Protocol for nanoscale thermal mapping of electronic devices using atomic force microscopy with phase change material.

In this protocol, we present a facile nanoscale thermal mapping technique for electronic devices by use of atomic force microscopy and a phase change material Ge2Sb2Te5. We describe steps for Ge2Sb2Te5 thin film coating, Ge2Sb2Te5 temperature calibration, thermal mapping by varying heater power, and thermal mapping by varying heating time. The protocol can be applied for resolving surface temperatures of various operational microelectronic devices with a nanoscale precision. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Cheng et al.1.

A low voltage-powered soft electromechanical stimulation patch for haptics feedback in human-machine interfaces.

One grand challenge in haptic human-machine interface devices is to electromechanically stimulate sensations on the human skin wirelessly by thin and soft patches under a low driving voltage. Here, we propose a soft haptics-feedback system using highly charged, polymeric electret films with an annulus-shape bump structure to induce mechanical sensations on the fingertip of volunteers under an applied voltage range of 5-20 V. As an application demonstration, a 3 × 3 actuators array is used for transmitting patterned haptic information, such as letters of 'T', 'H', 'U' letters and numbers of '0', '1', '2'. Moreover, together with flexible lithium batteries and a flexible circuit board, an untethered stimulation patch is constructed for operations of 1 h. The analytical model, design principle, and performance characterizations can be applicable for the integration of other wearable electronics toward practical applications in the fields of AR (augmented reality), VR (virtual reality) and robotics.

Precise nanoscale temperature mapping in operational microelectronic devices by use of a phase change material.

The microelectronics industry is pushing the fundamental limit on the physical size of individual elements to produce faster and more powerful integrated chips. These chips have nanoscale features that dissipate power resulting in nanoscale hotspots leading to device failures. To understand the reliability impact of the hotspots, the device needs to be tested under the actual operating conditions. Therefore, the development of high-resolution thermometry techniques is required to understand the heat dissipation processes during the device operation. Recently, several thermometry techniques have been proposed, such as radiation thermometry, thermocouple based contact thermometry, scanning thermal microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy and transition based threshold thermometers. However, most of these techniques have limitations including the need for extensive calibration, perturbation of the actual device temperature, low throughput, and the use of ultra-high vacuum. Here, we present a facile technique, which uses a thin film contact thermometer based on the phase change material [Formula: see text], to precisely map thermal contours from the nanoscale to the microscale. [Formula: see text] undergoes a crystalline transition at [Formula: see text] with large changes in its electric conductivity, optical reflectivity and density. Using this approach, we map the surface temperature of a nanowire and an embedded micro-heater on the same chip where the scales of the temperature contours differ by three orders of magnitude. The spatial resolution can be as high as 20 nanometers thanks to the continuous nature of the thin film.

[Clinical analysis of 2643 cases of trigeminal neuralgia treated by microvascular decompression].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effects of microvascular decompression in treating trigeminal neuralgia. METHODS: Surgical experience and operative findings of 2643 cases of trigeminal neuralgia treated by microvascular decompression were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Two thousand four hundred and eighty-seven of 2643 cases were cured, 76 cases were ineffectiveness, 48 cases were effectiveness and 31 were ineffective. One patient died. Two thousand one hundred and thirty-six cases were followed up in 3-240 months, 1918 cases were cured, 85 cases were obviously effective, 39 cases were effective and 30 were ineffective. Sixty-four cases were pain relapsed and 37 cases were cured by second operation among them. CONCLUSION: The etiology of trigeminal neuralgia is that the unusual vascular oppress the root entry zone, and arachnoid membrane circling the nerve is thickened and sticked. To untie the arachnoid membrane and decompress the offending vascular is the effective methods in treating trigeminal neuralgia.

[Therapeutic evaluation of microvascular decompression in patients with trigeminal neuralgia associated with hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of work was to evaluate the efficacy of microvascular decompression (MVD) in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) associated with hypertension. METHODS: Five hundred and thirty-eight cases of TN associated with hypertension treated with MVD were retrospectively analyzed, all the cases were treated with MVD in the zone of the ventrolateral medulla oblongata and inspected postoperative blood pressure. RESULTS: Among 538 cases, 341 cases (63.4%) had cure result, 71 cases (13.2%) had obvious effectiveness, 53 cases (9.8%) had effectiveness, and 73 cases had no effectiveness. Four hundred and eighty-three cases have been followed 1.0 approximately 15.8 years, mean 6.3 years. At the time of their follow-up, 313 cases had cure result, 63 cases had obvious effectiveness, 42 cases had effectiveness and 65 cases had no effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: It was pathogenesis of nedulla oblongata by abnormal vascular tab, long-term aching stimulation and emotional stress. It was an effective method to treat TN associated with hypertension with MVD in this zone.

[Clinical study on the removal of sellar region tumors by pterional approach (report of 119 cases)].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Sellar region tumors are common intracranial tumor. This study was designed to investigate the methods of the removal of tumors in sellar region by pterional approach. METHODS: A total of 119 cases with sellar region tumors were performed operation. Before the operation, the relationships between the tumors and their periphery were determined according to CT, MR and the cerebral angiography and then the tumors were removed by pterional approach microsurgery in 4 different spaces. RESULTS: The number of the patients treated with total, subtotal, and partial resection were 72, 36, and 11, respectively; with 85 cases significantly improved, 24 getting better, 8 without changes and 2 dead. Follow-up half a year, 92 cases were survival in the half a year of follow-up, in which 61 cases were able to work with normal life, 15 could do light work, 9 could take care of themselves but 6 patients were disabled, and 1 died of heart disease. CONCLUSION: Pterional approach can be used to remove many kinds of tumors in sellar region and with better exploration, therefore, increase the total removal and cure rate of such tumors.