New EU Project On Ferroelectric Films

ENERGY TECH

Nanostructured ferroelectric films. Image credit: Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience MC2, Chalmers University of Technology.

Gothenburg, Sweden (SPX) Dec 20, 2005
Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, has together with five European partners started a three year project, Nanostar, for mastering of nanostructured multifunctional ferroelectric films for low cost mass production of microwave devices.

The project costs are 4.1 million Euros of which 2.8 million is supported by the European Commision in the 6th framework programme while the rest is paid for by the partners. Coordinator of the project is Professor Spartak Gevorgian at Chalmers Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience, MC2.

The main focus will be on the development of theory, fabrication processes and device demonstrators for functional validation of nanostructured multifunctional ferroelectric films and components applicable in microwave communication. Ferroelectrics considered in the project are complex metal oxide dielectrics and barium and strontium titanat, characterized by high dielectric permittivity.

The dielectric permittivity of these materials is electric field dependent, allowing development of voltage controlled capacitors (varactors) and a large number of tuneable microwave components for microwave applications.

Professor Spartak Gevorgian: "The devices based on these films offer a substantial reduction of cost, sizes and power consumption, i.e. features useful for power hungry microwave systems, especially in portable/handheld devices such as mobile phones, laptops etc. They can also be applied in adaptable/reconfigurable microwave systems consisting of a large number of tuneable components, such as large phased array antennas and tuneable metamaterials.

The innovations also include nanostructured ferroelectric films with engineered, radically new dielectric properties, and exploitation of new physical effects in nanostructured ferroelectrics for applications in devices with new functions. Further improvement of properties of ferroelectric films and devices in terms of reduction of the temperature dependence, dielectric hysteresis, losses, noise and parameter drift along with increased long term stability and tuneability are included in the project.

"Demonstrators will be developed for microwave communications applications, but they will also be potentially useful for optoelectronics and sensor applications. Tuneable TFBARs, which have no analogues in the electronics industry, are one of the typical new devices with new functions to be considered", says Spartak Gevorgian.

The partners in the project are: Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden; Philips Electronics Nederland B.V, Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Ericsson AB, M�lndal, Sweden; Temex Filters (SAW) Business Unit of Temex; Sophia Antipolis, France; Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, Switzerland; and Electrotechnical University, St. Petersburg, Russia.

ENERGY TECH

First NIF Experiments Validate Computer Simulations On Road To Ignition

Livermore CA (SPX) Dec 20, 2005
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have successfully conducted an important round of successful laser experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), validating key computer simulations and theoretical projections relevant to the plasma and X-ray environment necessary to achieve ignition.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT Killer Tsunami Showcases India Disaster Skills, Global Ambitions Indian Ocean Nations Need Broader Disaster Warning System Indonesia Admits Mistakes In Tsunami Response After Mistakes, Home Construction On Track In Aceh: WBank	CLIMATE SCIENCE Past Year Set To Be One Of Warmest Years On Record Says WMO Kyoto Protocol Confirmed As The Only Game In Town Fine-Tuning The Steps In The Intricate Climate Change Dance Key UN Climate Haggle Enters Penultimate Day
EARTH OBSERVATION Sahara's Edge Studied From Ground, Air And Space To Improve Water Management A New Generation Of Russian EO Satellites In Orbit New Era Of Low Cost EOs Dawns As First Topsat Images Received Unprecedented View Of Upper Atmosphere Created By NASA Scientists	ENERGY TECH First NIF Experiments Validate Computer Simulations On Road To Ignition New EU Project On Ferroelectric Films Honda Motor To Mass Produce Next-Generation Solar Cells Petrobras Signs Deal For Ethanol Venture With Japan's NAH
EPIDEMICS Avian-Flu Battle Is Being Lost Says UN Agency Potential Bird Flu Treatment Among LIAI Findings China Reports Sixth Human Bird Flu Case And Fresh Outbreak New Flu Fears In Three Countries	FLORA AND FAUNA Scientists Sequence DNA Of Woolly Mammoth Why The Amazon Rainforest Is So Rich In Species WWF Peeks Into Mysterious Life Of Borneo Pygmy Elephants UC Davis Expert Writes Key Report On Controversial UK Badger Killings
FROTH AND BUBBLE Toxic Levels Low In Russian River Toxic Slick Hits Major Russian River Ukraine Rules Out Storing Foreign Nuclear Waste At Chernobyl Asian Shipbreaking Yards Are Death Traps	ABOUT US New Technique Puts Brain-Imaging Research On Its Head New Maps Reveal True Extent Of Human Footprint On Earth Distinct Brain Regions Specialized For Faces And Bodies NSF Funds Probe Of The Quintessence Of Surprise

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement