Integration Of Facilities Research Articles

Jakarta Light Rail Transit Station: Elevating Pedestrian Experience Through Innovative Integration Facilities

Jakarta Light Rail Transit Station: Elevating Pedestrian Experience Through Innovative Integration Facilities

Robust Chemiresistive Behavior in Conductive Polymer/MOF Composites.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials for gas sensing but are often limited to single-use detection. A hybridization strategy is demonstrated synergistically deploying conductive MOFs (cMOFs) and conductive polymers (cPs) as two complementary mixed ionic-electronic conductors in high-performing stand-alone chemiresistors. This work presents significant improvement in i) sensor recovery kinetics, ii) cycling stability, and iii) dynamic range at room temperature. The effect of hybridization across well-studied cMOFs is demonstrated based on 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene (HHTP) and 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaiminotriphenylene (HITP) ligands with varied metal nodes (Co, Cu, Ni). A comprehensive mechanistic study is conducted to relate energy band alignments at the heterojunctions between the MOFs and the polymer with sensing thermodynamics and binding kinetics. The findings reveal that hole enrichment of the cMOF component upon hybridization leads to selective enhancement in desorption kinetics, enabling significantly improved sensor recovery at room temperature, and thus long-term response retention. This mechanism is further supported by density functional theory calculations on sorbate-analyte interactions. It is also found that alloying cPs and cMOFs enables facile thin film co-processing and device integration, potentially unlocking the use of these hybrid conductors in diverse electronic applications.

Water Content Evolution in the EDZ of Opalinus Clay: A Methodic Approach for a Comparative Interpretation of Measurements and Modelling

In the Mont Terri Rock Laboratory (Switzerland), an interdisciplinary examination program is carried out to increase knowledge about coupled hydro-mechanical effects in Opalinus Clay, which are of significant interest regarding the stability and integrity of a potential storage facility for high-level radioactive waste. This article focuses on the characterization of the claystone in the near field of excavations and related hydraulic effects due to excavation and ventilation. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is applied to characterize the OPA: Several open fractures correlate with regions of high resistivity values, indicating potential preferential flow paths that are relevant for transport processes. Due to the combined interpretation of ERT long-term monitoring and seasonally repeated nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements, a relationship between electrical resistivity and water content can be established, resulting also in a time-dependent map of the water content around excavations with different climatic conditions. The statistical interpretation of these measurements indicates the existence of small-scale singularities in contrast to dominating, more homogeneous zones. The presented approach leads to a better process understanding of these heterogeneous near field effects and provides a valuable basis for a pragmatic approach to safety assessment.

Pearson Correlation and Chi-Squared Methods Applied to the Sensitivity and Uncertainty Analysis of Hydrogen Generation During a Boiling Water Reactor STSBO Using MAAP5 and AZTUSIA

Abstract After the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, hydrogen generation has resurfaced as a key issue, with respect to its quantification in the simulation of severe accidents (SAs), because of the potential risk of deflagration or detonation, which would compromise the integrity of the plant facilities. Severe accident simulation codes may have different models to predict cladding oxidation rates and the consequent hydrogen generation. Thus, sensitivity and uncertainty analysis can be applied to determine which input variables of the code have a significant impact in the implemented models, and consequently on the overall predicted values of key figures of merit. In this work, the generation of hydrogen in the reactor core during a short-term station blackout (STSBO) is studied as a figure of merit for a boiling water reactor (BWR). The scope of the analysis is until the failure of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV). This study shows a sensitivity and uncertainty analysis through the complementary calculations of two methods: Chi-squared parameter and Pearson simple correlation coefficient (PSCC). The severe accident simulation code was MAAP 5.0.3 (Modular Accident Analysis Program, EPRI, USA) and the AZTUSIA code (AZtlan Tool for Uncertainty and SensItivity Analysis, Mexico) was used as the statistical tool for the sensitivity and uncertainty analysis. Ten uncertain parameters were chosen, of which two are MAAP models options, and the values were generated via the simple random Monte Carlo technique. The results show that the Chi-squared parameter in conjunction with correlation coefficients provides a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of both quantitative and qualitative input variables on the figures of merit.

The collaborative approaches of the knowledge-based performance management system and lean six sigma to improve contractor productivity and safety performances

PurposeThis paper aims to design a hybrid model of knowledge-based performance management system (KBPMS) for facilitating Lean Six-Sigma (L6s) application to increase contractor productivity without compromising human safety in Indonesian upstream oil field operations that manage ageing and life extension (ALE) facilities.Design/methodology/approachThe research design applies a pragmatic paradigm by employing action research strategy with qualitative-quantitative methodology involving 385 of 1,533 workers. The KBPMS-L6s conceptual framework is developed and enriched with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to prioritize fit-for-purpose Key Performance Indicators. The application of L6s with Human Performance Modes analysis is used to provide a statistical baseline approach for pre-assessment of the contractor’s organizational capabilities. A comprehensive literature review is given for the main pillars of the contextual framework.FindingsThe KBPMS-L6s concept has given an improved hierarchy for strategic and operational levels to achieve a performance benchmark to manage ALE facilities in Indonesian upstream oil field operations. To increase quality management practices in managing ALE facilities, the L6s application requires an assessment of the organizational capability of contractors and an analysis of Human Performance Modes (HPM) to identify levels of construction workers’ productivity based on human competency and safety awareness that have never been done in this field.Research limitations/implicationsThe action research will only focus on the contractors’ productivity and safety performances that are managed by infrastructure maintenance programs for managing integrity of ALE facilities in Indonesian upstream of oil field operations. Future research could go toward validating this approach in other sectors.Practical implicationsThis paper discusses the implications of developing the hybrid KBPMS- L6s enriched with AHP methodology and the application of HPM analysis to achieve a 14% reduction in inefficient working time, a 28% reduction in supervision costs, a 15% reduction in schedule completion delays, and a 78% reduction in safety incident rates of Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR), Days Away Restricted or Job Transfer (DART) and Motor Vehicle Crash (MVC), as evidence of achieving fit-for-purpose KPIs with safer, better, faster, and at lower costs.Social implicationsThis paper does not discuss social implicationsOriginality/valueThis paper successfully demonstrates a novel use of Knowledge-Based system with the integration AHP and HPM analysis to develop a hybrid KBPMS-L6s concept that successfully increases contractor productivity without compromising human safety performance while implementing ALE facility infrastructure maintenance program in upstream oil field operations.

Fractional scaling analysis of cladding temperature in large break loss of coolant accident

In integral test facilities, some phenomena relevant in the separate effect test are usually neglected due to scaling limitations and design compromises. The typical heat transfer phenomenon in reactor core in large break loss of coolant accident (LBLOCA) scenario is analyzed with fractional scaling analysis (FSA) method in this work. A conservation form of cladding temperature is derived on the basis of energy conservation. Then the scaling criteria and their importance are evaluated. It is found that the similarities of the criteria for convection heat transfer and heat accumulation should be guaranteed since their priorities are high. The contribution of initial pressure and distribution of coolant inventory to cladding temperature in LBLOCA scenario is too slight. This work is encouraging and may shed a light on the coupling application of hierarchical two-tiered scaling (H2TS) and FSA method in engineering application.

Institutional barriers to the development of small-scale power generation in Russia

The energy strategy of Russia involves a transition to a diversified energy generation characterised by a structural diversity of plant types, as well as the use of small-scale energy technologies. The purpose of the study is to identify the barriers that hinder the implementation of small-scale power generation in the Russian Federation and justify the avenues for its development. Methodologically, the paper relies on the systems approach. Methods of content and logical structural analysis, in-depth interviews are applied. The empirical evidence comes from analytical reports, normative and legal documents, as well as results of surveys of 96 specialists in the field and heads of power plants and power engineering enterprises conducted during 2021– 2023. The findings indicate there are four groups of problems in the Russian energy system: technological backwardness; difficulties with integration of small-scale power generation facilities into the energy market; absence of state support mechanisms; surplus of power generation capacity. Accordingly, the paper provides recommendations for overcoming them, in particular, it is necessary to introduce mechanisms for the support of small-scale power engineering and integration with engineering and consultancy companies, as well as make use of energy service agreements; second, to introduce standards for connecting small-scale power generation facilities, develop guidelines for designing and commissioning them; third, to amend tax regulations and learn from successful foreign experience; fourth, to replace retired power generation equipment with new small-scale power generation facilities located closer to load centres. The theoretical significance of the research is linked with detailing the concept “small-scale power generation” as a segment of energy sector as well as its structure in relation to the Russian Federation, specifying classification characteristics of low-capacity power units. The findings are practically valuable for government authorities, power generation enterprises and equipment manufacturers due to the developed organisational and methodological guidelines.

Dynamic responses of a semi-submersible integrated wind-energy-aquaculture structure under regular and irregular waves

Offshore aquaculture has expanded significantly, and offshore wind energy is more abundant and stable than it is on land. The integration of aquaculture facilities and offshore wind-turbine technology to build a comprehensive platform has both scientific and theoretical significance. To further investigate an integrated wind-energy and aquaculture structure and its dynamic response characteristics, we performed physical model experiments to investigate the motion response properties of the new wind-energy-aquaculture integrated structure. Regular and irregular wave experiments were conducted on a wave flume. The motion responses and mooring line tensions of the platform modules were obtained. Under regular wave conditions, the three degree-of-freedom motion response of the model under two different mooring configurations exhibit the similar trend as the wave height and wave frequency increased. The heave responses under different mooring configurations were generally consistent, whereas the surge responses exhibited low-frequency characteristics. The mooring line tensions of the taut mooring configuration changed significantly with the wave parameters, whereas those with catenary mooring exhibited minor changes. Under irregular wave conditions, structures with catenary mooring systems exhibited smaller motion responses, thereby maintaining their stability.

Целостность и иерархичность структур данных в жизненном цикле объектов малоэтажного жилищного строительства

The subject area of the article is construction facilities life cycle management, where the object-oriented automated technologies of low-rise housing construction are the subject of consideration. The purpose of this study is to describe the meta-structure of such technologies, consisting of a set of hierarchical structures of the finite elements (premises, structures, engineering equipment, etc.) and for this meta-structure definition the concept of low-rise housing estate construction facilities integrity is introduced. The object of the article's research is hierarchical data structures, on the basis of which object-oriented databases and knowledge bases are formed, serving automated technologies for construction facilities integrity generation within all stages of the life cycle. The article uses the method of decomposition of the low-rise housing estate construction facilities integrity into a variety of automated technologies and their constituent hierarchical data structures, which allows us to identify all subject areas of objects of manor low-rise housing estate construction for computational justifications of the limiting states of finite elements (objects) of architecture, building structures, engineering equipment. Hierarchical structures create a standardized basis for the organization of finite element information models for managing the life cycle of manor low-rise estate housing construction. Decision-makers should prepare hierarchical data structures and algorithms for calculating the justifications for finite elements. The article presents examples of hierarchical data structures schemes for the design stage tasks solving. It is concluded that all information models of finite elements on a variety of subject areas of manor low-rise estate housing construction objects arise during the execution of constructive (algorithmized) processes in the decision-making layers of the corresponding stages of the life cycle of construction objects. It is concluded that all information models of finite elements on a variety of subject areas of manor low-rise estate housing construction objects arise during the execution of constructive (algorithmized) processes in the decision-making layers of the corresponding stages of the life cycle of construction objects. A structuring condition is also proposed: if the main link of the life cycle management technology is the information model of the object, then the fundamental condition for object orientation and meaningful filling of hierarchical data structures is the construction system used in this construction object, as a set of load-bearing and enclosing structures, its components and materials used. The proposed approach will make it possible to create and maintain a shared data environment on a regular and ongoing basis as part of a set of hierarchical data structures of the construction projects under consideration. In the development, it becomes possible to qualitatively improve the technological conditions for decision-making according to various criteria, including criteria for environmental friendliness, energy efficiency, economy, comfort for low-rise residential buildings using neural network data structures and the use of artificial intelligence algorithms. The above together is the basis for the formation of a modern innovative technological order for the objects of estate low-rise housing construction.

Maskless Femtosecond‐Laser‐Processed Ionotronic Double‐Gate Transistor Array for Pattern Adaptation Emulation

AbstractSensory adaptation is a very important function of the biological nervous system to maintain survival. It helps us to better perceive, understand, and adapt to the environment. Therefore, building artificial sensory adaptation systems through neuromorphic devices is a goal that humans have been continuously pursuing. Unfortunately, current research has either based on individual adaptive devices or employed complex processes. At present, a facile fabrication of adaptive device arrays is still a great challenge. Herein, a maskless ionotronic double‐gate oxide transistor array with pattern adaptation function is demonstrated using femtosecond laser process. Such process is a maskless patterning technology and free of chemical contamination, enabling a facile integration of device arrays. The as‐fabricated transistor exhibits a low subthreshold swing of 265 mV dec−1 and a reasonable current switching ratio of ≈103 under a low operating voltage of 1 V. Interestingly, it can achieve a transition from nonadaptive to adaptive behavior by the other gate terminal. Moreover, the desensitization behavior after adaptation can be realized for mimicking the self‐protection capability of biological sensory systems. Finally, a 2 × 2 transistor array is demonstrated for emulating the experience‐dependent pattern adaptation ability in the human brain. Therefore, this adaptive device array using femtosecond laser process may provide a good opportunity for the artificial sensory adaptation systems and the next‐generation bionic robots.

Optimal design and performance analysis of secure estimator for cyber‐physical systems against deception attacks

AbstractCyber‐physical systems (CPSs) are increasingly vulnerable to the threat from malicious adversaries owing to the deep integration of networks and facilities; therefore, CPSs' security against cyber attacks has attracted extensive attention. The deception attack is one of the typical cyber attacks targeting CPSs, and a deception attack mode is established to describe the simultaneous occurrence of actuator and sensor attacks in this paper. Compared with single‐target deception attacks with constant value, the designed attack mode that can describe deception attacks against multiple components and embedded random characteristics has higher applicability in practical engineering processes. To counter such attack behavior, a secure estimator is proposed based on the ideology of augmented state to achieve the optimal design of secure state estimation and deception attack identification. Taking the energy shortage problem of CPSs into account, a novel event‐triggered communication mechanism is introduced on the basis of measurement residuals to improve resource efficiency by reducing low‐value information transmission. The communication scheme and the augmented state estimator are co‐designed by adopting the implicit information of the event‐triggered mechanism. Then, the performance of the co‐designed estimator is analyzed by the upper bound of the estimation error covariance matrix. Besides, the reconciliation between estimation performance and communication energy consumption is achieved by the derivation of Pareto equilibrium. Finally, applications of our approaches to a 3D target tracking system are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Microstructuring of Thermoresponsive Biofunctional Hydrogels by Multiphoton Photocrosslinking

AbstractA pioneering method is reported for creating thermoresponsive biofunctional hydrogel microstructures using maskless multiphoton lithography. Departing from conventional multiphoton‐triggered polymerization‐based techniques, this approach relies on simultaneous photocrosslinking and attachment of already pre‐synthesized polymer chains onto solid substrates. The method allows improving control over polymer network characteristics and enables facile integration of additional functionalities through postmodification with biomolecules at specific sites. Exploring two distinct benzophenone‐ and anthraquinone‐based photocrosslinkers incorporated into specially designed poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide)‐based co‐ and terpolymers, the photocrosslinking efficacy is scrutinized with the use of a custom femtosecond near‐infrared laser lithographer. Comprehensive characterization via surface plasmon resonance imaging, atomic force microscopy, and optical fluorescence microscopy reveals swelling behavior and demonstrates postmodification feasibility. Notably, within a specific range of multiphoton photocrosslinking parameters, the surface‐attached microstructures exhibit a quasiperiodic topography akin to wrinkle‐pattern formation. Leveraging the capabilities of established multiphoton lithographer systems that offer fast pattern writing with high resolution, this approach holds great promise for the versatile fabrication of multifunctional 3D micro‐ and nanostructures. Such tailored responsive biofunctional materials with spatial control over composition, swelling behavior, and postmodification are particularly attractive in the areas of bioanalytical and biomedical technologies.

Integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) with Transportation and Facilities: Recent Applications and Future Perspectives

At present, increased modes of transport have facilitated daily life. Building information modeling (BIM) integration has become a key strategy to foster efficiency, collaboration, and sustainability in the fields of buildings, transport, and facilities. Currently, there is a scarcity of comprehensive examinations of the performance of integrated BIM with transport facilities and applications to help identify potential prospects for sustainable development. Hence, this research paper attempts to scrutinize the integration of BIM, transportation, and facilities (T and Fs) by highlighting future directions and trends, revealing the existing status and hotspots of research in the field, and clarifying the developmental pulse of research as well as emerging areas in the future. A quantitative research technique is utilized in this study, using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software, and the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. The study findings suggest that the hot keywords for the integration of BIM and T and Fs are predominantly concentrated on construction, framework, system, design, and management. In addition, over the previous 34 years (years 1989 to 2023), the applications of point cloud, digital twin, and life cycle assessment have been the current hot topics, and these emerging technologies can offer more innovative breakthroughs for the future. Furthermore, the integration of BIM and T and Fs represents an important trend that is essential for improving the efficiency, sustainability, and intelligence of buildings and infrastructure, from which the three domains can create synergies that contribute to the better planning, construction, and management of building and infrastructure projects.

Room Temperature Negative Differential Resistance with High Peak Current in MoS2/WSe2 Heterostructures.

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (2D TMD) semiconductors allow facile integration of p- and n-type materials without a lattice mismatch. Here, we demonstrate gate-tunable n- and p-type junctions based on vertical heterostructures of MoS2 and WSe2 using van der Waals (vdW) contacts. The p-n junction shows negative differential resistance (NDR) due to Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) tunneling through the triangular barrier formed by applying a global back-gate bias (VGS). We also show that the integration of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) as an insulating tunnel barrier between MoS2 and WSe2 leads to the formation of sharp band edges and unintentional inelastic tunnelling current. The devices based on vdW contacts, global VGS, and h-BN tunnel barriers exhibit NDR with a peak current (Ipeak) of 315 μA, suggesting that the approach may be useful for applications.

Broadband and large-aperture metasurface edge encoders for incoherent infrared radiation.

The prevalence of computer vision systems necessitates hardware-based approaches to relieve the high computational demand of deep neural networks in resource-limited applications. One solution would be to off-load low-level image feature extraction, such as edge detection, from the digital network to the analog imaging system. To that end, this work demonstrates incoherent, broadband, low-noise optical edge detection of real-world scenes by combining the wavefront shaping of a 24-mm aperture metasurface with a refractive lens. An inverse design approach is used to optimize the metasurface for Laplacian-based edge detection across the 7.5- to 13.5-μm LWIR imaging band, allowing for facile integration with uncooled microbolometer-based LWIR imagers to encode edge information. A polarization multiplexed approach leveraging a birefringent metasurface is also demonstrated as a single-aperture implementation. This work could be applied to improve computer vision capabilities of resource-constrained systems by leveraging optical preprocessing to alleviate the computational requirements for high-accuracy image segmentation and classification.

Integration of water and sanitation facilities programs for menstruation management: a focus on university planning and budgeting processes at Kyambogo University, Uganda

AbstractThis study investigated the integration of water and sanitation facilities' programs for menstruation management with a focus on university planning and budgeting processes at Kyambogo University. The study employed qualitative methods of data collection and analysis from students and members of the university's top management. Findings revealed that there is limited engagement of female and male students in the budgeting and planning of water and sanitation facilities for menstruation management by the estates department; more so, the generic budget does not adequately cover all the requirements for menstruation management by female students, and female students perceive water and sanitation facilities for menstruation management as generally available but inaccessible and unacceptable in various ways. Thus, the study generates knowledge about the status of water and sanitation facilities for menstruation management to enable female students to participate in academic activities in higher education institutions by recommending that the Directorate of Planning and Development at Kyambogo University should promote a participatory and gender‐equity inclusive plan and budget that ensures that water and sanitation facilities for menstruation management become an integral aspect in planning and budgeting processes of the estates department. The university should equitably improve the current status of water and sanitation facilities for menstruation management by providing specific water in toilet rooms including changing rooms, replacement of broken doors to provide privacy, and other required facilities to enhance effective menstruation management.

Climate-smart agricultural practices among rural farmers in Masvingo district of Zimbabwe: perspectives on the mitigation strategies to drought and water scarcity for improved crop production

Climate change is one of the most significant challenges many rural farmers face in sub-Saharan Africa, as most agricultural practices are rainfed dependent. Many of these rural farmers are small-scale farmers with limited access to financial assets, agricultural equipment, and inputs. With a rapidly changing climate and limited access to agricultural resources, many rural farmers in Zimbabwe have found it extremely difficult to engage in meaningful crop production activities and secure their livelihoods and incomes. This paper employs participatory research methods to examine adaptive strategies adopted by rural farmers. The strategies include optimal water resource utilisation, early maturing seed adoption, soil and water conservation (SWM), and nutrient management techniques (NMT). Cost-effective integration of labour and post-harvest storage facilities is also considered. Rural farmers, despite constraints, actively engage in these adaptive practices. The study assesses the effectiveness of initiatives to enhance crop production and build resilience against climate variability. Discussion centers on the comprehensiveness of these adaptive techniques within the broader framework of sustainable development goals, focusing on goals 1 (No Poverty) and 2 (Zero Hunger). The findings contribute to understanding and promoting resilience among vulnerable households facing climate-related challenges.

Amplified and Specific Staining of Protein Dimerization on Cell Membrane Catalyzed by Responsively Installed DNA Nanomachines for Cancer Diagnosis.

In situ staining of protein dimerization on cell membrane has an important significance in accurate diagnosis during perioperative period, yet facile integration of specific recognition function and local signal conversion/amplification abilities on membrane surface remains a great challenge. Herein, a two-stage catalytic strategy is developed by installing DNA nanomachines and employing. Specifically, dual-aptamer-assisted DNA scaffold perform a "bispecific recognition-then-computing" operation and the output signal initiate a membrane-anchored biocatalysis for self-assembly of DNA catalytic converters, that is, G-quadruplex nanowire/hemin DNAzyme. Then, localized-deposition of chromogenic polydopamine is chemically catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase-mimicking DNAzyme and guided by supramolecular interactions between conjugate rigid plane of G-tetrad and polydopamine oligomer. The catalytic products exhibit nanofiber morphology with a diameter of 80-120nm and a length of 1-10µm, and one-to-one localize on DNA scaffold for amplified and specific staining of protein dimers. The bispecific staining leads to a higher (≈3.4-fold) signal intensity than traditional immunohistochemistry, which is beneficial for direct visualization. Moreover, an efficient discrimination ability of the bispecific staining strategy is observed in co-culture model staining. This study provides a novel catalytic method for controlling deposition of chromogens and paves a new avenue to sensitively stain of protein-protein interactions in disease diagnosis.

CD-A twin niches in the Mont Terri Rock Laboratory: Characterization and interpretation of hydraulic parameters with regard to safety aspects

In the Mont Terri Rock Laboratory (Switzerland), a comprehensive interdisciplinary exploration program is carried out to increase knowledge about long-term coupled hydraulic–mechanical effects in Opalinus Clay. As these effects are of significant interest regarding the stability and integrity of a potential storage facility for high radioactive waste, the “Influence of humidity on cyclic and longterm deformations” (CD-A) experiment aims to characterize the Opalinus Clay, especially its heterogeneous sandy facies, and to investigate the evolution of the water content, pressure and deformation in the formation. This article provides an overview of measurement examinations and geologic investigations carried out in the context of the CD-A experiment. The twin niches of the CD-A experiment are located in the upper sandy facies of the Opalinus Clay which is characterized by the existence of different subfacies types and fault zones. This contribution focuses on the detailed characterization of the claystone, while the evolution of the water content. Combined geophysical and geological investigations during the first two years after the excavation of the niches have been carried out. They indicate that the subfacies type and pre-existing fault zones do not affect the distribution of water content severely, which could be an essential finding in the context of detection procedures for potential high level waste (HLW) repositories. Furthermore, miniseismic as well as pulse tests indicate clearly, that the extent of the excavation damaged zone (EDZ) strongly depends on the climatic conditions in the underground galleries: After 1.5years the EDZ and the increase of permeability is much more pronounced in the open than in the closed twin. Future work aims on an increased process understanding based on a verified constitutive model for Opalinus Clay and a comprehensive system understanding considering long-term effects due to climatic conditions as well as the impact of geotechnical boundary conditions and heteregeneities.

Self-Aligning Nanojunctions for Integrated Single-Molecule Circuits.

Robust, high-yield integration of nanoscale components such as graphene nanoribbons, nanoparticles, or single-molecules with conventional electronic circuits has proven to be challenging. This difficulty arises because the contacts to these nanoscale devices must be precisely fabricated with angstrom-level resolution to make reliable connections, and at manufacturing scales this cannot be achieved with even the highest-resolution lithographic tools. Here we introduce an approach that circumvents this issue by precisely creating nanometer-scale gaps between metallic carbon electrodes by using a self-aligning, solution-phase process, which allows facile integration with conventional electronic systems with yields approaching 50%. The electrode separation is controlled by covalently binding metallic single-walled carbon nanotube (mCNT) electrodes to individual DNA duplexes to create mCNT-DNA-mCNT nanojunctions, where the gap is precisely matched to the DNA length. These junctions are then integrated with top-down lithographic techniques to create single-molecule circuits that have electronic properties dominated by the DNA in the junction, have reproducible conductance values with low dispersion, and are stable and robust enough to be utilized as active, high-specificity electronic biosensors for dynamic single-molecule detection of specific oligonucleotides, such as those related to the SARS-CoV-2 genome. This scalable approach for high-yield integration of nanometer-scale devices will enable opportunities for manufacturing of hybrid electronic systems for a wide range of applications.