The Aerosol Deposition (AD) method is a dry spray coating process for the production of dense ceramic coatings at room temperature directly from the ceramic raw powder. In order to avoid confusion with liquid aerosol technology, the term powder aerosol deposition (PAD) is introduced here, to highlight that the aerosol consists only of ceramic powder and carrier gas. Especially in the field of functional ceramics, PAD is a promising alternative to conventional sinter-based production processes. This review focuses on the PAD of functional ceramics in the field of sensing and energy technology. In this context, especially current developments and trends are presented. On the part of the sensors, gas and temperature sensors are especially considered, whereas in the field of energy technology, the focus is on vibration energy harvesting, thermoelectric generators, superconductors, and solar cells as well as on all solid-state batteries and fuel cells. Besides the different applications of PAD films, this review also highlights opportunities for influencing the film properties by the used powder or the process parameters.

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Introduction Sexual dysfunction is a frequent side effect of antipsychotic treatment. Increased prolactin levels are believed to be responsible for this sexual impairment despite contradictory results. Aim The primary objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between sexual dysfunction, subjective well-being and prolactin levels in patients with schizophrenia treated either with risperidone or quetiapine. The secondary objective was to explore the relationship between testosterone and the severity of positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia in male patients. Methods In a 4-week nonrandomized open label observational study, 102 inpatients with schizophrenia were recruited. Sexual functioning, subjective well-being and endocrinological parameters were assessed as well as psychopathological characteristics. Main Outcome Measures Two self-rating questionnaires concerned with sexual functioning (“Essener Fragebogen zur Sexualität”) and Subjective Well-Being Under Neuroleptic Treatment Scale (SWN) were completed by the patients. Plasma levels of prolactin in male and female patients were measured. Furthermore, in male patients testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined. Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) was applied. Results After 4 weeks, patients treated with quetiapine reported less severe sexual impairment, as well as lower PANSS negative and general score compared with patients treated with risperidone. Additionally, emotional regulation as measured with the SWN was higher in patients treated with quetiapine. Risperidone was significantly associated with elevated prolactin levels. Prolactin levels were not correlated either with sexual dysfunction or PANSS. However, in the group of patients treated risperidone, sexual impairment was significantly associated with the SWN subscale emotional regulation. Conclusions Increased prolactin levels do not seem to be decisive for antipsychotic induced sexual dysfunction. Improvement of severity of illness and regaining the ability to regulate one's own emotion have positive influence on sexual functioning.

This paper examines the influence of a short-term thermal treatment of aerosol deposited negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor films on the NTCR characteristics and their long-term stability with different electrode materials. An aerosol deposition of a spinel-based NiMn2O4 powder on alumina substrates with screen-printed AgPd and Au interdigital electrode structures was performed. The manufactured components of the typical size of 1206 were tempered in a moderate temperature range of 200 °C to 800 °C and aged for 1000 h at 125 °C in air. Based on R-T measurements in a high-precision silicone oil thermostat bath and high temperature XRD analyses, the influence of the thermal treatment was analyzed and discussed. A 60-min tempering at 400 °C proved to be optimal, as both the NTCR parameters and their ageing stability could be significantly improved. The findings are explained.

The study compares thick-film NTC thermistor devices, produced by the screen-printing (and firing) technique and by the Aerosol Deposition Method (ADM) at room temperature. The devices are compared with respect to film quality (optical, mechanical) and to the negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. While the screen-printed films are porous, the Aerosol Deposited (AD) films are characterized by high tightness, mechanical stability, and a production at room temperature. The electrical analysis shows that the AD films reach the [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-values of bulk NTCRs from literature after a moderate tempering step below 400[Formula: see text]C in air. The screen-printed films show [Formula: see text]-values that are comparable to the values of bulk NTCRs from literature and [Formula: see text]-values that are significantly higher.