Hardware-based machine intelligence with the network architecture of reservoir computing (RC) is gaining interest because of its biological computational resemblance along with an easy and efficient neural network training approach. Herein, such a physical RC (in-materio RC) platform consisting of a recurrent network formed by the single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)-porphyrin polyoxometalate (Por-POM) complex is demonstrated. The network architecture executes the fundamental reservoir properties of nonlinearity, higher harmonic generation, and 1/f(gamma) power law information processing ability. Based on these functionalities, an RC benchmark task of waveform generation is performed where the device achieves maximum fitting accuracy of 99.4%. Furthermore, a supervised object classification task based on a one-hot vector target is also executed using Toyota Human Support Robot tactile inputs. The successful classification of objects of different hardness is enhanced when the device output response follows the 1/f(gamma) power law of maximized information processing.

Carbon nanotubes (CNT)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) have been investigated as potential materials for tomato-harvesting applications. The current-voltage (I-V) and current time (I-t) properties, as well as tomato hardness measurement and support-vector machine learning, were used to determine the performance of the sensor with respect to sensitivity, response time, accuracy, and detection limit of the nanocomposite. The data suggested an accurate (± 5.2%) measurement in a low-weight region of tomato. Narrowing of the I-V hysteresis curve towards a higher weight region was observed as a result of the increase in electron pathways. The fabricated sensor displayed a higher sensitivity (15 mV / mu text{m} ) than the commercial sensor (1 mV / mu text{m} ). In addition, machine learning of the resistance-displacement curve data yielded an average accuracy level of 0.67 when tested using acquired data.

A method for room temperature demonstration of in-materio reservoir computing (RC) with a single-walled carbon nanotube/porphyrin-polyoxometalate network (SWNT/Por-POM) is proposed. Boolean functions of OR, AND, NOR, NAND, XOR, and XNOR, all were reconstructed with an accuracy >90% via supervised training of linear voltage readouts. The RC pre-requisite of echo-state property and recurrent connection allowed for consistent performances over multiple test datasets and time-shifted target sequences. Moreover, a non-zero machine intelligence index confirmed the presence of negative differential resistance dynamics, incorporating in SWNT/Por-POM the mathematical equivalence of additive and subtractive functions, thereby aiding the construction of such complex Boolean functions.

Reservoir computing (RC), a low-power computational framework derived from recurrent neural networks, is suitable for temporal/sequential data processing. Here, we report the development of RC devices utilizing Ag-Ag2S core-shell nanoparticles (NPs), synthesized by a simple wet chemical protocol, as the reservoir layer. We examined the NP-based reservoir layer for the required properties of RC hardware, such as echo state property, and then performed the benchmark tasks. Our study on NP-based reservoirs highlighted the importance of the dynamics between the NPs as indicated by the rich high dimensionality due to the echo state property. These dynamics affected the accuracy (up to 99%) of the target waveforms that were generated with a low number of readout channels. Our study demonstrates the great potential of Ag-Ag2S NPs for the development of next-generation RC hardware.

The properties of nickel zinc ferrite (Ni0·5Zn0·5Fe2O4) thick film with Ni0·5Zn0·5Fe2O4 nanopowders as active powders and linseed oil as the organic vehicle is studied and investigated in this work. Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 thick film paste samples have been prepared with various weight ratios to study the rheology properties of the pastes. Rheology results show that paste with 30% wt. Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 has suitable rheological shear-thinning behavior, which is required for formulating screen printing pastes. Dielectric and magnetic properties of the thick film show values lower than bulk Ni0·5Zn0·5Fe2O4, which is relatable to the weight ratio of the ferrite in thick film and thickness of approximately 20 μm. With a low firing temperature of 200 °C, a screen printed microstrip patch antenna with a Ni0·5Zn0·5Fe2O4 thick film layer as substrate overlay has an increase in return loss by 64.22% and also increase in bandwidth by 84.61%, which has shown great potential for microwave devices applications.

This work investigated the effect of adding nickel zinc ferrite thick film layer to a flexible substrate as overlay below a conductive silver patch. The ferrite thick film paste was prepared by mixing nickel zinc ferrite (NZF) nanopowders with an organic vehicle, and later using screen printing technique to print a thick film layer onto polyimide film, and later added a rectangle silver conductive patch on top of the ferrite layer. Measurement results of the flexible patch antenna with NZF thick film layer show that the thick film significantly widens the bandwidth of the antenna while having good return loss. The bending test, however, showed that there are significant changes of frequency and return loss when the antenna was bent at different angles, showing that further improvement is needed to further stabilizes the antenna parameters in bent conditions.

This work investigated the effect of various carbon nanotube (CNT) powders' weight ratio for the preparation of CNT thick film paste. CNT pastes have been prepared with powder weight ratios of 5 wt%, 10wt%, 15wt% and 20wt% to study the rheological properties of the paste. Results show that pastes with a weight ratio of 15wt% and 20wt% have high viscosity at a low shear rate and decreasing viscosity as shear rates increases. This shear-thinning rheological behaviour is found to be suitable for screen printing pastes. Measurement results of CNT thick film patch antenna show that CNT thick film significantly widens the bandwidth of the antenna while having good return loss. The frequency shift as compared with an antenna with the silver conductive film however notably increases, indicating that electrical properties of CNT patch are lower than those of silver patch, which may occur due to the defects of CNTs in the paste.

In this work, yttrium iron garnet (YIG) thick film paste was printed onto Kapton polyimide film to form a substrate overlay, which then a silver patch was printed onto it to form a flexible microstrip patch antenna (MPA). Measurement results showed that the flexible MPA with YIG thick film inclusion showed improved return loss, as well as having good stability when the MPA is being bent.

This paper presents the results of morphological study on nanosized nickel zinc ferrite (NZF) thick film using linseed oil as organic vehicle and nanosized NZF powder. First, NZF nanopowder is mixed with organic vehicle which consists of linseed oil, m-xylene and α-terpineol. Paste samples were screen printed onto alumina as substrate, dried and fired at different temperatures of 100°C, 200°C, and 300°C, respectively. Microscopic images of the samples and elemental analysis were observed to determine good dispersion of the active powder with the organic vehicle. Based on the results, the nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed, and images of thick films fired at 200°C and 300°C have shown clearly visible particles, indicating that at these temperatures, the organic vehicle has started to evaporate on the surface, revealing nanoparticles of the active powders. The elemental analysis confirmed this idea, of which carbon element of the organic vehicle gradually decreased with increasing temperature.

Purification and functionalization of carbon nanotubes have been examined using different acid treatments. CNTs treatment may vary depending on the desired outcome. The results show that HCl as a strong acid, oxidizes all the materials present in the sample. HNO3acts as an oxidizing agent which is useful to produce functional CNTs. H2O2behaves as a regulator in presence of both acids. The results suggest that H2O2may be a critical element to control the outcome of CNTs purification and functionalization process.

In this paper, nickel zinc ferrite (NZF) nanopowder was mixed with organic vehicle which consists of linseed oil, m-xylene and α-terpineol. Then the mixture was sonicated for 1 hour at 40°C in order to obtain homogenous paste, followed by printing it onto FR4 substrate using the screen printing technique to form the NZF thick film layer before dried at 100°C and later fired at 200°C. A basic square shape patch antenna by using silver paste was printed onto the NZF thick film layer and was compared with another patch antenna which was been printed without the NZF layer. The results showed that the antenna with NZF thick film layer has return loss of -10.97dB, resonant frequency 6.42GHz, bandwidth 3.9 and Q factor of 1.646, which is better compared to the antenna without the layer by 32.81%, 3.22%, 86.60% and 44.69% respectively.

Research on microstrip patch antenna (MPA) has been growing in the past few decades due to its planar profile and easy fabrication. Its simplicity of structure, which includes a conductive patch, a dielectric substrate, a ground plane, and a microstrip feeder, is making it more popular for integration in devices which are more focused on miniaturization and flexibility. There are, however, a few disadvantages of MPA, such as narrow bandwidth, low power, and limited inexpensive material selection if a current printed circuit board etching fabrication technique is used. Ferrite substrates are known to be able to help overcome this issue, but the properties of bulk ferrites are difficult to control. This paper aims to solve this problem by using thick-film technology, which utilizes a screen printing method to include ferrite thick film in the MPA structure as substrate overlay to help enhance the performance of MPA. Yttrium iron garnet was chosen as the starting ferrite nanopowders, and the preparation and characterization of the ferrite thick-film paste were carried out to investigate properties of the thick film. Results showed that the thick film showed moderate permittivity and permeability, which is suitable for MPA fabrication. The actual fabricated MPA with ferrite thick-film inclusion on FR4 substrate showed that the thick film improved the performance of MPA with low firing temperature of 200 °C. For MPA which is designed to work at 5.8 GHz, the return loss and -3-dB bandwidth improved 100% and 73%, respectively. In conclusion, ferrite thick-film inclusion in MPA fabrication has proven to improve the performance of the antenna in terms of return loss and bandwidth enhancement.

Discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was beginning of a revolutionary path for material scientists. CNTs extraordinary properties made this wonder material an important alternative for scientists in all fields; although utilizing CNTs were not as simple as synthesizing them. Ever since the discovery, numerous platforms for synthesis of CNTs have been investigated. Depending on the necessity of the application in which CNTs are exploited different quality, yield, chirality, size, and properties are required. Nowadays the fabrication process mostly relies on arc discharge, laser ablation and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). One of the major drawbacks in exploitation of CNTs is their tenancy to aggregate due to the weak van der Waals forces present as a result of sp2 hybridization of carbon atoms. Due to the extraordinary mechanical, electrical, optical, chemical, physical, biological, and other features of CNTs, scientists began to work on different methods to overcome aggregation during utilization of CNTs. Dispersion of CNTs has been done via several functionalization processes. Each of these techniques has their own functionality. Functionalization of CNTs depends on two central techniques, covalent and noncovalent modifications, which are essential, to achieve desired characteristics that can be applied in wide range of applications. Therefore, in this chapter we will try to explain the CNTs fabrication techniques as well as the methods that have been utilized to increase the purity and dispersion of CNTs.

Despite the fact of the technology has advanced, the fabrication of flexible pressure sensor still uses material that can bring harm to the environment. Therefore, this project is done to research on method that used more eco-friendly materials for the fabrication process on paste preparation while maintaining its performance in term of resistivity and conductivity by fabricating the flexible pressure sensor using Carbon Black/PDMS. Three flexible pressure sensors with different electrode designs were fabricated on the same substrate which is Kapton Film. The resistance of the three sensors was measured and resistivity and conductivity were extracted. Later two types of graphs were plotted for each sensor: The resistivity and conductivity of the sensors were analysed.

Microwave oven was utilized to fabricate carbon nanostructure, specifically CNTs, from waste RH powders. It has been shown that the use of carbon source, catalyst, and commercial microwave oven to induce plasma is necessary to carry on this synthesis. The plasma enhances and speeds up the catalytic decomposition of RH in presence of ferrocene. FESEM, TGA, and Raman spectroscopy were utilized to confirm the presence and quality of produced carbon nanomaterials. In addition, these results suggest the conversion of ferrocene to iron(II, III) oxide with notable conversion rate.

In this work, we reported a chemically modified technique via screen printing method to fabricate carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposite to monitor the piezoresistive behavior of nanocomposite while applying pressure. Raman, UV/vis and HRTEM results were utilized to verify the quality of CNTs, purified through chemical and physical treatments; carboxylic and hydroxylic functional groups were determined via FTIR. The optimum dispersion ratio of the nanocomposite was observed by FESEM images which clearly show the consistent dispersion of CNTs coated by PDMS. Furthermore, I–V characterization of the developed nanocomposite indicates change in resistivity for a few orders of magnitude before and after treatment in addition to resistance variation as a result of different applied pressures. These results indicate the importance of CNTs treatment prior to nanocomposite fabrication in order to obtain lower percolation threshold. Obtained results are useful in development of haptic sensor, artificial finger, and brain like devices for robotics applications.

Haptic sensors are essential devices that facilitate human-like sensing systems such as implantable medical devices and humanoid robots. The availability of conducting thin films with haptic properties could lead to the development of tactile sensing systems that stretch reversibly, sense pressure (not just touch), and integrate with collapsible. In this study, a nanocomposite based hemispherical artificial fingertip fabricated to enhance the tactile sensing systems of humanoid robots. To validate the hypothesis, proposed method was used in the robot-like finger system to classify the ripe and unripe tomato by recording the metabolic growth of the tomato as a function of resistivity change during a controlled indention force. Prior to fabrication, a finite element modeling (FEM) was investigated for tomato to obtain the stress distribution and failure point of tomato by applying different external loads. Then, the extracted computational analysis information was utilized to design and fabricate nanocomposite based artificial fingertip to examine the maturity analysis of tomato. The obtained results demonstrate that the fabricated conformable and scalable artificial fingertip shows different electrical property for ripe and unripe tomato. The artificial fingertip is compatible with the development of brain-like systems for artificial skin by obtaining periodic response during an applied load.

In this work, a quick and effective method to synthesize carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is reported; a commercial microwave oven of 600 W at 2.45 GHz was utilized to synthesize CNTs from plasma catalytic decomposition of polyethylene. Polyethylene and silicon substrate coated with iron (III) nitrate were placed in the reaction chamber to form the synthesis stock. The CNTs were synthesized at 750°C under atmospheric pressure of 0.81 mbar. Raman spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscope revealed the quality and entangled bundles of mixed CNTs from which the diameters of the CNTs were calculated to be between 1.03 and 25.00 nm. High resolution transmission electron microscope further showed that the CNTs obtained by this method are graphitized. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis and thermogravimetric analysis revealed above 98% carbon purity.

Advances in the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as a result of the properties and potential application of carbon nanotubes. We demonstrated a simple approach of using domestic microwave oven with 600W at 2.45 GHz which was modified to produce CNTs from a carbon source on coated silicon oxide substrate. The Raman spectroscopy showed the graphitic nature of the obtained CNTs, with intensity ratio ID/IG calculated to be 0.92. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) reveals CNTs are produced on the substrate surface with outer diameter range of 11-44 nm and length of about 0.25 μm. HRTEM further confirmed the graphitic nature of the CNTs obtained. The purity of the nanotubes was analyzed with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) which showed atomic weight of 98% carbon purity. This paper shows that domestic microwave oven can be used to synthesize CNTs with polymer as the carbon source via plasma catalytic decomposition which was found to be fast, economical and clean technique.

This paper presents results of study on Yttrium iron garnet (YIG) thick film paste using linseed oil as organic binder. YIG nanopowder is mixed with organic vehicle which consists of linseed oil, m-xylene and α-terpineol. Samples with different ratios of compositions are prepared to study the printability and adhesion properties of the paste. Paste samples were then screen printed onto alumina substrate, dried and fired at 300°C. Microscopic images of the samples were observed to determine most suitable ratio for producing YIG paste. Based on the results, YIG paste with 30 wt% ratio showed good adhesion to the substrate as well as having high dielectric property compared to pastes with lower powder ratio.

Highly graphitized nucleophilic group functionalized Multiwall carbon nanotubes are utilized to fabricate PDMS/FMWCNTs nanocomposites with low weight fraction (0.1 wt%). The effect of solvents on dispersion of FMWCNTs is studied. THF shows higher dispersion power in comparison with chloroform. The dielectric constant is measured using impedance analyzer in the range of 106-109 Hz. The result indicate, the dielectric property of FMWCNTs/PDMS nanocomposite could be manipulated with proper mixing techniques and adjustment of curing time.

Detection and quantification of biological and chemical species are critical to many areas of the life sciences and health care, from disease diagnosis to drug screening. Central to detection is the transduction of the signal associated with the sensing event. Advances in nanotechnology have led to the development of the silicon nanowire which is faster, smaller, greener and cheaper. These nanowires have a very narrow diameter similar to that of the chemical and biological species to be sensed making them perfectly suited for biosensing. The top-down fabricated silicon nanowires is used in this work due to its oxide-coated surface and ease of integration with other microelectronic components. Due to the ultra-small output signal of the nanowire, bulky equipments which are often time consuming and expensive are used for reading the signal. This work attempts to build a circuit that can be interfaced with the nanowire to make the signal readable hence the sensor will become portable thereby increasing its utility to being a point-of-care and field-testing device.