Through Package Via: A bottom-up approach

The rapid development of semiconductor industry in the past decades has reshaped the world tremendously and greatly changed people's lives. Two-dimensional (2D) down-sizing of semiconductor devices following the “Moore's law” for many years is now reaching its boundary conditions of further exponential growth and three-dimensional (3D)...

Revealing the molecular origins of fibrin's elastomeric properties by in situ X-ray scattering

Fibrin is an elastomeric protein forming highly extensible fiber networks that provide the scaffold of blood clots. Here we reveal the molecular mechanisms that explain the large extensibility of fibrin networks by performing in situ small angle X-ray scattering measurements while applying a shear deformation. We simultaneously measure shear...

Mechanical and histological characterization of thrombi retrieved during thrombectomy for acute ischaemic stroke

Background: The efficacy of a thrombectomy procedure for acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) is largely dependent on mechanical behaviour of thrombi and interactions with the thrombectomy device. Studies have examined clot analogues and evidence suggests that thrombus mechanical properties largely depend on composition, yet evidence based on thrombi...

A Novel Approach to Estimating the Material Properties of Atherosclerotic Plaque Tissue

The majority of cardiovascular clinical events, which are the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, are caused by atherosclerotic plaque rupture. This biomechanical event occurs when the local plaque stresses exceed its strength. The plaque stresses can be assessed by computational models to predict these events. Current approaches...

A Platform for Mechano(-Electrical) Characterization of Free-Standing Micron-Sized Structures and Interconnects

A device for studying the mechanical and electrical behavior of free-standing micro-fabricated metal structures, subjected to a very large deformation, is presented in this paper. The free-standing structures are intended to serve as interconnects in high-density, highly stretchable electronic circuits. For an easy, damage-free handling and...

Mechanical testing and quantification of crack healing in self-healing yttria-stabilized zirconia thermal barrier coating

Thermal barrier coatings (TBC) are often applied to hot components of modern turbojet engines. These coatings increase the performance of the engine and enhance the lifetime of its structural components. Thus, improving the TBC lifetime is related with a reduction of maintenance costs and increased reliability. As an alternative to conventional...

Investigation of the fracture cracking behavior of self-healing systems by use of optical and acoustic experimental methods

Nowadays the self-healing process efficiency in loaded structural materials is evaluated by studying the damage mechanisms. Based on fracture mechanics theories, the resistance to damage and the cracking recovery can be an indication of healing performance. Experimentally, the cracking behavior is quantified by measuring the fracture energy of...