High Aspect Ratio Pholithography for MEMS Application Article

High Aspect Ratio Pholithography for MEMS Application - Article Example This is the most prominent technique and is widely used and can be used with tall microstructures in the range of 100 micrometers to 1 mm. This method though resulting into long micro structures does not affect the lateral dimension accuracy making it effective method in achieving this objective. However, the method cannot be universally applied due to lack of a synchronized source and the fabrication cost of LIGA that is prohibitive. The use of X-rays from a synchronized source with the capability of giving high intensity, hard x-rays with low divergent properties, makes this method to achieve great results despite these limitations. This led to the development of low cost and commonly available process that would meet the above objectives, and that is close to LIGA. An example was the reactive ion Etching (RIE) of polyamide, which has been presented as a method that could fabricate high aspect ratios structures at the lower costs compared to the above process. This was able to achi eve a thickness so of more than 100 micrometers, and an aspect ratio of about 10. This process was however found to be more tedious as it required modification of the RIE machine, and hence not effective. Other methods that have been used to investigate in this process include the photosensitive polyamide together with UV exposure and have been used in fabricating plating molds. This process achieved a thickness of up to 50 micrometers and an aspect ratio close to 8. Other methods that have been investigated include the high aspect commercial photolithography with photoresist and a near UV light source, in fabricating high aspect ratio molds of metal structures. These are some of the motivations behind the research above by Miyajima and Mehregany. Research background The research involved investigating the fabrication of high-aspect-ratio structures using a commercially available positive photoresist and the UV exposure increasing molds, which would be used together with electroless nickel plating. The research involved an effort to maintain a 2- 3micrometers line width and increasing the photoresists thickness altogether. This was the main point that most of the LIGA high-aspect-ratio process as described above ignored. Using an electrostatic actuator that had been micro machined with 1.5 micrometers wide active gaps and up to 5 micrometers polysilicon, and increasing the gap side wall height instead of increasing the gap height was found to result to reduced force/torque, and this eliminated the urge to use high aspect ratio structures. This was the remarkable difference in this process as compared to other processes investigating this problem. The use of evaporated solvents during the coating process ensured that films thicker than 8 micrometers were obtained. After carrying out the complete process and the patterns in photoresist, electroless nickel plating was performed to fabricate metal structures, and this required the chemical compatibility of the pho toresits with the plating chemicals to be an important considerations. This photo lithography process was found to be compatible with the electroless nickel plating process described above. Methodology One of the variables that were to be considered and regulated is the spin speed in coating. A slower speed below 1000rpm could have resulted to rough surface in the photoresists and the

The Declaration of Bankruptcy as a Legal Way Research Proposal

The Declaration of Bankruptcy as a Legal Way - Research Proposal Example Most bankruptcies would not only involve one creditor but many. Debts are usually classified as secured and unsecured (Bankruptcy Alberta, n.d.). Secured debts originate from valuable assets that come with a security agreement allowing a creditor to take back the assets if a debtor fails to pay or abide by the terms of the agreement with the creditor. Car leases, home mortgages, rent-to-own, and other installment purchase contracts are examples of secured debts. The assets such as the car or house in these contracts are given up as collateral if the debtor is unable to pay. The second type of debts is unsecured debt. This type of debt includes credit cards, overdrafts and the general day-to-day bills that people pay on a regular basis. These debts are often referred to as trade debts. For secured debts, when a debtor is declared bankrupt, the creditor cannot make him pay and his chance to take back the assets from the debtor is very limited. For unsecured debts, the creditors cannot force a debtor who is declared bankrupt to pay regular bills. Unsecured contracts are terminated by a bankruptcy. If a debtor receives a discharge from bankruptcy, the creditor’s right to collect no longer exists. Several laws including the Bankruptcy Code enacted in 1978 govern all bankruptcy cases. The primary goal of these laws is to give debtors a financial fresh start from burdensome debt. It allows the debtor to start anew, uninhibited by the pressures and discouragements of preexisting debts. The goal to cancel debts is accomplished by a bankruptcy discharge. It is a publication that basically releases the debtor from being liable for specific debts and forbids the creditor to take any action against the debtor to collect those debts. The bankruptcy discharge is in a question-and-answer format. It seeks to provide information regarding the timing of the discharge—which of the debts are discharged and which are not, any objections to the discharge and how the dis charge can be revoked. It also includes the actions a debtor can take in the case that the creditor still collects a discharged debt after the bankruptcy is concluded. There are other parties involved in the bankruptcy. Filing bankruptcy cannot be easily done by any person who wishes to be relieved of debts. He must first be qualified to be declared bankrupt. The party responsible for this is the bankruptcy judge, who functions as a judicial officer. He decides whether or not a debtor is eligible for bankruptcy and whether or not he should be should be discharged of his debts. More often than not, the bankruptcy process is conducted away from the courthouse because it is administrative. In some cases, another party, the trustee is appointed to oversee the case. The trustee is appointed through the United States Trustee Program of the Department of Justice. He administers the bankruptcy and represents the interests of the bankruptcy estate (Shoemaker & Dart, P.S., 2010). By far, ther e had been many types of bankruptcies but generally, there are three main types. The types of bankruptcies are named after the chapters in which they appear in the Bankruptcy Code. In most resources, these three types of bankruptcies are considered the main types: Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 type of bankruptcy is entitled Liquidation. It is sometimes. This involves the sale for cash of nonexempt property (includes such assets as bank accounts, stocks, and bonds) and the

Myself as a Psychological Researcher Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Myself as a Psychological Researcher - Essay Example It involves four important goals to achieve in order to answer what it seeks. The paragraph below will identify and explain the choices I will make as a career after graduation a psychological researcher particularly in three fields of psychology. My area of interest is particularly in the field of Cognitive, developmental and social psychology. Cognitive Psychology is defined as the study of the mental processing of information received by the senses relayed to the brain for analysis and interpretation thereby generating reactions and response. Developmental study on the other hand is related with the way the mental facets along with the senses develops and functions. Together with Cognitive psychology, the developmental Psychology explains how and why people react and respond to certain external stimulus, and dictates how we make use of logic and comprehension once the external stimulus occurs again. Social Psychology on the other hand studies about human behavior, all together they are interrelated these studies explains how man interacts and relates with the world. This interests me because I believe this the most logical and definitive way we understand even the most complex of all behavior.

Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc. v. Bancroft Global Development Case Study

Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc. v. Bancroft Global Development - Case Study Example A lawsuit was filed by ADS in Virginia Beach Circuit Court in February of 2011. ADS alleged that Bancroft had ordered and accepted the boots along with other products such as battle-dress uniforms, pistol belts and field jackets but only had paid for half of it. Bancroft is accused of breach of contract and conversion. ADS argued that Bancroft held on to the goods that it had actually rejected and hence demanded $1 million. A statement by ADS’s attorney said that Bancroft owed ADS money and hence they are suing it (WTOP, 2012). Bancroft on the other hand countersued ADS for $1.1 million. It accused ADS of breach of contract and fraud. Bancroft argued that the boots supplied were of poor quality and fake military boots. The boots were not intended for military use as they were designed to be costume boots. The quality of the boots is said to be so poor that it would not even serve the purpose of daily regular use, let alone military use (WTOP, 2012). The main reason for the disagreement is that the boots were of poor quality and wore out on just a few uses. Bancroft says that it relied on ADS to provide boots that were of military specification. Even though this was not mentioned in the purchase order, the specifications of the product needed were mentioned in the purchase order by DynCorp which was forwarded to ADS. Hence Bancroft argues that as ADS was aware of the military specifications of the product and still provided with low quality products. Therefore it has indulged in fraud and breach of contract. Bancroft had arranged for the delivery to be picked up by a third party and have it delivered to Uganda. There were no inspection checks done and it is only after the problems surfaced, that an official inspection was conducted and the boots officially rejected (McCabe, 2012). ADS has argued against the above allegation by saying that the products were selected based on the price quote by Bancroft. There are no military boots available in their price range. It also argued that all military specification was carefully removed from the purchase order by Bancroft in order to save money. They argued that Bancroft wanted to the cheapest products at the earliest and they were delivered what they asked for. ADS also blame Bancroft of taking too much time in rejecting the goods. It argues that if the products were detective, then should have been immediately rejected (McCabe, 2012). Judgement has not been reached yet and evidences have been submitted by both parties to prove their claims. Risk Management by both Organizations There are various risk management steps that could have been taken by both organizations to avoid. First and foremost, each organization should have added an expressed condition in the contract that would ensure that their interests are served. An express condition would explicitly set forth the terms and conditions of the deal (Salzedy & Brunner, 1999). Bancroft should have added a condit ion in the agreement to meet the specific quality requirements which would mean that the ADS would have been under the obligation to meet the quality requirements, in this case military specifications. ADS on its part could have added a condition to have the payment made within a specified time length or added a condition would have required Bancroft to reject the products within a time period

Key aspects of Wal-Mart Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Key aspects of Wal-Mart - Assignment Example By integrating all the players within the supply chain, conflicts can be avoided as all players are integrated into a leaner operating model which generates relatively similar results for all. (Ireland) Information exchange, effective communication and partnering at various stages of the supply chain can also ensure decision rights are realigned to provide space to every player in the overall supply chain of the organization. Some of the conflicts which can arise as a result of having different objectives include conflicts on the margins, delivery schedules, production quantities, freight charges etc. Since Wal-Mart also has an advanced level of IT system in place therefore it can share with its larger suppliers its data which can reduce such conflicts as vendors can easily track the production requirements and schedule the deliveries accordingly. A strong information technology system can help large firms to easily share the data with vendors to avoid any conflicts. One of the key b enefits achieved by Wal-Mart through its effective and efficient supply chain is that of the lower prices. Wal-Mart has been successful because of its ability to lower the prices for its end customers and this has only been achieved through a strong focus on cost cutting and achieving efficiencies in its operations. Since, supply chain is the key to the success of managing inventories at desired level therefore it becomes important for Wal-Mart to actually reduce costs and improve its supply chain to pass on the benefits of savings to its customers in the form of low prices.

Types of Cooperatives Essay Example for Free

Types of Cooperatives Essay The following are the main types of cooperative enterprises: i.Producer Cooperative Societies These are formed to eliminate the middlemen and capitalist groups from the  industrial production. Its main purpose is to produce goods for the requirements of its members. Surplus productions are also supplied to out riders in the open market at profit. All the necessary activities .as production, management and marketing are performed by the members themselves. Its members get dividend on the basis of the capital invested by them. Objects (a)To purchase the raw materials and other factors at most economical prices. (b)To produce the goods at the most economical level. (c)To supervise the production most efficiently and effectively. (d)To dispose of the surplus production to non members at maximum prices. (e)To eliminate the middlemen and capitalists. (f)To remove the workers grievances in respect of working conditions, wages etc. (g)To arrange for the democratic control of the industrial unit. ii.Consumer Cooperative Societies The society is the voluntary association of ordinary people formed with the object of obtaining daily requirements of the members. It directly purchases the goods at large scale from the producer or wholesalers at whole sale price. It thus eliminates capitalists, retailers and other middlemen from the channel of distribution and members are in a position to make their purchase at cheater rate. Anyone can become member by purchasing one share of the society. Sometimes goods are also supplied to non-members but they do not share in the profit of the society. Profit earned by the store are distributed among the members according to the value of the purchases conducted by the manager who is elected by the members. Generally its two types are popular in the world. (a)Retail cooperative store. (b)Wholesale cooperative store. Objects 1.To eliminate the retailers, capitalists and wholesalers. 2.To promote the welfare of the members. 3.To supply the daily necessities of life to its members at market price. 4.To increase the purchasing power an standard of living of the members of the society. iii.Marketing Cooperative Society It is the voluntary association of producers formed for the object of arranging the disposal of their output. It pools together the output of the individual members and arranges to supply the product at highest possible price. The profit of the sale of the ~ products is distributed among the contributing producers according to their individual contribution to the pool. This kind of society is particularly useful for the small producers and agriculturists. It can be formed in two organization according to the local condition of the country i.e. (a)Single purpose society (b)Multi purposes society Objectives 1.To eliminate the middlemen who are liable of the high cost of marketing. 2.To pool together the output of the individual members. 3.To grade and process of the pooling products of the members. 4.To dispose of the product at the maximum price. 5.To adjust supply to demand. 6.To provide storage facilities to its members. 7.To procure the information relating to market for the members product. 8.To provide the financial facilities to its members. iv. Insurance Cooperative Society This type of cooperative society is formed for the objects of providing group insurance facilities to its members. It makes the contract with sound insurance company on collective terms and conditions and thus pay lower premium rate to insurance company as compared with ordinary policy holders. These are other two forms of cooperative Insurance i.e. 1.Mutual office 2.Self concern. In the Mutual office, the policy holders are the owners and the profit of the insurance company is utilized in the following ways: (a)To strengthen the financial position of the company. (b)To decrease true amount of premium. (c)To distribute bonus to its members. Self concern Cooperative society is organized to provide insurance facilities like the private insurance company and issued policy to its members for reasonable amount. Object 1.To provide insurance facilities to its members. 2.To charge the low rate of premium. 3.To promote the welfare of the members. 4.To encourage the habit of thrift and investment. v.Housing Cooperative society It is an association of middle and low income groups of people. Generally it is formed in urban areas. The main purpose of this form of society is to protect its members against exploitation by landlords. It not only grants financial assistance to its members but also achieve the economics of purchase of building material in bulk. In order to become a member of the society one must buy at least one share of the society. The liability of the member is limited to his capital contributed. It is also called Building Society and may be divided into three types i.e. (1)Housing Building Society (2)Land Society (3)Finance Society Objectives 1.To receive deposits from its members. 2.To make loans to its members for the construction of house at low rate of interest. 3.To render technical services for its members. 4.To purchase building materials at economical rate. 5.To perform the welfare activities as water supply, roads, sewerage, electricity etc. vi. Cooperative Farming Society This form of Society is formed with the object of obtaining the benefits of large scale farming and maximizing agricultural products. It is basically agricultural. cooperative which is confined to agricultural countries. Its members generally relate to the formers including those owing land. The cooperative forming are of the following types: 1.Cooperative collective farming Society. 2.Cooperative joint farming society. 3.Cooperative better farming society. 4.Cooperative tenant farming society. Objective (a)To consolidate holding. (b)To introduce new technique of cultivation. (c)To improve the irrigating system. (d)To increase the area under agricultural operations. (e)To make necessary steps for the improvements of the standard of living of the farmers. (f)To increase the production per acre. (g)To provide seeds manures and implements to its members. (h)To dispose of agricultural output. vii. Credit Cooperative Society Credit cooperative society is the voluntary association of .the financially weak persons organized with the object of providing short term financial requirements to them. This society performs important role in the rural areas where the dishonest money lenders have been exploiting simple villagers by charging high rate of interest. The Funds of the society consist of (a) Membership fees, (b) Dispose of shares (c) Deposits from members and non-members (d) Loan from govt. and semi govt. The liability of members is unlimited. This assists the society in raising funds and ensures that every member will take keen interest in the activities of the society. The society prefers the poorer members in granting loan and charges low rate of interest from them. Generally the society advances the amount for productive purposes but some loans are also given to members for unproductive purposes. Credit cooperative society may be divided into two types: (1)Agricultural Credit Society (2)Non-agricultural credit Society Objects (a)To get rid of the pressure of money lenders. (b)To provide the financial facilities for short term to its members. (c)To keep the minimum rate of interest on loan. (d)To develop the habit of thrift and saving among the members. (f)To encourage the habit of mutual aid.

What Is Angelman Syndrome Biology Essay

What Is Angelman Syndrome Biology Essay Parents: What is Angelman Syndrome? Me: Angelman syndrome is a nervous disorder of the brain also called as Puppet syndrome. The syndrome was first reported by a British pediatrician Dr. Harry Angelman in 1965. It leads to mental disorder accompanied with speech problems. This is a very rare condition that sometimes even doctors are not completely aware of it. The syndrome is often misdiagnosed with cerebral palsy, autism or other mental disorders of children. The occurrence is approximately 1 in 25,000. Parents: What is the Prognosis of the syndrome? Me: The individuals with this condition have quite a healthy and normal life span. Some of the common features that can be noted are sleeping disorders, attention deficiency, speech problems and hyperactivity. Even these can slowly diminish with age. Their sexual development is normal. Puberty and menstrual cycle are also normal and occur at the right approximate age. There are high risks of having severe developmental delays which can be minimized or avoided to an extent by early diagnosis and therapy. They can lead an independent adult life except people who also have epilepsy along with this syndrome. Parents: We found her being slightly abnormal, she wasnt able to grasp what we are telling and is really struggling to pronounce words. What are the other possible symptoms? Me: The main symptoms of the disease are mental retardation, speech problems and hyperactive behavior. It is usually present right from birth but the symptoms of it are mostly not noticed until the age of 3. But certain developmental delays can be noted between 6 to 12 months of the child. Usually their MRI and CT scan reports show structurally normal brain features. They may have no speech or very low speaking capacity. They have higher tendency in actions rather than verbal communication. They show some unique behavior like hand flapping, attention deficiency, frequent laughter, sleeping disturbances, delayed toilet training, feeding problems and easily excitable personality. Seizures are noted only after the age of three so the possibility of identifying the syndrome before this age is not always possible. Their Electroencephalography (EEG) reports turn out to be abnormal; EEG is a test used to check the neural activity of the brain. They have much attraction to water and are highly sensitive to heat. It is not completely known why laughter is so frequent in this syndrome. Continuous smiling, abnormal facial gestures followed by burst of laughter in public are noted in almost 70 75% of the cases. They may not have good balancing capacity to walk. Trembling legs are noted along with ataxia. Ataxia is a condition where there is no co-ordination of muscular movements. They have trembling feet resulting is disability to walk. Normal sitting and walking may take 3-4 yrs of age. In highly severe cases walking is not possible until they are older, or it may be robotic. 100% of the cases are mentally retarded with attention deficit and which is non-progressive. They may be severe in most of the cases. Mostly they would need a sheltered life in their adulthood. Parents: Oh! Do they show any abnormal physical features? Because our daughter seems to look quite normal. Me: Yes! They do. Some of the common ones are a flat head at the back, wide opened mouth with spaced teeth, light hair and eye color, deep set eyes, excessive chewing behaviors, lightly pigmented skin texture, uplifted arm position, enlarged toes, soft and tender palms, tongue thrusting, and frequent drooling. A small head may be found in certain cases. All the symptoms which I have said both physical and clinical need not necessarily be found in all kids with this syndrome. They may occur in different combinations and in different levels. Parents: How did the condition arise? Me: Angelman syndrome occurs due to the deletion of a part of the chromosome 15 known as 15q11-13 that comes from the mother which results in abnormal or no expression of the maternal chromosome in the child. And hence all the functions of the chromosome 15 are being affected. Around 60-65% patients are affected by this cause. In 2-5% of the cases there may be two copies of chromosome 15 from the father and no chromosome from the mother. This condition is termed as uniparental disomy. Sometimes the chromosome obtained from the mother functions exactly the same as the chromosome obtained from the father. Rarely AS may result due to breaks in the chromosome like translocation where two chromosomes break and exchange their broken pieces. The other type is inversion where a chromosome breaks and gets attached in the opposite direction. In both these cases the exact combination of amino acids is changed which would affect the production of ubiquitin ligase protein. And finally in 20% cases there may be a fault in the UBE3A gene which is present on chromosome 15. UBE3A is ubiquitin ligase, which is considered as one of the major factors for the normal development and functioning of the brain. The relevancy of this gene to the disease is not yet completely known. 15-20% of the cases are unidentified mutation. They are still under study and a clear cause is not defined. Parents: What is the importance of these chromosomes? Me: Every chromosome is made of DNA which consists of specific amino acids. Different combinations of amino acids help in producing different proteins which are responsible for specific functions in the body. So when there is an alteration in the chromosome it affects the production of the particular protein. So automatically the protein function is lost and the relevant disorder arises. The protein that is involved in brain growth and function is called as ubiquitin ligase protein which is produced from the chromosome 15 of the mother. The condition is always from the chromosome 15 of the mother. The same chromosome from the father is also equally important but alterations in the fathers gene would lead to a different condition called the Prader Willi Syndrome. Parents: What are the ways of diagnosis? Me: Diagnosing AS is difficult during infancy. The criteria for diagnosis was developed only in 1995 and further revised in 2000 by the Angelman syndrome society (USA). In certain cases parents or doctors may find developmental delays between 6-12 months of the child. Even all brain scan reports turn to be quite normal. Only after the age of two or three notable changes can be found like concentration problems, speech impairment, balance disorder, frequent smiling or flapping of hands. After the age of three EEG reports can be found abnormal which is be followed by DNA analysis. Sometimes even genetic reports turn out to be normal which can lead to a lot of confusion and misdiagnosis. Family history of the syndrome and development history of the child is completely studied and genetic expression of the ubiquitin protein is confirmed. The confirmatory test for the Angelman Syndrome involves testing of blood in four steps: The size, shape and number of chromosomes in a cell sample are noted for changes. This is known as karyotyping. Genetic analysis to find missing chromosomes. This is done by a specialized process called FISH (fluorescent in-situ hybridization). A test called DNA methylation test is done where the result will confirm whether the DNA of both the parents is expressed. If both the DNA copies are expressed it means that they are active. In cases of AS only paternal or the fathers DNA is expressed. Finally UBE3A protein is sequenced. This is done because sometimes DNA methylation test turns to be normal. This is due to the condition that maternal DNA is normally expressed but mutated. Parents: Is Gene therapy possible. What are the other possible treatment methods? Me: There is no possible treatment for the disease at the genetic level. Since 99% of the cases are spontaneous mutation the possibility of prevention is also at the least level. Angelman syndrome is a collection of various medical conditions; hence separate therapies can be carried out for every symptom to provide a better lifestyle for the patient. The therapies are selected according to the noted symptoms and their level of effect on the individual. From the age of 3 speech and communication therapy is recommended for improving their speaking and communicating skills. Occupational therapy is carried out for everyday living skills. Physiotherapy can help in better walking and other motor activities. Sometimes hypermotoric behaviors cant be controlled by behavioral therapy so perfectly safe environment must be provided. If the condition is accompanied by epilepsy, separate medications are followed as prescribed by the physician for treatment of seizures. Medications are also available for sleeping problems, hyperactivity etc. Non prescribed sedatives are not to be given because they may lead to negative side effects. Because that they have feeding problems their nutritional status should be frequently monitored. Surgeries are available for conditions like strabismus and other orthopedic problems. Surgical rod stabilization is done for severe curvatures. During old age the individuals become less mobile and are not much active. They must be given scheduled work under supervision to avoid obesity and scoliosis. Scoliosis is a condition of severe curvature side to side in the spinal cord. Parents: What is the mode of inheritance? Will our future children be affected? The risk of inheritance is based upon the type of mutation that occurs in the parents. With no family history for the disease and if the occurrence is completely spontaneous during cell division then the chances of getting the disorder in consequent children is