Thermoelectric (TE) heating and cooling devices, which are able to directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy and vice versa, are effective and have exhibited a potential for energy harvesting. With the increasing consumer demands for various wearable electronics, organic-based TE composite materials offer a promise for the TE devices applications. Conductive polymers are widely used as flexible TE materials replacing inorganic materials due to their flexibility, low thermal conductivity, mechanical flexibility, ease of processing, and low cost. In this review, we briefly introduce the latest research trends in the flexible TE technology and provide a comprehensive summary of specific conductive polymer-based TE material fabrication technologies. We also summarize the manufacture for high-efficiency TE composites through the complexation of a conductive polymer matrix/inorganic TE filler. We believe that this review will inspire further research to improve the TE performance of conductive polymers.

Artificial neuromorphic devices are considered the key component in realizing energy-efficient and brain-inspired computing systems. For the artificial neuromorphic devices, various material candidates and device architectures have been reported, including two-dimensional materials, metal-oxide semiconductors, organic semiconductors, and halide perovskite materials. In addition to conventional electrical neuromorphic devices, optoelectronic neuromorphic devices, which operate under a light stimulus, have received significant interest due to their potential advantages such as low power consumption, parallel processing, and high bandwidth. This article reviews the recent progress in optoelectronic neuromorphic devices using various active materials such as two-dimensional materials, metal-oxide semiconductors, organic semiconductors, and halide perovskites

Spectroscopies are the most widely used for understanding the crystallographic, chemical, and physical aspects of materials; therefore, numerous commercial and non-commercial software have been introduced to help researchers better handling their spectroscopic data. However, not many researchers, especially early-stage ones, have a proper background knowledge on the choice of fitting functions and a technique for actual fitting, although the essence of such data analysis is peak fitting. In this regard, we present a practical guide for peak fitting for data analysis. We start with a basic-level theoretical background why and how a certain protocol for peak fitting works, followed by a step-by-step visualized demonstration how an actual fitting is performed. We expect that this contribution is sure to help many active researchers in the discipline of materials science better handle their spectroscopic data.

A variable vacuum capacitor (VVC), which is a variable element, is used to match impedance in plasma that changes with various impedance values, and its use is expanding with the rapid growth of the semiconductor business. Since VVCs have to secure insulation performance and vary capacitance within a compact size, electrode design and manufacturing are very important; thus, various technologies such as part design and manufacturing technology and vacuum brazing technology are required. In this study, based on the model of an advanced foreign company that is widely used for impedance matching in the manufacture of semiconductors and displays, a VVC that can realize the same performance was developed. The electrode part was designed, the consistency was confirmed through analysis, and the precision of capacitance was improved by designing a cup-type electrode to secure the concentricity of the electrode. As a result of the evaluation, all requirements was satisfied. We believe that self-development will be possible if satisfactory responses are received through evaluation by VVC consumers in the future.

In this study, we measured and comparatively analyzed the characteristics of MPS (Merged Pin Schottky) diodes in 4H-SiC by changing the areal ratio between the Schottky and PN junction region. Increasing the temperature from 298 K to 473 K resulted in the threshold voltage shifting from 0.8 V to 0.5 V. A wider Schottky region indicates a lower on-resistance and a faster turn-on. The effective barrier height was smaller for a wider Schottky region. Additionally, the depletion layer became smaller under the influence of the reduced effective barrier height. The wider Schottky region resulted in the ideality factor being reduced from 1.37 to 1.01, which is closer to an ideal device. The leakage saturation current increased with the widening Schottky region, resulting in a 1.38 times to 2.09 times larger leakage current.

Localized heat can be generated using electrically conductive word-lines built into a 3D NAND flash memory string. The heat anneals the gate dielectric layer and improves the endurance and retention characteristics of memory cells. However, even though the electro-thermal annealing can improve the memory operation, studies to investigate material failures resulting from electro-thermal stress have not been reported yet. In this context, this paper investigated how applying electro-thermal annealing of 3D NAND affected mechanical stability. Hot-spots, which are expected to be mechanically damaged during the electro-thermal annealing, can be determined based on understanding material characteristics such as thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity. Finally, several guidelines for improving mechanical stability are provided in terms of bias configuration as well as alternative materials.

The subthreshold swing (SS) of an asymmetric junctionless double gate (AJLDG) MOSFET is analyzed by the use of Gaussian function. In the asymmetric structure, the thickness of the top/bottom oxide film and the flat-band voltages of top gate (Vfbf) and bottom gate (Vfbb) could be made differently, so the change in the SS for these factors is analyzed with the projected range and standard projected deviation which are parameters for the Gaussian function. An analytical subthreshold swing model is presented from the Poisson’s equation, and it is shown that this model is in a good agreement with the numerical model. As a result, the SS changes linearly according to the geometric mean of the top and bottom oxide film thicknesses, and if the projected range is less than half of the silicon thickness, the SS decreases as the top gate oxide film is smaller. Conversely, if the projected range is bigger than a half of the silicon thickness, the SS decreases as the bottom gate oxide film is smaller. In addition, the SS decreases as Vfbb-Vfbf increases when the projected range is near the top gate, and the SS decreases as Vfbb-Vfbf decreases when the projected range is near the bottom gate. It is necessary that one should pay attention to the selection of the top/bottom oxide thickness and the gate metal in order to reduce the SS when designing an AJLDG MOSFET.

High pressure deuterium (HPD) annealing is an advancing technology for the fabrication of modern semiconductor devices. In this work, gate-enclosed FETs are fabricated on a silicon substrate as test vehicles. After a cycle for the HPD annealing, the device parameters such as threshold voltage (V_TH), subthreshold swing (SS), on-state current (I_ON), off-state current (I_OFF), and gate leakage (I_G) were measured and compared depending on the HPD. The HPD annealing can passivate the dangling bonds at Si-SiO₂ interfaces as well as eliminate the bulk trap in SiO₂. It can be concluded that adding the HPD annealing as a fabrication process is very effective in improving device reliability, performance, and variability.

We prepared carbon nanotube (CNT) paper by a vacuum filtration method for the use of a chip-typed resistor as a precision passive device with a constant resistance. Hybrid resistor composed of the CNT resistor with a negative temperature coefficient of resistance (T.C.R) and a metal alloy resistor with a positive T.C.R could lead to a constant resistance, because the resistance increase owing to the temperature increase at the metal alloy and decrease at the CNT could counterbalance each other. The constant resistance for the precision passive devices should be maintained even when a heat was generated by a current flow resulting in resistance change. Performance reliabilities of the CNT resistor for the precision passive device applications such as electrical load limit, environmental load limit, and life limit specified in IEC 60115-1 must be ensured. In this study, therefore, the rated power determination and T.C.R tests of the CNT paper were conducted. -900~-700 ppm/℃ of TCR, 0.1~0.2 A of the carrying current capacity, and 0.0625~0.125 W of the rated power limit were obtained from the CNT paper. Consequently, we confirmed that the application of CNT materials for the precision hybrid passive devices with a metal alloy could result in a better performance reliability with a zero tolerance.

An all-solid-state electrochromic film was fabricated by laminating tungsten oxide (WO₃) and nickel oxide (NiO) thin films deposited by a reactive DC magnetron sputtering on flexible ITO films. The influence of oxygen partial pressure on the crystal structure, microstructure, optical properties, and electrochromic properties of WO₃ and NiO thin films were investigated. WO₃ and NiO films showed the best electrochromic properties under the flow of Ar:O₂=80:20 and Ar:O₂=90:10, respectively. The EC film fabricated with an optimized WO₃ and NiO films showed a high coloration efficiency, a fast response time, and a stable optical modulation. It is expected that flexible EC window films will pave the way for the next-generation energy-saving windows.

Global warming is accelerating due to the use of fossil fuels that have been used continuously for centuries. Now, humankind recognizes its seriousness, and is conducting research on searching for eco-friendly and sustainable energy. In the field of solar energy, which is a kind of eco-friendly and sustainable, many studies are being conducted to enhance the output performance of the module. In this study, the output improvement for the shingled module structure was studied. In order to improve the output performance of the module, the thickness of the encapsulant was increased, and the lamination process conditions have been improved accordingly. After that, the crosslinking rate was analyzed, and the suitability of the lamination process conditions was judged using this. In addition, a peeling test was conducted to analyze the correlation between the adhesion of the encapsulant and the output performance of the module. Finally, the optimization for the encapsulant material and the lamination process conditions for high-power shingled modules was established, and accordingly, the market share of high-power shingled modules in the solar module market can be expected to rise.

(La_0.5Nd_0.2Sr_0.3)MnO₃ specimens were prepared by a solid-state reaction. In all specimens, X-ray diffraction patterns of an orthorhombic structure were shown. The fracture surfaces of (La_0.5Nd_0.2Sr_0.3)MnO₃ specimens showed a transgranular fracture pattern be possibly due to La ions (0.122 nm) as a perovskite A-site dopant substituting for Nd ions (0.115 nm) having a small ionic radius. The full-width at half maximum (FWHM) of the Mn 2p XPS spectra showed a value greater than that [8] of the single valence state, which is believed to be due to the overlapping of Mn²⁺, Mn³⁺, and Mn⁴⁺ ions. The dependence of Mn 2p spectra on the Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ ratio according to sintering time was not observed. Electrical resistivity resulted in the minimum value of 100.7 Ω-cm for the specimen sintered for 9 hours. All specimens show a typical negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) characteristics. In the 9-hour sintered specimen, TCR, activation energy, and B25/65-value were -1.24%/℃, 0.19 eV, and 2,445 K, respectively.

We investigated the origin of magnetic behaviors induced by an asymmetric spin exchange interaction in Fe-site engineered lead iron niobate [Pb(Fe_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃, PFN], which exhibits a room-temperature multiferroicity. The magnitude of spin exchange interaction was regulated by the introduced transition metals with a distinct Bohr magneton, i.e., Cr, Co, and Ni. All compositions were found to have a single-phase perovskite structure keeping their ferroelectric order except for Cr introduction. We discovered that the incorporation of each transition metal imposes a distinct magnetic behavior on the lead iron niobate system; antiferro-, hard ferro-, and soft ferromagnetism for Cr, Co, and Ni, respectively. This indicates that orbital occupancy and interatomic distance play key roles in the determination of magnetic behavior rather than the magnitude of the individual Bohr magneton. Further investigations are planned, such as X-ray absorption spectroscopy, to clarify the origin of magnetic properties in this system.

Magnetoelectric (ME) properties of 3-0 type particulate composites have been investigated with respect to application features for reliable magnetic sensitivity and magnetically-induced output voltage. In order to figure out the magnetoelectric characteristics in the ME composites, frequency dependent ME responses were studied from [0.948 Na0.5K0.5NbO3-0.052 LiSbO₃]-[Co_1-xZn_xFe₂O₄] (NKNLS)/Co_1-xZn_xFe₂O₄ (CZFO, x=0, 0.1, and 0.2). As a result, the maximal αME of 23.15 mV/cm·Oe was achieved from the NKNLS-CZFO (x_Zn = 0.1) composites at resonance frequency of 315 kHz and H_dc = 0 Oe. From the frequency dependent ME responses, it is clearly described that the self-biased ME composites can be used for applications as both magnetic sensors and energy harvesters, respectively.

Ultrawide bandgap gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) semiconductors are known to have excellent photocatalytic properties due to their high redox potential. In this study, CO₂ reduction is demonstrated using nanostructured Ga₂O₃ photocatalyst under ultraviolet (254 nm) light source conditions. After the CO₂ reduction, C₂H₄ remained as a by-product in this work. Nanostructured Ga₂O₃ photocatalyst also showed an excellent endurance characteristic. Photogenerated electron-hole pairs boosted the CO₂ reduction to C₂H₄ via nanostructured Ga₂O₃ photocatalyst, which is attributed to the ultrawide and almost direct bandgap characteristics of the gallium oxide semiconductor. The findings in this work could expedite the realization of CO₂ reduction and a simultaneous C₂H₄ production using a low cost and high performance photocatalyst.