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Part 12: Pathways and Tools for Digital Innovation Hubs; International audience; As digital transformation imposes cultural changes in terms of how value is delivered, continual experimentation helps define optimal solutions for key stakeholders. From the DIH perspective, the hunt is on for the most impactful and financially sustainable services that lend themselves to practical customisationagainsttarget group needs. Among these, fostering cross-border collaboration amongst themselves and between SMEs is also a desirable, albeit challenging strategy to be pursued by DIHs. We present the approach of DigiFed (European Commission funded project), which relies on a network of 12 DIHs and Research Technology Organisations (RTOs)to design and experiment with novel innovation support mechanisms for SMEs across Europe. We analyse the currently implemented cross-border cooperation instruments and their preliminary results and describe additional instruments under ongoingexperimentation. We also elaborate on prospectsto generalise these instruments for adoption by other DIH networks.

Resume Introduction La kinesitherapie est une composante majeure de la prise en charge des douleurs d’origine musculo-squelettique (DMS). Cette etude avait pour objectif d’evaluer la kinesiophobie, son impact et sa prise en charge, dans une population de patients ayant recu une prescription de kinesitherapie pour des DMS. Methodes Une etude nationale prospective multicentrique a ete menee en France chez des patients ayant recu une prescription de kinesitherapie pour des DMS. Le score de kinesiophobie a ete mesure sur l’echelle de Tampa (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia [TSK]). La douleur, la satisfaction, la consommation d’antalgiques ont ete evaluees a la premiere visite, a la 5 e seance de kinesitherapie puis a la sortie du programme de reeducation. Resultats Sept cents patients consecutifs souffrant de DMS, dont 54,5 % de femmes, ayant recu une prescription de kinesitherapie, ont ete inclus par 186 medecins generalistes (MG) : 501 avaient un score eleve de kinesiophobie (score TSK > 40). Les patients presentant une kinesiophobie etaient significativement plus âges, avec une activite physique reduite, des douleurs plus intenses et une faible acceptabilite de la douleur. Les patients inclus par un MG ayant une kinesiophobie averee avaient des douleurs et un score de kinesiophobie plus eleves. A l’issue de la 5 e seance de kinesitherapie, la satisfaction globale etait significativement plus elevee chez les patients sans kinesiophobie. On notait une amelioration significative de la satisfaction chez les patients ayant recu une prescription preventive d’antalgiques avant la kinesitherapie, c’est-a-dire 25,6 % d’entre eux. Les facteurs predictifs independants de la prise en charge specifique des douleurs induites par la kinesitherapie etaient : kinesiophobie du patient (OR = 2,02 [1,07–3,82]), traitement antalgique en cours (OR = 2,05 [1,16–3,63]), medecin generaliste ayant suivi un cursus post-these sur la douleur (OR = 2,65 [1,29–5,43]), medecin generaliste exercant dans le secteur prive (OR = 1,88 [1,01–3,48]). Conclusion La kinesiophobie est un processus frequent chez les patients souffrant de DMS, il est associe a la kinesiophobie du MG et diminue la satisfaction du patient vis-a-vis de la kinesitherapie. Une prescription antalgique preventive avant les seances de reeducation permet d’augmenter la satisfaction des patients et doit etre proposee en vue d’ameliorer la prise en charge des DMS.

International audience; Objectives: To describe the management of glucose-lowering agents in people with type 2 diabetes initially on oral monotherapy, cared for by French general practitioners, and to identify reasons underlying treatment non-intensification.Methods: People with type 2 diabetes on oral monotherapy were recruited by general practitioners and followed-up over 12 months. Patient characteristics, HbA1c, and glucose-lowering treatments were recorded electronically. Management objectives and reasons for treatment non-intensification were solicited from the general practitioners.Results: A total of 1212 patients were enrolled by 198 general practitioners; 937 patients (mean age 68 years) were treated with oral monotherapy, and 916 patients had at least two successive HbA1c values recorded. Of these, 390 patients (43%) had HbA1c ≥ 6.5% on both occasions, and 164/390 (42%) had their treatment intensified. The 226 patients whose treatment was not intensified were older (69 ± 11 years vs. 66 ± 12 years, P = 0.02) and had better glycaemic control at study inclusion (6.9% ± 0.6 vs. 7.3% ± 0.8, P < 0.0001) than treatment intensified patients. Among uncontrolled patients, there were no differences in general practitioner treatment objectives at inclusion for treatment intensified and non-intensified patients; the main reason given by general practitioners for non-intensification was that the patient had an adequate HbA1c (66%). HbA1c did exceed the 6.5% target, but was less than 7.0% in 69% of cases.Conclusions: General practitioners showed a patient-centred approach to treatment, but clinical inertia was apparent for 31% of the uncontrolled patients.; Objectifs: Décrire les pratiques des médecins généralistes français concernant l’intensification du traitement des diabétiques de type 2 mal-équilibrés et traités au départ par hypoglycémiants oraux en monothérapie et identifier les raisons d’une non-intensification du traitement.Méthodes: Des diabétiques de type 2 sous monothérapie orale ont été recrutés par des médecins généralistes et suivis pendant 12 mois; leurs caractéristiques, HbA1c et traitements hypoglycémiants ont été enregistrés par électronique. Les objectifs de prise en charge par les médecins généralistes et les raisons d’une non-intensification de traitement ont été notés.Résultats: Un total de 1212 patients avec un diabète de type 2 ont été recrutés par 198 généralistes ; 937 (âge moyen 68 ans) ont été traités par hypoglycémiant oral en monothérapie, parmi lesquels 916 ont eu au moins deux mesures successives d’HbA1c. Parmi eux, 390 (43 %) ont présenté une HbA1c ≥ 6,5 % deux fois au cours du suivi, et 164/390 (42 %) ont bénéficié d’une intensification de traitement. Les 226 patients n’ayant pas bénéficié de cette intensification étaient plus âgés (69 ± 11 vs 66 ± 12 ans, p = 0,02) et présentaient une meilleur équilibre glycémique à l’inclusion (6,9 % ± 0,6 vs 7,3 % ± 0,8, p < 0,0001). Parmi les patients non-équilibrés, il n’y avait pas de différence des objectifs de traitement à l’inclusion selon qu’ils aient bénéficié d’un traitement intensifié ou pas ; les raisons d’une non-intensification étaient que l’HbA1c (66 %) étaient adéquates. En effet, l’HbA1c dépassaient la valeur cible de 6,5 % de moins de 0,5 % dans 69 % des cas.Conclusions: Les médecins généralistes ont montré une approche centrée sur leur patient. Pour 31 % des patients mal-équilibrés, une inertie thérapeutique a toutefois été notée.

Introduction Physical therapy (PT) represents a major approach in musculoskeletal (MSK) pain. This study aimed to assess kinesiophobia, its impact and management, in patients with MSK pain treated by PT. Methods A national multicenter, prospective study was conducted in France in patients with MSK pain referred to PT. Kinesiophobia was scored with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK). Pain, satisfaction, analgesic intake and acceptability were assessed at the initial visit, at the 5th PT session, and at the end of PT. Results A total of 700 consecutive outpatients with MSK pain, 54.5% female, referred to PT were recruited by 186 GPs: 501 had significant levels of kinesiophobia (TSK score > 40). Patients with kinesiophobia were significantly older, with less physical activity, more pain and less acceptability. Patients from GPs presenting with kinesiophobia had both higher pain and kinesiophobia levels. After 5 PT sessions, global satisfaction was significantly higher in patients without kinesiophobia. A significant increase of PT satisfaction was observed in patients who had been given preventive analgesics before PT sessions, in 25.6% of patients. Independent predictors for specific management of PT-induced pain were: patient's kinesiophobia (OR = 2.02 [1.07–3.82]), current analgesics treatment (OR = 2.05 [1.16–3.63]), GP with postgraduate course on pain (OR = 2.65 [1.29–5.43]), GP's independent practice (OR = 1.88 [1.01–3.48]). Conclusion Kinesiophobia is frequent in patients with MSK pain, is associated to GPs’ kinesiophobia and decreases satisfaction of physical therapy. Preventive analgesic treatment before PT sessions improves patients’ satisfaction and should be proposed to improve MSK pain management.

This paper presents the first printed organic 13-MHz RFID on flexible substrate. The proposed solution includes a planar near field antenna bonded to an RFID tag, which is printed on flexible foil using an organic complementary TFT technology. Thanks to an active envelope detector, ASK modulation with modulation depth as low as 20% can be adopted to increase the available input power for the rectifier. The RFID functionality is demonstrated at the internally generated supply voltage of 24 V, for a reading range of 2-5 cm and a bit-rate up to 50 bit/s. With more than 250 transistors on the same foil, this work represents the most complex circuit ever published in a printed organic complementary TFT technology.

We studied the capacitance characteristics of printed p-type organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) under vari- ous frequencies and dc bias conditions. The experimental results show that the device capacitance is largely influenced by parasitic capacitances, related to the large gate-active layer overlap areas required by the printing processes. We developed a nonquasi- static small-signal capacitance model that adopts a transmission line approach and considers the specific layout of the OTFTs, taking into account for the parasitic capacitances and, hence, is particularly well suited for printed devices. In addition, the model included parasitic impedance at the metal-organic semiconductor contacts, related to the nonohmic behavior of source-drain contacts. The model has been shown to nicely reproduce the experimental capacitance characteristics in all their features. It should be pointed out that the proposed model allows the reproducing of any device layout and could be implemented in device simulator to analyze small-signal dynamic characteristics.

We demonstrate a new electrode gate based on graphene ink for complementary printed organic metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology on flexible plastic substrates. The goal is to replace the standard silver electrode gate. Devices made with graphene were enhanced and showed a high field-effect mobility of 3 cm 2 V −1 s −1 for P-type and 0.9 cm 2 V −1 s −1 for the N-type semiconductors. The improvement is attributed to the increase of the electrical capacitance of the organic dielectric (CYTOP) due to the graphene layer. A seven-stage ring oscillator was made with high oscillation frequencies of 2.1 kHz at 40 V corresponding to a delay/gate value of 34 μs. These performances are promising for use of low cost printed electronic applications.

Organic Thin film Transistors (OTFT) have been widely investigated in these last years as potential candidate for the development of low cost, flexible and lightweight active-matrix backplanes for display applications. Indeed the organic semiconductors provide both promising electrical performances tunable by chemistry and the ability to be processed at low temperature with innovative printing technics on various large scale substrates. Thanks to the recent developments on both n-type and p-type solution-processed organic semiconductors, we have developed a printable organic CMOS technology compatible with flexible PEN substrates. By combining state of the art materials exhibiting mobility in the range of 1 cm2/V.s and silicon inspired compact modeling and simulation approach, we were able to design and fabricate circuit's building blocks that provide the switching, digital and analog functions required for the fabrication of printed systems on foil.

This paper presents a printed organic complementary technology on flexible plastic substrate with high performance N and P-type Organic Thin Film Transistors (OTFTs), based on small-molecule organic semiconductors in solution. Challenges related to the integration of both OTFT types in a common complementary flow are addressed, showing the importance of surface treatments. Stability on single devices and on an elementary complementary digital circuit (ring oscillator) is studied, demonstrating that a robust and reliable flow with high electrical performances can be established for printed organic devices. These devices are used to manufacture several analog and digital building blocks. The design is carried out using a model specifically developed for this technology, and taking into account the parametric variability. High-frequency measurements of printed envelope detectors show improved speed performance, resulting from the high mobility of the OTFTs. In addition, a compact dynamic flip-flop and a low-offset comparator are demonstrated, thanks to availability of both n-type and p-type OTFTs in the technology. Measurement results are in good agreement with the simulations. The circuits presented establish a complete library of building blocks for the realization of a printed RFID tag.

Summary Changes in temperature and precipitation projected for the next century will induce important modifications into the hydrological regimes of the St. Lawrence tributaries (Quebec, Canada). The temperature increase anticipated during the winter and spring seasons will affect precipitation phase and consequently the snow/precipitation ratio and the water volume stored into snow cover. The impact on northern river hydrology and geomorphology will be significant. In this study we aim to assess the magnitude of the hydrological alteration associated with climate change; to model the projected temporal shift in the occurrence of winter/spring center-volume date; to assess the sensitivity of the winter/spring center-volume date to changes in climatic variables and to examine the latitudinal component of the projected changes through the use of five watersheds on both shores of the St. Lawrence. The study emphasizes changes in the winter and spring seasons. Projected river discharges for the next century were generated with the hydrological model HSAMI run with six climate series projections. Three General Circulation Models (HadCM3, CSIRO-Mk2 and ECHAM4) and two greenhouse gas emissions scenarios (A2 and B2) were used to create a range of plausible scenarios. The projected daily climate series were produced using the historical data of a reference period (1961–1990) with a perturbation factor equivalent to the monthly mean difference (temperature and precipitation) between a GCM in the future for three 30 year horizons (2010–2039, 2040–2069; 2070–2099) and the reference period. These climate projections represent an uncertainty envelope for the projected hydrologic data. Despite the differences due mainly to the GCM used, most of the hydrological simulations projected an increase in winter discharges and a decrease in spring discharges. The center-volume date is expected to be in advance by 22–34 days depending on the latitude of the watershed. The increase in mean temperature with the simultaneous decrease of the snow/precipitation ratio during the winter and spring period explain a large part of the projected hydrological changes. The latitude of the river governed the timing of occurrence of the maximum change (sooner for tributaries located south) and the duration of the period affected by marked changes in the temporal distribution of discharge (longer time scale for rivers located at higher latitudes). Higher winter discharges are expected to have an important geomorphological impact mostly because they may occur under ice-cover conditions. Lower spring discharges may promote sedimentation into the tributary and at their confluence with the St. Lawrence River. The combined effects of modifications in river hydrology and geomorphological processes will likely impact riparian ecosystems.

International audience; Printed organic electronic is believed to be one of the next major technological breakthroughs in the field of microelectronic. The use of high throughput standard graphic arts printing to process organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) opens promising perspectives for low cost, large area and flexible circuits. Nevertheless, these techniques are commonly known to produce relatively thick (>1 μm) layers and to require complex inks formulations composed of several additives. In this paper, we demonstrate that screen printing and gravure printing may be highly versatile and could be well appropriate to deposit organic semi-conducting layers. These fast “single step” processes combined with amorphous semi-conducting polymer give thin, uniform and reproducible layers. The performances of printed or spin-coated films are similar and lead to robust and reliable full printed transistors and logic functions. Moreover, the capability of screen printing and gravure to deposit small patterns of semiconductor is discussed. Lines and spaces down to 500 μm are reported without specific inks and tools optimizations.

In this study, we report on the influence of the semi-conductor thickness on organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs). Devices are fabricated with a top gate/bottom contact geometry on plastic substrates. Both n-channel and p-channel OTFTs made, respectively, from a N,N-dialkylsubstituted-(1,7&1,6)-dicyanoperylene-3,4:9,10-bis(dicarboximide) derivative (Polyera ActivInk™ N1400) and from 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene (TIPS-pentacene) are studied and compared. Impact of the active semiconducting layer thickness on both contact resistance and mobility are uncorrelated by the use of the transfer line method (TLM). When increasing the thickness of the semi-conductor, we find an increasing contact resistance and a decreasing channel mobility for both n- and p-channel OTFTs. The loss of mobility with increased thickness is attributed to a degradation of the interface between the semi-conductors and the dielectric, and is studied by atomic force microscope (AFM).

Under appropriate conditions, in vitro microtubule preparations self-organise over macroscopic distances by a process of reaction and diffusion. To investigate whether such self-organisation can also occur in objects as small as a cell or an embryo we carried out experiments in miniature containers of cellular dimension. When assembled under self-organising conditions in wells of 120-500 microm, microtubules developed organised structures. Self-organisation is strongly affected by shape, being highly favoured by elongated forms. In wells of more complex shape, geometrical factors may either oppose or strengthen one another and so inhibit or reinforce self-organisation. Microtubules were also assembled within phospholipid vesicles of 2-5 microm diameter. Under self-organising conditions, we observed large shape changes from spheroids to long tubes (50-100 microm) and intertwined coils. We conclude that self-organisation of microtubules by reaction-diffusion processes can occur in containers of cellular dimensions and is capable of strongly deforming the cellular membrane.

Un dispositif micro-fluidique de genotypage a haut debit a ete developpe. Ce dispositif fonctionne en mode continu et permet des analyses en parallele et en serie. Le volume de reaction va du sub-microlitre a quelques microlitres. Le dispositif est optimise pour de longs protocoles de preparation d'echantillon et ouvre l'opportunite a l'integration sur la meme plateforme des reactions biologiques complexes, telles que le genotypage.

Moving droplets with a micro catenary. We first describe the advamages of the handling of individual droplets in microfluidic systems. To that end, we use electro-wetting to induce changes in the contact angles of drops in partial wetting. As an electrode and a guide for the drops. we use an original design consisting in a thin (25-50 mm) gold wire used as a microcatenary. The displacement of drops in the micro-liter range is obtained first with an underlying matrix of electrodes and second, by an effect of asymmetric wetting and dewetting obtained by a surface with directed structuration. We report the technology and the fluidic validation.

This paper presents organic complementary circuits that can be used in an all-organic sheet-to-sheet processed RFID tag on plastic foils. An integrated organic eight-stage rectifier reaching a 14 MHz maximum working frequency is presented, as well as a physical unclonable function generator able to generate a code depending on the organic process scattering.

In this work we present a flexible pyroelectric capacitive sensor, based on PVDF-TrFE, fabricated on a ultra-thin polyimide film (8 μm thick) connected to a fully printed p-channel organic thin film transistor that is used to amplify the sensor signal. We fabricate a standalone device, exploiting a multi-foil approach, where the pyroelectric capacitor was glued on the organic TFT substrate, that consists of a PEN foil 125 μm thick, previously made in CEA-LITEN labs. The pyroelectric properties of the PVDF-TrFE capacitor were enhanced using a thermal poling procedure before the TFT integration. The sensor behavior was analyzed at different working frequencies (up to 500 Hz) under a specific infrared (IR) radiation provided by a He-Ne laser, with a wavelength of 632 nm and maximum power of 5 mW. An output signal of few millivolts was observed, exploiting the pre-amplification of the fully printed organic transistor.

The paper presents several analog and digital building blocks designed using OTFT devices manufactured in a fully-printed complementary organic technology. Circuit performance and parametric variability are simulated based on a model developed specifically for this technology. Fully-static logic gates and flip-flops as well as a low-area dynamic flip-flop enabled by the use of complementary OTFTs are measured, showing good agreement with simulations. A comparator exploiting offset cancellation techniques achieves a measured offset of less than 200mV. In addition, small-sized envelope detectors are measured at the HF RFID frequency (13.56MHz), to demonstrate the high frequency performance of the OTFTs. All these circuits are building blocks for the realization of a printed RFID tag. © 2012 IEEE.

Drastic efforts have been realized these last years in order to develop complementary organic technology. This is the essential key to produce elementary low-cost circuits for digital and analog applications. Different techniques [1–3] are available nowadays to obtain both N- and/or P-type organic devices. Screen printing is one of the most highly awaited low-cost techniques that can be used to produce organic devices and circuits. It has been widely used in P-type organic technologies [4, 5]. Now that N-type semiconductors have become much more easily processed, developers are seeking a complete CMOS and lifetime robust technology. Many previous works have reported on a complete solution based on CMOS technology [6–8]. Large-area-compatible organic processes have also been demonstrated [9]. Nevertheless some of the technological steps in these latter reports are not fully printed and/or still present some lithography/vacuum deposition steps. We present here a complete fully printed CMOS technology on flexible substrates showing acceptable device performances and digital/analog circuit functionalities, which can lead to more complex designs.

International audience

A modified transmission-line method (TLM) for organic transistorscontact resistance extraction is proposed. It is shown that the issues of conventional TLM reside in the channel resistance scattering due to parameter variations. These difficulties are overcome in the modified TLM, in which the linear regression slope is directly controlled by the contact resistance rather than by the channel resistance as in conventional TLM. Much smaller transistor-to-transistor dispersion of contact resistance results in a more stable and more reliable extraction method. Moreover, an error study by simulation has been carried out, confirming the greater accuracy of the modified TLM.

International audience; Sorting and recovering specific live cells from samples containing less than a few thousand cells have become major hurdles in rare cell exploration such as stem cell research, cell therapy and cell based diagnostics. We describe here a new technology based on a microelectronic chip integrating an array of over 100,000 independent electrodes and sensors which allow individual and parallel single cell manipulation of up to 10,000 cells while maintaining viability and proliferation capabilities. Manipulation is carried out using dynamic dielectrophoretic traps controlled by an electronic interface. We also demonstrate the capabilities of the chip by sorting and recovering individual live fluorescent cells from an unlabeled population.

Microfluidic networks are patterned in a dry film resist (Ordyl SY300/550) that is sandwiched in between two substrates. The technique enables fabrication of complex biochips with active elements both in the bottom and the top substrate (hybrid chips). The resist can be double bonded at relatively low temperatures without the use of extra adhesives. A postbake transfers the resist into a rigid structure. The resist is qualified in terms of resolution, biocompatibility and fluidic sealing. Fabrication in both a fully equipped cleanroom setting as well as a minimally equipped laboratory is described. The technique is applied for dielectrophoresis-based cell separation systems and a fuel cell reaction chamber with micropillars. The dry film resist can be considered a cheap and fast alternative to SU-8.

During the last decade, world-wide developments in micro-fabrication technologies have led to numerous Lab-On-a-Chip (LOC) micro-systems covering a wide spectrum of biotechnological applications. Although early LOC developments were driven by glass and silicon micro-fabrication techniques, in recent years polymeric-based LOC have been intensively developed. Taking advantage of each material, a hybrid device associating an active silicon chip with a passive polymeric micro-part has been developed to produce an addressable Cell-chip for individual cell manipulation and sorting. The complete hybrid micro-fluidic device fabrication is described here, including polymer structuring, hermetical sealing, biocompatibility studies, and fluidic interconnections with the sample as well as detection aspects. The cell manipulation is based on dielectrophoresis, which allows cell motion without fluid flow. First biological results will be presented.

SU-8, negative-tone epoxy base, photoresist has a great potential for ultra-thick high aspect ratio structures in low cost micro-fabrication technologies. Commercial formulation of NanoTM SU-8 2075 is investigate, process limitations are discuss. Good layer uniformity (few %) for single layer up to 200 μm could be obtained in a covered RC8 (Suss-MicroTec) spin coater, but for ultra-thick microstructures it is also possible to cast on the wafer a volume controlled of resist up to 1.5 mm without barrier. Long baking times are necessary for a well process control. The layout of the photo-masks design and process parameters have great impact on residual stress effects and adhesion failures, especially for dense SU-8 patterns on metallic under layer deposited on silicon wafers. A specific treatment applied before the resist coating definitely solved this problem. Bio-fluidic applications of on-wafer direct prototyping (silicon, glass, plastics) are presented. An example will be given on prototyping dielectophorectic micro-cell manipulation component. The SU-8 fluidic structure is made by a self planarized multi-level process (application for 2,5 to 3D microstructures). Biotechnology applications of integrated micro-cells could be considered thanks to the SU-8 good resistance to PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction). Future developments are focusing on the SU-8 capabilities for Deep Reactive Ion Etching of plastic and 3D shaping of microstructures using a process called : Multidirectional Inclined Exposure Lithography (MIEL).

The lab-on-a-chip approach has been increasingly present in biological research over the last ten years, high-throughput analyses being one of the promising utilization. The work presented here has consisted in developing an automated genotyping system based on a continuous flow analysis which integrates all the steps of the genotyping process (PCR, purification and sequencing). The genotyping device consists of a disposable hybrid silicon-plastic microfluidic chip, equipped with a permanent external, heating/cooling system, syringe-pumps based injection systems and on-line fluorescence detection. High throughput is obtained by performing the reaction in a continuous flow (1 reaction every 6min per channel) and in parallel (48 channels). We are presenting here the technical solutions developed to fabricate the hybrid silicon-plastic microfluidic device. It includes a polycarbonate substrate having 48 parallel grooves sealed by film lamination techniques to create the channels. Two different solutions for the sealing of the channels are compared in relation to their biocompatibility, fluidic behavior and fabrication process yield. Surface roughness of the surface of the channels is the key point of this step. Silicon fluidic chips are used for thermo-cycled reactions. A specific bonding technique has been developed to bond silicon chips onto the plastic part which ensures alignment and hermetic fluidic connexion. Surface coatings are studied to enhance the PCR biocompatibility and fluidic behavior of the two-phase liquid flow. We then demonstrate continuous operation over more than 20 hours of the component and validate PCR protocol on microliter samples in a continuous flow reaction.

Bias stress instability has been investigated in printed p-channel organic thin film transistors. The observed instability is related to two mechanisms: one, dominating at low T and causing “mobile ions” like threshold voltage variations is probably due to creation/annihilation of acceptor-like states; the second one, causing charge-trapping like instability, dominates at high T. High drain voltage bias stress experiments, inducing device self-heating, present threshold voltage variations, suggest a channel temperature rise ranging from 50 to 60 °C. The results point out the role of self-heating on the bias-stress instability, which is related to a combination of bias and temperature conditions.

Le nucleaire se prete particulierement a la naissance et a la propagation des rumeurs. Etudier la rumeur nucleaire c'est approcher une realite sociale qui a un corps propre, et qui, en tant que production de l'imaginaire, necessite une technique d'investigation particuliere et des methodes d'analyse adaptees. L'auteur pose les jalons d'une telle etude.

This paper aims to discuss the peculiarities of innovation approaches in the energy sector and examines success stories on how alternative sources of funding (such as cascade funding deriving from EU-financed projects) can effectively promote the role of SMEs in this environment. As digitalisation and smartification of the energy sector are key goals of the European Commission (EC), relevant legislative packages like the European Green Deal and other initiatives are actively promoting these priorities as enablers of the green transition. However, while large energy companies can afford to make substantial innovation investments, the SMEs innovation scenario is often characterised by a selected portfolio of start-ups and SMEs that get funded by large players only when functional to their business, leaving a significant portion of innovative SMEs out of this investment trend. In this context, the EU-funded DigiFed project’s approach, supporting Application Experiments (AEs) for innovative products development, seems relevant to showcase alternative ways to support innovation in the energy sector. Indeed, in 2 years of implementation, DigiFed has structured and launched 3 Open Calls for AEs (cascade funding), succeeding in funding 71 companies and 46 AEs in several sectors, for an overall investment budget of € 3.6 M. The present paper focuses on two successful cases of TWIN AEs related to the energy sector, i.e., DYNAGRID and REDUXI. DYNAGRID aims at demonstrating an affordable, wireless and battery-free solution to digitise the New Caledonian electric grid, reducing maintenance and increasing grid capacity, representing a peculiar case of successful implementation with a long-distance collaboration. On the other hand, REDUXI is focused on developing a smart, plug & play building management system box, capable of forecasting energy consumption and its further redistribution, with high chances to quickly reach the market. Eventually, based on these success cases, the paper discusses the support provided by DigiFed and its benefits with respect to other forms of innovation financing.