Development of a Novel Wearable Posture Correction Apparatus Using Advanced Accelerometry Techniques

A novel posture correction apparatus was developed with the aim of stroke patient rehabilitation, specifically designed for patients with bodily neglect. The apparatus is based on an accelerometer system, capable of tracking tilt in three dimensions. The apparatus is portable and worn on the chest, and is extendable in design to other parts of the body. The approach to tilt sensing and posture correction taken here relies on small DC motor actuators implemented to notify the user of incorrect posture, based on their direction of tilt. The design takes into account patient differences, and has calibration procedures to accommodate for different users and prevent sensor drift. Tilt is also continuously monitored on a remote computer, where signals from the accelerometer are transmitted wirelessly via a microcontroller and RF module. It was found that the system could reliably track tilt and thus posture, and the feedback mechanism was effective at notifying the user about incorrect posture. Thus, this mountable system is an effective way to track and monitor posture, and is especially applicable to stroke patient rehabilitation.</p

Simple Model for the Variation of Superfluid Density with Zn Concentration in YBCO

We describe a simple model for calculating the zero-temperature superfluid density of Zn-doped YBa_2Cu_3O_{7-\delta} as a function of the fraction x of in-plane Cu atoms which are replaced by Zn. The basis of the calculation is a ``Swiss cheese'' picture of a single CuO_2 layer, in which a substitutional Zn impurity creates a normal region of area $\pi\xi_{ab}^2$ around it as originally suggested by Nachumi et al. Here $\xi_{ab}$ is the zero-temperature in-plane coherence length at x = 0. We use this picture to calculate the variation of the in-plane superfluid density with x at temperature T = 0, using both a numerical approach and an analytical approximation. For $\delta = 0.37$, if we use the value $\xi_{ab}$ = 18.3 angstrom, we find that the in-plane superfluid decreases with increasing x and vanishes near $x_c = 0.01$ in the analytical approximation, and near $x_c = 0.014$ in the numerical approach. $x_c$ is quite sensitive to $\xi_{ab}$, whose value is not widely agreed upon. The model also predicts a peak in the real part of the conductivity, Re$\sigma_e(\omega, x)$, at concentrations $x \sim x_c$, and low frequencies, and a variation of critical current density with x of the form $J_c(x) \propto n_{S,e}(x)^{7/4}$ near percolation, where $n_{S,e}(x)$ is the in-plane superfluid density.Comment: 19 pages including 6 figures, submitted to Physica

Enhancement of the electrochemical performance of SWCNT dispersed in a Silica Sol-Gel matrix by reactive Insertion of a Conducting Polymer

The electroassisted encapsulation of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes was performed into silica matrices (SWCNT@SiO2). This material was used as the host for the potentiostatic growth of polyaniline (PANI) to yield a hybrid nanocomposite electrode, which was then characterized by both electrochemical and imaging techniques. The electrochemical properties of the SWCNT@SiO2-PANI composite material were tested against inorganic (Fe3+/Fe2+) and organic (dopamine) redox probes. It was observed that the electron transfer constants for the electrochemical reactions increased significantly when a dispersion of either SWCNT or PANI was carried out inside of the SiO2 matrix. However, the best results were obtained when polyaniline was grown through the pores of the SWCNT@SiO2 material. The enhanced reversibility of the redox reactions was ascribed to the synergy between the two electrocatalytic components (SWCNTs and PANI) of the composite material. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This work was financed by the following research projects: MAT2010-15273 of the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad and CIVP16A1821 of the Fundacion Ramon Areces and PROMETEO 2013/038 of the Generalitat Valenciana. Alonso Gamero-Quijano is grateful to Generalitat Valenciana (Santiago Grisolia Program) for the funding of his research fellowship. David Salinas-Torres is grateful to Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad for the funding of his research fellowship.Gamero-Quijano, A.; Huerta, F.; Salinas Torres, D.; Morallón, E.; Montilla, F. (2014). Enhancement of the electrochemical performance of SWCNT dispersed in a Silica Sol-Gel matrix by reactive Insertion of a Conducting Polymer. Electrochimica Acta. 135:114-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2014.04.172S11412013

Drosophila Histone Deacetylase-3 Controls Imaginal Disc Size through Suppression of Apoptosis

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) execute biological regulation through post-translational modification of chromatin and other cellular substrates. In humans, there are eleven HDACs, organized into three distinct subfamilies. This large number of HDACs raises questions about functional overlap and division of labor among paralogs. In vivo roles are simpler to address in Drosophila, where there are only five HDAC family members and only two are implicated in transcriptional control. Of these two, HDAC1 has been characterized genetically, but its most closely related paralog, HDAC3, has not. Here we describe the isolation and phenotypic characterization of hdac3 mutations. We find that both hdac3 and hdac1 mutations are dominant suppressors of position effect variegation, suggesting functional overlap in heterochromatin regulation. However, all five hdac3 loss-of-function alleles are recessive lethal during larval/pupal stages, indicating that HDAC3 is essential on its own for Drosophila development. The mutant larvae display small imaginal discs, which result from abnormally elevated levels of apoptosis. This cell death occurs as a cell-autonomous response to HDAC3 loss and is accompanied by increased expression of the pro-apoptotic gene, hid. In contrast, although HDAC1 mutants also display small imaginal discs, this appears to result from reduced proliferation rather than from elevated apoptosis. The connection between HDAC loss and apoptosis is important since HDAC inhibitors show anticancer activities in animal models through mechanisms involving apoptotic induction. However, the specific HDACs implicated in tumor cell killing have not been identified. Our results indicate that protein deacetylation by HDAC3 plays a key role in suppression of apoptosis in Drosophila imaginal tissue

Microfabricated Reference Electrodes and their Biosensing Applications

Over the past two decades, there has been an increasing trend towards miniaturization of both biological and chemical sensors and their integration with miniaturized sample pre-processing and analysis systems. These miniaturized lab-on-chip devices have several functional advantages including low cost, their ability to analyze smaller samples, faster analysis time, suitability for automation, and increased reliability and repeatability. Electrical based sensing methods that transduce biological or chemical signals into the electrical domain are a dominant part of the lab-on-chip devices. A vital part of any electrochemical sensing system is the reference electrode, which is a probe that is capable of measuring the potential on the solution side of an electrochemical interface. Research on miniaturization of this crucial component and analysis of the parameters that affect its performance, stability and lifetime, is sparse. In this paper, we present the basic electrochemistry and thermodynamics of these reference electrodes and illustrate the uses of reference electrodes in electrochemical and biological measurements. Different electrochemical systems that are used as reference electrodes will be presented, and an overview of some contemporary advances in electrode miniaturization and their performance will be provided

2020 Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Trauma Surgery Technology in Giessen

The main topic for 2020 was trauma surgery implants and their functionality. The included figure (source: Dr Bosco Yu’s introductory talk) shows some of the requirements for modern trauma implants. Resistance against wear and against the generation of debris particles, adapted fracture toughness and stiffness have to be considered to avoid implant failure. The three sessions this year specifically addressed these issues by 5 talks each. First, talks about device functionality were presented, followed by the second session on surgical aspects of implants, and the third which investigated optimised surface properties. As part of our ongoing collaboration, Dr. Yu is overseeing our joint investigations about the mechanical stiffness in human femur head samples and the influence of osteoporosis thereon. Results are being prepared for publication at the moment.The 3 rd event of the Giessen International Conference on Trauma Surgery Technology on October, the 17th 2020 was hosted on Zoom in accordance with the worldwide corona situation. Dr Mieczakowski, Dr Yu, and Wolfram drafted in 2018 from Jan’s apartment in Bremen the manuscript which was submitted to and approved for funding by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). At that time, we had no idea what substantial changes the conferencing concept would require. This is why we would like to thank again Michele. She first planned this year’s event after the 2019 date and then in the spring of 2020 had to replan for the new situation

2020 Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Trauma Surgery Technology in Giessen

The 3 rd event of the Giessen International Conference on Trauma Surgery Technology on October, the 17th 2020 was hosted on Zoom in accordance with the worldwide corona situation. Dr Mieczakowski, Dr Yu, and Wolfram drafted in 2018 from Jan’s apartment in Bremen the manuscript which was submitted to and approved for funding by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). At that time, we had no idea what substantial changes the conferencing concept would require. This is why we would like to thank again Michele. She first planned this year’s event after the 2019 date and then in the spring of 2020 had to replan for the new situation

Molecularly Engineered Azobenzene Derivatives for High Energy Density Solid-State Solar Thermal Fuels

Solar thermal fuels (STFs) harvest and store solar energy in a closed cycle system through conformational change of molecules and can release the energy in the form of heat on demand. With the aim of developing tunable and optimized STFs for solid-state applications, we designed three azobenzene derivatives functionalized with bulky aromatic groups (phenyl, biphenyl, and tert-butyl phenyl groups). In contrast to pristine azobenzene, which crystallizes and makes nonuniform films, the bulky azobenzene derivatives formed uniform amorphous films that can be charged and discharged with light and heat for many cycles. Thermal stability of the films, a critical metric for thermally triggerable STFs, was greatly increased by the bulky functionalization (up to 180 °C), and we were able to achieve record high energy density of 135 J/g for solid-state STFs, over a 30% improvement compared to previous solid-state reports. Furthermore, the chargeability in the solid state was improved, up to 80% charged from 40% charged in previous solid-state reports. Our results point toward molecular engineering as an effective method to increase energy storage in STFs, improve chargeability, and improve the thermal stability of the thin film. Keywords: molecular engineering; molecular thin films; photoswitching; solar thermal fuels heat storage; solid-state applications; structural desig

Engineering of Doping and Transport for Enhanced Colloidal Quantum Dot Photovoltaics

Colloidal Quantum Dots (CQDs) are nanoscale quantum-tuned semiconductor particles suspended in solution. When deployed as optoelectronic materials, CQDs are closely packed together into thin films enabling charge transport. This also enables the formation of semiconductor junctions and contacts with other bulk semiconductor materials and metals, respectively. However, limited attention has been given to understanding the fundamental electronic behavior of these materials as bulk-like films, gaining fine control over their semiconducting properties, and then leveraging these insights to make better semiconductor devices. In this thesis, I explore two of the most fundamental concepts to CQD semiconductor device physics: charge carrier doping density and charge carrier transport. With the aid of optoelectronic simulation, I show that these are the most important paths to pursue in order to improve the photovoltaic device performance. I develop a doping density theory that I then rigorously test for the PbS CQD materials system; this theory is also applicable to other types of CQD materials. I demonstrate doping densities on the order of 1016 cm-3 to 1018 cm-3 for both p- and n-type films. My work enables a previously unavailable p-n homojunction within one CQD materials system, and furthermore allows to grade the doping within the active absorber layer to reach power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) exceeding 7%. I then study CQD size polydispersity, and use it to investigate the details of charge transport in the rough energetic landscapes inherent to these materials. Here, I find that midgap trap elimination is the most important concept in rapidly obtaining dramatic photovoltaic performance gains. By directly measuring the diffusion length in highly coupled CQD films, and combined with optoelectronic modeling, I was able to develop a new passivation strategy achieving a record 8.5% PCE. My research serves as a roadmap for future performance improvements in CQD photovoltaics.Ph.D

Engineering of Doping and Transport for Enhanced Colloidal Quantum Dot Photovoltaics

Colloidal Quantum Dots (CQDs) are nanoscale quantum-tuned semiconductor particles suspended in solution. When deployed as optoelectronic materials, CQDs are closely packed together into thin films enabling charge transport. This also enables the formation of semiconductor junctions and contacts with other bulk semiconductor materials and metals, respectively. However, limited attention has been given to understanding the fundamental electronic behavior of these materials as bulk-like films, gaining fine control over their semiconducting properties, and then leveraging these insights to make better semiconductor devices. In this thesis, I explore two of the most fundamental concepts to CQD semiconductor device physics: charge carrier doping density and charge carrier transport. With the aid of optoelectronic simulation, I show that these are the most important paths to pursue in order to improve the photovoltaic device performance. I develop a doping density theory that I then rigorously test for the PbS CQD materials system; this theory is also applicable to other types of CQD materials. I demonstrate doping densities on the order of 1016 cm-3 to 1018 cm-3 for both p- and n-type films. My work enables a previously unavailable p-n homojunction within one CQD materials system, and furthermore allows to grade the doping within the active absorber layer to reach power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) exceeding 7%. I then study CQD size polydispersity, and use it to investigate the details of charge transport in the rough energetic landscapes inherent to these materials. Here, I find that midgap trap elimination is the most important concept in rapidly obtaining dramatic photovoltaic performance gains. By directly measuring the diffusion length in highly coupled CQD films, and combined with optoelectronic modeling, I was able to develop a new passivation strategy achieving a record 8.5% PCE. My research serves as a roadmap for future performance improvements in CQD photovoltaics.Ph.D