Interconnect Layers Research Articles

Self-Formation of a Ru/ZnO Multifunctional Bilayer for the Next-Generation Interconnect Technology via Area-Selective Atomic Layer Deposition.

This study suggests a Ru/ZnO bilayer grown using area-selective atomic layer deposition (AS-ALD) as a multifunctional layer for advanced Cu metallization. As a diffusion barrier and glue layer, ZnO is selectively grown on SiO2 , excluding Cu, where Ru, as a liner and seed layer, is grown on both surfaces. Dodecanethiol (DDT) is used as an inhibitor for the AS-ALD of ZnO using diethylzinc and H2 O at 120 °C. H2 plasma treatment removes the DDT adsorbed on Cu, forming inhibitor-free surfaces. The ALD-Ru film is then successfully deposited at 220 °C using tricarbonyl(trimethylenemethane)ruthenium and O2 . The Cu/bilayer/Si structural and electrical properties are investigated to determine the diffusion barrier performance of the bilayer film. Copper silicide is not formed without the conductivity degradation of the Cu/bilayer/Si structure, even after annealing at 700 °C. The effect of ZnO on the Ru/SiO2 structure interfacial adhesion energy is investigated using a double-cantilever-beam test and is found to increase with ZnO between Ru and SiO2 . Consequently, the Ru/ZnO bilayer can be a multifunctional layer for advanced Cu interconnects. Additionally, the formation of a bottomless barrier by eliminating ZnO on the via bottom, or Cu, is expected to decrease the via resistance for the ever-shrinking Cu lines.

Price of Anarchy and Price of Stability Mapping for Analyzing Topology Design of Communication Networks

The goal of game theory is to model actions among players or users in a common space who deal with various situations and face various outcomes. The study of game theory is widely applied to a wide range of economic fields, including auctions, renewable energy, wireless sensor networks, and software defined networks. Resource allocation and cooperation between networks or terminals are important in the field of game theory networking. In order to infer concrete solutions for the players, game formulas are used. A solution is determined by classifying players and calculating the Price of Anarchy (PoA) and Price of Stability (PoS) in order to determine Nash equilibrium and evaluate efficiency. Using the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) layer as a lens, this study examines a variety of applications of game theory in non-cooperative environments and communication systems. This study focuses on the 'presence of governing' or participation nodes in a set of players in a network. Also, a comparison of different research fields in game theory is made.

Fabrication of metal-ceramic matrix composite multilayer coatings with diamond protective layer for heating elements in the vacuum systems

We report a novel methodical approach to the design of multilayer composite coatings with a final diamond protective layer for vacuum applications, specifically for controlled heating in vacuum apparatus, cryogenic systems, and for space applications. Diamond is a promising option to add unique properties to such multilayers while maintaining fast and uniform heat distribution. The multilayer composite systems were based on the insulating layer - Al2O3, a Cu-based interconnect layer and a TiO2-based heating element. The study demonstrated the compactness and high temperature resistance of the developed composite system, which are necessary for real-world applications. To enhance the functional properties of the deposited multilayer coatings, diamond films were deposited on them using microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD). The diamond film was deposited as the last layer of the metal-ceramic multilayer coating prepared from various powders using high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) and atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) deposition techniques.

Strategies toward Highly Efficient Monolithic Perovskite/Organic Tandem Solar Cells

Comprehensive SummaryConstructing monolithic tandem solar cells (TSCs) is an effective method to break the Shockley–Queisser (S–Q) radiative efficiency limit for single‐junction solar cells. Employing the wide bandgap perovskite materials and low bandgap organic materials as absorber layers for front and rear subcells, respectively, to construct perovskite/organic TSCs can complementarily absorb sunlight in ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐Vis) range by front perovskite and near‐infrared (NIR) range by rear organic molecules, thus reducing the thermalization energy losses. Besides the subcells, the interconnection layer (ICL), which physically and electrically connects the front and rear subcells, is also an important tunnel junction to recombine charges. In this review, we summarize the optimization strategies of wide bandgap perovskites for front subcell, narrow bandgap organic material for rear subcell, and the ICLs employed in monolithic perovskite/organic TSCs.

A predictive analytics model for designing deep underground foundations using artificial neural networks

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are commonly used to solve nonlinear problems. ANNs are composed of parallel interconnected layers that include processing elements called neurons. These neurons use mathematical functions to process the data, mimicking the human brain. In this study, we use ANNs for designing deep underground supports. We develop a predictive model for the ultimate axial capacity of deep foundations called drilled shafts, commonly used as support for highways, bridges and high-rise buildings. Different single hidden layer ANN architectures are utilized to predict the ultimate axial capacity of drilled shafts. The data used in this study are load tests collected from the extended version of the Nevada Deep Foundation Load Test Database. This study focuses on certain difficulties in foundation engineering problems, such as the variability in the soil or construction method which, conventional methods might not fully address. This can sometimes lead to overestimation or underestimation of the capacity. Consequently, a project can be unsafe or expensive. Therefore, the objective of this study is to improve prediction accuracy which is important and can save design and construction costs and time. A total of 45 load tests were divided into 85% for training, and 15% for validation. The developed ANN model achieved good generalization and prediction accuracy with a Root Mean-Squared Error of 2807.08 Kilopounds force (kips), a Mean Absolute Error of 2380.6 kips, and an R-squared (R2) of 87% on unseen data. The results can be adapted in future studies and the industry as a first-order estimate for the architecture of an ANN predictive model and the ultimate nominal axial capacity of drilled shafts.

Towards Heritage Transformation Perspectives

When facing the challenge of preserving cultural heritage for future generations, it becomes important to talk about heritage transformations and the perspectives of these transformations. Thus, this integrative review article seeks to discuss heritage transformations and their perspectives for future tourism development, by analyzing various theoretical and empirical literature sources. The results of this integrative review analysis highlighted the importance of paying attention to the three layers of perspectives: personal, local, and regional. Thus, the discussion opened up the following “IPR” theoretical insights: heritage transformations—“I”—as personal transformations, heritage transformations—“Place”—as local perspective, heritage transformations—“R”—as regional perspective. It has revealed that all three discussed heritage transformation perspectives are experiencing significant connections. The biggest challenge of current and future heritage transformations is a dependence on being constantly interconnected (individually, locally, regionally) and on being constantly influenced by the world’s challenges and development trends. When looking towards future tourism development, the interconnected layers of heritage transformation perspectives could lead to the constant integration and creation of interwoven tourism values and experiences.

Signal Integrity Assessment of GNRFET-Based Ternary Logic for Multi Layered GNR Interconnects with Dielectric Insertion

In this paper, signal integrity assessment is carried out for graphene nanoribbon field effect transistor (GNRFET) based ternary logic with dielectric inserted multi-layered GNR (MLGNR) interconnects. The analyses are carried out for crosstalk effects and eye diagrams with and without shielding lines. In this paper firstly, it is observed that the dielectric inserted MLGNR interconnects show better than copper (Cu) and multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) interconnects. Secondly, active shield technique is adopted, and observed that it exhibits better performance than without shield and passive shield techniques. Also, the power-delay product performance parameter is evaluated and envisaged that active shield technique outperforms passive technique. Further, the eye diagram analysis is carried out for different bit rates. The different performance analyses in the paper have been carried out for 10 nm technology node.

Regulated cell death pathways in kidney disease.

Disorders of cell number that result from an imbalance between the death of parenchymal cells and the proliferation or recruitment of maladaptive cells contributes to the pathogenesis of kidney disease. Acute kidney injury can result from an acute loss of kidney epithelial cells. In chronic kidney disease, loss of kidney epithelial cells leads to glomerulosclerosis and tubular atrophy, whereas interstitial inflammation and fibrosis result from an excess of leukocytes and myofibroblasts. Other conditions, such as acquired cystic disease and kidney cancer, are characterized by excess numbers of cyst wall and malignant cells, respectively. Cell death modalities act to clear unwanted cells, but disproportionate responses can contribute to the detrimental loss of kidney cells. Indeed, pathways of regulated cell death - including apoptosis and necrosis - have emerged as central events in the pathogenesis of various kidney diseases that may be amenable to therapeutic intervention. Modes of regulated necrosis, such as ferroptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis may cause kidney injury directly or through the recruitment of immune cells and stimulation of inflammatory responses. Importantly, multiple layers of interconnections exist between different modalities of regulated cell death, including shared triggers, molecular components and protective mechanisms.

Low-Temperature Transient Liquid Phase Bonding Technology via Cu Porous-Sn58Bi Solid–Liquid System under Formic Acid Atmosphere

This study proposes a low-temperature transient liquid phase bonding (TLPB) method using Sn58Bi/porous Cu/Sn58Bi to enable efficient power-device packaging at high temperatures. The bonding mechanism is attributed to the rapid reaction between porous Cu and Sn58Bi solder, leading to the formation of intermetallic compounds with high melting point at low temperatures. The present paper investigates the effects of bonding atmosphere, bonding time, and external pressure on the shear strength of metal joints. Under formic acid (FA) atmosphere, Cu6Sn5 forms at the porous Cu foil/Sn58Bi interface, and some of it transforms into Cu3Sn. External pressure significantly reduces the micropores and thickness of the joint interconnection layer, resulting in a ductile fracture failure mode. The metal joint obtained under a pressure of 10 MPa at 250 °C for 5 min exhibits outstanding bonding mechanical performance with a shear strength of 62.2 MPa.

Ensuring construction material provenance using Internet of Things and blockchain: Learning from the food industry

Ensuring material provenance is widely considered a promising solution to the persistent issues related to material fraudulence in the construction industry. However, current strategies of managing construction logistics and supply chain perplex provenance tracing and tracking by adding too many intermediaries and using low technologies. By learning from the food industry which shares similar complexity, prolonged supply chain, and numerous stakeholders, this research aims to develop a framework deployable for material provenance tracing and tracking in the construction industry. It does so by mixing the uses of (a) cross-sectoral learning; (b) design science research; and (c) internet of things (IoT) and blockchain technology. The developed framework has four interconnected layers, namely the business layer with different stakeholders and activities, the IoT layer to collect the provenance footprints, the blockchain layer with a mainchain to store open provenance data and sidechains to store organizational private data, and the application layer to facilitate the management of quality, safety, payment, logistic and supply chain, and sustainability. The underpinning philosophy of the framework is to capture the IoT-driven provenance footprints and put them in custody in blockchain. The framework is further illustrated and refined by using a pilot construction project in Hong Kong, which was endeavored to track steel provenance from its adjacent Pearl River Delta, the so-called “World's Factory”. The framework shows enormous prospects, e.g., adopting digital twins, lifecycle traceability, improved efficiency, and transparent operations, meanwhile facing challenges, e.g., under-developed regulations, scalability issues, and information leakage risks, which all call for future research.

Porous graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets with three-dimensional interconnected network as electrode for supercapacitors

Graphitic carbon nitride material with hierarchical porous structure and high doping level has been reported to exhibit superior capacitive properties due to the facilitated electrolyte migration and redox process. In this work, porous graphitic carbon nitride layers (UMCN-A1.25) with typical three-dimensional (3D) network were prepared through a facile calcination process. For its preparation, NH4HCO3 was used as the pore generator and glucose was used as the carbon precursor. Urea and melamine, which worked as the binary precursors for sacrificial template, played important roles in the formation of the final 3D interconnected structure. The hierarchical pore structure and high nitrogen-doping level endow UMCN-A1.25 with high specific capacitances (520 F g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and 219.4 F g−1 at 20 A g−1) and stable charge-discharge behavior with no capacitance declination after 10,000 cyclic tests. This work proposed an efficient route for the construction of inter-connected carbon nitride layers, and also revealed the importance of both lamellar morphology and interwoven structure for the acquisition of high capacitive properties.

Constructing Sandwich-Structured Poly(vinyl alcohol) Composite Films with Thermal Conductive and Electrical Performance.

With the miniaturization and high integration development in microelectronic devices, the problem of heat dissipation has attracted widespread attention. Highly thermal conductive and electrical insulation polymer composites show great advantages to solve the problems of heat dissipation. Nevertheless, the fabrication of polymer composites with both excellent thermal conductivity and electrical performance is still a great challenge. Herein, to coordinate the thermal and electrical properties of the composite film, the sandwich-structured poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/boron phosphide (BP)-boron nitride nanosheet (BNNS) composite films were prepared, with the PVA/BP composite film as the top and bottom layers and the BNNS layer as the middle layer. When the filler loading was 31.92 wt %, the sandwich-structured composite films showed excellent in-plane thermal conductivity (9.45 W·m-1·K-1), low dielectric constant (1.25 at 102 Hz), and excellent breakdown strength. In the composite film, the interconnected BP particles and BNNS layer formed several heat dissipation pathways to increase the thermal conductivity, while the insulated BNNS layer hampered the electron transformation to enhance the electrical resistivity of films. Therefore, the PVA/BP-BNNS composite films showed a potential application in heat dissipation of high power electronic devices.

Numerous defects induced by exfoliation of boron-doped g-C3N4 towards active sites modulation for highly efficient solar-to-fuel conversion

Graphitic carbon nitride (CN) has emerged as a highly promising material in the photocatalysis field. However, its bulk structure suffers from a lack of active sites, limiting its practical application. Herein, a boron-doped CN (BCN) was prepared by a green gas-blowing-assisted thermal polymerization and then subjected to different exfoliation processes in order to delaminate the layered structure and tune the surface-active sites. A thorough comparative study shows that thermal exfoliation creates unsaturated nitrogen sites and induces the formation of interconnected layers that act as an electron diffusion channel for better charge transport. Furthermore, the thermally exfoliated BCN is rich in structural disorders that serve as dissociation defects for photoinduced charge carriers with a low exciton binding energy of 27 meV. Experimental results supported by theoretical calculations show that the nitrogen adjacent to boron is activated by the surrounding surface amino groups and the perforated texture to serve as an active adsorption site towards CO2 and H2O. Consequently, the exfoliated BCN acts as an outstanding bifunctional photocatalyst towards CO2 reduction into CO (40.41 μmol g−1 h−1) and prominent hydrogen evolution (4740 μmol g−1 h−1, 12.2% apparent quantum yield (AQY)).

Multielement Co-Doped Carbon Derived from Spent LIBs Boosts Potassium Storage

Sustainability issues with batteries include making sure that the materials can be recycled into electrodes once they are no longer needed and that they have enough power to charge all devices. Existing technologies for material recovery and selective extraction continue to be inefficient and unsustainable. Here, N/S co-doping porous carbon materials comprising transitional-metal nanoparticles are synthesized through microstructural reconstruction from the waste layered cathode materials. The resultant three-dimensional (3D) porous carbon materials have various distinct and desirable structural characteristics and function admirably in potassium-ion batteries. The internal particle distribution, the interconnected carbon layer network, and the open-packed structure of microcapsules all contribute to the electrochemical transfer process. The proposed strategy offers almost zero-emission and pollution-free environment and can be extended to various spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) containing Li, Ni, Co, Mn, and other metals. The research may provide the potential to extend the environmental frontier for the development of energy materials.

Collective dynamics analysis based on the multiplex network method to unravel the backbone of fluctuations in groundwater level data

Collective behavior of groundwater level (GWL) in the Tabriz plain, northwest Iran, was modeled in the framework of complex networks. The GWL is considerably influenced by the lack of recharge due to drought in recent years and the increasing water demand of the industrial city of Tabriz. In this order, convergent cross-mapping (CCM) method was utilized to infer the causal relations by adopting a robust statistical approach based on hypothesis testing. Reconstructing structure is a challenge in network-based approaches to capture the dynamical variability of the measurements.This study aims to construct functional connectivity for a better understanding of informational flows among the wells. Multiplex network (MUX) was used as a set of coupled networks through interconnected layers to structure the information obtained from collective dynamics and time-reversal. The proposed procedure was evaluated by performing a systematic analysis of random network (RN) as a well-known model to consider the topological characteristics. The influence of connectivity reconstruction on network topology was also investigated by the generated experiments for different numbers of the dynamical units and lengths of the simulations at each unit. The MUX was constructed from the GWL for monthly observations over 15 years (2001–2017). Afterwards, the time-series was divided into three categories to infer the network connections in different time periods for various sets of the monitoring wells.The analysis indicates that unphysical connections are reduced by increasing the number of the coupling units as a desirable feature for detecting the underlying connectivity. The MUX is employed with the proposed statistical approach to quantitatively unravel the backbone of fluctuations in the GWL whose indirect causal relations form the skeleton. The MUX dynamics efficiently determines the underlying processes and identifies spatio-temporal patterns of the GWL fluctuations in two layers of the constructed networks.

The experience economy in UK city centres: A multidimensional and interconnected response to the ‘death of the high street’?

Since the 1990s the UK’s city centre high streets have been losing market share to out-of-town shopping and e-retailing. The shocks of the Global Financial Crisis and COVID-19 have hastened this and precipitated widespread store closures. The experience economy is increasingly promoted as a means to avert the ‘death of the high street’, and this prompts our study of its evolution. An exploration of the literature reveals the experience economy to be an interconnected phenomenon focused on the creation of a memorable event that elicits a sensory response via multi-dimensional innovation and design. Using this to guide our empirical work, we undertake a comparative mixed method longitudinal case study of five UK city centres. We initially chart the changing manifestations of experience uses before analysing supporting interviews and observations that reveal three interconnected layers of the experience economy: in-store commercial experiences; leisure and entertainment-orientated adaptations to shopping centres and department stores; and the wider regeneration of the public realm. Implications for city centre management are discussed.

Space stability by incorporating iron atoms into the cobalt structure enabling capacitive deionization stability possible

Exploring and designing high performance pseudocapacitance electrode materials is of great significance in enhancing the desalination performance of capacitive deionization (CDI). Transition metal cobalt is considered a prospective electrode material for CDI because of its abundance and high theoretical capacity, which can produce a higher salt removal capacity than pure capacitive materials in the CDI process. However, due to the collapse and loss of the active electrode crystal matrix, the cobalt electrode exhibits poor electrochemical performance. In this work, we used a second metal element, Fe, introduced by ion exchange pyrolysis to regulate the leaching effect and optimize the ion matching for cobalt to protect the electrode structure. In addition, the interconnected external carbon layers form a robust matrix for enhanced electrical conductivity with ion transport. Thanks to the synergistic effect of the cobalt‑iron (Co3Fe7@C) electrode structure and surface engineering, the adsorption capacity reached 72.29 mg·g−1, achieving 110 % capacity retention in 100 cycles of chlorine removal. As a result, the carbon-coated cobalt‑iron bimetallic electrode exhibits excellent dechlorination capabilities in capacity, cycle life and rate capability. This study provides a promising avenue for the design of stable electrode materials for capacitive deionization electrodes.

Analysis of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) Based on the Deep Learning

If Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) patients do not receive quick diagnosis and treatment, they may lose vision. DR, an eye disorder caused by high blood glucose, is becoming more prevalent worldwide. Once early warning signs are detected, the severity of the disease must be validated before choosing the best treatment. In this research, a deep learning network is used to automatically detect and classify DR fundus images depending on severity using AlexNet and Resnet101-based feature extraction. Interconnected layers helps to identify the critical features or characteristics; in addition, Ant Colony systems also help choose the characteristics. Passing these chosen attributes through SVM with multiple kernels yielded the final classification model with promising accuracy. The experiment based on 750 features proves that the proposed approach has achieved an accuracy of 93%.

A Stratified Theory of Value

Contemporary reflection on the concept of value oscillates between positions that advocate absolutist realism and positions that propose total relativism. The present paper aims to distance itself from these two ways of reading the topic, rejecting any monolithic conception, and proposing a stratified theory of value. Beginning with an analysis of values that differentiates them from both “goods” and “valuations,” the author outlines an understanding of value that must be investigated in its multiple, interconnected layers. The stratification starts from the role of the emotional sphere and comes down to a formal and absolute conception of the concept. The goal of the paper is to outline the different levels of validity of each proposed layer, which must be recognized and differentiated, with the aim of also capturing the difficulties and ambiguities that characterize the transition from one level to another.

Exciton regulation mechanism of Alq<sub>3</sub>/HAT-CN tandem electroluminescent devices

Tandem organic electroluminescent devices (OLEDs) have attracted widespread attention due to their long lifetime and high current efficiency. In this study, a double-emitting unit tandem OLED is fabricated by using Alq<sub>3</sub>/HAT-CN as an interconnect layer. Its photovoltaic properties and exciton regulation mechanism are investigated. The results show that the luminance (11189.86 cd/m<sup>2</sup>) and efficiency (13.85 cd/A) of the tandem OLED reaches 2.7 times that of the single electroluminescent (EL) unit OLED (luminance and efficiency of 4007.14 cd/m<sup>2</sup> and 5.00 cd/A, respectively) at a current density of 80 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>. This proves that the Alq<sub>3</sub>/HAT-CN is an efficient interconnect layer. At room temperature, the polaron pair undergoes intersystem crossing (ISC) due to hyperfine interaction (HFI) when a magnetic field is applied to the device. This increases the concentration of the triplet excitons (T<sub>1</sub>), thus promoting the charge scattering. The result is a rapid increase in the low magnetic field and a slow increase in the high magnetic field of the MEL. When the injection current strength is constant, there is less uncompounded charge in the Alq<sub>3</sub>/HAT-CN device than in other connected layer devices. Triplet-charge annihilation (TQA) is weak, resulting in a relative increase in the value of T<sub>1</sub>, which is not involved in the TQA. This suppresses the ISC and leads to a minimal increase in the MEL. As the current strength increases, the T<sub>1</sub> value increases, causing TQA to increase and ISC to decrease. Since the TQA is related to charge and T<sub>1</sub> value, lowering the temperature reduces the carrier mobility in the device, resulting in the relative decreasing of charge concentration and the weakening of TQA. Lowering the temperature reduces the quenching of thermal phonons and increases the T<sub>1</sub> value while extending its lifetime, resulting in the enhancement of triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA). At low temperatures, the high magnetic field shape of the MEL changes from slowly increasing to rapidly decreasing. Therefore, the T<sub>1</sub> value can be regulated by varying the current strength and temperature, which further affects the strength of ISC, TQA and TTA, and the luminescence and efficiency of the device can be effectively improved by reducing TQA and ISC. This work is of great significance in understanding the luminescence mechanism of small molecule tandem devices and studying the mechanism for improving their photovoltaic properties.