A limiting factor for the long-term reliability of power MOSFET-based devices is the electro-thermal and/or thermo-mechanical aging of the metallic parts. Here, we assess the bonding wire and source metallization degradation of power devices, designed for applications in the automotive industry. Our approach consists in characterizing the metal microstructure before and after accelerated aging tests, by scanning electron microscopy, ion milling and microscopy, focused ion beam tomography, transmission electron microscopy and grain structure mapping. To focus on the wire-metallization bonding interface, we have set up a dedicated sample preparation that allows us to disclose the metallization under the bonding wires. This critical location is significantly different from the naked metallization, as the bonding process induces plastic deformation prior to aging. The main mechanism behind the device failure is the generation and propagation of fatigue cracks in the aluminum metallization. Away and under the wire bonds, they run perpendicularly from the surface down to the silicon substrate following the grain boundaries, due to an enhanced self-diffusion of aluminum atoms. Moreover, initial imperfections in the wire-metallization bonding (small cavities and aluminum oxide residues) are the starting point for harmful cracks that propagate along the wire-metallization interface and can eventually cause the wire lift-off. These phenomena can explain the local increase in the device resistance occurring at failure.

The long-term reliability of power devices for applications in the automotive industry is limited by the electro-thermal and/or thermo-mechanical aging of the metallic parts. In the present work, we characterize the bonding wire and source metallization degradation of power MOSFETs-based devices under accelerated aging conditions, through electron and ion microscopy. The metal degradation is driven by an enhanced self-diffusion of aluminium (Al) atoms along the grain boundaries and a generalized fatigue crack propagation from the surface down to the silicon (Si) bulk. The metallization under the wire bonds is a critical location because it is initially plastically deformed during the bonding process. In addition, the wire-metal interface presents several imperfections, such as small cavities and Al oxide residues. During the electro-thermal cycles, they could be the starting point for harmful cracks that run along the interface (and eventually cause the wire lift-off or the cracking of the substrate). Whichever the propagation direction, the generation of these cracks locally increases the device resistance and temperature, and accelerates the aging process until failure.

La reconstruction de la couche de metallisation est l'un des mecanismes de degradation le plus observe dans les composants electroniques de puissance de type smart power soumis a des contraintes thermiques severes telle que les courts-circuits repetitifs en raison des contraintes thermomecaniques imposees : variation et niveaux de temperature eleves. Pour evaluer le niveau de degradation de la metallisation, le principal indicateur de vieillissement est la mesure de la resistance a l'etat passant RDSON qui est systematiquement associee a l'evolution de la resistance du metal. L'etude presentee dans cet article apporte des elements de comprehension sur l'effet de la reconstruction de la metallisation sur le vieillissement et la defaillance du composant de puissance a travers une large analyse experimentale axee sur la mesure de la cartographie du potentiel de source au cours du vieillissement

Reliability of modern power MOSFETs is assessed through accelerated electro-thermal aging tests. Top metallization layer reconstruction is one of the most observed degradation mechanisms in power devices operating under short circuit conditions. Experimental analysis results focused on temperature measurement and source potential mapping during ageing will be presented to corroborate previous results on electrical parameters evolution and to give new tools for health monitoring.

Lamin B1, a key component of the nuclear lamina, plays an important role in brain development and function. A duplication of the human lamin B1 ( LMNB1) gene has been linked to adult-onset autosomal dominant leukodystrophy, and mouse and human loss-of-function mutations in lamin B1 are susceptibility factors for neural tube defects. In the mouse, experimental ablation of endogenous lamin B1 (Lmnb1) severely impairs embryonic corticogenesis. Here we report that in primary mouse cortical neurons, LMNB1 overexpression reduces axonal outgrowth, whereas deficiency of endogenous Lmnb1 results in aberrant dendritic development. In the absence of Lmnb1, both the length and complexity of dendrites are reduced, and their growth is unresponsive to KCl stimulation. This defective dendritic outgrowth stems from impaired ERK signaling. In Lmnb1-null neurons, ERK is correctly phosphorylated, but phospho-ERK fails to translocate to the nucleus, possibly due to delocalization of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) at the nuclear envelope. Taken together, these data highlight a previously unrecognized role of lamin B1 in dendrite development of mouse cortical neurons through regulation of nuclear shuttling of specific signaling molecules and NPC distribution.

Confocal microscopy imaging of cells allows to visualize the presence of specific antigens by using fluorescent tags or fluorescent proteins, with resolution of few hundreds of nanometers, providing their localization in a large field-of-view and the understanding of their cellular function. Conversely, in scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the surface morphology of cells is imaged down to nanometer scale using secondary electrons. Combining both imaging techniques have brought to the correlative light and electron microscopy, contributing to investigate the existing relationships between biological surface structures and functions. Furthermore, in SEM, backscattered electrons (BSE) can image local compositional differences, like those due to nanosized gold particles labeling cellular surface antigens. To perform SEM imaging of cells, they could be grown on conducting substrates, but obtaining images of limited quality. Alternatively, they could be rendered electrically conductive, coating them with a thin metal layer. However, when BSE are collected to detect gold-labeled surface antigens, heavy metals cannot be used as coating material, as they would mask the BSE signal produced by the markers. Cell surface could be then coated with a thin layer of chromium, but this results in a loss of conductivity due to the fast chromium oxidation, if the samples come in contact with air. In order to overcome these major limitations, a thin layer of indium-tin-oxide was deposited by ion-sputtering on gold-decorated HeLa cells and neurons. Indium-tin-oxide was able to provide stable electrical conductivity and preservation of the BSE signal coming from the gold-conjugated markers.

The long-term reliability of modern power MOSFETs is assessed through accelerated electro-thermal aging tests. Previous studies have shown that the source metallization (top metal and wires) is a failure-prone location of the component. To study how the top aluminum metallization microstructure ages, we have performed ion and electron microscopy and mapped the grain structure before and after avalanche and short-circuit aging tests. The situation under the bond wires is significantly different as the bonding process induces plastic deformation prior to aging. Ion microscopy seems to show two inverse tendencies: grain growth under the wires and grain refinement elsewhere in the metallization. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the situation is more complex. Rearrangement of the initial defect and grain structure happen below and away from the wire. The most harmful fatigue cracks propagate parallel to the wire/metal bonding interface.

Here we show that macrozwitterions of poly(ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate), commonly called Super Glue, can easily assemble into long and well defined fibers by electrospinning. The resulting fibrous networks are thermally treated on glass in order to create transparent coatings whose superficial morphology recalls the organization of the initial electrospun mats. These textured coatings are characterized by low liquid adhesion and anti-staining performance. Furthermore, the low friction coefficient and excellent scratch resistance make them attractive as solid lubricants. The inherent texture of the coatings positively affects their biocompatibility. In fact, they are able to promote the proliferation and differentiation of myoblast stem cells. Optically-transparent and biocompatible coatings that simultaneously possess characteristics of low water contact angle hysteresis, low friction and mechanical robustness can find application in a wide range of technological sectors, from the construction and automotive industries to electronic and biomedical devices.

Journal Article Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO) as Stable and Effective Coating Material for Correlative Confocal and Immuno-Scanning Electron Microscopy Studies Get access Andrea Falqui, Andrea Falqui King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:aBiological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division;bPhysical Sciences and Engineering Division Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Simona Rodighiero, Simona Rodighiero Fondazione Filarete, Viale Ortles 22/4, 20139 Milano, Italy Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Elisa Sogne, Elisa Sogne Fondazione Filarete, Viale Ortles 22/4, 20139 Milano, ItalyKing Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:aBiological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division;bPhysical Sciences and Engineering Division Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Bruno Torre, Bruno Torre King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:aBiological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division;bPhysical Sciences and Engineering Division Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Roberta Ruffilli, Roberta Ruffilli CEMES/CNRS, 29 Rue Jeanne Marvig BP 94347, 31055 Toulouse Cedex 4, France Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Maura Francolini, Maura Francolini Fondazione Filarete, Viale Ortles 22/4, 20139 Milano, ItalyUniversita degli Studi di Milano, Via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milano, Italy Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Cinzia Cagnoli, Cinzia Cagnoli Fondazione Filarete, Viale Ortles 22/4, 20139 Milano, Italy Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Enzo di Fabrizio Enzo di Fabrizio King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:aBiological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division;bPhysical Sciences and Engineering Division Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Microscopy and Microanalysis, Volume 21, Issue S3, 1 August 2015, Pages 1501–1502, https://doi.org/10.1017/S1431927615008284 Published: 23 September 2015

The cancer stem cell (CSC) model is describing tumors as a hierarchical organized system and CSCs are suggested to be responsible for cancer recurrence after therapy. The identification of specific markers of CSCs is therefore of paramount importance. Here, we show that high levels of lipid droplets (LDs) are a distinctive mark of CSCs in colorectal (CR) cancer. This increased lipid content was clearly revealed by label-free Raman spectroscopy and it directly correlates with well-accepted CR-CSC markers as CD133 and Wnt pathway activity. By xenotransplantation experiments, we have finally demonstrated that CR-CSCs overexpressing LDs retain most tumorigenic potential. A relevant conceptual advance in this work is the demonstration that a cellular organelle, the LD, is a signature of CSCs, in addition to molecular markers. A further functional characterization of LDs could lead soon to design new target therapies against CR-CSCs.

We report the development of magnetic nanocomposite sheets with superhydrophobic and supeoleophilic surfaces generated by laser ablation. Polydimethylsiloxane elastomer free-standing films, loaded homogeneously with 2% wt. carbon coated iron nanoparticles, were ablated by UV (248 nm), nanosecond laser pulses. The laser irradiation induces chemical and structural changes (both in micro- and nano-scale) to the surfaces of the nanocomposites rendering them superhydrophobic. The use of nanoparticles increases the UV light absorption efficiency of the nanocomposite samples, and thus facilitates the ablation process, since the number of pulses and the laser fluence required are greatly reduced compared to the bare polymer. Additionally the magnetic nanoparticles enhance significantly the superhydrophobic and oleophilic properties of the PDMS sheets, and provide to PDMS magnetic properties making possible its actuation by a weak external magnetic field. These nanocomposite elastomers can be considered for applications requiring magnetic MEMS for the controlled separation of liquids. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

We present a method to create alginate nanocomposite objects having two regions with distinct chemical composition by spatially confining the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in the polysaccharide matrix. Controlling the floating of sodium alginate drops on calcium chloride solution containing specific concentrations of gold ions, we demonstrate the formation of bicolour structures with a mushroom-like shape. Their immersed portion (the cap) was exclusively involved in the uptake and reduction of gold precursor, acquiring the typical purple colour of Au NPs; whereas, the emerged portion (the stem) did not participate in the in situ synthesis and retained the white colour of calcium alginate. Moreover, we noted that the localized growth of Au NPs was strongly related to the initial amount of gold precursor. In fact for high concentrations, the gold ions were just encapsulated inside the gel matrix and no reduction was observed in the wet structures neither in the cap nor in the stem. The reported procedure is simple and capable of directing the synthesis of Au NPs into selected areas of the alginate matrix, making possible the fabrication of a novel class of alginate structures with an anisotropic character and potential applications in the area of drug delivery and biosensors.

We demonstrate the formation of stable magnetic microwires (MWs) in solution starting from a highly diluted solution of monomerthermal initiatorsuperparamagnetic nanoparticles (SMNPs). Under an external magnetic field (MF) the SMNPs get closely packed into wire-like assemblies that become permanently linked due to simultaneous thermal polymerization of the monomer. As the SMNPs assemble in the form of wires under MF, the concentration of the monomer chains adsorbed onto them increases in the near proximity of these assemblies, promoting the polymerization process during heating. This combined process causes the permanent bonding among the SMNPs, forming smooth MWs with metallic character. Detailed microscopic and spectroscopic studies reveal the mechanism of the process and designate the importance of the external MF, the thermal polymerization, and the high dilution factor of the reaction solution for the formation of free-standing uniform wires with controlled size. This method leads to a novel approach to form long magnetic wires with smooth contour and regular shape, which can be used in various fields of applications like in biomedicine, chemistry, fluidics, etc.

Rare earth doping of porous silicon is a very promising technique for the fabrication of all-Si light emitting devices at the 1.51 mu m wavelength. However, the lack of detailed knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the electrochemical Er doping (ECD) of the porous layers has, till now, been a major limitation for achieving the expected performances. As we will show, a key parameter of the Er ECD is the current density used during the process. We observed that using low current densities (LD), for equal amounts of transferred charge, leads to a significantly lower Er content in the porous layers with respect to using high current densities (HD). The threshold between "high" and "low" current densities depends on the sample characteristics, being related to the effective surface of the sample. The samples have been characterized by galvanostatic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (GEIS) for various DC current densities. The GEIS results show a significant difference for LD and HD, and an additional semicircle in the Nyquist plot is visible for HD with respect to LD. This change in the ECD behavior is also observed when studying the applied voltage time evolution in constant-current ECD. With LD, a single transient is observed, while for HD a double transient ?? is observed, coherently with the appearance of an additional semicircle in the GEIS plots. Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy by Scanning Electron Microscopy (EDS-SEM) confirmed the significant difference in the Er content for LD and HD samples with equal total transferred charge, HD samples containing more than one order of magnitude additional Er atoms with respect to LD samples.

Freestanding natural polymeric films with homogeneous dispersion of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) are obtained via in situ reduction of gold(III) chloride trihydrate by sodium alginate (SA) biopolymer matrix, during water evaporation without the use of additional reducing agents. The size and size distribution of the prepared Au NPs can be tuned by changing the concentration of the precursor and/or the procedure of the films’ preparation. The nanocomposite films after preparation are stable in ambient conditions and can be used without the need of further processing, or can be redissolved in water. In the case of water dissolution, the aqueous solutions are irradiated with UV laser pulses turning the previously formed Au NPs into smaller ones with narrow size distributions through photofragmentation. This technique is proposed as a green way of synthesizing Au NPs of tunable size in aqueous solution of alginate, or incorporated in alginate freestanding polymeric films, that due to their biocompatibility can be used as passive labels or active sensors in biomedical applications.

A novel strategy for the fabrication of elastomeric poly( dimethylsiloxane) ( PDMS) foams with interconnected nanocomposite cells of controlled size is presented. Beads of the natural hydrogel calcium alginate are used as templates for the fabrication of the foams and as initiators for the functionalization of their cells with gold nanoparticles. The hydrogel beads are easily fabricated via external gelation using a fluidic system that permits the control of their size. As a subsequent step, they are assembled in containers where PDMS pre-polymer is poured. As the elastomer cures, the beads shrink releasing the liquid they contain and forming pores in the polymer matrix. By introducing gold precursor solution in the beads, it is possible to develop foams with gold nanoparticles immobilized on the surface of their cells. As the gold ion solution is released by the beads, it chemically interacts with the PDMS, forming nanoparticles locally on the surface of the cavities of the foams. The same procedure can be expanded to various substances resulting in functional foams with localized properties, with applications envisaged in the biomedical field.

The results of an investigation on the Er doping of porous silicon are presented. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, optical reflectivity, and spatially resolved energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) coupled to scanning electron microscopy measurements were used to investigate on the transient during the first stages of constant current Er doping. Depending on the applied current intensity, the voltage transient displays two very different behaviors, signature of two different chemical processes. The measurements show that, for equal transferred charge and identical porous silicon (PSi) layers, the applied current intensity also influences the final Er content. An interpretative model is proposed in order to describe the two distinct chemical processes. The results can be useful for a better control over the doping process.

Bioplastics with a wide range of mechanical properties were directly obtained from industrially processed edible vegetable and cereal wastes. As model systems, we present bioplastics synthesized from wastes of parsley and spinach stems, rice hulls, and cocoa pod husks by digesting in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), casting, and evaporation. In this way, amorphous cellulose-based plastics are formed. Moreover, many other natural elements present in these plants are carried over into the bioplastics rendering them with many exceptional thermo-physical properties. Here, we show that, due to their broad compatibility with cellulose, amorphous cellulose can be naturally plasticized with these bioplastics by simply mixing during processing. Comparison of their mechanical properties with that of various petroleum based synthetic polymers indicates that these bioplastics have equivalent mechanical properties to the nondegrading ones. This opens up possibilities for replacing some of the nondegrading polymers with the present bioplastics obtained from agro-waste.