Comprehensive Review of RF MEMS Switches in Satellite Communications.

The miniaturization and low power consumption characteristics of RF MEMS (Radio Frequency Microelectromechanical System) switches provide new possibilities for the development of microsatellites and nanosatellites, which will play an increasingly important role in future space missions. This paper provides a comprehensive review of RF MEMS switches in satellite communication, detailing their working mechanisms, performance optimization strategies, and applications in reconfigurable antennas. It explores various driving mechanisms (electrostatic, piezoelectric, electromagnetic, thermoelectric) and contact mechanisms (capacitive, ohmic), highlighting their advantages, challenges, and advancements. The paper emphasizes strategies to enhance switch reliability and RF performance, including minimizing the impact of shocks, reducing driving voltage, improving contacts, and appropriate packaging. Finally, it discusses the enormous potential of RF MEMS switches in future satellite communications, addressing their technical advantages, challenges, and the necessity for further research to optimize design and manufacturing for broader applications and increased efficiency in space missions. The research findings of this review can serve as a reference for further design and improvement of RF MEMS switches, which are expected to play a more important role in future aerospace communication systems.

Cardiopulmonary effects of overnight indoor air filtration in healthy non-smoking adults: A double-blind randomized crossover study.

BACKGROUND: More than 90% of the world's population lives in areas where outdoor air pollution levels exceed health-based limits. In these areas, individuals may use indoor air filtration, often on a sporadic basis, in their residences to reduce exposure to respirable particles (PM2.5). Whether this intervention can lead to improvements in health outcomes has not been evaluated. METHODS: Seventy non-smoking healthy adults, aged 19 to 26 years, received both true and sham indoor air filtration in a double-blinded randomized crossover study. Each filtration session was approximately 13 h long. True and sham filtration sessions were separated by a two-week washout interval. The study was carried out in a suburb of Shanghai. RESULTS: During the study period, outdoor PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 18.6 to 106.9 µg/m3, which overlapped with levels measured in Western Europe and North America. Compared to sham filtration, true filtration on average decreased indoor PM2.5 concentration by 72.4% to 10.0 µg/m3 and particle number concentration by 59.2% to 2316/cm3. For lung function measured immediately after the end of filtration, true filtration significantly lowered airway impedance at 5 Hz (Z5) by 7.1% [95% CI: 2.4%, 11.9%], airway resistance at 5 Hz (R5) by 7.4% [95% CI: 2.4%, 12.5%], and small airway resistance (R5-R20) by 20.3% [95% CI: 0.1%, 40.5%], reflecting improved airway mechanics especially for the small airways. However, no significant improvements for spirometry indicators (FEV1, FVC) were observed. True filtration also significantly lowered von Willebrand factor (VWF) by 26.9% [95% CI: 7.3%, 46.4%] 24 h after the end of filtration, indicating reduced risk for thrombosis. Stratified analysis in male and female participants showed that true filtration significantly decreased pulse pressure by 3.3% [95% CI: 0.8%, 7.4%] in females, and significantly reduced VWF by 42.4% [95% CI: 17.4%, 67.4%] and interleukin-6 by 22.6% [95% CI: 0.4%, 44.9%] in males. Effect modification analyses indicated that filtration effects in male and female participants were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: A single overnight residential air filtration, capable of reducing indoor particle concentrations substantially, can lead to improved airway mechanics and reduced thrombosis risk.