Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica
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Metrological Assessment and Simulation of Charge Injection Phenomena in CMOS Electronic Switches
No full textFunctional nanocrystal as effective contrast agents for dual-mode imaging: Live-cell sonoluminescence and contrast-enhanced echography
No full textIn the context of molecular imaging, the present work explores an innovative platform made of lipid-coated nanocrystals as contrast-enhanced agent for both ultrasound imaging and sonoluminescence. At first, the dynamics of gas bubbles generation and cavitation under insonation with either pristine or lipid-coated nanocrystals (ZnO-Lip) are described, and the differences between the two colloidal systems are highlighted. These ZnO-Lip show an unprecedented ability to assist cavitation, which is reflected in enhanced sonoluminescent light emission with respect to the pristine nanocrystals or the pure water. Highly defined and sharp sonoluminescent images of cultured cells are indeed obtained, for the first time, when ZnO-Lip are used. Furthermore, ZnO-Lip were adopted as a nanosized agent for contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging, i.e. echography, first in solutions, and then on ex-vivo tissues. A prolonged over time and bright imaging effect is observed when adopting the developed nanoparticles. Furthermore, their nanometric size and potential targeting with biomolecules would allow ease extravasation and tissue or even cell penetration, achieving enhanced-contrast imaging. Finally, the stimuli-responsive therapeutic applications of ZnO-Lip against tumors is overviewed, aiming to achieve a fully theranostic approach
Final Report on key comparison EURAMET.M.G-K2.2023 of absolute gravimeters
No full textThe regional key comparison of absolute gravimeters, EURAMET.M.G-K3.2023, together with a simultaneously organized additional comparison, was held in Germany at the Geodetic Observatory Wettzell of the German Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy in between May and June 2024.
This report presents the list of participants who performed measurements, the gravity results submitted by the operators and the data processing strategy. The link to CCM.G-K2.2023 was established via three participants who took part in both comparisons. Finally, the results of the least-squares adjustment, which takes into account the correlations between measurements, are presented by means of the comparison reference values (CRV) and deviations of each gravimeter from the CRV.
Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/.
The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA)
An All-In-One Automatic Multiple Standard for Artifact Calibration of High End Electrical Instruments
No full textAn automated temperature-controlled DC Voltage-DC Resistance Multiple Standard (VRMS) for artifact calibration of high end calibrators and multimeters was developed by Measurements International (MI) with the support of the Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRiM). The VRMS consists of a 10 V, a 1 Ω, and a 10 kΩ standards selectable via a
low thermal scanner. The two resistors are high-stability MI standards while the 10 V standard is based on a low-noise circuit developed by INRIM. A smart feature of the VRMS is its internal algorithm providing updated calibration values of the VRMS standards ensuring their reliably use in the whole period between calibrations. The standards are housed in a
thermal box shielding them from temperature changes. The use uncertainties of the VRMS standards are consistent with those for artifact calibration of calibrators and multimeters. The VRMS standards can also act as laboratory references or traveling standards for nterlaboratory comparisons (ILCs). MI is currently commercializing the VRMS as 1330A Artifact
Transfer Standard
Figures of merit of passive daytime radiative cooling materials
Full text linkPassive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) materials represent an emerging technology that can provide sub-ambient cooling by dissipating heat as radiation through the long-wave infrared transparency window of the atmosphere. As such, they hold promise to alleviate our growing cooling needs and could find application in a broad range of areas. An increasing number of PDRC materials and applications is reported and tested each year. The fast-paced progress in this field also creates higher demand for reliable and universal methods for comparing the performance of novel materials and predicting their cooling abilities in different environments. However, clear figures of merit and standardised testing methods to evaluate real-world cooling performance are still lacking, so that the cooling performances of various novel PDRC materials presented in literature often cannot be compared. In this work, we review and discuss these issues from the specific viewpoint of the European Partnership on Metrology project PaRaMetriC, which aims at developing a metrological framework to classify and compare these materials
Effectiveness of Sound Field Corrections for High-Frequency Pressure Comparison Calibration of MEMS Microphones
Full text linkThe calibration of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) microphones remains a critical challenge due to their miniaturized geometry and sensitivity to non-uniform acoustic fields. This study presents an advanced calibration methodology that integrates Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations with experimental corrections to improve the accuracy of pressure comparison calibrations using active couplers. A key innovation is the incorporation of asymmetric acoustic field analysis, which systematically quantifies and corrects discrepancies arising from cavity geometry, sensor positioning, and resonance effects peculiar of MEMS microphones. The proposed approach significantly reduces measurement uncertainties, especially in the high-frequency range above 5 kHz, where standard calibration techniques face challenges in taking into account localized pressure variations. Furthermore, the implementation of a measurement set-up, which includes the insert voltage technique, allows for an accurate assessment of the preamplifier gain and minimizes systematic errors. Experimental validation shows that the refined calibration methodology produces highly reliable correction values, ensuring a robust performance over a wide frequency range (20 Hz–20 kHz). These advances establish a rigorous framework for standardizing the calibration of MEMS microphones, strengthening their applicability in acoustic monitoring, sound source localization, and environmental sensing
Solution‐Processed Zinc‐Tin‐Based Ternary Oxide Electron Transport Layers for Planar Perovskite Solar Cells
No full textPerovskite solar cells (PSCs) have acquired popularity owing to their high efficiency, ease of fabrication, and affordability. In this context, the development of electron transport layers (ETLs) for highly efficient planar photovoltaic devices has received considerable attention. This study investigates the potential of zinc-tin-based ternary metal oxide ETLs for application in planar PSCs. Solution-processed methods are used to fabricate crystalline zinc stannate (Zn2SnO4), amorphous zinc-tin oxide (ZTO), and Zn2SnO4/ZTO-based bilayer films, and their structural, morphological, and optoelectronic properties are thoroughly studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show enhanced crystallite size and better surface morphology of perovskite films deposited on bilayer ETL. Photoluminescence (PL) studies and Hall effect measurements reveal superior charge extraction, improved charge carrier mobility (21.84 cm2 V-1 s-1) and enhanced n-type conductivity in the bilayer ETL. Moreover, contact angle analysis of perovskite layer deposited on bilayer ETL shows increased resistance to moisture erosion (52.20°), which is particularly significant given the detrimental effects moisture can have on the performance of PSCs
Analysis of ageing effects on static gas meters
Full text linkStatic gas meters are currently being installed in increasing quantities within gas distribution networks across Europe due to their up-to-date technology which intrinsically allows to comply with current requests from Normation and fiscal bodies; on the other hand, the technology on which such meters are based is still relatively new, therefore confidence in it must be built.
In particular, for instance in Italy, regulation agencies require more frequent verification of static meters with respect to “classical” technology meters due to the lack of information about their long-term stability.
In the present paper, we present a study about the effects of ageing on static gas meters, that was performed based on the calibration of over 1500 G25 gas meters based on thermal (CTTMF - Capillary Type Thermal Mass Flowmeter) technology after 8 years from their installation; the size of the sample and its remarkable homogeneity provides a good level of confidence in the validity of the conclusions. We will show that most of the meters provided a response within legal limits, and that a very high percentage of them largely outperformed the requests. The technical reasons behind this performance and its implications for the evaluation of the capabilities of CTTMF technology will be discussed
Characterization of aluminum nitride film properties for high signal-to-noise ratio piezoelectric micro-electromechanical system microphones
No full textThe Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of piezoelectric microphones is significantly dependent on the material properties of the piezoelectric film, namely the piezoelectric coefficient, the dielectric constant, and the dielectric loss. This work presents a metrological approach for the characterization of Aluminum Nitride (AlN) films used as sensing elements in high SNR piezoelectric Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS) microphones. A dynamic measurement method based on micro-Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV) was adopted to evaluate the piezoelectric d33 coefficient of 500 nm thick AlN films deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering over conductive cantilever test samples. The LDV measurement results were also compared against the d33 value determined by a Piezo Evaluation System coupled to a single point laser vibrometer, exploiting the converse piezoelectric effect. The accurate and precise evaluation of the piezoelectric properties, together with the proper mechanical design of the MEMS microphone, is fundamental to provide reliable estimations of the electroacoustic performances, in terms of SNR, dynamic range, and frequency response. Furthermore, a metrological approach for the evaluation of the measurement uncertainty of the piezoelectric coefficient allows predicting its contribution to the uncertainty associated with the electroacoustic characteristics of the MEMS microphone
