Abstract: The evolution of the use of the 1250 keV high-voltage electron microscope in Antwerp is sketched by illustrating a non-exhaustive set of examples in various fields. One of the main present fields of application gets some more attention, i.e. the defect studies as produced by processing steps in microelectronic devices: (i) strain-induced dislocations at the edges of various device isolation interlayers, (ii) morphologies resulting from high-energy ion implantation creating buried layers for silicon on insulator (SOI) and other implantation technologies.

Abstract: Graphene interconnects are being considered as a promising candidate for beyond CMOS applications, thanks to the intrinsic higher carrier mobility, lower aspect ratio and better reliability with respect to conventional Cu damascene interconnects. However, similarly to Cu, line edge roughness can seriously affect graphene resistance, something which must be taken into account when evaluating the related performance benefits. In this letter, we present a model for assessing the impact of edge scattering on the resistance of graphene interconnects. Our model allows the evaluation of the total mean free path in graphene lines as a function of graphene width, diffusive scattering probability and edge roughness standard deviation and autocorrelation length. We compare our model with other models from literature by benchmarking them using the same set of experimental data. We show that, as opposed to the considered models from literature, our model is capable to describe the mobility drop with scaling caused by significantly rough edges.

Abstract: The early medieval period marks an important turning point in the history of glassmaking, since it comprises the transition period between the mineral-based silica-soda-lime glass of the Roman tradition and the plant ash-based glass. With the aim of expanding the knowledge on the glass recipes and technologies of this period, 37 glass samples were analyzed, originating from the archaeological excavations of San Genesio (Tuscany) and dated from the fourth to the eleventh century. The major and minor element concentrations were measured with SEM-EDX, while the trace elements were quantified with LA-ICP-MS. The results were compared with published compositions of glass samples of similar age in order to highlight differences and similarities. The results offer a very interesting view on the glass circulation in the religious/residential/manufacturing center of San Genesio in the early medieval period. Most of the glass has a typical late-Roman composition, but some glass fragments are identified as soda ash glass. These are among the earliest medieval ash-fluxed glasses ever found in the Italian peninsula. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: In this article, results using confocal µ-Raman to analyse the cross-section of paint samples are presented. Results obtained with light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with an energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and micro-X-ray fluorescence (µ-XRF) are mentioned and compared to the ones obtained with confocal (MRS). In some cases, pigment identification was possible only by combining analytical results from different techniques. The samples were drawn from five paintings belonging to the Academy of Fine Arts of Antwerp, which are part of a collection of 34 paintings made by students from the Academy between 1819 and 1920. Since, on the one hand, the painting techniques and materials, especially pigments, used in this period are still not completely known, and on the other hand, this collection constitutes a very important and reliable resource of information, these paintings were chosen for a systematic investigation. They represent the evolution of painting in Belgium over approximately a century.

Abstract: Owing to their high surface-to-volume ratio, there has been an increasing research interest in mixed ionic electronic conducting (MIEC) capillary membranes for large-scale high temperature oxygen separation applications. They offer an energy-efficient solution for high temperature combustion processes in oxy-fuel and pre-combustion CO2 capture technologies used in fossil fuel power plants. In order to assess the effectiveness of these membranes in power plant applications, the impact of the geometry of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-delta (BSCF) capillaries on their performance in the three-end and four-end integration modes has been investigated and thoroughly discussed. The model's parameters were derived from four-end mode lab-scale experiments using gas-tight, macrovoid free and sulfur-free BSCF capillary membranes that were prepared by a phase-inversion spinning technique. The results of this modeling study revealed that in the four-end mode higher average oxygen fluxes and smaller total membrane areas can be obtained than in the three-end mode. This is due to the higher pO(2) gradient across the membrane wall. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The combined use of clean technologies can lead amongst other benefits to reduced environmental impacts, improved system efficiencies, better management of land scarcity, and diminishment of the effect of power variability of intermittent clean energy sources. Nonetheless, private investors facing budgetary constraints will only opt to invest in the combination of technologies if the latter is more profitable than the investment in a single technology. The aim of the paper is to provide a systematic model for decision makers that allows them to evaluate the profitability of any random combination of technologies under budgetary constraints, and to compare this profitability with that of the individual projects in isolation. This research goes beyond the state of art in the field of financial management and more specifically in the field of the rationing of capital amongst interdependent projects, by developing a method to calculate the payoff of interdependent projects undertaken together. Moreover, this paper develops a computational model from the investor's point of view, of which the purpose is threefold: First, the model allows to directly compare the economic payoff of individual complementary technologies with the economic payoff of their integrated combination, under budgetary constraints. Second, the model calculates economic synergies labeled benefits of combined technologies' (BOCT) when combining complementary technologies. Third, the model explains the rationalization behind the presence of BOCT. The model exemplifies an ex ante cost benefit analysis developed for business and non-governmental use. A four step methodology is proposed and illustrated by means of a case study of PV solar power and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for a small Belgian enterprise. Results show that at low electricity prices (<Euro0.112/kWh) it is most profitable to invest in BEVs. When the price of electricity rises (>Euro0.134/kWh), investment in exclusively PV becomes most attractive. In all other cases, it is more profitable to invest in the combination of both technologies. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract: Purpose This paper aimed to investigate the determinants of loans and advances from commercial banks in the case of Ethiopian private commercial banks. Design/methodology/approach The study randomly selected seven commercial banks to represent the population stratified on their asset, deposit and paid-up capital amounts. The study utilized an unbalanced panel data model as each bank started operation at a different period of time and considered the period 1995-2016 for secondary details. Findings The findings showed that the deposit size, credit risk, portfolio investment, average lending rate, real gross domestic product (GDP) and inflation rate had significant and optimistic effects on the lending and advancement of private commercial banks. On the contrary, liquidity ratio had significant and negative effects on private commercial bank loans and advances. Finally, the study forwarded a feasible recommendation for concerned organs to focus on deposit size, credit risk, portfolio investment, average lending rate, real GDP, inflation rate and liquidity ratio. The results of this study will help banking industry policymakers and planners understand how to minimize inflation and unemployment by improving development and sustainable economic growth. Originality/value The findings of this study can also affect the general attitudes of a society by increasing knowledge and improve the quality of life for the general public.

Abstract: When Fe(II) bearing groundwaters surface in streams, particulate authigenic Fe-rich material is produced by oxidation. Such freshly precipitated Fe minerals may be transported as suspended sediment and have a profound impact on the fate of trace metals and nutrients in rivers. The objective of this study was to monitor changes in mineralogy and composition of authigenic material from its source to streams of increasing order. Groundwaters, surface waters, and suspended sediment in streams of different order were sampled in the Kleine Nete catchment (Belgium), a lowland with Fe-rich groundwaters (3.5-53.8 mg Fe/L; pH 6.3-6.9). Fresh authigenic material (>0.45 mu m) was produced by oxidising filtered (<0.45 mu m) groundwater and surface water. This material contained, on average, 44% Fe, and smaller concentrations of C, P, and Ca. Iron EXAFS (Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure) spectroscopy showed that the Fe was present as poorly crystalline hydrous ferric oxides with a structure similar to that of ferrihydrite. The Fe concentration in the suspended sediment samples decreased to 36-40% (stream order 2), and further to 18-26% (stream order 4 and 5). Conversely, the concentrations of organic C, Ca, Si, and trace metals increased with increasing stream order, suggesting mixing of authigenic material with suspended sediment from a different source. The Fe speciation in the suspended sediment was similar to that in fresh authigenic material, but more Fe-Fe interactions were observed, i.e. it was increasingly hydrolysed, suggesting ageing reactions. The suspended sediment in the streams of order 4 and 5 is estimated to contain between 31% and 59% of authigenic material, but more data are needed to refine this estimate. The authigenic material is an important sink for P in these streams which may alleviate the eutrophication risk in this catchment. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The heavy metal analysis around Iskenderun Bay in Turkey was carried out using mosses, soils, mussels, and sediments. This region is one of the most industrial areas of Turkey, including iron-steel plants, beverage, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plants, and oil transfer docks. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (Epsilon 5, PANalytical, Almelo, The Netherlands) was used to analyze all samples. V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, and Pb elements were observed in all samples studied. Although Ce was detected in some mosses and soils, Sn was detected only in some moss samples. Pb concentrations in the moss samples are higher than the soil, the mussel, and the sediment samples. This can be attributed to the mosses that absorb heavy metals such as Pb easily from the air. As the aim of this study was to analyze heavy metals, the evaluation of these elements with their potential hazards for ecology and humans is briefly discussed

Abstract: We consider the effects of three different types of applied compressive stress on the structural, electronic and optical properties of rutile SnO2. We use standard density functional theory (OFT) to determine the structural parameters. The effective masses and the electronic band gap, as well as their stress derivatives, are computed within both DFT and many-body perturbation theory (MBPT). The stress derivatives for the SnO2 direct band gap are determined to be 62, 38 and 25 meV/GPa within MBPT for applied hydrostatic, biaxial and uniaxial stress, respectively. Compared to DFT, this is a clear improvement with respect to available experimental data. We also estimate the exciton binding energies and their stress coefficients and compute the absorption spectrum by solving the Bethe-Salpeter equation. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: In this paper, the amorphous barium titanate precursor was prepared by the peroxo-hydroxide method and post-treated by various drying procedures, such as: room temperature drying, room temperature vacuum drying and vacuum drying at 50 degrees C. The objective in the latter two treatments was to increase the Ti-O-Ba bonds of the precursor. The post-treated precursors were compared with the untreated (i.e., 'wet') precursor. Also, a barium titanate precursor was prepared by an alkoxide route. Afterwards, the precursors were hydrothermally treated at 200 degrees C in a 10 M NaOH solution. Vacuum drying of the precursor seemingly promoted the formation of Ti-O-Ti bonds in the hydrothermal end-product. The low Ba:Ti ratio (0.66) of the alkoxide-route prepared precursor lead to a multi-phase hydrothermal product with BaTiO(3) as the main phase. In contrast, phase pure BaTiO(3), i.e. without BaCO(3) contamination, was obtained for the precursor which was dried at room temperature. Cube-shaped and highly crystalline BaTiO(3) particles were observed by electron microscopy for the hydrothermally treated peroxo-hydroxide-route prepared precursor. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.