FormFactor (United States)

The radiofrequency (RF) switching network system has emerged as an essential future technology in the sixth generation (6G) wireless communications. Many scientists have put a great deal of effort into researching and developing 6G antennas, RF front ends, and wave propagation characterization. However, the conventional RF switches are based on solid-state diode and transistor devices. These volatile solid-state switches cause high energy consumption because they consume both dynamic (during switching) and static (in the idle state) power [1]. Here, we proposed a radiofrequency (RF) switch based on the non-volatile resistive switching (NVRS) memory effects in h-BN [2], [3]. The non-volatile h-BN RF switches consume zero static power and are more energy-efficient than the conventional ones. Specifically, this work demonstrates the switches operating in the D-band (110 – 170 GHz) for the first time, which was absent in the prior reports [4], [5].

We discuss a metal deposition technique employing electroless silver plating to create hybrid CNT-Metal contact structures which can be used various applications including electromechanical probes. The main purpose of the electroless metal deposition is to enhance the electrical conduction through the contact structures. We discuss different electroless plating formulations and their effect on electrical resistance, as well as their penetration properties into the highly tangled CNT structures. We also present electromechanical characterization of Ag plated CNT structures and in-situ SEM compression results revealing that the Ag particles adhere to the CNT's and do not significantly interfere with the mechanical deformation. Overall, electroless plating presents an attractive alternative to sputtering due to the better penetration properties; however it presents limitations in terms of scalability and manufacturability.

On-chip cryopreservation of biological cells under low-temperature environments has been successfully demonstrated using a microfabricated chip with an incubation microchamber and microfluidic channels. Microheaters are used as both the resistive heating elements and temperature sensors to control the temperature profile of microenvironment under the liquid nitrogen cooling process. A two-step, temperature-controlled, on-chip cryopreservation process is applied for yeast cells, and after the thawing process, 74% cell survival rate has been accomplished. The reference experiment conducted without using the temperature control results in 27% cell survival rate. As such, this technique could have potential applications in on-chip cryopreservation processes, including those for sperm, embryo, or future cryogenic-based, lab-on-a-chip applications.