Norsuzailina Mohamed Sutan

Growth kinetic and composition of the interfacial layer for RF sputtering Al2O3 layer on germanium

Purpose The quality of GeOx–Ge interface and the equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) are the main issues in fabricating high-k/Ge gate stack due to the low-k of GeOx interfacial layer (IL). Therefore, a precise study of the formation of GeOx IL and its contribution to EOT is of utmost importance. In this study, the GeOx ILs were formed through post-oxidation annealing of sputtered Al2O3 on the Ge substrate. The purpose of this paper is to report on growth kinetics and composition of IL between Al2O3 and Ge for HCl- and HF-last Ge surface. Design/methodology/approach After wet chemical cleaning with HCl or HF, Al2O3 was grown onto the Ge surface by RF sputtering. Thickness and composition of IL formed after post-anneal deposition at 400°C in dry oxygen ambience were evaluated as a function of deposition time by FESEM and characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. Findings It was observed that the composition and thickness of IL were dependent on the starting surface and an aluminum germinate-like composition was formed during RF sputtering for both HF- and HCl-last starting surface. Originality/value The novelty of this work is to investigate the starting surface of Ge to IL growth between Al2O3/Ge that will lead to the improvement in Ge metal insulator field effect transistors (MISFETs) application.

Physical and Mechanical Properties of Industrial Waste Modified Mortar

This paper presents and discusses the results of the study on physical and mechanical properties of Industrial Waste Modified Mortar (IWMM) in comparison to Unmodified Mortar (UM). Industrial wastes used as ternary cement replacement were Micro Silica (MS) and Finely Ground Waste Vase (FGWV). Porosity and compressive strength of cement based products are the crucial properties that reflect the durability. Results of this study showed incorporation of 15%MS and 20%FGWV as ternary binders reduced 32.8% porosity and increased 4.3% compressive strength of mortar.

Influence of Mortar Incorporating Silica Based Waste Material on the Formation of C-S-H and Mechanical Strength Properties

Recent studies have been carried out to utilize waste glass in construction as partial cement replacement. This paper investigates the formation of Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C-S-H) and strength characteristics of mortar in which cement is partially replaced with glass powder by replacement level of 10%, 20% and 30%. Mortar cubes containing varying particle sizes in the ranges of 150-75μm, 63-38 μm and lower than 38 μm and in a water to cement ratio of 0.45 and 0.40 have been prepared. Replacement by 10% cement with glass powder reveals high compressive strength and produces more C-S-H at 28 days than other levels of replacement.

Efflorescence Phenomenon on Concrete Structures

Since the introduction of modern pigmented concrete products in the early 1950s, coloured concrete products have opened new possibilities in the field of building and landscape design and ironically to a new visible phenomenon called efflorescence. Unfortunately, despite careful selection of raw materials and conscientious compliance with the production parameters, colour changes of the finished products are always the enemy. In many cases, these colour irregularities often described as fading is attributed to calcium carbonate efflorescence. One might question how efflorescence can still occurs after presumably, manufacturers have done everything right such as utilized quality materials, had a good mix design, exceeded strength requirements and met production schedule. By studying in depth the mechanism of efflorescence one might answer this mind-boggling question. Although, a great deal of work has been done in investigating the phenomenon of efflorescence and agreement has been reached to a large extent by researchers worldwide on the mechanism behind the formation of efflorescence, there is still no effective methods that can be used by concrete manufacturers to prevent the formation of efflorescence on finished concrete products. This paper has the purpose of providing some direction for future work to mitigate this phenomenon.

Temperature change and the total stress anomaly in paste backfill

This paper presents preliminary results from a laboratory backfill model test in order to explain the effect of temperature change during the cement hydration on the total stress within cemented paste backfill. It is conducted via temperature control test in the absence of the cement. This investigation is an attempt to resolve an anomalous behavior reported in recent full scale monitoring reports, where the total vertical stress at the stope base shows a progressive increase after backfilling is terminated. The result in this paper shows that the total vertical stress is not affected by the level of the temperature but rather by the temperature gradient. The empirical relationship between the temperature gradient and the change in the total vertical stress is proposed. The total stress anomaly found in the full scale monitoring of paste backfill could be explained by the finding.

Evaluation of Aluminium Dross as Adsorbent for Removal of Carcinogenic Congo Red Dye in Wastewater

In this study, aluminium dross waste generated from aluminium smelting industries was employed as adsorbent in removing of congo red dye in aqueous solution. The raw aluminium dross as adsorbent was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) for surface area and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy. Adsorption experiments were carried out by batch system at different adsorbent mass, pH, and initial dye concentration. The results showed that the per cent removal of dye increased as adsorbent mass increased. It was found that 0.4 gram of adsorbent can remove approximately 100 % of dye at pH 9 for dye concentration 20 and 40 ppm. Therefore, it can be concluded that raw aluminium dross without undergone any treatment can be effectively used for the adsorption of congo red in textile wastewater related industries.

Advances in Intelligent and Soft Computing: Potential Application of Service Science in Engineering

This paper discusses the potential of emerging service science with engineering applications. First the definition and classification of service for engineering discipline are detailed and elaborated. Based on that, this paper focuses on the potential application of service science in the Construction Industry namely Building Information Modeling (BIM). Elaborate discussion on the service value of BIM leads to suggestion for further research in specific areas namely the interaction between experts from the world’s major BIM player in order to improve the implementation of BIM.

Minor construction measures that influences vibration in concrete floors from foot steps and electric motors

Concrete floor constructions often suffer from high frequency vibrations. Humans aerobics workouts and various motors are sensitive to that kind of vibrations and it is of interest to find simple methods that reduce floor vibrations and thereby increase the comfort for habitants. Two steel framed concrete floors equipped with a vibration damping compound is used as a test object under laboratory conditions. This paper covers three different studies with respect to human perception of vertical vibrations. Two concrete floors: 1) profiled steel sheet concrete floor (PCF); 2) composite concrete floor (CCF) are taken as tests objects. A generator generates a signal from 30 to 60 Hz and the test subjects receive the vibrations sitting on the tested floor. The results indicated that the investigated composite concrete floor reduces floor vibration.

Deflection and cracking behavior of RC beams externally reinforced with carbon fiber laminates

This article presents the results and discussions of experimental and analytical work on CFRP-strengthened RC beams investigating the cracking and deflection performance. The aim of this study is to evaluate the time-dependent behavior by different degrees of strengthening scheme and two types of sustained loads. Eight RC beams were cast and tested under sustained loads for cracked and uncracked section. An analytical method based on EMM is developed to predict the time-dependent behavior of CFRP externally bonded RC beams. A simplified tension stiffening model for calculating the time-dependent deflection is modified for CFRP-reinforced concrete beams.