A passive UHF RF identification (RFID) tag IC with embedded 2-KB ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) for rewritable applications enables a 2.9 times faster read-and-write transaction time over EEPROM-based tag ICs. The resulting FeRAM-based tag has a nominally identical communication range for both read and write operations, which is indispensable for data write applications. The evaluated tag communication range with a folded dipole antenna is from 0 m to 4.3 m, at the 953-MHz carrier frequency with 4-W transmitting Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) from a reader/writer. The developed tag IC features two circuit blocks to maximize the communication range in 0.35-m CMOS/FeRAM technology.First is a CMOS-only full-wave rectifier, which can improve the measured efficiency by up to 36.6% by reducing the input parasitic capacitances and optimization of multiplier structure. This efficiency is more than twice that of previously-published results. Second is a low-voltage current-mode ASK demodulator to accommodate a low-breakdown voltage of FeRAM, which converts the ASK power modulation into a linearly modulated current over an incoming power range of 27 dB, corresponding to the entire communication range. The developed demodulator can thus resolve the primary design tradeoff issue between device protection and detection sensitivity in the conventional voltage-mode demodulator.Index Terms-CMOS-only full-wave rectifier, current-mode demodulator, electromagnetic radiative interference, ferroelectric random access memories, identical read/write communication, UHF radio frequency identification.

We evaluated the anti-tumor activities of the oral administration of fucoidan extracted from Cladosiphon okamuranus using a tumor (colon 26)-bearing mouse model. The materials used included low-molecular-weight fucoidan (LMWF: 6.5–40 kDa), intermediate-molecular-weight fucoidan (IMWF: 110–138 kDa) and high-molecular-weight fucoidan (HMWF: 300–330 kDa). The IMWF group showed significantly suppressed tumor growth. The LMWF and HMWF groups showed significantly increased survival times compared with that observed in the control group (mice fed a fucoidan-free diet). The median survival times in the control, LMWF, IMWF and HMWF groups were 23, 46, 40 and 43 days, respectively. It was also found that oral administration of fucoidan increased the population of natural killer cells in the spleen. Furthermore, from the results of the experiment using Myd-88 knockout mice, it was found that these effects are related to gut immunity. These results suggest that fucoidan is a candidate anti-tumor functional food.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Conventional strain sensors measure strains exerted on solid metals and have been widely applied. Stretch measurements of flexible objects require strain sensors with wide dynamic range (stretch exceeding 100%) that can also measure areal changes. Flexible strain sensors are expected to realize a wide range of technologies, such as human interfaces, smart clothes, skin-motion monitoring, and robotic skin. Recently, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been assembled into stretchable conductors, and are potential base materials for various flexible sensors. Herein, we construct a flexible stretching sensor from urethane elastomer and conductive electrodes from singlewalled CNTs. This sensor is extremely thin (thickness: 150 µm), and characterized by high elasticity (up to 100%), low stress (0.8 MPa at 100%), durability (1000 cycles at 50%), light weight (approx. 1.1 g/cm 3 ), and sensitivity (1 pF/mm 2 ). The strain sensor is tested on a cloth fabric, and is confirmed to measure the stretch area of flexible materials.Index Terms-Capacitive sensor, thin film sensor, strain sensor, carbon nanotubes.

No abstract

No abstract