IR drop budget, compact models are presented for the optimal widths of power and ground lines in the first two metal levels for which the total metal area used for power distribution is minimized.

[Truncated abstract] This study describes the results of a four and a half year investigation examining local regulation of ion transport through pumping epithelial cells. The study focussed on the standard isolated toad skin preparation, made famous by Hans Ussing. Originally, the objective was to perform some simple manipulations on the isolated toad skin, a standard and well-tested epithelial layer, which, according to the literature, was a well-behaved and stable preparation. The purpose of doing these toad skin experiments was to gain familiarity with the experimental techniques, such as measuring the open-circuit voltage (Voc) and the short-circuit current (Isc) across an epithelium. In the process, the experimental information that was obtained was to assist in the development and refinement of a mathematical model of a single pumping epithelial cell . . . Finally, it should be emphasised the toad skin was a convenient tissue model for exploring more general issues such as: (i) how pumping epithelial cells may adjust to changes in the extracellular environment by locally regulating their membrane conductances; (2) how the topology of a cell can influence its function (i.e. the topology can determine whether a cell is optimised for salt transport or water transport). (3) how different cells, with different functions, may be positioned in apposition in a pumping epithelial tissue so that gradients generated by one cell type can be utilised by another. From a broader perspective, it is likely that such issues are also applicable to other pumping epithelia, and ultimately, may assist in understanding how these epithelia function.

In this work, a broad range of analytical methods was applied to the study of the following three materials systems: yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ), samarium-doped ceria (SDC) and SDC-supported metal catalysts. YSZ and SDC were studied in the light of their application as solid electrolytes in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. The SDC-supported metal catalysts were evaluated for application in the reforming of methanol. The conductive properties of YSZ pellets derived from powders of different Y contents and particle size ranges were investigated using Impedance Spectroscopy (IS). Comparative studies of the crystallography (by X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD)), morphology (by Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM, TEM)), chemical composition (by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS)) and sintering behaviour (dilatometry) were employed in the overall assessment of the conductivity results collected. Detailed studies of three SDC compositions were performed on nanopowders prepared by a low temperature method developed in the Baker group. Modifications led to a simple and reliable method for producing high quality materials with crystallites of ~10 nm diameter. The products were confirmed by XRD and TEM to be single-phase materials. Thermogravimetric analysis, dilatometry, specific surface area determination, elemental analysis and IS were carried out on these SDC powders. The relationships between particle size, chemical composition, sintering conditions and conductivity were studied in detail allowing optimum sintering conditions to be identified and ionic migration and defect association enthalpies to be calculated. Finally, the interesting results obtained for the SDC nanopowders were a driving force for the preparation of SDC-supported metal catalysts. These were prepared by three different methods and characterised in terms of crystallographic phase, specific surface area and bulk and surface chemical composition. Isothermal catalytic tests showed that all catalysts had some activity for the reforming of methanol and that some compositions showed both very high conversions and high selectivities to hydrogen. These catalysts are of interest for further study and possibly for commercial application.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:16:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 6611.pdf: 4783832 bytes, checksum: 1dc280ff47cc4df343ea92399b40fdd5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-09 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / The search for new lead-free piezoelectric materials has been a major goal of many scientists in recent years. The main cause is the replacement of widely used lead zirconate titanate (PZT) based ceramics due to the highly toxic characteristics of the lead element. Potassium sodium niobate based ceramics have shown high piezoelectric coefficients and a morphotropic phase boundary close to the composition (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 (KNN), similar to that found in lead zirconate titanate. However, the preparation of highly dense KNN based ceramics is extremely difficult. In this work, the structural, mechanical and electrical properties of lead free ferroelectric ceramics with compositions Li0,03(K0,5Na0,5)0,97Nb0,8Ta0,2O3 + xwt% CuO (x = 0; 2 and 3.5) were studied. All the compositions, sintered at 1050ºC for 2 hours had high density, approximately 95% of the theoretical value. Rietveld refinement of the X ray diffraction patterns showed a mixture of both orthorhombic Bmm2 and tetragonal P4mm phases, for all compositions. Nevertheless, compositions with high CuO contents have mainly the tetragonal phase. Dielectric and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) measurements showed two polymorphic phase transitions with increasing temperature. Both phase transitions have diffuse character and they can be related with the transformation of the orthorhombic phase fraction in the tetragonal one, and with the transformation of the tetragonal ferroelectric phase to a cubic paraelectric one. The origin of the difference observed between the temperatures where both techniques, dielectric and mechanical, see the diffuse phase transition is discussed. The ceramic with 2wt% of CuO is electrically softer than the other compositions and it has the highest value of the piezoelectric coefficient d31. Also, in this work we studied the possibility of using high contents of CuO to promote the formation of liquid phase for obtaining and extracting single crystal seeds, which can be used for the texture of KNN-based ceramics. The ceramic Li0,03(Na0,5K0,5)0,97Ta0,2Nb0,8O3 + x wt% CuO with x=16, sintered at 1090ºC for 2 hours, is a perfect candidate for extracting grains which may be used as seeds. Furthermore, ceramics with x=13, sintered at 1110ºC for 2 hours, showed a partial melting of the material, which caused the growth of highly oriented grains. This material can be practically considered as a single crystal and, with a proper cut procedure, the desired single crystal seeds can be obtained. This method to obtain single crystal seeds, as proposed in this work, is very simple and novelty. / Nos últimos anos, o foco principal de muitos cientistas tem sido a procura de novos materiais piezoelétricos livres de chumbo. A causa principal é a substituição dos materiais baseados em titanato zirconato de chumbo (PZT), os quais são amplamente utilizados em aplicações piezoelétricas, devido à alta toxicidade do elemento chumbo. Cerâmicas baseadas em niobato de sódio e potássio têm mostrado altos coeficientes piezoelétricos e um contorno de fases morfotrópico próximo da composição (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 (KNN), similar ao encontrado no titanato zirconato de chumbo. Porém, a preparação de cerâmicas baseadas em KNN com alta densidade é extremamente dificultosa. Neste trabalho foram estudadas as propriedades estruturais, mecânicas e elétricas de cerâmicas ferroelétricas livres de chumbo com composições Li0,03(K0,5Na0,5)0,97Nb0,8Ta0,2O3 + x %P CuO (x = 0; 2 e 3,5). Todas as cerâmicas sinterizadas a 1050ºC durante 2 horas apresentaram altas densidades, sendo aproximadamente 95% da densidade teórica. O refinamento pelo método de Rietveld dos perfis de difração de raios X mostrou que todas as composições apresentam uma mistura de ambas as fases, ortorrômbica Bmm2 e tetragonal P4mm. Porém, composições com altos teores de CuO apresentam a fase tetragonal como sendo majoritária. As medidas dielétricas e as de análise mecânico dinâmico (DMA) mostraram duas transições de fase polimórficas com o aumento da temperatura. Ambas transições de fase têm caráter difuso e estão relacionadas com a transformação da fração de fase ortorrômbica em tetragonal e com a transformação da fase tetragonal ferroelétrica para cúbica paraelétrica. Foi discutida a origem da diferença observada, nas temperaturas em que ambas as técnicas, dielétrica e mecânica, enxergam a transição de fase difusa. A cerâmica com 2%P de CuO mostrou-se mais mole eletricamente e apresentou um valor maior de coeficiente piezoelétrico d31 do que as outras composições estudadas. Também, neste trabalho foi estudada a possibilidade de usar altos teores de CuO para promover a formação de fase líquida e conseguir a formação e extração de sementes monocristalinas que possam ser utilizadas na textura de cerâmicas baseadas em KNN. A cerâmica de Li0,03(Na0,5K0,5)0,97Ta0,2Nb0,8O3 + x % P CuO com x=16, sinterizada a 1090ºC durante 2 horas, mostrou-se a candidata perfeita para a extração de grãos que possam ser utilizados como sementes. Por outro lado, a cerâmica com x=13, sinterizada a 1110ºC durante 2 horas, apresentou fusão parcial de material, o que promoveu o crescimento dos grãos altamente orientados de forma que esse material já pode ser considerado como sendo praticamente um monocristal e com um procedimento de corte adequado, podem ser obtidas as sementes monocristalinas desejadas. Esse procedimento de obtenção de sementes monocristalinas, proposto neste trabalho, é totalmente simples e inovador.

Une méthode de dépôt de platine sur or a récemment été développée. Le substrat est, dans une première phase, modifié par un dépôt d’un métal moins noble que le platine, tel que le cuivre ou le plomb. Ce dépôt métallique est, dans une seconde phase, mis en contact avec une solution de sel de platine et la substitution spontanée du cuivre ou du plomb par du platine métallique se produit.<p><p>\ / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

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Submitted work deals with monitoring impact of thermal and electric ageing on the dielectric properties of insulating material NKN 0887. In the course of the experiment five sets of dielectric insulating materials were aged. The voltage range has been set from 1,5 kV till 2,2 kV and temperatures were 23 °C and 200 °C. The capacity and loss factor has been directly measured by RLC meter Agilent with attached electrode system. The electrode system operates on the principle of a plate capacitor. The values of relative permittivity and loss number has been calculated from values of capacity and loss factor. For easier confrontation has been frequency dependences of these values plotted in a chart. The Cole-Cole diagrams has been created and factors of Havriliak-Negami function has been calculated. Data has been compared with each other and the effect of ageing factors has been deduced.

Traditional sources of electrical energy are finite and can produce significant pollution. Solar cells produce clean energy from incident sunlight, and will be an important part of our energy future. A new nanostructured extremely thin absorber solar cell with 0.98% power conversion efficiency and maximum external quantum efficiency of 61% at 650 nm has been fabricated and characterized. This solar cell is composed of a fluorine-doped tin oxide base layer, n-type aluminum doped zinc oxide nanowires, a cadmium selenide absorber layer, poly(3-hexylthiophene) as a p-type layer, and thermally evaporated gold as a back contact. Zinc oxide nanowire electrodeposition has been investigated for different electrical environments, and the role of a zinc oxide thin film layer has been established. Cadmium selenide nanoparticles have been produced and optimized in-house and compared to commercially produced nanoparticles. Argon plasma cleaning has been investigated as a method to improve electronic behavior at cadmium selenide interfaces. The thermal anneal process for cadmium selenide nanoparticles has been studied, and a laser anneal process has been investigated. It has been found that the most efficient solar cells in this study are produced with a zinc oxide thin film, zinc oxide nanowires grown under constant -1V bias between the substrate material and the anode, cadmium selenide nanoparticles purchased commercially and annealed for 24 hours in the presence of cadmium chloride, and high molecular weight poly(3-hexylthiophene) spin-coated in a nitrogen environment.