The paper deals with optical microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), and in particular with optical MEMS based on moving waveguides. After a short overview of this very attractive novel activity, specific technological problems and solutions are discussed. Then the following examples of recent developments based on silica on silicon technology are presented: optical switch, vibration sensor, and...

The reliability of MEMS based systems might be increased by the use of a Physics of Failure (PoF) methodology. This methodology necessitates the development of corresponding models that can be used for reliability evaluation. The model development is based on a good knowledge of effects of environmental influences on the MEMS. For the reliability evaluation of MEMS based systems the used models...

The evaluation of Named Entity Recognition as well as Entity Linking systems is mostly based on manually created gold standards. However, the current gold standards have three main drawbacks. First, they do not share a common set of rules pertaining to what is to be marked and linked as an entity. Moreover, most of the gold standards have not been checked by other researchers after they were pu...

Candida dubliniensis is an opportunistic yeast that has been increasingly implicated in oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients but may be underreported due to its similarity with Candida albicans. Although most C. dubliniensis isolates are susceptible to fluconazole, the inducibility of azole resistance in vitro has been reported. Thus, the use o...

A sub-dural surface microelectrode array designed to detect micro-field evoked potentials has been developed. The device is comprised of an array of 350-microm square gold contacts, with bidirectional spacing of 150 microm, contained within a polyimide Kapton material. Cytotoxicity testing suggests that the device is suitable for use with animal and human patients. Implementation of the device ...

This paper describes our work to magnetically steer self-propelled devices which move by catalysis of hydrogen peroxide. We demonstrate manipulation of paramagnetic particles with a diameter of 100μm to a given setpoint by means of magnetic field gradients, as well as self-propelled movement of gold-platinum rods. We discuss how to reach magnetic torque control of catalytic micro motors.

We have devised a unique method for sensitive and selective detection of Hg(2+) ions using DNA-modified gold microshells which can be individually manipulated using a micropipette and act as a micro SERS probe for analysis in small sample volumes.

Well-defined hierarchically aloe-like gold micro/nanostructures (HAG) are one-step electrochemically fabricated without introducing any template or surfactant. The formation kinetics of the HAG can be described as a nucleation and three-dimensional growth process controlled by the reactant diffusion from the solution side. As the applied electro-deposition potential moved in the negative direct...

This paper presents the design of a 1 : 50 bondwire micro-transformer assembled with IC gold bonding wires and a toroidal LTCC magnetic core with race-track shape. The transformer is fabricated on-top of a standard BCD IC in a 15 mm footprint area for micro-power energy harvesting applications. Measurements show a secondary self-inductance up to 29 μH with a maximum Q-factor of 11.6 at 1.3 MHz,...

Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy (MSV) is generally considered the gold standard nowadays in view of the lower risk of complications and recurrence. To achieve complete ligation of veins while preserving testicular artery (TA) during the procedure remains challenging despite the application of high power optical magnification and micro-Doppler ultrasonography. The use of intraoperative...