Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 88 pages. / Thesis (M.S.E.E.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: In this work, a multi dimensional RF MEMS variable capacitor that utilizes electrostatic actuation is designed and fabricated on a 425um thick silicon substrate. Electrostatic actuation is preferred over other actuation mechanisms due to low power consumption. The RF MEMS variable capacitor is designed in a CPW topology, with multiple beams supported (1 - 7 beams) on a single pedestal. The varactors are fabricated using surface micromachining techniques. A 1um thick silicon monoxide (Er - 6) is used as a dielectric layer for the varactor. The movable membrane is suspended on a 2.5um thick electroplated gold pedestal. The capacitance between the membrane and the bottom electrode increases as the bias voltage between the membrane and the bottom electrode is increased, eventually causing the membrane to snap down at the actuation voltage. For the varactors designed herein, the actuation voltage is approximately 30 - 90V. / ABSTRACT: Full-wave electromagnetic simulations are performed from 1 - 25GHz to accurately predict the frequency response of the varactors. The EM simulations and the measurement results compare favorably. A series RLC equivalent circuit is used to model the varactor and used to extract the parasitics associated with the capacitor by optimizing the model with the measurement results. The measured capacitance ratio is approximately 12:1 with a tuning range from 0.5 - 6pF. Furthermore, the measured S-parameter data is used to extract the unloaded Q of the varactor (at 1GHz) and is found to be 234 in the up state and 27 in the down state. An improved anodic bonding technique to bond high resistivity Si substrate and low alkali borax glass substrate that finds potential application towards packaging of MEMS varactors is investigated. To facilitate the packaging of the varactors the temperature is maintained at 400°C. The bonding time is approximately 7min at an applied voltage of 1KV. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

No atual cenário da construção civil brasileira, onde há vigorosa competição, as empresas construtoras que conseguirem aplicar tecnologias que aumentem a eficiência econômica ou o desempenho de seus imóveis estarão em melhores condições de perpetuar os seus negócios. A tecnologia construtiva de piso elevado para áreas externas de edifícios apresenta-se como uma das alternativas que tem elevado potencial de contribuir com incremento do desempenho e da eficiência econômica dos edifícios, já que permite a racionalização da manutenção de parte das vedações horizontais exteriores e da manutenção de eventuais instalações dispostas em seu espaço de entrepiso. Estas possibilidades permitem uma redução do custo global da edificação, ao viabilizar intervenções de menor custo. Porém, para que sejam atingidos os benefícios propostos com a utilização desta tecnologia, é necessário dispor de informações técnicas capazes de orientar satisfatoriamente a concepção e a seleção entre alternativas disponíveis no mercado, para que as exigências dos usuários sejam respeitadas. Diante desta situação, justifica-se o presente projeto de pesquisa, cujo objetivo é a sistematização e análise crítica das informações pertinentes à tecnologia construtiva de piso elevado para áreas externas de edifícios, apresentando os principais aspectos que condicionam sua especificação, projeto e execução. Por meio do estabelecimento do estado da arte, são abordados os principais conceitos associados à tecnologia, à luz das principais funções e requisitos de desempenho de uma vedação horizontal exterior. Após a avaliação destas informações, e através da análise crítica das práticas de comercialização e de produção identificadas em estudo de campo, são apresentadas diretrizes para especificação, projeto e execução do sistema de piso elevado para áreas externas. / In the Brazilian building market, where there is a vigorous competition, the companies that have efficient technological process of production, based on product performance, will be able to turn themselves more competitive. The technology of raised access floor used in exterior areas appears as an alternative that can both increase the performance and increase the economical efficiency of the building. This technology may turn easier and cheaper the process of planned maintenance. In order to reach those benefits, it is essential to have technical information about raised access floor used in exterior areas to support the stage of design and the stage of technological selection, making the alternative selected, suitable to the user requirements. With this background justifies a project aiming the systematization and critical analysis of the main characteristics and requirements of the technology that regulate the selection, design and production stages. This dissertation will present the state of the art on raised access floor in external areas and will use the functions and requirements related to exterior floors, in order to discuss the main parameters which influence its conception and its production system. This discussion will use field information research.

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo principal a produção e estudo de filmes de nitreto de alumínio (AlN) depositados por pulverização catódica (sputtering) reativa e a fabricação e caracterização de guias de onda tipo pedestal utilizando o AlN como núcleo. Inicialmente, filmes de AlN foram fabricados por pulverização catódica reativa (sputtering) de rádio frequência (RF) utilizando um alvo de alumínio (Al) com 99,999% de pureza, e nitrogênio (N2) como gás reativo. Subsequentemente, os filmes foram caracterizados mediante as técnicas de elipsometria, difração de raios X (DRX), espectroscopia de absorção por transformada de fourier na região do infravermelho (FTIR) e espectroscopia de absorção na região do ultravioleta e do visível (UV-VIS). Tendo as melhores condições ópticas e físicas para a deposição de filmes de AlN, foram fabricados neste trabalho guias de onda tipo pedestal utilizando estes filmes como núcleo. O guia de onda pedestal traz um processo de fabricação alternativo, em que a geometria do guia de onda determina-se na camada anterior ao do núcleo, assim já não é necessário delinear as paredes laterais da camada de núcleo facilitando desta forma, o processo de fabricação do dispositivo. Os guias de tipo pedestal fabricados neste trabalho foram definidos através da corrosão parcial do óxido de silício (SiO2) mediante a técnica de RIE (Reactive Ion Etching) usando gases trifluorometano (CHF3) e oxigênio (O2) como gases reativos. Uma vez definido o pedestal, um filme de nitreto de alumínio é depositado sobre o SiO2 com a finalidade de constituir o núcleo do guia de onda. O ar foi utilizado como revestimento superior, cujo índice de refração (n = 1) aumenta o confinamento da luz no núcleo e também para poder possibilitar a caracterização das perdas ópticas do dispositivo. Para esta caracterização usamos a técnica de vista superior que permitiu a análises das perdas ópticas de propagação para diferentes alturas de pedestal e diferentes espessuras de núcleo tanto para filmes de AlN orientado no plano cristalino (002) quanto para filmes de AlN amorfos. / The main objective of this work is the production and study of Aluminum Nitride (AlN) films deposited by reactive sputtering and the fabrication and characterization of pedestal optical waveguides using AlN as core. Initially, aluminum nitride films were produced by reactive sputtering using a 99.999% aluminum (Al) purity target, and nitrogen (N2) as the reactive gas. Subsequently, the films were characterized by ellipsometry, X-ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS). Once the best optical and physical conditions for the deposition of AlN films were obtained, pedestal waveguides using these films as a nucleus were fabricated in this work. The pedestal waveguide provides an alternative manufacturing process where the geometry of the waveguide is determined in the pre-core layer, so it is no longer necessary to delineate the side walls of the core layer thereby facilitating the device fabrication process. The pedestal waveguides fabricated in this work were defined by the partial corrosion of SiO2 by the RIE (Reactive Ion Etching) technique using CHF3 and O2 gases as reactive gases. Once the pedestal is completed, an aluminum nitride film is deposited onto the SiO2 layer as the waveguide core. The air was used as an upper cladding, whose refractive index (n ? 1) increases the confinement of the light in the core and also allows the optical loss characterization. For this characterization, we used the superior view technique that allowed the analysis of optical propagation losses for different pedestal heights and different core thicknesses for both highly (002) oriented and amorphous AlN films.

O apelo estético da odontologia moderna tem impulsionado a busca por materiais cerâmicos de alto desempenho estético e mecânico. Este trabalho objetivou o desenvolvimento de fibras cerâmicas de alumina/aluminato de gadolínio (Al2O3/GdAlO3) obtidas por meio de fusão a laser (laser heated pedestal growth LHPG) e a sua aplicação como reforço de materiais odontológicos. Os pedestais foram obtidos a partir da mistura dos pós precursores (óxido de gadolínio (Gd2O3) e óxido de alumínio (Al2O3) pré-sinterizados para a obtenção de fibras de Al2O3/GdAlO3 de 0,8 mm de diâmetro médio. Variou-se: a velocidade de puxamento das fibras de 48mm/h a 240mm/h, em pedestais de composição eutética; e em outro grupo a composição dos pedestais (da composição eutética (23 mol% de Gd2O3 e 77 mol% de Al2O3) a 5 % (em peso) de excesso de Al2O3), puxadas com velocidade fixa de 96 mm/h. A melhor condição de obtenção da fibra foi com a velocidade de puxamento de 240mm/h que forneceu fibras com 0,6m de espaçamento médio entre as fases e 1790 MPa de resistência à flexão. Quando as fibras foram aplicadas como reforço de porcelana odontológica houve um aumento da resistência à flexão de 91MPa para 218MPa. Por meio desta metodologia, observou-se que as fibras cerâmica de Al2O3/GdAlO3 apresentaram elevado desempenho mecânico e compatibilidade com porcelanas odontológicas que indicam uma grande potencialidade de uso como reforço estrutural de cerâmicas odontológicas. / The esthetic appeal of modern Dentistry has prompted the search for ceramic materials with high esthetic and mechanical performance. This research aimed at the development of Al2O3/GdAlO3 ceramic fibers, obtained by laser heated pedestal growth (LHPG) and its application as reinforcement of dental materials. Pedestals were obtained from the mixture of precursor powders (Gd2O3 e Al2O3), pre-sintered to form Al2O3/ GdAlO3 fibers with average diameter of 0,8 mm. Variables were: fiber pulling rates (in pedestals of eutectic composition): from 48 mm/h to 240 mm/h; and pedestal composition: from eutectic composition (23 mol% of Gd2O3 and 77 mol% of Al2O3) to 5 wt% of excess Al2O3, pulled at 96 mm/h. The best results were obtained with a pulling rate of 240 mm/h, which originated fibers with average distance between phases of 0.6 m and three-point bending flexural strength of 1790 MPa. When fibers were used as re-enforcement of dental porcelain (Cerabien- Noritake), an increase in flexural strength from 91 MPa to 218 MPa was obtained. The methods employed in this study allowed the observation that Al2O3/GdAlO3 ceramic fibers presented high mechanical performance and compatibility with dental porcelain, indicating a significant potential as re-enforcement of dental ceramics for infrastructure.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Boston University, 1991. / Interest in deep sea microbiota was stimulated by recent discoveries of productive redox communities associated with hydrothermal vents and brine seeps, and based on bacterial chemolithotrophy. This study investigates microbial destruction of mussel shells from a redox community at the base of the Florida Escarpment (3360 m), in comparison with microbial boring in shells of typical, low productivity areas of the ocean floor. An assemblage of eukaryotic and prokaryotic periostracum borers and their boring traces were discovered in shells of Bathymodiolus mussels from the base of the Florida Escarpment, and characterized. Microbial destruction of this protective layer results in colonization of secondary microbial inhabitants inside boreholes, and exposes the underlying mineralized shell to colonization and destruction by microbial endoliths. Microbial consumption of periostracum often proceeds in successive waves. These organisms show different "foraging" behaviors and leave accordingly varied boring patterns. These activities create a labyrinth of pits, holes and tunnels which, in tum, provide sheltered microenvironments for secondary microbial settlers, including primary producers, which all constitute an abundant food source for numerous ciliates and gastropods observed on the shells. This concerted attack on the periostracum eventually leads to the exposure of the mineralized shell. Such exposed areas are characterized by [TRUNCATED]

Yes / Many visual effects are believed to be processed at several functional and anatomical levels of cortical processing. Determining if and how the levels contribute differentially to these effects is a leading problem in visual perception and visual neuroscience. We review and analyze a combination of extant psychophysical findings in the context of neurophysiological and brain-imaging results. Specifically using findings relating to visual illusions, crowding, and masking as exemplary cases, we develop a theoretical rationale for showing how relative levels of cortical processing contributing to these effects can already be deduced from the psychophysically determined functions relating respectively the illusory, crowding and masking strengths to the contrast of the illusion inducers, of the flankers producing the crowding, and of the mask. The wider implications of this rationale show how it can help to settle or clarify theoretical and interpretive inconsistencies and how it can further psychophysical, brain-recording and brain-imaging research geared to explore the relative functional and cortical levels at which conscious and unconscious processing of visual information occur. Our approach also allows us to make some specific predictions for future studies, whose results will provide empirical tests of its validity.

Resonant Magnetic Perturbation (RMP) fields produced by external control coils are considered a viable option for the suppression of Edge Localized Modes (ELMs) in present and future tokamaks. Repeated reversals of the toroidal phase of the I-coil magnetic field in RMP shot 147170 on DIII-D has generated uniquely different edge pedestal profiles, implying different edge transport phenomena. The causes, trends, and implications of RMP toroidal phase reversal on edge transport is analyzed by comparing various parameters at 0 and 60 degree toroidal phases, with an I-coil mode number of n=3. An analysis of diffusive and non-diffusive transport effects of these magnetic perturbations it the plasma edge pedestal for this RMP shot is characterized by interpreting the ion and electron heat diffusivities, angular momentum transport frequencies, ion diffusion coefficients, and pinch velocities for both phases.

¡@¡@We integrated the laser-heated pedestal growth (LHPG) system with accurately controlled electrodes to build up our in situ poling system. The ZnO and MgO doped periodically poled lithium niobate crystal fiber were fabricated with the poling system. This poling system has the advantage of convenience and fast growth, but the ¡§screen effect¡¨ caused by free charges which exist near the molten zone must be eliminated. The micro swing resulted from the electric force is a feasible solution, because it can disarrange the free charges and reduce the ¡§screen effect¡¨. However, without excellently controlled micro swing, the uniformity of the poled domain pitch will loose and the conversion efficiency can not be improved. After analysis of the measured current data, the approximate system current model was presented and the proportional dependence between system current and micro swing was verified. Thus the system current was applied as the micro swing feedback signal, with that the variation of the micro swing was reduced from 25% to 15%. The stability of CO2 laser power is also a dominant factor to determine the quality of poled crystal fiber. The variation of the CO2 laser power was controlled within 1%. All the complicated works and precise control during the crystal fiber growth were accomplished with the LabVIEW program. ¡@¡@A novel and simple self-cascaded SHG + SFG scheme is presented for the generation of tunable blue/green light using ZnO doped periodically poled lithium niobate crystal fiber (PPLNCF) with a single designed pitch. A PPLNCF with a uniform period of 15.45£gm, the maximum conversion efficiency for the second harmonic generation and the cascaded SHG + SFG blue light can reach up to -9.2 dB and -31.9 dB, respectively. The 3 dB bandwidth of the tunable blue light is 3 nm (475-478 nm). In order to expand the tuning bandwidth range, a QPM gradient periodical structure was designed and can provide a 3 dB bandwidth of 65 nm for the tunable blue/green light output by simulation. We have successfully grown a crystal fiber with the domain pitch of 18.9 £gm for the C-band wavelength converter. The crystal length is 1.8 mm, the effective nonlinear coefficient of the lithium niobate crystal fiber is 18.2 pm/V that equals 0.53¡Ñdideal (34.4 pm/V). The conversion efficiency for converting the CW laser in C-band is about -59.3 dB.

Este trabalho apresenta uma análise da ligação pilar-fundação por meio de cálice em estruturas de concreto pré-moldado, focando os esforços nas paredes transversais do colarinho. No programa experimental foram ensaiados dois protótipos submetidos à flexão com grande excentricidade: um com interface pilar-colarinho lisa e o outro com interface rugosa por meio de chaves de cisalhamento. Foi adotado um detalhamento diferenciado para as armaduras verticais principais concentrando as mesmas próximas aos cantos, bem como foi adotada, para o colarinho, uma espessura inferior à recomendada pela literatura técnica. Com os resultados experimentais foi possível analisar a resistência dos protótipos, as deformações das armaduras e os deslocamentos das paredes. Foi realizada uma análise dos resultados experimentais com um modelo de cálculo da literatura técnica, no que diz respeito às forças resultantes nas armaduras verticais principais e nas armaduras horizontais principais situadas nas paredes transversais do colarinho, considerando duas situações distintas de comportamento para as paredes transversais: flexo-tração e tração. Em função dos resultados foi verificado que as armaduras verticais situadas próximo aos cantos contribuíram efetivamente para a resistência do protótipo com interface lisa. Comprovou-se que as paredes transversais foram submetidas a uma flexo-tração e que o modelo teórico aplicado considerando 15% de flexão e 85% de tração apresenta os melhores resultados, se comparados com os valores obtidos experimentalmente. / This research presents an analysis of socket base connections of precast concrete structures, with emphasis on the e orts of transverse walls. In the experimental program were tested two prototypes subjected to bending with great eccentricity: one with smooth interface, and other with rough interface through shear keys. It adopted a different detail for main vertical reiforcement, concentrating them around the corner, and was adopted for the socket, a thickness less than that recommended by the technical literature. Based on experimental results were performed the analysis of the strenght of prototypes, the deformations of the reinforcement, and the deflection of the walls. It was performed an analysis of experimental results with a design model of the technical literature regarding to the forces resulting in main vertical and horizontal reinforcement located on the transverse walls of socket, considering two different situations of behavior to transverse walls: bending-tension and tension. Analyzing the results, it was verified that the vertical reinforcement located near the corners effectively contributed to the strength of the prototype with smooth interface. It has been proved that the walls were subjected to a bending tension and that the theoretical model applied with 15% of bending and 85% of tension gives the best results, when compared with the values obtained experimentally.

Este trabalho apresenta uma análise teórico-experimental da ligação pilar-fundação por meio de cálice em estruturas de concreto pré-moldado, com ênfase no colarinho. No programa experimental, foram ensaiados cinco protótipos sob força normal com grande excentricidade, variando-se o tipo e condição de interface: três com interface lisa, onde em dois foi eliminada a adesão para representar a situação mais adequada de projeto; e dois com interface rugosa, com duas configurações diferentes de chaves de cisalhamento. Foram realizadas simulações numéricas pelo método dos elementos finitos nos modelos lisos sem adesão, com as não-linearidades físicas e de contato, e nos cálices rugosos, considerando-se a não-linearidade física e a aderência perfeita das interfaces. Os resultados experimentais indicaram a necessidade de se reavaliar os principais métodos de projeto para essa ligação. Desta forma, foi proposto, para o cálice liso, um modelo de projeto considerando o atrito entre as interfaces e o cálculo das paredes longitudinais como consolos. Já para o cálice com interface rugosa, como foi verificada a proximidade do comportamento dos modelos físicos rugosos com uma ligação monolítica, recomendou-se o dimensionamento de suas armaduras verticais, admitindo a transferência total dos esforços, e das armaduras horizontais superiores também com o funcionamento das paredes longitudinais como consolos. Os modelos numéricos apresentaram uma boa convergência e semelhanças na fissuração e no caminho de tensões em relação aos protótipos físicos, apesar das deformações terem sido menores que as observadas experimentalmente. / This research presents a theoretical-experimental analysis of column-foundation connection through socket of precast concrete structures, with emphasis in pedestal walls. The experimental program included five models submitted to normal load with large eccentricity, changing the type and the condition of interface: three models had smooth interface and two models had rough interface. In two of smooth models, the bond was eliminated to represent the more appropriate situation of design. Two different configurations of shear keys were used in rough models. Numerical simulations, by finite elements method, were developed on the smooth models without bond, using physical and contact non-linear analyses, and on the rough socket connections, using physical non-linear analyses and perfect adherence of interfaces. The experimental results indicated the need to revalue the principal design methods for this connection. In that way, a design model was proposed for the smooth socket connection, considering friction between the interfaces, and the design of longitudinal walls was suggested as corbels. As it was verified the proximity of rough physical models behavior with a monolithic connection, its vertical reinforcings design was recommended, admitting the total transfer of the efforts. Numerical models had a good convergence and likeness with cracking and tensions field of physical prototypes, in spite of deformations have been smaller than experimental results.