At the 90-nm node, the rate of transistor miniaturization slows down due to challenges in overcoming the increased leakage current (I_off). The invention of high-k/metal gate technology at the 45-nm technology node was an enormous step forward in extending Moore’s Law. The need to satisfy performance requirements and to overcome the limitations of planar bulk transistor to scales below 22 nm led to the development of fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) and fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) technologies. The 28-nm wafer planar process is the most cost-effective, and scaling towards the sub-10 nm technology node involves the complex integration of new materials (Ge, III-V, graphene) and new device architectures. To date, planar transistors still command >50% of the transistor market and applications. This work aims to downscale a planar PMOS to a 14-nm gate length using La₂O₃ as the high-k dielectric material. The device was virtually fabricated and electrically characterized using SILVACO. Taguchi L9 and L27 were employed to study the process parameters’ variability and interaction effects to optimize the process parameters to achieve the required output. The results obtained from simulation using the SILVACO tool show good agreement with the nominal values of PMOS threshold voltage (V_th) of −0.289 V ± 12.7% and I_off of less than 10⁻⁷ A/µm, as projected by the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS). Careful control of SiO₂ formation at the Si interface and rapid annealing processing are required to achieve La₂O₃ thermal stability at the target equivalent oxide thickness (EOT). The effects of process variations on V_th, I_on and I_off were investigated. The improved voltage scaling resulting from the lower V_th value is associated with the increased I_off due to the improved drain-induced barrier lowering as the gate length decreases. The performance of the 14-nm planar bulk PMOS is comparable to the performance of the FDSOI and FinFET technologies at the same gate length. The comparisons made with ITRS, the International Roadmap for Devices and Systems (IRDS), and the simulated and experimental data show good agreement and thus prove the validity of the developed model for PMOSs. Based on the results demonstrated, planar PMOSs could be a feasible alternative to FDSOI and FinFET in balancing the trade-off between performance and cost in the 14-nm process.

By decreasing the arc power and choosing the optimal arc time, we use the FSM-20PM ARC Fusion Splicer for joining fluoride(ZBLAN) and silica fibers. The best results of the splice loss is 1.58dB, and the results can be improved if the Fusion Splicer with more stable arc power. Then glue connection is used to fix the splicing point, and the minimal loss we measured is 0.14dB. The above results show that it is possible to connect the fluoride and silica fibers by using Fusion Splicer with appropriate arc power and arc time, which will make the fabrication of these splices simpler and easier to be handled.

Computational tools and methods play a vital role in handling and analyzing a large volume of genomic data. In cancer research, in silico methods such as computational algorithm and protein databases are indispensable. In this paper, we adopted an in silico approach to analyze oncogenes that cause renal cancer. Our objective is to identify and analyze the genes which are over expressed in the renal cancer tissues. The identification of oncogenes for renal cancer could provide directions and insights for molecular cancer treatment.

Computational Analysis of PTEN Gene Mutation

Increasing women participation in engineering has been a challenge throughout the world for the past decades. According to International Energy Agency (IEA), women remained underrepresented in energy related careers. More effort is needed to increase the presence of women in engineering. This project aims to educate underprivileged girls in a secondary school in Ipoh Malaysia about renewable energy and the career that comes with it through a developed training module couple with an interactive hands-on workshop. ADDIE instructional design methodology was applied to develop the training module and the workshop materials. Pre-Test and PostTest research design was implemented to investigate the impact of the training module and hands-on workshop. The module developed was delivered by experienced female engineers from the industry while the hands-on workshop was facilitated by Universiti Tenaga Nasional student volunteers who were mostly female undergraduates. The results obtained from 40 participating underprivileged female students indicated that significant improvement had been achieved in knowledge transfer and understanding about Hydro Power, Bio Energy, Geothermal and Ocean Energy. The survey results also indicated that there is significant increment in the building and experimenting skills of these students with renewable energy. There is also significant increase in the aspiration of the students to become engineers in the future. The project had been very successful in not just educating underprivileged students about renewable energy and careers but also inspiring the students to take up engineering studies and career opportunities.