High density vertical optical interconnects for passive assembly.

The co-packaging of optics and electronics provides a potential path forward to achieving beyond 50 Tbps top of rack switch packages. In a co-packaged design, the scaling of bandwidth, cost, and energy is governed by the number of optical transceivers (TxRx) per package as opposed to transistor shrink. Due to the large footprint of optical components relative to their electronic counterparts, the vertical stacking of optical TxRx chips in a co-packaged optics design will become a necessity. As a result, development of efficient, dense, and wide alignment tolerance chip-to-chip optical couplers will be an enabling technology for continued TxRx scaling. In this paper, we propose a novel scheme to vertically couple into standard 220 nm silicon on insulator waveguides from 220 nm silicon nitride on glass waveguides using overlapping, inverse double tapers. Simulation results using Lumerical's 3D Finite Difference Time Domain solver are presented, demonstrating insertion losses below -0.13 dB for an inter-chip spacing of 1 µm; 1 dB vertical and lateral alignment tolerances of approximately 2.6 µm and ± 2.8 µm, respectively; a greater than 300 nm 1 dB bandwidth; and 1 dB twist and tilt tolerances of approximately ± 2.3 degrees and 0.4 degrees, respectively. These results demonstrate the potential of our coupler for use in co-packaged designs requiring high performance, high density, CMOS compatible out of plane optical connections.

Resonant Light Emission from Graphene/Hexagonal Boron Nitride/Graphene Tunnel Junctions.

Single-layer graphene has many remarkable properties but does not lend itself as a material for light-emitting devices as a result of its lack of a band gap. This limitation can be overcome by a controlled stacking of graphene layers. Exploiting the unique Dirac cone band structure of graphene, we demonstrate twist-controlled resonant light emission from graphene/hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN)/graphene tunnel junctions. We observe light emission irrespective of the crystallographic alignment between the graphene electrodes. Nearly aligned devices exhibit pronounced resonant features in both optical and electrical characteristics that vanish rapidly for twist angles θ ≳3°. These experimental findings can be well-explained by a theoretical model in which the spectral photon emission peak is attributed to photon-assisted momentum conserving electron tunneling. The resonant peak in our aligned devices can be spectrally tuned within the near-infrared range by over 0.2 eV, making graphene/h-BN/graphene tunnel junctions potential candidates for on-chip optoelectronics.

Coupling Interlayer Excitons to Whispering Gallery Modes in van der Waals Heterostructures.

Van der Waals heterostructures assembled from two-dimensional materials offer a promising platform to engineer structures with desired optoelectronic characteristics. Here we use waveguide-coupled disk resonators made of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) to demonstrate cavity-coupled emission from interlayer excitons of a heterobilayer of two monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides. We sandwich a MoSe2-WSe2 heterobilayer between two slabs of h-BN and directly pattern the resulting stack into waveguide-coupled disk resonators. This enables us to position the active materials into regions of highest optical field intensity, thereby maximizing the mode overlap and the coupling strength. Since the interlayer exciton emission energy is lower than the optical band gaps of the individual monolayers and since the interlayer transition itself has a weak oscillator strength, the circulating light is only weakly reabsorbed, which results in an unaffected quality factor. Our devices are fully waveguide-coupled and represent a promising platform for on-chip van der Waals photonics.

One-Dimensional Edge Contacts to a Monolayer Semiconductor.

Integration of electrical contacts into van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures is critical for realizing electronic and optoelectronic functionalities. However, to date no scalable methodology for gaining electrical access to buried monolayer two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors exists. Here we report viable edge contact formation to hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) encapsulated monolayer MoS2. By combining reactive ion etching, in situ Ar+ sputtering and annealing, we achieve a relatively low edge contact resistance, high mobility (up to ∼30 cm2 V-1 s-1) and high on-current density (>50 µA/µm at VDS = 3V), comparable to top contacts. Furthermore, the atomically smooth hBN environment also preserves the intrinsic MoS2 channel quality during fabrication, leading to a steep subthreshold swing of 116 mV/dec with a negligible hysteresis. Hence, edge contacts are highly promising for large-scale practical implementation of encapsulated heterostructure devices, especially those involving air sensitive materials, and can be arbitrarily narrow, which opens the door to further shrinkage of 2D device footprint.

Electron Transport through Metal/MoS2 Interfaces: Edge- or Area-Dependent Process?

In ultrathin two-dimensional (2-D) materials, the formation of ohmic contacts with top metallic layers is a challenging task that involves different processes than in bulk-like structures. Besides the Schottky barrier height, the transfer length of electrons between metals and 2-D monolayers is a highly relevant parameter. For MoS2, both short (≤30 nm) and long (≥0.5 µm) values have been reported, corresponding to either an abrupt carrier injection at the contact edge or a more gradual transfer of electrons over a large contact area. Here we use ab initio quantum transport simulations to demonstrate that the presence of an oxide layer between a metallic contact and a MoS2 monolayer, for example, TiO2 in the case of titanium electrodes, favors an area-dependent process with a long transfer length, while a perfectly clean metal-semiconductor interface would lead to an edge process. These findings reconcile several theories that have been postulated about the physics of metal/MoS2 interfaces and provide a framework to design future devices with lower contact resistances.

Minimizing residues and strain in 2D materials transferred from PDMS.

Integrating layered two-dimensional (2D) materials into 3D heterostructures offers opportunities for novel material functionalities and applications in electronics and photonics. In order to build the highest quality heterostructures, it is crucial to preserve the cleanliness and morphology of 2D material surfaces that come in contact with polymers such as PDMS during transfer. Here we report that substantial residues and up to ∼0.22% compressive strain can be present in monolayer MoS2 transferred using PDMS. We show that a UV-ozone pre-cleaning of the PDMS surface before exfoliation significantly reduces organic residues on transferred MoS2 flakes. An additional 200 ◦C vacuum anneal after transfer efficiently removes interfacial bubbles and wrinkles as well as accumulated strain, thereby restoring the surface morphology of transferred flakes to their native state. Our recipe is important for building clean heterostructures of 2D materials and increasing the reproducibility and reliability of devices based on them.

Diacerein protects against iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in the femorotibial joints of rats.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of diacerein on the histopathology of articular cartilage and subchondral bone of the femorotibial joint in rats. Osteoarthritis was induced in rats after single intra-articular injection of sodium iodoacetate. Rats were sacrificed 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks post intra-articular injection to evaluate the progression of histopathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Diacerein was orally administered (15 mg/kg) once daily post 1 and 2 weeks of iodoacetate injection in two groups, respectively, for up to 12 weeks. Articular cartilage and subchondral bone of the rats of both groups were examined after 8 and 12 weeks, respectively. Quantitative histological analyses were performed by scoring these sections as per the OARSI system. Chondroitin sulfate was also estimated in articular cartilage by decrease in absorbance of methylene blue on complexation with chondroitin sulfate using a spectrophotometer. Intra-articular injection of iodoacetate induced loss of articular cartilage with progressive subchondral bone sclerosis and degeneration. Based on histopathological and biochemical findings, diacerein treatment showed chondroprotective effect. Furthermore, the chondroprotective effect of diacerein was found to be more pronounced after 12 weeks as compared to 8 weeks in both cases (i.e., post 1 and 2 weeks of iodoacetate injection). Similar results were observed by investigation of chondroitin sulfate during biochemical study, showing the chondroprotective effect. In conclusion, diacerein exhibits chondroprotective effect in rats with late onset of action.

Targeting of diacerein loaded lipid nanoparticles to intra-articular cartilage using chondroitin sulfate as homing carrier for treatment of osteoarthritis in rats.

Targeted delivery of antiosteoarthritic drug diacerein to articular tissue could be a major achievement and soluble polysaccharide chondroitin sulfate (ChS) may be a suitable agent for this. Therefore, diacerein loaded solid lipid nanoparticles modified with ChS (ChS-DC-SLN) were prepared for synergistic effect of these agents to combat multidimensional pathology of osteoarthritis (OA). Prepared formulation were of size range 396±2.7nm, showed extended release up to 16h and increased bioavailability of diacerein by 2.8 times. ChS-DC-SLN were evaluated for their effect on histopathology of femoro-tibial joint of rat knee and amount of ChS and rhein (an active metabolite of diacerein) at targeted site. Concentration of rhein was significantly higher in case of ChS-DC-SLN (7.8±1.23µg/ml) than that of drug dispersion (2.9±0.45µg/ml). It can be stated that ChS served as homing to articular cartilage for targeting of drug. Thus, ChS-DC-SLN have great potential to enhance the overall efficacy of treatment for OA. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: This study demonstrates the feasibility of targeted delivery of diacerein to articular tissue using soluble polysaccharide chondroitin sulfate as the targeting vector. This approach has the potential to significantly increase anti-arthritic drug concentration in joints without leading to systemic toxicity.

Development of lipid nanoparticles of diacerein, an antiosteoarthritic drug for enhancement in bioavailability and reduction in its side effects.

Osteoarthritis is the most common, multi component joint disease mainly characterized by destruction of articular cartilage which leads up to subchondral bone. Current treatment by NSAID's gives only symptomatic relief but semi-synthetic anthraquinone diacerein is novel chondroprotective agent intended for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Its active metabolite rhein inhibits the agents responsible for cartilage degradation. In the present study, stearic acid, long chain fatty acids, based solid lipid nanoparticles were prepared with enhanced oral bioavailability and lesser side effects. Diacerein loaded solid lipid nanoparticles were prepared by modified high shear homogenization with ultrasonication method using stearic acid as lipid. Pluronic F68 and soya lecithin was used as surfactant. Citric acid was added to give acidic environment to drug. Solid lipid nanoparticles were evaluated for different characterization parameters, in-vitro performance and in-vivo pharmacokinetics and anti-diarrhoeal study. Particle size of the diacerein loaded SLN was found in the range of 270 +/- 2.1 to 510 +/- 2.8 nm with zeta potential -13.78 +/- 3.4 mV to -19.66 +/- 2.1 mV. Maximum entrapment efficiency was achieved up to 88.1 +/- 1.3%. Surface and solid state characterization by TEM, XRD and DSC revealed that all particles are spherical in shape and drug entrapped inside lipid was in amorphous state. In-vitro release was done by dialysis bag method in phosphate buffer (pH 5.8) which showed controlled and extended release profile up to 12 hr. In-vivo pharmacokinetic study reveals an increase in Area Under Curve from 26.68 +/- 1.63 to 71.25 +/- 1.25 hr microg ml(-1). Further diarrhoeal side effect of diacerein was also found to reduce up to 37% by lipid nanoparticles. These results suggest that diacerein loaded solid lipid nanoparticles can be prepared efficiently with stearic acid and produces controlled and prolonged drug release profile. The oral bioavailability was enhanced by around 2.7 times and with lesser diarrhoeal side effects. These all will leads to overall improvement in patient compliance for the treatment.

Proximity-induced high-temperature superconductivity in the topological insulators Bi2Se3 and Bi2Te3.

Interest in the superconducting proximity effect has been reinvigorated recently by novel optoelectronic applications as well as by the possible emergence of the elusive Majorana fermion at the interface between topological insulators and superconductors. Here we produce high-temperature superconductivity in Bi(2)Se(3) and Bi(2)Te(3) via proximity to Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8+δ), to access higher temperature and energy scales for this phenomenon. This was achieved by a new mechanical bonding technique that we developed, enabling the fabrication of high-quality junctions between materials, unobtainable by conventional approaches. We observe proximity-induced superconductivity in Bi(2)Se(3) and Bi(2)Te(3) persisting up to at least 80 K-a temperature an order of magnitude higher than any previous observations. Moreover, the induced superconducting gap in our devices reaches values of 10 mV, significantly enhancing the relevant energy scales. Our results open new directions for fundamental studies in condensed matter physics and enable a wide range of applications in spintronics and quantum computing.

Studies on binary lipid matrix based solid lipid nanoparticles of repaglinide: in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

The purpose of present study is to examine effect of binary lipid matrix (combination of lipids) on the entrapment and storage stability of repaglinide (RG) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN). Solid lipid nanoparticles were prepared by modified solvent injection method for oral delivery to improve the bioavailability of RG, an antidiabetic drug. The stearic acid and tristearin were used to form lipid core materials, and Pluronic-F68 was used as a stabilizer. Nanoparticles were characterized by evaluating their particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, drug loading, solid-state studies (differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction), in vitro drug release, particle surface (transmission electron microscopy analysis with electron diffraction pattern), stability study in gastrointestinal fluids (GIFs) and storage stability at 30 °C/65% RH for 3 months. The characterization of SLN suggested that binary lipid matrix based nanoparticles had better drug entrapment and loading, desired release characteristics, stable in GIFs and significantly higher storage stability compared with single lipid formulations. Pharmacodynamic (blood glucose, blood cholesterol, blood triglyceride levels) and pharmacokinetic (AUC, T(max), peak plasma concentrations, K, t(1/2), mean residence time and relative bioavailabilities) studies were performed for the selected formulations. These studies indicate that the formulation based on binary lipid matrix significantly improves the oral bioavailability of RG.

In vivo and cytotoxicity evaluation of repaglinide-loaded binary solid lipid nanoparticles after oral administration to rats.

The purpose of this work was to develop prolonged release binary lipid matrix-based solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) of repaglinide (RG) for oral intestinal delivery and to improve the bioavailability of RG. SLN were designed by using glycerol monostearate and tristearin as lipid core materials and Pluronic-F68 as stabilizer. SLN were characterised by their particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, solid-state studies, in vitro drug release, particle surface and storage stability at 30 °C/65% relative humidity for 3 months. Pharmacodynamic (PD) and pharmacokinetic (PK) studies were also performed in diabetes-induced rat. Moreover, an in vitro toxicity study was performed in rat macrophage cells to establish the safety of the prepared SLN. It was observed that binary lipid matrix-based SLN had better drug entrapment, desired release characteristics, spherical shape and maximum storage stability. Pharmacodynamic study indicated that RG delivered through binary SLN significantly reduces blood glucose, blood cholesterol and blood triglycerides level. The area under the curves after oral administration of optimised RG-SLN formulation and RG control were 113.36 ± 3.01 and 08.08 ± 1.98 h/(ng · mL), respectively. The relative bioavailability of RG was enhanced with optimised SLN formulation when compared with RG control. There was a direct correlation found between the plasma drug level (drug concentration) and the peak response (% blood glucose inhibition) in optimised RG-SLN batch. The in vitro toxicity study indicated that the SLN were well tolerated.

Formulation and evaluation of solid lipid nanoparticles of a water soluble drug: Zidovudine.

The present investigation was undertaken to develop solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) of a hydrophilic drug Zidovudine (an anti-human immunodeficiency viral agent) and improve the entrapment efficiency of the drug in SLN. The SLN were prepared with stearic acid by process of w/o/w double-emulsion solvent-evaporation method using 3(2) factorial design. Different triglycerides alone and in different combinations, with/without stearic acid were used to prepare SLN using similar procedure. Two operating variables, polyvinyl alcohol concentration and amount of lipid were found to have significant effect on the particle size and entrapment efficiency (EE) of the SLN. The maximum EE was found to be ca. 27% with particle size of 621 nm which was significantly higher than that reported earlier. The optimized batch was also analyzed for its morphological, physiochemical and drug release properties. EE of batches with triglycerides were significantly less than that achieved with stearic acid alone. This work indicates the possible advantage of fatty acids over triglycerides in the entrapment of hydrophilic drugs in SLN.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of buccal bioadhesive films containing salbutamol sulphate.

The aim of present study was to prepare and evaluate buccal bioadhesive films of salbutamol sulphate (SS) for the treatment of asthma. The films were designed to release the drug for a prolonged period of time so as to reduce the frequency of administration of the available conventional dosage forms of SS. The different proportions of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) and Carbopol 940P (CP 940P) were used for the preparation of films. Carbopol was used to incorporate the desired bioadhesiveness in the films. The films were prepared by solvent casting method and evaluated for bioadhesion, in vitro drug release and anti asthmatic effect (bronchoprotection) in histamine induced bronchospasm of guinea pigs. In vitro drug release from the film was determined using a modified Franz diffusion cell while bioadhesiveness was evaluated with a modified two-arm balance using guinea pig buccal mucosa as a model tissue. Films containing SCMC : CP 940P ratio of 76 : 24 was found to be the best with moderate swelling along with favorable bioadhesion force and in vitro drug release. The drug release mechanism was found to follow non-Fickian diffusion as release mechanism. The prolonged in vivo effect (bronchoprotection) obtained from the buccal bioadhesive film of SS administered via buccal route may improve the treatment of asthmatic disorders by reducing the frequency of administration which is associated with the tolerance effect of SS. Additionally for the clinical benefit, it is also expected to reduce the major adverse effects of SS such as tachycardia and arrhythmias via buccal absorption.

Effect of lipid matrix on repaglinide-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for oral delivery.

AIM: To study the effect of different types of lipid on the entrapment efficiency (EE) and physical stability of repaglinide (RG)-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). RG-loaded SLNs were prepared by modified solvent injection method using stearic acid (RSA), glycerol monosteratae (RGM), glyceryl behenate (RGB) and tristearin (RTS). Poloxamer F68 was used as a stabilizer. RESULTS: SLNs were characterized by particle size, zeta-potential, EE, in vitro release, solid-state properties (differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction) and stability at 30 degrees C/65% relative humidity for 3 months. The mean particle size and zeta-potential of RG-loaded SLNs prepared with different lipids in varying concentrations ranged from 150 to 355 nm and -21.04 +/- 3.10 to -30.54 +/- 2.76 mV, respectively. CONCLUSION: EE was found to vary with lipids in the following order: RSA < RGM < RGB < RTS. Tristearin-prepared SLNs showed a significant prolonged drug release up to 24 h. Differential scanning calorimetry and electron diffraction microphotograph results indicated that RG entrapped in the SLNs existed in an amorphous or molecular state. SLNs prepared with stearic acid, glycerol monostearate and glyceryl behenate after storage showed significant increases in particle size, polydispersity index and EE. The SLNs prepared with tristearin were stable.

Assessment of solubilization characteristics of different surfactants for carvedilol phosphate as a function of pH.

The effect of surfactants on the solubility of a new phosphate salt of carvedilol was investigated at different biorelevent pH to evaluate their solubilization capacity. Solutions of different classes of surfactants viz., anionic-sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium taurocholate (STC), cationic-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and non-ionic-Tween 80 (T80) were prepared in the concentration range of 5-35 mmol dm(-3) in buffer solutions of pH 1.2, 3.0, 4.5, 5.8, 6.8 and 7.2. The solubility data were used to calculate the solubilization characteristics viz. molar solubilization capacity, water micelle partition coefficient, free energy of solubilization and binding constant. Solubility enhancement in basic pH was in following order: CTAB>T80>SDS>STC. CTAB and T80 showed remarkable solubility enhancement in acidic pH as well. Among the anionic surfactants, solubility in acidic medium was retarded except at pH 1.2 in case of SDS. Cationic and non-ionic surfactants were found to be suitable for enhancing the solubility of CP which can be employed for maintaining the in vitro sink condition in the basic dissolution medium. While anionic surfactants showed solubility retardant behavior which may be exploited in increasing the drug entrapment efficiency of a colloidal drug delivery system formulated by emulsification technique.