Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) tunnel devices have been proposed for high speed applications such as hot electron transistors, IR detectors, optical rectennas for IR energy harvesting, and backplanes for LCDs. The majority of these applications require highly asymmetric and non-linear current versus voltage (I-V) behavior at low applied voltages and ultra-high frequencies....
The next generation of nuclear safety analysis computer codes will include detailed modeling of the interfacial area concentration. The interfacial area concentration is the essence of the two-fluid model. It is the most accurate of the two-phase models since it considers each phase independently and links the two phases together...
Designing for construction safety is part of standard practice in countries such as the UK, Australia, and South Africa. Designing the permanent facility in a manner to eliminate or reduce the risks of injury, illness, or fatality of construction workers is defined as designing for construction safety (DfCS). Although evident...
The objective of this thesis is to introduce and demonstrate a novel magnetic bead detector based on inductive detection at the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) frequency for use in bio-sensing applications. Detection ability is demonstrated through theoretical arguments, numerical computer simulations, and experimental characterization of micro-fabricated detectors.
The detector is composed...
This thesis focuses on two aspects of transparent electronics, SnO₂ transparent thin-film transistors (TTFTs) and transparent circuits. Both depletion- and enhancement-mode SnO₂ TTFTs are realized. The maximum effective mobility for the depletion- and enhancement-mode devices are 2 cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹ and 0.8 cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹, respectively. A variety of techniques to decrease the carrier...
Plastic packaging is a cost-effective solution for housing RF and microwave integrated circuits in low cost communication devices. While enabling low cost packaging of integrated circuits, plastic packages including the circuit ground patch (paddle) inside the package can have a significant parasitic effect on circuit performance. The purpose of this...
A novel design, material, and fabrication method are presented to fabricate a passive micro-ball valve. Microvalves are critical components in microflow control devices used to control the fluid flows in microchannels. These microflow control devices can be integrated with microsensors to form micro analysis systems. Glass/silicon-based fabrication is complicated and...
Successful prediction of nearshore sediment migration is important in determining the vulnerability of a coastline. During energetic wave climates (storm events) sediment rapidly erodes from beaches and is deposited offshore. In subsequent milder wave conditions, the sediment migrates shoreward, accreting on the beach and helping to protect the coastline. It...
Passive components, including spiral inductors and transformers, fabricated on silicon-based substrates are placing an increasing demand on radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) design. Performance of the RFIC suffers from several non-ideal effects that must be taken into account in order to create a successful design. In particular, monolithic transformers can be...